whispers in DARK

Chapter 7

She was excited to meet Krish, but a wave of uncertainty washed over her as she stirred her coffee. Their relationship had grown deeper, but the pressures from her family and friends still weighed heavily on her mind. She wanted to be happy, but she also craved clarity about her future.

As Krish walked in, his smile brightened the room, and her worries momentarily faded. He approached her table, his demeanor warm and inviting. “Hey! You look deep in thought. What’s going on?”

“Just trying to sort through some things,” she replied, offering him a tentative smile. “How was your week?”

“Busy, but good! I’ve been working on a project that I’m really excited about,” he said, his eyes lighting up. “But enough about me—what’s on your mind?”

Keerthi hesitated for a moment before speaking. “I’ve been thinking a lot about our future. I love what we have, but I’m still struggling with the expectations around me.”

Krish leaned closer, his expression serious. “What kind of expectations? Your parents? Friends?”

“Yeah, all of it. Everyone seems to be moving toward marriage and settling down, and sometimes I feel like I’m being left behind,” she admitted, feeling the weight of her words.

Krish reached across the table, placing his hand over hers. “You’re not behind, Keerthi. You’re just on a different timeline, and that’s okay. You don’t have to rush into anything because everyone else is.”

“I know, but it’s hard not to compare myself to others. I keep thinking about Aditi and her engagement. It’s beautiful, but it makes me wonder if I’m making the right choices,” she confessed, feeling vulnerable.

Krish’s gaze was steady, his voice calming. “You are making the right choices for you. What you have with me is unique, and it deserves to be nurtured. It’s not about what society wants; it’s about what you want.”

Keerthi felt a surge of gratitude for his unwavering support. “Thank you for always grounding me. I don’t want to lose what we have while trying to meet everyone’s expectations.”

“Then don’t,” he replied, a hint of playfulness in his tone. “Let’s focus on building our own path. We can take our time, explore, and enjoy each moment together.”

As they chatted about their dreams, Keerthi felt a sense of clarity. Krish’s presence was a constant reminder that she didn’t have to conform to anyone else’s timeline. She could choose her own journey, and with him by her side, it felt like anything was possible.

Over the next few weeks, Keerthi found herself becoming more assertive about her choices. She immersed herself in her career, focusing on her passions while nurturing her relationship with Krish. They explored new hobbies together, attended workshops, and spent lazy weekends catching up on movies.

Yet, as her confidence grew, the outside pressures didn’t dissipate. Her parents continued to drop hints about marriage during family dinners, and Keerthi often felt torn between her desire for independence and her love for them.

One evening, after a particularly heavy family dinner, Keerthi found herself lying in bed, staring at the ceiling. The conversations replayed in her mind—her mother’s subtle nudges about “finding a good match” and her father’s comments about “the importance of family.”

That night, Krish texted her, asking if they could talk. She replied, feeling a mix of anticipation and dread. “Sure! Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, just wanted to share some thoughts. Meet me at our spot?”

Keerthi’s heart raced. They met at the park where they often strolled together, the moonlight casting a soft glow over the path. As they walked, Keerthi could feel the tension in the air.