whispers in DARK

Chapter 13

The soft glow of dawn peeked through the curtains, casting gentle shadows in Keerthi’s room. She stirred awake, her mind replaying the events of the previous day. The proposal, the promises, and the excitement of their future flooded her thoughts. Yet, amidst the warmth of those memories, a nagging feeling lingered in the back of her mind. Something had changed in Krish lately—an uncharacteristic tension that she couldn’t quite place.

Later that morning, Keerthi prepared for her day, the anticipation of seeing Krish at their favorite café adding a spring to her step. They had planned to meet for breakfast, a small tradition they had established to strengthen their bond. As she dressed, she reminded herself to bring up her concerns gently, hoping that opening up the conversation would clear the air.

When she arrived at the café, the familiar scent of coffee and pastries wrapped around her like a warm hug. She spotted Krish seated at a corner table, deep in thought, stirring his coffee absentmindedly. His brow was furrowed, and his usual playful smile was absent.

“Hey!” she said cheerfully, sliding into the seat opposite him. “You look like you’re solving world hunger over there. What’s on your mind?”

Krish looked up, a smile breaking through the clouds of worry, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Just thinking about some work stuff. You know how it is.”

Keerthi felt a small pang of concern. “You’ve been working a lot lately. Is everything okay? You can talk to me about anything.”

He hesitated for a moment, his fingers drumming lightly on the table. “Yeah, it’s just… I have a lot on my plate, and I want to make sure everything is perfect for us, especially now that we’re talking about our future.”

“Krish, you don’t have to carry that weight alone,” Keerthi urged, reaching across the table to squeeze his hand. “We’re a team, remember?”

“I know,” he said softly, his gaze falling to their hands. “I guess I just want to be the best partner I can be. I don’t want to let you down.”

“You could never let me down,” Keerthi reassured him. “But if something is bothering you, I need you to be honest with me. We’re supposed to be open about everything, right?”

Krish nodded, but the hesitation remained. “It’s just… there are things from my past that I haven’t shared with you. Things that I’m not sure how to bring up.”

Keerthi’s heart raced. “You can tell me anything, Krish. Whatever it is, I’m here to listen.”

He took a deep breath, looking more conflicted than ever. “It’s about my family—my parents, specifically. They’re… complicated.”

“Complicated how?” Keerthi prompted gently, sensing the gravity of his words.

“My parents have always had high expectations for me. They want me to follow a certain path, and I haven’t been fully honest with them about what I want for my life. When I think about us getting married, I worry about how they’ll react. I don’t want their disapproval to come between us,” Krish confessed, his voice thick with emotion.

Keerthi felt a wave of empathy wash over her. “I can understand that. But your happiness is what matters most, Krish. You deserve to be with someone who makes you happy, regardless of what others think.”

“I know that, but it’s hard to shake off their expectations,” he admitted, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “They want me to take over the family business and settle down with someone they approve of. I’ve always felt this pressure to conform, and it scares me.”

Keerthi’s heart ached for him. “You’ve worked so hard to build your own path, Krish. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice your happiness for their approval.”