shadow of the heart

Chapter 12: Misunderstanding in the Air

Nisha sat at the café, nervously stirring her coffee as she awaited Aarav. She had been thinking deeply about the conversation with Rohan, the book launch, and her article idea. However, something was nagging at her — an unshakable feeling of uncertainty about how everything was playing out.

Her relationship with Rohan had taken a positive turn, but she was beginning to realize that the fear of societal expectations still hung over them like a dark cloud. In her mind, the balance between following her dreams and fulfilling the traditional expectations of her family and Rohan's family seemed fragile. Every step forward with her ambitions felt like it could lead to misunderstanding and disappointment.

The bell over the door jingled, and Aarav walked in with his usual easy smile. He spotted Nisha and walked over, sliding into the chair across from her.

"Hey! What's with the serious face?" Aarav asked, sensing the tension in her demeanor.

Nisha sighed. "It's just... I've been thinking. Rohan and I had this great talk about supporting each other's dreams, but I still feel like there's this invisible wall between what I want and what's expected of me."

Aarav gave her a sympathetic look. "You mean from your family or from Rohan?"

"Both, honestly," Nisha admitted, her voice tinged with frustration. "We're supposed to be equals in this relationship, but I can't help but feel the weight of expectations on me. There's this unspoken pressure to mold my ambitions around what's socially acceptable."

Aarav nodded, leaning forward. "I get it. Indian families, especially, can have strong opinions on what's 'right' for their children, especially when it comes to careers and marriage. Do you feel like Rohan's still caught between what his family expects and what you both want?"

Nisha hesitated. "Maybe. He's supportive, but I think he's also worried about keeping his family happy. And that's the thing—I don't want him to have to choose between us. But at the same time, I don't want to sacrifice what I'm working so hard for."

Aarav stayed silent for a moment, taking in her words. "It sounds like you're both trying to figure out how to manage expectations without losing each other in the process."

Nisha nodded. "Exactly. And then there's the wedding talk..."

Aarav's eyebrows shot up. "Wedding talk? Already?"

Nisha winced. "Not from Rohan, but our families. They're starting to ask about the future, and it's stressing me out. I'm not ready for that conversation, Aarav. Not while I'm just starting to carve out my own path."

Aarav sighed, offering a reassuring smile. "You're not alone in this. A lot of people face the same pressures. The key is finding that middle ground—where your ambitions and your relationship can coexist without one overshadowing the other."

Nisha appreciated Aarav's words, but deep down, she wasn't sure if finding that balance was going to be so easy. Rohan came from a conservative family, and while they liked her, she knew they had certain expectations of what their future daughter-in-law should be like. She wasn't sure she could meet those expectations, nor did she want to.

Her phone buzzed. It was a message from Rohan: Hey, I know we talked about everything, but can we meet tonight? There's something on my mind.

Nisha's stomach did a small flip. What could it be? She felt a rush of nervousness. Lately, any conversation with Rohan about the future seemed loaded with unspoken expectations.

"Rohan just texted," Nisha said, showing Aarav the message.

Aarav glanced at it. "You think he's going to bring up marriage again?"

"Maybe. I don't know. We've talked about this before, but there's still so much pressure, and I feel like I'm the one who has to compromise," Nisha said, anxiety creeping into her voice.

Aarav reached across the table, placing a hand on hers. "You've got this. Just be honest with him. If you both care about each other, you'll find a way to make it work without either of you giving up on your dreams."

Nisha smiled, appreciating his support. "Thanks, Aarav. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"That's what friends are for," Aarav replied, giving her hand a gentle squeeze before letting go.

They chatted a little more about her article and the upcoming deadline for her internship application, but Nisha's mind was distracted, already preparing for the conversation she was about to have with Rohan later that night.

That evening, Nisha met Rohan at their usual café. She spotted him sitting at their favorite table, tapping his fingers nervously against his phone. He looked up as she approached, his expression a mix of concern and anticipation.

"Hey," Nisha said, sliding into the chair across from him. "What's on your mind?"

Rohan smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I've been thinking about us. About the future."

Nisha's heart sank slightly, but she kept her expression neutral. "What about the future?"

Rohan took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. "I know we've talked about supporting each other's dreams, and I meant it. But... my parents have been asking about our future more frequently. They're starting to pressure me about marriage, and I didn't realize how much it was affecting me until recently."

Nisha's chest tightened. "So, what are you saying?"

"I guess... I'm wondering if we're moving in the same direction. I don't want you to feel rushed or pressured, but I also don't know how long I can hold off my family's expectations. They're very traditional, and they don't understand why we're waiting," Rohan admitted, his voice tinged with frustration.

Nisha felt a surge of conflicting emotions — frustration, fear, and an underlying current of sadness. "Rohan, I care about you so much, but I'm just starting to build something for myself. I'm not ready for marriage yet. And I don't think it's fair to put that kind of timeline on us."

Rohan looked down, his fingers tracing patterns on the table. "I know. I'm not trying to rush you. But I'm stuck between wanting to build a life with you and keeping my family happy. And I feel like I'm failing at both."

Nisha reached out, taking his hand in hers. "You're not failing at anything. We just need to figure out how to handle this together."

Rohan looked up at her, his eyes filled with uncertainty. "But what if we can't? What if the pressure keeps growing, and we're forced to make a decision before we're ready?"

Nisha's throat tightened. "I don't know, Rohan. But I do know that I'm not ready to give up on my dreams or on us. I just need more time."

They sat in silence for a few moments, the weight of their situation hanging heavily between them. Nisha knew that their love for each other was real, but the realities of their families' expectations loomed large, threatening to pull them in different directions.

Rohan finally spoke, his voice quiet. "I don't want to lose you, Nisha. But I don't know how much longer I can keep my family at bay."

Nisha's heart ached at the vulnerability in his voice. She squeezed his hand, offering what little comfort she could. "We'll figure it out. Together."

But as they left the café that night, both of them knew that the road ahead was uncertain, and the pressures of tradition and family expectations were only going to grow stronger.

Nisha's mind buzzed with questions, the biggest one being: How long can love stand against the weight of expectations?