"Yuvraj, please," I whispered, my voice breaking. "Don't do this."
"Get up," he ordered, his voice as cold as ice.
Tears streamed down my face. "Please, I'll do anything. Just don't make me-"
"Step on the glass," he interrupted, his eyes burning wit...
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It had been a few days since Aisha's surgery, and we were finally back home. Things felt different, but in a good way. The house didn't feel as cold as it used to. Maybe it was because Ma and Yashraj had stayed back with us. Their presence made the place feel alive.
Ma took charge of making sure Aisha didn't lift a finger. She fussed over her at every meal, ensuring she ate the most nutritious food. Yashraj, in his own way, made Aisha laugh with his ridiculous jokes and playful teasing. Watching them together made me realize how much love and support surrounded us. It wasn't just about me and Aisha anymore-it was about family.
But I couldn't ignore the emptiness in her eyes when she thought no one was looking. The surgery had been successful, but the truth still lingered: Aisha couldn't have children. She didn't say it out loud, but I could feel her grief, her doubts, and her fears.
I wanted to remind her that life didn't end with that diagnosis. That we could still have a family, no matter how unconventional it might look. I needed her to believe it as much as I did.
That evening, after dinner, I sat with Ma and Yashraj in the living room. Ma was knitting something-probably another scarf for Aisha-and Yashraj was lounging on the couch, scrolling through his phone.
"I've been thinking," I said, breaking the comfortable silence.
Yashraj raised an eyebrow. "That's always dangerous."
I rolled my eyes. "I want to do something for Aisha. Something that'll make her happy and help her heal."
Ma looked up, her expression soft. "What do you have in mind, beta?"
"I want to surprise her with a cat," I said, feeling a little nervous. "We've talked about adoption before, but I think this could be a good step. It'll help her feel like she's caring for someone again. Like she's building a family, even if it's just the beginning."
Ma's face lit up. "That's a wonderful idea, Yuvraj. A pet can bring so much joy."
Yashraj smirked. "A cat, huh? I would've guessed a dog, but okay. Let's do it."
"You're surprisingly supportive," I said, narrowing my eyes at him.
He shrugged. "I'm not heartless, you know. Besides, Aisha deserves to be happy. She's been through enough."
Ma nodded, her gaze distant for a moment. "She's stronger than most people realize. But even strong people need love and care. This will mean the world to her."
The next morning, Yashraj and I drove to a local shelter. I didn't want to just pick any cat-I wanted to find the one that felt right. After an hour of looking, we met her. She was a tiny thing, with soft white-and-grey fur and big blue eyes that seemed to look right into your soul.
"She's the one," I said, without hesitation.
Yashraj tilted his head. "She's cute. A little small, though."
