Song suggestion: Iktara
जो बरसें सपने बूँद बूँद
नैनों को मूँद मूँद
कैसे मैं चलूँ
देख न सकूं
अनजाने रास्ते
---𖤣.𖥧.𖡼.⚘---
"You're marrying someone else. The wedding... it's in one week."
The words had barely left her father's lips, yet they echoed in Meera's mind.
Her lips parted, but no words came out. "What?" she whispered, disbelief strangling her throat.
"Yes," he said firmly. Her mother stood beside him, rigid, voice sharp. "Yes."
Meera's heart thudded painfully against her ribs.
"But... Papa, this is too soon," she said, trying to argue, trying to make sense of the whirlwind that had just hit her life.
Her mother's eyes narrowed. She cut her off with a harshness that made her flinch.
"I don't think we asked you, Meera. We are telling you. You are getting married. The groom will come tomorrow. And please... do not shame us in front of them."
Her mother's words were cold, cutting, final. Meera's protest died in her throat.
"Unhe tum pasand aayi wohi bohot badi meherbani hai," her mother added, voice rising, "so do not give us any trouble."
(The fact that they liked you itself is a huge favor.)
Her mind spun. She wanted to scream, to say something, anything, but the words tangled in her mouth.
From the corner, Dadi spoke, her voice soft but questioning.
"Sab itna jaldi kaise hoga? Engagement? Engagement kab hogi?"
(How will everything happen so quickly? Engagement? When will the engagement happen?)
Her father's voice was calm now, measured.
"There will be no engagement. Engagement and wedding will happen the same day. They have their reasons. Kal, when they come, they'll explain everything properly."
Dadi nodded slowly, trying to digest the news.
Her eyes moved to Meera, her granddaughter, the one she loved more than anything. Meera went to her room.
Dadi followed her. Meera's heart felt like it was shattering into pieces. She was teary-eyed, trembling.
Dadi came forward, pulling her close, whispering softly, "Beta... sab theek hoga. Bhagwan pe barosa rakho ."
(Beta, everything will be fine. Have faith in God.)
Meera let herself collapse into her Dadi's embrace.
Soon after, her younger sister, Mehak, came in.
"Di... yeh kya ho raha hai?" she asked, confusion and fear in her small voice.
"mujhi bhi nhi pta bittu," Meera whispered, hugging her tightly.
Both sisters cried softly, resting their heads against Dadi's lap, seeking comfort.
Next morning
The morning sun streamed gently through the curtains, Meera woke up, the events of the previous night still lingering like a fog around her mind.
She slipped into her yellow kurta, adorned with delicate white embroidery along the hem and neckline.
Her white dupatta was draped loosely over her shoulders, soft and flowing.
YOU ARE READING
𝑶𝒖𝒓 𝑯𝒂𝒕𝒆✨️🦢🌷🪞
Romance➴➵➶𝙈𝙚𝙚𝙧𝙖 𝙈𝙖𝙡𝙝𝙤𝙩𝙧𝙖🪞 A spirited and determined woman, Meera Malhotra has spent years trying to escape the shadows of her family. Despite her reserved exterior and the grumpiness shaped by family pressures, her heart yearns for genuine co...
