Beyond The Golden Skies

♛ 10: Hard Choices •

Right after Vinnati left, a faint knock rattled Sakshi's door. She leaned on the headboard with her knees drawn to her chest, regretting speaking out loud. The old Lajo had overhead every word she jabbered about Ayush.

"Come in!" she said in a tone cold as ice.

Lajo sheepishly entered the room and reclined on the chair beside the bed. Her eyes scrutinised the furnished room as she kept twisting her fingers anxiously.

"Beti, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to spy on you. I was just concerned-"

"What is it, Aunty?"

"You were saying about a boy named Adarsh or something. Is he the one you met this morning?"

"Yes."

"Do you like him?"

"Please don't mistake, but I'm not comfortable sharing everything in my life. Some things are . . . personal."

Her features contorted into a thin scowl. "I understand what's going on. You're in love with the boy."

Lajo's eyes stabbed her soul like she had committed the worst crime on earth. The temperature of her blood shot up, beads of sweat trickled down her forehead.

"Are you going to tell Bhaiyya?"

"If I wanted to, I wouldn't come here."

Sakshi released a laboured breath and ran her fingers over her the emerald stone etched in the lion-shaped gold ring.

"What's the boy's name? How did you meet him?"

"We met at the fair," she said, careful not to divulge his name.

"You lied that he's like Vinnati's brother and all of you mutual friends."

Sakshi pursed her lips. "It's not exactly a lie."

"This is not good. Leave it, Beti."

"I can't and I won't, Aunty! I going to talk about him to Babaji after my exams."

"He will never agree."

"How do you know?"

"I'm telling from experience."

"You don't know my Ayush, he's a million times better than Hemant!"

"He may be, but a girl from a prominent like yours can't marry to satisfy her whims. Kushwant Sahab and your Babaji are serious about planning the engagement."

"That's not happening. I told Kushwant Uncle said I can take some time."

"He said that to calm you down. Later, I overheard him talking about finishing things as soon as possible. Kumar Sahab also feels it will strengthen the party ties."

"I am not a mere knot to strengthen their ties! I have my dreams and wishes, and I will achieve them."

"It's not right for a girl to be this headstrong. You should learn to compromise for your own good."