Sayonee (Re-writing)

T w o

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Laila
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The rain had not stopped by the time Danish picked me up from Alaya's house.

Water streaked across the windshield while the city blurred into soft gold and grey beyond the glass. Danish drove quietly, one hand resting against the steering wheel while some political podcast played faintly through the speakers.

I wasn't listening to any of it.

My mind kept drifting back to dinner.

Marriage.

The word had followed me all evening like an itch beneath my skin.

"Bhai?"

Danish glanced at me briefly before returning his attention to the road. "Hmm?"

"Why does everyone assume girls have to get married the moment they finish university?"

The question seemed to catch him off guard.

For a moment, he looked almost amused.

"Who said that to you?"

"No one specifically," I lied quickly. "I'm just asking."

He was quiet for a few seconds.

Rain tapped steadily against the car.

Finally, he sighed lightly. "It's not necessary, Laila."

"Then why does everyone act like it is?"

"I don't know." His voice softened slightly. "Maybe because people are too used to following the same script."

I stared out the window again.

"And what if I don't want that script?"

"You think too much," he muttered.

"That's not an answer."

A faint smile pulled at the corner of his mouth. "Fine. Then here's your answer — no one is forcing you into anything. You'll get married when you want to. Happy?"

Some of the tension in my chest eased after that.

With Danish, reassurance often came disguised as annoyance.

By the time we reached home, the rain had turned heavier.

I climbed out of the car quickly and hurried toward the house while thunder echoed somewhere above the city. The warm smell of chai drifted through the living room the moment I stepped inside.

Ammi sat curled into one corner of the sofa with a book in her lap.

"You're late," she said immediately, though the kiss she pressed against my forehead softened the complaint.

"Blame your son."

Danish walked in behind me looking deeply offended. "Interesting. I specifically remember being kind enough to pick you up."