There’s no way I can avoid the storm that’s about to hit—not with the way they’re both staring at me. With a resigned sigh, I flop down on the couch opposite them.
“A call would have been appreciated before showing up,” I taunt, looking at them.
Mom’s lips press into a thin, disapproving line. “Really, Aditya? That’s all you’ve to say after what you did?”
I run a hand through my hair. “Look, I’m sorry that I couldn’t make it to dinner and for avoiding your calls.”
“That’s not good enough,” Dad snaps, crossing his arms over his chest. “You knew how important that dinner was,yet you didn’t bother showing up. Do you have any idea how embarrassed we were?”
“I was busy,” I mutter, my voice more defensive than apologetic.
“Busy?” Mom scoffs. “Stop making excuses, Aditya. You and I both know that’s a lie.”
I feel the frustration rising within me, my hands clenching into fists. “You are right, Mom. It’s a lie. I had no choice but to make excuses, because you don’t want to hear the truth.”
Mom’s expression hardens. “Really? Then enlighten us, Aditya. What’s the truth?”
I take a deep breath, my chest tightening. There’s no point in dancing around it anymore. “The truth is... I’m not ready to marry the woman you’ve chosen for me.”
Silence settles upon the room. Mom’s face falters, hurt flashing in her eyes, while Dad’s jaw tightens. I don’t look away, my gaze steady, not feeling an ounce of guilt for finally letting out what’s been eating me alive for days.
Dad exhales sharply, shaking his head. “If we leave it to you, you’ll never want to marry.”
I sit up straighter. “I do want to marry,”
“Then what’s the issue?” Mom presses firmly.
“The issue is, I don’t want to marry someone you chose,” I retort.
Mom and Dad exchange a look before Mom’s eyes lock onto mine. “Then who is it that you want to marry?”
I hold her gaze without flinching. “I have someone in mind.”
Her expression flickers with surprise before hardening. “Care to enlighten us with her name?”
I lean back casually on the couch. “She still needs to agree. Once she does, I’ll share her name.”
Mom and Dad look at me like I’m testing their last bit of patience. But I don’t waver. I’ve given them enough for now. The rest will come when the time is right.
“Aditya—” Dad starts, but I raise my hands, pushing myself to my feet.
“I don’t want to discuss this any further. Sorry, but I need to be somewhere.”
Without waiting for their reply, I turn and walk out of the house, letting the door close behind me.
I get into the car and grip the steering wheel, my mind racing. Enough of this waiting game. Enough of this distance. It’s time Sana and I face what we have between us. No more running. No more avoiding. I need to make her realise that hiding is no longer an option.
???
Not caring that it’s nearly eleven at night, I pull up in front of Sana’s house. The place is dark, the only faint glow coming from a streetlight. I know she lives with her mother, but that’s not going to stop me from seeing her tonight. I’m about to step out of the car when her front door opens.
I swallow hard when I see her step outside. Her face is free of makeup and she looks effortlessly beautiful under the soft moonlight. Her dark hair is piled up into a messy bun, a few loose strands framing her delicate features. She’s wearing pyjama bottoms covered with tiny teddy bears and a pink tank top that clings to her slender frame. There’s something so simple yet mesmerising about her like this—cute, completely herself.
She moves to sit on the steps of her porch, tilting her head back to gaze up at the sky as she rubs her arms against the cold. Icontinue to watch her as she appears lost in thought, completely unaware of my presence.
But a split second later, fear grips me.
I spot a shadow creeping towards her. My heart slams against my ribs when I see a man coming to stand in front of her, a knife pointed right at her. Even in the dark, I don’t miss the way her body stiffens as she slowly rises to her feet, her fear palpable.
