“I’ll do everything in my power to keep her happy,” he murmurs, his eyes locked onto mine.
And just like that, the first step has been taken—with my mom’s blessing.
Chapter 32
Aditya
“I’m not feeling good about this. I really think we should postpone it for another day,” Sana rambles, her voice laced with nervousness. She shifts uneasily, standing rigid before the imposing wooden double doors of my parent’s house, her fingers fidgeting at her sides.
She looks at me with a silent plea to reconsider, but I shake my head. “Sana, you were nervous about telling your mom, but that went well. So relax—this won’t be any different.” I try to reassure her, but deep down, I know it won’t be easy. My parents and Sana’s mom are two entirely different species—and to make matters worse, my parents aren’t exactly her biggest fans. But none of that changes the fact that I need her in my life. And if I want that to happen, this is what has to be done. I’m not backing down.
“I’m scared,” she admits, her voice barely above a whisper. “The last time I met your mom…” She lets the words trail off, her eyes searching mine, pleading for reassurance, for some sign that this won’t end the same way.
I cup her face, meeting her worried gaze. “Sana, whatever happened before, forget it. This time, I’m standing right besideyou. And I’m not letting anyone, not even my own mother, make you feel like you don’t belong. You’re mine, Sana. And they’ll see that—one way or another.”
“But…” She opens her mouth to protest, but I gently place a finger on her lips, silencing her. My eyes roam over her, taking in the way her emerald green salwar suit complements her complexion, how her sleek, straightened hair frames her face so perfectly. She looks stunning, even in her nervousness.
“You look beautiful enough to be a distraction,” I murmur with a small smirk, hoping to ease the tension.
She huffs, but there’s a hint of a smile playing on her lips. “You are impossible.”
I chuckle, tilting my head. “And yet, you still put up with me,” I tease, flashing her a knowing grin. Then, stepping closer, I lower my voice just enough to nudge her forward. “The sooner we go, the sooner this misery will be over. If not, we’ll be standing here all night. And trust me, I have no problem waiting, but I don’t think you want that.”
Sana exhales shakily, then gives me a hesitant nod. Taking that as the only confirmation I need, I ring the doorbell. And within seconds, the door swings open to reveal our maid.
He looks at me expectantly. I give him a brief, dismissive nod. Without a word, I step in, pulling Sana along with me.
The moment we enter the living room, I see my parents seated across from each other, deep in discussion. But the moment their eyes land on me, everything stills. Their conversation halts abruptly. My father straightens, his brows knitting together in surprise, while my mother’s lips part slightly, her iPad slipping from her hands onto the table.
Their shock is palpable. And in the next second, they’re both on their feet.
“Aditya, what nonsense is this? What are you doing with this girl?” Mom snaps, anger clouding her features. “Tomorrowis your engagement with Samantha! I told you about it, and you are still here with this girl. The invites have been sent, and the arrangements are in place!”
Sana stiffens beside me, her fingers twitching in my grasp. But I don’t waver. Instead, I squeeze her hand, grounding her as much as I’m grounding myself.
“And I told you, Mom, I’m not marrying her,” I say, my gaze unwavering as I look at Mom. “As far as the engagement is concerned, you don’t need to cancel it. We can still go ahead—but with the girl of my choice.” My fingers tighten around Sana’s hand in silent reassurance. “Mom, Dad, meet Sana, the woman I love. The woman I am going to marry.”
My father, who has been silent until now, finally speaks. “How dare you embarrass us like this?” His voice is cold, sharp. “You think you can just walk in here and throw this... nonsense in our face, without caring what it will do to our reputation?
My jaw tightens. “I think I can. Because… it’s my life we’re talking about. Not a business deal. Not a social contract. My life, my choice.”
“Choice?” Mom scoffs, shaking her head furiously. “You think you can just choose any girl and expect us to accept her?” Her eyes snap to Sana. “There is no way we will accept her.”
Sana shrinks slightly, but I refuse to let her feel small.
“Then you need to know this, Mom—I’m not the one getting bullied into a marriage I don’t want. I love Sana. If you can’t accept that, that’s your problem, not mine.” My voice is like steel.
“You are making a huge mistake,” Dad says, his tone final, but so is mine.
“The only mistake would be living a life that doesn’t feel like mine.” I stand firm, refusing to let them dictate my future anymore. I feel Sana’s fingers tremble in my hold.
Silence fills the room as my mom’s eyes continue to burn with anger while my dad’s face is a mask of disappointment.
Sana clears her throat hesitantly. “I know you think I’m here for the wrong reasons, Uncle, Aunty. But I need you to understand that I love Aditya, not his money, not his name—just him. Nothing else matters to me.”
A sharp, mocking laugh escapes my mom’s lips. “You expect us to believe that line? Girls like you will say anything to secure their place in a wealthy family. And love is just a convenient excuse.”
Sana flinches, but I tighten my grip on her hand, stepping protectively in front of her. “Enough. I won’t stand here and listen to you insult her.”
