Sana
It’s been five long, agonising hours at the hospital. Mom has finally been shifted to a private room, but she’s still unconscious. The doctor said her blood pressure had dropped dangerously low—that’s what caused this. But I know better. I know what really pushed her to this point. It was me. I’m the reason. And I hate myself for putting her through this.
Aditya’s mom’s words keep ringing in my ears. The way she accused me, as if I were someone with no dignity. As if I weren’t the woman her son loves, the woman who was supposed to become her daughter-in-law. Her tone dripped with disgust and venom. And I just sat there, speechless. Not because I had no answer, but because I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.How could she stoop so low? How could a mother say something so vile about another woman, a woman who was going to be a part of her family?
I don’t have answers as to why Aditya’s mom would be so cruel. All I know is that right now, my mom is lying in this hospital bed, still unresponsive—because of me. If I hadn’t agreed to fight for this relationship, if I hadn’t let myself believe that I could make Aditya’s parents accept me, none of this wouldhave happened. I thought I was ready to face whatever they threw my way. I thought I was prepared. But not for this. Not for seeing my mother like this. Not for feeling this helpless, this broken.
Even now, as I sit beside Mom’s bed, my fingers gently wrapped around her cold, lifeless hand, the steady beep of the monitor is the only reassurance that she’s still here, still fighting. But the sight of her like this—so still, so fragile—makes my chest ache with unbearable guilt. If being with Aditya means watching my mom suffer like this, then do I really have the strength to keep going? Can I really lose…
“I’ll get you coffee,” Aditya’s voice breaks through my spiral of thoughts as he bends down and kisses my forehead. He’s been here, by my side, the whole time, watching over me. But right now, I feel nothing but the weight of my own regret.
He turns to leave, but before he can take a step, my hand moves on its own, wrapping around his wrist.
He turns to me, his gaze searching mine as he crouches down, cradling my face in his hands. “What happened?” His voice is soft, laced with worry, as if he can feel the storm raging inside me.
“I don’t want you here,” I blurt out, the words tumbling out before I can stop them.
He draws in a deep breath. “I know, Sana. We have things to talk about, but that can wait. Right now, we need to focus on Mom.”
I shake my head, my eyes stinging with unshed tears. I place my hands over his, prying them away from my cheeks. Then, without a word, I slip the engagement ring off my finger and place it in his palm.
“This… this isn’t how it’s supposed to be, Aditya.” My voice trembles as I speak. “I wanted to fight for us, I really did. But notlike this. Not at the cost of my mom’s life, not at the cost of my own dignity. I can’t do this anymore.”
Aditya drops to his knees before me, his eyes desperate, his hands still holding the ring tightly as if refusing to let go of us.
“Sana, please… not now,” he pleads, his voice raw. “I know what my mom said was wrong. It was cruel and unforgivable. But don’t do this. Don’t punish me for her mistakes. I’ll fix this. I swear to you, I’ll make it right. Just don’t give up on us.”
I shake my head, my heart shattering with every inch I put between us. “You can’t, Aditya. Not this time. This isn’t about just winning over your family or proving our love. This is about my dignity, about my self-respect. And I can’t—I won’t—stay in a place where I’m not respected.”
“Then we won’t stay there, Sana. We’ll find our own paradise—our own happiness, away from all this.” His voice cracks as he cups my face. “I love you! I can’t let you go.”
I swallow the lump in my throat, my chest heaving. “I can’t do this.”
His jaw clenches. “I won’t let this be the end. You promised me, Sana. You said you’ll never leave me.”
Tears slip down my cheeks, “I did. But I never agreed to fight for a place where I have to prove my worth at every step. I won’t beg for respect, Aditya. Not even for you.”
His eyes darken with frustration, his breathing ragged. “You don’t have to fight when you have me standing against the world for you, Sana. Just don’t walk away from me.”
I shake my head, pulling away. “You don’t understand, Aditya! I just can’t be with someone whose parents have nothing but hatred for me.”
“I don’t care what they think, Sana. This is our life, not theirs. I won’t let their prejudice and hatred dictate our future. I love you, and I’m not letting you go.” His voice is almost breaking, his desperation clawing at my resolve.
My chest aches, but I force myself to stand firm. “I can’t build a life with you while tearing apart the one I already have. My mom—she’s my everything. I won’t be the reason she suffers.” I shake my head, my eyes filled with tears. “This isn’t just about us anymore. No matter how much I love you… I can’t do this.”
He recoils, as if my words have physically struck him. He opens his mouth to argue, but before he can, I take a deep breath and whisper, “Please, Aditya. Just leave. I need this time with Mom. I don’t have the strength to argue right now. Please, give me this.”
His face twists with pain, his hands balling into fists before he exhales sharply, nodding to himself. “Fine. I’m going. For now. But don’t think for a second that this is over. Because you are mine, Sana. And I’m not letting you go.”
With one last burning look, he rises to his feet, turns and storms out. I stare at the closed door, a dull ache spreading through my chest.
“Sana…” Mom’s weak voice makes my head snap toward her. My heart leaps as I see her weary eyes slowly flutter open.
“Mom! You’re awake!” My voice trembles with relief as I grab her hands, bringing them to my lips, peppering them with desperate kisses. “You scared me, Mom. I was so worried.”
She gives me a faint smile. “I’m fine, beta.”
“No, you’re not. I need to call the doctor.” I start to reach for the call button, but she stops me.
