“Puppa?”
Priya’s parents turned around slowly, looking like two kids caught snooping.
“Hello, beta. Hello, Mr. Ethan,” Mumma greeted. “We thought you were…uh…inside. We saw all these cars arriving and wanted to see what was going on.” She waved at the setup around them before turning to Puppa for backup.
Puppa looked everywhere but at his daughter, currently sprawled out on a pile of pillows with Ethan Knight. “Yes, well.We will be on our way.” His head bobbed, as if trying to shake off the image of what they had just interrupted.
“Please stay.” Ethan propped himself up on his elbows and rose. He reached for Priya’s hand, helping her up.
“I asked Priya to marry me,” he stated, his fingers lacing with hers. “And she said yes.”
Mumma let out a soft gasp. Puppa blinked, his expression unreadable.
“You are going to marry our Priya?” he asked.
“With your blessing, I hope.” Ethan gave Priya’s hand a small squeeze, his shoulder brushing hers in silent support. Priya glanced between her parents, heart caught in her throat as she waited for them to speak.
Mumma’s hand flew to her chest, and Puppa blinked as if rebooting his thoughts.
“We saw you two on the red carpet last night,” Mumma finally spoke. “But we thought it would end in another public scandal.”
“This isn’t like before, Mumma,” Priya said. “I wouldn’t have said yes if I wasn’t sure.”
“I truly love your daughter,” Ethan added. “And I would love to be a part of your family, if you’ll have me.”
Mumma and Puppa exchanged a long look.
Finally, Puppa cleared his throat and held out his hand. “If that’s the case, then you have our blessing, Mr. Ethan.”
“Thank you.” Ethan shook his hand. “And please—call me Ethan.” He looked at Priya and smiled before turning back to her parents. “We’d love for you to join us,” he continued. “There’s plenty of food, and we haven’t even started the movie yet.”
Puppa hesitated, glancing at Priya and Ethan’s interlocked hands before nodding. “Thank you, son. But you two enjoy.”
Priya’s smile wobbled, her heart so full it left her breathless. She had hoped Puppa would drop the formality, but he had gone a step further and welcomed Ethan into the family. When she looked at Mumma, she found pride shining in her eyes. A smile bloomed across her mother’s face, and the knot in Priya’s chest finally began to loosen.
They had accepted her choice. They had acceptedhim.
“I love you both,” Priya said, her voice thick with feeling.
Mumma reached over, gently squeezing her hand. “We know, beta. And we love you more.”
“Come, Seema,” Puppa said, waiting for Mumma to join him.
“We’re about to start the new movie,” Ethan called after them.
Puppa stopped mid-step. “Yournew movie?”
“The very same,” Priya said, biting back a smile as Puppa’s eyes flickered toward the screen.
“Well…” Puppa’s fingers twitched at his sides. “Maybe just a few minutes then.”
Ethan grinned and guided Mumma and Puppa toward the chairs. Priya watched as they sank into the cushions—trying, and completely failing, to contain their excitement.
A private screening.
Under the stars.
Of a Hollywood blockbuster.
