Standing before his door, I draw in a steadying breath and knock.
At his curt “Come in,” I enter, bracing myself for all the wrath he’s about to unleash on me.
“What are you doing under my roof?” he demands, glaring at me as he tosses the newspaper aside and straightens on the bed.
“Namaste,” I greet before I can answer his question. I take a step forward, only for him to rise from the bed at the same moment, his expression darkening as his stare pins me in place.
“Stop this act. Tell me why are you here?”
I have to give it to the old man. He doesn’t believe in being civil with people he hates.
“I am here to speak to you as a husband and as a man who owes you answers,” I respond evenly, refusing to flinch under his glare.
“Husband?” he scoffs. “You think forcing my daughter into a marriage earns you that title?” He takes a threatening step towards me. “You stole her choice. You ruined her life. You humiliated us. So don’t insult me by pretending you’re here out of honour.”
“You’re right,” I admit without stepping back or looking away. “I took away her choice, and I humiliated you. I will carry that guilt for the rest of my life.” I pause before adding, “But I didn’t ruin her life. I would never do that. Every day since, I’ve lived knowing I owe her more than love. I owe her respect and a future where she never has to doubt my devotion. Maybe I didn’t always show it through my actions, but that was always my intention, even when I couldn’t say it out loud.” I hold his gaze. “And I didn’t come here to ask for forgiveness or approval. I came because your daughter is my wife. And I know what you mean to her. That alone makes it important for me to do everything I can to prove that I am worthy of her, whether you believe in me today or not.”
“Worthy?” he scoffs. “You think your sugary words are enough to make me accept you with open arms?” His voice hardens. “You have no idea what it means to raise a daughter. To protect her every step, only to hand her over to a man like you, whose world is filthy and soaked in crime.”
He isn’t wrong. I know Meera deserves better than a man like me. But no accusation, no truth, will ever make me a bigger man, capable of stepping back from her. Instead, what I can do is guard her in my heart, like she is my queen.
“You’re right about my world. It isn’t clean, and I won’t insult you by pretending it is. I’ve seen its worst and survived it. But Meera will never be a part of that world. She will never feel its ugliness or pay its price. And if there ever comes a moment when it threatens her, even by the smallest fraction, I will change my world for her. Trust me, your daughter will always be my priority, not just in words, but with my life.”
He mocks. “Big promises.”
“They’re not promises,” I assure him. “They’re facts.”
“You say that now,” he says, his voice lower now, tired. “Any man can promise the world when he’s cornered.” He turns away and walks to the window, his hands clasped behind his back. “I know she’s begun to feel for you. As a father, I’ve felt it every time I’ve spoken to her on the phone, even though she hasn’t said it openly. That’s why I haven’t dragged her out of this marriage yet, even though I wanted to.” He looks over his shoulder at me, his eyes sharp, unyielding. “But if even the faintest shadow of your world ever reaches her, if her peace is disturbed even once, then I won’t wait for you to change your world. I’ll just take her back. No matter what she wants. No matter what you think you are to her. Because loving a daughter means being ruthless when it comes to her safety. Remember that.” A beat passes before he adds quietly. “For now, I am not giving you my acceptance or blessings. All I can do is watch and see if you’re truly worthy of her.”
“I hear you, and I don’t expect your acceptance overnight.” I take a relieved breath. “Just know this… if loving your daughter means winning the hearts of those she loves, then that’s exactly what I will do. I will prove I am worthy of her love, and Iwillearn your trust. I won’t fail either of you.” I wait for a few seconds, but when he doesn’t respond and remains focused on the window, I realise he needs a few minutes to process everything. I step back and close the door gently behind me.
I’ve barely taken a step when Meera suddenly stands in front of me.
“How did it go, son-in-law?” she asks, her eyes flickering with worry and hope.
I shake my head. “Exhausting… but I know he’ll get there.”
“He will,” she agrees softly. Then she adds, “Thank you… for coming. For trying. For loving me the way you do.”
I want nothing more than to pull her into my arms, but I can’t. Not with her father just a few feet away on the other side of that door, probably imagining all the ways he could strangle me with his bare hands.
Instead, I take the safest route and cup her face gently in my hands. “Loving you is the easiest damn thing I’ve ever done.”
Her cheeks flush at my words, that soft blush reminding me, once again, that my world only feels right when she’s with me.
Chapter 27
Meera
“I don’t know, beta,” Dad says, releasing a heavy sigh that makes his shoulders sag.
I take a moment to study him as I sit beside him on the bed. There’s no anger in his expression, nor is he upset. Just an overwhelming concern that tells me he’s already imagined every possible way this could turn out badly, one that would end with me getting hurt.
I let out a sigh of my own. I knew he wouldn’t be thrilled about my choosing Dev, but this is something I need to face head-on instead of leaving it to time. I need Dad to see Dev the way I do, because they both hold irreplaceable places in my heart, and I refuse to live my life caught between the two men who shape my world.
That’s why I woke up before Dev and came straight to Dad’s room, hoping I could make it right.
Yesterday, things went fine, at least on the surface. But there was an invisible awkwardness when we all sat together for lunch and dinner. Every exchange felt forced, just to maintain civility, and that isn’t something I want to live with forever.
