Chapter 31
Sana
An hour has slipped by since we hit the road, both of us trapped in our own thoughts. I gaze out the window, my fingers trembling as I absentmindedly chew on my nails, an old habit I thought I’d left behind. But right now, I need something—anything—to distract me.
I close my eyes. I said yes to Aditya, to us, to this love, but saying yes was the easy part. Now, as we inch closer to my home, the weight of that choice crashes over me, overwhelming me.
His parents don’t want this marriage. My mother is convinced that letting go of Aditya is the only way to avoid pain. No one believes in us. No one thinks what we have is enough.
Except him… and me.
I turn to look at him, my heart aching. He’s always been the one to fight for us, and this time, I promise him I’ll fight too. I swear I won’t back down, no matter how many doors slam in our faces.
But no matter how brave I try to be, fear coils around my chest, tightening with every passing mile. What if his parents don’t understand? What if we’re blindly walking into heartbreak, full of hope, only to be torn apart?
As if sensing my uncertainty, he glances at me. “Sana, we’ll be okay.”
I swallow hard, forcing down the lump in my throat, and lace my fingers together in my lap to stop them from shaking. “You don’t know that,” I whisper.
He reaches out, his hand finding mine. “No, I don’t,” he admits. “But I know I’m not letting go,” he says, his voice low but unwavering. “Even if it’s just you and me against the world.”
Tears prick my eyes, but I blink them away and nod in agreement. Because that’s what I promised, and that’s what I’m standing by. No matter how terrifying it might be, I mean what I said. I choose him. I choose us.
The car slows as we approach my house, and my stomach clenches.
Aditya exhales as he pulls up in front of my house.
“Here comes our first step,” he says quietly.
I turn to him, my heart pounding against my ribs as panic starts to take hold. “We’re… we’re doing it now?”
He meets my gaze. “Yes. We’re going in and talking to your mom. Now.”
A lump lodges in my throat. My fingers dig into my lap, clutching at the hem of my dress. “Can’t it wait?” I ask, feeling all my strength vanishing. “Just a little longer? A few more days?”
His eyes darken. “Sana, we can’t keep stalling. We made a promise to build a life together, and for that to happen, this is the first step.”
“I know, but what if she thinks this is a bad idea?” My voice cracks, and I hate how small I sound.
Aditya reaches over, his hand warm as it closes over mine. “Then we’ll convince her otherwise until she’s on board with us.” His voice is steady, his eyes earnest. “But we won’t give up.”
Tears sting the back of my eyes. I nod, even though every part of me is trembling inside.
He squeezes my hand. “We go in. We face her. And no matter what, we will still choose each other. Agreed?”
I swallow hard, forcing down my fear. “Agreed.”
With a final deep breath, he opens the car door, and I do the same. Aditya comes to my side, placing his hand on my back as he guides me toward my house.
My fingers shake as I press the doorbell. I swear I can hear my own heartbeat pounding loudly as I wait. Aditya stands beside me, his presence solid, grounding. But it doesn’t stop the fear clawing at my chest.
Then, after what feels like an eternity, though it’s only a few minutes, the door swings open. My mother stands there, her eyes widening slightly as she takes us in. Surprise flickers across her face, but she quickly masks it with a neutral expression.
“Aditya, Sana,” she says.
With a smile, Aditya bends down and touches her feet. My mother’s hand grazes the top of his head as she gives him her blessing.
He straightens up and looks her in the eye. “Aunty, we need to talk. It’s important.”
She holds his gaze for a long moment before nodding. “Come in.”
We step inside as Mom closes the door behind us, and we settle on the couch side by side. She takes a seat across from us, her eyes flicking between me and Aditya.
“Go on,” she says, folding her hands in her lap, as if she already suspects what’s coming. “Say what you’ve come to say.”
I glance at Aditya. He nods at me before turning back to Mom.
“Aunty,” he begins, “Sana and I love each other, and we’d like your blessing to get married.”
My mom’s expression doesn’t change, but her fingers tighten slightly over the fabric of her saree. Her gaze shifts to me, searching, questioning.
“I know it’s usually the boy’s parents who bring the proposal,” Aditya continues, “but I wanted to come here first—to you. Because despite the traditions, it’s important that the people who love us hear it from us before anyone else does.”
Mom remains silent, and I feel the tension rising in my chest. Then, she finally exhales and shifts slightly in her seat.
“What about your parents?” she asks, her voice measured and controlled. “Do you think they’ll agree to this?”
Aditya doesn’t hesitate. “It will take some work,” he admits, “but they will.”
I watch as my mom studies him, her eyes sharp yet thoughtful.
“And if they don’t?” she challenges.
“They will,” he repeats, softer this time. “Aunty, I won’t stand here and tell you that my parents will agree right away. Yes, they have their reservations, their expectations. But I will do whatever it takes to make them accept us.”
“I won’t lie to you, Aditya,” Mom says, her voice low but honest. “I’ve always liked you. I’ve always thought you were good for my daughter. But liking you and entrusting my daughter’s future to a family that doesn’t approve of her are two very different things.”
I flinch slightly at her words.
“I understand,” Aditya replies, his tone steady.
“But have faith, Aunty. It’s simply a matter of making them understand.
I know them. They can be dramatic—tough to crack sometimes.
But they love me, and when it comes down to it, they’ve always wanted what’s best for me.
Maybe they can’t see it now, but they will.
Eventually, they’ll know Sana is exactly who I’m meant to be with. ”
I swallow hard, my throat tightening at his words.
My mom sighs, rubbing her temples. “I have faith in you, son, and I don’t doubt your feelings for her.
But I do need to think about my daughter’s future.
I have to consider the possibility: what if I agree to this, and your parents never fully accept her?
Do you know what that rejection would do to her? ”
“I do,” he says softly. “That’s why I won’t let it happen.”
She shakes her head, giving him a pointed look. “You say that now. But family pressure… they change people.”
Aditya leans forward slightly, his eyes burning with determination. “Not me. I won’t let them change what Sana and I have. I promise you, Aunty, Sana will never be disrespected in my house.”
I finally find my voice. “Mom,” I whisper, “I know you’re worried. But I love him. And I trust him.”
Her gaze softens when she looks at me. “I know you do, beta,” she murmurs. “And I trust your choice. But love isn’t the only thing that makes a marriage work.”
“I know that,” I say, my voice stronger now. “And that’s why I need your support—to help guide me through this and win his parents’ hearts.”
My mom looks between the two of us, her lips pressing into a thin line. I hold my breath. She’s quiet for a long moment before she speaks again.
“If I say yes,” she says slowly, “I’m trusting you with my daughter’s happiness, Aditya. And I don’t give that trust lightly.”
Aditya meets her gaze with unwavering honesty. “And I won’t take it lightly, Aunty. I’ll spend my whole life making sure the smile never fades from Sana’s face.”
“If this is what you both truly want,” she says quietly, her eyes glistening with unshed emotion, “then… you have my blessing.”
A sharp breath escapes me. My hands fly to my mouth as tears instantly well up in my eyes. I had braced myself for more resistance, for more questions, but here she is—choosing to trust me.
Aditya immediately rises to his feet and moves to Mom, bending down to touch her feet. This time, when she places her hand on his head, it lingers. As he straightens, she looks at him, her voice warm yet firm. “Take care of my daughter. She’s strong, but she still deserves to be cherished.”
He nods. “I will, Aunty. Always.”
And when my mom looks at me, I don’t wait.
Without another word, I rise to my feet and fall into her embrace, wrapping my arms around her as she hugs me back.
Tears spill freely as I cling to her, burying my face in her shoulder.
In that single embrace, the weight of all my fears and doubts seems to melt away.
“You’re my daughter,” she whispers, stroking my hair. “Your happiness is all that matters.”
I nod against her, unable to speak past the lump in my throat. When Mom finally pulls back, she cups my face, smiling through her own unshed tears.
“If your dad was here,” she says, then looks at Aditya, “he’d look you straight in the eye and say, ‘If you ever bring tears to my daughter’s eyes, I’ll bury you.’ But then, he would soften and add, ‘If you keep that smile on her face… I’ll welcome you as my own.”
A nervous laugh escapes me as Aditya sits on the other side of Mom, taking her hands in his.
“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.