Our families finally met.
My father, Rajesh Meyhotra, and my mother, Meenakshi Malhotra, sat across from Aryan's family. Unlike most, my mother never changed her surname after marriage—she remained a Malhotra.
Aryan, on the other hand, had a different story. His father had left when he was just 15, leaving his mother, Rakhi Mathur, to raise him with the help of his grandparents, Keshav and Mrinal Mathur.
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The atmosphere was tense. The weight of the situation was pressing down on all of us.
My father spoke first, his voice steady. "Look, I understand the situation is critical, but let me be very clear—I will never pressure my daughter into anything. I trust her decisions completely."
Aryan's grandfather, Keshav Mathur, shook his head. "This might be acceptable in your society, but not in ours. We live in a conservative community."
"And what do you propose?" My father asked calmly.
"Get them married as soon as possible," Keshav declared. "That is the only way to fix this."
My father didn't even hesitate. "I have no objection if my daughter chooses to stay with Aryan. But if she says no, then no amount of power or influence in the world can force her into marriage."
Keshav frowned. "But what about those pictures? The scandal?"
My father leaned back, unfazed. "They are just pictures and videos—not the truth. People will gossip today and forget tomorrow. The news that seems explosive now will be discarded like yesterday's trash. Do you really think people remember what they had for lunch? Let alone this?"
Mrinal Mathur, Aryan's grandmother, scoffed. "But we know the truth. In our society, such things are unacceptable before marriage. How can she be the wife of my grandson after this?"
My mother's lips curled into a smirk. "And who told you that my daughter wants to be your daughter-in-law?"
Aryan, sensing the tension, intervened. "Dadi, what are you even saying?"
Mrinal's voice was firm. "No matter how successful a girl becomes, she still has to leave her home and be someone else's wife. If her family carries this much attitude, who will marry her?"
Aryan's face darkened. "Who said she needs to be married? Do you think she depends on anyone? Just look at her—she is complete on her own. If Uncle wanted, he could ask anyone from the industry, and people would line up to marry her without a second thought. She is perfect. She doesn't need anyone to complete her."
He took his grandmother's hands in his. "Dadi, she doesn't need me. But I need her. I am incomplete without her."
Mrinal sighed. "Girls should be careful in such matters. Our society hasn't progressed enough for this to be forgotten so easily."
My father's voice turned sharp. "And why is that, Auntyji? Both of them made a decision together—so why should only the girl suffer? Why not the boy?"
Mrinal's reply was immediate. "Because nobody questions a boy."
My mother's eyes flashed. "And do you know why that is? It's because of people like you!"
Aryan clenched his fists. "Dadi, this thinking is so wrong. We are in the 21st century, yet girls still don't get equality. In some places, they aren't even considered human. It's so unfair. And I refuse to be a part of that mindset."
He turned to me, his eyes filled with determination.
"I love Sonakshi just the way she is."
Then, in front of everyone, Aryan knelt down and held out a ring.
"Sonakshi, will you join me for a lifetime?"
My breath hitched. The room fell silent.
He reached for my hand to slip on the ring, but I gently pulled it away.
"Aryan, please don't take this the wrong way… but I need at least a day to think about this. This is a huge decision for me. I hope you understand."
A moment of silence. Then Aryan smiled softly. "Take as much time as you need. I'll wait."