The red envelope broke Vidhya's heart.

"I can't go through with this now" she whispered, "I have to call it off".

Vidhya stood by the side of her bed staring at the notification light blinking orange on her phone. The letter gently moved in the breeze, coming in from the window, beckoning her to focus on it. The words seemed to float out of the page and dance around her to the tune of a nonexistent shehnai*.

"I ... ab ... is wakat ... kyu ...*". The vibrant swirls from the bed sheet engulfed her as she plopped down holding her head. The low hum of the air purifier lulled her. She covered her face with her dupatta* dreaming about the stars.

"Beta, Chai is ready*. Come down."

"That will be me in a few days. That should be me today. If I do this then ... these will be my last few days with them."

Vidhya grabbed her phone and send the message without reading or rethinking about her decision. She stuffed all the contents on the bed into her purse and went downstairs."

"Beta, what took you so long?"

"Akh lag gai thee*, Ma. Where's papa?"

"He's at the office. Kuch* last minute meeting. Go call your dadi*."

"There's no need to call me. May yani hoon*." Dadi shuffled into the room. Her cotton saree stayed on her head even as she occupied her favorite spot on the sofa. "Come bitiya*, sit next to me" she patted the seat next to her.

Mrs. Kakkar arranged the snacks and poured the chai. Vidhya grabbed some namak para* and slipped into the seat next to her dadi. She smiled at the wrinkles on the ancient lady's face.

"When you were young, you had tried to iron them out with your tiny hands" she smiled, "but they show that I have lived a life time. They are my war wounds. I would not change them for anything."

Mrs. Kakkar sat down opposite her daughter reveling at the sight of her family. She hid her smile in between sips of her chai. Suddenly Dadi took Vidhya's hands in hers and rubbed her palms. She then stared at them.

"Bitiya hamaray zamanay may*" Dadi continued, "they used to put red rang* on the hands and feet and be done with it. None of this fancy golden or white tattoos. I am glad you didn't get those."

"In that case, I am glad as well."

"And are you happy?"

"Kya*?"

"Are you happy? It's a simple question."

"I ... I am. Why do you ask?"

"Kuch nahi*. I thought I'd check."

"Amma, we would not do ..."

"Gayatri, I know you and Arjun are doing what you think is best for her but I am her dadi. I think I have earned the right to ask my own granddaughter about her happiness." Dadi interrupted her, "After all, we all want what's best for her."

Vidhya's phone rang and went silent. She took a quick glance at it and moved to leave.

"That's Abhi. He wanted to meet at the coffee shop downstairs. I'll be back soon."

"You should have called him up." Mrs. Kakkar sprang up and followed Vidhya to the door. Vidhya quickly checked the envelope and letter was with her as she stepped out.

"Gayatri, give the girl some privacy!" Dadi yelled.

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1. shehnai - Musical instrument similar to the flute

2. ab ... iss wakat ... kyu ... - Now ... at this time ... why ...

3. dupatta - A cloth similar to a scarf covering the upper body and sometimes the head

4. Beta, chai is ready - Son/Daughter, tea is ready

5. Akh lag gai thee, Ma* - Fell asleep, mother

6. kuch - Some

7. dadi - paternal grandmother

8. May yani hoon - I am right here

9. bitiya - daughter

10. namak para - salty snacks

11. Bitiya hamaray zamanay may - Daughter, in our time

12. rang - colour

13. kya - what

14. kuch nahi - nothing