The atmosphere in the hospital corridor was thick with tension as Rohit and Reet waited anxiously outside their mother’s room. The doctor finally emerged, holding a clipboard with her report.

Doctor calmly
Aapki maa ko minor heart attack hua tha, lekin ab woh stable hain. Unhe aaram ki zarurat hai, aur aap log unse mil sakte hain.

Hearing this, both Rohit and Reet sighed in relief, though the worry in their hearts didn’t completely fade. They quickly made their way into the room where their mother lay, looking pale but conscious.

Reet rushing to her side and hugging her gently
Maa, aap theek hain na? Hum sab kitna dar gaye the.

Maa forcing a weak smile
Haan beta, ab main theek hoon. Tum log itna mat ghabrao.

Rohit, who had been silently observing, stepped forward, his voice filled with concern.

Rohit softly, yet firmly
Maa, aapko apna khayal rakhna hoga. Aapki tabiyat ab zyada kharab nahi hone denge.

Reet nodded in agreement, holding her mother’s hand tightly.

Reet determinedly
Maa, ab main yahaan hoon. Aapko kisi baat ki chinta karne ki zarurat nahi. Main aapka pura khayal rakhungi.

But just as Reet finished speaking, her mother’s eyes welled up with tears, catching both Rohit and Reet off guard.

Reet worriedly
Maa, aap ro kyun rahi hain? Kya hua?

Their mother, struggling with her emotions, finally spoke up, her voice trembling.

Maa with tears streaming down her face
Beta, ab meri umar ho gayi hai. Main bimaar bhi rehti hoon aur pata nahi kitne dinon tak yeh sab jhel sakungi. Can you do something for me reet beta?

Reet’s heart sank hearing her mother’s words. Tears started forming in her own eyes as she nodded.

Reet emotionally
Bolo maa, kya kehna hai aapko?

Their mother took a deep breath, gathering her strength before making her request.

Maa pleadingly
Beta, tum shaadi kar lo. Main aur Rohit tumhare liye ek ladka dekh chuke hain. Mere jeete jee main tumhe susheel damad ke saath dulhan bante dekhna chahti hoon. Main bas yeh hi chahti hoon ke tum apni zindagi mein khush raho aur apne bachon ke saath sukhi raho.

Reet was stunned. She felt like the ground beneath her was slipping away. She had never expected this, especially not now, and certainly not in such circumstances. The thought of marriage, which she had been avoiding for years, suddenly felt like a heavy burden.

But seeing her mother’s condition, her fragile health, and the deep desire in her eyes, Reet felt utterly helpless. She couldn’t bring herself to say no.

Reet with tears in her eyes, voice shaky
Theek hai, maa. Main shaadi karungi, usi ladke se jo aapne chuna hai.

The moment those words left her lips, a wave of relief washed over her mother’s face. She smiled through her tears and pulled Reet into a tight embrace, kissing her forehead with overwhelming love.

Maa happily
Mera bachcha, thank you!

Rohit, who had been silently witnessing the entire exchange, felt a deep sense of gratitude towards his sister. He walked over and wrapped his arms around both of them, joining the emotional moment.

Rohit whispering softly to Reet Thank you, beta. Tumne maa ki sabse badi ichha poori kar di.

Reet hugged her brother back, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions. She had made a promise she wasn’t sure she was ready to fulfill, but seeing the happiness it brought to her mother and brother, she knew she couldn’t back out now.

Reet cutely
And haa maa don't cry you know na I hate tears!!

Her mother smiled and chuckled. Rohit and Ritika had a grateful smile on their face...

As they all held each other, the room was filled with a bittersweet sense of love, sacrifice, and family. Reet knew her life was about to change forever, but for now, all she could do was focus on her mother’s happiness.

~

It had been a few days since Reet’s mother was discharged from the hospital, and though she was back home, her health was still fragile. The afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the house as everyone busied themselves with preparations. Today was a big day—the boy’s family was coming to see Reet, and the entire Sharma household was in full swing.

The kitchen was a flurry of activity, with dishes being prepared and sweets being made. Reet’s mother, despite her weakness, was overseeing everything.

Maa directing the helpers
Arrey, mithai zyada banao, Aur zara dhyaan se saaf safai karo, kahin dhool ka ek bhi zarra nazar na aaye!

Reet stood in the corner, trying to avoid everyone’s gaze. Her heart was heavy, and she couldn’t muster the strength to smile genuinely. Every time she looked at her mother’s face, she felt a pang of guilt and helplessness.

Reet to herself, feeling the weight of the situation
Maa ki khushi ke liye itna bada faisla le rahi hoon, par dil kahin aur hi hai. Sab theek hoga...I hope.....

Her mother noticed her standing silently and walked over to her, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Maa softly
Beta, main jaanti hoon tum thoda pareshaan ho, par tum dekhna, sab kuch theek hoga. Tumhari shaadi meri sabse badi khwahish hai.

Reet forced a smile and nodded, though inside, she felt like she was crumbling.

Reet trying to comfort her mother
Maa, aap bas apna khayal rakho. Baaki sab main dekh loongi.

Her mother smiled, but her eyes were filled with unshed tears. Reet couldn’t bear to see her like this and quickly turned away to continue with the preparations.

~

Meanwhile, at Shubman’s house, the atmosphere was charged with excitement. His mother was bustling around the living room, discussing the evening plans with his father and elder sister. The excitement was palpable as they prepared to visit Reet’s family.

Maa gleefully
Aaj humare Shubman ka rishta pakka ho jaayega. Reet jaise sanskaari aur pyaari ladki isse nahi mil sakti.

Didi teasingly
Haan Maa, lekin pehle bhai ko manana padega. Uska toh shaadi ka naam sunte hi blood pressure badh jata hai.

Just then, Shubman walked into the drawing room, unaware of what awaited him. He was dressed in his casual workout clothes, having just returned from practice. As soon as he entered, he noticed the unusual energy in the room.

Shubman curiously
Kya chal raha hai yahan? Tum log itni khush kyu lag rahi ho?

His mother’s smile faded slightly as she turned to him with a serious expression.

Maa calmly
Shubman, beta, baitho. Humein tumse zaroori baat karni hai.

Sensing where this conversation was headed, Shubman’s demeanor changed instantly. His voice turned cold.

Shubman firmly
Maa, agar phir se shaadi ki baat karni hai, toh main yahan se jaa raha hoon.

His elder sister, knowing her brother’s temper, stepped in before things could escalate.

Didi sternly
Shubman, chup kar ke baitho. Yeh ek serious baat hai, aur tumhe sunna padega.

Reluctantly, Shubman sat down, his face showing clear irritation. His father, who had been observing quietly, decided to speak up.

Dad in a firm tone
Beta, shaam ko tayyar ho jaana. Hum ek jagah ja rahe hain.

Shubman with a frown
Kahan baba? Yeh sab kya ho raha hai?

His father’s gaze didn’t waver as he delivered the news.

Dad with authority
Ek ladki dekhne ja rahe hain. Tumhare liye.

Shubman’s eyes widened in shock. This was the last thing he wanted to hear.

Shubman defiantly
Nahi Baba, main nahi jaunga. Shaadi-shuda zindagi mere liye nahi hai. Aap log samajhte kyun nahi?

His father’s patience was running thin. Raising his voice slightly, he made it clear this was not up for debate.

Dad sternly
Yeh koi request nahi hai, Shubman. Yeh ek order hai. Tumhe chalna hi padega. Samjhe?

The room fell silent. Shubman knew there was no arguing with his father when he used that tone. He clenched his fists, stood up, and without another word, stormed off to his room.

~

Inside his room, Shubman paced back and forth, his mind reeling from the conversation. The idea of marriage felt like a trap, something he had vowed to avoid after his past experience.

Shubman frustrated, talking to himself
Shaadi? Pyaar? Sab bekaar hai. Sara ke baad toh maine apni zindagi se yeh sab erase kar diya tha. Aur ab phir se yeh sab? Kyun? Sab dikhawa hai, aur kuch nahi.

As he sat on the edge of his bed, memories of his past relationship with Sara flooded his mind. He remembered how deeply he had loved her, how he had dreamt of a future with her. But those dreams were shattered when he found out she had been unfaithful. The betrayal had left him broken, and since then, he had built walls around his heart.

Shubman flashback to Sara’s betrayal, bitterly
Woh sab jhooth tha. Sara ki sab baatein, uske vaade... sab jhooth. Aur main kitna bewakoof tha jo maine uspar bharosa kiya.

He shook his head, trying to push the painful memories aside. The thought of going through that kind of pain again was unbearable. He was determined not to let anyone in again, no matter how much his family pressured him.

---

As evening approached, the preparations at Reet’s house reached their peak. The house was spotless, the aroma of freshly cooked food filled the air, and the table was set with all kinds of delicacies. But amidst all this, Reet felt like a puppet, forced to go through the motions without any say in what was happening.

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