Author’s POV,

Prachi arrived home from the office, her heart lifting at the sight of her uncle, Avinash, sitting with her parents, Preeti and Naveen. A wide smile spread across her face as she greeted him. If there was anyone she loved as much as her mother, it was her Mama.

Prachi sat down beside him, and Avinash smiled warmly at her. “Prachi, how’s this new phase of your life going? How’s work treating you?”

“It’s going well, Mama,” Prachi replied cheerfully. “I’m enjoying it a lot. But what brings you here suddenly? Is there something you need?”

At her question, an uncomfortable silence filled the room. Prachi noticed the exchanged glances between her mother, father, and uncle. It was clear that they were about to bring up a topic she wouldn't like.

Preeti cleared her throat and spoke up, trying to keep her tone light. “Actually, beta, Avinash came with some news. He has information about a boy he thinks you should meet. Just to consider, nothing more. No one is forcing you to get married tomorrow. We just want you to meet him and decide for yourself.”

Everyone braced for an outburst, but instead, Prachi took a deep breath, her expression turning serious. She spoke calmly, choosing her words carefully. “Maa, like I’ve said before, I’m not interested in getting married right now.” (Or ever, really,) she thought to herself but decided against saying it out loud. “You know I’ve just started working. I want to focus on building my career and my life first.”

Avinash opened his mouth to say something, but Prachi cut him off gently. “Please, Mama, understand my feelings.” With that, she stood up and walked to her room, leaving her parents and uncle in a resigned silence.

Preeti and Avinash exchanged a sigh, having expected this response. Naveen, meanwhile, sat quietly, lost in his own thoughts, guilt gnawing at him. He cursed himself for his past mistakes, knowing that his actions had shattered Prachi’s trust in the idea of love and marriage.

.

.

.

.

Later on Sunday afternoon, Prachi and Preeti were relaxing on the sofa, watching a movie together. The doorbell rang, and Preeti got up to answer it. Standing at the door was Srestha, a familiar smile on her face. As usual, she held a tiffin box filled with freshly made snacks—dhokla, Prachi’s favorite.

“Ah, Srestha Aunty, you’re here!” Prachi said with a smile as she saw their regular Sunday guest. “What have you brought for me today?”

“I made some dhokla, just for you,” Srestha replied warmly.

Preeti served the dhokla on plates and brought out glasses of cool lemon water to beat the afternoon heat. The three of them sat together, chatting about the week and sharing laughter. The air was light and easy, filled with the familiar comfort of old friends.

At one point, Prachi excused herself when her phone rang. It was her school friend Shristi calling for a chat. With Prachi out of the room, Srestha took the opportunity to broach a more serious topic with Preeti.

“Preeti, there’s something I’ve been wanting to talk to you about,” Srestha began, her voice tinged with hesitation.

Preeti nodded, sensing the change in tone. “Go on, I’m listening.”

Srestha took a deep breath. “I’ve been thinking… what if Prachi married Sarthak?”

Prachi, who had been about to go to the kitchen for a glass of water, stopped mid-step on the stairs, her heart suddenly pounding in her chest.

Srestha continued, unaware that Prachi was listening. “I want Sarthak to settle down, and honestly, I can’t think of a better match for him than Prachi. They’ve known each other since childhood, and they understand each other’s pasts. I think it could work well. What do you think?”

Preeti listened thoughtfully before responding. “Srestha, how could I say no? I know both you and Sarthak, and it would be a blessing if Prachi married him. But you also know how reluctant she is about marriage. Just a few days ago, Avinash brought up a proposal, and she turned it down immediately. I understand why she feels this way—after everything that happened with Prachi’s father and me, the dysfunction and betrayal in our marriage. It’s left her scarred. She’s seen too much pain and unfaithfulness. She doesn’t think she deserves to be happy. It is just because of me as I am weak and useless as I am unable to do anything for her to lessen her pain.”

Srestha reached over and took Preeti’s hand. “Preeti, I’ve told you before, and I’ll say it again—you are not weak or incompetent. You’ve done everything in your power to give Prachi a better life, to make her independent so she doesn’t have to face the same struggles you did. It takes a big heart to forgive, and you chose to make peace with Naveen. Never compare yourself to me. We each have our own paths and strengths.”

At that moment, Prachi’s phone rang again, the sound snapping her out of her thoughts. She quickly silenced it, not wanting to be overheard. Gathering her composure, she walked toward the kitchen. But before she could slip away, Srestha called out to her.

“Prachi, beta, come here for a moment,” Srestha called out.

Prachi felt a knot of anxiety tighten in her chest as she walked back into the living room. Her heart pounded, already sensing what was coming next. She sat down beside Srestha, who gently took her hand in hers.

“Prachi, I know you overheard what we were talking about,” Srestha said softly. “I want you to consider marrying Sarthak. I know this isn’t easy for you, and I don’t want to pressure you. Take your time and think about it. You don’t have to force yourself into anything. You’re like a daughter to me, and your happiness is my only concern. I truly believe you could be happy with Sarthak.”

Prachi didn’t say a word. She stood up quietly, her heart pounding with confusion and nervousness, and left the room. How could she possibly say no to Srestha? Srestha had been a lifeline for them during their darkest days, offering emotional and even financial support. She had always been there for Prachi and her mother. How could Prachi refuse Sarthak when there was no real reason to? He was kind, handsome, and successful—everything a girl could wish for in a husband.

But every time Prachi thought about marriage, her past played out in her mind like a broken record. The arguments, the betrayal, the lies—all of it haunted her, making her chest tighten with unresolved pain. She was pulled from her thoughts when her mother, Preeti, entered her room.

“Prachi?” Preeti’s voice was soft as she sat beside her daughter.

Prachi laid her head in her mother’s lap, tears welling up in her eyes. “Maa, don’t you love me anymore? Just like Papa, when he started to resent my presence back then?” Her voice broke, and tears spilled down her cheeks as memories of the past flooded back.

Flashback

The Gupta household. Late evening. The dim light of a single bulb cast shadows in the living room. Naveen sat on the worn-out sofa, flipping through TV channels, his face set in an indifferent expression. Ten-year-old Prachi stood nervously in the doorway, clutching a crumpled school flyer in her small hands.

“Papa, can I talk to you for a minute?” Prachi’s voice was hesitant and soft.

“What is it, Prachi? Can’t you see I’m busy?” Naveen replied without looking away from the TV.

Prachi stepped closer, trying to muster the courage she needed. “Papa, I… I’m going to be in a dance at the school’s annual function. I need to buy a dress for it. It’s really important… Can I please have some money for the dress?”

Naveen finally turned to look at her, irritation flashing in his eyes. “Money for a dress? Are you out of your mind? Do you think money grows on trees? Stop wasting money like your mother. We can barely afford to make ends meet, and you want to spend on some stupid dance dress?”

Prachi’s voice trembled, her eyes filling with tears. “But Papa, it’s just a small amount… It’s for the school function. All my friends—”

“I said no!” Naveen cut her off sharply. “Now go back to sleep, Prachi. Stop asking me for things we can’t afford. I don’t have time for your nonsense.”

Prachi stood there for a moment, her heart sinking. The harshness of his words cut through her like knives. Slowly, she nodded, her face crumpling as she turned and walked back to her room, holding back her tears until she reached the safety of her bedroom.

She sat on the edge of her bed, her tiny shoulders shaking with silent sobs. Clutching the crumpled school flyer in her hands, she whispered to herself, “Why, Papa? Why don’t you love me now? What did I do wrong?”

Her tears flowed freely, soaking her pillow as she buried her face in it, trying to muffle the sound of her crying. The pain in her heart was almost unbearable, the world around her collapsing.

“I just wanted to dance… to make you proud…” she cried softly.

Suddenly, the muffled sound of raised voices drifted through the walls from her parents’ room. Prachi froze, wiping her eyes as she strained to hear. Her mother’s voice was pleading, desperate.

The door to her parents’ bedroom was slightly ajar, and Prachi could hear every word.

“Why did you say that to her, Naveen Ji? She’s just a child. She just wanted to participate, to be happy. Can’t you show her some love? Don’t you care about her at all?” Preeti’s voice was filled with hurt.

“Love? Care?” Naveen’s voice was cold and emotionless. “I’ve told you before, Preeti. I don’t love you and her anymore. Stop expecting things from me that I don’t have to give. I’ve had enough of this so-called family.”

Preeti’s voice broke, tears in her eyes. “How can you say that? She’s your daughter! How can you not care? She looks up to you, Naveen Ji. You’re breaking her heart! How can you not love her because of another woman?”

“I don’t care,” Naveen said dismissively. “I’m done with this. You, her… I never wanted any of this. Now, just leave me alone.”

In her room, Prachi clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle the sobs that threatened to escape. Her eyes were wide with shock and pain. Her father’s words hit her like a physical blow, leaving her feeling hollow and abandoned. Her small body trembled as she curled up on her bed, hugging her knees to her chest, trying to make herself as small as possible.

“He doesn’t love me… He doesn’t love me anymore… But I was his gudiya, his princess,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

That night, something inside Prachi broke. The hope, the trust she had in her father’s love shattered into a million pieces, leaving her with nothing but a deep, aching void. The realization that she meant nothing to him crushed her spirit, making her feel more alone than ever. Her heart, already scarred, was now broken beyond repair.

“I wish… I wish I could disappear…” she sobbed softly into her pillow.

From that moment on, Prachi’s faith in love and family was irreparably damaged. She began building walls around her heart, walls that even the strongest love would struggle to break down.

Flashback ends.

Back in the present, Preeti heard the pain in her daughter’s voice and felt her own tears start to flow. “Why are you saying this, Prachi?”

“Because you want me to get married. You don’t like my presence anymore. Just like him. You…” Prachi couldn’t finish her sentence as her tears broke through, spilling over.

Preeti’s own tears flowed freely as she heard the pain in Prachi’s words. She realized how much suffering Prachi had been holding inside, how deeply the past had scarred her. “No, no, beta, it’s not like that,” Preeti said, trying to reassure her daughter. She gently stroked Prachi’s hair, her voice trembling. “You know you are my world. How can I not love you? You are the reason I’m alive. Without you, I would have died a long time ago. You are my heart, my bacha.”

Prachi’s voice was small and broken. “Then why, Maa?”

Preeti sighed, feeling the weight of Prachi’s pain. “Beta, I can’t stay with you forever. I want you to find someone you can share your life with, someone who will be there for you. I don’t want you to find happiness in someone else, but we all need companionship. Someone to share our sadness, our happiness, our love. You’re scared that history will repeat itself, and I understand that. But I’ve raised you to be strong, to be independent. You don’t have to depend on anyone. I just don’t want you to miss out on a chance for happiness because of your fear.”

Prachi listened, knowing deep down that her mother was right. But she felt trapped by her past, unable to move forward. “Maa, I know what you’re saying is true, but I just can’t think about marriage right now. Maybe in the future, but not now. Please. I’m not ready.”

“Can you tell Srestha Aunty for me?” Prachi asked, her voice still fragile. “You know I can’t face her.”

Preeti nodded, understanding her daughter’s hesitation. But deep down, she was scared. It had been a long time, and still, Prachi’s heart hadn’t healed. What if her daughter never let anyone enter her life? Preeti didn’t want Prachi to miss out on the beautiful bond of love. Just because her own marriage hadn’t been successful, she didn’t want Prachi to live in fear for the rest of her life, shutting out everyone who tried to come close, no matter what kind of relationship it was.

.

.

.

.

The days following Srestha’s visit passed in a blur for Prachi. She found herself struggling to concentrate at work, her thoughts constantly drifting back to the conversation she had overheard and the painful memories that had resurfaced. Despite her best efforts to bury the past, it clung to her like a shadow, tainting every hopeful thought with doubt and fear.

On the surface, Prachi maintained her usual calm demeanor, going through the motions at her job. Her colleagues admired her professionalism and dedication, but none of them knew the turmoil that churned beneath her composed exterior. Every time she looked at the spreadsheets and reports in front of her, the numbers blurred, replaced by memories of her father’s harsh words and the lonely, desperate cries of her younger self.

It wasn’t just the memories that haunted her; it was the possibility of a future she had convinced herself she didn’t want. The idea of marriage, of sharing her life with someone, felt like a betrayal of the walls she had built to protect herself. Yet, Srestha’s words lingered in her mind, stirring an unfamiliar longing for something more—something beyond the confines of her carefully controlled world.

On Friday evening, as Prachi was leaving the office, her phone rang. It was her best friend, Shristi.

“Prachi! Let’s meet at the mall. It’s been ages since we spent some time together,” Shristi’s voice buzzed with excitement over the phone.

Prachi hesitated. The last thing she wanted was to go out, pretending to be carefree when she felt anything but. Yet, the thought of being alone with her thoughts was unbearable.

“Sure, Shristi. I’ll be there soon,” Prachi agreed, trying to inject enthusiasm into her voice.

Prachi arrived at the mall, spotting Shristi already waiting at the entrance, waving with a bright smile. They moved inside to the food court and found a table, ordering coffee and snacks.

“You look like you could use a strong coffee and some company,” Shristi said as Prachi sat down.

Prachi forced a smile. “Is it that obvious?”

Shristi’s expression softened. “I’ve known you too long, Prachi. Something’s bothering you. Want to talk about it?”

For a moment, Prachi considered brushing it off, but the concern in Shristi’s eyes broke through her defenses. She sighed and told Shristi about Srestha’s proposal, about Sarthak, and about her mother’s hopes for her future.

Shristi listened without interrupting, her eyes never leaving Prachi’s face. When Prachi finished, Shristi leaned back, crossing her arms thoughtfully.

.

.

.

TBC......