The weekend arrived too quickly, and Nisha found herself a bundle of nerves. The looming meeting with Rohan's family felt like a dark cloud hanging over her. She could hardly focus on anything else, her mind swirling with thoughts about what her parents would say, how Rohan's family would react, and whether she would have the courage to stand her ground.
Saturday morning dawned with a beautiful blue sky, yet Nisha felt a weight in her chest. As she sat at the breakfast table with her parents, the silence was palpable. Her mother fidgeted with her napkin, and her father’s stern expression suggested he was lost in thought.
“Are you ready for today?” her father finally asked, breaking the tension.
Nisha forced a smile, trying to hide her anxiety. “I guess,” she replied, her voice shaky.
Her mother placed a hand on her shoulder, her touch comforting but heavy with expectation. “Nisha, remember to be respectful. Rohan’s family is good people, and they only want what’s best for you,” she said, her tone almost pleading.
“Right,” Nisha murmured, her heart racing. “What about what’s best for me?” she thought but kept the words to herself. She wanted to avoid a confrontation before the meeting even began.
As the clock inched closer to the meeting time, Nisha felt like she was in a pressure cooker. “Let’s go,” her father said, standing up and motioning for Nisha and her mother to follow. The drive to Rohan's family home felt endless, each moment filled with anticipation and dread.
When they arrived, Nisha stepped out of the car, her stomach flipping. Rohan's family lived in a beautiful neighborhood with large homes surrounded by blooming gardens. As they walked up to the front door, Nisha felt a wave of apprehension wash over her.
Rohan’s mother opened the door, her warm smile easing some of Nisha’s tension. “Welcome! We’re so glad you could make it,” she said, ushering them inside.
The interior of the house was elegantly decorated, and Nisha felt a momentary sense of calm. Rohan’s father was already seated in the living room, a broad smile on his face. “Nisha, it’s so nice to see you again!” he said, standing to greet her.
“Nice to see you too, Uncle,” Nisha replied, forcing a smile. She felt the weight of her parents’ expectations pressing down on her.
“Rohan will be here soon. We thought we could have some snacks and tea while we wait,” Rohan’s mother suggested, leading them to the sitting area. Nisha’s parents exchanged glances, clearly pleased.
As they settled into their seats, Nisha felt the tension in the air. Rohan's family was warm and welcoming, but beneath the surface, she could feel the unspoken expectations hovering like a storm cloud.
After a few minutes, Rohan entered, his face lighting up when he saw Nisha. “Hey! I’m glad you could make it,” he said, his smile genuine.
“Hi, Rohan,” Nisha replied, trying to sound cheerful despite the anxiety knotting her stomach.
“Let’s catch up while we wait for the snacks,” he suggested, taking a seat beside her. The moment felt surreal, as if they were actors in a play, each line rehearsed but the emotions behind them raw and uncertain.
As they exchanged small talk, Nisha couldn’t shake the feeling that her parents were watching her closely. She could sense their approval when she laughed at Rohan’s jokes and how they leaned in when she shared a story from college. But with each moment of pleasantry, the pressure mounted.
When the snacks finally arrived, everyone settled in, and Nisha found herself in the eye of the storm. Rohan’s mother began to steer the conversation toward marriage, her voice laced with excitement. “So, Nisha, have you thought about what kind of wedding you’d want?” she asked, her eyes sparkling.
Nisha’s heart sank. “Um, I haven’t really thought about it,” she stammered, looking at her parents for support. But they seemed too engrossed in the conversation to notice her distress.
Rohan chimed in, “We could have a destination wedding, right, Nisha?” He grinned, clearly caught up in the fantasy of it all.
“Sure, that sounds nice,” Nisha replied, her voice lacking enthusiasm.
Rohan’s parents exchanged approving looks, and Nisha felt her heart race. She couldn’t just go along with this. She needed to voice her thoughts, to assert her own desires.
After a few more moments of light chatter, Nisha took a deep breath. “Rohan, can we talk for a minute?” she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.
“Of course! Let’s step outside,” he replied, looking a bit surprised but eager to comply.
As they walked out onto the patio, the fresh air enveloped them, but Nisha felt anything but calm. “Rohan, I need to be honest with you,” she said, her voice tense. “I’m not ready for this. I don’t want to rush into marriage.”
Rohan’s expression shifted from surprise to concern. “What do you mean? We’ve talked about this, and my parents really like you. It seems like the right step,” he said, confusion creeping into his voice.
“I know, but this is moving too fast for me. I still have dreams and goals that I want to pursue. I don’t want to be someone’s wife just because it’s expected of me,” she confessed, her heart racing.
Rohan’s brows furrowed, and he crossed his arms. “Nisha, I care about you. I thought we were on the same page. You can still pursue your career after we get married.”
“No, Rohan. I want to build my career first. I don’t want to compromise on my dreams. This is my life,” Nisha said firmly, feeling a surge of determination.
Rohan took a step back, his expression troubled. “I didn’t realize you felt this way. I thought you wanted the same things I do. My parents have been planning everything, and it feels like you’re backing out.”
“I’m not backing out; I just need to be true to myself. I hope you can understand that,” Nisha replied, feeling a mix of relief and sadness.
They stood in silence for a moment, the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air. Finally, Rohan spoke. “I guess I need to think about what you said. But I hope you can talk to my parents too. They’re really excited about this.”
Nisha nodded, her heart heavy. “I will, but I can’t promise anything.”
They returned to the living room, where the atmosphere had shifted. Nisha’s parents were talking animatedly with Rohan’s family, but she felt a growing distance between herself and the group. As they settled back in, Rohan’s father began to speak.
“Nisha, we’re so pleased to have you here today. You and Rohan make a lovely couple,” he said, his tone filled with pride.
Nisha felt her heart sink. “Thank you, Uncle, but I need to talk about something important,” she said, raising her hand slightly to gain attention.
The room quieted, and all eyes turned to her. “I appreciate your hospitality, and I value my friendship with Rohan, but I’m not ready to discuss marriage yet. I want to focus on my career and my dreams,” she said, her voice steady.
Her parents exchanged stunned glances, and Nisha could feel the tension thickening in the air. “What do you mean?” her mother asked, disbelief etched across her face. “Nisha, this is an important step for you! You can’t just dismiss it!”
“I’m not dismissing it; I’m just being honest about my feelings,” Nisha replied, her heart racing. “I need your support in this, not pressure.”
Rohan’s parents looked at each other, surprised but intrigued. “It’s admirable that you want to pursue your career first, Nisha,” Rohan’s mother said, her tone shifting slightly. “But you should know that many women manage both marriage and their careers.”
“I understand that, Auntie, but everyone’s journey is different. I want to carve my own path, and I hope you can respect that,” Nisha said, her voice firm but respectful.
The room fell into an uncomfortable silence. Nisha’s parents exchanged worried glances, clearly struggling with the reality of her words. But in that moment, Nisha felt a surge of empowerment. She was finally standing up for herself, and despite the uncertainty, it felt liberating.
Rohan’s father spoke up, “Nisha, we appreciate your honesty. It’s important to communicate your feelings openly. Perhaps we can give you some time to think about everything.”
Nisha nodded, feeling a flicker of hope. “I would appreciate that. Thank you for understanding.”
As the tension in the room began to dissipate, Nisha felt a wave of relief wash over her. She had taken a stand for herself, and while the future was still uncertain, she knew she had to keep pushing for her dreams.
After the meeting, as they drove home, Nisha felt a mix of emotions. “I can’t believe I actually said that,” she murmured, half in shock.
Her father broke the silence. “Nisha, that was quite a bold move,” he said, his tone cautious but respectful. “I didn’t expect you to speak up like that.”
“I needed to, Dad. I have dreams I want to chase. I hope
you can understand that,” Nisha replied, her heart racing.
Her mother’s voice broke through the tension. “We just want what’s best for you, Nisha. We didn’t mean to pressure you. We just thought… well, you know how families work,” she said, her voice softer now.
“I know, Mom. But I need to find my own way. I want you to support my choices, even if they’re different from what you imagined,” Nisha replied, feeling a sense of calm begin to wash over her.
Her parents nodded, and for the first time, Nisha felt a sense of understanding growing between them. Perhaps this confrontation was the first step toward bridging the gap between their expectations and her dreams.
As they arrived home, Nisha took a deep breath, feeling lighter than she had in days. She had faced her fears and spoken her truth, and now it was time to navigate the aftermath. With the support of her parents and the friendship of Aarav, she felt ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead.
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