The days following Nisha and Rohan's conversation passed in a blur. They had both agreed to take things one step at a time, but as the pressure from their families mounted, the cracks in their relationship began to show.
Nisha was engrossed in her work at the magazine, trying to focus on her career. She knew she needed to throw herself into something other than the stress of her relationship, and her latest article was the perfect distraction. It was a piece about the rise of young entrepreneurs and the challenges they faced balancing tradition with ambition. In many ways, it felt like she was writing about her own life.
But even as she typed away at her desk, the weight of her conversation with Rohan lingered in her mind. They had acknowledged the challenges ahead, but they hadn’t come up with a real solution. The thought gnawed at her, especially when she saw couples around her moving forward, getting engaged, getting married. She wondered if her dreams were coming at the expense of her relationship.
One evening, after a long day at work, Nisha returned home to find her mother waiting in the living room. Her mother had that look on her face—the one she got when she was about to bring up an uncomfortable topic.
"Beta, sit down for a moment," her mother said, patting the seat next to her.
Nisha hesitated, her heart sinking. She knew what was coming. "What is it, Maa?"
Her mother smiled warmly, but Nisha could sense the seriousness behind her words. "You know, your father and I have been talking, and we’ve noticed that things between you and Rohan are getting serious."
Nisha’s stomach tightened. "Yeah, we’re doing well, Maa."
Her mother’s smile faltered slightly. "And have you thought about the next steps? Rohan’s a good boy, from a respectable family. We’re happy you’ve found someone, but… people are starting to ask. You know how society is. The longer you wait, the more they talk."
Nisha felt a surge of frustration rise within her. The pressure she’d been feeling from Rohan’s family was bad enough, but now her own family was starting to join in. "Maa, I’m not ready to think about marriage yet. I have so much going on with work, and Rohan and I are still figuring things out."
Her mother’s brow furrowed. "Beta, you can’t keep delaying forever. You’re not getting any younger, and neither is Rohan. It’s important to think about your future together."
Nisha sighed, her patience thinning. "I am thinking about my future, Maa. But right now, my career is important too. I need to focus on that before I can think about marriage."
Her mother reached out and took her hand gently. "I understand that, Nisha. I really do. But balance is important too. Your career is one thing, but a family—" She paused, choosing her words carefully. "You don’t want to wait too long."
Nisha felt a lump form in her throat. She wanted to scream, to explain how suffocated she felt by all the expectations placed on her. But instead, she nodded quietly. "I know, Maa. I just need more time."
Her mother gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, but Nisha could see the concern in her eyes. "Just think about it, beta. We only want what’s best for you."
That night, Nisha lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Her conversation with her mother had only amplified the worries already swirling in her mind. She hadn’t spoken to Rohan much since their last talk, and it was starting to bother her. They were supposed to be in this together, but lately, it felt like they were drifting apart.
As if on cue, her phone buzzed on the nightstand. It was a text from Rohan: Can we talk?
Nisha hesitated before typing back: Sure, what’s up?
His response came quickly: In person. Tomorrow?
The next day, Nisha met Rohan at the park where they often took walks together. It was a warm evening, and the setting sun cast a golden glow across the landscape. Rohan was already there when she arrived, leaning against a tree, his expression tense.
“Hey,” Nisha said, her voice cautious as she approached.
Rohan looked up at her, his face strained. “Hey.”
They walked in silence for a few minutes before Rohan finally spoke. “Nisha, I’ve been thinking a lot about everything lately. About us, about the future.”
Nisha’s heart skipped a beat. “What do you mean?”
Rohan sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I love you, and I want to be with you. But I’m starting to feel like we’re moving in different directions.”
Nisha’s stomach dropped. “What are you saying, Rohan?”
He stopped walking and turned to face her, his eyes filled with uncertainty. “I don’t want to lose you, but the pressure from my family is getting worse. They’re expecting us to get engaged soon, and I don’t know how much longer I can keep putting them off. And… I don’t want to force you into something you’re not ready for.”
Nisha felt a surge of panic. “I don’t want to lose you either, Rohan. But I can’t rush into marriage just to make our families happy. I’m not ready for that yet.”
Rohan’s face softened, but there was still a trace of frustration in his eyes. “I know, and I respect that. But the problem is… my family doesn’t understand. They’re starting to think that maybe we’re not serious about each other.”
Nisha’s throat tightened. “So, what are you saying? Are you saying we should break up?”
Rohan shook his head quickly. “No, that’s not what I’m saying. I just… I don’t know how to balance this anymore. I feel like I’m being pulled in two directions, and it’s tearing me apart.”
Nisha’s heart ached at the pain in his voice. “I don’t want to lose you, Rohan. But I can’t give up on my dreams either. We need to figure out how to make this work without letting our families dictate everything.”
Rohan sighed, his shoulders slumping. “I don’t know if that’s possible anymore, Nisha. The expectations… they’re too much. And I don’t know how much longer I can keep them at bay.”
Nisha’s chest tightened, fear creeping into her mind. “Are you saying this is the end for us?”
Rohan looked at her, his expression conflicted. “No. But I’m saying we need to make some decisions soon, or the pressure is going to break us.”
Write a comment ...