I agreed and went to freshen up, the events of the day still swirling in my mind.

(In the evening)

I was getting ready to leave for the hospital, gearing up for my night shift, when there was a knock at the door. One of our neighbors, Shanta aunty, had come to meet Mummy.

Mummy smiled politely. "Namaste, Shanta Bhabhi!! What brings you here?"

Shanta aunty held out a small empty bowl. "Actually, I ran out of sugar... can I borrow some from you?"

Mummy took the bowl. "Yes... sure... I'll get it. You wait here."

Papa was sitting quietly on the sofa. I stepped out of my room, greeting Shanta aunty politely. "Mummy!! I'm leaving for work... bye!!"

Shanta aunty's voice carried a teasing tone. "What kind of job do you do, where you have to go out so late at night?"

I straightened my shoulders. "Aunty... I'm a doctor... we work 24/7..."

Just then, Mummy appeared with the sugar. Shanta aunty, not missing a beat, added, "This is why you are not getting married..."

My patience snapped. "Why... because I don't want to leave what I'm doing, or because you have such a narrow mindset??"

Her ego prickled. "Look... girls nowadays have become too arrogant..."

Anger flared inside me. "Aunty, girls are not arrogant; it's your mindset that makes us appear arrogant."

Papa, frustrated by her behavior, slammed his hand on the sofa. "Just shut up!! Is this the way you talk to your elders??"

I stepped forward, standing my ground. "And is this the way you talk to youngers... Papa?!"

Shanta aunty tried to pour more fuel on the fire. "You know what, Rekha ji... if I had a daughter, I would never let her go out like this..."

She almost had me there... but not quite. "That's why you don't have a daughter, aunty!!"

Mummy's face turned furious. "Stop it... Kavyashree!!"

I let my frustration pour out, my voice sharp with truth. "Wow!! What a mindset you people have... you don't want your daughters to work as doctors, but expect a lady doctor for your daughters-in-law... right!!"

With that, I turned on my heel and left for the hospital, my heart still racing. Sometimes, the world's narrow minds make you realize why you fight so hard to stand for yourself.

💞💞💞💞💞💞

(The next day)

It was Tuesday—the day I was supposed to meet Shivansh. Yet, even by afternoon, I hadn't returned home. I didn't want to go... not after the argument yesterday. Not today.

I had extended my shift at the hospital, hoping to escape the meeting, when my phone rang. It was Mummy.

"Where are you? Why haven't you come back yet?" her voice carried both concern and urgency.

"I'm at the hospital. I didn't come back because I don't want to meet anyone!!" I replied, my tone sharp with irritation.

Her voice rose. "Are you crazy?! Come back right now and go meet him at 6 P.M... do you get that?!!"

I groaned in frustration. "No!! I said no... I don't want to meet him... that's it!!"

Papa, having overheard our conversation, snatched the phone from Mummy. "You silly girl!! Don't you get what your mom is saying?!"

I huffed, annoyed. "But... Papa... you can't force me... to meet anyone!!"

He fixed me with a firm gaze. "I can... and I will... so you better go and meet him... otherwise, it won't be good for you..."

I had no other choice. I clenched my fists and said, "Okay!! I'll go meet him... I'm coming home now."

I hung up the call, outwardly defeated, yet inwardly determined. This time... this guy won't reject me... I'll be the one making the choice. I'll decide.

Author's Note

And so, my dewdrops... tomorrow marks the first step toward a meeting that neither of them expected, yet both hearts are already stirring. 🌙💫

Tell me — when the world tries to cage you, and fate dares to nudge your life in a new direction, would you fight... or follow the path laid out for you? Can courage and choice truly meet at the same moment? 💭

If Kavyashree's fire made your heart beat a little faster, leave a vote and share your thoughts in the comments. Your love and support give wings to every word I write. 💌

With love always,
– Your Author 🌼
Lavenderwrites