I settled into my seat inside the metro, my mind swirling with everything that had happened over the past twenty-four hours. My meeting with Shivansh, my refusal of the alliance, the dinner at the Singhania mansion... everything. Should I accept this alliance or not? They seemed so supportive, yet my heart hesitated.

My thoughts were interrupted by my buzzing phone. I picked up—it was a nurse.

"Sorry to disturb you, ma'am... but there's an emergency."

"It's okay," I replied quickly. "I'm on my way. Prepare everything, and inform Dr. Sumit or another senior doctor as well." I cut the call and headed straight to the hospital.

On the way, a message from Shivansh popped up: "Hi Ms. Sharma!! Hope you reached home safely..."

I typed back quickly, "No... Mr. Singhania!! I had to change my destination to the hospital..."

He replied almost instantly: "Oh... okay... I understand..."

I sent a smiling emoji and focused on the day ahead.

A few hours later, after the operation, I stepped out and noticed a couple arguing with their family nearby. The man said, "Why don't you understand?"

The woman replied, tears brimming, "No... you're not understanding my situation..."

"Why don't you want a baby?" the man asked.

"We've been married only three months... I'm not ready yet," she said.

The man's mother jumped in, "Why not?"

"I just got a promotion at work. I can't manage everything yet. I need more time," the woman explained.

"Then leave your job. We told you before—if it comes to choosing, you must choose family," the mother insisted.

"I... but why don't you say anything? You're forcing me to leave my job!" the woman sobbed.

The man interjected, "We allowed you to work, but now you have to choose."

"You allowed... what do you mean? You promised me something... when you proposed... do you even remember?" she demanded.

"That was different back then... and you know the rules of this family," he replied coldly.

I was processing their conversation when a familiar voice interrupted me.

"See... all these men are the same. They can't bear to see a woman independent or successful."

I turned around sharply. "Sakshi!? When did you—weren't you on a date today? Why are you here looking so pissed?"

She sighed and said, "Whoa, hold on, madam sahiba... so many questions! Let me breathe first."

I rolled my eyes. "Pagal... you came suddenly, that's why I asked. And weren't you on leave today?"

Her expression fell. "Yes... I thought I'd surprise Aaditya for his birthday. But that bastard... I found him cheating on me with some other girl."

Shock coursed through me. "What?! But he was so good with you... then why?"

"So what? He said I'm not giving him time," she spat.

I frowned. "How dare he say that? After everything you've done for him..."

"And then he added," Sakshi continued, "that I can't give him time because of my busy schedule as a doctor."

I clenched my fists. "What?! How dare he...?!"

"Anyway," she said, exhaling sharply, "I'm done with dating. I don't trust men anymore."

Her words hit me like a thunderclap. I had no desire to marry, but my parents were pressuring me. My thoughts swirled when my phone buzzed again—this time it was Mummy.

"Where are you? Why didn't you inform before going?" she asked, slightly irritated.

I took a deep breath. "Why are you worrying so much? I'm at the hospital. Don't worry, I'll return soon."

"What happened? Why are you acting like this?" she asked.

"Why don't you ask proper questions?" I snapped. "Even when I come home, there's always an argument waiting."

"It's nothing like that... come home... Papa wants to talk to you," she said.

"Okay," I said, hanging up.

Sakshi raised her eyebrows. "What happened, Shree? Your parents usually don't call this much...?"

I sighed. "There's a marriage alliance. They liked the guy, and now they want me to say yes too."

Sakshi's eyes widened. "But your parents never asked your consent before... now what changed?"

I exhaled. "The boy's family wants my approval first."

Her face lit up. "Wow! That's amazing. They respect your decision... unlike your parents. So, what have you decided?"

"I've decided to say no."

Sakshi gasped. "But why? Are they against you working after marriage?"

"No," I said firmly.

"Then what's the problem, Shree? I understand rejecting others who opposed your career... but this family supports you," she pressed.

"After seeing that couple today, and hearing your story... my decision to never get married has only grown stronger," I admitted.

Sakshi paused. "But tell me—did the guy or his family make you feel guilty for working? They're asking for your consent... they're supporting you. Think carefully."

I cut her off. "Oh really? Then why did you break up with Aaditya? He treated you like a princess... yet he cheated. Why?"

"Because he cheated," she said simply. "Your case is different."

"No," I said firmly, "it's not different. What if they're just pretending? What if the same thing happens as with that lady today?!"

"How can you say that? Have you met them enough to judge?" she asked.

"Yes... I met them today, at dinner," I replied.

"Shree... are you crazy? One meeting isn't enough to judge anyone!"

"You were with Aaditya for two years... and he still broke your trust. I can't risk my career and my years of hard work. I can't trust anyone blindly."

With that thought, I left, my mind made up. I had decided to reject Shivansh even before truly knowing him.

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When I came back, Dad looked at me and asked, "So... what did Kavyashree say? Yes or No?"

I sighed, disappointment weighing on my shoulders. "I... still don't know her answer."

Nikhil's eyes widened. "What?! You didn't ask again... am I right?"

I nodded. "Yes... I didn't get a chance to ask her again."

Nikhil made a frustrated face. "Aagh... why don't you just confess your feelings to her? When will you do that?"

I rubbed my forehead, unsure. "How can I confess my feelings... without knowing how she feels?"

Nikhil groaned. "If you don't confess, how will you ever know her feelings?"

Dad nodded at him. "Yes, Shivu... he's right."

I stammered, "B... but..."

Dad interrupted firmly. "No buts, Shivu. We'll inform Shashi ji and Rekha ji that we're ready for this alliance... and ask them to confirm the same with Kavyashree."

I hesitated. "But... I... I want the confirmation from Kavyashree herself..."

Maa smiled gently. "We'll ask them to call us once Kavyashree agrees. Then you can take the confirmation directly from her."

Dad nodded. "Yes... that's right. I'll call them right now... it's only 9:30 P.M. anyway."

Maa added, "Yes... let's do it."

Dad turned to me with a small smile. "Okay... let's call them."

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Rajesh ji called Shashi ji, and Shashi ji picked up.

"Namaste, Rajesh ji!" Shashi ji greeted.

"Namaste, Shashi ji! Did Kavyashree reach home?" Rajesh ji asked.

Shashi ji hesitated. "No... actually, she got an emergency call from the hospital, so she went directly there."

"Oh, okay... no issues," Rajesh ji replied calmly.

Shashi ji, still a bit uneasy, asked, "What happened, Rajesh ji? You called at this hour...?"

Rajesh ji smiled softly. "Mmm... yes, Shashi ji. As you know, we are ready for this marriage, but we would like to know what Kavyashree wants. That's why we called."

Shashi ji's face lit up with relief and happiness. "It's a yes from our side as well..."

Rajesh ji interrupted gently. "Shashi ji... please ask Kavyashree as well. Her consent matters the most to us."

Shashi ji's smile faltered. "But... she'll say yes only, then what's the need to ask her?"

"No, no, Shashi ji... let her take her time and decide. We'll wait for her to call us with her decision," Rajesh ji insisted.

Shashi ji sighed, realizing he couldn't force her decision. "Okay... Rajesh ji. I'll talk to Kavyashree once she comes back."

"Yeah, sure, Shashi ji. Thank you very much. I'll hang up now," Rajesh ji said kindly.

Shashi ji responded softly, a hint of gratitude in his voice, "I should be the one saying thank you... for accepting my daughter with her conditions. Thanks a lot, Rajesh ji."

They hung up. Rajesh ji turned to Shivansh and asked, "So... okay? Are you happy now? Unless and until she says yes, we won't take any further step."

Shivansh smiled, a mix of excitement and patience on his face. "Yes... thanks, Dad."

💞💞💞💞💞💞

I returned home by 12:30 A.M., utterly exhausted. But Papa was waiting, ready to enforce the decision he had already made for me.

As I entered, Papa called sharply, "Kavyashree, come here... we need to talk to you."

I noticed Kunal was also there, but I ignored him. "Papa... can I get freshened up first? I'm really tired right now..."

Shashi ji interjected, his tone firm, "You can do that later. This is important—we need to talk now."

I had no choice. "Okay..." I muttered and went to sit on the couch.

Papa's eyes bore into mine. "Will you say yes to this marriage or not?"

I let out a sigh. "What will you do if I say no?"

Papa, anticipating my defiance, smiled with confidence. "Then... I'm your father. I know how to make you say yes."

I smirked back, challenging him. "Are you sure? Because... today, whatever you do won't affect me."

Kunal, unable to restrain himself, blurted out, "What the hell?! How can you be so emotionless and rude? Have you lost your mind?"

Anger flared in me. "How dare you?! I know... your nose is too long, but no need to poke it here. Mind your own business."

Mummy, fuming, scolded, "Why don't you behave properly with Kunal? He's your younger brother."

I matched her tone. "Then tell him to behave like one! He acts as if he's the head of this family."

Kunal, smirking, challenged, "So... what's wrong in it? I am the next head of this family."

I raised an eyebrow. "And why do you think that?"

"Because... I'm the son of this family," he said smugly.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. "So what? You are the younger one."

Mummy's anger spiked further, and Rekha ji slapped my left cheek sharply. "How dare you... talk to my son like that?"

I blinked back in shock. "What... what did I say wrong, Mummy?"

Papa's voice thundered, "What wrong did you say?!"

"I didn't say anything wrong," I replied firmly. "The elder child is traditionally the head of the family, not the younger one."

Papa's expression hardened. "Yes... but if the elder one is a daughter and the younger one is a son... the younger son will be the head of the family."

Kunal's cunning smile widened, and I felt tears prick my eyes. "So, Papa... you think a daughter cannot take care of her family?"

Papa shook his head. "No... because daughters get married and move to another house, but sons stay with us till the end of our lives."

My tears flowed freely, but Papa continued, unwavering. "So... your duty is clear. You are to marry Shivansh Singhania."

I wiped my tears with the back of my hand, my voice steady and firm. "No... I don't want to get married."

Papa's eyes narrowed. "Are you sure?"

Without blinking, I said firmly, "Yes. Do whatever you want... my decision won't change."

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Author's Note

Ah, dewdrops... some days, our hearts wrestle with duty, love, and dreams all at once. 💔
Kavyashree stands at that fragile crossroads—torn between what others expect and what she truly wants. Can courage alone keep the tears at bay? 🌧️
Have you ever felt that quiet storm inside, where saying "no" feels like the only way to stay true to yourself? 🌸
Tonight, she chose herself... but the battle is far from over. And somewhere, in the shadows of our hearts, patience and love wait to tip the scales. 💛
Tell me, dewdrops—what would you do if everything you loved demanded your surrender, yet your soul whispered, "Stand firm"? 💭