A girl had called me and badmouthed Kavyashree. I got furious and scolded her. I also told Nikhil everything. After all the discussions, Nikhil said,
“What?! Who is she to say so…?!”

I shook my head. “I don’t know her… and I don’t want to talk about it anymore…”

Nikhil sighed and laid back on the bed. “Hmmm… okay…!!”

There was a moment of silence. I recalled the entire day, every little detail. Suddenly, I sat up abruptly. Nikhil noticed and, getting up, asked,
“Kya hua…?? Sona nahi hai kya…?? (What happened…?? Aren’t you going to sleep…??)”

I shook my head. “Nahi… neend nahi aari hai… (No… I’m not feeling sleepy…)”

Nikhil smirked and teased,
“Han… han… bhabhi ki yaad aari hogi na… batao abhi se ye haal hai… mai to soch raha hoon… agar shaadi ke baad kabhi bhabhi duty par hongi… ya apne ghar gayi… to tera kya hoga… (Yeah… yeah… you must be missing bhabhi… now you’re like this… I’m thinking… after marriage… if bhabhi is on duty… or if she goes to her house… what will happen to you then…)”

I smacked his head. “Chup kar saale… (Shut up, idiot…)” Shivansh was very serious.

Nikhil studied my face, noticing the seriousness. “Shivansh… kya hua hai…?? Bhabhi ne kuch kaha kya…?? (Shivansh… what happened…?? Did bhabhi say something…??)”

I nodded slightly. Nikhil leaned closer. “To phir kya hua…?? Tu batayega abhi… ya pitega…?? (Then what happened…?? Will you tell me now… or get beaten up…??)”

I took a deep breath. “Kavyashree ne to kuch nahi kaha… lekin… (Kavyashree didn’t say anything… but…)"

By now, Nikhil had lost his patience. “Lekin kya…?? (But what…??)” he demanded.

I said softly, my voice heavy with emotion,
“Lekin… uske parents… Nikhil… uske parents… vo aisa kaise kar sakte hain…?? (But… her parents… Nikhil… her parents… how can they do this to her…??)”

Nikhil frowned, confused. “Kya kiya unhone…?? (What did they do…??)”

I exhaled slowly, trying to steady my emotions. “Tujhe yaad hai na… Kavyashree ke gale me khaana atak gaya tha… (You remember, right… Kavyashree had choked on her food…)"

Nikhil nodded, and I continued, my voice trembling slightly,
“Han… tab unhone react tak nahi kiya… koi emotions nahi… kuch nahi… unki beti ki saanse atak gayi thi… lekin unhe koi farak hi nahi pada… tujhe pata hai… unki iss harkat ki wajah se… Kavyashree ke aankhon me aansu the… (Yes… at that time… they didn’t even react… no emotion… nothing… their daughter’s breath was stuck… but they didn’t care at all… you know… because of this… Kavyashree had tears in her eyes…)”

Nikhil was stunned. “Kya…??!!! Koi itna patthar dil kaise ho sakta hai…??!!! Mujhe aaj tak ye lagta tha ki… unki family strict hai… par… (What…??!!! How can someone be so stone-hearted…??!!! Till today I thought… her family was just strict… but…)"

I nodded. “Yes… that’s exactly it…”

Nikhil asked, his voice softening, “When you noticed all this… why didn’t you say anything…??”

I took a deep breath. “Nikhil… I only noticed it… and if I say something… and Kavyashree doesn’t like it… because it involves her parents… then what…??”

Nikhil frowned. “Then what about their behavior…?? Wasn’t that rude…?? She even had tears in her eyes…”

I whispered, “Yes… it’s totally wrong… but I want to know what she feels… and I can’t simply go against her parents… what if she takes it the wrong way…??”

Nikhil thought for a moment and said, “Yes… you’re right… so… what will you do now…??”

I lay back on the bed, exhausted, and said, “I’ll wait… wait for her to open up… wait for the right time…”

Nikhil only hummed in response and went to the adjacent room to sleep. Like a family member, he also had a room in the Singhania Mansion. I closed my eyes and drifted off after a while, my mind still lingering on Kavyashree’s silent pain.

💞💞💞💞💞💞

I reached home at midnight. Everyone was already asleep, so I quietly took out the key from my purse and slipped inside. I was completely exhausted from the long day. I went straight to my room, changed into comfortable clothes, and collapsed onto the bed. My eyes wandered to the ring on my finger as memories of the day replayed in my mind. Lost in thought, I dozed off into a deep sleep.

(The Next Day)

It was 8 A.M. I woke up, freshened up, and stepped out. Today I was wearing a simple co-ord set and small studs. I went to the dining room and sat with everyone for breakfast.

As we ate, Mummy looked at me and said,
“Kavyashree… put in a leave application… for one month from tomorrow…”

I froze. “For a month…??!!! But why…??!!”

Mummy sighed. “Because… your marriage date is approaching.”

I blinked in surprise. “I’ll take the leave… but during the marriage week… why take leave for so many days…??”

Mummy’s tone was gentle but firm. “See, Kavyashree… I don’t want anything like yesterday to happen again… and we have to start the shopping too… Are you getting it…??”

I didn’t argue. I didn’t want any more drama, so I nodded. “Okay, Mummy…!! I’ll apply for the leave.” She smiled faintly and left for the hospital.

Later, I arrived at the hospital. As soon as I walked in, a nurse rushed toward me.
“Ma’am, emergency…”

I punched in my fingerprint on the biometric scanner. “Coming…”

I rushed to examine the patient. It was an accident case. I instructed,
“Inform the police… take the patient to the OT… and call Dr. Sumit…”

I quickly sanitized, changed into scrubs, and prepared for surgery. Two hours later, I stepped out, exhausted but relieved. Dr. Sumit looked at me and said,
“Well done, Dr. Sharma… the operation was successful.”

I smiled, and we completed the other procedures. After some time, I went to Dr. Sumit’s cabin. I knocked, and he called out,
“Yes… come in…”

I entered and handed him a letter. Dr. Sumit read it, his expression shifting between curiosity and concern.
“Are you alright, Shree…?? Why do you need a month-long leave?”

I cleared my throat. “Actually… Sir… I’m getting married.”

His eyes widened, a mix of astonishment and happiness. “That’s great news, Shree… but… your parents wanted an arranged marriage, right…??”

I smiled softly. “Yes, Sir… it’s an arranged marriage… and I never had a boyfriend anyway.”

Dr. Sumit chuckled. “Oh yeah… when did this happen…??”

I exhaled lightly. “We met two weeks ago… got engaged yesterday… and the wedding is in fifteen days.”

Dr. Sumit whistled softly. “Oh… that was fast…”

I just smiled. He grinned and added teasingly, “You got engaged… where are my sweets, Shree…??”

“I’ll get them soon, Sir,” I replied, laughing softly.

He nodded. “Okay… I’ll approve your leave on one condition.”

I raised an eyebrow. “What condition, Sir…??”

Fidgeting with the paperweight, he said with a smirk, “The condition is… I want the wedding invitation… and double the sweets.”

I laughed. “Sure, Sir.”

Dr. Sumit smiled warmly. “Okay then… leave granted!!!”

“Thank you, Sir!!!” I said gratefully, leaving the cabin.

The moment I stepped out, my phone buzzed. I picked up. Mummy’s voice came through.
“Did you apply for the leave…??”

“Yes… and it’s been approved,” I replied.

“Good…!! When are you coming back…??”

I smiled softly. “My leave starts tomorrow… I’ll be back by dinner.” She cut the call.

💞💞💞💞💞💞

(The Next Morning)

It was 7:30 A.M. when Shivansh woke up to his alarm. He freshened up quickly and went downstairs for breakfast. Nikhil joined him shortly after.

While they were eating, Sucheta ji asked,
“When are you people planning to take your leave…??”

Shivansh looked puzzled. “Maybe the wedding week only… Maa… what happened…?? Why are you asking suddenly…??”

Sucheta ji said firmly, “No, Shivu… you need to start your leave from tomorrow itself… and take it for a month.”

Lata ji added, nodding, “Yes, Shivu… and Nikhil, you also start your leave from tomorrow.”

Nikhil raised his eyebrows. “Aunty… so many days of leave…??!!!”

Shivansh interjected calmly, “Yes Maa… Chachi maa… it’s a long leave, I know.”

Rajesh ji chuckled softly. “Shivu… Nikhil… don’t argue… just agree to what they are saying.”

Nikhil frowned playfully. “Uncle… I understand that… for Shivansh it’s different… but what will I do for a whole month??”

Ramesh ji interrupted, “Yes… but until the marriage, you can take the leave, right…?? You need to help us with the wedding preparations.”

Nikhil nodded, conceding. “Okay Uncles and Aunties… I’ll be on leave from tomorrow… for twenty days.”

Sucheta ji turned to Shivansh. “Good… what about you, Shivu…??”

Shivansh sighed and said respectfully, “As you say, Maa…”

Sucheta ji smiled. “Okay!! So from tomorrow onwards, the actual preparations and shopping for your marriage will begin.”

Everyone nodded in agreement, satisfied with the plan. Shivansh and Nikhil left for their offices and applied for their leaves, which were approved by the evening.

Author's Note

💫 And just like that, life seemed to press pause for a moment… a brief calm before the storm of emotions, preparations, and secrets that awaited. I could feel the weight of unspoken words, the silent ache of hearts that needed healing, and the quiet anticipation of days that promised both joy and challenges.

Sometimes, I wonder… do you also feel the tug of emotions you can’t voice, the little moments that linger longer than they should? 🌙💭
Because tomorrow, everything changes… and I have to ask you, my dear reader—are you ready to witness what happens next? 💞