I rushed to her side. She was trying to speak, but no words were coming out. Panic shot through me like ice water.
"Ramesh!" I shouted. "Get the car now!"
I lifted Dadi into my arms. She was so light. Too light. I carried her out of the house and into the car. Ramesh drove faster than I had ever seen him drive before. Avija's family followed in their own car.
We reached the hospital within minutes. The staff rushed Dadi into the emergency room immediately. I paced the hallway outside, my heart pounding, my mind racing.
The doctor came out after what felt like hours but was probably only twenty minutes.
"Mr. Khanna?"
I stepped forward.
"How is she?"
The doctor's expression was serious.
"Her blood pressure spiked dangerously high. She was very close to having a stroke. We have stabilized her for now, but you needto make sure she does not experience any stress. No arguments. No emotional upheaval. Her heart cannot take it."
I nodded, my throat tight.
"Can I see her?"
"Yes. But keep it brief. She needs rest."
I walked into her room. Dadi was lying in the hospital bed, an IV in her arm, monitors beeping softly around her. She looked so small. So fragile.
She opened her eyes when she heard me enter.
"Armaan."
I pulled a chair close to her bed and sat down, taking her hand gently.
"How are you feeling, Dadi?"
She smiled weakly.
"I will be fine, beta. But I need you to do something for me."
I already knew what she was going to say.
"Please agree to this marriage. It is my last wish. I need to see you safe and settled before I go."
I closed my eyes.
"Do not talk like that, Dadi. You are not going anywhere."
Her grip on my hand tightened.
"Please, Armaan. Please do this for me."
The fear of losing her was overwhelming. It crushed everything else. Every objection. Every principle. Every shred of resistance.
I looked at her face, at the tears gathering in the corners of her eyes, and I felt something inside me break.
"Okay," I whispered. "Okay, Dadi. I will do it."
Her face flooded with relief. She closed her eyes and let out a long, shaky breath.
