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Ayaan has demanded that I choose him over my own family, forcing me to make an impossible decision. The consequences of defying him are clear—a war against my family,against me.He is resolute in his intentions, and I know deep down that he will not step back. I despise his audacity and his manipulative tactics. But beneath it all, there’s a part of me that still yearns for his touch. It’s a maddening contradiction, a battle between my heart and my duty.
I know whatever path I choose, there will be sacrifices to make and consequences to bear. But one thing is certain—I won’t let my silence be the weapon that destroys everything. I will find a way to protect what matters the most, even if it means facing the wrath of the man I still love.
I get down from the car and enter my house. The familiar voices in the living room catch my attention as I’m about to make my way towards the stairs. Niraj’s father is here, and from what I gather, he sounds testy and annoyed.
“Walia Saheb, this situation is a major concern for us. People are mocking me for agreeing to the alliance with your family. You promised me that your daughter Meher would marry my son Niraj and strengthen our friendship. But after everything that has happened recently, do you expect us to simply calm down and understand your side?” Niraj’s father directs his words towards Dad, his voice filled with frustration.
Dad is seated on the couch, with Vishnu standing behind him, while Aksh and Devika bhabhi are seated on the adjacent couch, directly across from Niraj’s father. The atmosphere is tense. I assume he showed up here immediately after the press conference was over.
“You need to lower your voice, uncle. Do you realise whom you are addressing? You can’t speak to us in that manner,” Aksh bhai interrupts, his tone firm and irritated.
“Why not?” Niraj’s father retorts sarcastically. “You have no idea how much disrespect and embarrassment we have endured from our family and friends because of what has transpired.”
“You are talking as if we knew such a scandal would happen. Even we are trying to do some damage control here.”
“Damage control?” Niraj’s father laughs in sarcasm. “I don’t believe the Walia family is capable of controlling anything at the moment. If you couldn’t keep your daughter in line, Walia Saheb, then how can I trust you to regain control now? It’s all your fault.”
I can feel the tension escalating with each word that is being exchanged. Niraj’s father’s voice grows louder and words more derogatory, and my heart sinks as his words target Dad, who has remained silent throughout this entire confrontation. He doesn’t deserve to be humiliated because of me. It’s time for me to step in.
“Enough, Uncle.”
I barge into the room, my gaze fixed on Niraj’s father.
“You cannot accuse my father like this. This scandal is not his fault.”
Everyone is startled to see me back. I take a moment to compose myself before continuing. “I never wanted to marry Niraj, and I had already made that clear to Dad. However, since he had given his word to you, he wasn’t willing to back down. That was his only mistake.”
I feel the weight of everyone’s eyes on me, but I refuse to falter.
“But let’s not forget that Niraj also bears responsibility in this matter. I had told him once to break the alliance, but he hesitated, fearing Dad’s reaction. He kept suggesting that if I couldn’t break the alliance, then we should get married as the two families desired. So, if we are to play the blame game, both my father and Niraj are to be held responsible. Because they both knew I wasn’t ready for this marriage.”
Silence hangs in the air as my words sink in. The room is filled with disbelief at my bold confrontation. I press my palms together as a gesture of apology and speak sincerely.
“I am sorry that you and your family had to go through this defamation. But please understand, if there is anyone to blame for it, it isme, not my father or my family. Do not drag them into this mess.”
Niraj’s father hadn’t expected my intervention. He eventually gets up and leaves the house in a huff. As the room quiets down, I take a moment to catch my breath, my heart still racing. I turn to Dad, who hasn’t uttered a word yet. The entire scandal of my pictures with Ayaan in Dalhousie has brought this bitterness between us, making things awkward.
“Where had you been without letting us know?” Aksh bhai is the first one to break the silence.
“I’d left a note,” I reply, shrugging. Before going to meet Ayaan, I had purposely left a note in my room, stating that I was suffocating at home and wanted to breathe some fresh air. I knew someone would come to my room to call me down for the press conference and would find the note. Though I’d expected to return sooner and extend my support to my family at the conference, I failed to do so.
“You think we are fools?” Aksh continues, striding towards me. “You went to meet that Ayaan Shergill, didn’t you? You missed the press conference for him! For once, we needed you to support your family, yet you weren’t there.”
I try to school my expressions, not letting him know he has correctly guessed that I had met Ayaan today.
“Think of the bigger picture, Aksh bhai. I’m still back home. That proves my family is my topmost priority, doesn’t it?”
Aksh clenches his jaw and is about to lunge forward when Dad’s shrill voice stops him.
“Aksh,” Dad says. “Leave it. We have better things to do than argue with her.”
Dad rises up from his couch and leaves for his room. Just when he is climbing the stairs, he misses a step and stumbles.
“Dad, be careful,” I rush towards him, but by the time I reach him, Vishnu has already managed to hold him and helps him stand again.
“I’m fine,” Dad says, shoving my hand from his arm. He doesn’t even look at me as I fret with worry. My heart sinks on seeing Dad’s indifference.
He is clearly upset with me. Vishnu helps Dad to reach his room while all I do is stare at my father, turning his back to me and walking away. Dad might be handling everything calmly and one thing at a time, but I know he is losing it from within. Any father would be hurt knowing his daughter went against his morals and slept with someone he could not stand because of their enmity. My leaked photos with Ayaan had already caused a scandal, and on top of that, Ayaan’s allegation that Dad was behind his father’s accident had complicated things in Dad’s political life too. Elections are due in a few months, and with the CM of the state set to resign from his position, Dad had the advantage and the majority of the votes in the party to take his place and become the next chief minister of the state. But because of the scandal and Ayaan’s accusations, the majority might not support him until he is given a clean chit in the investigation. Dad is already stressed about it, and I know even though he isn’t openly expressing his pain; internally, he is striving to keep things in control again.
