I stopped the car in front of the house. Then I stepped out and handed the key to the guard—he'll park it for me. Walking inside, I sighed.
Home, sweet home.
"Finally, you're here," my mumma's voice called out from the living room. I turned toward it and saw both Mumma and Pappa sitting on the sofa.
I ran over and hugged them tightly.
"I missed you," I said in my baby voice. Well, I know I'm a mature girl, but in front of them? Never.
"We missed you too, princess. Now tell me, have you eaten?" Pappa asked as we broke the hug.
I sat down between them and nodded.
"Yes, I ate at the canteen," I replied. But truthfully, I was exhausted. Still, I wanted to talk to Pappa.
"You should go to sleep, love. You must be tired from all the work," Mumma said, caressing my head gently. I closed my eyes and let out a sigh. Her touch always made me feel safe.
"I will, Mumma, don't worry. But Pappa... I want to talk to you first," I said, looking at him seriously. He immediately frowned slightly, as if asking, What is it, princess?
I gulped. I'm really doing this now. God, help me.
"Actually... I'm okay with your condition. But—" I started but then paused. His expression shifted—surprised, happy, and confused all at once.
"But what, princess?" Mumma asked softly.
"I want to wait... I want me and Vishal to spend proper time together before anything happens," I said, looking at them hopefully.
And just like that, without hesitation, they both nodded.
"We won't rush you, princess. If you're okay with it, that's all we need. We're happy," Pappa said, and they both pulled me into a warm hug. I smiled, feeling a little lighter inside.
"Okay now, let me go. I really want to sleep," I said with a yawn.
"Hmm, go on then. Take a good rest, we'll talk tomorrow, okay meri bacchi?" Mumma said, kissing my forehead.
"Okay, Mumma," I said with a big smile and walked up to my room.
My room was on the second floor, decorated in baby blue—my favorite color. It felt like a cozy cloud.
I took my pajamas from the wardrobe and went to the bathroom. A warm shower washed over me, relaxing my entire body.
Finally... peace.
After the shower, I slipped into my pajamas, did a bit of skincare, and climbed into bed. Within minutes, sleep took over—I was just too tired.
The next morning...
Tara woke up early today as vishal wanted to come with his family today cause he want the wedding to be fast. tara went to the bathroom took a shower. after shower she did her skincare and then she wore a beutiful baby blue anarkali and did minimal makeup. she doesn't like heavy make up.
After getting ready, she went downstairs. Shivansh was sitting on the couch with his laptop, working, while Trisha was in the kitchen getting everything ready with the maids.
"Good morning, Pappa," Tara greeted and side-hugged Shivansh as she sat beside him. Shivansh smiled.
"Good morning, princess. Was your sleep peaceful?" he asked Tara. Tara nodded and kissed his cheek.
"Yes," she replied, then got up and went to the kitchen as Shivansh resumed his work.
"Mumma," Tara said, hugging Trisha from behind and resting her head on Trisha's shoulder. "Wo log kab ayenge?" (When will they arrive?) Tara asked.
"Thodi hi der mein aa jayenge, bacchi. Tu baith ja, main khana deti hoon." (They'll be here shortly, child. Sit down, I'll serve the food.) Trisha said. Tara nodded and sat at the dining table. Trisha served her food, and Tara began eating. Then she started chatting with Shivansh, laughing and telling him about her day yesterday.
After almost an hour, Vishal's family arrived. They talked about the wedding date, and it got fixed for the following week since Vishal wanted it as soon as possible. Everyone was still talking when—
"I have a request," Vishal suddenly said, causing everyone to look at him.
"Ha beta, bolo na." (Yes son, go ahead.) Trisha said, giving him a warm smile.
"Actually, aunty, uncle... can the wedding be private? I mean, I don't want to draw too much attention," Vishal said. Tara looked at him, confused and slightly hurt. He had never mentioned this before—and he knew she wanted a big wedding with all the rituals. But...
"Okay, no problem," Shivansh said before anyone else could respond. Tara looked sad, but she eventually accepted it. All that mattered to her was that she was going to marry the person she loved.
Tara tried to keep the smile on her face, but her heart felt heavy. A private wedding? No grand decorations, no dhol, no mehendi with her friends giggling beside her, no haldi, no sangeet—none of the things she had dreamed about since she was a child.
She looked at Vishal, who gave her a soft smile, as if seeking her approval. She smiled back—barely—but it didn't reach her eyes.
"Excuse me," she whispered, getting up from the sofa. Shivansh looked at her with concern, but she gave him a small nod before walking upstairs quietly.
Once inside her room, she locked the door and leaned against it, exhaling deeply. Her eyes welled up before she could even sit down.
"Why didn't he tell me before?" she whispered to herself, wiping away a tear. "He knows how much this meant to me."
She walked over to her dresser and looked at her reflection. She still wore that bright smile she had practiced in front of the mirror, the one everyone expected from Tara Kapoor—the ever-kind, ever-understanding girl. But today, it felt fake. Forced. Heavy.
A soft knock broke her thoughts.
"Taru?" It was Trisha.
Tara quickly wiped her tears and opened the door. "Yes, Mumma?"
Trisha stepped in and immediately cupped her daughter's face. "Don't lie to your mumma. I can see it in your eyes. You're not okay."
Tara bit her lower lip, trying not to cry again. "It's just... I had imagined my wedding so many times, Mumma. All the rituals... I wanted to dance with you, with papa. I wanted to be surrounded by family, friends, lights... and now—" her voice cracked, "it'll be done quietly. Like... like it's something to hide."
Trisha pulled her into a hug, her arms warm and protective. "Shhh, I understand, beta. But sometimes, we give up our dreams for the ones we love. Just promise me one thing—don't let your silence bury your feelings. Talk to him. Let him know how you feel."
Tara nodded slowly. "I will. Just... not right now."
Trisha kissed her forehead. "Okay. But whenever you're ready, I'll be right here."
As Trisha left, Tara sat on her bed, clutching the pillow against her chest. She loved Vishal. She truly did. But for the first time, a quiet thought crept into her heart:
If he loves me just as deeply... why doesn't he see what matters to me?
Tara sat on the bed for a while, still holding the pillow close. Her eyes drifted to her phone on the nightstand. Without thinking much, she picked it up and dialed Asha's number.
The call connected almost instantly.
"Ayeee dulhaniyaa!" Asha squealed, making Tara smile faintly. "Finally! My best friend is getting married! Mujhe toh believe hi nahi ho raha. Dulhan ki entry pe main full-on naachne wali hoon! Dhol, DJ, firecrackers—sab ready rakhna!"
Tara let out a small laugh. "Asha... ruk zara. Don't get that excited."
"Why? Don't tell me you're backing out!" Asha teased, then gasped dramatically. "OMG! Did Vishal do something stupid? Did he forget your birthday again? Bata mujhe, I'll break his head."
Tara chuckled. "No yaar, nothing like that. Date fix ho gayi."
"OMG! Kab?"
"Next week," Tara replied, a little too quietly.
Asha paused. "...That's fast. But okay, Vishal's probably super eager to make you his wife, huh?" she teased again. "Filmy lover boy."
Tara sighed. "Asha... wedding private hoga."
There was silence.
"Private? Kya matlab?" Asha asked, her tone changing immediately.
"Matlab... no big wedding. No mehendi, no haldi, no sangeet. Just a simple ceremony with close family. He requested it in front of everyone."
"What the hell, Tara?" Asha snapped. "Are you serious? You always dreamed of a big wedding! Since college! Tu toh bolti thi tujhe full-on band baaja baarat chahiye!"
"I know..." Tara whispered, her voice breaking slightly. "But he said he doesn't want too much attention. And Papa agreed before anyone else could say something."
"Ugh! Ye ladke bhi na. Seriously? Attention se problem hai toh shaadi mat karo. What is this nonsense?" Asha fumed. "Did you even talk to him about how you feel?"
"Nahi... abhi tak nahi. I didn't want to cause a scene."
"Tara! Tu scene nahi create karegi toh apne emotions kab express karegi? You're not a side character in his story, yaar. This is your wedding too. At least talk to him. Ye kya baat hui!"
Tara sniffled softly. "Mujhe laga maybe... sacrificing this much is okay. As long as I'm with him."
Asha's tone softened. "Taru... pyaar mein sacrifice karna galat nahi hai. But agar har baar tu hi sacrifice karegi, aur woh tujhse kuch poochhe bina decision lega... toh tum dono ke beech balance kaise banega?"
Tara stayed silent, thinking.
Asha added gently, "You deserve a wedding that celebrates you, Tara. The kind you always imagined. Not one where you sit quietly and agree just to avoid hurting someone."
There was a long pause.
"I'll try talk to him," Tara finally said.
"Good. Aur agar kuch galat bola usne, toh mujhe bata dena. Main sabse pehle uske baaraat ke ghode ki naal churaungi," Asha huffed dramatically.
Tara laughed genuinely this time. "You're crazy."
"Only for you, dulhaniyaa."
I woke up, as usual, at 5 a.m.—it's part of my daily routine. Then I went to the gym. Around 7 a.m., I got ready for work. I had to leave for Canada today for some business matters.
When I went downstairs, I saw everyone was already there. I walked over to Dadi and bent down to touch her feet to seek her blessings.
"Khush raho, beta," Dadi said, placing her hand gently on my head. (Stay blessed, my child.) I stood up again.
"Khana khaya aapne, Dadi?" I asked her softly. (Did you eat, Dadi?) Well, I'm not the same person at home as I am outside. This version of me is different—gentler—and reserved only for my family.
"Nahi Guddu, hum sab to tere liye hi wait kar rahe the," Ma said from the table as she finished setting down the food. (No, Guddu, we were all waiting for you.) I nodded, and we all sat down—but one person was missing.
"Where's Adhy, Ma?" I asked. She always eats with us, but today she wasn't here.
"She stayed up last night working on her presentation, so she's still sleeping. We haven't called her," Ma replied. I nodded in understanding.
We started eating. Papa remained silent the entire time—he never talks while eating.
After breakfast, everyone moved to the living room. I sat with them too; I hadn't yet told them about my business trip, and it was time.
"Uhh... guys, I have to leave for Canada for two days," I said. Everyone looked at me. Papa frowned.
"Canada? Why?" he asked.
"Nothing serious, Papa. Just have some client work there," I explained.
Papa nodded. "Okay. But take care of yourself—and don't forget to meet your uncle if you're going there."
Yeah... I have an uncle there. Well, not related by blood—just... I don't know, someone close to the family.
"Okay, Papa. I will. I should get going now," I said as I stood up.
"Guddu apna dhyan rakhna," Ma said, standing up too. (Guddu, take care of yourself.) I walked over to her, hugged her, and kissed her forehead.
"I will, Ma. Don't worry," I said. Then I went to Dadi and knelt beside her since she was sitting.
"Dadi, apni dawai time par lena, aur zyada chinta mat karna. Thik hai? Main jald hi laut aunga," I told her gently. (Dadi, take your medicine on time and don't worry too much, okay? I'll be back soon.)
"Haan haan, tu bhi apna dhyan rakhna," Dadi replied with a soft smile. (Yes, yes, you take care too.)
Then I left for the office. I had some work to finish there before my flight.
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