Isha's POV

As we entered the Ranjvansh villa nervousness started to increase because it's the first I'm going to inform them about my love life. Suddenly I heard a low wail from monto because he didn't like the distress reaction from my face. I smiled at him and my heart went awwww because he kept is head on my chest.

"Awww my baby, nothing happened to mumma okay." I told and he gave me a small huff sound and I continued further "baby listen their will be your mumma's parents and dadda's parents okay so, don't trouble them and you can spend time them too" as an obedient baby again he made small huff with nodding his head. When I looked up Amaan was staring at us with a small smile which made him more handsome.

"Shall we go in butter" I said a small okay carried monto in my arms and He carried the moon in his arms as she got comfortable there, this girl got obsessed with my man's arms. I made a small huff in my mind and entered the house a different one than the last hall where the party held. As we entered he directly got me to the couch, I couldn't get time to react. Uffff this man, I'll see him later.

Author's POV

The living room was filled with the scent of cardamom chai and nervous excitement.

Amaan and Isha sat side by side on the couch, his fingers lightly brushing hers a small, steady comfort. Across from them sat their parents: Isha's mother and father on one side, Amaan's mother on the other. Kamini and Deepthi were conveniently not present and siblings on the other side.

Amaan cleared his throat. "We... uh... wanted to talk to you all together."

Isha glanced at him, then took over. "This isn't sudden for us. We've been through a lot more than we expected. But through all of it... we've chosen each other."

There was a beat of silence. Then Amaan said firmly,

"We're in love. And we don't want to wait any longer. We want to get married. Soon."

His mother blinked, then smiled slowly like sunlight after a storm.

"I had a feeling," she said. "You haven't stopped smiling since she came into your life."

Isha's mom teared up instantly, clutching her husband's arm. "Oh thank god, beta. We've been hoping you two would say this after the party"

Even Isha's usually serious father cracked a grin. "I always said that the boy was smart."

Amaan looked stunned. "So... you're all okay with this?"

Isha exhaled, relieved, and laughed softly. "We thought this was going to be hard."

Amaan smirked. "So did I. I was ready with backup charts and emotional bribes."

His mother reached across the table, taking both their hands.

"Not just okay, Amaan. We're happy. Isha brings peace into your life. And you bring strength into hers."

Isha's mom added, "We just want to see you both happy together."

Everyone laughed at a light, genuine sound that filled the room like music.

Tea was poured. Sweets were passed around. And for the first time in what felt like forever, everything felt right.

What they didn't know , what no one in the room knew was that just outside the archway, half-concealed behind the hallway corner, Deepthi stood silently.

She had arrived moments earlier, just in time to hear everything.

She didn't step in. She didn't speak. She watched.

Her expression didn't give her away not completely. But in her eyes: something flickered. Not anger. Not quite sadness. A tension, tightly held, like a thread pulled taut.

She heard the family's laughter, the casual acceptance. Amaan said,"We're not hiding anymore."

Her lips parted slightly, then closed again.

Kamini entered behind her, full of energy, talking on the phone unaware of what Deepthi had just heard.

Then she saw the scene.

"What's going on?" Kamini asked, frowning.

Deepthi didn't respond. She stepped in slowly, as if re-entering a play mid-scene.

Amaan turned. "We told them," he said. "About me and Isha."

The joy in the room faded slightly. Everyone felt the shift.

Kamini's face fell. "You what?"

But Deepthi didn't explode. She didn't argue. She just looked at Amaan, then Isha, and said, flatly:

"I heard."

Her voice was calm. But her eyes were anything but.

"I was standing right there," she added, nodding toward the hallway. "I heard every word."

Kamini turned to her, confused. "And you didn't say anything?"

Deepthi looked at Isha and really looked at her for a long, uncomfortable second. Then:

"No. I didn't."

Kamini scoffed, stepping forward. "Well, I will."

But Deepthi held up a hand. "Wait."

The room stilled.

"I'm not ready to speak on it. Not yet," Deepthi said. "But I've heard enough to know this isn't going to be as simple as everyone wants it to be."

She turned to leave, but paused.

"You've made your choice," she said. "Now we'll see what comes with it."

And with that, she walked away.

The room was still buzzing from Deepthi's quiet exit when Kamini turned, her voice laced with sharp disapproval. "You really think this is love, Amaan? You're blinded. That girl..."

Amaan cut her off, his voice low and cold.

"Don't."

Kamini paused, surprised at his tone.

Amaan stepped forward, his jaw tight. "Whatever you think of Isha, keep it to yourself. Don't speak to her with disrespect. Don't interfere. Don't try anything behind closed doors."

He looked her dead in the eye.

"Because if either of you try to hurt her, isolate her, or humiliate her in any way..."

He let the silence hang for a beat, his voice steady but threatening.

"I promise you, I won't stay quiet. I won't be polite. And I won't forgive it."

Kamini blinked, taken aback. She'd seen Amaan angry before for petty things, teenage moods but this was different. This was ice.

"I mean it," he added. "I've been silent in this family for a long time. Not anymore."

From the hallway, Deepthi who hadn't fully left heard every word.

Amaan glanced toward the shadow where she stood.

"You too, Deepthi. I know you're there."

Deepthi stepped forward slowly, unreadable.

"Isha means everything to me," Amaan said. "You don't have to accept it. But you will respect it. Or you'll find out how far I'll go to protect her."

No one spoke. Even Kamini didn't push back.

Amaan turned to Isha, gently took her hand, and said, "Let's go."

And they did.

Isha's POV

The room hung in silence, thick with everything unsaid.

Kamini's bua stood stiff and her daughter Deepthi and they walked through the door.

As Amaan left to attend the call, he couldn't avoid it.

No one dared speak.

Then a sudden yelp.

A blur of fur shot across the floor. Monto, Isha's tiny golden puppy, skidded on the tile, chasing after a jingling bell.

Right behind him, Moon the fluffy gray kitten darted out from under the dining table, leaping onto a cushion like it was prey.

And behind them, Aman's younger siblings barreled into the room, laughing and shouting.

"Monto stole the sock !"

"He's chasing the Moon! No wait, Moon's chasing him now!"

The tension cracked.

Kamaira aunty burst out laughing. Uncle Karthik ducked to avoid a flying slipper. Even my mother let out a small chuckle, covering her mouth as Moon pounced onto Monto's tail and sent them both tumbling into a pile of laundry.

The sibling duo squealed with delight. One of them scooped up Moon, who immediately wriggled free and launched herself into Aman's arms just as he reentered the room.

I tried not to laugh but failed.

Even Amaan smiled, rubbing Monto's ears as the pup licked his wrist with full chaotic devotion.

For a moment, the storm passed. And laughter filled the space where tension had just lived.

Let's see where our life takes us.

Thank you for reading 😊

See you in the next chapter.