Rhea's POV
Weeks passed, and now Dadu was much better. Yet, the atmosphere at home hadn't returned to normal. It was like everyone was trying to smile through their stress. The joy was there, but it felt… rehearsed.
Just when things started to seem a little steady, the storm—sorry, the Malhotras—knocked on our door.
"Yes?" I asked, clueless about their visit.
Before the man at the door could respond, my dad's voice echoed from behind.
"Arre Malhotra! Tu?"
"Haan main… ab andar nahi bulayega?" Mr. Malhotra chuckled.
We welcomed them in and soon everyone was seated in the living room. It felt oddly warm to see my dad and uncle genuinely smiling again—something I hadn't witnessed in weeks. For a second, I let myself breathe.
"Ritika, Rhea has grown up so fast," Mrs. Malhotra commented with a fond smile as her eyes landed on me.
All I could do was smile back politely.
And just then… came the real reason behind their visit.
"See, we heard about your loss," Mr. Malhotra began, his tone soft, measured. "Please… let me help you."
"No, Malhotra," my dad replied quickly. "It's our problem. We don't want to drag—"
"Your problem? Since when did it become just your problem?" Mr. Malhotra interrupted.
"Rajveer, you were the one who always said, 'It's us—not you or me.' I know you're a man of principles, which is why I came prepared with a proposal."
Everyone leaned in—some physically, others mentally. Even I found myself paying closer attention.
"What if… we get our kids married?" he said slowly, each word echoing like a pin drop.
"That way, our families would be connected—not just by friendship or business, but by blood. And then we can proceed with the partnership."
Wait, what?
I blinked. My brain refused to register.
Did he just say… marriage?
There was silence. Thick, uncomfortable silence.
"Marriage?" Dad finally repeated, almost as if trying to confirm he wasn't hallucinating.
My uncle exchanged glances with him. My mother didn't say a word—her eyes flicked toward me for a brief moment and then returned to the floor.
"This is a big step, Malhotra," Dad said after a pause. "Rhea has just come back. We haven't even thought about her marriage yet."
"I understand," Mr. Malhotra nodded, his tone unwavering. "But if we don't act fast, there might not be anything left to save If our families were tied together, this wouldn't be help—it would be responsibility. This marriage… it would be a promise. A promise to protect the partnership we've built over decades. To make sure it lasts forever."
" See there is no hurry and it's just a suggestion you let me know your answer whenever you feel! We'll take a leave now "
And they left without listening our answers
And there I sat, in the middle of a room full of people, with the weight of a business empire falling quietly onto my shoulders… in the form of a wedding proposal.
Me? Marry someone I've never even seen properly?
What if he's arrogant? What if he's controlling? What if I get trapped again?
What if I lose myself... again?
I stood up abruptly.
"I… I need some air," I muttered, walking away toward the balcony as all the eyes in the room followed me.
And just like that, the peace I was finally beginning to feel… started to crack all over again.