chapter 4

When Aditi hears those words from her mother, a wave of relief and gratitude washes over her. It feels as though all the struggles she and Aman endured have finally borne fruit. The years of pain, the countless nights filled with tears, frustration, and sleeplessness, all seem to melt away in this moment. The scars left by her parents’ relentless pressure to choose a boy from her own caste begin to heal, soothed by her mother’s heartfelt apology and acceptance.For the first time, Aditi feels a sense of peace. The battle that once seemed endless has finally reached its conclusion, and she has won not only her love but also the acceptance of her family. It was a tough journey, one that tested her patience and her will to keep going. There were moments when both she and Aman nearly lost hope, when the weight of their families’ disapproval became almost unbearable. But through it all, they held on—held on to each other, and held on to the belief that love would eventually triumph.She remembered those nights of despair when the pressure felt like it would crush them both. The endless arguments, the sleepless nights filled with anxiety and fear, the moments when they both considered giving up. They had come so close to running away, to leaving everything behind, or worse—giving up on each other. But something deep inside them wouldn’t let them. They knew that if they could just endure a little longer, their love would prove stronger than the forces against them.As Aditi reflected on this, Aman’s voice suddenly broke through her thoughts. "What’s wrong, ladies? Why are you two getting so emotional in a place like this?" he asked, his tone light but his eyes full of concern as he approached them, laden with shopping bags.Aditi and her mother turned to see him coming toward them, Aditi’s father following closely behind. "Nothing, just talking," Aditi’s mother said with a small smile, while Aditi nodded silently, still caught in the emotions of the moment.Aman wasn’t convinced. He looked at Aditi, noticing the tear stains on her cheeks. "If it’s nothing, then why do you both look like you’ve been crying?" he asked, his brow furrowed with worry.Aditi’s mother quickly replied, "I just said something that made her emotional, that’s all. Nothing serious, Aman."But Aman continued to look at Aditi, his concern deepening. She could sense his worry, so she nodded slightly to reassure him. Seeing her response, he finally relaxed, but the tenderness in his eyes didn’t fade."Don’t mind them, Aman," Aditi’s father chimed in, trying to lighten the mood. "These two are always like this, the crybabies of the house. They’ll start tearing up even if I raise my voice a little."At this, everyone chuckled, the tension in the air dissipating.Aman then turned to Aditi, his eyes lighting up as he took in her appearance. "Wait a second... wow!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with admiration. "Adu, you look absolutely stunning! I mean, I can’t even put into words how beautiful you look in this outfit."Aditi blushed under his gaze, her heart swelling with love and happiness. It was moments like these that made all the struggles worth it.Without hesitation, Aman declared, "Adu, let’s finalize this one. No arguments, no debates. This is it."Aditi smiled softly, her voice barely above a whisper as she replied, "Okay, it’s up to you.""Aditi, go and change back. We’ll be waiting for you at the billing counter," her mother said gently."Okay," she replied, turning toward the changing room, but not before casting one last glance at Aman, who was still gazing at her with that same loving, admiring look that made her feel like the most beautiful woman in the world.