Bound by Vows, Freed by Love
Chapter 𝟐: Fate's Unexpected Turn
The afternoon sun casts a warm glow through the curtains as Avni steps out of her room. Her grandmother rests beneath a light blanket, her breathing steady but weak. The sight weighs on Avni’s heart.
She turns toward the living room and finds her father standing there, watching her in silence. Before she can speak, he steps forward and pulls her into a tight embrace.
Shourya (FL's father)
Voice thick with emotion "You know I’ve always supported your decisions, beta…"
Shourya (FL's father)
"But this time, I can’t." his grip tightens "You don’t trust easily—trust, love, marriage—these are things you stay away from. I can’t let this happen when I know it’s not truly what you want."
Avni (FL)
Exhaled...-Softly "This is what I want, Baba."
Shourya pulls back slightly, searching her eyes, looking for hesitation. When he finds none, his expression softens.
Shourya (FL's father)
Said gently "Come, sit with me."
They settle on the couch.
Shourya (FL's father)
"Tell me, Avni… after all this time, why now?"
Avni (FL)
Deep breath "You know how much Dadi means to me… Last night, she spoke about death."
Avni (FL)
Voice trembling "She said maybe God doesn’t want her to see my wedding, and… it broke something inside me. This is her only wish, Baba. The one thing she wants more than anything."
Shourya exhales sharply, his breath unsteady. His pain mirrors hers.
Avni (FL)
"I’ve decided, Baba. I’ll get married."
She pauses, voice turning fragile.
Avni (FL)
"But it terrifies me… to even think about leaving you all."
Her father stills. Avni’s fingers twist in her lap as she whispers
Avni (FL)
"Why do daughters have this fate? To leave behind the only man she trusts blindly… the one who’s been her hero since the day she was born?"
Shourya’s fists clench, his jaw tightens.
Avni (FL)
Voice cracking "Why do we have to leave the person we run to… hug, cry, and break down in front of—without needing to explain why?"
Avni (FL)
"Why do we have to walk away from the home where we took our first steps… where we learned to speak, to dream…?"
Tears well in her eyes, but she blinks them away. She won’t cry. Not now.
A warm hand rests on her shoulder.
Her mother says nothing. She just wraps her arms around Avni, pressing a kiss to her head. And just like that… the fragile dam holding back her emotions cracks.
Tears fall, silent but relentless.
Shourya gently cups Avni’s head, his thumb brushing against her hairline.
The three of them hold each other—bound by love, by pain, by the inevitable truth…
A daughter must leave—but never completely.
Kabir sits in the living room, scrolling through his phone, when his mother, Meera Malhotra, enters with a determined expression.
He already knows what’s coming.
Meera (ML's mother)
"Have you considered the girl I told you about?" settling beside him.
Kabir (ML)
Rubbing his temple "I told you, Maa. I’m not interested."
Kabir (ML)
"I don’t want to go on dates. I don’t believe in this ridiculous arrangement."
Meera (ML's mother)
Clicking her tongue "Just consider one. Maybe she’ll be different?"
Kabir (ML)
Dryly "What I feel is suffocated by your constant nagging."
Meera folds her arms, unfazed.
Meera (ML's mother)
"Promise me you’ll meet her. Just once. For me?"
Kabir looks up at her hopeful face. A deep sigh escapes his lips.
Kabir (ML)
Reluctantly "Fine."
Kabir (ML)
"Set it up for tomorrow. But I’m not making any promises beyond that."
A knowing smile tugs at Meera’s lips.
Meera (ML's mother)
"Good. Because the girl has already agreed to the marriage."
Kabir’s fingers freeze mid-scroll. He looks up sharply, brows drawing together.
Kabir scoffs, shaking his head.
Kabir (ML)
"This isn’t the 17th or 18th century. How can she agree without even knowing who she’s marrying?"
Meera (ML's mother)
"She’s agreeing… because of her grandmother. It’s her wish to see her married."
Kabir’s jaw tightens, his fingers curling slightly.
For a moment, he says nothing. Then, with a dry chuckle, he leans back against the couch.
Kabir (ML)
Muttering "So, I’m a charity case now?"
Meera (ML's mother)
Frowning "Kabir—"
Kabir (ML)
Cutting her off "Forget it. Tomorrow, then."
Without waiting for a response, he stands and walks away, his expression unreadable.
________________________________
"Kabhi rukhsat hone se pehle hi, dil bichhadne lagta hai… Aur kabhi manzoori dene ke baad bhi, dil raazi nahi hota."
(Sometimes, the heart starts drifting apart even before the farewell…
And sometimes, even after giving consent, the heart remains unwilling.)
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