Soon after, Maithili and Abhiram stepped back inside. The room was alive with cheerful chaos everyone talking over each other.

Swapna was already deep in conversation with Poornima and Amrutha, flipping through a calendar to check auspicious dates for wedding. Tina and Richa were scrolling through their phones with dangerous enthusiasm. Vinod, Rajesh, Kaushik, and Vikrant had huddled up in one corner, arguing over the size of the guest list.

But just as Maithili reached the edge of the room, she halted. Her fingers gently tugged at Abhiram’s sleeve.

He turned, eyebrows raised. “What is it?”

“Just a second,” she whispered.

Without waiting for a reply, she pulled him back toward the balcony. The sliding door clicked shut behind them, sealing them off from the joyful buzz inside.

Maithili took a deep breath. “Abhiram… I have a small wish.”

His brows furrowed briefly, then softened. “Okay.”

She hesitated, her eyes searching his. “Can we have a simple wedding? Like… a court wedding. Just us. And our closest ones. No noise. No outsiders. Just something that feels like us.”

He blinked, clearly surprised. “Really? I thought you’d want the big celebration.”

Maithili let out a small laugh. “Nope. I’ve always imagined it being quiet. Sacred. Personal. To me the more noise, the less real it feels.

A smile slowly spread across Abhiram’s face “Of course, Maithili. I have no problem at all. I’m fine with anything a court, a temple, under a tree—as long as we’re together.”

She exhaled, visibly relieved, and chuckled. “Well, there’s one tiny problem... my mom.”

“Swapna aunty?” he asked.

Maithili shuddered theatrically. “When it comes to my wedding? She’s... an unstoppable force. She wants dhol, dancers, drama, decorations—the works.”

Abhiram laughed. “So, the fierce Maithili is afraid of her mom?”

“You think it’s easy dodging her bridal dreams?” Maithili muttered.

“I’ll talk to her,” he said gently. I’ll convince her.

Maithili looked at him with a mix of affection and awe. “Really?”

He nodded. “You want a simple wedding—we’ll have a simple wedding. No giant mandaps. No glitz.”

She smiled and touched his arm lightly. “Thank you. Really.”

Then, a pause. Her voice softened. “Are you really okay with it though? No mandap? No music? No baraat?”

He held her gaze, steady and calm. “Maithili… I was a man who once said I’d never marry again. And now? I don’t care if we say our vows in a courtroom or on the kitchen floor—as long as you’re happy that’s all that matters.”

Her eyes brimmed, full of quiet joy her voice low “Then it’s perfect for me too.”

“Thank you for choosing me,” she whispered.

“I didn’t choose you,” he said with a smile that curled softly at the edges. “You happened. Like a sunrise.”

Maithili and Abhiram stepped back inside. Maithili leaned toward Abhiram and whispered, “You talk. I’ll go change.”

He looked at her with a smile. “Why? You’re cute in this.”

She gave him a mock glare and slipped away. Abhiram took a seat near Vikrant, while Myra and Kairav ran around squealing, caught up in their own joy.

A few minutes later, Maithili reappeared in a soft Kurti and jeans. Tina spotted her first.

“Ohooo! You were looking adorable in those cupcake PJs, Maithili!”

Maithili mock-growled and sat beside her mother, who was talking to Amrutha and Poornima.

Maithili glanced at Abhiram. He gave a slight nod and said “I have something to say,” he began, looking at Swapna. “Especially to you, Aunty.”

Swapna looked up, curious. “Ji?”

“Aunty… you can just call me Abhi. Like my mom does. I’m a son to you.”

Swapna smiled, slightly touched. Amrutha and Rajesh exchanged proud glances.

Abhiram continued gently, “About the wedding… Maithili and I were thinking of something very simple. A court wedding. Just us, and our close ones.”

There was a pause.

Swapna blinked. “A court wedding? As in… just signing papers?”

Abhiram nodded.

Before she could respond, Amrutha looked concerned. “Abhi, Maithili is her only daughter. Swapna ji must have so many dreams. You can’t just take that away.”

She turned to Maithili. “At least you tell him Maithili.”

 “Aunty… it was my idea. I asked Abhiram if we could do a simple ceremony. Just us. Quiet. Peaceful.”

Swapna’s brows furrowed.

Maithili gently took her mother’s hand. “Ma I know you have so many dreams for me. But Ma, you remember those hard years? When barely anyone stood by us?” Her voice faltered. “Those same people will come to eat and smile and click selfies. But they weren’t there when you needed them. When we needed them.”

She looked up. “Why should we share our joy with people who only show up for the party?” Let’s celebrate with the ones who love us, who stood with us. Our real people.”

Swapna slowly reached forward and touched Maithili’s cheek. “If this is truly what both of you want… I won’t stop you.”

Then she added with a soft smile, “But for my peace of mind, can we at least have a small wedding ceremony at a temple? Just a proper one—with traditions, mangalsutra, pheras... something sacred?”

Abhiram immediately nodded. “Of course, Aunty. That sounds perfect.”

Amrutha smiled warmly. “And after that, we’ll have a beautiful lunch together.”

Richa chimed in with a grin, “I’ll ask my chef to make something special for us all.”

Everyone brightened at that.

Vinod added thoughtfully, “If you want a court wedding, we’ll need to talk to the registrar.”

Abhiram nodded. “I’ll take care of that, Uncle.”

Swapna nodded slowly, her voice regaining its usual strength. “Then tomorrow, I’ll talk to Pandit ji and get a good muhurat. We can plan everything around that.”

Maithili smiled, heart full. She leaned her head against her mother’s arm.

Abhiram caught her eyes from across the room.

Everything felt right.

The wedding date was fixed it was just four days away—court ceremony on Friday, traditional temple wedding on Saturday.

Maithili’s house was bustling with quiet energy. Swapna had called her sister Suguna and brother-in-law Mahesh—Tina’s parents—who had cut their vacation short to return from abroad and attend the wedding. The living room buzzed with a mix of casual chatter and wedding talk.

Swapna was gently applying warm oil into Maithili’s scalp, Suguna and Poornima were nearby, mid-discussion about saree blouses and temple décor. Mahesh and Vinod sat nearby their conversation low and relaxed. Tina sat on the floor, fingers flying across her laptop keyboard, half-listening.

Maithili, phone in hand, smiled as a message from Abhiram popped up.

Abhiram:
Renovated Auntie’s room. Let me know if any changes are needed—I’ll talk to designer.

She looked up. “Ma,” she said, turning to Swapna. “Abhiram has decorated your room there. He said to check if you want anything changed.”

Swapna’s fingers stilled in Maithili’s hair. “No, beta,” Swapna said finally, wiping her palms on the edge of her dupatta. “I’m not coming.”

Maithili sat up in alarm. “What?”

“You always knew my answer, Maithili,” Swapna said evenly. “Why are you acting like it’s the first time I’ve said this?” She sighed, meeting her daughter’s eyes. “Let me say it clearly again—I’m not going to Abhiram’s place. I’ll stay here. You can visit me whenever you want. This will always be your home. But your life begins there.”

Tina froze mid-keystroke. Her gaze moved to Maithili, who looked shell-shocked.

“Ma…” Maithili’s voice cracked. “What are you even saying? We agreed. You know my condition from the very start. Abhiram and his parents are fine with it—more than fine. They want you there. They see you as family. Why are you doing this now?”

“This isn’t about them,” Swapna replied, voice harder now. “It’s about me. And I told you this from the beginning—you just didn’t want to hear it.”

Maithili’s hands balled into fists. “You raised me alone. You were my mother, my father, my everything. Why now of all times are you pushing me away?”

“I’m not pushing you away, Maithili,” Swapna said, her voice trembling with restraint. “I’m letting you go. That’s what mothers do. That’s what marriage is. Women leave. That’s how the world is. You think I never dreamed it would be different?” Her eyes softened for a moment. “If your father were alive, he would’ve said the same.”

Maithili’s tears came fast. “Fine,” she snapped, standing. “If you don’t want to come, then forget it. I’ll call Abhiram and tell him the wedding is off.”

Swapna shot up. “Don’t you dare say such a thing!”

Her voice boomed through the room, startling everyone.

“I’ve let you have your way in everything and speaking such nonsense. Don’t curse your happiness with your anger Maithili.”

“Maithili!” Suguna scolded gently. “Don’t say things like that, beta. It’s bad luck.”

Poornima nodded. “She’s right. You’re just upset. This isn’t how you talk.”
"Sorry, I shouldn't have said that," Maithili said. "But I'm not going there until my mother comes with me. I will stay here, even after marriage."
Suguna and Poornima stood frozen, Swapna stood rigid, her face pale but firm, her silence speaking louder than words.

Tina hovered helplessly beside her cousin, glancing between the two women she loved most, unsure where to step.

That’s when Mahesh spoke “Enough, Maithili, we understand your love for your mother,” he continued, his tone measured, not harsh but resolute. "We understand how much your mother means to you. We understand your fears, your love. But the way you're speaking… you're hurting her more than anyone else ever could."

Maithili blinked rapidly, lips parting as if to defend herself, but no words came.

"Tina," Mahesh turned to his daughter, "take Maithili to her room. She needs to breathe. She needs to rest."

Tina hesitated for a second, clearly torn, her eyes flicking between her father and Maithili. She opened her mouth—but before she could speak, Vinod stepped in "Your father right, Tina. You both go. Let things cool down for tonight."

Maithili's chest rose and fell as she looked once more at her mother. But Swapna didn’t lift her eyes. She just stood there, still and silent.

Tina stepped beside Maithili, lightly touching her arm. “Come,” she whispered.

Reluctantly, Maithili left but her tears didn’t stop. She didn’t look back.

As the two girls disappeared down the hallway, the living room slowly exhaled the tension that had settled so heavily.

Suguna placed her hand on Swapna’s shoulder. Swapna didn’t say a word. She turned and slowly walked away.

Maithili sat hunched on the bed, her knees pulled close to her chest, her face buried in them. Tears streamed silently down her cheeks there were no sobs, no dramatic heaving breaths just quiet pain. Tina sat beside her, helpless, she reached out and gently rubbed Maithili’s back, not saying anything.

The door creaked softly.

Suguna stepped in, followed by Poornima. They exchanged a glance with Tina, then came to sit near Maithili.  “Bache,” she said softly.

Maithili looked up slowly, her eyes red, lips trembling. “I didn’t mean to fight with her. I just… I want her with me. That’s all.”

Suguna brushed Maithili’s hair from her damp face. “We know, sweetheart. We all know. But listen… give your mother a little space. Let her breathe.”

Poornima nodded, kneeling by the bed. “Swapna’s been through a lot, Maithili. More than most women can even imagine. Losing your father wasn’t just about grief—it changed how she saw the world.”

Maithili wiped her face. “That’s exactly why I want her to come with me. Once I leave this house, she’ll be alone. I don’t want that, Badi Ma. I don’t want her to come back to an empty house. I’ve always been with her. How do I just leave her now? That is why I initially didn’t want to get married. However, when Abhiram reflected my views, I felt fortunate. He supported me when I expressed my desire to have my mother with me, standing by my decision.

Suguna sighed and held Maithili's hand. "Not marrying is not a solution, Maithili. I've told you this many times. You're not wrong, but neither is she. She's not doing this to hurt you."

“She’s afraid,” Poornima added gently. “Not of Abhiram or your new life but of being a burden. Of society’s whispers. Of what people will say if she moves in with her married daughter.”

Maithili nodded slowly, biting her lip. “I know. I know all of that. But how do I convince her she’s not a burden? That she’s my world?”

Suguna cupped her face and looked straight into her eyes. “By talking to her. Calmly. Don’t argue.”

Maithili looked down, exhausted. “Should I talk to her tonight?”

Poornima shook her head. “No. Not tonight. Talk to her tomorrow. When the storm in both your hearts has softened.”

Maithili breathed in deeply and gave a small, worn-out nod. “Okay.”

Suguna stood up and kissed her forehead. “You’re strong, Maithili. You’ve always been. Just be gentle now. Even the strongest women sometimes need soft words to heal old wounds.”

As they left, Tina pulled Maithili into a side hug.