"Sometimes, the hardest decisions are the ones that break our own hearts to keep someone else's whole."

Taani woke up the next morning with puffy eyes and a throbbing headache. The restless night had drained her both physically and emotionally. The tears had flowed endlessly, and no matter what she did, they wouldn't stop. 

She slowly got out of bed, her body aching with exhaustion, and made her way downstairs. She knew her family would come looking for her if she didn't, even though she wasn't ready to face them.

As she entered the kitchen, she noticed that her grandma was missing. "Where is Amma?" she asked quietly.

"Amma is still very weak, so we sent her breakfast in her room," Avi replied, his voice soft, his eyes filled with concern. "She's not able to walk much right now."

Taani nodded, her throat tight, as Avi quietly filled a plate of food for her. He gently pushed it towards her, his hand resting briefly on her head in a gesture of comfort. "Don't worry, Taani," he said with quiet reassurance. "I won't let this happen. Do you trust me?"

Taani could feel the weight of the words, but no more tears came. She had no more energy to argue or to fight the inevitable. She had to play along for now.

"I'll talk to Amma after breakfast," Taani said softly, her voice barely above a whisper, signaling the end of the discussion. Siya and Ranveer exchanged glances, their faces etched with concern, but they knew better than to push her right now.

The family ate in silence, the atmosphere heavy with the unspoken tension. Every clink of silverware, every soft murmur seemed to echo in the quiet room, reminding Taani of the storm brewing inside her. After barely picking at her food, she stood up, said her goodbyes, and walked towards her grandmother's room.

She entered without making a sound, finding her grandmother peacefully asleep in the dim light. The room felt heavy with an unspoken tension. The air, thick with the smell of antiseptic, seemed to close in around her as she sat next to her grandmother's fragile form. 

The quiet tick of the clock on the wall sounded far too loud in the stillness, amplifying the discomfort in her chest. Her grandmother's pale face looked even smaller. Taani sighed softly, her eyes scanning her phone aimlessly as she tried to distract herself from the thoughts swirling in her head.

"Taani?"

Her grandmother's voice broke through her haze, making Taani jump in surprise. She hadn't realized that Amma had been awake, silently watching her for the past few minutes.

"Amma!" Taani exclaimed, her heart skipping a beat. She quickly stood and filled a glass of water for her. "Abhi kesa lag raha hai? Aapko kuch chahiye?" (How are you feeling? Do you need anything)

"Mai bilkul theek hu, beta." (I'm fine, my child.) Sumitra said with a soft smile, her voice raspy. "Is umar mein ye sab to laga hi rehta hai, tum chinta mat karo." (At my age, all of this is normal. Nothing to worry about.)

Taani helped her sip the water, her hands shaking slightly, but she couldn't bring herself to smile. She saw right through her grandmother's brave words, her calm demeanor couldn't hide the exhaustion in her eyes.

Taani looked down at her grandmother's hands—frail and delicate—and felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness. She could never let her grandmother down.

"Ranveer ne tumko rishte ke baare mein bata diya hoga." (Ranveer must have told you about the proposal.) Sumitra said softly, her voice thick with emotion. 

Her eyes softened as she reached out to gently caress Taani's cheek. Her touch was warm, comforting. "Taani, meri bachchi," she said, her voice tender but firm. "Tum time lo. Decide karo ki tum kya karna chahti ho, aur humari chinta bilkul bhi mat karo. Tum jo decision logi usse hum khush honge." (Take your time. Decide what you truly want. Don't worry about me. I will be happy with whatever decision you make.)

Taani smiled weakly, trying to mask the pain in her chest. She didn't want to be the cause of her grandmother's pain—she couldn't risk her health any further.

She glanced at her grandmother, and the smile that had once been so genuine now seemed forced, hollow. She couldn't forget the way her grandma had smiled when the news was first shared, nor could she erase the haunting memory of her collapsing from the shock. Taani didn't want to be the cause of that again.

With a resigned sigh, she spoke again. "Aapne pasand kiya hai na unhe humare liye, to wo galat kese ho sakte hain?" (You've chosen him for me, so how can he be the wrong choice?) Taani's voice quivered slightly as she said the words, though she could barely believe them herself. She blinked hard to keep the tears at bay.

Sumitra's eyes widened in pure joy, and for a moment, Taani thought her grandmother might sit up in excitement. Panic flared in Taani's chest, and she quickly urged her to lie back down, her hands firm but gentle. "Amma, please. Aise jaldbaazi mai mat uthiye. Hum nahi chahte aapko kuch bhi ho." (Amma, please. Stay still. Don't make sudden movements, okay? I don't want anything to happen to you.)

Her heart felt heavy, but she did her best to steady her breath. She was doing this for Amma, wasn't she? But deep inside, Taani couldn't help but wonder what was being sacrificed in the process.

"Sach mein? Ye tu apni marzi se bol rahi hai na? Kahi meri wajah se to nahi?" (Really? You're saying this on your own, right? Not because of me?) Sumitra needed to be sure that her beloved granddaughter was as happy with this decision as she was. After all, it was Taani who would have to take this huge step.

"Haan Amma, khush hoon main. Wese bhi, kabhi na kabhi to hume shaadi karni hi hai na?" (Yes, Grandma, I'm happy. After all, someday, I have to get married anyways, right?)

Sumitra's face brightened with joy. "Meri bachchi! Hum bohot khush hoon tumhare liye. Yuvraj tumhara bohot achhe se dhyaan rakhega, aur hum jaante hain Meenal aur Divya bhi tumhe kabhi ghar ki yaad nahi aane denge." (My child! I'm so happy for you. Yuvraj will take very good care of you, and I know Meenal and Divya will never let you miss home.)

Taani chuckled at her grandmother's enthusiasm. The tension inside her heart softened a little. The reassurance in Sumitra's words made her feel like she might have made the right decision after all. "Amma, aap to aise baat kar rahe ho jaise humari shaadi ho hi gayi ho." (Grandma, you're talking as if I've already gotten married.)

"Wo bhi ho jaayegi! Aur hum itni dhoom-dham se tumhari shaadi karenge ki poora khaandan dekhta reh jaayega. Aakhir, tum Sumitra Mittal ki poti ho—koi kami nahi rahegi tumhari shaadi mein." (That will happen too! And I'll throw such a grand wedding that our whole family will be amazed. After all, you're Sumitra Mittal's granddaughter—there will be no shortage of anything in your wedding.)

Taani smiled at her grandmother's excitement but gently urged, "Ji Amma, bas ab aap aaram karo, taiyaariyan hoti rahengi baad mein." (Okay, Grandma, now please rest. The preparations will continue later.)

Sumitra's eyes glistened with tears of joy, and she cupped Taani's face in her wrinkled hands. "My precious girl," she whispered, as if trying to hold onto this moment forever. 

Soon, Sumitra drifted off to sleep again, unable to stay awake for more than an hour due to the heavy medications she was taking. Taani quietly slipped out of the room, her mind heavy with everything that had just transpired.

The drawing room felt heavy with unspoken words, the soft hum of the ceiling fan the only sound. Taani's footsteps echoed in the silence as she walked in, feeling the weight of all their eyes on her. 

"I am ready to get married to Yuvraj, Papa."

Ranveer's eyes widened in surprise, while Avi stood up abruptly, a storm of anger in his gaze.

"What did Amma say to you!?" Avi's voice was sharp, his concern for Taani's well-being outweighing everything else.

"Nothing," Taani replied softly. "She told me to think carefully about it, and I have. I'm ready." The words seemed to come out of her mouth without much thought, but deep down, a part of her wondered if she was making the right choice. 

She knew her family wanted this, but was she ready to give up everything she knew for a future she wasn't sure about?

A lone tear slipped out of Siya's eye. She had seen this coming, known her daughter's heart too well. Taani's decision had been inevitable.

"Then take some time, Taani, and think about it," Rajveer said, his voice calm but laced with concern. Vanika nodded in agreement. Kavya, now teary-eyed, spoke through a choked voice. "You can't get married now! I won't let it happen. I won't let you leave me all alone."

Taani approached Kavya with a soft smile, pulling her into a warm hug. "You won't be alone. You'll still have me. And it's not like I'm going far—you can call me or visit whenever you want to."

Kavya stared at her, a distant look in her eyes. Then, her face crumpled, and tears welled up. "It won't be the same, didi." She said it like a plea, her voice breaking. "You won't be here... with me." 

Taani sighed, her heart weighed down by the inevitable. She turned to Kavya, forcing a smile despite the lump in her throat. "Come on, Kavu. It's inevitable. Marriage is something that has to happen someday, right? But I know you'll be here, looking after everyone. You've always been there for me, and I know you will be." Her voice cracked slightly, betraying the uncertainty she felt.

Kavya, despite being three years younger, had always been more than just a cousin to Taani. They were like twins—inseparable, knowing each other's unspoken thoughts, secrets, and fears. The thought of leaving her behind hurt more than Taani cared to admit. 

Yet, somewhere deep down, she understood that this was a part of life, a chapter she couldn't avoid, no matter how much her heart resisted.

Just then, Sid walked into the room, looking confused as he glanced around. "Who's getting married?" he asked, his tone light but curious.

Everyone turned to face him, the tension in the air suddenly thickening. Taani couldn't help but feel a sense of relief at the sight of him—her best friend, the one person who had always been her anchor. At the same time, a wave of vulnerability washed over her. It was hard to mask her emotions, especially now.

"Sid! What are you doing here?" Taani's voice wavered between happiness and the urge to cry. She didn't know whether to laugh or sob at his unexpected arrival.

Sid looked at her, a small smile playing on his lips. "Just came to meet Amma," he said, walking over to greet the elders, touching their feet in respect. He exchanged a polite handshake with Avi, greeting him with a casual "Good morning, bhaiya," though his eyes still lingered on Taani, sensing something was off.

"Amma's not doing too well," Taani explained, her voice quieter now. "She fainted yesterday and is resting. But she'll be fine."

Sid's expression shifted, concern flashing in his eyes. "What happened?" he asked, his brow furrowing as he took in the seriousness of the situation.

Taani quickly relayed the events, leaving out the part about Sumitra fixing her marriage to Yuvraj. She wasn't ready to discuss it, not with Sid, not yet.

"Thank God she's okay now," Sid muttered, though he could still sense the heavy atmosphere in the room. "So... who's getting married?" he asked again, his eyes scanning the room, still puzzled.

"I am," Taani replied softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"What!?" Sid's eyes widened in disbelief, and for a split second, the world seemed to freeze. He had never expected this, not in a million years. He may have never outright admitted it, but everyone around him—excluding Taani—knew how he felt.

Taani tried to keep her composure, but the tension in the room was palpable. Sid's gaze bore into her, a mixture of shock and concern flooding his features. 

She had always thought of him as her friend, but in this moment, she could sense the protectiveness he felt toward her, the unspoken words he'd never said.

"To whom?" Sid finally asked, his voice strained.

Taani hesitated before speaking. Even though the words came out easily, a part of her wondered if she was doing the right thing. "Yuvraj Singhania," she said, her voice quiet. 

She didn't want to admit it to herself, but a part of her felt resigned, as if she was being pushed into a future she wasn't sure she wanted. 

She didn't need to elaborate—Sid knew exactly who Yuvraj was. They'd met just a few days ago, and Sid hadn't exactly been fond of him. "The same one we—" Sid began, but Taani quickly cut him off.

"Yes, yes," she interrupted, unable to stomach the conversation about Yuvraj any longer. 

She could feel the frustration building inside her, but she kept it in check. The last thing she wanted was for Sid to cause a scene.

"Absolutely not!" Sid's voice had a sharp edge, his eyes flashing with an intensity she hadn't seen before. It shocked her, almost like he was fighting some deep inner battle. 

She wasn't used to hearing him so serious, especially about something like this, it caught her completely off guard. For a moment, she just stared at him, unsure of what to say next.

Avi, on the other hand, wasn't surprised in the least. He knew Sid had feelings for Taani, though neither of them had ever addressed it. But he also knew that Sid wasn't the right choice for her—he wasn't before and he isn't now either.

Sid took a step forward, frustration radiating from him. "Have you forgotten how he—"

Taani's breath caught in her throat as she cut him off, her voice rising slightly, tinged with panic. "Amma's sleeping right now. Please, let's get some tea and talk later." Her hand gripped his arm gently, but firmly, as she tugged him away, her mind racing. 

She couldn't let this conversation spill out in front of everyone—especially not now, not when she wasn't ready to confront the truth of her own feelings.

As they stepped into the hallway, the weight of the situation pressed down on her like a thousand pounds. She could hear Sid's footsteps behind her, his silence loud and heavy. 

Taani's heart raced in her chest. She didn't know what to expect, but she knew this conversation wouldn't be easy.

The quiet clink of their tea cups in the drawing room seemed to underscore the tension in the air. Sid watched her, his eyes searching for answers, but Taani could feel his frustration simmering just below the surface. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Sid broke the silence.

"What's going on, Taani? You know how Yuvraj behaved with you—how could you agree to marry him so easily?" His words were laced with disbelief, his anger barely contained.

Taani lowered her gaze, the weight of his question pressing into her. She wanted to justify her decision, but the truth was, she wasn't sure she believed it herself. "He's the son of Amma's close friend... It's her wish, Sid. Please, you have to understand. She's so weak right now, I can't say no to her." Her voice faltered as she continued, her gaze drifting away. "And she speaks very highly of him. Who knows... maybe he'll treat me right after marriage."

Sid's expression hardened, disbelief turning to frustration. "You're making an important decision like this based on a 'maybe'?" His voice trembled with the weight of his anger. Taani flinched, surprised by the raw intensity in his tone.

"I trust Amma and it's not like I have anyone else in my life," Taani replied, trying to keep her voice even, though a knot twisted in her stomach.

Sid stared at her, disbelief mixing with something darker. "Don't have anyone in your life?" His voice cracked with a mixture of hurt and anger. "What about me?"

Taani blinked, her breath catching in her throat. "What... what about you?"

Sid's gaze softened, but his hurt was palpable. "How could you be so oblivious to my feelings for you?"

Taani recoiled, her mind racing. "What? Your feelings? For me? But... but you always flirt with other girls!" She tried to laugh it off, but her voice betrayed the confusion that had taken root in her chest.

Sid's jaw clenched, his fists tightening at his sides. "Yeah, only to make you jealous!" His voice was rough, desperate.

Taani's breath caught in her throat. 'Was kissing them a part of that too!?' she screamed at him in her mind but didn't have the energy to voice out her thoughts or even argue about it.

This was news to her though—she never imagined Sid could feel that way. The realization hit her like a wave, leaving her speechless.

"Sid... I don't have those kind of feelings for you." She spoke slowly, as if treading carefully around a fragile animal, unsure of what she was saying, but certain it was the truth.

Sid's eyes flickered with a mix of hurt and anger. "And you have them for Yuvraj? Taani, at least we have some chemistry. I would never insult you like he did, not in front of others. He's not the one for you."

Taani's face flushed with a mix of shame and frustration. "Sid, you didn't have to flirt or kiss other girls to make me jealous. You could've just told me how you felt. Maybe it would've changed something. But now... now it's too late. I'm marrying Yuvraj."

Sid stood up abruptly, his chair scraping across the floor. The finality in her words cut deeper than anything he could say. He had no more arguments left, no more pleas. "Well then, congratulations to you." His voice was low, almost cold, unable to bear the weight of her indifference. 

He didn't say another word. Instead, he turned and walked towards the door, his footsteps echoing in the quiet room.

Taani's heart lurched. She wasn't ready to let him go—not like this. Not when everything felt so unresolved.

"Sid!" she called out, standing up quickly. Her voice cracked, desperation seeping through the words. "Sid, wait!"

But Sid didn't stop. He didn't even slow down. His back was turned to her, his shoulders stiff with anger, or maybe pain. Taani's breath quickened as she rushed toward him, her hand reaching out.

"Sid, listen to me!" Her voice broke, and for a moment, she felt like her chest might burst.

But Sid didn't look back. He reached for the door, opened it with a soft click, and stepped outside. Taani stopped just in time, her fingers brushing the doorframe. She stood there, frozen, watching him walk away, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Sid, please!" she cried one last time, but it was too late. He was already gone, his figure disappearing down the hallway, his silence louder than any words she could say.

Taani stood there, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. She felt the weight of her own helplessness, the bitter taste of regret already settling in her throat. She had made her choice—one that would now keep her from the one person who had always been there for her.

And as she stood there, staring at the empty doorway, she couldn't shake the feeling that something in her life had just slipped away—maybe forever.

Singhania's residence

"Maa, Siya ka call aaya tha. Taani ne bhi haan kar diya hai." (Maa, Siya just called to confirm—Taani has agreed,) Divya said. Meenal could barely contain her excitement as she stood up from her chair and danced around the room. She was practically vibrating with energy, already picturing the upcoming celebration.

Yuvi, who had been heading out for the office, froze at the news. His expression darkened. 'So she couldn't resist marrying a rich man after all...' he thought bitterly, his hands balling into fists at his sides. Without another word, he turned toward the door, trying to push the anger down.

"Yuvi, ruko!" (Yuvi, wait!) Meenal and Divya rushed to him, their expressions a mix of excitement and concern.

"Taani ne bhi haan kar diya hai..." (Taani agreed as well...) Divya repeated, this time more gently, her gaze fixed on her son.

"I heard." Yuvi muttered. 

"Hume taiyaariyan shuru kar deni chahiye, par sabse pehle hume unke yahan Roka ceremony ke liye jana hoga. Kya tum kal free rahoge uske liye?" (We need to get started on the preparations, but first we need to head to their house for the Roka ceremony. Will you be free tomorrow morning?) Divya asked, noticing the tension in Yuvi's posture. 

She could tell something was off, but didn't know if it was just his usual aloofness or if the situation was affecting him more deeply than he let on.

"Hmm, mujhe time bata dena." (Yeah, just let me know the time,) Yuvi replied curtly, his voice tight with suppressed emotion. He turned on his heel and walked out, his mind already elsewhere.

Meenal watched him leave with a sigh of frustration. "Yeh ladka bhi na, ruk ke sahi se ek jawab bhi nahi deta hai. Aane do iski biwi ko, ab wahi sudharegi ise." (This boy doesn't even stop to give a proper reply. Let his wife come, she'll straighten him out.)

Divya gave her a knowing look before following her mother-in-law back to the sofa. "Divya esa karo, Siya ko call karke kal ke liye bata do. Aur jitne bhi gifts and sweets mangwane hai aj mangwa lo sab." (Divya, do one thing—call Siya and confirm the details for tomorrow. And whatever gifts and sweets we need, get them today. We can't wait till tomorrow.)

"Of course, Maa," Divya replied, pulling out her phone to make the call. Siya answered almost immediately, confirming that the Roka ceremony was good to go for tomorrow. 

However, the hesitation in her voice wasn't lost on Divya, but she didn't press the matter. The speed with which everything was happening felt overwhelming to Siya, but she kept her thoughts to herself.

After a short call, Divya turned to Meenal. "Maa, maine call kar diya hai, gifts lene mai abhi chali jati hu aur sweets ka order mai aj de dungi, to kal hum wahi se pick karte hue chale jaenge." (Maa, I've confirmed with Siya. I'll head out to buy the gifts now and place the order for the sweets. We'll pick everything up tomorrow on our way to their house.)

"Badhiya" (Perfect) Meenal said, her focus already shifting to the list she was making in her head. "Mai baaki ki arrangements sambhalti hu tabtak." (I'll finalize the other arrangements here.)

Hello my lovely readers!!!🎀

I’m so sorry for the delay in uploading this chapter — life got a little chaotic, but I haven’t forgotten you for a second! I truly hope you’re enjoying the story so far… the emotions, the twists and turns, and the silences in between. Your support, comments, and love mean the world to me.🙇🏻‍♀️

Please don’t forget to vote if the chapter touched your heart, and drop a comment — you know how much I adore reading your thoughts. Every word from you inspires me to write deeper and better.

And now, a little love for those celebrating today...

To everyone whose birthday it is — I wish you peace in your soul, joy in your heart, and success in all you pursue. May this year bring you good health, endless love, and magical moments. Happy birthday, sunshine!🌻🦋

Shukriya and lots of love, always✨

-Your Author,

Exquisite🕊️