The air was thick with tension as Kanishk sat across from his parents at the dinner table. The clinking of cutlery punctuating the silence. He had rehearsed this moment a thousand times in his mind but now that it was here. Words felt like jagged stones lodged in his throat. The aroma of home-cooked curry wafted around them but it offered no comfort. Instead it reminded him of the warmth he longed to protect now threatened by the weight of his own revelation. "Mom, Dad, I need to talk to you about something important," Kanishk finally said. His voice steady despite the storm brewing inside him. His mother Manisha looked up from her plate. Her brow furrowed with curiosity. "What is it, Kanishk? You look serious." "It's about Kashvi," he began glancing nervously at his father Romesh who sat across the table, His eyes narrowing at the mention of her name. "I'm in love with her. I want to be with her." The reaction was immediate. Romesh slammed his fist onto the table rattling the dishes. "What kind of nonsense is this?" he thundered. His face turning an alarming shade of red. "You think you can just bring some spoiled little girl into our lives and expect us to accept it?" Kanishk recoiled as if struck. "She's not spoiled! You don't even know her!" Romesh sneered. His disdain palpable. "I don't need to know her to see that she's trouble. Tushant's niece? She'll only lead you down a path of ruin. You're better than this, Kanishk." "I'm not a child anymore!" Kanishk shot back. His heart racing. "I can make my own choices. Why can't you support me for once?" "Support you?" Romesh laughed bitterly. "You've never bothered to tell us anything about your life. Why should I trust your judgment now? Hiding your relationship from us all this time. What were you thinking?"
Kanishk felt like a criminal in his own home, shame washing over him. "I didn't hide it. I just didn't know how to tell you. I thought you'd understand." "Understand?" Romesh's voice dripped with sarcasm. "You think I'd understand you falling for some girl who'll do nothing but waste your time? She's living in a fairy tale and you're the fool who's going to be left holding the bag." Manisha's hands trembled slightly as she reached out to touch her husband's arm. "Romesh please. Let's hear him out." But her voice lacked conviction drowned out by the storm of anger that had taken over the room. "No!" Romesh growled shaking her off. "This isn't a discussion. This is a warning. If you pursue this ridiculous infatuation don't expect any support from us. You'll be on your own." Kanishk's heart sank. "I can't believe you would say that. I thought family was supposed to stand by each other." "Family?" Romesh scoffed leaning closer. His eyes ablaze. "You're not thinking straight. You're blinded by infatuation. Kashvi will lead you up the garden path, and I won't allow that to happen." A heavy silence fell between them. The weight of disappointment hanging like an anvil. "You don't even know her," Kanishk whispered, feeling the walls of his world close in around him. "Thank God I don't," Romesh replied sharply. "You think I want that sort of person in this house? You think I want my son to be a laughingstock?" Kanishk felt the heat of tears prick at the corners of his eyes but he refused to let them fall. "I don't care what you think. I love her and I'm going to be with her." Romesh's expression darkened further. "Then you're making the biggest mistake of your life. You'll regret this, Kanishk. Mark my words." With that he pushed himself away from the table his chair scraping against the floor echoing the finality of his words. Kanishk sat there stunned as his father stormed out of the dining room leaving a chasm of hurt and betrayal in his wake. Manisha sighed heavily. Her gaze shifting from the door to her son. "Kanishk, your father…he just wants what he thinks is best for you." "But it's not what's best for me!" Kanishk snapped, frustration boiling over. "Why can't anyone see that? I feel like I'm trapped in a cage and all I want is to be happy." "You will find happiness dear but, maybe not with Kashvi," she said gently. Her voice laced with concern. Kanishk stood up abruptly pushing his chair back. "I can't stay here. Not like this." He stormed out of the room. The weight of discontentment shattering the fragile peace of his world. Outside the night air was cool against his flushed skin. He ran a hand through his hair trying to calm the turmoil within him. What had he done? Had he really thought that bringing Kashvi into the fold would be met with open arms? In that moment he felt more alone than ever. Torn between family loyalty and the love he felt for the woman who had captured his heart. As he wandered aimlessly down the dimly lit street his mind raced with thoughts of Kashvi. Would she understand the depth of his struggle? Would she still want him after hearing about the battle he was fighting at home? The uncertainty gnawed at him. A relentless shadow that followed him into the darkness. He pulled out his phone. His fingers trembling as he typed a message to her. Can we talk? I need you. It was a plea for connection. A lifeline thrown into the unknown. He pressed send hoping that somehow amidst the chaos. They could find a way back to each other.