Forcibly Yours

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"So, Mom, did Dad ever propose to you?" I asked as we all settled for our usual after-dinner gossip session in the living room.

Mom instantly hid her face behind her dupatta.

"Aww, Mom, are you blushing?" I teased, grinning. But as soon as the words left my mouth, something felt weirdly familiar.

Wait, haven't I heard this line somewhere before?

Before I could figure it out, I felt a very intense gaze on me.

Oh. Right. It was from Someone who is still ignoring me.

Why are you so quiet? Ruhanika is asking you something," Dad said, his tone full of mischief.

I turned to Mom, but she still smiled like a college girl reliving her old love story.

Dad stretched his arms and sat up properly, his storyteller mode activated. "Alright then, let me tell you the story," he said, looking way too happy about it.

"Oh God, what is this!?" Mom nudged him, her voice half-scolding, half-shy. "Who talks about such things in front of the kids?"

Ohh? That means the story is interesting.

Dad was more than just eager to share the story. "Look, the thing is, I never proposed to your mother." He smiled. "She was the one who proposed to me."

Bhai and I turned to Mom in pure shock.

"What?! Mom proposed first?" Bhai asked, grinning.

Dad nodded," Yes. And it wasn't even a normal proposal."

"What do you mean?" I asked, already suspicious.

Dad cleared his throat dramatically. "Madam was jealous. So one day, she came to me and said—'Narendra, either you say yes to this marriage, or I will tell your father that you cheated on me, and now I want to commit suicide!'"

Bhai and I: "..."

Dad burst out laughing, but when he turned to Mom, her expression was that dangerous calm before the storm type.

Hmm, certain someone is not going to have a peaceful night. I guess.

"Mom was a total boss lady!" Bhai teased.

"Yes, the real power lies here," I added, looking at Mom with newfound respect.

Mom shook her head, but the small, proud smile on her face was unmissable.

"You two enjoyed your youth. Look at us—neither did you let us date nor let us fall in love. Straight to marriage. Who does that?"

As soon as I said that, I sensed a shift in the room.

I looked up.

Everyone was staring at me.

Except one person.

Dheer.

He was looking away, his face completely unreadable.

Uh-oh.