The night stretched on endlessly for Shreya. Sleep refused to embrace her as she lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, lost in the whirlwind of emotions pulling her in different directions. The echoes of her father’s words, her mother’s silent pleas, and Kabir’s unspoken pain clashed within her heart. Was love about waiting endlessly, or was it about choosing stability? Should she be the dutiful daughter her parents expected her to be, or should she be the loyal lover Kabir needed?

She turned to her side, hugging the blanket close to her chest as if it could shield her from the storm raging inside her. A faint light peeked through the curtains, signaling the arrival of dawn. But the night hadn’t given her any answers. Only more confusion.