The next day, after finishing her college classes, Sejal arrived at her parents' house with Ken. Inside, her mother, father, and elder brother Denny were all present. Seeing everyone together, Sejal smiled faintly and said,
> "Oh! It feels nice to see the whole family at home."
Without wasting time, she took a deep breath and spoke her mind,
> "I don't want to get married right now. Let me finish my graduation first. I'll think about marriage after that."
Her mother's tone immediately shifted into irritation,
> "You're going to marry Ken anyway, be it now or later. Then what's the problem in doing it now?"
Sejal replied softly,
> "Ma, marriage isn't a small thing. Once I'm married, responsibilities will increase. Don't you understand that?"
At that moment, Ken added,
> "I'll take care of all those responsibilities, Sejal. You just marry me—I'll handle everything else."
Sejal, still calm, responded,
> "But to marry someone, there has to be love too. I see you only as a good friend, nothing more."
Hearing this, both her parents said in unison,
> "Once you're married and live together, love will naturally grow between you two."
This time, Sejal's voice trembled with frustration,
> "No! I can't marry Ken. Please, Ma-Baba, don't force me."
She took Ken into her room and shut the door behind them. With pleading eyes, she said,
> "Please Ken, stand by me on this. Don't let this wedding happen."
Ken stood silently for a moment and then said,
> "What do I do, Sejal? Your parents want us to get married."
Sejal, slightly annoyed now, asked,
> "Can't you say something? If you marry me by force, will you really be happy? I don't love you. I love Dean. Why don't you want to accept that?"
Ken stayed quiet for a long while before asking,
> "Then what should I tell your parents now?"
Sejal, visibly drained, said,
> "Just tell them that you don't want this marriage either."
Ken's voice turned low, filled with wounded affection,
> "Why should I say that, Sejal? I love you deeply. I'm willing to do anything just to have you."
Saying this, Ken quietly left the room…
And that evening, he didn't say a single word to Sejal's parents.
---
To be continued...