The night was quiet after dinner. Arun had already fallen asleep, and her mother hummed softly as she folded clothes. Ann sat on the floor, pretending to help, but her hands trembled with thoughts she could no longer keep hidden.
Her father looked up from his newspaper. "Ann, you've been restless all evening. Something on your mind?"
Ann froze. Her lips parted, but no words came. Her mother touched her arm gently. "Child, you can tell us anything."
The kindness in her voice broke Ann's silence. She took a deep breath.
"Amma, Appa… I need to say something." Her eyes lowered, her cheeks burning. "Dennis… I've spoken with him. Not just once. A few times."
Her father's brows lifted slightly, but he said nothing. He only listened.
Ann's voice trembled, but steadied as she went on. "Each time, I felt… safe. He doesn't make me doubt. He respects me, and he respects us. I didn't expect it, but… when he came here with his family, I realized something."
Her mother's hand brushed hers encouragingly. "What, dear?"
Ann looked up, tears glistening. "That I'm happy. Truly happy at the thought of marrying him. If you and Appa are with me, I have no fear."
The room was silent for a long moment. Then her father folded his newspaper carefully and set it aside. He leaned forward, his eyes tender but serious.
"Ann," he said quietly, "do you know what makes us happiest as parents?"
She shook her head.
"To see our child safe… and smiling. If Dennis gives you both, then we have nothing more to ask."
Her mother nodded, tears bright in her eyes. "You've always trusted us, Ann. Thank you for sharing your heart with us. That is all we ever wanted."
Ann's own tears slipped free as she bent to touch their feet, overcome with gratitude. Her father placed a hand on her head.
"Then it is decided. Tomorrow, we will sit with his parents. Let us prepare for your engagement, with your studies and future in mind."
Ann's POV
For the first time, I felt my dreams and my family's dreams were not separate. They were the same, woven together with love.
That night, Ann lay by the window, not with doubts or fear, but with the calm certainty that her life was unfolding just as it was meant to.