I took every step consciously to the living room. Rekha was determined to help me out and didn't leave my side. The silence was too eerie to be interrupted or to maintain. This irony was however broken with Raj ji entering the home for lunch!

How long have I been sleeping and is it already lunch time yet?

"You are awake!", he exclaimed like as if it's a big surprise.

"Ji, I know what happened."

There, it's out in the open. I don't have to make it too hard for him to explain Ma ji's reaction to me. We were all scared, individually; now let's be scared, together!

Ma was in the kitchen and Baba had gone out to the market. The three of us just stared at each other, sitting in the living hall thinking too loud of what are we going to do next.

Ma is not a woman who reacts with silence. That's the most unpredictable move.

"Bhabhi, don't worry", Rekha whispered, ensuring me that everything is going to be fine.

We heard footsteps approach us and all three of us stood up. Ma ji  blinked at the three of us.

"Rekha, please go bring the food from the kitchen."

"Ma-", I tried to speak to her.

"Rekha, also bring a jug of water and 5 glasses."

"Ma", now Raj ji spoke.

"Bahu, come and sit here."

I immediately tried to get up as fast as I could, but my condition inhibited me from doing so. Raj ji then, lent a helping hand.

"Ma ji, I am very sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you with any of the things Raj ji told in the morning. If you are not okay, I will not be sad or disappointed. Your happiness means the most to all of us Ma ji. You are too silent, and this makes us worried-"

"Bahu", she interrupted me in between.

"What did Raj tell you?"

I blinked and stared back and forth at my husband and my mother in law.

"Nothing, Ma ji. Raj ji just came home from the shop."

"Ma, Pavithra didn't even know that I'd be talking to you today. She had no idea, Ma. This is not her fault."

"Ok. Hmm.", with that, she took a deep breath in and let out.

"So today I understand how my family people look at me, a heartless terrorising woman who cannot understand or empathize others thoughts or feelings."

"Ma ji, no-"

"Ma, what are you saying?", Raj ji protested.

"We value your opinion way to much Ma ji, and we don't want to  hurt you with our thoughts and actions."

"Bahu, if this is what you truly feel about me, then why are you both so scared to even express your dreams?

What made you feel that I will not support you?"

Silence once again sought our company. Honestly, now I didn't know how to react.

"Bahu, when you married Raj, yes you were brought into this house as a daughter in law. Well that was the role that we sought you for. But over these almost 9 months of your marriage, you have become way more than that. You now hold a position of my daughter.

The way you have handled the household chores, and the way you have made Raj a gentleman from a boy who was always in the clutches of short temper. Today you are in the process of making him a suitable father to your unborn child.

You are a sister to Rekha. She adores you and loves you from the bottom of her heart. She has become more focussed on her academics and life after you stepped into the house. Whenever I see you both having a conversation, it fills my heart with happiness.

Babaji never took his medicines on time or wasn't controlled with his diet. Raj, Rekha and me have had a tough time handling him and making him understand it's importance. But after you came into the house, he adheres to your words. That's how much you mean to him.

Now, if you really want my opinion, well here it is. You have always respected me and whatever I say to you. You have always held this family as your first priority even before your needs. You have also shown how important education is by supporting Rekha.

If you want to become a doctor, it's a moment of pride for me and nothing less. You have my blessing and with this, I know you'll also be an amazing mother and my grandchild is very lucky and blessed to have you both as its parents. "

Tears once again filled my eyes as Raj ji drew his arm around me.

"Ma ji", I choked.

"Bahu, you don't have to say anything. Do as you please. I know you'll take the right decision. When a girl gets married, she does make a lot of sacrifices. Some of them are too fatal, because she doesn't get any support from her in-laws. Well, I don't want to be one of them. Okay?

May God bless you with all the happiness, my dear!"

Raj ji stood up to hug his mother. He thanked her with all his heart. I just sat rooted at my spot with more tears coming I to picture. I didn't know what to say. This is something I have dreamt for so long and my husband has been a part of this dream too!

Now to have my family on-board, I just didn't know what to feel. Ma ji came to me and wiped my tears. She kissed my forehead and took my arm and placed it in the palm of Raj ji.

"Always be happy. That's what your parents want."

We smiled as Raj ji now cleared the tears from my face.

"Now come on, let's go have our lunch!"

❤️❤️❤️