They say that love is a blessing. Even the divine beings couldn’t resist the purity of love, so how can mortal humans? Yet, in some parts of the world, love takes a backseat to respect. For these people, their honor is paramount, and they feel lifeless if it is compromised in any way. However, there are always exceptions. There's always an outlier among the norms. This is one such story! She’s like the splash of fresh water amidst the old-age traditions of her backward village.

He stands rooted at his place, looking at the girl standing in front of him. Her eyes are glistening with tears as she reaches out to hold his hands. Her eyes hold a lot of emotions and he can clearly read them all. He knows she has more to say but she is unable to speak. He makes her sit on the bed in his room and gets her a glass of water. She takes a few sips of the water and again looks at him. She manages to compose herself.

“Vineet, tum kuch nahi bologe? Tum— tum ye sab ho jaane doge?” She asks, her tone heavy with emotions.

“Ruhana, calm down, calm down. Hum sochte hain kuch,” He says, his tone soft yet firm.

“Tumhe abhi bhi sochna hai, Vineet? Please mujhe le chalo apne sath, nahi toh mujhe vahan jana padega, jahan main nahi jaana chahti,” Ruhana pleads, her heavy voice and tear-stricken face pinches his heart.

“Aur— aur main toh usey jaanti bhi nahi, na main usse pyar karti hoon. Main tumse pyar karti hoon, Vineet. Mujhe laga tha ki Ma aur Bauji bhul jayenge, lekin nahi, vo mera gauna kar dena chahte hai,” She says and breaks into tears.

He pulls her close and she leans into him, resting her head on his chest, crying bitterly.

He wraps his hands around her petite frame and pulls her against his chest. He reflects on her words from a little while ago.

Vineet was busy brewing some coffee for himself when the doorbell rang. He opened the door and Ruhana entered inside hurriedly. He closed the door and glanced at her. She was panting heavily and crying. He got alerted and walked close to her, cupping her face.

“Ruhana, tum yahan kya kar rahi ho? Tumhe college mein hona chahiye na iss waqt,” He asked, his tone gentle.

“Vineet, tum mujhse pyar karte ho naa?” She asked, her voice breaking amidst her cries.

“Ye kaisa sawal hua? Han, main jatata nahi lekin tum jaanti ho main tumse bahut pyar karta hoon,” He said, his tone laced with love.

“Toh phir abhi mujhe apne sath le jao, hum shahar mein nayi zindagi shuru karenge,” Ruhana said, her tone laced with desperation.

“Ruhana, ye tum kya bol rahi ho? Hum jayenge lekin tumhare parents ki permission se, shaadi karke,” He said calmly.

“Nahi ho sakta ye — Bauji hone nahi denge,” Ruhana said amidst her sobs.

“Kyun nahi? Hum unko jaake samjhayenge,” Vineet said, unknown of what is coming next.

“Kyunki— kyunki bauji ne mere bachpan mein hi meri shadi karva di thi, Vineet. Aur ab…..ab mere pati aur unki family mujhe lene aa rahe hain, agar tumne kuch nahi kiya toh Ma- Bauji mera gauna kar denge,” She said, breaking into tears.

“What?” Vineet stood shocked at the moment, staring at her.

“Haan, yahi sach hai. Mujhe laga tha samay ke saath ye baat sab log bhul jayenge. Main toh unhe jaanti bhi nahi hoon toh kaise chali jaun ek anjaan ke sath,” She asked.

“Kuch din mein vo log aa jayenge, tab tak humein kuch karna hoga. Main sirf tumse pyar karti hoon, Vineet, sirf tumse,” Ruhana said, it seemed like she  wanted to shout and tell the world that she has only loved Vineet.

Vineet comes out of his trance when he feels Ruhana’s weight upon himself. He found that she had fallen unconscious. He quickly lays her on the bed and calls his doctor friend, who lives nearby his apartment. He comes in to check Ruhana and says that she fainted due to the panic attack and that she needs to take care. He tells Vineet to watch on her and that she will get conscious in some time.

Vineet sees off his friend and then takes his place beside Ruhana. He’s in a state of shock that her parents still believe in child-marriage. Though, they’ve sent her to college but on the other hand, they are adhering to the arrangement of child marriage made in her childhood. Though, she barely knows her groom, they want her to go to his home and live her life there. It’s for the sake of their traditions and respect amidst the village community and the nearby ones too.

He remembers her pleading to him to take her away, but he is not in favor of eloping. He’d rather like to fight and break the stereotypes like child marriage, as he’s against the practice. He gazes at her, she’s the light in his life, and he loves her truly. But at the same time, he wants to start their relationship by elders’ blessings. And for that, he needs to take the step.

He leans in toward her, smearing her head. He plants a soft kiss on her temple, it’s a seal to a promise he has made to her and himself.

“Main tumse vaada karta hoon, Ruhana, ki main hamara rishta, hamara pyaar khatm nahi hone dunga. Trust me! Aur main iss baal-vivah mein bhi nahi maanta. Hum ladenge bhi, aur jeetenge bhi, ye mera vada hai tumse. Is ladai ke baad hum saath honge, tum dekhna,” He says, his words seem resolute, and his eyes shine with an unwavering resolve.

He’s all set to step into the battlefield to protect his love from the storms of patriarchy and old-age traditions.