"So, dinner tonight with my sister. Are you ready?" Gaurav asked me over the phone.

Almost a week had passed since the day he asked me to marry him. He hadn't mentioned it to his parents. We planned on doing it once his sister was in town.

"Of course I am."

"I'll pick you up at seven?"

"I can drive to your place. Remember I have a key? You don't need to find excuses to spend time with me."

"Come on, you refuse to leave Rishu's side even when I am there. So I need to make time for us."

"Maybe I'll come early today, say by six? When are they coming?"

"Around seven thirty."

"Cool, I'll see you later then."

I was freaked out about meeting his parents but then they turned out to be lovely people. I was very much relaxed about meeting his sister who according to Gaurav was just a female version of him.

As promised, I reached his place at six. He was in the middle of cooking when I entered.

"You came." He exclaimed as he saw me.

"You thought I wouldn't show?"

"Nah, I just thought you would be with your niece and show up in the last moment. Competing with her is getting harder by the day."

"Aren't you taking me away from her and closer to you soon?"

"That I am."

"Then let me enjoy the time I have with her."

"No more complaining, I promise."

I helped him with minor tasks which he needed help with. He wouldn't let me even go near the food he had prepared.

I heard the doorbell ring. It was seven thirty already and we had lost track of time.

"I'll get it." Gaurav said and I nodded. His parents came in and his sister and brother in law followed suit. Shivani was just the younger version of her mother.

Gaurav introduced us. I talked to his father while Shiavni caught up with him.

I excused myself to go set the dining table.

"I have heard a lot about you." Shivani said coming in.

"Likewise."

"All good things I hope."

"Depends on what you think of some of those childhood events."

"Very well, I would like to throw some light to the fact that he is a lawyer and he lies for a living."

"Heyyy, not all lawyers lie and definitely not all the time."

"How could I forget you are one."

We talked for a while before the others joined us. Dinner was a pleasant affair after which I excused myself to go use the restroom.

"Isn't she a nice girl?" I heard Gaurav's mom ask Shivani. I didn't mean to eavesdrop but Shivani's answer made me stop in my tracks.

"Sure she is. But I don't want her to get married to bhai."

"What? But why?"

"Ma, till today I was hoping maybe she would be some gold-digger so that I genuinely wouldn't like her and could tell bhai that. Kavya is a good woman, but I am concerned about bhai's future."

"I think beta you are wrong. She is good for him."

"Tell me something maa, why did Kavya end her first marriage."

"From what I know she lost her kid. Thins went downhill from there."

"See, that there is the issue. She had a kid who died. Do you know how?"

"No, Gaurav refused to mention it."

"Why would that be? I think the kid might have had some genetic issue."

"No that isn't true" I wanted to scream, but couldn't, I just continued listening.

"What if it is something hereditary from her side of the family. We know nothing about her parents death right?"

I couldn't keep my tears from flowing as I heard people assuming the reason behind my son's death.

"Haan beta... but"

"Don't you want bhai to have healthy kids?"

"Yes"

"You want the Rathore name to be taken forward right?"

"Haan"

"Then we will have to convince bhai she is not the one."

I couldn't take any more of it and hence I ran. I didn't bother explaining to anyone. All I had in my mind was my son, my poor child.

Karthik and Gunjan were out with Rishu.

"This is for the best." I told myself as I went to my room. I could hear my phone ring somewhere but I couldn't care less.

I packed my stuff and left. Well not before leaving a note for my family.

Bhai, Bhabhi

I am sorry for doing this to you. But, I need some change in my life. Please don't look for me. I would contact you when I am ready. I promise I will be safe. Also tell Gaurav it is over. I thought I was ready, but clearly, I am not.

I am going to miss you all, especially Rishu. I will always love you.

Kavya