Sidharth stood in the dimly lit veranda, his heart heavy as he watched his sister-in-law collapse into uncontrollable sobs in his arms. She wasn't just his brother's wife; she had become family, as precious to him as his own brother. The cool evening air carried with it a sense of foreboding – he knew this apparent calm was merely the prelude to a tempest. Though she had shed tears, the real storm lay in whatever decision she would make next, and that thought filled him with an inexplicable dread.

The ancient wooden beams of the haveli's veranda creaked under their feet as the family gathered in the late hours, collectively mourning the loss of their youngest member. The silver moonlight cast long shadows across the courtyard, emphasizing the somber mood that had descended upon the household.

"Sidharth," his father's familiar voice broke through his reverie.

"Yes, father?" he responded, turning towards Mr. Hooda.

"Son, please go and call your sister-in-law for dinner. She hasn't eaten anything since yesterday," Mr. Hooda's voice carried evident concern.

Nodding, Sidharth made his way through the dimly lit corridor to Sana's room. His knuckles rapped against the wooden door, but only silence answered his calls. The eerie quiet sent a chill down his spine.

"Uncle!" The silence was broken by the pattering of small feet as his nephew ran into his arms. The embrace was instinctive, requiring no conscious thought – as natural as breathing. The child's bald head, a stark reminder of his ongoing battle with illness, made Sidharth's heart constrict painfully.

"Where's Mother?" the little one asked in his innocent voice.

This child's pure heart didn't deserve such tribulations.

"She must be inside. Call out to her," Sidharth encouraged gently.

"But Mother isn't responding," the child replied, worry evident in his voice.

"I sent you to call Sana, and you've stopped here yourself," Mr. Hooda spoke, approaching them with Mr. Agrawal following close behind.

"Father, she's not opening the door," Sidharth explained, his anxiety mounting.

"Is everything alright?" Mr. Agrawal's voice trembled with concern.

"Is there any way to open this lock?" Sidharth asked, knowing his father would be familiar with the haveli's ancient locking systems.

"Yes, reach through here to unlatch it," Mr. Hooda demonstrated, his experienced hands making quick work of the mechanism.

The door swung open to reveal a scene that would haunt them forever. Sana lay unconscious on the floor, surrounded by scattered cosmetics. A trail of blood seeped from her wrist where she had injured herself with a broken glass bangle. Around her lay the shattered remains of her marital symbols – a broken sindoor container, anklets, toe rings, glass bangles, and her mangalsutra. The scattered items told a story of despair that words could never fully capture.

"Sana, my child," Mr. Agrawal choked on his words.

"Uncle, what happened to Mother?" the innocent voice of the child pierced through the horrified silence, making Sidharth's stomach turn at its purity.

"My daughter," Mr. Agrawal wept openly.

"Sidharth, call Dr. Surekha immediately," Mr. Hooda commanded, referring to their family physician. Sidharth rushed to comply, his hands trembling as he dialed the number.

The doctor arrived promptly, examining Sana with grave concern. He explained that while she had attempted to cut her pulse, fortune had favored them – the cut wasn't precisely placed, and though she had lost considerable blood, she would survive. She would need to remain on an intravenous drip for several hours. The pallor of her face as she lay unconscious on the bed silenced any questions the family might have had.

"Uncle, why isn't Mother speaking?" the child's naive question pierced everyone's hearts anew.

"Sweetheart," Sana's weak voice suddenly filled the room as she looked at her child with profound love.

"Mother!" he responded eagerly.

"Come here to Mother," she extended her arms, and as he rushed into her embrace, she held him tightly to her chest. Silent tears rolled down her cheeks as she closed her eyes. The family quietly withdrew to give them privacy, except for Sidharth.

"I know no words of comfort can ease your pain," Sidharth spoke, his voice thick with emotion, "but we're all here for you, and you must be here for him too. None of us has the strength to witness another death." Before his own tears could fall, he quickly left the room.

Present Day...

The morning sun filtered through the ornate jharokhas of the haveli, casting intricate shadows on the floor as Sana sat in her chamber, her mind in turmoil. She had overheard the conversation between her father-in-law and father, and their words refused to settle in her mind. Barely two days had passed since her world had crumbled, yet these people were already planning her future without considering her feelings or perspective.

"Sidharth, we need to discuss something with you," Mr. Hooda began, and Sidharth nodded, already anticipating the impending conversation.

"Yes, Father, please speak," he responded.

"Look, son, Pradeep was the eldest, and he always took responsibility for everything. He maintained his position as the head of the family, and similarly, your sister-in-law has fulfilled her duties. There's no doubt that you've supported them completely," Mr. Hooda explained carefully.

"Please speak plainly, Father. What's the matter?" Sidharth interrupted.

"After yesterday's incident, a fear has taken root in my heart," Mr. Agrawal spoke defeatedly. "I can only find peace if she remains under my watch or if I'm assured she's in capable hands. Otherwise, this anxiety will persist."

"What can I do in this situation?" Sidharth asked, though he already knew the answer.

"We want you to marry your sister-in-law," Mr. Hooda stated with a deep sigh.

"Have you asked her?" Sidharth questioned.

"Son, she's not in a state to make decisions for herself right now," Mr. Agrawal responded.

"Then shouldn't you wait until she's in her senses and can voice her opinion?" Sidharth spoke heatedly.

"If we do this tomorrow, it will be done with dignity. If we wait any longer, it will lead to scandal," Mr. Hooda sighed heavily, and Sidharth looked at them, defeated.

"And if someone's life is ruined in your pursuit of dignity versus scandal, that doesn't matter?" he accused.

"Son, life is already ruined," Mr. Agrawal spoke with resignation.

"If I agree to this, you won't take her away from here?" Sidharth asked Sana's father, who nodded in response.

"What should I understand from your side?" Mr. Hooda asked carefully.

"Don't understand anything yet. I'll think about it," saying this, he stood up and left.

"I think we should wait now, give both of them time. After they recover from this massive blow, only then can any decision be made," Mr. Hooda spoke thoughtfully.

"I only want my daughter's happiness. I don't want to live with the fear of witnessing her death before my own," Mr. Agrawal said emotionally.

"No parent wants that," Mr. Hooda said softly, choking on his words.

"Tomorrow we'll perform the ritual of covering her with the sacred cloth. Whatever these children decide afterward can be dealt with then, but Sana is my responsibility now. You need not worry," Mr. Hooda assured.

"I'm deeply grateful to you," Mr. Agrawal said, joining his hands in gratitude.

"Today you've once again entrusted your daughter to us, and the giver always has the upper hand. Don't join your hands – embrace me and pray for our children's happiness," Mr. Hooda said, extending his arms.

****

The moonlight cast long shadows through the intricate lattice windows as Sidharth stood outside his brother's room, engaged in an internal debate about whether he had made the right decision. He remained there, contemplating whether to knock, uncertain about her expectations or her opinion regarding the situation at hand. One thing was absolutely certain – he wouldn't do anything against her wishes.

"Why are you standing outside?" her weak voice reached him, and he looked up to find her standing before him, having opened the door.

"We need to talk," he said, to which she nodded.

Stay tuned for more. I was waiting for a mere 10 votes target to be completed but it's not completed. Still, here was the update!