"Thank you," I murmur, looking at our reflection in the mirror. My eyes flick to his—steady, warm, filled with pride—and I feel a lump form in my throat. "But I’m so nervous. What if they don’t like it?"
"You’re going to be amazing," he assures me, his voice calm and comforting. "Don’t stress. Face your fears, and show them what you’ve got. You can do it, baby."
"You want me to come with you?" He asks, kissing my neck again. I sigh, tilting my head to give him more access, his lips like a balm on my skin.
"No," I rasp, trying to stay focused even as his touch makes that difficult. I can feel his breath against my neck, the pressure of his chest pressed against my back. It’s comforting. Familiar. "I have to do this on my own," I say softly.
"That’s my girl." He kisses my cheek, his words sinking into me, steadying me. A flutter of nerves and pride rises in my chest. I smile at him, suddenly feeling a little less anxious.
"I’ve come so far, haven’t I?" I whisper, almost to myself.
He looks at me, eyes softening. "You have. And I’m so proud of you."
I turn around, facing him. "Thank you," I murmur, wrapping my arms around him, burying my face into his chest. His scent, the steady beat of his heart—it’s so peaceful. "I don’t think I would’ve gotten this far without you," I whisper, overwhelmed by the sudden things.
"Nope," he says, lips brushing my temple. "You’re strong. You would’ve figured something out." He doesn’t understand. He doesn’t know just how much I needed him, how much I needed this family to break free. To even understand the true meaning of freedom.
"Do you think I’ll be able to take it if they reject my book?" I ask, dreading even the possibility. My biggest fear right now, it feels like it’s crawling up my spine.
He takes my hand in his, squeezing it gently. "You’ve poured your heart and soul into this book. That passion and dedication will shine through. Believe in yourself, sweetheart." Then he adds, "And at least you’re trying, darling. I’m so proud of you for that." I smile at him. His words settle over me like a warm blanket, quieting some of the chaos inside my mind.
I take a deep breath, absorbing Rudra’s warmth and support like it’s oxygen. His presence is my anchor in the sea of my swirling emotions.
"Alright," I say, pulling back, giving him a determined smile. "Time to go."
Rudra watches me with affection in his eyes as I grab my bag and head to the living room. My family is already there, their faces lighting up as soon as they see me. "Shivani, come here, beta," Dadaji calls, eyes twinkling with pride. I walk over, and he places his hand on my head in blessing. "All the best."
I try not to laugh nervously. If they ever find out about the content of the book, they’re going to be so embarrassed realizing this is what they gave their blessings for. I feel heat creep up my neck.
Maa pulls me into a tight hug and feeds medahi-chinifor good luck, the same way she always does with Rudra before he goes for something important. Papa pats my back with a smile.
"You’re going to nail it. Don’t take tension, okay?"
I nod, offering a soft smile in return.
Chachi steps forward, smiling warmly. "Here, keep this with you. It’s my good luck charm." She presses a small blue gemstone into my palm, and I accept it gratefully. My eyes stingunexpectedly. I can’t believe they’ve all gathered here to wish me luck. I’m so lucky to have in-laws like this.
"Now don’t cry," Papa says. "If you cry, your maa will also cry, and then it’ll take me hours to calm her down!" I laugh softly, blinking away the tears that were threatening to spill.
Aarav runs up to me, practically vibrating with excitement. "You’ll blow their minds, okay? Just take deep breaths and remember all the tips I gave you!"
I nod, and he gives me a confident thumbs-up.
Aditi is right behind him. "All the best, bhabhi!" she says, pulling me into a hug. "I’m going to be your first reader."
"Too bad. I’ve already read her book," Rudra chimes in, coming downstairs. Aditi sticks out her tongue at him, and I giggle, overwhelmed with gratitude for this family I now call mine.
"Come on, Shivani. I’ll drop you," Rudra calls, offering his hand, and I take it.
In the car, I try to focus on the cityscape passing by, but my thoughts are all over the place. My stomach is in knots. I chew on my bottom lip, unable to stop the questions in my head.
I feel Rudra’s hand rest on my thigh, his thumb drawing slow, reassuring circles. It’s comforting—but the anxiety won’t fade. "I’m not really good with conversations. What if I go blank?" I ask, staring straight ahead.
He squeezes my thigh gently. "It’s okay to be nervous. But don’t underestimate yourself. You’re smart. You’ve prepared for this. Just take it one step at a time. And remember, you don’t need a script. They want to hear about your book—not a perfectspeech." I nod, even though the knot in my chest refuses to loosen.
The car halts in front of the building. My heart pounds. I stare at the glass doors, feeling my legs go weak.
Rudra takes off my seatbelt and holds my hand. "I love you," I say, needing him to know that—right now, more than ever. He kisses my temple and pecks my lips. I smile nervously and give him a thumbs-up.
