India
The taxi finally stopped in front of a beautiful two-story house.
Aaron stepped out first and opened the door for Divyanka.
Aaron said, "Home?"
Divyanka laughed and said, "My home."
She looked at the house with watery eyes.
"It's been so long..."
She rang the doorbell.
Within seconds, the door opened.
A middle-aged woman froze.
Her eyes widened.
Tears instantly filled them.
Mother whispered, "Divyanka..."
Divyanka's eyes turned red.
Divyanka said softly, "Maa..."
Her mother immediately hugged her tightly.
Mother said, "You finally came home..."
Divyanka hugged her back.
"I missed you so much."
A man walked out from inside.
Her father.
He looked at his daughter before smiling proudly.
Father said, "So the doctor finally remembered her parents."
Divyanka laughed through her tears.
"I was busy saving lives."
Her father chuckled before noticing Aaron standing quietly with the luggage.
Father asked, "And who is this young man?"
Divyanka looked at Aaron.
A blush spread across her cheeks.
She slowly held Aaron's hand.
Divyanka said, "Papa... this is Aaron Casanova."
Aaron politely folded his hands.
Aaron said, "Namaste, Uncle."
Her father smiled.
"So this is the famous Aaron."
Divyanka looked surprised.
Divyanka asked, "You already know?"
Mother laughed.
"You call me every week."
"You think a mother doesn't notice when her daughter keeps smiling while talking about someone?"
Everyone laughed.
Aaron looked at Divyanka.
Aaron teased, "So... you've been talking about me?"
Divyanka covered her face.
"Shut up..."
Her father walked toward Aaron.
For a moment...
He simply looked into Aaron's eyes.
Then...
He placed a hand on Aaron's shoulder.
Father said, "Take care of my daughter."
Aaron answered without hesitation.
Aaron said, "With my life."
The room became silent.
Her father nodded.
"I believe you."
Germany
A small church stood on the outskirts of the city.
No guests.
No music.
No decorations.
Only four people.
Wilhelm Falkenberg.
His wife, Helena Falkenberg.
Emilia Falkenberg.
Friedrich Casanova.
The priest smiled.
"Do you, Friedrich Casanova, take Emilia Falkenberg to be your lawful wife?"
Friedrich looked at Emilia.
She smiled brightly.
For the first time...
He didn't look away.
Friedrich answered, "I do."
The priest turned toward Emilia.
"Do you, Emilia Falkenberg, take Friedrich Casanova to be your lawful husband?"
Tears filled her eyes.
Emilia smiled.
"I do."
Wilhelm quietly closed his eyes.
His little girl had finally married the man she loved.
The priest smiled.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife."
Friedrich and Emilia exchanged rings.
There was no grand celebration.
Only silence.
Only promises.
An hour later...
The four of them arrived at the courthouse.
Official documents were signed.
Marriage certificates stamped.
It was now legal.
Emilia Falkenberg had officially become...
Emilia Casanova.
Wilhelm looked at Friedrich.
Wilhelm said calmly, "From today... you're my son-in-law."
Friedrich nodded.
Friedrich replied, "And your daughter is my responsibility."
Wilhelm stepped closer.
His voice became cold.
"If she ever cries because of you..."
"I won't see my son-in-law."
"I'll only see the man who hurt my daughter."
Friedrich met his gaze.
Neither looked away.
No one knew.
Not Karl.
Not Aaron.
Not Kavira.
Not Divyanka.
Not Damon.
The marriage remained a secret.
Karl's Mansion
Karl walked into the living room.
Kavira was placing books onto a shelf.
She didn't even look at him.
Karl said, "You're still ignoring me."
Kavira replied, "I'm protecting my peace."
Karl walked closer.
Karl asked, "Peace?"
"You've argued with me every five minutes today."
Kavira folded her arms.
Kavira said, "Because you never listen."
"You decide everything."
"You control everything."
"You think the whole world belongs to you."
Karl stopped only a step away.
Karl said quietly, "Only one person."
Kavira looked at him.
"What?"
Karl replied, "Only you."
She looked away immediately.
"I'm not falling for those lines."
Karl smiled faintly.
"I wasn't trying to impress you."
"I was telling you the truth."
Kavira became frustrated.
Kavira said, "Truth?"
"The truth is you never ask me what I want."
"You just drag me wherever you want."
"You decide where I live."
"You decide where I work."
"You decide who I meet."
"I'm tired, Karl."
Her voice cracked.
"I'm so tired."
Karl's expression softened.
For a few moments...
Neither spoke.
Finally...
Karl said quietly, "I know."
Kavira looked surprised.
Karl continued, "I've made mistakes."
"A lot of them."
"But every decision I made..."
"...was because I was terrified of losing you."
Kavira shook her head.
Kavira said, "Love isn't protection that feels like a cage."
Karl lowered his eyes.
For the first time...
He had no answer.
Silence filled the room.
Outside...
Rain began falling against the windows.
Neither of them moved.
Neither of them left.
And although the distance between them was only a few feet...
It still felt like miles.
Write a comment ...