Chapter 4 — A Choice He Never Expected

Arnav returned home with his parents after the business evening. He went directly to his room, still dressed in his formal clothes.

A few minutes later, Shabana and Abhram entered his room.

Shabana: Beta, we have received a proposal for you.

Arnav looked up from his phone.

Arnav: Mom, I am not willing to marry.

Abhram walked toward him and sat down.

Abhram: Beta, we are not asking you to simply survive. We are asking you to live.

Arnav remained silent.

Shabana sat beside Abhram.

Shabana: I liked the girl. We spoke to her family at the party.

Arnav: Who is she?

Shabana: Ritika Chauhan.

Arnav's expression changed slightly.

Arnav: Ritika Chauhan?

Shabana: Yes. She is Devraj Singh's daughter and Veeresh Singh's sister.

Arnav stared at his mother.

Arnav: She is married and she has a son.

Abhram: No, beta. Her husband died while serving at the border.

Arnav became quiet.

Abhram: She has an eight-year-old son named Rishi.

Shabana: She has already gone through a lot in her life.

Abhram: She was pregnant when she received the news of her husband's death. She lost that baby after hearing the news.

Arnav's eyes lowered.

For a moment, he said nothing.

Shabana: Beta, if Ritika agrees to this marriage, you will have to accept Rishi as well. We will never expect her to choose between you and her son.

Abhram: Think about it carefully. This isn't only about you. Ritika has a child, and you must be ready to accept both of them wholeheartedly.

Arnav remained silent, processing everything they had told him.

Shabana gently touched his shoulder.

Shabana: Beta, we are not forcing you. We only want you to think about it.

Arnav finally looked at his parents.

Arnav: Abbu... Ammi... give me some time.

Abhram smiled softly.

Abhram: We will.

He stood up and looked at his son with pride.

Abhram: You have always made us proud by choosing your own path. You never took shortcuts. Whatever you achieved, you earned through your own hard work.

Arnav listened quietly.

Abhram: I believe that in this life too, you will find your forever, beta.

He paused.

Abhram: Think about it. And if you are still confused, ask Allah for guidance.

Shabana smiled gently at her son.

Shabana: Take your time, Arnav.

Both of his parents left the room, closing the door behind them.

Arnav remained alone.

He walked toward the window and stood there silently.

The name kept repeating in his mind.

Ritika Chauhan.

A woman who had lost her husband.

A mother who had an eight-year-old son.

A woman who had already endured the loss of another child.

And now, somehow, her life had crossed paths with his.

Arnav looked toward the night sky.

For years, he had convinced himself that he didn't need anyone.

He had built his empire alone.

He had fought alone.

He had survived alone.

But his father's words echoed in his mind.

"We are not asking you to survive. We are asking you to live."

Arnav closed his eyes for a moment.

For the first time in years, he didn't have an answer.

He simply stood there, thinking about the woman he had never truly known.