The Saree Behind the Silence — Part 2

Chapter 20 – The Questions That Hurt

Scene: Cousin's family function – Afternoon

The entire family attends a traditional family celebration.

Ananya wears a beautiful silk saree. Keerthana wears a simple lavender chudidhar with her long hair in a braid.

Initially, everything goes well.

But during lunch, some relatives begin asking uncomfortable questions.

"When are you planning to have children?"

"Your parents are getting older. They want grandchildren."

One relative looks at Keerthana and asks sarcastically:

"Who will bless the children in this family if you two don't have any?"

Keerthana becomes speechless.

She quietly leaves the dining area and walks into the garden.

Padma notices and follows her.

Keerthana: "Why does everyone think our lives are incomplete without children?"

Padma: "People who don't understand your life should not decide its value."

Ananya overhears the conversation.

She approaches the relatives.

Ananya: "Please stop questioning our personal life. We will decide our future ourselves."

The relatives become silent.

For the first time, Ananya openly stands beside Keerthana.

Ending moment: Ananya takes Keerthana's hand and walks back into the function together.