The Family Meeting
The next morning, I returned — not to stay, but to end things properly.
Sarla Devi, my mother-in-law, gathered us all on the terrace where papadums usually dried.
No small talk today.
Arjun sat silently.
Rohan leaned against the railing.
Priya twisted her hands until her knuckles turned white.
I placed three envelopes on the table — the receipt, the café photos, and the Goa tickets.
Facing Arjun, I said:
“Speak. In front of your mother. In front of your brother.”
Arjun whispered:
“I was wrong. It started as harmless talk… but I crossed the line. I thought I could control it. I couldn’t.”
Rohan clenched his fists.
“Brother — were you two together before marriage?”
Arjun nodded weakly.
“There was a spark. We ended it. I thought it was over.”
Priya sobbed:
“I tried to resist… but every fight with Rohan pulled me back to him.”
Sarla Devi struck the table.
“In this house, it’s better to part than to live with lies. Trust, once broken, can’t be rebuilt.”
I turned to Rohan.
“What do you want? I’ll stand by your choice.”
He swallowed hard.
“I want honesty. Respect. I’ll decide the rest myself.”
Three Documents and a Mangalsutra
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