That night… for the first time, I saw my dreams slipping away from me.
And I just stood there… silent.
I didn't know…
that one small "yes" would destroy my entire life.
That morning, everything seemed normal.
But I don't know why… my heart felt restless.
As if something was about to go terribly wrong…
or maybe something that would change my life forever.
Mom was in the kitchen, working in a hurry.
The sound of utensils, the burning stove, and a strange fear in her eyes… everything felt different.
"Mom… what happened?" I asked softly.
She paused for a moment and said—
"Guests are coming today… to see you."
My hand almost dropped the glass I was holding.
"But Mom… I told you, right? I don't want to get married now…"
My voice trembled.
She looked at me… her eyes filled with tears, but she hid them.
"Beta… not everything is in our control…"
That was it.
And my world shattered.
I went to my room.
My eyes fell on the certificates hanging on the wall—
my achievements, my dreams, my hard work… everything flashed in front of me.
"I want to become something…" I whispered to myself.
"I'm not just a responsibility…"
But that day…
no one heard my voice.
By afternoon, the house was fully prepared.
They made me wear a simple suit…
one in which I couldn't even recognize myself.
Mom adjusted my dupatta and said with a faint smile—
"You look beautiful…"
But I could clearly see the pain hidden behind her smile.
After some time…
they arrived.
Everyone in the house was talking, laughing…
but to me, every sound felt heavy.
I secretly looked at the boy once.
He looked simple. Quiet.
Not smiling much… not talking much.
As if he was as uncomfortable as I was.
"Call the girl," someone said.
My heart started beating fast.
I slowly walked into the room.
All eyes were on me…
as if I wasn't a person, but a decision.
"Sit, beta," someone said.
I sat down… my eyes lowered.
After a while, the boy's mother said—
"Let them talk alone."
We were sent into a room.
Just the two of us.
And a strange silence.
I stood there… he stood too.
Then he finally spoke—
"You can sit."
I quietly sat on the edge of the bed.
A few seconds passed… no one spoke.
Then he asked directly—
"Do you want this marriage?"
My heart pounded loudly.
This was the question…
that could decide my entire life.
Inside, I was screaming—
"No! I don't want this… I have dreams… I want to achieve something…"
But my voice…
never left my lips.
I slowly said—
"Whatever you all think is right…"
He looked into my eyes.
For the first time…
I felt like he understood everything.
But he said nothing.
Just gave a faint smile…
which didn't feel like a smile at all.
After some time, we went back.
Everyone was waiting eagerly.
"Do you like the girl?" someone asked.
He nodded—
"Yes."
Everyone became happy.
And I…
was completely broken inside.
By evening, the marriage was fixed.
Mom hugged me tightly—
"Everything will be fine…"
But I knew…
nothing would be fine.
That night, I couldn't sleep.
I went to the terrace.
The stars were shining…
just like my dreams once did.
"Why didn't I say no…" I asked myself.
Tears rolled down my face.
The next day…
everything felt like fast-forward.
Phone calls. Relatives. Preparations.
And I had become a silent character in my own life.
Suddenly, my phone rang.
Unknown number.
"Hello?"
A voice came from the other side—
"It's me… the guy from yesterday."
My heart skipped a beat.
"I wanted to talk to you… something important."
I said yes.
After a few seconds of silence, he said—
"I don't want this marriage either."
I froze.
"But I said yes… because I had no choice."
Tears filled my eyes.
For the first time…
I felt I wasn't alone.
"But there's something else…" he said slowly.
"Something you should know…"
My heart started racing again.
"I love someone else…"
It felt like the ground slipped beneath my feet.
I couldn't say a word.
"I don't want to cheat you…
That's why I'm telling you the truth."
Silence filled the room.
Now I had two choices—
To stay silent… and accept everything,
or to finally gather the courage to say "NO."
That day… I made a decision.
This time… I will say NO.
No matter what happens.
But will I really be able to say it?
Or once again…
will I lose to my own life?
If you were in my place… would you say NO?
Tell me in the comments… and don't forget to vote.
To know what happens next… read the next chapter.