Saisha's POV

"Where should we go?" Pranay ji asks, his voice filled with warmth. "A bookstore, the mall, or maybe a nice dinner?"

I pause for a moment, thinking. The mall seems too overwhelming, and dinner sounds nice, but my heart pulls me toward something else.

"A bookshop," I finally say, almost uncertain if I should ask for it.

His lips curve into a small smile. "A bookshop it is."

We step outside, and I sit beside him as he drives through the bustling city. My fingers grip the edge of my dupatta, excitement bubbling within me. When we arrive, my eyes widen at the sight before me.

Rows upon rows of books, neatly arranged, stretching as far as my eyes can see. The scent of paper and ink fills the air, and for a moment, I feel like I've stepped into a different world.

I have always studied, always scored good marks in school. But I never got the chance to read books like these. Novels, memoirs, stories that speak of things beyond textbooks and home chores.

I run my fingers across the shelves, feeling their smooth spines under my touch. So many choices. So many words waiting to be read.

After searching through dozens of titles, two books catch my attention—"Educated" and "Brave, Not Perfect."

The titles draw me in. Educated. A life I was never given the chance to have. Brave, Not Perfect. I was always told to be perfect—to behave, to obey, to never question. But what if being brave mattered more?

I flip through a few pages, my heart racing as I take in the words. Something stirs within me. Could these books teach me things I've never known? Could they help me understand the world beyond what I've been allowed to see?

I turn to Pranay hesitantly. "Can I... can I buy these?"

Pranay's POV

She looks up at me, her eyes filled with a quiet kind of hope, almost as if she is afraid of being denied.

The way she asks, so softly, makes something tighten in my chest. Does she think she needs permission to buy something for herself?

"You can buy whatever you wish to," I say gently.

As she clutches the two books to her chest, I watch her closely. There is a light in her eyes, one I haven't seen before. A silent joy, a spark of something new. And in that moment, I decide—I want to give her more.

I walk to another aisle, scanning the shelves. My fingers stop on three books - "The Palace of Illusions," "Anne of Green Gables," and "The Light We Carry."

I have read The Palace of Illusions before. A reimagining of the Mahabharata through Draupadi's eyes. A woman who wanted more, who dreamed beyond what society allowed her. It's a book that tells a story of strength, love, and resilience—something I feel Saisha would connect with.

Anne of Green Gables - a story of a girl who found her way in an unfamiliar world, full of dreams and curiosity. Saisha has spent her life in a single place, her world confined to a few walls. Maybe this book would show her that change can be beautiful.

And The Light We Carry. A book about finding strength, hope, and courage in the face of challenges. Saisha might not realize it yet, but she is strong. She has lived through so much, endured so much, and still, she looks at the world with wonder.

I pick up the books and walk back to her. She's still holding onto her two choices, flipping through the pages with awe.

"Here," I say, placing the three books on top of hers.

She looks at me in surprise. "These too?"

"Yes." I nod. "I've read them before. I think you'll like them."

Her fingers brush over the covers, her expression soft. She hesitates for a second, then looks up at me. "But... isn't this too much?"

I shake my head. "If I don't spend on my wife, who else should I spend on?"

Her eyes shine with unshed tears. She blinks rapidly, but a single tear escapes and slides down her cheek.

Something in me stirs. Without thinking, I reach out and gently wipe it away with my thumb.

And then, as if guided by instinct, I lean in and press a soft peck on her forehead.

She freezes for a moment, as if she wasn't expecting it. Maybe she wasn't. But she doesn't pull away.

I step back, clearing my throat. "Let's go?"

She nods, her voice barely a whisper. "Okay."

We walk toward the counter, and I pay for the books. As we step outside and head to the car, I glance at her through the rearview mirror. She's holding onto the books tightly, a small, unguarded smile on her lips.

And in that moment, I know—I made the right choice.

                                  A/N

Gosh... the feeling of receiving books as gifts — it's something I've always wished for. Every birthday, my mom gifts me books. And not just one — she matches the number of books to how many years I've been reading. If it's been five years since I started, she'll give me five books. Her choice in picking books for me? Just perfect. Maa is a homemaker, but she still saves up just to buy me books on my birthday because she knows it makes me happy. I don't know how I got so lucky to have a mother like her.

Who needs a boyfriend when I have a mother like her?

Hello, my dear fam! Your love and support means everything. Please vote, follow, and share your thoughts! Follow me on Instagram for exclusive spoiler updates!

Please do follow to get further updates of chapter.

Love you all <3