The house was filled with excitement as both Raghav's and Aarti's parents arrived to meet their grandchild. It was a time of celebration, a time for everyone to gather and bask in the joy of the newborn. Raghav's parents, who had already seen their son become a father, couldn't have been happier. They marveled at the baby, while Raghav's father, usually calm and composed, found himself speechless with joy.

Aarti's parents, however, were slightly delayed. When they arrived, everything seemed fine at first. But as the conversation flowed, things took a turn in a direction Aarti hadn't expected.

The neighbors had started talking about her playing the veena again, and that too, while she had just become a mother. As Aarti's mother entered the living room, a tense silence filled the space. She glanced around the room, almost as if assessing everything, before she noticed Raghav's mother smiling at the baby. Her expression suddenly changed,her disapproval apparent.

Raghav's pov:

I could feel the shift in the air as soon as Aarti's mother walked into the room. Her face tightened, and I noticed the small, uncomfortable glances exchanged between our parents.

But it wasn't until she heard the whispers about Aarti playing her veena even though having a little baby, that the storm truly began to brew.

I saw Aarti stiffen beside me as her mother's gaze darkened. I had known how stubborn Aarti's mother could be, but this? This was something else. Aarti's mother stood still for a moment before her voice broke the silence, sharp and cutting.

"Arti, yeh kya kar rahi ho tum? Veena bajana tumhare liye theek nahi hai! Tumhe apne ghar ke kaam pe dhyan dena chahiye, yeh sab chhodo!"
(Aarti, what are you doing? Playing the veena isn't right for you! You should focus on your housework, stop all this! )

Her words echoed in the room, and Aarti flinched visibly. My heart clenched at seeing her in pain, but I knew that this was just the beginning of a storm that I hadn't anticipated.

Aarti's Father began speaking, "Tumne apne sanskaron ka apmaan kiya hai! Humein sharminda kiya hai!"
(You've disrespected our upbringing! You've shamed us! )

I felt my hands tighten into fists at the injustice of it all. They didn't understand Aarti's heart, her passion, her dreams. But nothing could have prepared me for what happened next.

Without a word, Aarti's mother marched towards her, and in a shocking moment, she slapped Aarti across the face. I froze. The slap rang out in the quiet room, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still.

The sting of that slap in the air was palpable, and I could feel the fury rising in my chest.

I couldn't hold back anymore. My blood boiled at the injustice, at the pain they were causing Aarti. How could anyone treat her like this?

Without thinking, I jumped up from my seat and shouted, my voice trembling with rage, "Yeh kya kar rahe ho aap?"
( What are you doing?)

The room fell silent as I advanced toward Aarti's mother, my voice harsh and filled with fury. "Aapne Aarti ko haath kyun uthaya? Yeh kya tareeka hai usse baat karne ka?"
(Why did you raise your hand on Aarti? What kind of way is this to talk to her? )

Her eyes widened in shock at my outburst. But I didn't care. This was not just about me. This was about Aarti, my wife, my partner, and my love.

I stood in front of Aarti, shielding her from the stunned expressions of both families. "Agar tum dono ko yeh nahi samajh aata ki Aarti ka veena bajana uska haq hai, toh yeh main tumhe bata doon,woh apne sapno ke saath jeene ka haq rakhti hai. Aur main hamesha uske saath hoon."
( If you both can't understand that Aarti playing the veena is her right, let me make it clear , she has the right to live her dreams. And I will always stand by her. )

Aarti's pov:

I couldn't believe what had just happened. My mother's slap still stung on my cheek, and her words echoed in my ears. She had always been harsh, but never like this.

Never in front of Raghav ji, never like this. I could see Raghav ji standing in front of me, his body tense with anger, his eyes blazing with fury. I had never seen him like this before.

But the warmth in his eyes as he protected me gave me courage. His love was evident in everything he said and did.

My mother began speaking again, "Kya tumhe yeh nahi pata? Koi aur aurat kabhi aise apne parivaar ki izzat ko thukrake apne sapno ke peeche nahi gayi hai! Humne kabhi apne ghar ki izzat ko aise badnaam nahi kiya!"
( Don't you know? No other woman has ever gone against her family's respect to follow her dreams like this! We've never brought shame upon our family like this)

Raghav's pov:

My blood was boiling as I heard those words. I wasn't going to let anyone insult Aarti or belittle her for chasing her dreams. I stood tall, my voice strong and unwavering.

"Haan, aap bilkul sahi keh rahe hain. Koi aur aurat aise kabhi nahi ki, lekin meri Aarti ne apne sapno ko jeene ki himmat dikhayi hai. Aur main us par garv karta hoon."
(Yes, you're absolutely right. No other woman has ever done this, but my Aarti had the courage to live her dreams. And I'm proud of her.)

Aarti's pov:

Raghav ji's words struck me deep in my heart. I had always known that he supported me, but to hear him defend me like this ,so fiercely, so passionately - filled me with gratitude and love.

This was the Raghav ji I had always believed in, the one who would stand by me no matter what. "Raghav ji," I whispered, my voice shaky. "Mujhe nahi pata tha ki yeh sab hoga."
(Raghav ji, I didn't know this would happen. )

He turned to me with a soft smile, but his voice was firm, unyielding. "Main tumhare saath hoon, Aarti. Kabhi bhi, har waqt."
(I'm with you, Aarti. Always, no matter what.)

I looked at my parents, their faces a mixture of disbelief and regret. My mother's face softened just a little, but the disappointment still lingered in her eyes. "Main bas yeh chahti hoon ki tum apne zindagi mein kuch karne ke bajaye ghar ke kaam pe dhyan do."
(I just want you to focus on your housework, not all of this. )

I shook my head. "Maa, veena bajana sirf ek shauq nahi hai. Yeh mera jivan hai."
(Mom, playing the veena isn't just a hobby. This is my life.)

Raghav ji stepped forward, still standing protectively beside me. "Aapko yeh samajhna hoga ki Aarti ke sapne uski zindagi ka hissa hain. Agar aap humare beech yeh faasla rakhna chahti hain, toh yeh aapka faisla hai. Lekin main hamesha uske saath hoon."
(You have to understand that Aarti's dreams are a part of her life. If you want to create a distance between us because of this, that's your decision. But I will always be with her. )

The silence in the room felt heavy, and my mother's face softened, though she still didn't fully agree. I could see a glimmer of regret in her eyes, but I knew it would take time for her to accept this. The path wasn't easy, but my husband's words had given me the strength I needed.

I turned to Raghav ji, feeling a wave of gratitude wash over me. "Tum mere liye sab kuch ho, Raghav ji."
(You are everything to me, Raghav ji.)

His arms enveloped me in a comforting hug, and for a moment, the tension in the room faded. I knew this was just one battle, and there would be many more to come. But with him by my side, I knew I was ready to face anything.

For the first time in my life, I truly felt that no matter what anyone said or thought, my music, my dreams, and my life were mine to live.

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