A War Within

Sejal stood frozen, her eyes cast downward, her entire body trembling. The suffocating silence in the room was shattered only by the sharp, unrelenting gazes of her parents—Ajit and Kalpana.

The air between them was thick with anger, disappointment, and something far worse—judgment.

Kalpana's face was pale with fury, her hands clenched at her sides. Ajit, on the other hand, looked like a volcano about to erupt. His broad shoulders were stiff, his veins visible against his tightened fists.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Ajit growled "When exactly were you planning to tell us that you're carrying someone's illegitimate child?"

Sejal flinched.

The words felt like a slap to her soul.

Illegitimate.

Her child.

A mistake.

Her fingers curled into her dress as she tried to steady her shaking breath. She had imagined this confrontation, but the pain of hearing it out loud was far worse than she had prepared for.