The day of Kirana's visit to the Singh household arrived. As promised, she rang the doorbell at precisely 12:30 PM. The door was opened by Yusuf's mother. 👩
Before Kirana could utter a word, Yusuf appeared in the hallway. "Mom, this is Kirana, the friend I said was coming for lunch," he introduced, his voice carrying a note of forced casualness.
"Oh, is this your friend? Come in, come in," his mother said warmly, ushering her inside. The word "friend" echoed in Kirana's mind, but she said nothing, simply offering a polite smile. She entered, placed the gifts she had brought on a side table, and took a seat on the sofa. Yusuf sat beside her. 🙂
"So, you came on time. I'm really glad," he said, attempting normalcy.
"Mmm, I did," Kirana replied softly, before leaning in slightly. "But... why did your mom call me your friend?" 🤔
"Ah... I haven't told them about us yet. That's why," he confessed, his eyes fixed on the floor.
Just then, his mother returned with a glass of lemonade for Kirana. "So, how do you know my son? How long have you been friends?" she inquired kindly, taking a seat.🗣
"Ah, Mom, we've known each other for over two years now. She works at my company," Yusuf explained, sticking to the safe, partial truth.
"Oh, I see. Well, lunch is ready, dear. I'll set it out, and we can eat shortly," his mother said before heading to the kitchen. 👣
After she left to prepare the table, the air grew thick. Yusuf took a deep breath. "Mom, there's something else. Kirana isn't just a colleague or a friend. She's... the person I want to marry."
His mother paused, her expression shifting from polite hospitality to one of surprise, then dawning understanding. She looked from her son's earnest face to Kirana's nervous but hopeful one. 🔎
"So, you two have set a date? But Kirana is Catholic, and we are Hindu. Won't we have to perform ceremonies for both faiths?" she asked, her practical mind already navigating the new reality.
"Mom, the church ceremony will be handled by Kirana's parents. Our ceremony will be ours," Yusuf clarified, relief washing over him now that the truth was out. 🎶
His mother's face softened into a warm, accepting smile. "Well, I have no reason to object to your relationship, son. I'm happy for you both. I'll help convince your father. We will have this wedding."
A wave of shared relief and joy filled the room. The three of them spent the next while in happy, animated discussion about plans and possibilities before moving to the dining table, where the meal was no longer just lunch, but a celebration of a new beginning and a family's expanding heart. 💞