Madhu kept fidgeting her hands as she sat in her room.. her palms were sweating profusely. But she couldn't be bothered to wipe them.

Today Akash was going to bring his parents over to talk about the marriage.

She is still picking up the courage to tell about that to her family. She barely got any sleep last night since Akash told her that they will be here when they parted after dinner. Anand and Bhagya are due tonight.

"Madhuuu.."

Madhu practically jumped when she heard her mother calling her out. She fumbled around a bit before stumbling out of her room and went into the kitchen following her mother's voice.

Her mother- Rekha, was a plump female in her 40's. She pretty much had a very snide character.. at least when it came to Madhu. As long as Madhu did everything she asked, nothing will happen. But the minute Madhu started to act out even the slightest, Madhu could never hear the end of it.

When her father- Abhijeet, was the quiet person in the family.. he was a tall fit-looking middle-aged man who knew how to go to work and come back home. He never really participated in any of the family drama anyway.

Madhu also had a gran.. she was that one person who makes it her mission to remind Madhu pretty much every day as to how much grateful Madhu had to be and that she was not part of the family.

And she also never fails to remind her how much better her brother is..

While her own brother – Aarav, who is a year younger than her is a carbon copy of her father. He doesn't participate in anything in the family.

So, Madhu does not particularly have confidence when it came to her family. She would just do everything that is asked of her obediently and go back to her room.

This marriage.. Akash was the first time in her life she ever did something on their backs.. this will be the first thing she ever did for herself from when she had walked into their lives.. So, you can imagine how freaked she should be.

She barely took a few bites in breakfast.. the rest, she forcefully swallowed at the last second before gathering everybody's plates and went ahead to do the dishes.. doing the dishes slightly calmed her nerves as she concentrated on cleaning and rinsing and nothing else.

By the time she came out of the kitchen, everybody had gathered in the living room watching TV. This was their family routine on weekends. They usually just stayed together like this until lunch while she would be quiet in her room. They never called her to join them but then they never told her not to join either.. But Madhu being the passive her she was, never really took the initiative to go. She never felt at home here no matter how much she tried. She always felt like she would be imposing herself on them..

She gathered up all the courage she could muster and went near the sofa Rekah and Aarav were sitting. Aarav looked up at her surprised at first but then scooted over without a word and let her sit down. She blankly stared at the TV for a long time.. she did not even know what was happening in there..

She did not even notice Aarav's peculiar gaze at her..

"You want to tell us something?" Aarav asked suddenly looking at Madhu breaking the silence in the room. Everybody's attention instantly turned towards Madhu..

Madhu almost choked in fear as everyone looked at her.. but a part of her brain thankfully still worked and told her that this was the right time.. it was now or never..

A cold sweat broke out.. Just when everyone was going to go back to ignoring her, she opened her mouth and said, "I.. I.. I ha-ha-have a boyfriend. And his parents are going to come to meet you guys today to ask my hand in marriage.." She stammered and blurted out in a go.

"What did you just say?????" Rekha asked raising her voice slightly.

"His.. His name is Akash.. Akash Srivastav." Madhu said. She really did not know how long she would have the courage. So, as long as it lasted, she wanted to tell them everything she needs to.. so, with everything going on in her head, she did not even hear Rekha.. or else she wouldn't have had the courage to ignore her question or continue for that matter.

"We.. we have been together for almost a year now.. and we want to get married. He already told his family and they will be here tonight!!" Madhu said and stopped at last. That was everything she needed to say..

The next thing she knew, Rekha slapped her on her face making everyone in the family raise from their seats.

"Mooom.." Aarav was the fastest to react as he came to stand in front of Madhu.

"Is this why we raised you for so long? So that you can bring the reputation of our family to the streets!!! Did you even think before you decided to do such a disgusting thing?? You just proved you are not one of us.. You just proved no matter how carefully we raised you, you are not our blood. How much selfish can you be? How am I going to face our relatives now?" Rekha piled up complaints looking at Madhu fiercely.

Madhu's eyes gathered tears inexplicably. She knew this would happen. They were a very orthodox family.. marriages have to be decided by the parents.

A girl child having a love affair is seen as a shame to the family.. Especially given her mother is someone who grew up in villages..

Even adoption was not particularly approved by her side of the family. All her family treated Madhu as an outcast.. Just like her gran.

But her dad side strongly believed that her mother was able to get pregnant just because of Madhu. So, they never entertained the idea of abandoning Madhu.