With tears brimming in her eyes, Amaya drove to her house. She felt ashamed of falling in love with Atul because of her father’s reaction. Having known that her father was beyond annoyed, her heart ached to have realized that she had brutally shattered her father that too, on her birthday.

Occasionally sniffling all the while, she entered her house only to be greeted by her horrified mother and disappointed father.

“You have been my pride, Gattu. How could you go against me?” Manohar asked in a calm voice though he was burning in anger.

“Papa.. I a.. am so... sorry”, Amaya hiccupped.

“Your sorry won’t change anything, Gattu. Thirty...