Chapter 17: Our Own Home

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The house was full, but Reet’s heart felt empty.
Everyone celebrated Abeer's success with pride—his mother cooked his favorite food, his father told every relative about his job, and the neighbors congratulated him as if he had won the world. But when it came to Reet… there was silence. Just silence.
No one asked how her first day at the clinic was. No one noticed the long hours she worked. No one praised her for becoming a doctor. Not even her mother-in-law.
She tried to ignore it. She smiled, helped in the kitchen, greeted everyone politely… but the cold behavior was slowly freezing her from within.
And Abeer? He noticed everything.
He watched her every time her smile faded after dinner. He noticed how she avoided looking in the mirror after someone passed a taunt. He knew she wasn’t saying a word—but her silence screamed louder than anything.
One evening, after dinner, Abeer walked into their room and said calmly, “Reet… we’re moving out.”
She looked up, startled. “What?”
“I’ve had enough,” he said, sitting beside her. “This isn’t the life I want for us. We’re married, we’re doctors, and most importantly—we’re equals. You don’t deserve to be treated like this.”
She hesitated, “But your parents…”
“I’ve spoken to them,” he cut her gently. “I told them it’s time. We’ll live in our own house now.”
Reet was quiet for a moment. But then, a small smile slowly bloomed on her lips. “I’ll go wherever you go, Abeer.”
Within a week, Abeer had used all his savings, every rupee from his bank accounts and fixed deposits, and bought a modest but beautiful apartment in a quiet area close to their clinics.
It wasn’t grand—but it was theirs.
When Reet stepped inside, she stopped at the entrance. The walls were empty, the furniture was simple, but her heart swelled with something she hadn’t felt in a while—freedom.
Abeer handed her the keys and said with a smile, “This is our house, Reet. No one can say anything wrong to you here. No cold looks, no silence. Just us.”
Tears shimmered in her eyes, but she wiped them quickly and hugged him. “Thank you. For standing by me.”
They unpacked slowly, cooked their first meal together (which was slightly burnt), laughed over silly things, and danced in the empty living room without music.
In that little house, filled only with two hearts and big dreams, love started to grow even deeper.
Now, it was truly home.

✨Thank you for reading Chapter 17 stay tune for chapter 18