Darkness of love

Chapter 1 – Marriage

A conservative Indian family lived together with two grandparents and two brothers. Each brother had one son and two daughters, and they belonged to a middle-class background. The brothers, Siddharth and Sam, both went away to study. This story is mainly about Siddharth, the elder one — talkative, confident, and a little mischievous. Sam, the younger brother, was quieter and more sensible. One night, Siddharth went to a big hotel with his friends for a party. They drank, danced, and laughed until late. Feeling dizzy, Siddharth decided to take a shower to clear his head. The hotel’s shower area was large, with several sections and a bathtub. Not realizing that one section was already occupied, he accidentally broke the lock while entering — too drunk to notice what he’d done. Inside, to his shock, he found a young woman already there. Embarrassed, he quickly covered himself. She looked surprised but calm. When he apologized, she said she had been there from the start and that he had broken the lock. They both tried to open the door, but it was jammed. Locked inside, they started talking to pass the time. Siddharth spoke about his conservative family and how traditions often weighed on him. The girl introduced herself as Gia — 22 years old, recently divorced, with a younger brother and sister. There was sadness in her voice. As they talked, the awkwardness faded, replaced by something gentle and human. They shared stories, pain, and laughter until the night felt less like an accident and more like fate. By morning, Sam grew worried when Siddharth didn’t return from the party. He called his brother’s friends, who said Siddharth might still be at the hotel. Rushing there, Sam got the hotel staff to unlock the door. Inside, he found Siddharth and Gia asleep in the dry bathtub, exhausted. He woke them up, and they both smiled awkwardly, dressed quickly, and left. Before parting, they exchanged numbers — something unspoken had formed between them. Days later, Gia called Siddharth and told him she was pregnant. It was shocking and unexpected, but they began meeting often. Gia also became close to Sam, who started affectionately calling her “Bhabhi.” Their bond deepened, and eventually, Siddharth and Gia decided to marry. Sam suggested they go for a court marriage first and tell the family afterward. When the court heard Siddharth was only nineteen, there were questions — but after learning about Gia’s condition and their mutual consent, the marriage was approved. Their journey had begun — not perfectly, but honestly, with courage in a world that didn’t make it easy for them.