It was afternoon.
Everyone in the house seemed unusually occupied. Some discussions had already happened among elders. Shanaya noticed expressions changing from serious to excited, but nobody had told her anything yet.
She entered the room where her parents and Dadi were sitting.
Shanaya asked softly—
"Did something happen?"
Her mother looked at her and smiled.
"Sit with us first."
Shanaya sat quietly.
Her father looked at her for a moment and then said—
"We received confirmation today…"
Shanaya waited.
He continued—
"Your marriage has been fixed."
The room became silent.
Shanaya looked at everyone.
Her mother added—
"The wedding is next week."
Shanaya blinked in surprise.
"Next week?"
Dadi nodded.
"And it will take place in the city after our village. Preparations will begin immediately."
For a few moments Shanaya said nothing.
Everything felt sudden.
Her father spoke again—
"We wanted to tell you together. If you wish to say something, say it openly."
Shanaya looked at all of them.
Everyone was waiting.
After a short silence, she asked—
"So… it is decided?"
Her mother smiled gently.
"Yes."
Shanaya lowered her eyes and gave a small smile.
"Then I trust your decision."
The atmosphere changed immediately.
Dadi smiled.
Her mother became emotional.
Phone calls started.
Names of relatives came into discussions.
Lists began forming.
People started talking about arrangements, dates and preparations.
Shanaya quietly sat there listening.
Everything around her was moving fast.
Dadi looked at her and said—
"Life never sends a message before changing. It simply arrives."
Shanaya looked at Dadi and smiled softly.
Next week.
A new phase of life would begin.
And the house slowly started preparing for it.