Nidhi was reminiscing at the picture of her and Nalin as children playing with balloons. The vibrant colours contrasted with the dull thought in her mind.

The night before, Nalin had proposed marriage and she had revealed to him her childhood trauma from abuse. It had left her incapable of ever having children.

Nalin entered, kneeled and presented her a ring asking, “Will you marry me?”. As she nodded, he replied to her unasked question. “I want you alongside me to brighten our home with an adopted daughter for you are going to be a wonderful mother.”