Suryansh’s words fell into the hall with a calmness that was more powerful than any loud declaration. For a moment, no one reacted, as if people were not sure whether they had heard him correctly. Then slowly, very slowly, the meaning of his words began to settle into the room. Aakash looked at him first, trying to understand whether this man was serious or whether he had spoken in the heat of the moment. In Aakash’s arms, Gunjal moved slightly. She pulled herself just a little away from her brother and looked toward Suryansh. He was already looking at her, not with pity, not with sympathy, but with a steady seriousness that made her heart feel strangely heavy. She could not hold his gaze for more than a second. She lowered her eyes and hid her face back against Aakash’s chest because she did not know what was happening anymore. She only knew one thing, that inside, she felt completely shattered.