Chapter 7 - Chapter 7:-Setting the standards

Dayana picked up her mobile and found Leela's number. She took a deep breath—not out of nervousness, but out of focused intention. There was no animosity, only a clear path forward for mutual respect.Leela answered on the second ring, her voice tight with residual worry. "Dayana? Thank goodness. I was about to call Rithvik, I just—""Mother," Dayana interjected smoothly, using her respectful but firm tone, "Rithvik is getting ready to come over and see Ashvin. He'll be there within the hour."A relieved sigh came through the phone. "Oh, that's wonderful. He needs to know we support him. Amulya is still here, you see, and she's been so distraught—""Mother, stop," Dayana said, her voice dropping a fraction, immediately establishing control. "I need you to listen to me clearly."Leela fell silent, sensing the familiar, non-negotiable authority."Rithvik is coming to see his cousin, Ashvin, and to offer his complete and loving support. That is his only purpose. He is not coming to manage Amulya's distress, nor is he coming to absorb the emotional chaos that currently exists in your waiting room."Dayana paused, allowing the weight of her words to settle. "We have healed a massive rift in our marriage by bringing the truth and boundaries to the forefront. I will not allow that to be undone by placing an unfair, emotional burden on him again.""But Dayana, she's family! She needs Rithvik's comfort, he's always—""He is my husband, Leela, and his priority is now his own mental health and the stability of his home," Dayana countered gently but without concession. "If Amulya is there, Rithvik will spend ten minutes with Ashvin, offer his best wishes, and we will leave. If you wish for Rithvik to stay longer and offer more sustained support to the family, you must ensure that the visit is centered only on Ashvin's recovery."Leela was quiet for a long time. When she finally spoke, the resistance in her voice was gone, replaced by a grudging understanding. "You... you always protect him so fiercely.""That is the foundation of a marriage, Mother," Dayana replied. "I am not seeking to punish you or Amulya. I am establishing respect for Rithvik.""Understood," Leela finally conceded, the word clipped but definitive. "I will make sure Amulya understands the terms. It will be quiet.""Thank you, Mother," Dayana said, her voice softening, a note of genuine warmth returning. "I appreciate your understanding. We look forward to seeing Ashvin."She hung up and turned to Rithvik, who was already standing behind her, his eyes wide with a mixture of awe and gratitude. He walked to her, pulling her into a tight, relieved embrace."You handled that with impossible grace," he whispered into her hair. "You just drew the cleanest line in the history of our family.""It's not grace, Rithvik," she corrected, leaning back to look at him. "It's a promise kept. The silence is over. The open door is for you and me. Everyone else needs to knock first."