In Mumbai, Priya, already two months pregnant, was brought home by her boyfriend Raj to meet his mother for marriage discussions. Raj’s mother, Mrs. Sharma, looked at Priya with a scrutinizing gaze, remaining silent for a long time, making Priya feel uneasy. Then, Mrs. Sharma began to ask detailed questions about Priya’s family background, occupation, and origins.

The tense exchange lasted over 30 minutes. Finally, Mrs. Sharma said, “I agree to accept you as my daughter-in-law, but you know that a girl who is pregnant before marriage greatly diminishes her value. If you suffer later, don’t blame anyone else; blame yourself.”

On the day the two families met, instead of the groom’s family traveling to the bride’s house, Priya’s parents had to travel a long distance from their village in Uttar Pradesh to Mumbai. The Sharma family considered themselves to be in a superior position, knowing that if they refused the marriage, only Priya and her family would suffer and be disgraced.

Even Raj, who had previously used sweet words to woo Priya, now that she was pregnant, showed contempt.

Mrs. Sharma got straight to the point: “Priya is now over two months pregnant, so the wedding should be held as soon as possible. If we wait any longer, her belly will become too big, and the neighbors will gossip, which would be embarrassing. Do you agree, in-laws?” Priya’s parents nodded reluctantly. Mrs. Sharma continued: “Well, it’s my daughter’s fault for being wise or foolish. Now that she’s pregnant, the bride’s family should bear a little of the cost, and the wedding should be quick and simple to avoid public ridicule. I’ve planned it this way:

The entire wedding cost will be covered by the bride’s family. The groom’s family will prepare the sari, jewelry, and gifts, but they can decide how extravagant it is. My family will cover the shagun (5 lakh rupees).

The wedding reception will be held at a luxurious hotel for prestige. My family will have many guests, about 500 people, around 50 tables. The bride’s family can hold additional celebrations in their hometown if they wish, or combine everything and announce the good news later. I’ll inform them of 50 tables in advance so the bride’s family can prepare.

Because of the long distance, the groom’s family won’t be going back to their hometown to pick up the bride. The bride’s family must arrive in Mumbai a day in advance. I don’t care where the bride’s family rents the place, as long as they arrive on time.

Oh, I heard Priya say that your family owns a piece of land next to your house.” “The land is quite large, unused, and will eventually be given to our daughter, right? So I suggest you sell it. That land is worth several crore rupees, and I’ll add some money so the two of them can buy an apartment in Mumbai. The apartment will be in my son’s name. I’ll consider it a dowry from you to our daughter.”

Priya’s parents couldn’t hide their indignation. They strongly objected. While they were arguing, Raj suddenly stood up and said, “Now, do you still want me to marry Priya or not? As long as she’s ‘our daughter,’ you can still make demands, but now that she’s so pregnant, if I don’t marry her, no one else will. I’m already very lucky to have agreed to marry her!”

Priya’s father, a hot-tempered man, jumped up, threw a glass of water in Raj’s face, and shouted, “My family has been miners for three generations, and we’ve never encountered such cheap ‘gold’ as your family! I declare the engagement broken. I’m not afraid of public opinion. My daughter can have children, and I’ll raise them. Let people gossip, let them talk their whole lives!

What I fear is that my daughter won’t be happy. A greedy family like yours wants to bring happiness to my daughter? I’m not a child to believe that. That’s it, let’s end it here, no wedding needed.”

He turned to Mrs. Sharma: “My daughter’s mistake was falling in love with your irresponsible, immoral son. Now that I’ve met him, I realize it’s true that ‘like mother, like daughter.’ You also have a daughter who’s still in school; what if she makes a mistake later and is treated like this? Would you be able to bear it?

Is your daughter made of gold and silver, while mine is just dirt? In life, we must respect each other. People may laugh at your family for being selfish and greedy. But your son caused this and you don’t dare admit it, you’re so petty and calculating. That’s what’s truly shameful! If you have money, you should at least buy some morality first.”

After saying this, he led his wife and Priya away. At the door, he deliberately shook off the dirt from the soles of his shoes, sarcastically remarking, “I’m returning your dirt. I wouldn’t dare take it.”

The women left, leaving the men in shameful silence, unable to respond.

Since then, the groom’s family has called to apologize many times, but Priya’s father refuses to accept their apology. He has decided to raise the grandchild himself. Priya has also decided to become a single mother. With a future husband’s family like that, she doesn’t need them.