Looking at the chain, Bani's mother sighed. She turned to her husband.
"We should replace this chain with a new one," she suggested. "It's not right for her to wear it again. It will always be a reminder of a marriage that didn't last."
Bani and Aman stood in awe, gazing at the array of jewelry spread before them. The golden glow of bangles, necklaces, and earrings filled the small wooden chest their mother had just unlocked. It was the last bit of gold left with family.
Their mother smiled at their antics but soon turned serious. "How much do you need for the loan?" she asked.
Bani and Aman exchanged glances, silently calculating. "Two lakh," they said in unison.
Their parents looked at each other and, as if rehearsed, said together, "That' ? Just take 30 grams of chain and and one of the bangles. That will be enough."
Bani blinked in surprise. She had worried about asking for the loan, about how much their parents would have to sacrifice. But here they were, calmly offering their jewelry as if it were the simplest thing in the world.
Their mother locked the rest of the gold back in the chest.
Father said "It's not about how much you have, it's about knowing when and how to use it."
Bani nodded slowly. This wasn't just about pledging gold—it was about trust, responsibility, and the weight of family support.
Aman picked up the bangle, and chain weighing it in his palm. "Alright then, let's go get our loan."
Bani sat cross-legged on the couch, arms folded, watching her brother Aman pace back and forth like a man on a mission. His expression was grim, like a warrior preparing for battle.
"Sister, we need to get this loan sanctioned today itself!" Aman declared, his voice filled with urgency.
Her husband nodded, understanding her concern.
Bani raised an eyebrow. "Oh wow, I didn't know the whole world revolved around you! Shall I call up the Reserve Bank and tell them, 'Aman Sir has arrived, please roll out the red carpet and shower him with money'?"
Aman scowled. "Be serious, Bani! This is important!"
Bani checked the time on her phone and smirked. "You do realize it's 7 PM, right? Banks, finance companies, and every single moneylender in the city have shut their doors. Even that one loan shark down the street is probably eating dinner."
Aman sighed dramatically, then suddenly his eyes landed on their mother, who was quietly watching the scene unfold. His gaze dropped to the jewellery in his hand. "Amma, we can mortgage this and get some cash instantly!"