“Jhavni, we need to talk,” her mother said, her voice steady but laced with a hint of urgency.

“What’s going on?” Jhavni asked, her brow furrowing with concern. She felt a knot forming in her stomach, sensing that whatever they needed to discuss was important—and perhaps life-changing.

Her mother gestured for her to sit down, and Jhavni hesitated for a moment before taking a seat across from them. Her father’s gaze was serious, and that only heightened her anxiety. “You’re scaring me,” she admitted, shifting uncomfortably on the couch.

Her heart thumping louder than the clock ticking on the wall. Her parents exchanged a glance before her father cleared his throat, and she couldn’t help but feel a mixture of curiosity and nervous anticipation. Her mother’s expression was serious, which only added to the gravity of the situation.

“Jhavni,” her father began, his voice calm but laced with an unusual gravity. “We’ve been thinking a lot about your future.”

Jhavni’s mind raced. Is this another talk about my career? She could feel her parents’ gazes weighing heavily on her, but something in the air told her this conversation wasn’t about internships or jobs. She remained silent, waiting for them to continue.