This scene works well if Akshatha stays mostly detached while the conversation shows the difference between asking for support and expecting someone else to carry the responsibility.
While the adults continued talking with relatives, Akshatha was busy taking photographs.
She and her brother had been taking pictures throughout the function—sometimes together, sometimes with their cousins and sometimes simply capturing random moments from the day.
For once, she wasn't paying much attention to the conversations happening around the hall.
Then, from a little distance, she noticed some familiar faces approaching her eldest uncle.
She immediately recognized them.
The people she remembered from her past life.
They were already trying to make use of the occasion to ask him for help.
Akshatha didn't particularly care.
Whatever they wanted from her uncle had nothing to do with her.
She simply continued taking photographs with her brother.
Their conversation, however, was close enough that she could hear parts of it.
They wanted their son to come and stay with them in Mumbai. They were hoping that her uncle could help arrange his education and, eventually, support him financially.
Her eldest uncle listened patiently.
Then he answered in his usual straightforward manner.
"Brother, from far away everything looks easy. But it isn't."
He paused before continuing.
"I'm already supporting the education of my two children overseas. I have my own responsibilities and expenses to manage."
He wasn't being rude.
He was simply making the limits clear.
"I can speak to a college in Bengaluru. I have some connections there, so I can at least make an introduction and see what options are available."
The relatives listened carefully.
"But if you're saying you want to make him a doctor, that part is not in my hands."
He continued calmly.
"His future depends on him. He has to write the NEET examination, get the required marks and earn his place."
He leaned back slightly.
"If he gets a good score and is eligible, I can speak to the college about whether there is any possibility of reducing some of the fees through a recommendation. But I cannot promise anything beyond that."
The relatives seemed to have expected more.
Her uncle didn't change his position.
"I can help him find an opportunity. I cannot take responsibility for his entire education."
His words were firm but fair.
He had already built his own responsibilities.
He was supporting his children through education abroad, managing his work and preparing for new projects. He couldn't simply take on another family's financial burden because they asked.
Akshatha heard enough to understand exactly what was happening.
Her uncle wasn't refusing to help.
He was refusing to be made responsible.
There was a difference.
He would open a door.
The boy would have to walk through it.
If the boy worked hard, qualified and earned his place, her uncle was willing to see what further assistance he could reasonably provide.
But he wasn't going to promise to finance everything from beginning to end.
Akshatha quietly smiled to herself.
That was exactly how her eldest uncle operated.
He helped people become capable of standing on their own.
He didn't encourage them to stand permanently on him.
She returned her attention to the camera.
Her brother was already calling her.
"Akshatha, one more picture!"
She laughed and turned toward him.
"Wait, I'm coming."
The conversation behind her continued, but she no longer paid attention.
Afternoon
By then, it was already afternoon, and lunch was being served.
The family gathered together for one final meal before leaving.
The engagement had gone smoothly, and after saying their goodbyes to the hosts, the group prepared to leave.
There were hugs, handshakes and promises to meet again soon.
Akshatha and her brother took a few final photographs before getting into the car.
The group then made their way back toward the hotel.
Everyone had been awake, dressed and occupied since morning, and the long function had finally caught up with them.
Once they reached the hotel, the plan was simple.
Rest.
There would be plenty of time to talk about the function later.
For now, everyone just wanted to take a few hours to themselves before the next part of their trip began.
The following morning at the hotel was relatively quiet.
Most of the family were still recovering from the previous day's engagement. Some had gone out for breakfast, while others were taking their time getting ready.
Akshatha was in her room when she heard voices outside.
A little later, she learned that someone had come to meet her eldest uncle.
It did not take long for her to understand who it was.
Her father-in-law from her past life had come to the hotel.
The reason was obvious.
He wanted to discuss his son's future.
More specifically, he wanted his son to come to Mumbai for his education. He hoped that his brother-in-law—Akshatha's eldest uncle—would help arrange it and eventually provide financial support.
The two men sat across from each other.
That shameless man began carefully, speaking in a respectful tone.
"Brother, I wanted to discuss something with you."
Her uncle nodded.
"Tell me."
"You know that our son wants to continue his studies in Mumbai. We were thinking that, if he could come there, perhaps you could help him secure admission and allow him to stay with you or nearby. It would be an excellent opportunity for him."
Her uncle listened without interrupting.
The man continued.
"Mumbai offers better opportunities. If he receives the right education there, his future will be much brighter."
There was a pause.
Her uncle finally leaned back.
"Brother, it is not that I do not want to help."
The other man looked relieved.
"But you also have to understand our situation."
His tone remained calm.
"We are only beginning to establish ourselves in Mumbai. From the outside, it may appear that everything is comfortable because we are doing reasonably well."
He shook his head.
"That is not how things work."
"My own children's college expenses are already substantial."
He took a breath.
"I have responsibilities of my own. Supporting two children through their education, particularly if one of them studies overseas, is not a minor expense."
The other man tried to respond.
"But you are in a better position than we are..."
"I know."
Her uncle did not deny it.
"But being in a better position does not mean that I have unlimited financial resources."
Silence settled between them.
He continued.
"Even Vani will be graduating soon. Until she finds a job and becomes financially independent, I will have to continue covering her expenses, especially if she pursues opportunities in another country."
He looked directly at him.
"That is already a significant responsibility for our family."
Her uncle's voice softened, but his words became even more direct.
"You have to understand, brother. Although we are doing well, we still have to plan carefully. There are commitments we cannot simply abandon."
The man nodded slowly.
"But what about the college?"
"That is something I can help with."
Her uncle paused.
"I have some connections here. If your son is serious about studying in Bengaluru, I can speak with people I know and explore the available options."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"But..."
Her uncle raised his hand slightly.
"Please, hear me out first."
The room became quiet again.
"I can recommend him. I can introduce him to the right people and help him find an opportunity."
He looked directly at the man.
"But beyond that, I cannot make any promises."
"We were hoping..."
"I understand what you were hoping for."
His uncle's voice remained respectful.
"But I cannot assume responsibility for another child's entire education when I already have my own children to support."
There was no anger in his words.
No insult.
Only a clearly defined boundary.
"If he secures admission based on his own merit, I will see what I can do. If there is an opportunity to reduce some of the fees through my recommendation, I will certainly try."
He paused.
"But I cannot promise to pay for his education."
Her uncle continued.
"Brother, please do not misunderstand me. If I had unlimited resources, perhaps I could do more. But even we have our limits."
He gave a small, tired smile.
"From the outside, a person's life always appears easier than it truly is."
That statement seemed to settle the matter.
The other man nodded. "I understand."
Her uncle leaned forward slightly.
"I want your son to succeed. I genuinely do. But he must also build something for himself. I will open a door wherever I can. He will have to walk through it."
There was nothing more the man could reasonably ask.
He thanked his brother-in-law and slowly stood up.
"I appreciate whatever you can do."
Her uncle nodded.
"That is all I can promise."
As the man left, Akshatha remained silent.
She had heard enough.
Her eldest uncle had not refused to help.
He had simply refused to become financially responsible for another family's decisions.
To Akshatha, that distinction mattered.
He was willing to provide a connection.
He was willing to offer a recommendation.
He was even willing to make the process easier where possible.
However, he was not willing to compromise his own family's financial security to support obligations that her father had failed to manage in his past life—obligations that had placed a considerable burden on her uncle's family.
Akshatha understood why.
Her uncle was self-aware.
He knew when to stop.
Her father had failed to learn that lesson in his past life.