After Veeransh’s sharp walk-out from the room, a strange silence followed.
Everyone pretended to continue dinner, but the energy had changed. Mira kept adjusting her earrings and pretending nothing had happened.
Just then, Aarush came running into the hall, having returned from playing with his toy trucks.
Aarush (excited): “Mira aunty! You’re still here? I thought you'd left when Veeransh Chachu did!”
The air tensed. Mira’s smile twitched.
Mira (forced chuckle): “Of course not, darling. I was waiting to say goodbye to you.”
Aarush (bluntly): “Ohhh, But Veeransh Chachu doesn’t like you much, na? He says 'Mira’s voice gives me a headache’ when he talks on phone!”
Rohan choked on his water.
Rahul quickly grabbed a tissue to cover his grin.
Advik, sipping wine, coughed deliberately — hiding a full laugh behind his glass.
Priya blinked, bit her lip and whispered:
Priya (murmuring to Advik): “This boy is going to destroy lives one day.”
Swati, trying to change the topic, leaned toward Suravi.
swati: “Mira is such a delight. She’ll bring so much class and charm to this family.”
Suravi (glowing with fakeness): “My Mira was born for this house. She knows how to carry herself, how to speak to elders… she’s practically already your daughter-in-law.”
Ganga, sipping her kheer, nodded.
Ganga: “We’ve seen many girls, but none as elegant as Mira. Sumitra ji, I think it’s time we fix a date. Let’s end this search.”
Dadi (still thoughtful): “Yes, but veeransh’s heart isn’t ready. And a marriage without heart is like a palace without pillars.”
Suravi (quickly): “Then we’ll build it. With time and care. Mira is patient.”
Mira (smiling tightly at Aarush): “Of course, Aarush beta. Chachu will come around. He always listens to his Dadi, doesn’t he?”
Aarush (nodding innocently): “Yes! But Dadi says ‘donkeys also listen if you bribe them’! So maybe try giving him chocolate!”
Now even Rohan and Rahul gave up and turned their heads to laugh silently.
Mira’s jaw clenched for a second, but she ruffled Aarush’s hair like a good actress.
Mira (with gritted teeth under her smile): “Such a… clever boy you are.”
Priya leaned close to Aarush, whispering like a co-conspirator:
Priya: “Tomorrow, no sugar for you. You're already dangerous enough.”
Rathore Mansion
Next Afternoon
The Rathore mansion was calm — the calm before a storm.
Aarush sat with a juice box on the front stairs, waiting excitedly, bouncing his legs.
Aarush: “Maa! When will Arya Miss will come?”
Priya: “Any minute now, champ. Behave today, okay?”
Aarush (grinning): “Only if she brings stickers.”
The main gates opened, and a car pulled in. Arya stepped out, adjusting her dupatta, eyes flicking nervously across the sprawling mansion.
BẠN ĐANG ĐỌC
Sinfully yours, Unwillingly mine
Lãng mạn"He forced her to marry him. He shattered her with words, destroyed her with silence... and still, her heart beat only for him." Arya Rajvansh - an orphan, a survivor, and a woman with scars deeper than the world can see. Thrown out by her own blood...
