He Stayed Anyway

~3~

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Morning settled gently over the Chavan mansion. The workers moved through the dining room with soft efficiency, placing plates of poha, toast, fruit, and fresh chai on the table. The house felt calm... but only for the first thirty seconds.

Reeva entered silently, taking her seat with a small nod to the worker who set down her tea.

"Madam, garam hai."
("Ma'am, it's hot.")

"Thank you." she replied, voice steady.

Vikram walked in next, stretching his neck as he sat across from her.
He glanced at her briefly.

"Aaj ka din kaafi important lag raha hai."
("Today seems like an important day.")

Reeva stirred her tea without looking up.
"Aai is... very excited."

As if waiting for her cue, Sonal swept into the room wearing a bright purple salwar suit that almost declared a festival on its own.

Rishika followed behind her with quiet steps, taking her seat with no expression.

Sonal turned in a full circle.
"Kaisa lag raha hai? Perfect, right?"
("How do I look? Perfect, right?")

Vikram eyed her outfit.
"You look... extremely purple."

Sonal's eyes widened.
"Purple shows confidence! I'm meeting Meera after years."

But then she caught her reflection in the steel jug on the table, paused... and frowned.

"No, no. Too loud. Overconfident."

She rushed out of the room again.

Reeva lifted her cup slowly, watching the doorway with quiet acceptance.
Rishika stayed still, no reaction, no teasing — just a mild blink.

Sonal returned moments later, this time in a soft sky-blue kurti with new earrings.

"This is better. Friendly. Warm."

Vikram nodded.
"Better. Less dramatic."

Sonal adjusted the sleeves, checked her reflection again, and sighed.

"But blue makes me look too simple."

She disappeared again.

Reeva set down her cup with a tiny breath — not frustration, simply understanding her mother's nature.

Then Sonal returned one final time, dressed in a dignified deep green kurti, hair freshly pinned, her expression triumphant.

Vikram raised a brow.
"This one looks... final."

Sonal smiled proudly.
"Green shows dignity. Meera always appreciated dignity."

Vikram clapped very slowly.
"Finally. The quest ends."

Sonal flicked her dupatta at him.
"Bas bas. No need to be jealous of my glow."

Reeva stood up, grabbing her bag.

"Aai, breakfast?"

"Arre, no time! We'll eat on the way."

Vikram gestured at the untouched food.
"At least finish your tea?"