He Stayed Anyway

~4~

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The front door swung open with a gust of charged air, the kind that hums against the skin before a storm. Pratap Shekhawat stepped in first, tall, sharp-eyed, still radiating CEO gravity even with raindrops freckling his suit. Aarav followed, the COO's laptop bag slung over his shoulder, blazer slightly damp, tie loosened as if he had wrestled the weather itself.

Meera looked up, eyebrows lifting.
"Tum dono itni jaldi?"
("You two this early?")

Aarav exhaled, pushing wet strands off his forehead.
"Head office issued a lightning advisory."

Pratap added, voice calm but clipped in that CEO way,
"We wrapped operations early. No point risking the staff."

The room shifted.

Meera stepped closer, maternal concern softening her tone.
"Accha hua aa gaye. Bahar toh asmaan bilkul gussa lag raha hai."
("Good you came. The sky looks furious outside.")

Aarav nodded.
"Roads already waterlogged."

Meera clasped her hands lightly.
"Toh baitho sab. Abhi ke liye kahin jaane ki zarurat nahi."
("So sit. No one needs to rush off right now.")

Sonal glanced at the window where rain streaked down in hurried lines. Her fingers tightened around her dupatta as she murmured, half to herself,
"Humein shayad nikalna chahiye..."
("We should probably leave...")

Meera stepped forward, palms open, voice dipped in that familiar best-friend authority.
"Pagal ho kya? Aaj ke liye yahin ruk jao. Besties ka old-school sleepover ho jaaye."
("Are you crazy? Stay today. Let the besties have an old-school sleepover.")

Sonal hesitated, eyes flicking between the dark sky and Meera's hopeful grin.
"But... it might trouble everyone..."

Ahaana, passing by with a tray of fresh towels, smiled.
"Bilkul bhi nahi, aunty. Hum sab ko accha lagega."
("Not at all, Aunty. We'd love it.")

Veer chimed in lightly from the side,
"Weather bhi sath de raha hai. Safe decision hai."
("The weather agrees too. It's the safe decision.")

Sonal sighed, shoulders finally loosening, as if surrendering to the warm house and old memories.
"Theek hai... okay."

Then she turned to Reeva, her voice gentler.
"Beta, tum theek ho? You're fine with staying?"

Reeva looked up, eyes steady, her voice polite and soft around the edges.
"Yes, Aai. It's completely fine."

Sonal's expression melted into fondness.

Meera slung an arm around her old friend.
"Bas, ho gaya decide. Aaj ka raat yahin. No arguments."

From the open kitchen came the rhythmic hiss of tadka hitting hot ghee, the clatter of ladles, the warm fragrance of simmering dal and freshly baked rotis. The Shekhawat chefs moved with the ease of seasoned performers, almost a choreography. One checked the salt in the paneer gravy, another folded warm phulkas into a basket lined with cloth, a third plated crisp sabudana tikkis for "the guests."

Ahaana peeked into the kitchen.
"Bhai ko jyada mirchi mat dena, please. He'll pretend he likes it but he won't eat it."
("Please don't give Bhai too much spice. He'll pretend he likes it but he won't eat it.")