Chapter 32 #3
Siya had watched Dhruv break down two nights ago when he’d dug up the old orphanage records and found his mother’s statement for why she had to leave him there. The safe illusion he’d built for himself lay shattered around him and he’d bit down on his knuckles as he’d cried.
She’d felt so helpless. All she could do was sit beside him as a silent companion. She knew then that nothing between him and Kartik could ever be the same.
Kartik had gone pale, and everyone witnessed his composure unravelling in real time.
With it came uncontrollable rage, and he raised his hand to slap Dhruv.
Before Siya could move forward to shield her brother, Dhruv pushed Kartik away from him with all his might.
Kartik stumbled backward and hit his back hard on the wall.
Dhruv yelled, almost a growl. ‘Don’t you dare! You don’t get to harm me or my sisters anymore. If I have to testify against you, I will, and there’s nothing you can do to stop it.’
‘How could you push your father?’ Kartik asked, rubbing a hand over his heart. Siya rolled her eyes, well aware of his emotional time-old tactic.
So was Dhruv. He said, ‘After everything I’ve learned about you in the past few weeks, it has burned away whatever loyalty I had toward you.’
Kartik looked between Dhruv and Siya and it dawned on him that no one was buying his poor father act. His expression immediately turned cold. ‘You think you can destroy me? Both of you are nothing without me.’
‘You want to say that again, sasurji?’ Abhay asked, mockery evident in his tone.
‘You underestimate my power and influence,’ Kartik taunted.
‘And you underestimate my madness when it comes to making sure my wife is safe from the likes of you,’ Abhay retorted back.
Enough was enough. Siya spoke up, ‘If you want to start listing offenses, then let’s begin with how you used the designs I own without my consent for years.
If I take you to court, you’ll owe me damages in the millions for backdated licensing fees, intellectual property violations, and breach of fiduciary duty to the board.
You think you’re smart, so I assume you do know what happens to someone in your position when that kind of truth gets out. ’
Kartik was stunned into silence. It was clear that he was finally realising he was out of his depth with no lifeboat around.
Siya said, ‘You’ve lost the right to abuse the Kashyap name anymore because it doesn’t belong to you, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start again. Maybe this time, you can build something real—or let this moment bury you in resentment. That’s your choice.’
‘And you think this is some kind of a stupid, self-serving payback from you?’
‘No, Dad. This is karma.’ With that, she turned away from him.
She held Abhay’s hand, tugging him out of the room, but stopped at the door. ‘Are you coming?’ she asked, tilting her head toward Dhruv.
He gave her a faint, tired smile and said, ‘Let’s go.’
Siya walked out, leaving behind the power her father had on her crumbled in dust.
They found their group still hanging out by the stage. Everyone hollered as they approached.
‘That was a kickass launch, Di,’ her sister said, jumping into Siya’s arms. She held on to her tight, relieved that she’d finally done right by Kashvi.
‘So now Abhay is your best friend, huh?’ Meera pouted at Siya.
‘Aw,’ Siya cooed and pulled her into a tight hug.
Abhay said from behind her, ‘Oh c’mon, no one can compete with you, Mihu. I’m just glad to have the second spot.’
Meera laughed and flashed him a thumbs up.
Dhruv stayed silent, hanging back but offered a nod when Raghav thanked him for the orphanage suggestion.
Luv asked, ‘So, I’m assuming we’re done playing adults for the night? Can we please eat something before I start hallucinating?’
Kashvi rolled her eyes. ‘You hallucinate even on a full stomach.’
‘Exactly! Now imagine me hungry,’ Luv said, dramatically.
Siya couldn’t help the soft laugh that escaped as she asked, ‘Do we even know what time it is?’
‘It’s officially past all reasonable dinnertime standards, so I suggest we rush across the road and descend like wolves on all that delicious street food,’ Swayam chimed in.
Abhay wrapped an arm around her waist, and pulled her against him, reminding himself that this was real. He leaned down and inhaled her sweet scent before turning to his friends. ‘You can keep arguing about carbs and restaurants, but I’m taking my girl home.’
Siya arched a brow at him. ‘Your girl, huh?’
‘My girl, my wife, my jaan, you can pick whichever, but I swear to God that once we get home, I’m tying you to me so you can’t run away from me again,’ Abhay declared, looking proud of his foolproof plan.
‘With what?’
He shrugged but mischief shone in his gaze. ‘Rope, handcuffs, super glue—anything will do. I’m not picky.’
She laughed, liking the sound of that.
Luv said, ‘I feel like I’m intruding on your honeymoon.’
‘You are,’ Abhay said, without missing a beat. ‘You all can kindly fuck off. We have plans.’
Kashvi made a face. ‘God, please don’t elaborate.’
With a quick kiss on Siya’s cheek, she quickly threw a goodbye wave at them and pulled Meera toward the exit. Dhruv nodded at them and walked the other way without a word.
Siya turned to Abhay and pinned him with a glare. ‘Is that your version of foreplay? Flirting in front of our friends?’
He smirked. ‘Only when it works.’
‘You’re shameless.’
‘Married life has made me bold,’ he said, looking smug.
She had to bite her cheek to suppress her smile. ‘You weren’t exactly shy before.’
‘Well, you weren’t exactly mine before,’ he said, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek with aching tenderness. ‘Now, how about I take my wife home and show her just how badly I’ve missed her?’
Siya finally cracked a smile, loving the sound of it. She wrapped her arms around his neck and asked, ‘Are you planning on flirting with me all the way home?’
He didn’t even pretend to look innocent. Giving her a kiss, he said, ‘If it gets me certain privileges tonight, I might flirt on a loop.’
‘Then take me home, Mr Agrawal,’ she said softly, caught between delight and surrender.
‘Your wish is my command, Mrs Agrawal.’ He picked her up by her waist, and swung her around in the air once before walking out the entrance and into the cool night.
With her hand in his, and her heart brimming with his love, Siya followed him home, under the glittering sky full of fireworks, just like the night they met.