16 #4
She paused then. “Okay, there are a few things you need to know. First, I think distance between all of us had just been so normal growing up, that I didn’t realise how disconnected you feel from the twins.
I do think a conversation with both of them might be useful for you.
Secondly, Ma actually wanted us to have a relationship with Ishaan.
In one of her journals, she’d written about how she’d followed you one day for practice—and found out that Dad was taking you to play with him, and when she asked you about it when you got him—you had no idea that he was our half brother.
She said you two had so much fun that you were so excited to see him again that it made her realise if he’d been truthful from the start, things wouldn’t have become so nasty. Lastly—”
“Wait. Hold On. Give me a minute to digest that before you continue,” I cut her off. “What do you mean one of her journals?”
She took a deep breath. “You know the one journal you’ve seen? The one that followed the year she passed?”
I nodded hesitantly. “There are more.”
“What? How many?”
She paused. “I think maybe twelve? Dev has always wondered if there are more but he couldn’t find any in storage for our Delhi house. And as they were left for Vedant, he’s not really letting him in on where the rest could be.”
“When did you learn about this?”
“Oh, don’t get mad. I’m breaking a promise telling you this.”
“Raina. When?”
“About a month after I moved in? It was the day you came home absolutely wasted.”
I tried to remember the night, but I failed completely.
Alcohol had a way of doing that for me.
“Where are they?” I asked through clenched teeth.
“Dev’s room at the Family Estate. He didn’t want you accidentally find them, and drink yourself into an early death.”
I paused. “Have you read them?”
She shook her head then. “I read the first one. The one she’d started writing in after well, the memory I just told you about. It’s when she’d learnt about Ishaan. She always knew about the affair, but not about Ishaan. It’s why…she decided to leave.”
My heart dropped as she continued. “But, I’ll be honest. I made it like barely half the journal before giving up. The stuff that’s in them just,” she shook her head. “It’s not how I want to remember Ma. Bitter…and heartbroken. But the twins have.”
“You know the day I went to see Dad back in January?”
She nodded, a frown settling between her brows.
“It was when I met Ishaan…and I remembered that memory. I have no idea why I couldn’t remember it before.
According to the intranet, that happens when you’ve got major childhood trauma, so I’m labelling it that.
But that’s why I was so upset. Well, that and the other thing.
I also think I grabbed one of the journals from that collection. ”
Raina nodded, biting her lower lip. Her attention shifting to the cat on my chest, who was being so calm, it was mildly freakish.
Oliver entered the room then, a mug in his hand, and Lilli in the other one. He gave us a knowing smile, like he’d overheard us talking and had given us deliberate space.
He paused as he reached closer, his eyes landing on Milo. “What happened here?”
“Rihaan’s sad.” Raina replied like it made sense. And maybe it did to them, because Oliver gave her a knowing nod before handing her the mug, and settling close to her.
“I want to tell him. He wants good news.” Raina whispered to him, cradling her mug.
Oliver’s grin exploded over his face as he gave her a nod, piquing my curiosity.
“What?”
“You want to be included in a secret that just ours—and also something shocking that will take your mind off?”
“If this is going to be something simple, I’ll be more annoyed, so just think of that before.”
She rolled her eyes. “I mean it. You can’t tell anyone. Not yet, at least.”
I frowned, but nodded anyway.
“I’m pregnant. It’s super early, like the only confirmation I’ve had is a blood test, because they don’t even do ultrasounds until week 8-12.”
I blinked, absorbing the words she’d spoken in ultra sonic speed. Finally, when the realisation sunk in, I glanced at Oliver, his grin still in place.
“Is that why you were feeling shit?”
She nodded like she knew when I was talking about. “Yeah. I had horrible cramps and sickness. It took a while to find the rest meds to help.”
It was then I truly absorbed what she meant.
My little sister was pregnant.
“Holy shit.”
She raised her brows, a grin spreading across her face. “That’s not a bad reaction.”
“No, it’s not.” I affirmed, carefully lifting Milo to settle him on the couch as I made my way to my sister, and my best friend.
Pulling my sister into a hug first, I held her tightly. “Congratulations. I’m so happy for you, both of you.”
She relaxed against my shoulder, her grip on me just as tight. It was one of our rare hugs, but it made me feel miles closer to her. When she finally pulled back, she wiped under her eyes with a smile. “Thank you.”
Pulling Oliver into a hug, I held him just as tightly. “I know you’ve been my brother for so long, but I don’t think I ever said this: you’re the best man for her, and I’m glad it’s you.”
I felt him falter under my hold before he patted my back. “Thanks, Rihaan.”
When I finally looked at Raina, I couldn’t help but tell her the thought lingering in my head. “Ma would’ve been so happy too.”
Her shoulders dropped as she nodded. A small tear falling down her cheek as she held Oliver’s hand tightly.
And for the first time in a long while, I sat there with a smile for the rest of the night.