CHAPTER 18
MAAHI
I reach home and head straight to my room without a word to anyone. Thankfully, the family is asleep, so I don’t have to face Daadi or Vikram. Daadi, because I’m not ready to tell her what’s going on with Devki Estate, and Vikram, for my own sanity. He proposed to me tonight, and despite everything, I find myself drawn to him. This man who tortures me also offers his help, a contradiction my subconscious mind won't let me forget. We’ve kissed twice now—no, he kissed me twice, and I let it happen. Why? Whenever he touches me with that intensity, I melt. Or maybe my hormones are just overactive these days. I’m under so much stress about Devki Estate that his comfort feels like a lifeline, but I can’t let this happen again. He doesn’t even let me decide if I want the kiss; he just takes it as if he has every right. I have to put a stop to this.
A knock at my door startles me. It’s midnight; who could it be?
“Maahi,” Daadi’s voice calls from the other side.
“Daadi?” I rush to open the door. She looks anxious. “Daadi, you didn’t sleep yet?”
“I couldn’t,” she replies, her voice strained. She drags me inside. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Tell you what?” Panic rises within me. Has she found out about my legal battle with Vanraj Singh Grover?
“Vanraj has put a stay order on Devki Estate?”
I’m speechless. “Who told you that?”
“That’s not important. What shocked me is that you or Vikram didn’t tell me anything about it. Did you both think I couldn’t handle this?”
I guide her to the bed. “Daadi, calm down. The situation is under control.”
I offer her a glass of water, but she waves it away. “I told Vanraj he would hurt me if he did this. Yet he did. What’s wrong with my son? When did he become so selfish and blind for business? Does he even know what he’s doing?”
I’m worried Daadi’s blood pressure might spike. “Daadi, I will handle this. Please don’t—”
“Handle? Do you know these court processes take years to sort out?”
Daadi’s breathing becomes labored, and I panic. “Daadi, breathe.”
“It’s all my fault,” she shouts. “I should have known this was coming. It’s all my fault.”
“Daadi, lie down,” I urge, forcing her to lie down. I shout for Vikram. His room is close to mine, so I know he can hear me. His parents occupy the last room on this floor and might not be of help. I scream for Vikram again, rubbing Daadi’s hands. She’s cold as ice.
“Maahi?” Vikram hurries into the room. “What happened to Daadi?”
“Call the doctor. Now!” I scream, and he quickly makes the call.