CHAPTER 30 #2
VK just stared at her with soft concern. Seeing her lost like this, in her own world, probably her past, wasn’t new to him.
“Anyways.” Mishti composed herself, coming out of her thoughts. “I’ve just finalised the hospital tie-up for the women admitted today. Two have agreed to keep the beds reserved till morning. And the legal aid team will meet the new intake first thing tomorrow.”
VK nodded. “Good. Very good.” He paused, then looked at her again. “You’ve been handling a lot lately, Mishti. Are you sure you’re not overdoing it?”
“I’m fine,” she replied automatically, smiling again.
VK was her boss here, but the role never ended there.
There was a warmth to him. He was protective without being overbearing, fatherly without intrusion. And his affection for her felt natural. And at times, it stung Mishti quietly, because it reminded her of the family she never really had.
“Alright, what about dinner?” he asked. “Any special plans for when you get back home?”
The question was simple. And yet, something inside her tightened. Home. The studio was just a place where she lived. It couldn’t become her home yet.
“I…I’ll probably heat something quick,” she said evenly. “Nothing special.”
VK nodded, but there was a concern in his eyes again. “You shouldn’t eat alone every night. Why don’t you join us for dinner sometimes? You know I would love that.”
She gave him a polite smile. “Thanks, boss. But I’m used to it.”
Before he could say anything more, the door swung open again.
“Papa, you will not believe what I handled today.”
Avni’s voice entered the room before she did.
Avni, a beautiful 27-year-old woman, was undoubtedly the apple of her father’s eye.
She worked at the foundation as well, standing beside him in every possible way.
Bubbly and confident, always hovering over his health, chiding him for missed meals, she was everything a devoted daughter could be, in every sense of the word.
She walked in, dropping her bag on the chair, visibly tired yet still glowing with energy. “The outreach van broke down right in the middle of Southall. I had to negotiate with the mechanic, calm down two volunteers, and still make sure the ration kits were distributed.”
Mishti hid her smile. Avni was overdramatic too, in the most endearing way.
She thrived on drama in every corner of her life, almost hunted for it.
Give her the simplest problem, and she would turn it into a full-blown crisis.
Give her a slightly cold cup of coffee, and she would declare the entire day ruined.
A mild headache turned into a heroic survival story.
A short power cut felt like the end of civilisation. That was Avni.
Hugging her father, she turned to Mishti. “But I got it done. Every single family received their supplies.”
“That’s why I trust you so much.” VK shook his head fondly. “But you look tired.”
“I am exhausted,” Avni said, dramatically slumping into the chair. “I cannot wait to get home and do absolutely nothing.”
“You won’t do nothing,” he replied calmly. “You’ll eat properly, and then just go to bed. No late-night calls with that idiot either.”
She laughed, and so did Mishti. Avni had been dating someone and was soon to get married.
“You can’t call him an idiot. I love Raj.”
VK rolled his eyes. “I love him too, but that idiot has all the time in his world to call you, not spare a few minutes for me. How fair is that?”
He reached out, adjusting the scarf around her shoulders. “You even have to start packing your stuff.”
“I’ll do it, Papa. Don’t worry.”
Mishti stood there, watching them. Some bonds were beautiful to witness.
Even when they reminded her of everything she never had.
This wasn’t the first time she wondered about seeing them, what it would have been like to have a father who protected and loved her the same way.
A man who did not leave behind the blood of an innocent, bitterness and guilt that would haunt her for a lifetime.
She pushed those thoughts away as Avni turned to her.
“Mishti, what about you? You done for the day?”
“I am,” Mishti said honestly.
“Come on then,” Avni grinned. “Let’s go out for a drink. One soft drink for you, obviously. You need to loosen up.”
Mishti smiled, shaking her head. “I think I’ll pass today. You need rest more than I do. And tomorrow you’re visiting the Hounslow shelter again, right? So, better sleep early.”
Avni groaned. “Oh, yes. Early morning.”
VK nodded in agreement. “She’s right. You both should head home. Get rest.”
Avni stood up immediately. “Fine. We are going.” Then she pointed at him. “And you better not stay back too late. I’ll be waiting.”
“I’ll be there soon, my dear,” he assured her.
She picked up her bag, gave another hug to her father and turned to Mishti. “I’ll drop you off to your studio. I’m heading that way anyway.”
Mishti hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Alright.”
As they walked out together, VK watched them leave with a quiet smile on his face.
Somewhere along the way, working together at the NGO, Avni and Mishti had grown close as friends.
Almost sisters. Mishti trusted her and cared for her deeply.
And Avni, in her own vibrant way, had accepted Mishti without questions or conditions.
They were walking toward the parking area when Avni’s phone rang. She glanced at the screen and scoffed dramatically, turning to Mishti.
“See? Now he decides to call. After making me wait the entire day.”
Mishti couldn’t help the soft chuckle that escaped her. “That’s because his day has just started for him,” she said gently. “It’s only afternoon in India, Avni. Let the man breathe at least.”
Avni grinned, knowing she was right. “Don’t take his side,” she whispered, before answering the call.
“Hey, baby.”
Mishti walked beside her, doing her best not to listen to the conversation she had no choice but to overhear.
They got into the car, Avni sliding into the driver’s seat, still on the call.
As the car pulled out, Avni remained mostly occupied with the conversation, discussing details of their destination wedding in Jaipur, scheduled for the next month.
Mishti had never seen Raj. Never met him either. He lived in India, and despite being so close to Avni, his face was still a mystery to her. When the wedding had been fixed and Mishti had demanded that Avni at least show her his photograph, Avni had flatly refused.
“You’ll meet him directly at my wedding,” she had declared, smug and stubborn as ever. “Trust me. Some surprises are better kept till the end.”
That was Avni for her, guarding secrets for no real reason other than the thrill of it.
Especially when it came to Raj. Mishti had laughed it off then, shaking her head at Avni’s strange insistence.
But now, sitting beside her as she spoke so fondly on the call, Mishti couldn’t help but feel that curiosity grow.
Whoever Raj was, he clearly already owned a piece of Avni’s heart.
She listened to their phone conversation despite herself. The softness in Avni’s voice, the laughter, the ease. She adored it, even though she didn’t want to. And with that admiration came a familiar ache.
She too had a husband once. A man who never cared. Who never wanted her. Who never loved her. She would never know the joy of talking to her partner like Avni did.
Her eyes burned at the thought, making her wonder if Karan was still looking for her.
She knew the answer, at least partly. In the initial weeks after she left, he had searched desperately. Komal had told her that during one of their calls. But after that, there were no more updates. Nothing. As if he had given up. Or accepted that she was no longer part of his life for good.
Maybe he had moved on, and she didn’t want to know.
That was why she had asked Komal, firmly, not to tell her anything about Karan anymore. Those updates only made her sadder and miss him more. Komal had agreed without hesitation, understanding that it was best for Mishti’s mental health.
And so, even when Komal called her two or three times a week from India, squeezed in between her busy schedules, they spoke only about themselves. About work. About growth. About life. Nothing else.
When Avni finally ended the call and parked outside the studio building, she turned to Mishti with a guilty look.
“Sorry,” she said immediately. “I completely ghosted you the entire ride.”
Mishti offered a small smile. “It’s fine,” she replied softly. “I understand.”
“Okay, anyway, I’ll need your passport details for the flight booking.”
Mishti understood immediately. Jaipur.
She turned to Avni at once. “I can’t come to your wedding.”
Avni’s head snapped toward her. “You can’t be serious.”
“There has to be someone here while you and VK are away,” Mishti said calmly. “I’ll stay back. Someone needs to look after the work.”
“No. I don’t care.” Avni shook her head, unimpressed. “We’ll arrange some other backup for work.” She pointed a finger at Mishti. “You’re coming to my wedding in Jaipur. Or else I’m not getting married.”
Mishti laughed despite herself. “You’re being dramatic again.”
Avni smiled, then her expression softened as she reached for Mishti’s hand and held it.
“Maybe I am,” she said quietly. “But listen to me.”
Her voice gentled. “London has given me everything. Family. Good work. Amazing friends. But with you, it’s different, Mishti. You are not just my friend. You give me sister vibes more.”
She squeezed her hand. “And I can’t believe my sister wouldn’t be there on my wedding day. That’s just unfair. You have to come.”
Then her eyes sparkled with mischief. “And if you keep refusing, I swear I’ll kidnap you and put you on that plane myself.”
Mishti laughed again. Yet even as she did, her mind had already been thinking. Avni’s wedding was no small affair. It was a full-fledged destination wedding for two weeks in Jaipur, at a royal seven-star resort. It included the pre-wedding rituals, ceremonies, and celebrations. Everything.
And she really would have loved to be a part of it.
But going to India again? What if Karan came to know she had stepped back into the country?
But Karan was in Mumbai. Everyone who knew her was in Mumbai.
The wedding was in Jaipur. She could stay low-key.
Blend in. No one would recognise her as Karan Wadhwa’s wife.
No one would know she was there, and after two weeks, she would fly back to London. It looked simple.
Avni shook her arm gently. “What are you thinking so much? Just say yes, please.” She pouted, eyes wide and pleading.
Mishti exhaled, then nodded. “Yes.”
Avni let out a delighted squeal and threw her arms around Mishti, hugging her tightly. Mishti hugged her back, silently praying that her decision to return to India was right.