CHAPTER 38
Next Day
Tonight’s dinner had been planned exclusively for close family members—set outdoors, in the garden, beneath a soft moonlit sky.
Golden fairy lights shimmered overhead, casting a warm glow on the long, twenty-four-seater dining table.
A lavish buffet stretched across it, featuring an array of cuisines and every favourite dish of the bride and groom.
Yet none of that was the real highlight of the evening. Tonight’s true speciality was Mishti’s dessert.
Gajar ka halwa.
VK had explained about a ritual earlier, that from the bride’s side, something sweet must be prepared, something the bride loved.
It symbolised the last meal, the final dessert the bride would eat as a spinster in her parents’ home, with her family.
After this, every such moment would belong to her married life, her new home.
Avni had been wondering who would do this for her. That was when Mishti, excitedly, offered to do it. Even if Avni did not know this, Mishti was still her sister-in-law and doing this ritual for Avni was her right. She decided to prepare carrot halwa—Rajat’s favourite, and Avni’s too.
VK personally sought permission from the resort’s chef to let Mishti use their kitchen. The staff not only agreed but even helped her gladly with the ingredients.
Karan, who was aware of all of this, was completely taken aback by Mishti’s eagerness, by the effort she put in, not just for one person, but for the entire family and the guests, on such a large scale.
Finally, it was time for dinner.
The gathering included mostly Rajat’s aunts, cousins, and a handful of very close family friends. As everyone settled around the dining table, Karan deliberately left the seat beside him empty.
When Abhimanyu moved to take it, Karan stopped him with a stern glance.
“Take the opposite seat,” he said evenly. “The one next to me is reserved for Mishti.”
Mishti, who wasn’t too far away and was lovingly serving bowls of gajar ka halwa around the table, heard him. She realised the table was fully occupied by now, and knowing Karan had left a seat next to him reserved for her was really a gesture she hadn’t expected.
She continued serving everyone. When she reached Kanika, Kanika refused, claiming she didn’t want to indulge in so many calories.
Mishti smiled, didn’t react, and simply moved on to the next person.
People had already begun eating, enjoying the spread, relishing the food, when Mishti finally placed a bowl on the plate set beside Karan’s seat, for her, and then set the remaining tray of bowls on the table in front of her. She did not serve the bowl to Karan.
Everyone seemed immersed in the meal. Everyone except Avni, who noticed immediately that Mishti hadn’t served Karan a bowl of gajar ka halwa.
And strangely, even though Avni still carried her own unresolved feelings toward her brother, this didn’t sit right with her at all. She looked up at Mishti and almost casually pointed out. “I think you forgot to serve dessert to everyone,” she said, glancing at Karan once.
Mishti hadn’t expected that. Neither had Karan.
Yet she cleared her throat and smiled lightly at Avni before replying, “I’ve heard he doesn’t like sweets.”
Karan, who had been quietly eating, looked at Mishti then, but she kept her gaze lowered and began eating her own meal.
Avni, though unconvinced, let it pass and turned back to Rajat, resuming their conversation.
That was when Karan leaned closer to Mishti and whispered, meant only for her ears, “Some choices change with time.”
Before she could react, he reached over, picked up the bowl Mishti had served for herself, and began eating the gajar ka halwa from it, one spoon at a time.
Mishti froze.
This was the second time he was eating something she had cooked with such fondness.
The first time flashed vividly in her mind: him sneaking into the kitchen at the Wadhwa mansion in the middle of the night, eating her food in hiding, only for her to catch him later. That night had ended in a kiss she still hadn’t forgotten.
A warm flush crept up her face as she watched him finish the bowl… and then reach for another from the tray she had placed on the table.
Karan almost dragged his tongue over his lower lip before turning to Mishti who was already staring at him, stunned.
He leaned just enough so only she could hear as he murmured, “This much Mishti… this kind of sweetness… is exactly what I need to stay sane.”
The words were meant only for her, and they landed exactly where he intended. Mishti had to press her legs together as something curled deep inside her, triggered by the way he had said her name.
Thankfully, Komal and Abhimanyu, seated close by, interrupted with some comment, pulling the moment apart.
Mishti forced herself to look away, refusing to focus on the man beside her…
not even when he picked up a third bowl of gajar ka halwa, as if fully intent on finishing the entire tray, determined to prove just how much he loved it.
And her.
****************
Dinner had concluded, and the guests slowly began to disperse once again, spreading out across the venue, some lounging comfortably, others chatting in small groups. A few, like Rajat’s close aunt Meena Aunty, had already slipped into matchmaking mode.
Karan stood nearby, engaged in conversation with Rajat, when Meena Aunty suddenly pulled Avni and Mishti toward her.
She was all praise for Mishti’s gajar ka halwa, and before long, the compliments turned into questions—what Mishti did, where she lived in London, the usual curious inquiries that followed.
Karan sensed instantly where this was heading. But he stayed where he was. Avni was part of that conversation, and the last thing he wanted was for her to suspect anything.
Mishti, unaware of the brewing direction, responded politely and cheerfully to Meena Aunty’s questions. That was when Meena Aunty turned to Avni and said,
“You know, beta… I’m still looking for a good bride for my son, Manav.”
Avni nodded at first. Then she noticed the way Meena Aunty looked at Mishti again, almost soft, assessing, and affectionate. The dots connected instantly.
Avni’s face lit up with sudden excitement.
“Oh my God, Aunty,” she exclaimed. “I know exactly what you’re thinking.”
Mishti looked between the two of them, completely clueless. Avni wrapped an arm around Mishti from the side and said brightly, “Mishti would be perfect for Manav bhaiya. And if she becomes my sister-in-law, what more could I ask for? It would be the best thing in the world.”
Mishti froze.
“Avni, please,” she said quickly. “Stop it.”
Karan, standing a little distance away, clenched his fists. If only Avni knew that Mishti already was her sister-in-law.
Avni laughed it off.
“Why? What’s the harm?” she said lightly. “Alliances are made like this only. Especially when you don’t even have a boyfriend.”
Turning back to Meena Aunty, she added with complete conviction, “I can vouch for Mishti. She’s the sweetest, kindest soul you’ll ever meet. No bad habits, no boyfriends, and someone who only knows how to give to others. She’s so selfless.”
Meena Aunty’s face glowed, clearly pleased as she took in every glowing detail about Mishti.
Mishti, however, was visibly uncomfortable now. She tried to look away. And that was when her gaze collided with Karan’s. His eyes fixed on her, glaring in a way that sent shivers down her body again. She had seen that kind of look many times before. It was his look of possessiveness. For her.
Karan knew this wasn’t Mishti’s fault. His anger wasn’t directed at her, not even remotely. It was meant for the other two.
Rajat immediately caught Karan by the arm.
“Relax,” he said firmly. “That’s my aunt. Nothing is going to happen. They’re just talking. Dad will explain to her later who Mishti is. You don’t have to take any action right now. Just stay calm.”
Karan turned on him sharply, with fury flashing in his eyes.
“My sister is matchmaking for my wife, and you want me to stay calm?”
“Yes,” Rajat replied without hesitation. “Because your sister doesn’t know who Mishti is to you. Unless you want to tell her right now.” He paused deliberately. “Go ahead.”
Karan knew he wouldn’t.
He knew exactly what that would lead to. There was every chance that Avni and Mishti’s bond would fracture, and he didn’t want that either.
Meanwhile, Meena Aunty had begun listing Manav’s qualities to Mishti, who was growing visibly uncomfortable, especially when the old woman went on to describe how romantic Manav was, how he loved books, long walks, and all the things Mishti could barely hear anymore.
That was it.
Karan had heard enough.
He shoved Rajat’s restraining arm aside and strode toward the group.
“Enough of this discussion,” he said angrily, turning to Avni.
Mishti swallowed hard, her chest tightening as she wondered what he was about to do. Rajat rushed after them and quickly addressed Meena Aunty.
“Aunty, Dad wants to speak to you.”
“To me?” Meena aunty asked. “Now?”
“Yes, now,” Rajat said, smoothly diverting her away from the scene.
Now, it was just Avni, Mishti, and Karan.
“What is your problem?” Avni turned on Karan, her anger blazing.
“Your matchmaking is my problem,” Karan shot back.
“But why?” Avni scoffed. “You don’t get to decide what I do. Besides, I’m just taking steps to initiate Mishti’s alliance, not yours.”
Karan stepped toward her angrily.
“That’s exactly what I want you to stop doing.”
Avni marched a step closer too, matching his fury. “Why? Why shouldn’t I?”
Karan gripped her arms.
“Because—” He paused.
The words were right there. Burning and ready to spill out…Because she is my wife. He was so close to saying it. But he couldn’t.
Mishti stared at him, horrified, not by his anger, but by his restraint. Even now, he was holding back. Protecting her. Protecting her bond with Avni.
Avni’s eyes searched his face, suspicion growing.