Chapter 24 #2
Dhruv sat across from her, next to their grandmother. His face was neutral but somehow Siya could feel his discomfort with the way Sharda was patting his hair. Something had always felt weird about their relationship, but she couldn’t put her finger on it.
Kartik, seated at the head of the table, raised his glass of rose. ‘A huge and heartfelt welcome to our guests, Mihit and Neena.’
Everyone raised their glass to join the toast, but they didn’t add to it. The flush of embarrassment rising in his cheeks showed that Kartik had expected them to. He tried again, and said, ‘If any dish is not to your liking, please let me know. I can have it remade.’
‘That won’t be necessary. Everything looks great,’ Neena said, smearing butter on a dinner roll.
‘It means a lot that you accepted my invitation. I wanted to convey how sorry I am for last night. I realised my words and actions were rash, so I went all out and even got twenty-year-old aged Shiraz bottles from our personal wine collection. I hope this can begin to make amends.’
Neena nodded politely. ‘Thank you.’
Mihit smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes. ‘We appreciate this gesture, Kartik.’
They began discussing market trends but Siya had no interest in joining it. Her entire focus was on the food in front of her.
Shakti, an intern from their waitstaff, placed a bowl of gajar halwa in front of her and leaned down to whisper that the chef had prepared it specially for her.
Joy bloomed in her heart and she took a deep inhale of the mouth-watering sweet scent. ‘I’ll thank him before I leave tonight. Please tell Uncle Roy that he has outdone himself with this delicious spread.’
Shakti nodded and left with a smile.
Excitedly, Siya abandoned her salad and scooped a little halwa. She sighed in bliss. Food was the only thing she missed from her time living here. Chef Roy was a culinary legend, and somehow, his every dish felt like coming home.
Sharda pursed her lips and scolded her.
‘Tsk tsk, this girl. Don’t you remember anything I taught you? Girls who look like you shouldn’t stuff their mouth with calories. Have you no shame?’
Siya froze mid-bite, and wished the ground would open under her feet and swallow her. To safeguard against her verbal lashes, she’d made sure to pick the soup and salad.
If only I’d kept my tongue under control, she wouldn’t have a flaw to point in front of Abhay, she scolded herself and set down the bowl. The sweet pieces had turned to ashes in her mouth.
She set the spoon down, and twisted the napkin in her lap as she picked back the salad fork. Luckily, Dhruv said something to Sharda, pulling her attention away.
Siya noticed his tight fist on his lap and just as Abhay was about to reply to Sharda, she stopped it with a shake of her head.
Abhay bit his cheek to suppress the words threatening to burst out. After a moment, he set down his spoon too, and looked intently at her. When she raised her eyebrow in question, he pointed to the halwa bowl in front of her.
She stole a look at Sharda and shook her head. She would have argued back by now, would have even eaten the halwa out of spite, but Sharda was a wildcard and she didn’t want to cause trouble in front of the Agrawals.
Though anger burned in his gaze, Abhay simply picked up the napkin and wiped his mouth, indicating he was done with dinner.
She frowned at his silly insistence but somewhere deep down, it meant a lot to her that he cared. Making a show of it, she picked up the spoon again and took another bite of the gooey heaven.
Abhay smiled at her antics and she relaxed when he picked up his spoon again.
A loud clink turned everyone’s attention toward Kartik, as the waitstaff finished pouring the wine. He raised his glass and said, ‘Here’s to new beginnings.’
Neena mimicked his gesture, but instead said, ‘Here’s to Siya and Abhay for pulling off this launch so effortlessly.’
A slow warm rush spread through her chest.
Mihit said animatedly. ‘I have to say, your designs were bold and unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. We’re very impressed. The intricacy and detailing in every piece was a unique touch. I truly believe Kashyap Luxe is now showing its real power.’
She found herself smiling for real as she murmured. ‘Thank you, Uncle. I couldn’t have done it without Abhay.’
‘She’s being modest, Dad,’ Abhay said. ‘But I do agree that we make a great team.’
Kartik scoffed rudely. ‘You’re newly married. Of course you’d say that, but I think it’s a stretch to think she’s some kind of genius.’
‘I suppose she won this time out of sheer luck. After all, every dog has its day,’ Sharda remarked with a cruel smile.
‘But in our family, women know their place is in the house, taking care of her husband and his family, not chasing some career. Siya failed at it but at least my one grandchild should uphold our traditions. You will, right, beta?’ Sharda asked Dhruv, expecting him to agree.
To her shock, he resolutely shook his head. ‘That’s not my call to make, Dadi. My wife will decide for herself where she wants to make her place in this world and I’ll support her.’
Kartik set his glass down, interrupting them. He mustered a proud smile and said, ‘Siya has come a long way from being a naive intern at the company, that’s for sure, but I think we’re getting ahead of ourselves. One successful venture doesn’t make her the next big thing.’
Mihit said, ‘Perhaps, then, the time has come for you to step down and hand over the directorial reins to Siya so she can show her true potential. She certainly seems ready.’
Kartik dismissed the suggestion with a casual wave of his hand. ‘Siya is ready, I agree, but unfortunately it’s not in the cards for her.’
It took a moment for Siya to decipher the meaning behind his words. The table had gone still. The only sound was a spoon clinking against the crockery as Sharda continued eating, unaffected.
‘What?’ Siya asked, hoping she misunderstood him.
‘The only way I can give you the reins of this empire is if you give us a male heir, but…’ he trailed off, and she couldn’t figure out which point to focus on.
Sharda finished his sentence. ‘Some things are never meant to happen,’ she remarked, certainty echoing in her voice.
Siya felt her world tilt sideways. Her pulse thrummed so loud it felt like others might hear it. Her fingers trembled around the napkin as she turned to face her father. ‘What are you talking about, Dad?’
‘You always were slow,’ Sharda taunted, her eyes glinting with satisfaction at her cruel hit. ‘The accident that killed your mother left you barren. You can’t have kids.’