CHAPTER 10 #2
He nods, as if that answers more than what I said. And then, without meaning to, my eyes drift again to Raghav. He’s standing a little distance away now, talking to Esha, completely unaware that I’m watching him.
My brows draw together before I can stop them. I don’t even realise I’m still looking at him until Kailash Uncle’s voice pulls me back.
“Is something wrong?” he asks curiously.
I shake my head. “No.”
He holds my gaze for beat, then smiles thoughtfully. “There has to be. I saw the way you were looking at that man. Do you know him?”
I follow his gaze, even though I already know whom he’s referring to.
A sigh escapes me before I can hold it back. “He’s the owner of this place,” I say. “Can you believe that?”
He raises his brows, mildly surprised. “Oh? Owner? I’ve heard good things about him.”
“I’m sure you have,” I reply, slightly amused. “Looks like I’m the only unlucky one who has to deal with his tantrums.”
That catches his attention. I see it in the way his expression shifts slightly, more interested now.
“I’ve been trying to speak to him since morning, but he’s busy ignoring me,” I add, before I can stop myself. “Because he doesn’t want to have that conversation.”
Seeing Kailash Uncle intrigued, for some reason, I continue talking.
“You know, since morning, I’ve been pushed into attending the vineyard tour today.
Nothing against this place. It’s beautiful, and I do love it here.
But it should be my choice when I want to book something. How can RK decide that for me?”
“RK?” he repeats, startled. “You call him RK?”
“Yes.”
“Why?” he asks, clearly interested now.
I tilt my head slightly and glance at Raghav, who is still busy talking to Esha.
“Umm… I don’t know,” I admit with a shrug. “I’ve never really thought about why I call him RK instead of his full name.”
Then I look back at Uncle and continue. “Anyway, the point is, I don’t want to go alone. I know there will be other guests, but they’ll all have their own people to talk to and enjoy the tour with, unlike me. That’s why I never booked it in the first place.”
Kailash Uncle looks at me, a little surprised. “They are insisting you join this tour without your permission?” he asks slowly. “And the owner himself is trying to get you booked for it?” His eyes narrow just a fraction. “Why would he do that?”
“Exactly my point,” I say, agreeing with him. “But with RK, it could be anything. He’s… a bit of a devil when it comes to me.”
The words slip out before I can stop it. Kailash Uncle studies me with interest, almost hiding a smile.
“Oh,” he drawls slowly. “So it seems you have had some… experience with the owner of this place. I’ve only heard impressive things about him, though, so I’m a little surprised.”
I let out a small breath, my lips curving just enough to keep it from sounding like a complaint.
“Don’t get me wrong. He might be all hot, broody, and stupidly good-looking from the outside, the kind of man people notice without even trying.
” I lower my voice, as though letting him in on a secret.
“But if you ask me, he’s one of the most arrogant men I’ve ever come across. ”
Uncle almost controls his laughter, as I keep on venting my frustration.
“I don’t understand how he manages a place like this,” I continue.
“Everything here feels so… soft and peaceful. There’s so much warmth in the way this place is built.
Good people, lovely weather, and such amazing hospitality.
And then there’s him,” I add, my gaze narrowing just slightly.
“He’s so dominant, distant, and controlling, as if it’s his second nature. I don’t see how the two fit together.”
I let out a huff. “It feels like he doesn’t belong here. And yet… he owns every inch of it.”
Kailash Uncle listens to every word without interrupting. And then, unexpectedly, he laughs. Not mockingly, just an amused sound that makes me look at him again.
Before I can question it, his gaze shifts past me, and his expression softens into a smile.
“There you are,” he says to the person behind me.
Before I can even turn to see who it is, Raghav is already there, standing next to me. Although he looks annoyed, I immediately start pouring my frustration onto him.
“You finally found time for me, huh?” I say, turning to face him. “I almost thought you were planning to avoid me all day.”
Raghav stands there, his gaze moving over me as he clenches his jaw. But I don’t let him speak. “By the way, does this resort have a phone repair service?” I ask, gesturing towards Kailash Uncle. “His phone fell and it isn’t working.”
Raghav’s demeanour changes instantly. His brows draw together as he turns towards the older man.
“What happened?” he asks, stepping closer to Kailash Uncle with a concern I haven’t seen from him before. “Are you okay?”
I blink, taken aback by the change in his expression, as if he actually cares for the old man.
Kailash Uncle shakes his head lightly. “I’m fine, Raghav. The phone just slipped from my hand.”
Raghav’s gaze sharpens, assessing him anyway. “You didn’t stumble because of weakness, did you? I told you to eat properly, but you never listen,” he says, more firmly this time. “Show me your phone. I’ll ask someone to get it repaired.”
For a moment, I just stand there, watching the two of them. This is not how Raghav usually reacts to guests. I’ve seen enough since I arrived to know that. He is respectful, yes. Attentive too. But this… this feels different. This feels more personal.
Kailash Uncle shifts his gaze between us, then slowly smiles. “I’m fine, Raghav. Don’t worry. In fact, I was just talking with this beautiful lady here… Siya,” he grins at me, almost teasingly, “and she had nothing but good things to say about you.”
My brows pull together in confusion.
Good?
Raghav looks at me, his gaze questioning, as though he already knows that’s not what I said.
Kailash Uncle continues as if nothing is off. “Tell me something, Raghav, why were you insisting that Siya sign up for the vineyard tour today?”
I immediately step in. “It’s okay, Uncle,” I say a little too quickly. “You don’t have to get into this. I’ll handle it with him separately.”
“No,” he replies, turning to me. “I would have a problem if something like this is happening to my guest.”
“Your guest?” I ask, confused now.
“Yes,” he chuckles softly as if enjoying my confusion. Then he turns to Raghav. “Raghav is my son.”
It takes a few seconds for his words to register, and then my gaze snaps back to Raghav.
“Your father?” I murmur, the question slipping out before I can stop it. It doesn’t make sense.
I know Raghav is Tej Khurana’s son, and that his father is dead.
The entire mafia world knows how Tej was ambushed and killed by a powerful global law enforcement network.
So who is this man claiming to be Raghav’s father?
And how many truths is Raghav hiding that are unintentionally being revealed to me now?
Raghav meets my gaze for a brief second before he speaks.
“This is my Baba,” he says, reintroducing me to Kailash Uncle. “He raised my twin brother. And now… he’s a father figure to me too.”
Something in his voice makes my heart pause. His twin brother? The one I saw on the video call. Why was he raised by this man, while Raghav was raised by his mafia father? Although these questions haunt my mind, I slowly turn back to Kailash Uncle, whose warm smile eases all my tension.
“That’s right. Raghav is my son, and I came from Mumbai today to meet him,” he says.
“But I must say, it’s really nice to meet you as well, Siya.
” There is a small pause before he adds, as if amused, “For the first time, I’ve met someone who has spoken about Raghav so fearlessly and with such depth, as though you’ve known him for a long time. ”
My lips part slightly, but no words come out.
“Everyone here loves him,” he continues. “I’ve never heard anyone talk about him the way you just did. That’s why I was a little surprised.”
His gaze shifts between the two of us, curious now.
“Do you both know each other?” he asks.
Raghav answers immediately.
“No,” he answers without hesitation. “We don’t.”
I frown as he continues.
“Siya is just a guest at RK Estate,” he adds flatly. “She has checked in for a month.”
Just a guest?
As if he didn’t know me before seeing me at RK Estate.
As if we haven’t crossed paths in ways that cannot be ignored.
As if he didn’t stand just inches away from me yesterday, allowing me fix something he never lets anyone touch.
But why do I care if he treats me only as a guest and nothing more?
I should be okay with it, right? But I’m not.
Strange! I keep my expression composed, but the irritation is there. Then, as if remembering what I just said, a sudden heat rises to my face before I can stop it. Of all the people I could have vented to… it had to be his Baba. I shouldn’t have spoken so freely about him to anyone.
I exhale slowly, already deciding it’s best to leave before this gets any more awkward.
“I should go,” I say.
But before I can take a step, Uncle stops me.
“Where are you going?” he asks. “Your matter is still not resolved.”
I glance at Raghav before looking at Uncle, who is now questioning Raghav. “Tell me, why have you booked her vineyard tour? Or rather, why are you insisting she go for one?”
I turn my head slightly to look at Raghav again. For the first time since I’ve known him, he looks unsure, as if he’s contemplating what to say.
That’s new!