CHAPTER 34 #3
Vishnu excuses himself as well, going away with Kailash Uncle and Pratap Uncle to check on the guests, which leaves me standing with Raghav, Trisha, and another man who I now recall is Trisha’s husband. She had shown me his photo on her phone when she was in Cape Town.
Trisha reaches me first. She takes my hand and looks at me almost nervously.
“I don’t even know what to say,” she admits softly. “You never replied to my messages. And I completely understand if you didn’t want to talk to me after everything.”
I squeeze her hand gently. “None of it was your fault. You did everything you could. What happened... happened. We can’t change it now.”
I look at Raghav from the corner of my eye. “And honestly, I don’t want to think about any of that today. I’m here for this family who have accepted me so warmly. I just want to focus on them and on Meher’s day. I think we all should.”
“Yes.” Trisha nods, though there is still guilt in her eyes. “I just don’t want whatever happened to ruin what we have.”
“It won’t,” I assure her.
“We connected so quickly, didn’t we?” she says. “Most people would say that kind of bond takes years to build. But I don’t know… whenever I look at you, I see a sister, Siya.”
“And sisters don’t disappear just because life gets complicated.”
That visibly relaxes Trisha. “True,” she says with a grin before hugging me tightly.
I hug her back. Just when we pull away, someone clears his throat loudly.
“Alright, ladies. If this emotional reunion is finally over, I think I’m still waiting to be introduced.”
I look up at Trisha’s husband standing next to her.
“Oh, sorry.” Trisha laughs. “Siya, this is my husband, Krish.”
I smile politely. “Hi.”
“Hi,” he grins back. “And before she forgets the important part, I’m also one of the Directors of GLEN and Ayaan’s best friend. I can’t say the same about Raghav, though. He’s too broody to be my friend yet.”
His dramatic tone makes me chuckle. Krish looks at Raghav, and a wicked smile appears on his face.
“Dude, would you stop staring at her like that?” he mutters. “People are going to think this isn’t Meher’s baby shower but your wedding reception.”
Trisha smacks his arm. “Krish, behave.”
My cheeks flush again. Was Raghav really making it that obvious, staring at me all the time? I look up to confirm. Yes. It’s clear as day. Any fool can read that look on his face.
Just then, Ayaan calls out to them from across the room.
“Krish! Trisha!”
“We’ll continue this later,” Krish promises mischievously.
And just like that, the two of them excuse themselves and walk away, leaving Raghav and me standing side by side.
But this time, my gaze drifts towards Meher, who is seated comfortably while her brothers, Vishnu and Aksh, fuss over her as if she’s made of glass.
One of them adjusts the cushion behind her, and the other hands her a glass of juice.
Vishnu checks to make sure she’s comfortable, while Aksh scolds a helper for making her sit without proper support.
And Meher… she just laughs through it all.
I can’t help but smile.
“If I overlook the part where you forced me to marry you…” I say, softly, my eyes still resting on the family gathered around her, “the best thing that happened to me because of this marriage is getting to know such wonderful people.”
I glance around the room.
“In my world, I never really grew up seeing things like this. This kindness. This loyalty. Friendships that feel like family. Families who genuinely care. People who stand beside each other without expecting anything in return.”
I exhale softly.
“So if there’s one good thing this marriage gave me, it’s them… your family.”
I glance at Raghav once, then look back at Meher again. And before I can stop myself, tears sting my eyes.
“Just coming here today, I finally understand what sibling bonds actually look like,” I whisper
Raghav turns towards me as I continue, “Whether it’s you and Ayaan…
Even with everything that’s happened between you, I can still see how much you both love each other.
Or this…” I murmur, watching Vishnu adjust Meher’s dupatta while Aksh asks her for the fifth time whether she’s tired.
“The way they look after Meher as though she’s the centre of their world… ”
I blink rapidly, trying to keep the tears from spilling over.
“I wish…” My voice cracks. “I wish Samarjeet had ever loved me like that too.” A humourless laugh escapes me. “He never fussed over me. Never worried about me.”
I shake my head.
“But it’s not his fault.” I sigh. “Because he never—”
I pause. No. I can’t say that. Not to Raghav or anyone else. I quickly wipe my eyes. Raghav looks at me as if he’s already read between the lines. And that’s not good!
Before I can escape, his fingers close around my elbow, turning me to face him. “He never… what?” Raghav asks. “Finish that sentence.”
I shake my head immediately. “It’s nothing.”
His fingers tighten slightly around my arm.
“Siya.”
I avoid his eyes.
“Let go of my hand, RK,” I whisper, my voice trembling. “Please.”
This time, he doesn’t say anything. But I can feel it. His instincts have already picked up that I’m hiding something. And that’s exactly why I need to leave.
I free myself from his grip, brush away my tears again, and walk away before he can stop me, heading straight towards Meher and Mom. Towards anyone but the dangerously perceptive man behind me, whose instincts are already hunting for answers I’m not ready to give.