CHAPTER 38 #3
“Pratap and I think the same, Rukmini ji,” Baba joins in. “The next generation of twins are going to surpass their father and uncle when it comes to grabbing everyone’s attention.”
“They will,” Siya’s mother agrees with a smile. “Though, I’m surprised Pratap ji didn’t come to see me off. He had said he would.”
“He wanted to, Aunty,” Meher replies. “But an urgent meeting came up and he had to leave. He’s already asked me to apologise to you for not coming himself.”
That earns another round of smiles before Siya speaks up.
“Meher, you know what? When Mom met Kailash Uncle, the first thing she called him was ‘Bhai Sahab.’ But when she met your father, it was a different story altogether. Suddenly, it was ‘Pratap ji’ and ‘Rukmani ji.” No ‘Behan ji.’ No ‘Bhai Sahab.’ Nothing.”
She’s right. Even I had noticed that.
Meher and Baba burst out laughing while Siya’s mother tries hard not to blush.
“You’re right,” Meher agrees. “Even I’ve never seen Dad behave like that with any other woman except Aunty.”
“Pratap ji is a very good man. I respect him a lot,” Siya’s mother says with a smile. “And I can’t wait to meet him again. This time, it will probably be when the babies are born and he becomes a grandfather all over again.”
Ayaan then moves towards Siya, who instinctively glances at me before turning back to him again.
His eyes lock with Siya’s. “I know my brother can be impossible at times,” he begins. “He’s stubborn, unreasonable, bossy, and overprotective when it comes to family. But now that I know you, I’m sure you can handle him.”
Siya holds back a smile.
I should be frowning at how Ayaan is describing me to my wife. Instead, I have a smirk on my lips. However, I wisely stay out of the conversation.
“In fact,” Ayaan glances at me before looking back at Siya, “I trust only you to deal with all his moods. No one else.”
Siya looks genuinely overwhelmed. Then she smiles back and nods at him.
“But if he gives you too much trouble, just tell me.” Then, without warning, he hugs Siya. “Look after him… and yourself.”
At first, she doesn’t say anything. Then a small smile touches her lips as they pull apart. “I don’t think your brother lets anyone look after him. But I’ll try.”
“Exactly.” Ayaan laughs. “That’s precisely why I’m trusting you.”
That’s it. Having seen and heard enough between the two of them, I step forward and reach for Siya’s hand. Her fingers automatically entwine with mine.
“Someone’s jealous,” Ayaan teases, noticing my possessive handhold.
“Stop teasing them, Ayaan,” Baba intervenes as he reaches us and looks at me. “I want all of you here again before Meher goes into labour. Though, I’ll visit you once before that. I have some work at RK Estate.”
“We’ll be waiting for you,” Siya replies on our behalf.
Baba smiles. Then Siya and I bend down side by side to touch his feet together. The realisation hits both of us at once. For the first time, we are doing this together, like a married couple seeking blessings from an elder. Our eyes meet briefly as Baba places his hand on both our heads.
“Khush raho, dono. (Stay happy, both of you.) May God always keep you together. And may you always find strength in each other, no matter what life brings your way.”
Baba pulls both of us into a warm hug. It is only after we straighten up that I realise my other hand is still holding hers.
And throughout the goodbyes, my hand never leaves her.
Not while I talk to Ayaan. Not while I hug him again before leaving.
Not while I hug Meher and remind her to take care of herself.
And judging by the grin she throws our way, she’s noticed it too. But I don’t care.
The cars are already waiting outside. Still holding Siya’s hand, I walk her towards the waiting car and open the rear door for her. She gets in, followed by her mother. Once they’re settled, I close the door and move towards the front when Ayaan steps over to me one last time.
“Regarding what happened at the club yesterday, don’t worry. GLEN will handle it and make sure we keep a close watch on any further incidents,” he says firmly. “Whatever mess comes our way, we’ll deal with it together. Okay?”
Then his expression hardens. “But don’t do anything that could make this worse, Raghav. We know the Singhals were behind what happened yesterday. But don’t take any action against them or anyone from the mafias without talking to me first.”
His gaze locks onto mine. “And I mean it.”
A smirk tugs at the corner of my mouth. “I know how to deal with them,” I tell him. “You don’t have to teach me.”
Ayaan exhales and rolls his eyes, as if he expected exactly that answer.
I pull him into another brief hug, reassuring him that I’ll be careful.
He finally relaxes and gets inside the car, taking the wheel while I slide into the front passenger seat.
He’s dropping us at the airport, where my jet is already waiting to take us back to RK Estate.
Meher and Baba come outside to see us off. We wave at them one last time before Ayaan starts the engine. The moment our car pulls away from Shergill Mansion, the security vehicles fall into line around us.
It’s time to go home.