23. HER FIRST STEP
The dining table buzzed softly with clinking cutlery, everyone gathered and waiting for dinner to be served. Vinod cleared his throat, his deep voice breaking the mild chatter.
“Where are Amit and Kirti?” he asked casually, glancing around.
The question made Aarvi’s stomach tighten. Her fingers froze over the edge of her plate, eyes darting downwards. And immediately, Vivan’s gaze flicked toward her, sharp and searching, as though silently checking if she was alright. Aarvi lowered her lashes quickly, trying to hide her discomfort.
Before the silence stretched too long, Pragya intervened smoothly, placing a spoon of dal into Vinod’s plate. “I’ll tell you everything later,” she said gently, steering the conversation away.
The table fell into silence again. Aarvi stared at her plate as thoughts. should I ask them now? What if they say no? Her chest tightened. But then she remembered how suffocating her days had become in the large, perfect house, no work, no purpose, only silence.
She took a breath. “Umm… Papa, I want to say something.”
Every head turned toward her. Vinod’s brows lifted with curiosity. “Yes, beta?”
Her throat went dry. Aarvi forced her lips to move. “A-actually… I get bored here in the house. Servants handle all the cleaning, personal chefs make all the food… and I just… I just sit here with nothing to do.” She said hesitantly, her fingers nervously tangling with each other.
Vinod smiled faintly, tilting his head. “Say it clearly, beta.”
Aarvi’s gaze dropped to her lap. She inhaled slowly, gathering courage, and whispered, “I… I want to do a job.”
The table went silent.
Her heart pounded so loud she could hear it in her ears. They didn’t like it. I knew it. I shouldn’t have asked, She thought as she lifted her head, ready to explain, when laughter suddenly erupted around the table.
Her eyes widened. Vinod chuckled warmly. “For this you were so nervous? Haan? Silly girl You made it sound like you were about to confess some big crime.”
Prisha laughed softly, shaking her head, while Vedant almost choked on his roti, giggling. Even Pragya grinned at her.
Aarvi’s cheeks burned with a mix of shock and embarrassment. She blinked, flustered, her lips parting but no words coming out. Slowly, she looked toward Vivan.
He didn’t laugh. He didn’t even look up. He simply continued eating, his face calm, but at the corner of his lips… there was the faintest smile. Ut was small if he wasn’t mocking her, just quietly amused by her nervousness. That single curve of his mouth made cheek burn in embarrassment.
“Aur Vivan,” Vinod suddenly said, breaking the moment.
Vivan looked up immediately. “Yes, Papa?” His tone was composed, as if nothing had happened.
“Tomorrow, Aarvi will come with you to Singhania Industries,” Vinod announced. “You’ll personally take her interview. If she passes, she can work in our company. If not, she’ll have to look for another job elsewhere. Understood?” He said the last part while looking directly at Aarvi.
Aarvi’s breath caught. For a second she thought she’d misheard. She quickly nodded. “Ji, Papa.”
Vedant grinned wickedly. “And no cheating, bhai. Just because she’s your wife doesn’t mean you hand her the job on a silver platter. Be loyal to your company, hmm?”
Aarvi’s eyes widened, she swallowed hard, looking down as if she didn't know how to react on his statement. Her fingers twisted the edge of her pallu.
Beside her, Vivan stiffened for just a second, he shifted uncomfortably on his chair. He shot Vedant a sharp glare, in order to not let the teasings continue again. Vedant instantly pretended to zip his lips, but the smirk never left his face.
The rest of the table chuckled at the scene, the atmosphere warm again. But for Aarvi, the air still felt thick.
She is tensed about what will happen in the interview? how will she handle? Will she beven pass or not?
Dinner ended with laughter, but as soon as the family disappeared, silence returned. Aarvi walked quietly beside Vivan toward their room, her fingers brushing against the folds of her pallu.
Inside, the air was different, no teasing voices, no distractions. Just the two of them.
Aarvi closed the door, trying to calm the nervous flutter in her chest. Vivan removed his watch and set it on the table, his face unreadable. For a moment, neither spoke.
Finally, Aarvi’s voice broke the silence. Soft, hesitant. “I… I hope Papa wasn’t troubled by what I said.”
Vivan glanced at her. His gaze lingered longer than she expected, and she quickly lowered her eyes. “He wasn’t,” he replied, his tone calm. “He actually seemed… proud.”
Her lips parted in surprise. “Proud?”
He leaned back slightly, arms folding across his chest. “That you didn’t choose to sit quietly. That you said what you wanted.” His voice was soft, then, he looked away.
“You’ll get your chance tomorrow,” he added. “Just… be ready.”
Her heart skipped. She nodded, whispering, “I will.”
Silence returned, but it wasn’t the cold silence of strangers anymore. It was something else, maybe understanding.
Aarvi turned toward the window, pretending to adjust the curtain, just to ignore the awkwardness. Vivan watched her from behind, his jaw tightening, he looked away immediately from her.