Chapter 16
Meera moved through the corridors of the Haveli as if her body could not keep pace with her thoughts.
Her steps came too fast, her dupatta flying as she turned corners without slowing, sandals striking the stone in quick, uneven rhythm.
A week.
He had given her a week.
The thought rose again and again, bright and disorienting, making her breath come faster each time.
She reached her quarters and pushed the door open. “Babuji! Maa Sa!”
Both looked up at once.
Devendra sat on the floor cushion, tea in his hand, newspaper on his lap. Gauri paused with her teacup halfway to her lips.
“What happened?” Devendra asked, taken aback by the light in her.
“He’s reconsidering.”
The words rushed out.
“Hukum. The sale. He hasn’t agreed.”
Devendra’s hand moved. The cup tipped, tea spilling over the edge onto the newspaper. He did not notice.
“What?” The word came thin.
Meera drew in a breath, forcing herself to slow down.
“Yuvraj Rajveer Singh Sisodia came this morning,” she began, her voice finding control. “He made an offer. Two Hundred crores, Babuji.”
Her hands moved as she spoke, restless, alive. “And Hukum didn’t accept.”
Devendra and Gauri blinked.
“He asked for a week,” Meera continued. “Before deciding. He gave that week to me. Seven days. To show him what this place is. To convince him not to sell.”
Devendra didn’t respond immediately.
The newspaper slipped from his lap, folding into itself. “He asked for time?”
Meera nodded.
Devendra leaned back a little, brows drawing together. Not doubt. Something harder to name.
“That doesn’t…” He stopped, cleared his throat. “That doesn’t fit. Anand men don’t take time. They decide. Then they don’t return to it.”
His gaze shifted to Gauri. “Even Thakurain Sa said she couldn’t change his mind.”
Gauri looked at Meera.
Devendra exhaled, setting aside a thought that refused to settle.
“A week,” he repeated. His eyes returned to her, more grounded, though disbelief still lingered. “We shouldn’t assume anything. Not until it is done.”
“I know,” Meera nodded, though hope had already taken root.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then Devendra turned the conversation. “Lakshya’s parents called. What do you think of him?”
Meera did not respond at once.
Because, Abhinav rose in her mind. His closeness. His hand at her face. His voice, low. Breathe. The look in his eyes when she could not stop crying.
Her breath caught. She straightened.
‘No. That meant nothing.’
He had only tried to calm her. Anyone would have done the same. Her hormones, she told herself firmly, were being completely ridiculous.
She pushed the thought aside and met her father’s gaze. “He seems… good. Respectful.”
Devendra watched her. Not the words. Her.
Silence stretched.
Then she added, softer yet firm, “But this week… this is important, Babuji. Let me see this through.”
Something in Devendra’s expression changed. Not understanding. Not agreement either. Still, he chose not to question further.
He gave a measured nod. “Finish it.”
Gauri reached across and took Meera’s hand, warm and reassuring. “If anyone can make him see, beta, it’s you.”
The words sank deeper than Meera expected.
She slipped her hand free and rose. “I’ll start tomorrow.”
She did not look back as she stepped out again. She was already thinking ahead, the seven days unfolding before her before they had even begun.
Behind her, Gauri watched with hopeful eyes.
As for Devendra, an unease had settled into him, the sense that something had changed even if he could not yet name it.
◆◆◆
Sarita sat with her embroidery, silk stretched across her lap. Naina lay across the divan, half lost in her phone, one arm thrown over her head.
Abhinav walked in and took a seat.
Neither looked up.
“The crown prince of Mewar Royalty, Rajveer Singh Sisodia came this morning.”
Sarita’s needle didn’t pause. Naina didn’t even blink.
“He made an offer for the Haveli. Two hundred crores.”
This time Naina did look up. Not surprised. Just… amused.
Sarita’s lips curved, her attention still on the pattern in her lap. “Yes. We heard.”
Abhinav frowned. “Already?”
Naina snorted. “Bhai, the kitchen staff knew before the car left the gate.”
He watched her.
“The guard told the driver, the driver told the gardener, the gardener told…”
“I understand,” Abhinav cut in dryly.
“Do you?” Naina tilted her head. “Because you’re explaining it like it’s breaking news.”
He let that pass.
“I offered Meera seven days,” he went on, his tone turning formal. “To present her case for retaining the Haveli before I respond to Rajveer.”
Sarita’s needle moved again. “Really.”
“It’s a tactical decision. Before committing to a transaction of that scale, I need a complete understanding of the asset. Its operational, historical, and structural value…”
“Seven days,” Naina cut in.
He didn’t look at her. “Yes.”
“With Meera.”
“To assess the property.”
“Right.” She pushed herself up, interest now clear on her face. “So this has nothing to do with the fact that she is the first person in your entire life who has ever told you no.”
Abhinav looked at her. “This is a business decision.”
“Of course.” Naina nodded with exaggerated seriousness. “Very serious. Very strategic.” Her hand moved in a vague gesture. “Seven days of intensive property assessment.”
Sarita shifted.
“Rajveer’s offer is significant,” Abhinav continued. “Two Hundred crores is not a figure one dismisses without…”
“Spending a week with the estate manager,” Naina finished.
He shot her a look.
She smiled sweetly.
“I’m simply being thorough.” Abhinav insisted.
“Mmm,” Sarita murmured, her needle passing through the silk again.
Naina leaned back, watching him with open interest. “And this thoroughness requires exclusive access to Meera?”
“It requires access to the Haveli.”
“Which she manages.”
“Yes.”
“So… Meera.”
He squinted at her.
Naina’s grin widened. “Relax, Bhai. We’re not judging you.”
“There is nothing to judge.”
“Of course not.”
Sarita nodded. “Completely professional.”
Abhinav exhaled, patience thinning. “Is there a reason I am being interrogated?”
“No,” Naina shook her head. “We are just observing.”
“Observing what?”
“How fast you went from ‘sell immediately’ to ‘let me spend seven days with the one person actively trying to stop me.’”
“That is not…”
“It’s fine.” She waved a hand. “Growth is good.”
Sarita’s needle stilled for a second. “Very good.”
Abhinav looked between them. Neither of them looked serious. That made it worse.
“I have calls to return,” he said finally, rising.
“Of course you do,” Naina replied.
“Join us in time for lunch,” Sarita added.
He left.
Silence lasted two seconds after his footsteps faded. Naina turned to her mother. Sarita looked up. They tried to hold it in.
They failed.
Naina collapsed back onto the divan, laughing into her cushion. “Seven days,” she managed. “Tactical decision.”
Sarita covered her mouth, shoulders shaking, her composure gone. “Asset evaluation.”
Naina sat up, wiping her eyes. “He came in here and tried to explain Rajveer Singh Sisodia as if we do not live in the same Haveli.”
Sarita shook her head, smiling. “Idiot.”
“Complete idiot.”
They dissolved again, laughter filling the room. After a while, Sarita returned to her embroidery. The smile stayed, softer now.
“Seven days.”
Naina stretched out again, grin still in place. “God help him.”