Epilogue
Dinner the evening after the wedding felt almost unfamiliar in its calm. The Haveli, which had hosted a hundred voices all week, now held only family.
Sarita at the head. Abhinav and Meera beside each other. And Naina, who had spent two courses pretending to eat while clearly bursting with information.
“I have something to tell everyone.”
Sarita set her spoon down. “We know.”
Naina blinked. “You know what?”
“That you have something to tell us. You have had that face since lunch.”
“I have not had a face.”
“You have. A very loud one.”
Naina gave up the argument, set her spoon aside, folded her hands, and tried to compose herself. It lasted barely a second.
“At the wedding yesterday, Rajveer and I spoke for a long time. About work. He has offered me a project.”
The words tumbled out.
“He wants me to design staff uniforms for all Sisodia heritage properties. Hotels, palace stays, museum staff. A full identity. And…”
"And," Abhinav prompted.
He already knew.
Rajveer had spoken to him the day he came to Anand Mahal to sign the contract. He had asked if there would be any objection if Naina worked with him.
Abhinav had given him an answer just as clear.
Naina’s work belonged to her. Her choices belonged to her. If Rajveer saw merit in her, he could make the offer to her. Abhinav would not influence it, not in her favor, not against it.
So when Naina’s words rushed now, full of excitement she could not contain, he let her speak. This moment was hers.
“And he has offered access to the Sisodia royal textile collection. The historical one. For research. Pieces not shown outside that family for generations. Bhai, do you understand what that is? That is not a project. That is an entire education. People spend their lives trying to get access like that.”
Sarita’s expression softened with pride. “It would mean Udaipur.”
“It would mean Udaipur,” Naina confirmed. “For about six months.”
A pause settled over the table.
“I want this,” Naina continued, softer now, more grounded.
“I want to understand the culture from the source. Their textile history goes back eight centuries. If I want to build Naira into what I see for it, I cannot keep working from references. I have to stand inside the real thing. This is that chance.”
Naina turned to Abhinav. “Bhai.”
“No one is stopping you. But…”
“But?”
“But I will be honest with you. You would complain later if I was not.” He set his fork aside. “Rajveer is a good man. I trust him enough to work with him. He is also… exact. Fixed hours. Clear expectations. He does not repeat himself. People understand him the first time.”
“I can handle exact.”
“You can. I am only telling you so you do not call me in week one asking why your boss wakes up before the sun and expects the same from you.”
Naina narrowed her eyes.
He smiled. “That is not my concern, though.”
Naina paused. “Then what is?”
“You have never lived away from home. Six months in a new city is not small.”
This time she took the words in without rushing to answer.
At that moment, Mahesh and Rekha entered with their daughters Kavya and Diya.
Mahesh caught the last line. “Six months where?”
“Udaipur,” Naina replied. “Sisodia Heritage Properties.”
His attention sharpened. “Sisodia heritage properties?”
“Yes, Chacha ji. I am also being offered access to their textile archives.”
He leaned back, impressed. “That family does not open its archives to outsiders. If Kunwar Sa has offered you access, he has already made up his mind about your talent.”
He nodded thoughtfully. “You should take it.”
“Bhai is worried about the stay.”
“Abhinav is worried about what?”
“That I have never lived away from home.”
Mahesh looked at Abhinav, a soft laugh escaping him. “Beta, we live in Udaipur. Our house has more rooms than we use. Naina will not stay in a hotel. She will stay with us. As our daughter.”
Kavya leaned forward. “Naina Didi is coming to Udaipur?”
“For six months,” Rekha confirmed.
Kavya turned to Diya. Diya turned back. Plans passed between them in a glance.
“She is staying with us,” Kavya declared.
“She is definitely staying with us,” Diya added.
Rekha reached across and took Naina’s hand. “You will not be alone for a single day. You will have a home. Dinner every night with your family.”
Naina’s eyes softened. She looked at Abhinav. He met her without hesitation.
The concern had already found its answer. She waited.
“Well,” he allowed, “that removes my concern.”
“Your only concern.”
“My only concern.”
Naina jumped from her chair, rushed around the table, and wrapped her arms around him. His hand came to the back of her head, holding her there.
“Thank you, Bhai.”
“One condition.”
She pulled back, wary. “What now?”
“Remember this conversation when your very disciplined boss asks for work updates before sunrise.”
Naina stared at him. “You are enjoying this.”
“I am educating you.”
“You are absolutely enjoying this.”
“I can do both.”
Beside him, Meera had covered her face.
Naina turned to her. “Bhabhi. You are laughing.”
“I am not.”
“Your shoulders are moving.”
“They are not.”
They were.
Sarita watched her daughter return to her seat, her light stronger now, fuller, as if it had found direction.
The offer had come too sudden. Rajveer did not seem like a man who moved without thought. Men like him observed, weighed, decided. They did not open doors this wide on impulse. That alone gave her pause.
Her eyes rested on Naina for a moment. Excitement sat openly on the girl’s face.
Sarita let the doubt go. The opportunity would shape the girl into what she was meant to become.
“Eat your dinner, Naina. You can become a famous designer after you finish your meal.”
Laughter rose across the table.
Outside, the Haveli rested after a week of celebration. Inside, the next chapter had already begun.