Chapter 4
The drive across the city passed under dim streetlights, but the silence inside the car felt heavier than the muted traffic outside. Kashvi had barely spoken since they left, even though Swayam had tried twice to draw her into conversation.
She could feel his eyes on her, but she kept hers fixed ahead.
The car rolled into the underground parking area of the sprawling complex, and Swayam switched off the engine. Kashvi unbuckled her seatbelt and rolled her shoulders to relieve the stiffness before stepping out into the cool night air.
Swayam stretched briefly before falling into step beside her as they made their way towards the elevator reserved for the penthouse. Kashvi pressed the call button, trying to ignore the growing knot of worry tightening in her stomach.
She had been avoiding Siya’s calls for days, never finding the courage to return them. And now she had to improvise because she was about to walk directly into her sister’s home without any explanation.
The metal doors slid open with a mechanical hum, and they stepped inside. Swayam pressed the penthouse button and leaned against the wall, a step behind her.
The unnerving tension pulsed through her veins as she restlessly tapped her fingers on her knee. What was she supposed to say to Siya?
Sorry I ignored your calls because I didn’t know how to explain what was happening?
Sorry I broke my promise to you about not disappearing again?
Sorry for letting you believe I wouldn’t worry you like this again?
Swayam brushed his fingers over her knuckles in a soft, grounding touch. It cut through the spiral of anxious thoughts, and her shoulders relaxed a little.
Kashvi found him watching her as he said softly, ‘Breathe. You’re thinking too much.’
‘You have no idea.’
A soft chime echoed through the elevator, and the doors slid open. Kashvi spotted the man leaning casually against the wall outside and let out a breath of relief.
‘There she is. Welcome home,’ Abhay said warmly.
Kashvi stepped forward into his open arms, giving him a quick hug. ‘Hi, Jiju.’
‘Ah,’ he hummed, patting her back. ‘That reaction tells me you’re very happy to see me instead of your sister.’
Kashvi pressed her lips together, feigning innocence. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’
‘Enjoy this peace while you can. Your torture begins the moment Siya gets back from her board meeting.’
‘I’m not afraid of her,’ she declared, but Swayam snorted behind her, ruining the effect.
‘Relax,’ Abhay said, gesturing towards the living room. ‘You’ve got time to come up with a good story.’
Kashvi groaned softly. ‘I plan to avoid that conversation for as long as possible.’
Swayam shut the door and followed them inside. ‘Bold strategy.’
Abhay shot him an amused glance over his shoulder as he walked ahead.
Kashvi slowed after only a few steps, her attention caught by a large portrait hanging on the wall.
The photo had been taken on Abhay and Siya’s wedding day, when he’d fastened the anklets around her feet. Smaller frames surrounded it, capturing moments of celebration and joy from the same day.
‘When did these come in?’ she asked.
‘Earlier this week. Siya spent an entire evening deciding where each frame should go,’ Abhay said with a hint of fondness.
‘That sounds like her,’ Kashvi replied.
She understood why it mattered so much to her sister. Growing up, their father had never allowed photographs, trophies, or anything that marked milestones in their lives to be displayed. Only his pictures and his achievements adorned the walls of their family townhouse.
The first thing they had done after moving into their new apartment was cover an entire wall with their favourite framed memories. Seeing Siya’s new home filled with milestones and happy memories felt like a quiet victory.
‘Come on,’ Swayam said, noticing she had fallen behind.
Kashvi nodded and followed him into the living room. Warm yellow light pooled across the plush rug. The large grey sectional sofa was already occupied, suit jackets tossed carelessly over the backrest.
Luv lounged in one corner, his tie loosened and sleeves rolled up to his forearms, popping pistachios into his mouth. Raghav sat beside him, one ankle crossed over his knee, scrolling through his phone.
They both looked up when she walked in, and Luv’s brows shot up.
‘Well, well,’ he said with a wide grin. ‘Look who finally decided to return to civilisation. I was starting to forget what you look like.’
Kashvi narrowed her eyes. The idiot had dropped her home barely a few hours ago. Clearly, he needed a reminder.
‘Oh?’ she hummed with a smile. ‘In that case, let me refresh your memory.’
As she moved past Luv towards the empty space on the sofa, she deliberately stomped on his foot, making him yelp.
His protest dissolved into laughter when he looked up to find her glaring down at him in warning.
Luv raised both hands in surrender. ‘I get such a special greeting? Aw, you must have really missed me.’
Kashvi snatched the pistachios from his hand and replaced them with a handful of almonds. ‘You need these more,’ she said dryly.
He grinned, unbothered, and all trace of their earlier tense conversation vanished. It made her wonder what else Luv hid behind that easy smile.
Swayam took a seat beside her, and she tried hard not to look his way.
Raghav set his phone aside and leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. ‘It’s been a while since we heard from you. How have you been?’
Though his tone was casual, the concern beneath it was impossible to miss.
She forced a smile. ‘Great. Work’s been a little chaotic,’ Kashvi said, then quickly deflected. ‘Where is Meera? She never misses dinner nights.’
Raghav watched her for a beat, knowing exactly what she was doing, then relented with a small shake of his head. ‘Mihu’s in Delhi.’
Before he could add more, Luv cut in, pressing a hand dramatically to his chest. ‘My life feels dull without her. When is she coming back?’
Raghav reached across the sofa and punched his arm.
Swayam, who had been quietly observing, leaned back and stretched out his legs. ‘Before this turns into a full-blown drama, can someone tell me what’s for dinner?’
Abhay glanced up from his laptop. ‘Nothing.’
‘Weren’t you cooking?’ Swayam asked.
‘That was the plan.’
‘You burned something?’ Raghav teased.
Abhay ignored him. ‘Meetings ran late, so we have to wait for Siya. She’s picking up food on her way back.’
‘What did you order?’
‘Chinese.’
‘Excellent,’ Swayam approved. ‘I’m so hungry I can’t see straight.’
‘You can take half my bowl. I don’t feel like eating much,’ Luv said absently, scrolling through his phone.
The room went quiet for a second.
Abhay looked up, his eyes widening. ‘Are you sick? Should we call a doctor?’
Kashvi placed her palm against Luv’s forehead, frowning. ‘Do you have a fever?’
Luv rolled his eyes and swatted her hand away.
‘Maybe we should call a priest instead. He might be possessed,’ Swayam suggested.
‘I don’t like to eat that much,’ Luv remarked, glaring at all of them.
Raghav chuckled. ‘You once dunked a chocolate bar into hot chocolate.’
‘It made the bar melt in my mouth, so that was a genius discovery,’ Luv said, waving his hand dismissively. ‘Besides, I’m perfectly fine. My family dragged me to eight weddings in the last two weeks. There are only so many buffets a man can survive before his stomach revolts.’
‘Why didn’t you bring Kusha tonight? At least she could’ve finished what you can’t,’ Abhay said.
Luv chuckled. ‘Oh yes, because for once, my twin stealing food from my plate would actually solve my problem.’
Kashvi asked, ‘How’s she doing? I heard she got back from London recently.’
‘She did, and immediately got dragged into attending one of those weddings, only to end up with food poisoning. She’s at home hydrating and resting.’
‘You should’ve told us earlier. We would’ve brought dinner over to your place,’ Kashvi said.
Luv shook his head, amused. ‘At this point, she doesn’t even want to look at food.’
Raghav picked up a handful of cashews. ‘Not Mihu. She’s living her best life at her cousin’s wedding, while I’m stuck here working because apparently disappearing to eat chaat isn’t considered professionalism.’
Luv groaned at the mention of chaat.
Swayam let out a light chuckle. ‘Food is the only good part of weddings. Otherwise, they’re a nightmare, especially if you’re single.’
Abhay raised a brow. ‘What’s so bad about it?’
Swayam scoffed. ‘You wouldn’t get it. You’re happily married, and no longer a target for matchmaking relatives.’
Luv nodded animatedly. ‘He’s right. Weddings are starting to feel like a hunting ground.’
‘That sounds about right,’ Swayam muttered. ‘A few of my relatives keep sending me biodatas of girls they think would be perfect for me, even though they don’t know me at all.’
‘That reminds me, what happened to the aunty who kept calling you last week?’ Luv asked, amused.
Swayam sighed. ‘That’s my maasi. She’s decided I absolutely have to meet some girl at my cousin’s engagement in a few days.’
Kashvi tried to focus on the conversation around her, but the thought of Swayam with someone else kept circling back, persistently nagging her.
‘So your attendance is mandatory,’ Luv teased.
Swayam shrugged. ‘That’s if she manages to talk to me. I won’t let that happen.’
‘What do you mean?’
Swayam declared triumphantly, ‘My phone’s permanently on airplane mode. No one can reach me, including two prospective author clients I’d been excited to work with. But eh, we do what we can to survive.’
Abhay chimed in, ‘Speaking from experience, getting married isn’t the terrible fate you two seem to think it is.’
Raghav nodded, a wistful smile playing on his lips. ‘In fact, I highly recommend it.’
Love for their wives shone plainly in their eyes. Men in love were something to marvel at.
A sliver of dread rushed through Kashvi at the thought of Swayam looking at someone else that way, his eyes lit up with love. She tried to brush it off, but the image had already taken root, choking her.