Chapter 22 Small Steps
Morning sunlight spread across Rathore Mansion.
For the first time in days...
The mansion was peaceful.
No business calls.
No emergencies.
No unexpected guests.
Just an ordinary family morning.
Inside the dining hall...
Everyone had gathered for breakfast.
Karan looked around the table dramatically.
"Strange."
Riya raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"I've survived three whole days without Dadi forcing me to eat almonds."
Savitri looked at him.
"I forgot yesterday."
Karan grinned proudly.
"I knew it!"
Before he could celebrate further...
A small bowl of soaked almonds landed in front of him.
"Eat."
The entire family laughed.
Karan sighed dramatically.
"My freedom lasted exactly twelve seconds."
Even Rajveer chuckled.
Aadhira quietly watched the cheerful atmosphere.
It felt...
Different.
Comfortable.
Warm.
A feeling she hadn't experienced in years.
Without realizing it...
A faint smile appeared on her face.
Arjun noticed.
He looked away before anyone caught him staring.
After breakfast...
The family dispersed.
Aadhira walked into the mansion garden with a book in her hand.
She found a quiet bench beneath a large tree.
Finally...
Silence.
She had barely read two pages...
"Bhabi?"
She looked up.
Vivaan stood there holding a basketball.
He looked slightly hesitant.
"You like reading?"
Aadhira closed her book.
"I do."
Vivaan scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
"I hate it."
She blinked.
"...That's an interesting way to start a conversation."
Vivaan laughed.
"I know."
An unexpected silence followed.
Then...
"Can I sit here?"
Aadhira nodded.
"Of course."
He sat beside her.
For several minutes...
Neither of them spoke.
Surprisingly...
The silence wasn't uncomfortable.
"So..."
Aadhira finally asked.
"Why aren't you with your friends?"
Vivaan bounced the basketball once.
"They're busy."
Aadhira nodded.
"And you're not?"
He smiled sheepishly.
"I wanted some peace."
She looked at him.
"So did I."
For the first time...
Both of them smiled.
From the balcony...
Savitri quietly watched the scene.
Nandhini walked beside her.
"They look comfortable together."
Savitri smiled softly.
"Some people heal others..."
"...without even realizing it."
Meanwhile...
Inside the living room...
Rohan had once again arrived without informing anyone.
He dropped onto the sofa dramatically.
"I came to rescue my best friend."
Arjun didn't even look up from his laptop.
"Who asked you to?"
"I could hear your boring personality from outside."
Riya burst into laughter.
Karan immediately joined him.
Rohan looked around.
"Where's Bhabhi?"
Arjun answered absentmindedly.
"In the garden."
"Oh."
Rohan stood up.
"I'll go keep her company."
Arjun finally looked up.
"...Sit down."
Rohan smirked.
"Why?"
"You'll disturb her."
"Or..."
Rohan leaned closer with a mischievous grin.
"...are you worried I'll steal your wife?"
The room suddenly became silent.
Karan slowly looked at Arjun.
Riya folded her arms.
Both waited.
Arjun calmly closed his laptop.
"No."
"I'm worried she'll throw you out."
Rohan placed a hand over his heart dramatically.
"I've been insulted."
Everyone laughed.
Only Siddharth, who had just entered, quietly noticed Arjun's expression.
There was no anger.
No irritation.
Only possessiveness...
That Arjun himself hadn't realized yet.
Elsewhere...
Devraj Mansion.
Vedha stood inside her studio, arranging newly completed designs.
Kavya entered with two cups of coffee.
"I thought you might need a break."
Vedha accepted one.
"Thank you."
Kavya looked around casually.
"So..."
"How's your sister adjusting to the Rathore family?"
Vedha remained expressionless.
"I don't know."
"You don't ask?"
Vedha shook her head.
"There's nothing to ask."
Kavya smiled inwardly.
Exactly what she wanted to hear.
She had no idea...
Every word she spoke was quietly being remembered by someone.
That evening...
The sky slowly turned shades of orange.
Aadhira stood on the terrace watching the sunset.
Soft footsteps approached.
Rajveer stood beside her.
"I heard from Nandhini..."
"...that Vivaan spent almost an hour talking with you."
Aadhira smiled slightly.
"He's a good boy."
"He is."
Rajveer looked toward the horizon.
"He laughs a lot."
"But sometimes..."
"...he forgets he's still a child."
Aadhira remained silent.
"He lost his mother the day he was born."
"I've always worried..."
"...that he grew up too quickly."
Aadhira's eyes softened.
"I'll make sure he smiles a little more."
Rajveer looked at her.
For the first time...
He smiled not as the head of the Rathore family...
But as a grateful grandfather.
"Thank you, beta."
Aadhira quietly lowered her eyes.
"No one had called her 'beta' with such warmth...
...in a very long time.
Far away...
Unseen by everyone...
Someone was already planning their next move.
But for today...
The mansion was filled only with laughter.
A peace...
That wouldn't last forever.