Page 141 of Since the Night We Met
He chuckled. ‘That look won’t work on me. I’ve handled your anger for years.’
‘And you’ll always have to take it because I am your elder sister,’ she declared and something caught at the back of her throat when his eyes got misty.
Siya was concerned for him. It was clear by the bags under his eyes that he was taking the truth about his mother really hard. She pressed his shoulder lightly and asked, ‘Are you okay?’
Dhruv nodded, and squeezed her hand back. ‘I’ve been looking into some things…’
‘Need my help?’ she asked, hoping he’d say yes. But he shook his head. ‘I’ve got it. If there is anything, I’ll let you know.’
Would he really? she wondered. Their past was complicated, and she worried if it would become a hurdle to building a better relationship.
She gently caressed his cheek as she said, ‘I know we have a messed up history, but I’m here for you now, and I hope you know that.’
Dhruv smiled, and this time, it did look genuine. ‘I do. And I’m really happy for both of you. I’m glad you found someone who loves and cherishes you.’
‘I’m glad you’re here for this,’ she said.
He gave a little crooked grin. ‘I wouldn’t be anywhere else.’
‘Guys,’ Meera called out for them. ‘C’mon, let’s eat before Swayam and Luv finish every vada pav in the food stall.’
‘Coming!’ Siya yelled back and Dhruv followed her as they joined everyone.
‘We have to hurry. Luv seems to be on a mission to finish everything I love before I get a chance,’ Raghav said, eyeing the jalebi counter.
Siya hung back as everyone jogged to the nearby stall. Abhay sat a few feet away, helping a little boy make a sandcastle. Once it was complete, he laughed as the boy jumped on it to make it crumble. She smiled seeing the joy shine in his eyes.
‘You okay, Di?’ Kashvi asked, looping her arm with hers.
‘Yeah, just watching them,’ Siya answered.
She bumped her shoulder. ‘You’re allowed to join in, you know.’
‘I know, but I guess I’m still getting used to feeling happy,’ Siya confessed.
‘But you do deserve it,’ Kashvi insisted.
Siya laughed and patted her hand. ‘Look at you. You’re growing up.’
Kashvi gave a bow and the sisters giggled.
Luv looked just as happy as the kids as he yelled from the icicle stall, ‘Siya! They’ve got kala khatta! What are you waiting for?’
***
A little girl named Jiya tugged at Kashvi’s hand and asked, ‘Didi, can you help me?’
Kashvi gestured for Siya to carry on. Turning to the kid, Kashvi crouched until she was at her level, her sandals sinking slightly into the sand. ‘Of course, sweetheart. Tell me.’
‘I want to buy something for me but I don’t know what to choose,’ Jiya said with a pout, pointing at the nearby jewellery cart.
‘Okay, come on,’ Kashvi said, and holding her by the hand, they walked up to the jewellery stall.
As she tilted the trays to show her the bracelet and pendant collections, she asked, ‘What do you like?’
‘I like shiny things!’ Jiya smiled, and her adorable dimple popped out.
Kashvi could relate to that, so she found a bracelet with rainbow coloured stones and showed it to Jiya. ‘What about this?’
