Page 33 of Since the Night We Met
Meeting her gaze, Meera asked, ‘You know Siya the best. We’ve seen her scroll through menus a hundred times overbefore ordering food from a restaurant. Before every trip, she makes multiple checklists and a complete itinerary. She isn’t an impulsive person, is she?’
Kashvi shook her head, but her chin wobbled as she failed to hold back tears. Meera rubbed her arm gently and went on, ‘How many times have you known your sister to make a decision that didn’t have a reason behind it?’
‘Oh please, she took a week to decide the topic for our group presentation in college and then wouldn’t let us contribute because she had a certain “vision,”’ Swayam commented.
Siya rolled her eyes at his exaggeration. ‘Are you complaining about the A grade we received?’
‘Not at all,’ Swayam announced with a grin.
Meera gave a soft chuckle and brushed Kashvi’s hair back from her face. ‘Exactly. Your control freak of a sister doesn’t do anything without a purpose. We might not understand it now, butshedoes. Let’s give her space to figure out the rest.’
Kashvi turned to Siya, tears streaming down her face. ‘Is this your choice then? Do you really feel something for Abhay?’
Her heart ached at the question, and a sizzling pain burst through her veins. Did she have feelings for Abhay? Is the sky blue? His betrayal would hurt less if she didn’t. But that was their story, and she didn’t want Kashvi to worry, so she gave her a half-truth.
‘Yes,’ she mumbled. Technically, it was true. At the core of it, getting married to save Kashvi was the only choice she could live with.
Kashvi held her gaze for a long moment, and it’s good that Siya was an expert at keeping a smile on her face, or else Kashviwould have caught the cracks in her facade. Her sister nodded and hugged her.
Excusing herself, she went to wash her face, and finally, the splintered armour Siya held on to shattered. Meera took a seat beside her and said, ‘I don’t need details. I meant what I said. We’ll respect your decision, but I want you to know that you’re not in this alone.’
Siya shook her head, and a bitter scoff escaped her lips. ‘I spent years trying to forget Abhay, and now in a week, I’ll be married to him. The universe really has a crappy sense of humour.’
Meera nodded. ‘I’ve known him for nearly a year now. He may not be perfect, but he is not heartless either. And I’ve known you all my life. If anyone can handle this, it’s you.’
‘And honestly, I’ve been looking for an excuse to punch Abhay ever since he kicked my ass in our first tennis match. He makes you cry even once, and the countdown will begin,’ Swayam remarked.
Her lips twitched in a smile, despite the tears.
Meera said, ‘Just remember, no matter what this is about, no matter how complicated, we’re with you.’
Swayam pushed off the couch and offered her a tissue. In a serious tone, which they rarely heard from him, Swayam echoed Meera’s words. ‘Yes, we are. Always.’
Siya held out her hand, and he squeezed it in assurance. She sent a silent prayer, thanking the universe for blessing her with friends like them, who were like family.
Kashvi came back, dabbing her face dry with a towel. Siya noticed she seemed much calmer now, and sighed in relief. ‘What’s going on?’
Siya cleared her throat to dislodge the emotions choking her, and said, ‘Swayam being Swayam.’
‘Hey! I’ll be the first to admit that I’m relieved you’re not expecting a baby. I’m not ready to become a godfather,’ he said, dramatically gesturing as if he were wiping sweat off his forehead.
‘You’re such an idiot,’ Kashvi said.
Swayam moved to stand beside her and nudged her shoulder with his index finger. Kashvi turned toward him, and he gave her a crooked, silly smile.
Kashvi huffed a breath that was almost a laugh. Without a word, Swayam wrapped his arm around her shoulders, hoping to comfort her as much as he could.
He stilled for a moment when she leaned into him, but then shifted to engulf her in his arms. She exhaled a breath she’d been holding, and Swayam felt a pang of pride when her body relaxed in his hold.
The peace of the moment shattered when the doorbell rang loudly and persistently. Siya hated how her heart jumped at the thought that it could be Abhay.
Oh, I’m in so much trouble,she thought.
Chapter 9
The sudden knock was so loud that Siya’s head jerked toward the door, setting her nerves on edge. Just from the incessant sound, she could tell it wasn’t Abhay. Her fingers tightened on her mug before she set it down. She waved off Meera, who was about to get up, as she rose instead.
The cool brass of the handle was damp beneath her sweaty palm. When she opened the door, her stomach clenched at the sight of her guest. Dhruv stood there, a hulking figure in a charcoal suit. Of all the Kashyap children, he was the one who inherited their father’s build.
