Page 79 of Okay Boss
A thread of worry pulled tight in his chest.
Had she left? Gone back to home? Decided this was too much?
Then he heard voices from the terrace, and an unmistakable happy bark.
He moved toward the French doors and stopped just inside, catching sight of the scene through the glass.
Divya sat at the small table with his mother and Ishani, a cup of tea cradled in her hands. Pista lay at her feet, his golden head resting on her flats, tail thumping lazily against the terrace floor. She was listening to something Kavita was saying, her expression less guarded than he’d seen it in days. Not relaxed, exactly. But not quite so defensive either.
As he watched, his mother said something that made Divya’s lips curve into a small, hesitant smile. Her free hand dropped absently to scratch behind Pista’s ears, and his tail wagged harder.
The knot in his chest loosened.
She hadn’t left. She was here. Trying to find her place.
He stepped back from the doorway before they could see him watching. Let them have this moment. Let his mother work her quiet magic the way she had with Ishani. Let Pista offer the uncomplicated affection that asked for nothing in return.
By the time he entered the dining room for breakfast twenty minutes later, Divya was already seated. Pista had followed her in and now sat beside her chair, looking up at her with adoring eyes every time she moved.
She looked up when Vikram entered, and something in her eyes was different from last night.
Still uncertain. Still wary. But slightly less lost.
“Good morning,” he said, taking his seat across from her.
“Good morning, Boss,” she replied automatically, then caught herself. Her cheeks flushed slightly.
His mother raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
Pista whined softly, nudging Divya’s hand with his nose. She obliged, scratching his head while carefully not meeting Vikram’s gaze.
Vikram hid his smile behind his coffee cup. They’d figure it out. One morning at a time.
Later That Morning
At 8:30 AM, Khanna Consolidated’s official channels released twelve breathtaking, caption-free photos: Vikram applying sindoor, Divya’s shy gaze, their hands clasped as they circled the fire, families standing proud.
By 8:37 every major entertainment outlet ran them.
By 9:00 #KhannaWedding trended worldwide.
A single statement announced the private ceremony and asked for blessings, no mention of past scandals. The narrative shifted exactly as planned: from “Khanna Scandal” to “Bollywood’s Most Romantic Wedding.”
Within hours, fresh gossip replaced the Khanna story.
In Divya’s apartment block, the WhatsApp group reverted to water-tank schedules and festival notices. Mrs. Deshmukh discussed vegetable prices. Mrs. Apte sent society-meeting reminders. Reporters vanished.
The next morning, Suresh Mathur checked his watch at 6:25 AM, donned his walking shoes, and greeted his threecompanions as if nothing had happened. Their route sparked cricket debates and mithai recommendations, free of cameras or scrutiny.
At home, Aditya showed his father messages from classmates requesting a visit, friends once warned off. Suresh agreed, savoring the simple reassurance of normal life. His medication remained unchanged. At the chai shop, he was once more just a respected retired banker.
The scandal had washed away, leaving only the quiet relief of routine restored.
Chapter 18
Two Days Into The Marriage
The morning had started early. Kavita had knocked on Divya’s door at 6 AM, inviting her for a walk.
