Page 116 of Okay Boss
"But..."
He was already out, rounding to her side, opening her door. She climbed out on unsteady legs as curious neighbors began emerging onto balconies, drawn by the sight of Vikram Khanna's car parked in their modest colony.
Vikram waved at them. Actually waved.
"You can't just", she whispered, trying to step away. "People are staring."
"Let them stare." His hand settled at her waist, guiding her forward. "I'm visiting my in-laws. Very normal behavior."
The elevator ride felt eternal. When they reached the third floor, the hallway was crowded. Residents from multiple floors had somehow materialized, phones out, whispering.
Vikram paid them no attention.
Divya's mother stood at the door, expression cycling through shock and forced composure.
"Vikram beta! We weren't expecting... Divya didn't tell us."
"Surprise visit," Vikram said smoothly, touching her feet. "I hope that's alright. Divya mentioned she was missing you."
Divya hadn't mentioned any such thing. Her mother's eyes darted to her, silently asking for explanation.
"I've already ordered dinner," Vikram continued, producing his phone. "Should be here in fifteen minutes."
Her father appeared, did a visible double-take. "Vikram?"
"Sir." Vikram moved to greet him, but her father pulled him into an embrace instead.
"None of this formal nonsense. You're family now."
Aditya emerged from his room, eyes going wide. "No way."
"Take a photo if you want," Vikram offered. "Actually," he turned to Aditya with sudden focus. "Divya mentioned you're in engineering college. Third year?"
"Second," Aditya corrected, starstruck.
"Want me to visit campus? Do an informal session about media, filmmaking? Give some autographs."
Aditya's jaw dropped. "Are you serious?"
"Completely. Divya can coordinate with your college administration." Vikram glanced at her. "If that's alright?"
Divya could only stare. He was offering to visit her brother's college. Casually. Like it was nothing.
Not long after, the food arrived. It was elaborate, expensive, from one of Mumbai's best restaurants. Her mother protested immediately.
"This is too much. We could have made…"
"Please," Vikram said gently. "You've raised an extraordinary daughter. You made my life easier by bringing Divya into the world. This is the least I can do."
The words, simple and sincere, made her mother's eyes glisten. Her father cleared his throat roughly, looking away.
Dinner was warm, chaotic. Her mother's questions. Aditya's eager chatter. Her father's careful observations. Vikram answered everything with patience and humor, asked about their lives with genuine interest.
He fit into her small apartment like he'd always belonged there.
Divya watched from across the table, something unfamiliar tightening in her chest.
When they finally left after promising to visit again, after Vikram touched her parents' feet, the entire building lined the hallway to watch them go.
