Page 78 of Okay Boss
Divya’s hand smoothed her simple cotton kurta. She took an instinctive step backward.
But Kavita had already spotted her. “Divya! You’re up early.” She approached with a warm smile. “Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, thank you. The room is very comfortable.”
“Would you like to join us tomorrow?” Ishani asked, gesturing to the path. “We walk the full estate perimeter each morning.”
“Oh.” Divya’s hand rose to adjust her glasses.
Kavita’s eyebrow arched slightly. “And why are you wearing your old clothes? Didn’t you check your closet?”
Divya’s stomach dropped. She had seen the wardrobe. But she’d pulled out her own simple clothes instead, unable to touch anything that felt too expensive, too much like accepting something she hadn’t earned.
“I saw them,” she said quietly, the words coming out smaller than intended. “I just... I didn’t think I should...”
Something flashed across Kavita’s face, not anger, but determined resolution. She took one deliberate step toward Divya. “Didn’t think you should what? Use them? Wear them? Accept them?”
Divya’s hands twisted in front of her. “They’re too nice. I thought maybe they were just for occasions.”
“Divya,” Kavita said, her tone leaving no room for argument, “they are not for show. The workout clothes, casual outfits, evening wear, they’re for you to use whenever you wish. Not costumes for performances.”
“I just thought...” Divya started, then stopped, unsure how to explain standing in that massive closet, surrounded by things she’d never owned, feeling like an imposter in someone else’s life.
“I know what you thought.” Kavita’s voice softened slightly. “You thought you needed to earn your place here. To justify your presence by not taking too much, not asking too much, not being too much.”
The accuracy of the assessment made Divya’s breath catch. She nodded once, a small, tight movement.
“You’re my daughter now,” Kavita continued, her gaze unwavering. “You are family.” She paused, letting the words sink in. “And you will call me Mom, just like Vikram does. Understood.”
Mom.
The word felt impossible in Divya’s mouth. A presumption too great. For twenty-three years, only one woman had held that title. The idea of transferring it to this elegant, intimidating woman seemed like a betrayal.
“If she apologizes again, there’s a fitness penalty,” Ishani interjected with a light smile. “Twenty extra minutes on tomorrow’s walk.”
The gentle teasing broke some of the tension. Divya’s shoulders lowered slightly.
“I’ve never been much for exercise,” she admitted quietly. “Just walking to the bus stop.”
“Then we’ll start slowly,” Kavita said, making it clear this wasn’t a suggestion. “Comfortable clothes. Reasonable pace.” She gestured toward the house. “Come have tea with us on the terrace. It’s where we always go after our walk.”
As they turned toward the house, Kavita’s hand settled briefly on Divya’s shoulder, not guiding, not controlling, just connecting. The simple contact after days of chaos felt unexpectedly grounding.
“Thank you...” Divya began, then paused. She swallowed hard and finished in a voice barely above a whisper, “...Mom.”
The word emerged awkward and quiet, like a rusty hinge forced into motion after years of disuse. It didn’t feel natural. Didn’t feel earned.
But Kavita’s smile in response carried genuine pleasure, as if Divya had given her something valuable.
An Hour Later
Vikram woke to sunlight streaming through the windows and an empty bed across the room. He sat up too quickly, scanning the space. Her glasses were gone from the nightstand.
Where was she?
He checked his watch. 7:15 AM. Still early.
He changed quickly, and headed downstairs. The main rooms were empty. The dining room was being set for breakfast but no sign of her.
