Page 100 of Okay Boss
"It's not that simple."
"It literally is."
"No, it's not." Vikram leaned forward. "She's convinced herself this marriage is temporary. That she's here because I ruined her life and guilt-married her. She has an entire system for dismissing evidence that contradicts her belief that she's ordinary and invisible."
"So show her she's not."
"I've been trying! I arranged that photoshoot. I defend her at every opportunity. I..." He broke off, frustrated. "She just files everything under 'professional courtesy' or 'maintaining appearances.' Everything."
Raghav considered this. "Okay. Different approach. How did you figure out you love her?"
"I read her notebook." At Raghav's look, Vikram added quickly, "By accident. She'd fallen asleep at her desk. I found it whilemarking her place." He paused. "She's loved me since she was sixteen. Since before we even met. And now she's convinced I married her out of obligation and in two years I'll move on to someone worthy of me."
Something shifted in Raghav's expression, recognition, maybe, or understanding. "Ishani did that. Decided the most rational explanation of the gifts was the one that didn't involve me actually wanting her. Very efficient. Extremely annoying."
From the bed, Ishani made a sound of protest. "I was being practical."
"You were being impossible," Raghav corrected, but his tone was fond. He looked back at Vikram. "Here's what worked for me: don't try to logic her out of it. She's built these walls with logic. More logic won't break them down."
"Then what will?"
"Make her feel it before she hears it." Raghav settled into advice mode. "She's twenty-three. Give her a fairy tale. Make her feel seen. Specifically. The details only someone paying real attention would know. Make her feel pursued, the way a twenty-three-year-old girl wants to be pursued. Like she's worth the effort. Worth the drama. Worth everything."
He paused. "Make her feel like the heroine of her own story. Not the assistant in yours."
The advice landed with unexpected weight.
"Don't do the puppy thing," Ishani called out suddenly.
Raghav's head turned toward her. "What puppy thing?"
"You were about to suggest a puppy. I can tell."
"I was not..."
"You were." Ishani sat up slightly. "We already have a puppy."
"More puppies are good!" Raghav protested.
"Puppies mating will bring more puppies."
Vikram felt a laugh bubbling up despite everything. "I'm not getting a puppy."
"Good," Ishani said.
"I'm an actor," Vikram continued. "Drama is what I do. I can figure out romance without resorting to pets."
"Can you?" Raghav asked, genuine curiosity in his voice. "Because you've been married for weeks and just now figured out you're in love with her."
"That's different."
"Is it?"
Vikram opened his mouth. Closed it. "I hate you."
"You love me. I'm your favorite brother."
"You're my only brother."
