Page 87 of No Boss
Chapter 16
Meera moved through the corridors of the Haveli as if her body could not keep pace with her thoughts.
Her steps came too fast, her dupatta flying as she turned corners without slowing, sandals striking the stone in quick, uneven rhythm.
A week.
He had given her a week.
The thought rose again and again, bright and disorienting, making her breath come faster each time.
She reached her quarters and pushed the door open. “Babuji! Maa Sa!”
Both looked up at once.
Devendra sat on the floor cushion, tea in his hand, newspaper on his lap. Gauri paused with her teacup halfway to her lips.
“What happened?” Devendra asked, taken aback by the light in her.
“He’s reconsidering.”
The words rushed out.
“Hukum. The sale. He hasn’t agreed.”
Devendra’s hand moved. The cup tipped, tea spilling over the edge onto the newspaper. He did not notice.
“What?” The word came thin.
Meera drew in a breath, forcing herself to slow down.
“Yuvraj Rajveer Singh Sisodia came this morning,” she began, her voice finding control. “He made an offer. Two Hundred crores, Babuji.”
Her hands moved as she spoke, restless, alive. “And Hukum didn’t accept.”
Devendra and Gauri blinked.
“He asked for a week,” Meera continued. “Before deciding. He gave that week to me. Seven days. To show him what this place is. To convince him not to sell.”
Devendra didn’t respond immediately.
The newspaper slipped from his lap, folding into itself. “He asked for time?”
Meera nodded.
Devendra leaned back a little, brows drawing together. Not doubt. Something harder to name.
“That doesn’t…” He stopped, cleared his throat. “That doesn’t fit. Anand men don’t take time. They decide. Then they don’t return to it.”
His gaze shifted to Gauri. “Even Thakurain Sa said she couldn’t change his mind.”
Gauri looked at Meera.
Devendra exhaled, setting aside a thought that refused to settle.
“A week,” he repeated. His eyes returned to her, more grounded, though disbelief still lingered. “We shouldn’t assume anything. Not until it is done.”
“I know,” Meera nodded, though hope had already taken root.
