Page 142 of No Boss
‘This feels like information I should have gathered before saying yes.’
She sat with that. Then, a little sharper…‘You could have reminded me.’
The flame did not react.
‘I was right there. In the balloon. You had full visibility. One small sign would have helped. One drone. Slight adjustment. Where will you live, Meera? That would have been useful.’
The goddess remained entirely uncooperative. Meera exhaled.
‘Fine. I will ask him. Directly. When I see him.’
“Meera Didi!” Rajan appeared at the entrance, breath uneven, hands folded but barely containing his excitement.
“Thakurain Sa is calling you. Rajpurohit ji has arrived.” His grin widened. “Wedding dates.”
Meera rose and smoothened her kurta. Her gaze returned once more to the goddess.
‘We are not finished.’
She turned and walked out.
???
The family sitting room was full when Meera entered.
Sarita sat at the centre, composed as ever. Naina beside her, restless, excited. Rajpurohit ji occupied the low table, almanac open before him.
Her parents sat close to Sarita. Devendra upright, hands firm on his knees. Gauri with her fingers folded in her lap, both of them holding themselves carefully, keeping their emotions in check.
Abhinav sat across the room. His eyes found her the moment she stepped in. A place beside him had been left empty. Intentionally.
Meera bent to touch Sarita’s feet. Sarita caught her hands and drew her down to sit beside her instead.
Abhinav’s jaw tightened. Naina saw it. And very deliberately looked away before she laughed.
Meera pressed her lips together and placed her hands in her lap.
“Now that everyone is present,” Rajpurohit ji began, adjusting his glasses, “we may consider the auspicious dates.”
Pages turned.
“The engagement…”
“Let’s combine it,” Abhinav cut in, mildly, as if suggesting tea over coffee.
Rajpurohit ji paused mid-motion.
Sarita turned toward her son slowly. “Beta,” her tone carried a warning wrapped in elegance, “traditions…”
“Are meant to be respected,” Abhinav concluded with ease. “Not stretched without reason.”
Naina choked on nothing. Devendra looked down very suddenly. Gauri’s fingers tightened.
Rajpurohit ji cleared his throat. “It is customary to…”
“Have two ceremonies,” Abhinav nodded. “One to formalise. One to complete.”
He leaned back slightly, entirely at ease. “We will formalise and complete on the same day.”
