Page 221 of No Boss
“The thing.” She gestured toward them. “Bhabhi smiling for no reason. Bhai looking at her as if he invented romance and deserves an award.”
Laughter filled the corridor. Warmth climbed up Meera’s neck.
She was smiling for a reason. Abhinav’s hand had found the small of her back near the family wing and had stayed there.
It made breathing difficult.
In the best possible way.
“Let them be,” Sarita added, amused.
“I am letting them be. I am observing.”
“You need sleep,” Abhinav told her.
“I need compensation. Watching this for six hours has consequences. I have feelings…”
“Naina.”
“I have trauma…”
The bedroom doors appeared ahead. Naina pushed them open with flair. The room glowed with oil lamps. Rose petals scattered across the floor and bed.
Meera stepped in, Abhinav beside her, his hand still at her back.
The others followed with instructions.
“Drink the milk first.”
“Eat the sweets.”
“Keep flowers away from your head, they cause headaches.”
“Where is the silver bowl?”
Abhinav stood through all of it with controlled patience. Then he folded his hands. “I think we can manage from here.”
“Thakur Sa is dismissing us,” an aunty noted, pleased.
“He has reached his limit,” Naina added, equally pleased.
He hugged his mother. She touched his shoulder before stepping away. “Good night, beta.”
Naina grinned. “Good luck.”
“Naina.”
“What? Blessings matter.”
Abhinav glared. The procession began to leave. Naina kept talking. The aunties kept laughing. Their voices faded into the corridor.
“We’re all exhausted,” Naina called out, “so feel free to make as much noise as neces…”
The door shut.
Silence settled.
Meera stood near the bed, watching him remove his pagdi and place it aside with care.
