Page 182 of The Redemption
“God, this takes me back to when we were all newly married, doesn’t it, Krish? One look from our wives, and we’d forget our own names.”
Everyone laughs, and then Krish adds, “Actually, no. Scratch that. This one is worse. He looks possessed.”
Someone else says something. I have no idea who, but I hear none of it. Because Siya is absentmindedly tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, and that simple gesture wrecks me further. She has no idea what she’s doing to me. And maybe that’s for the best. Because if she knew what’s going in my head right now, she’d probably run as far away from me as she could. And I don’t want that to happen… ever.
SIYA
For the first time in my life, I’m wearing a saree. Mom helped me drape it, although half the credit goes to Simran. She’d chosen a saree that I would never have picked for myself, yet the moment I saw it, I fell in love with it.
Walia Mansion is buzzing with guests, but the moment I enter, my eyes somehow find Raghav first. He stands out in the crowd, as usual. Only this time, he isn’t dressed in his typical black shirt or suit. Instead, he’s wearing a richly embroidered navy-blue kurta with silver buttons running down the front, the deep colour contrasting beautifully with my ivory sari.
His hair is neatly styled, and his sleeves are folded just enough to expose the expensive watch on his wrist. Suddenly, the man who usually looks like danger wrapped in black looks… like home… like a husband.My husband.
Our eyes meet across the crowded room to find him already looking at me. Not just looking… but staring, completely frozen,the coffee mug forgotten halfway to his lips. We are both seeing each other in traditional outfits for the first time. That raw intensity in his dark eyes as they roam over me in this saree sends an unfamiliar flutter through my stomach.
“Siya?” Meher’s gentle nudge finally pulls me back to reality.
I blink and force myself to look away. Suddenly, there are so many new faces before me. The same group that had been standing with Raghav when I walked in is now right in front of me, and I have absolutely no idea who any of them are. This is the first time I’m meeting Meher’s family, so naturally, I don’t know anyone, except Trisha, who’s standing with the rest of them, smiling at me, probably waiting for her turn to talk.
Meher starts introducing everyone. “Siya, this is Simran Bhabhi, my brother Vishnu’s wife. She’s the one who designed all the outfits.”
Before I can greet her, Simran closes the distance between us and pulls me into a warm hug.
“Thank God!” she exclaims with a laugh. “I was genuinely worried you wouldn’t like the saree.”
She steps back, her eyes travelling over me before smiling to herself. “You look stunning.”
I laugh. “I should be thanking you. I don’t think I would’ve chosen something this beautiful myself. It’s gorgeous.”
Her face lights up. “That is exactly what a designer loves to hear.” She squeezes my hand affectionately. “And welcome to the madness. You don’t have to be nervous about our big family. Trust me, we’re all harmless.”
Saying that, Simran steps aside as Meher introduces her brother, Vishnu, next. I greet him with a smile, and he warmly welcomes me before turning to speak to Mom.
Throughout this… I can feel Raghav’s gaze on me. When I steal another glance at him, I realise he’s moved closer. Close enough to stand beside me, reminding everyone without sayinga word that I’m his. Then again, staking a claim on me in front of the world is his favourite hobby.
The moment he comes to a stop beside me, Trisha’s eyes flick knowingly from him to me. I instinctively stiffen slightly at how close he’s standing. Although he pretends to listen to whatever Vishnu is saying, his eyes never leave me.
Meanwhile, Mom greets everyone warmly. I can see the relief on her face at how lovingly everyone welcomes and accepts us. Then Meher introduces us to her other brother.
“And this is my other brother, Aksh.” She laughs before looking at me. “Honestly, Siya, in this family, almost every man you’ll meet is a politician.”
I chuckle at that. In my family, almost everybody I grew up around carried guns. Here, they carry portfolios and ministries. Back home, everyone lived in the shadows. Here, everybody lives in front of cameras.
It’s such a strange contrast. Yet I realise that both families are essentially the same. Equally protective and equally possessive. Only their worlds are different.
Aksh smiles and introduces me to his wife, Devika. Unlike the others, Devika is a homemaker. The moment she hugs me, she grins. “Finally! One more girl in the gang.”
“Yeah.” Simran agrees with a chuckle.
Devika nods excitedly. “Our gang felt incomplete. We kept saying that the day Raghav gets married, it’ll finally feel complete.”
She squeezes my hand affectionately. “So welcome, Siya. You’re stuck with us now.”
From the corner of my eye, I look at Raghav again. A faint crease appears between his brows, the one that shows up whenever the family’s attention shifts towards him. Although mildly annoyed by the topic, he doesn’t interrupt anyone.
His eyes return to mine, and slowly his gaze drops to my lips. Something about the way he looks at me makes my heartbeat race. He doesn’t even realise he’s doing it. Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I quickly turn back to Devika, pretending to listen to her, hoping nobody notices the sudden flush creeping across my face.
Just then, Kailash Uncle joins us with another gentleman around his age. Meher beams next to me.
