Page 179 of The Redemption
“I’m not interested in wearing any traditional outfit tomorrow. I know what I have to wear. I’ll wear that.”
I roll my eyes but wisely stay out of it. Meher, however, looks entirely prepared for this battle.
“I knew you were going to say that.”She folds her arms across her chest. “But not this time. You’re wearing what I picked out for you.”
Raghav raises an eyebrow.
“You promised you’d take care of me during this pregnancy,” she reminds him, pointing a finger at him.
“And I have,” he replies. “But not this.”
‘Fine.’ Meher shakes her head in mock disappointment. ‘Before you got married, you used to listen to me and dowhatever I asked. Now you’ve changed. You’ve started saying no to me too.’
Raghav stares at her. Meher stares right back. Beside her, Ayaan keeps glancing between the two, clearly trying to hide a grin. The silence stretches on.
And strangely enough, it’s beautiful.
The way they argue. The way Meher knows exactly how far she can push him. And the way Raghav, despite acting annoyed, would probably bring the moon down for her if she asked. That’s how a family should be. I smile as Raghav finally gives up.
“You do realise that once those twins are born, this blackmailing business of yours ends,” he tells Meher, who grins smugly.
He narrows his eyes at her. “You people have literally weaponised pregnancy.”
Meher bursts out laughing, but the moment Ayaan and Raghav look at each other, her laughter dies down. The tension returns between the brothers. Neither of them says a word. Neither looks away first. They just stare at each other, still carrying the bitterness between them, still unable to bridge that distance, yet unable to completely look away either.
Meher notices it and immediately claps her hands together.
“Right. Enough.” The tension breaks at once. “Ayaan, I think we should let them rest.”
Ayaan nods. Then Meher turns towards me. “If you need anything at all, just call me.”
“Okay.” I smile.
“And Siya...” Her voice softens. “This is your home too now. You don’t have to behave like a guest here.” She takes my hand. “This family is yours as much as it’s mine.”
My throat suddenly feels tight because she says it so naturally, as if there’s no doubt about it. Before I can respond,she leans forward and kisses my cheek. Then she drags Ayaan towards the door.
“Come on.” Ayaan just shakes his head and lets himself be dragged away.
The door closes behind them, and the silence returns.
I stand there for a moment, smiling. I already like this family. The thought reminds me of something, and I slowly turn towards Raghav, who is watching me. His eyes narrow immediately, sensing trouble ahead.
“I never knew a couch could scare someone this much,” I remark, almost holding my grin. “Especially a mafia prince.”
His jaw tightens, knowing I’m enjoying this. I take a step closer and poke a finger against his chest.
“Good. Biwi ka thoda darr, har pati ko hona hi chahiye.” (Every man should be little scared of his wife.)
His eyes drop to my finger before returning to my face. I can practically see the warning in them. But before he can reply, I disappear inside the bathroom, smiling to myself.
Wait. Did I just call myself his wife? Willingly?
Urgh!
CHAPTER 34
RAGHAV
