Page 185 of The Redemption
“Just coming here today, I finally understand what sibling bonds actually look like,” I whisper
Raghav turns towards me as I continue, “Whether it’s you and Ayaan… Even with everything that’s happened between you, I can still see how much you both love each other. Or this…” I murmur, watching Vishnu adjust Meher’s dupatta while Aksh asks her for the fifth time whether she’s tired. “The way they look after Meher as though she’s the centre of their world…”
I blink rapidly, trying to keep the tears from spilling over.
“I wish…” My voice cracks. “I wish Samarjeet had ever loved me like that too.” A humourless laugh escapes me. “He never fussed over me. Never worried about me.”
I shake my head.
“But it’s not his fault.” I sigh. “Because he never—”
I pause. No.I can’t say that. Not to Raghav or anyone else. I quickly wipe my eyes. Raghav looks at me as if he’s already read between the lines. And that’s not good!
Before I can escape, his fingers close around my elbow, turning me to face him. “He never… what?” Raghav asks. “Finish that sentence.”
I shake my head immediately. “It’s nothing.”
His fingers tighten slightly around my arm.
“Siya.”
I avoid his eyes.
“Let go of my hand, RK,” I whisper, my voice trembling. “Please.”
This time, he doesn’t say anything. But I can feel it. His instincts have already picked up that I’m hiding something. And that’s exactly why I need to leave.
I free myself from his grip, brush away my tears again, and walk away before he can stop me, heading straighttowards Meher and Mom. Towards anyone but the dangerously perceptive man behind me, whose instincts are already hunting for answers I’m not ready to give.
CHAPTER 35
RAGHAV
What were you about to say, Siya?
I stand there and watch her disappear into the crowd, away from me. A part of me is relieved. Relieved that she’s genuinely happy around my family. That she now considers them as her own. But then I think about what she’s hiding from me.
My jaw hardens. Whatever it is… it has hurt her deeply enough to make her eyes well up with tears and for her run and hide. And I don’t like that thought. My eyes remain fixed on her as she wipes her tears and forces a smile for Meher and the others, as though nothing had happened.
Bul*shit.My instincts don’t lie. That unfinished sentence about Samarjeet means something has happened. Something big enough to break her voice in the middle of a sentence. I know enough about men like him. Mafia families are full of them. Sisters and mothers are never a priority, so Samarjeet treating Siya badly doesn’t surprise me.
My fingers tighten around the coffee mug as the image of her tear-filled eyes refuses to leave me.
She’s my wife. And I don’t like unanswered questions where Siya is concerned.
Whatever she was about to say… I’m going to find out sooner or later.
***************
Few hours later
The rituals are over by now. The priest has completed the puja, and throughout it all, Ayaan never once leaves Meher’s side. I look at him and notice the little things about him. The way he helps her to her feet without her asking. The way he makes sure she’s sitting comfortably. The glass of water he places in her hand even before she asks for it.
The entire family is around them as guests come and go, congratulating Meher and blessing her. Laughter echoes across the hall. And although I stand a little away from the crowd, Meher’s eyes keep finding me every now and then, making sure her brother-in-law doesn’t disappear into his own world.
Siya is there too. The tears I’d seen in her eyes a while ago are gone. She’s smiling again, chatting politely with everyone who approaches her. Eventually, the function settles into cheerful chaos as guests begin making their way towards dinner, and conversations break into smaller groups.
I step away to take another call from Haider and return after some time. By then, the entire family has gathered in the living room. Baba is sitting with Pratap Uncle. Simran and Trisha are laughing over something. Krish is chatting with Aksh and Devika, while Ayaan is beside Meher, asking her if she wants to rest for a bit. Vishnu is pretending to listen to everyone while scrolling through his phone, and right in the middle of it all, is my mother-in-law, laughing cheerfully.
