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Dhruv interjected cheerfully between them. “This is so unfair. I came to welcome you to Paradise and don't even get a thanks?”
Maya chuckled at his playful complaint.
“I'm very grateful you're here, Dhruv. I wasn't expecting any of this. You're all treating this like I returned from my deathbed.”
Ranveer tensed. “Maya,” he admonished sharply, startling her. “Don't say that again.”
Garima gently completed his thought. “We love you so much, baby. You've no idea how relieved we are to have you back safe and healthy.”
“I'm sorry,” Maya said contritely, hugging her mother and kissing her cheek. “It must be the medication. I'm just feeling strange with all these sudden changes.”
Garima smiled understandingly. “You need rest. Ranveer, shall I show her the room?”
“Please do,” he replied, his tone softening again.
Maya took her mother's hand for support as they walked slowly. “You seem to know the place already, Mom.”
“Just your room and mine - they're bigger than our whole apartment. I can't imagine Ranveer in this big house alone,” Garima remarked.
Maya had the same wondering thought, along with many more questions. When did he start living solo? Had he ever stayed in the Malik house? What happened with his mother? It must have been difficult losing her. Was he always so cold and callous or had her death changed him?
“Here's your room, next to Ranveer's,” Garima said, opening an opulent bedroom door. “No secret connecting door I hope,” she added cheekily.
“Mom,” Maya admonished.
“Not that I'd mind,” Garima winked.
Maya just rolled her eyes and looked around the spacious room. “It's so big. Can we sleep together, Mom?”
“No, you're too old for that now - you should be sleeping with your boyfriend,” Garima teased.
Maya's eyes widened in shock as Garima's playful mood turned solemn. “Don't make my mistake, Maya,” she warned seriously. “I gave everything to your father before commitment. I should have waited. Ranveer isn't like him, though - if he was, he wouldn't have done so much for us.”
Maya squeezed her arm reassuringly. Garima wiped her glistening eyes and smiled again. “I always make you sad, I'm sorry. You should rest now.”
Maya agreed she could use a nap.
“But what will you do? Even Pammi aunty isn’t here to talk to you.”
“Oh, I can speak to her on the phone. I have so much to share with her. Plus, while you sleep, I can flirt with your boyfriend and his little handsome brother. What do you think?” Garima winked.
Maya rolled her eyes.
“Please do the honors,” she muttered.
“With your permission.” Garima chuckled and then helped Maya lie down on the bed. “I will wake you up for dinner.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Love you, Baby.” She kissed Maya’s forehead and left the room.
After her mother left, she stared at the ornate ceiling, wondering if she really was in Ranveer Malhotra's lavish home. The same man who'd hurt her so profoundly before?
************
An hour Later
Garima immersed herself in the delightful conversation with Ranveer and Dhruv. While Ranveer remained mostly silent, speaking only when necessary, his brother proved to be the complete opposite. Dhruv, with his outgoing nature, shared so much, making Garima appreciate his company.
