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“Let me remind you we're running late,” he reminded tersely. “No time for arguments. Focus on the Halwa.”
Realizing he was right, Maya refocused on preparing the dessert, though she could feel his gaze drifting over her figure periodically as he sliced nuts nearby. Warmth crept up her neck under his scrutiny.
When Maya retrieved the sweetened condensed milk from the refrigerator, attempting to pour it, the condensed milk clung to her fingers and even made its way to her cheeks as she tried to move a strand of hair away. Her ponytail came undone, sending her dark silky tresses tumbling freely down her back. Maya struggled to prevent her unruly hair from tickling her face, realizing she needed to tie them back before things got messier. However, her sticky fingers posed a challenge.
Before she could react, Ranveer retrieved the fallen hair tie and gently gathered her hair behind her shoulders. Maya froze again, acutely aware of him standing close with his hands near her neck as he carefully avoided touching her bare skin while smoothing back her hair. She held perfectly still, pulse racing wildly.
“Thanks,” Maya managed to mutter when he had neatly tied her hair again. Ranveer's eyes lingered appreciatively on the graceful line of her neck before meeting her flustered gaze. She turned around to resume the task, avoiding him and soon, the semolina halwa was ready.
“Finally,” Maya breathed a sigh of relief. Ranveer admired their culinary creation, then turned his gaze to the woman who made it all possible.
“We can make cute products together,” he mumbled with a mischievous grin. Maya swallowed nervously, pondering the real meaning behind his words. Did he mean babies? While she was lost in thought, he swiftly guided them to a mirror on the opposite wall, making her watch their reflection.
“Now who's the messy one?” he teased, standing just behind her shoulder. Maya's cheeks flushed brighter as she took in the smudges of condensed milk and escaping tendrils of hair, contrasted by Ranveer's pristine appearance beside her. Before she could utter a retort, Ranveer walked out from the kitchen. After hastily tidying herself, Maya carried the finished halwa out, her heart still racing from Ranveer's attentive efforts during their intimate kitchen collaboration.
The priest departed shortly after the offerings were made. Maya took charge of serving the halwa to everyone, and Dhruv, after tasting it, showered immediate appreciation.
“Wow. This is superb,” he exclaimed, devouring more. “Bro, this is going to remind you of Maa,” he added.
Ranveer stiffened. Dhruv had never shied away from openly discussing his mother, a topic Ranveer usually avoided. Dhruv's emotional resilience sometimes outshone Ranveer's.
Soon Dev and Kunal Malik arrived. Their presence immediately put Maya on edge.
“Looks like we missed the puja,” Dev Malik said as he made his way to Ranveer and Dhruv.
“Namaste,” Garima greeted Ranveer's father and stepbrother as she got up. Ranveer introduced them.
“She is Garima Bajaj, Maya’s mother, and he is my stepfather, Dev Malik, and his son, Kunal Malik.”
“Step?” Dev sighed in disappointment. “Garima, even if we are not related to Ranveer by blood, that doesn’t make us strangers, does it?”
Ranveer rolled his eyes, familiar with their usual drama of portraying themselves as virtuous individuals. Kunal, for some reason, gazed at Maya, enough to raise Ranveer's ire. Unaware of this, Maya concentrated on serving the prasad to Dev Malik. She was about to serve Kunal when Ranveer unexpectedly snatched the bowl from her. His gesture shocked everyone, including Maya.
“I will serve my brother,” Ranveer muttered, clenching his jaw, and handed a spoonful of semolina halwa to Kunal.
Maya had no qualms about that.
“How is your foot now, Maya?” Dev Malik asked.
“It’s healed or likely so,” she replied.
“Who could do that to you? I am sure it wasn’t an accident,” Kunal interrupted.
Garima was confused about their insinuations. It wasn't an accident? She looked at Maya, who tried to rephrase and twisted their words.
“It’s not enough if we drive safely these days. Others need to drive carefully too; otherwise, such accidents happen,” Maya explained, trying to divert her mother’s queries.
Dev nodded, but Kunal was perceptive. He understood that Maya was trying to keep her mother from getting stressed.
“I need to talk to you two,” Ranveer interjected abruptly. “Come with me.” He led the father-son duo to the drawing room, leaving Dhruv with the Bajaj ladies.
“I hope it goes well. Bro has a tendency to escalate a regular conversation with them into a full-blown argument,” Dhruv expressed concern.
Maya knew that too. She wondered what urgent matter Ranveer wanted to discuss with them as that was the reason why Ranveer had summoned them here today.
Chapter 30
Ranveer led the Malik duo into the drawing room and shut the door.
