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“You are making a grave mistake, Maahi. The entire society recognizes you as my fiancée. And they are well aware of the changes in you ever since the grandson of this household has returned,” Shyam spits out, his tone acidic. “I don’t have to tell you what changes I am talking about.”
I freeze, momentarily stunned by his insinuation. Before I can formulate a scathing retort, Vikram steps in, shielding me from Shyam's view. He grips Shyam's collar, his presence commanding and intimidating.
“Now you're stooping to cheap tactics, Shyam. Utter another word against my Daadi or Maahi, and I'll forget you were ever invited as a guest here,” Vikram's voice booms, clear and resolute, his tone enough to instil fear in Shyam's core.
Shrugging off Vikram's grip, Shyam retreats, hastily exiting the property. Within a minute, that wretched man is gone, and I hope never to lay eyes on him again. He has hurt me, but his actions have wounded Daadi the most.
VIKRAM
Next Morning
Last night's emotional turmoil has taken its toll on Daadi and Maahi. After that Shyam Trivedi chapter was closed, Maahi retreated to her room, and so did Daadi. Now, as morning dawns, the familiar chimes of the temple bells remain silent. I didn’t get proper sleep either. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m relieved Maahi isn’t getting engaged today or because the two most important people in my life are disheartened. Two most important people? I freeze. When did they become the most important people in my life? Shutting off the shower, I walk out and dress in casuals. I have to check on them.
Maahi is in the temple, meticulously arranging the preparations for the morning puja. She is alone. Removing my slippers, I make my way inside, my presence undetected by her. Even in her simple yellow salwar, she is breathtaking, but the anguish is evident on her features. It must be a harrowing ordeal for any woman to endure what she did last night. I lean against a pillar, observing her in silence, unwilling to disturb her solitude. I notice the loose strings of her dress, exposing the flawless expanse of her back – a sight not meant for prying eyes. Usually, it's just Maahi and Daadi here, but the servants occasionally come to assist them, and I cannot risk their wandering gazes falling upon Maahi’s bare skin. Striding towards her, I swiftly drape the shawl kept on the table aside, and conceal her exposed flesh before she can detect my approach.
“What are you doing?” she shouts.
“Covering you up.” I cross my arms, admiring her angelic face. Her eyes are sore from Shyam’s deceit, and her cheeks are flushed by my actions.
She quickly realizes why I did that and ties the knots of her dress while I keep staring at the hesitant look in her eyes.
“You could have told me,” Maahi mutters. “And stop touching me like that.”
“I touched your shawl,” I debate. “Now don’t ask me to stop touching your things.”
“I will,” she argues. “I don’t want you anywhere near me, Vikram. I don’t know what stories people are framing about us outside this palace, but I don’t wish to give them more air.”
I don’t like her tone. She might be frustrated by what happened with Shyam, but she cannot talk to me like that.
“So please, stay away from me,” she continues.
“I won’t,” I answer, taking a step towards her. “Only because some outsiders think so cheaply about us, I won’t put distance between you and me, Cub.”
“Vikram?”
We both hear Daadi’s voice and turn around.
“Are you both fighting again?” she asks, reaching us slowly.
I don’t want to upset Daadi again, so I politely step away from Maahi and reach my grandmother.
“Are you okay?”
She gives me a weak smile.
“I will be fine.” She then walks to Maahi and folds her palms. “Forgive me, Maahi. This is all my fault.”
“Daadi,” Maahi instantly withdraws Daadi’s folded palms. Tears spring in their eyes. “You don’t have to be sorry for anything. Shyam didn’t deserve to be part of this family. He cheated us.”
Daadi nods.
“But it is my mistake to set such a condition in the property transfer papers. I should have made you the sole owner of Devki Estate. Giving fifty percent of that share to your groom complicated everything.”
My body stiffens. I’ve been thinking about this too. Why would Daadi put such a baseless condition? If she wanted to entrust Devki Estate to Cub, she could have done that wholly.
“Vikram's grandfather and I together looked after Devki Estate, and since I was gifting it to you, I wanted you and your husband, whoever he is, to do the same. That place was our heaven, and I wanted it to be your heaven too. I didn't realize men like Shyam would covet it for their own selfish needs.”
Her words cut deep, for I know Daadi counts me among those men. She knows I still crave that property. Do I still?
