He gave a half-hearted attempt but couldn’t conjure a smile. Meera nodded, gently touching his cheek in understanding.
Siya looked away, drowning in self-loathing at what she’d put him through.
His gaze softened a little when they met hers, but he didn’t say anything.
The sound of children rushing out of the doors brought her halfway back to the present. They had begun filing out in lines, the caretakers guiding them with practiced ease. The kids were chattering among themselves, looking curiously at their group, with such a vibrant and infectious energy that it made her faintly smile.
‘Let’s go, shall we?’ Raghav gestured toward the garden where everyone was assembling.
Luv immediately called dibs on the first bite of the cake, prompting Raghav to remind him that it’s the birthday girl’s right. Meera blew a kiss to her husband.
Siya let the others walk ahead of her as she hung back, unable to bear the distance between her and Abhay. Their hands touched lightly as they made their way over the threshold and the brief contact made her heart flutter.
The wooden framed glass doors opened and a man stepped out. With an easy smile, he approached them just as they climbed up the short stack of chairs. He extended a hand to Raghav, nodding to the others. ‘Hello. I’m Vihaan. I hope you found the place easily.’
‘Hey. I’m Raghav and this is my wife, Meera. And these are our friends, Luv, Swayam, Abhay, and Siya. Thank you for organising this.’
‘We’re really glad to be here,’ Meera told him.
‘As are we. All the kids are so excited. They’ve spent all morning working on greeting cards, a couple of performances, and… well, you’ll see.’
‘Believe me, we couldn’t have found a better place to celebrate this milestone,’ Meera gushed.
‘And I’m sure Luv can pitch in as an emergency dance performer if need be,’ Raghav offered graciously.
‘Hey! I'm already in charge of balloons and gifts.’
‘Thank god. We don’t want to traumatise the kids,’ Swayam muttered.
When Luv punched on his arm, Vihaan laughed and said, ‘We’re just happy someone thought of celebrating their day with us. It means a lot to the kids. You made their weekend.’
Siya studied the man closely, feeling like she’d seen him somewhere before. He’d be a little difficult to forget with that hulking personality. At six feet two and in his mid-twenties, Vihaan looked like life had shaped him with rough, deliberate hands.
His body was adorned with muscles, and dressed casually in a black tee and faded jeans, he looked right at home. His arms looked tanned from working in the sun, and slim, rimmed spectacles were perched on the bridge of his nose.
His beard was short and scruffy, framing a strong jaw and a mouth that curved into a smile as he greeted everyone. A handmade threaded bracelet on his wrist caught Siya’s attention. The colourful beads on it spelled out “Lumora” and she couldn’t shed the nagging feeling that she’d seen that bracelet before.
A little girl wearing a daisy printed frock flitted toward Meera and tugged at her hand. Meera’s eyes lit up in delight as she crouched down and asked, ‘Hello baby. What’s your name?’
‘Naina,’ the little girl replied with a toothy smile.
‘Is that for me?’ Meera pointed to the flower crown in her head and giggled as the girl nodded.
‘It’s a special birthday girl crown,’ Naina said in a melodious voice and placed the crown on Meera’s head.
‘Thank you so much! It is special. Did you make this?’
She counted on her tiny fingers. ‘Me and Jaya and Khushi.’
‘Such lovely names. Why don’t you take me to them so I can thank them as well?’
Naina nodded excitedly, making her pigtails bounce. She held on the edge of her top as Meera quickly pulled two thousand out of her jean pocket and handed it to Swayam as she explained, ‘Yeah, I will cry.’
Swayam gloated over his victory as Meera got pulled into a sea of eager little arms and giggles. Luv followed them, making monster growls as he chased them toward the garden.
Siya passed a glance across the widespread space. Painted in light lilac and adorned with flowers and cartoons, the walls were adorned withYou are lovedandYou’ve got thisand more affirmative phrases in block letters.
There were children’s art and trophies displayed in glass-covered boards in the hallway. A sand play area sat toward the far end corner, with shaded seating benches spread across the grass-trimmed space.
