‘Tell me, Dad. My family is my utmost priority,’ she urged him.
‘For now, I ask you to attend an important meeting with me tonight.’
Anxiety rushed through her veins. The thought of heading into a meeting with no preparation made her stomach churn. So, she gave in to curiosity and asked, ‘Who are we meeting?’
‘You don’t need to worry about it. All I can tell you is that it will decide the future of Kashyap Luxe. What I need you to focus on is whether you’re willing to do what it takes to keep us afloat in uncertain times like this.’
‘Always, Dad. I promise,’ Siya vowed.
‘I knew I could count on you, beta. You’ve been a blessing for our family,’ he tapped the back of her hand twice before pulling his hand away from under hers.
Siya was speechless. The sentiment he was expressing was a stark contrast to the message he’d sent her earlier. So, lost in thoughts, all she could do was nod in acknowledgement.
‘Be at the Imperial Grand by nine in the evening. This is really important for us, so I hope it works out in our favour.’
‘I’ll make sure it does, Dad,’ Siya whispered, trying her hardest to ignore the warning bells echoing in her mind.
Chapter 2
Siya gripped the steering wheel with one hand, the other drumming against the leather impatiently as the car inched along Pedder Road. Of all the days to get stuck in traffic, it had to be tonight.
The constant blaring horns were giving her a headache, and the crackling voice through her ear bud only made it worse.
She rubbed her temple as she said, ‘I’m sorry, yaar.’
Swayam sighed dramatically on the call. ‘Let me guess, you’re cancelling dinner again. What is it this time? International espionage?’
She exhaled in a sharp laugh and brushed a hand through her frizzy curls. The AC wasn’t doing its job and the humidity in the air felt suffocating.
‘Next week, I promise.’
‘But I’m hungry right now.’
‘I swear to God, Swayam, if I could teleport a plate of butter chicken to you, I would. But right now, I’m battling through a horde of traffic so I don’t think I’ll make it there in time.’
‘Ah yes. The infamous excuse, Mumbai traffic. I once made it from Andheri to Colaba with low tire pressure. Don’t test me.’
Siya chuckled, her eyes darting to the traffic countdown indicator. Only thirty seconds left, but it felt like a lifetime.Someone honked for no reason, and she barely restrained the urge to get out and set him straight.
‘Dad specifically asked me to attend. This meeting is important. Didn’t you watch the news today?’
Swayam laughed aloud and she could hear the rustling sound of papers on the other end. ‘I haven’t walked out of my room for a day or two. The fact check on this historical non-fiction manuscript is kicking my ass.’
To drive his point home, Siya heard him bang his head twice on the desk. Then asked, ‘Why? Is everything okay?’
This is why we’re friends, she thought with a smile. Swayam could be melodramatic and really chaotic at times, but when it counted the most, he was always a good friend.
‘The Patel Group announced a partnership that threatens our position in the market, especially with the exhibition coming up. Dad seemed worried…’
When she trailed off, he said, ‘Then you must be extremely worried.’
Siya gave a bitter laugh as she replied, ‘It’s like Mihu is right here. When did you decide to become observant?’
‘I’m an editor. It’s literally in my job description. And no, I won’t let you change the topic. I’m not Meera.’
‘Speaking of her and Raghav, do you realise there is still a week before they come back?’ Siya said incredulously.
‘They took the idea of a long honeymoon a bit too literally, I guess. But also, the night of their second wedding at the farmhouse, Raghav got the confirmation for a new project so they left for their trip later than expected.’
