He turned to me, his hand finding mine effortlessly, a steady warmth that chased away my nerves. “Stay close,” he murmured, his voice low but firm.
The door opened, and Manav stepped out first, a wave of photographers calling his name. He turned back immediately, offering me his hand, his eyes never leaving mine. “Ready?” he asked softly.
I nodded, slipping my hand into his. As I stepped out of the car, the cameras clicked furiously, the flashes nearly blinding. Manav’s hand never wavered; he ignored them, his focus entirely on guiding me through the crowd.
The grand doors to Dadi’s home opened, and we were immediately greeted by warm, familiar faces. Dadi stood at the center of it all, her presence commanding yet comforting, her eyes lighting up the moment she saw us.
“Kiara!” she called out the moment she saw me. Her eyes lit up when she spotted Manav beside me. “And you brought him! Finally, someone is responsible for keeping my granddaughter in line.”
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help smiling. “Happy birthday, Dadi,” I said, hugging her tightly.
Manav stepped forward and bent down slightly, touching Dadi’s feet in respect. “Happy birthday, Dadi. You’re glowing tonight.”
“Oh, aren’t you the charmer?” Dadi grinned, clearly delighted. “Well, Kiara may be my granddaughter, but if she gives you trouble, you come straight to me,” Dadi teased, her eyes twinkling.
My eyes widened slightly. “Dadi…”
She waved a hand dismissively, her grin as mischievous as ever. “You’ve been glowing, and this one,” she pointed directly at Manav, “can’t seem to take his eyes off you.”
Manav’s gaze shifted to me, lingering for a moment with a warmth that made my heart stumble before he turned back to Dadi with a soft smile.
Dadi wasn’t done, though. Her eyes sparkled with amusement as she leaned forward, a glint of nostalgia in her expression. “You know, your grandpa used to look at me just like that…”
And that was it. I was done for. Over. If the ground could have swallowed me whole, I would’ve thanked it profusely.
Manav chuckled softly, clearly enjoying my embarrassment, while I stared at the table, willing the ground to swallow me whole. My cheeks burned hotter, and I let out an awkward laugh, desperate to change the subject. “So, what’s the plan for dessert? I heard Roy talking about your famousladdoos…”
Dadi gave me a knowing smile but thankfully didn’t press further. “Ah, theladoosare ready, but you’ll have to wait a bit. I’ve been saving them for the toast.”
The atmosphere was buzzing with life. The grand hall was adorned with elegant decorations, soft golden lights casting a warm glow over the room. The scent of fresh flowers filled the air, mingling with the laughter and chatter of the guests. The multi-tiered cake sat proudly on a decorated table, waiting for its moment. Dadi was sitting on her favorite chair, her bright saree as dazzling as the smileshe wore.
The cake ceremony began, with everyone gathering around. Manav stood close beside me, his hand lightly brushing mine.
____________
As everyone moved to the long dinner table set up under a canopy of sparkling lights, the cheerful vibe lingered. Plates clinked, and soft laughter rippled through the group as the family settled in. Manav sat beside me, his hand resting lightly on the back of my chair, offering silent support. Dadi was glowing with happiness, and even Roy looked more relaxed than usual.
As the first course was being served, the air shifted. My father arrived, his presence like a storm cloud rolling into a sunny sky. He strode toward the table, his wife trailing behind him with a carefully neutral expression. The chatter around the table faltered, the light-hearted mood dimming as he stopped at the head of the table, his eyes locking onto me.
“What are you doing here?” His voice was sharp, cutting through the air like a blade.
I froze, my heart sinking. Manav stiffened beside me, his fingers tightening imperceptibly on the back of my chair.
“Dad…” I began, my voice shaky, but he didn’t let me continue.
“You’re not part of this family, remember?” his words were cold, dripping with disdain. “You left. You decided you didn’t need us. So why are you here now, ruining this like you ruin everything else?”
“Enough!” Roy snapped, rising from his seat. “This isn’t the time or place—”
“No, Roy,” my father interrupted, his voice rising. “She needs to hear this. She’s a curse to everyone she touches.She’s dragged this family’s name through the mud. And now she’s back, pretending she belongs here?”
“Stop this,” Dadi’s voice, usually warm and commanding, wavered slightly.
But my father ignored her, his gaze still fixed on me. My hands trembled as I clutched the edge of the table, my eyes stinging with unshed tears. The lump in my throat was suffocating, but I couldn’t speak.
Manav shifted beside me. Slowly, he stood, his movements calm and deliberate, his eyes locked on my father. “Mr. Randhawa,” he began, his voice low but steady, “with all due respect, this isn’t the time for this conversation.”
My father turned his glare toward Manav. His face darkened, but Manav didn’t flinch. Dadi reached for my hand, her touch warm and reassuring. My father hesitated, his eyes narrowing as he glanced around the table. Finally, with a curt shake of his head, he stepped back. He turned and walked away. His wife followed him, casting a hesitant glance back at the table.
