“Yes. As long as someone is with you for the next twenty-four hours. Get plenty of rest, and avoid stress.” He gives a small smile and glances between me and Samarth. “You’re good to be discharged.”
We thank him, and within minutes, Samarth has my arm tucked under his as we walk down the corridor. The cool evening air hits my face as we step outside the hospital. He opens the car door for me, and I get into the passenger seat.
“We’ll be there soon,” he says softly.
I nod, fastening my seatbelt as he pulls out of the hospital driveway.
All through the drive, my heart thuds painfully in my chest, and I silently pray it’s nothing serious.
Thirty minutes later, we pull up outside Sonia’s house. The moment I see Dev’s car parked right at the gate, my stomach twists sharply, like I’ve swallowed a block of ice.
What the hell is he doing here? Did he find out I was at his pub again, digging for dirt on him? Is he using Sonia now to threaten me into staying silent?
I turn to Samarth, my voice barely steady. “I just… I just hope he hasn’t hurt Sonia.”
“Let’s go in and see what he’s up to now.”
I nod as we rush out of the car and hurry up the steps. Dread curls around my spine when I see the front door already open.
“Sonia?” I call out, stepping inside cautiously.
But instead of her, my eyes land on Dev, lounging on the couch with his legs crossed, looking entirely too comfortable.
“Where’s Sonia?” I breathe.
“You’re late. Your friend has been waiting for you,” he replies with that infuriating half-smile that lights a spark of pure fury in my chest.
But before I can speak, Samarth steps forward. “What are you doing here?”
Dev’s eyes slide to him. “That’s exactly what I want to know. What are you doing here? Sonia didn’t invite you.”
“Stop your crap,” I snap, stepping between them. “And tell me, how dare you come here?”
A familiar voice cuts sharply through the tension.
“Meera, is this the way you talk to a guest?”
I turn around instantly and see Sonia’s mother, Pooja Aunty, entering the living room. She’s dressed in a soft, peach-coloured saree, her hair neatly tied back in a bun. There’s always something so gentle, so inherently motherly about her. I’ve always respected this woman. She’s scolded me, hugged me, fed me… loved me like her own. But right now, even the slightest rebuke from her hits me hard.
Before I can explain, Sonia walks in, carrying a tray of teacups. Her face looks pale, her eyes flicking nervously between all of us.
“Sonia, why—” I start, but she’s already placing the tray in front of Dev.
Dev takes one look at it and raises an eyebrow. “No savouries?”
“Sorry, I’ll get—” Sonia says apologetically and turns, but I grab her hand to stop her.
“Sonia, you don’t have to get anything for him.”
She swallows hard, her fingers trembling beneath mine.
Dev’s smirk widens as he leans back. “Exactly, Sonia. You don’t have to trouble yourself. Meera will bring it for me.”
The nerve of this man.
Before I can explode, Samarth steps in. “Meera is doing no such thing. Now tell us, what are you doing here?”
Just then, Sonia’s mother places a plate of laddoos on the table. I hadn’t even noticed her go to the kitchen, as my entire attention was locked on the asshole in front of me.
