Dev gives her a polite nod. “Thank you for your hospitality, Aunty.” Then his tone sharpens pointedly. “But tell me one thing… does Sonia hang out with this guy as much as Meera does?”
Aunty blinks, startled. “No, no, beta… actually, they’re all good friends and colleagues. So—” But before she can explain, I cut in sharply.
“You don’t need to explain anything to him, Aunty. He doesn’t deserve one.”
Aunty’s eyes widen at my tone. She immediately steps closer, lowering her voice but not her frustration, and grips my arms as she whisper-yells. “What is wrong with you, Meera? Why are you behaving so rudely? He is here with a marriage proposal for Sonia!”
My blood runs cold, and my eyes snap to Sonia. Her head is bowed and her hands tremble as she avoids my gaze.
A marriage proposal.
First, his brother destroyed Sonia’s life, and now he shows up with a marriage proposal? The bloody nerve of him!
No way in hell am I letting him drag Sonia into whatever dark game he’s playing.
But before I can speak, Aunty adds, “And you’ll ruin everything with this attitude. What if he changes his mind because of your—”
“Relax, Aunty,” Dev cuts through her whispered panic. “Once I make up my mind, I don’t change it. Just fix the wedding date. I’ll take care of the venue.”
My stomach lurches. Sonia flinches. Samarth stiffens beside me. And Dev… he just keeps smiling.
“Are you out of your mind?” I snap, stepping forward. “My friend will not marry you.”
“Why? Jealous?” he smirks.
“Jealous? For you? Don’t insult my standards,” I grit out.
“Meera, please…” Aunty whispers, but I turn to her, my frustration boiling over.
“Aunty, you don’t know him or his family. They’re disgusting, criminal, and violent. Honestly, there aren’t enough words to describe—”
“Meera—” Aunty tries again, but Dev cuts in smoothly, like he’s enjoying every second of this.
“Relax, Aunty. Like I said before, the marriage proposal is not going to be taken back.”
I glare at him. “Didn’t you hear me? My friend will never—”
“My daughter will not back out of the marriage either,” Aunty interrupts.
At the same moment, Sonia whispers, her voice barely audible, “I won’t.”
The floor seems to drop away beneath me, and I whip around to face Sonia. “Sonia… you don’t have to say yes. You don’t have to marry him. You can—”
“It’s not me,” Dev cuts in again, straightening his shirt as his eyes lock with mine. “You always do this, Meera. Jump to conclusions without thinking,” he tsks. “Well, for your information, the proposal is from Mr. Mehta’s elder son, the one who owns the textile business.”
Just then, Aunty jumps in again. “Dev beta, I am so sorry about all this. But Sonia is ready for the marriage.”
Dev nods. “Mr. Mehta and his family will be visiting in a few hours to meet you, Aunty. You can talk to them and get to know them better, and see for yourself that this is a good proposal.”
Aunty nods in return as he continues, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Now give the sweets, Aunty. Especially to Meera. She talks so bitterly, maybe something sweet will help.” He then turns to everyone, but his gaze settles on me. “The engagement is tomorrow, and it will take place at my guest house.”
He takes a step towards the door, then pauses right beside me. “See you tomorrow.”
I am still too shocked to unleash my anger, and he doesn’t wait for me. He just walks past and out the door. The moment it closes behind him, Sonia rushes to her room, tears spilling down her face.
Samarth touches my arm lightly. “I think you need to talk to her. I will wait outside.”
I nod and take a step towards her room, only to be stopped by Aunty’s stern voice.
