“Thank you,” she said softly.
Karan did not respond. He had already turned his attention back to the road and pressed the accelerator. Still, Mishti noticed it. There was something different about him today. He looked satisfied, happy.
She studied him for a moment longer before asking, “How was the Lexi Group meeting?”
“Good,” he replied.
She knew what that meant. When Karan said good, it meant everything had gone exactly as he had planned, perhaps even better. It explained the faint ease in his shoulders. Her lips curved into a small smile. His victories always pleased her, even when he never acknowledged them aloud.
They drove on in silence.
Mishti, however, was anything but calm inside. Her fingers kept moving restlessly over her phone as she typed quick messages to Maria, reminding her to keep everything ready. The candles. The lights. The cake.
Today was indeed turning out to be the best. So much happiness had gathered in one day. Yet, the thought of what would happen later at night when she finally spoke the words she had been carrying in her heart still made her heart flutter.
A part of her heart also wondered what if he didn’t reject her the way she feared? What if, instead of pushing her away, he simply chose to give their marriage a chance?
The thought was enough to warm her entire body. She pressed her thighs together instinctively, trying to steady the rush that had settled low in her body.
Karan noticed. These days he noticed everything about her. His gaze flicked briefly toward her, almost questioning. That single glance was enough. And once again, heat rushed to her cheeks, colouring them deep red. She turned her face toward the window at once, pretending to be absorbed in the passing city,one hand coming up to rest over her heart as she tried to slow its frantic rhythm.
She had a feeling. A strong one. Something was finally moving in the right direction in their lives.
When the car pulled to a stop at the Goel mansion, Mishti barely waited for it to come to a complete halt before opening the door. She stepped out quickly and hurried toward the entrance, then suddenly stopped and, turning back, she waited for Karan.
He took his time getting out, though, and when he finally reached her, she did not wait again. She almost rushed inside, unable to contain her happiness.
They entered together and found Daksh gently guiding Divya to the couch, holding her protectively. As she settled down on the couch, Divya laughed and protested, not yet realising that they were no longer alone.
“Arre, Daksh,” she said, mildly exasperated yet smiling, “It’s still too early. I can manage to sit on my own.”
Daksh looked at her as if she had just said the most unreasonable thing in the world.
“So what?” he replied. “You have given me such a big happiness, Divya. Can I not do this much for you?” He adjusted the cushion behind her back with exaggerated care. “In fact, I have already decided. From now on, I will not let your feet touch the floor at all. Whatever you want, I will get it for you. You are not getting out of bed anymore. That is final.”
Divya chuckled, shaking her head at his dramatics.
Mishti’s heart swelled at the sight. Her eyes burned as she watched her brother hover around his wife, attentive to every movement. She was happy for them, happy that her dear brother, who had longed for this day, was finally blessed by God.
That was when Daksh and Divya finally noticed them.
“Mishti?” Divya exclaimed.
Mishti wiped her tears and did not wait for another second. Forgetting everything else, forgetting even that her husband was standing right there, she rushed forward the way a child runs toward its loved ones, she reached Divya and wrapped her arms around her tightly, pressing her face into her shoulder. Then she pulled back, kissed her cheek, scanned her face anxiously as if to assure herself that everything was real, and hugged her again, harder this time.
“I am so, so, so happy, Bhabhi,” Mishti said through her tears. “You cannot even imagine how happy I am. I am going to be a bua (aunt). A bua to my bhai’s daughter.”
Daksh frowned slightly, glancing between the two women, before shifting his gaze to Karan, who had not moved at all. Karan’s attention was fixed entirely on Mishti, watching her every reaction, every tear, every smile, as if the rest of the room had faded away.
Divya laughed softly, brushing Mishti’s hair back with affection. “Aww. And how do you know it will be a baby girl?”
Mishti straightened at once, her face lighting up despite the tears. “Because I know bhai wants a girl,” she said with complete confidence. “I just know it.”
She turned eagerly to look at her brother, expecting at least a smile, a word, anything.
Instead, she was met with coldness.
Daksh was still closed off, as though her excitement barely registered with him. And she knew why? She recalled the day he had come to her office, asking questions about Karan’s further intentions against the Goel company. How she had refused, not once but firmly again the next day over the phone, telling him she would not misuse her position or betray her husband. Since then, he had withdrawn further from her. Didn’t even care for basic formalities anymore.
