She looked away again and continued selecting her own bangles. That was when Avni frowned.
“Karan Wadhwa shopping for bangles?” she mocked. “That’s… wholesome.”
Karan looked at her, with pride clear in his voice. “You’re forgetting Ihavea wife. And I can shop for her whatever I like.”
Rajat glanced at Mishti, hiding his smile, while Mishti wasn’t sure what game Karan was playing now. He was shopping forherwhile she stood right there beside him? Wha did it mean?
Avni merely shrugged and turned back to Rajat, dragging him toward another stall. Mishti, who had finished choosing her bangles, stepped forward to pay, but Karan instantly paid for her purchase as well.
She immediately stopped him. “I can pay for my own things.”
The stall keeper looked confused, unsure whose money to accept. Karan didn’t argue and let her pay instead. As she did, the stall keeper smiled and said, “Sahab, the bangles you chose for your wife are the finest piece we have. I’m sure she’ll love them.”
“I hope so, too,” he said, turning to Mishti.
Once again warmth flooded her entire body. Unable to stay there any longer, she grabbed her bag of bangles and walked away briskly.
“Madam, your change,” the stall keeper called after her.
She didn’t turn back or stop.
Karan knew exactly what she was running from, and a slow smirk curved his lips. He told the stall keeper to keep the change, took the bag with the bangles he had chosen, and followed her.
***************
The final stop of their shopping spree was an exclusive lehenga boutique, the most reputed one in the city. Avni and Mishti were still undecided, moving between racks, debating colours and designs, unable to settle on what to buy. While they were occupied, Rajat walked up to Karan and let out a long breath.
“Gosh,” he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. “The one thing I am never doing again is accompanying her shopping.”
Karan frowned. “You wouldn’t dare. She’s my sister. I’m not letting you marry her if you can’t even do what she enjoys doing.”
Rajat chuckled but then something struck him. His amusement faded as he studied Karan more closely.
“All right,” he said slowly. “Forget Avni for a moment. What’s going on with you? Why areyouhere?”
Karan’s body stiffened, but Rajat continued, “Karan Wadhwa, who doesn’t spare time for anyone except spreadsheets, business calls, and deals, is following his wife everywhere quietly. Unable to take his eyes off her.”
He stepped closer and punched Karan’s chest lightly.
“What’s happening, bro?”
Karan did not respond.
His gaze had already drifted past Rajat, to Mishti, who was holding up a red bridal lehenga now, softly arguing with Avni, who looked determined to make her try it on.
Rajat turned, followed his line of sight, then looked back at him knowingly.
“I’ve seen you live with her,” Rajat said seriously. “And I’ve seen you live without her. Trust me when I say this, your version with her beside you is the best one.”
Karan frowned as their eyes met.
Before he could say anything, Rajat added, more gently now, “Although I don’t think she’s willing to even give you a second chance. And this time, I’m with her.”
Karan rolled his eyes and looked away, unwilling to continue this conversation.
But Rajat was not done.
“You just want her to come back with you to Mumbai,” he said. “But have you thought about what happens after that?”
