“And for yourself too,” I add. Her head snaps back toward me. For a moment she simply stares at me, clearly surprised. Then she lets out a weak chuckle. “I hate your mind-reading skills.”
I laugh softly under my breath. “Well,” I say lightly, “you’ll have to live with them for a while.”
Her smile fades slowly after that. The silence that settles between us lingers just long enough to become noticeable. Then she straightens slightly in her chair, as if reminding herself why she came here.
“We will not dictate each other’s lives.” Her voice is firmer now. “You do what you want.” She adds quickly, “I do the same.” She lifts her gaze again, holding mine this time. “I don’t mind if you have other relationships.” The sentence lands between us like a dropped glass. Sharp. Unexpected. “I won’t,” she continues quickly. “Because marriage is sacred to me.”
“Divya.” Her name leaves my mouth more firmly than I intend. She stops speaking immediately. I lean forward slightly, resting my arms on the table now. “I will be loyal to you.”
Her eyes widen faintly. For a second she looks almost embarrassed, like she didn’t expect that answer. “Okay,” she murmurs quietly.
Her gaze drops back down to the table. A strand of hair slips loose from behind her ear, and she tucks it back nervously. Thenshe asks the question she’s clearly been dreading. “Is it possible for you to pay my loans before the weekend?”
She doesn’t look at me when she says it. Her eyes remain fixed on her hands. The shame in that small gesture twists something uncomfortable in my chest.
“Yes.” I keep the answer simple. There’s no reason to make this moment harder for her by discussing numbers or logistics.
She nods slowly.
Across the room Neel has now discovered the rolling ladder attached to the tallest bookshelf and is examining it like it might be the most fascinating invention he has ever encountered.
“Neel,” she whispers suddenly.
When she looks back at me, her eyes are shining faintly with unshed tears. “He’s an old man stuck in a child’s body.” She laughs quietly. I glance toward him again. He has returned to his strange little inspection routine, hands clasped behind his back as he studies another row of books.
I can’t help smiling. “He looks very serious.”
“He is.” Her voice softens again. “He’s everything to me.” The sentence carries more weight than anything she said earlier. “And although you don’t have to take any responsibility for him,” she continues carefully, “I would really appreciate it if you were kind to him.”
She pauses briefly before adding, “Even when he sounds rude.” I raise an eyebrow. “He’s protective,” she explains quickly. She exhales slowly before tucking another loose strand of hair behind her ear. I smile.
“You have nothing to worry about.” She studies my face carefully. “I’m sure we’ll be good friends.” She laughs immediately. This time the sound is genuine.
“You can try,” she says, shaking her head slightly. “But when it comes to me… he can be a little scary.”
I laugh. “Well then,” I say thoughtfully, “I suppose I’ll have to join his team.”
Her expression shifts at that. She looks slightly taken aback.
I sigh quietly. “You don’t have to worry, Divya.” I lean forward slightly again. “I know this situation is sudden.” My voice softens. “But I promise I will never do anything that makes you or your brother uncomfortable.”
For a moment she simply looks at me. Then she nods.
“Neel,” she calls softly. The boy turns immediately. He runs toward us with the quick energetic steps only children seem capable of.
“Didi!” He stops beside her chair. “There are so many books here that I want.” Divya presses a finger lightly to her lips. “Shh.”
“The books belong to him,” she says gently, nodding toward me. Neel looks at me cautiously.
“But,” I add with a smile, “you can definitely have as many as you want.” His entire face lights up.
“Really?”
“Really.”
He beams. “Thank you, Mr—” He trails off awkwardly.
“Aditya,” I supply.
