Page 101 of Since You Stole My Heart

Dhanush spoke over her. ‘It’s decided.’

Malini shook her head. ‘You will have to come back before noon. We have to leave at two in the afternoon, and there’s still so much to do.’ She turned to Kashvi. ‘You both should pick him up around ten. That should give you enough time.’

Swayam raised his hand, stopping her. ‘I’m not staying here tonight.’

Malini was taken aback. ‘What do you mean?’

‘I have work, so I’ll come back tomorrow.’

Malini pointed out, ‘There’s so much to do here, beta. Who will help me with the arrangements? You know how much I rely on you.’

‘It’s just one night, Maasi.’

‘And what about me? You come home after so long and don’t even stay one night? Am I not important enough for that?’

‘Don’t start with the emotional blackmail,’ Swayam said, reaching out to hold her hand.

Her eyes turned misty. ‘I just hoped you’d stay.’

The fight drained out of him, and Swayam sighed. ‘Okay.’

Malini smiled, patting his cheek. ‘I’m doing this for you. I want you to be happy, and I think Aisha will do that.’

That was all Kashvi could take. She stepped back. ‘I should go. I have work to get back to, so I’ll book a cab. It was great to meet you—’

‘I’m dropping you home. We need to talk about your next driving lesson,’ Swayam cut in firmly, pressing a hand against her back just enough to stop her.

‘That’s not necessary. I don’t want to trouble you,’ Kashvi said, fighting the panic rising in her. After everything she’d said to his family, she didn’t want to be alone with him.

‘It is,’ Swayam said, pulling out his car keys.

Viraj protested, sounding almost whiny. ‘Oh, come on, Mom, he’s just using it as an excuse to escape for the night.’

Malini pinned him with a suspicious glare. ‘Swayam!’ she protested.

‘Maasi, trust me,’ Swayam assured her, then turned to Viraj. The look he gave him was edged with quiet anger. ‘I don’t treat everything like a game, Viru, so maybe you should cut it out.’

‘Okay, but come back in time for dinner. We’ll be waiting for you,’ Malini instructed, drawing him into an embrace.

Swayam hesitated for a moment. ‘I will.’

Dhanush scoffed. ‘I’m waiting for no one.’

Malini turned to Kashvi, running a gentle hand over her head. ‘You will manage it tomorrow, na? Make sure he doesn’t wander off and comes back on time,’ she asked hopefully.

Kashvi nodded.

‘Bless you, beti. I’ll see you tomorrow then,’ Malini said.

She forced a polite smile.

Malini bid goodbye to Swayam with more instructions, then, with a lingering smile, walked away with Dhanush.

Swayam and Viraj clasped hands in a brief shake before Lavanya began talking to him.

Kashvi barely had a moment to herself when Viraj suddenly turned and pulled her into a hug.

She went rigid, every nerve screaming at her to push him away, but they were only a few steps away from the others. As soon as they were out of sight, Kashvi broke away sharply.