Page 56 of Since You Stole My Heart

‘When I was around sixteen, Mausa told me that if I wanted to meet him, he would look for him. But I chose not to.’

‘Why?’ she asked softly.

‘You know, my Nanu was a hell of a man. He raised me like his own, and my mausa did too. They never once made me feel like a burden. I knew that whoever my father was, he wouldnever measure up to them. Not even close. So why go looking for someone who had already made it clear he didn’t want anything to do with me?’

Her chest constricted as he gave her a sad smile.

‘Besides, I think I did both of us a favour, because I can only assume he blamed me for why their marriage failed, the same way my mother did.’

‘That’s not true,’ Kashvi snapped, driven by the need to shield him from the weight of such crushing disappointment. ‘The blame lies with two people who made a blind jump into parenthood when they weren’t ready for it.’

Swayam glanced at her, a flicker of surprise crossing his face as she added, ‘And if he ever shows up, he’ll have to deal with me first.’

A smile tugged at his lips and he comically widened his eyes. ‘Whoa, that’s a terrifying thought. I should probably be worried for him.’

‘He deserves it,’ Kashvi said.

‘Yes, ma’am. I’ll make sure to stand behind you if that ever happens.’

Swayam smiled at her, but the sadness didn’t leave his eyes. She held onto him a little tighter, unwilling to fight the pull to stay right there in his arms.

Kashvi rested her head on his chest. ‘You said your maasi’s son is getting engaged soon. Do you think there’s a chance your mother might come for that?’

She felt him shake his head as he said sharply, ‘She didn’t even come home when her parents died. I wouldn’t hold my breath for her attendance at a relative’s wedding.’

‘Not even when you and Nani ji were trying to figure out how to survive?’ Kashvi asked, unable to believe it.

‘Nani sold her handmade sweaters, and I picked up freelance editing work. It paid enough to keep things going. We had each other, and we didn’t need her.’

The look in his eyes made her chest ache as he continued, ‘But my maasi took it really hard when she didn’t show up for Nani’s funeral. Maasi kept repeating that she’d at least come for that.’

Kashvi saw his jaw tighten, the restraint in his anger fraying as he continued, ‘Shalini Sharma hadn’t given a damn when her parents were alive. I don’t know why anyone thought she’d care after they were gone.’

How had he survived that? How had he held himself together to become the jovial man she knew?

‘I visit Maasi often, and I try to be there whenever I can. She’s already given me a list of things I have to do for my cousin’s engagement,’ he said with a small chuckle.

‘Are you close to him?’

‘Yeah, we grew up together. Sure, we had our problems, but he made life much less lonely than it could have been,’ Swayam said, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

‘I get that,’ Kashvi said softly, tracing a pattern along his arm. ‘To have that kind of family… it matters.’

‘They’re still more like blood relatives. For me, Siya and Mihu feel more like family. They kept me sane through losing Nani. All of us in a room together, that’s what feels like family.’

Kashvi lifted her hand to his cheek. ‘You do know you have me too, right? You’re not alone. Not anymore.’

The words felt small compared to what she meant, but she hoped they were enough.

‘I know.’

‘I mean, I’m aware I’m much more annoying than them, but you’ll just have to deal with me,’ she said.

‘It’d be my pleasure,’ Swayam replied with a nod.

‘Good, because you’re stuck with me now,’ she warned.

His chest vibrated with laughter beneath her cheek. ‘And I make sure to thank the universe for it every day.’