“This isn’t one of those self-driving cars that will magically take us to RK Estate.” Siya’s voice breaks my chain of thoughts. “Either you take the wheel or let me drive.”
There she goes again. Unknowingly, Siya is already steering me like she’s a pro at becoming my wife.
Huh!
Shaking my head, I step out of the car, stretch my stiff muscles, and walk around to the driver’s side. Moments later, I slide behind the wheel and start the engine. Without another word, I pull the vehicle back onto the road and drive us back towards RK Estate.
CHAPTER 33
SIYA
Mumbai
Two days later, we land in Mumbai.
The drive from the airport to Shergill Mansion passes in silence. Mom sits beside me while Raghav occupies the seat across from us, his attention buried in his phone as usual.
Mumbai isn’t new to me. I’ve been here before. But for the first time, I’m not entering this city as a mafia princess. I’m arriving as Raghav’s wife. As a daughter-in-law of the Shergill family. That thought sends a strange flutter through my chest. I don’t know what role I’m supposed to play once I walk through those doors. Given the circumstances of our marriage, I have no idea what his family expects from me when they introduce me to the rest of their relatives and friends.
The car slows before finally turning through a set of large iron gates, and Shergill Mansion comes into view. Moments later, the car comes to a stop and the three of us step out. Before I can properly take in the sprawling mansion, the front door bursts opens and Kailash Uncle walks out excitedly as though he has been desperately waiting for us.
“There you are!” His face lights up the moment he sees us.
Raghav immediately walks forward and touches his feet. The sight still surprises me every single time. Uncle places a hand over his head in blessing before pulling him into a hug.
“I’ve been waiting for you all,” he says warmly. “You have no idea how happy I am that you’re finally here.”
Then he turns towards Mom. “How are you, Rukmini ji?”
Mom smiles back. “I’m doing well. It’s good to see you again.”
“No formalities,” he says at once. “Welcome home.”
Then his gaze shifts to me. For a second, neither of us says anything. Maybe because he already knows that I haven’t exactly had an easy journey to reach here. I instinctively bend down to touch his feet, but before I can, he gently stops me.
“God bless you. I’m so glad to have you here, Siya beta,” he says softly. “Meher has been waiting for you. Let’s go inside.”
He leads us towards the mansion. Mom walks beside him as they continue talking. Raghav and I follow behind. I can feel his gaze on me, but I deliberately keep my eyes fixed ahead. Because right now, all of this feels strangely intimidating.
As soon as we cross the entrance, I hear Meher’s excited voice.
“Siya!”
She’s already walking towards me. Or at least trying to. Her twins have made it difficult for her to move quickly, so I head towards her instead. The next thing I know, she wraps her arms around me in a tight hug.
“Oh, thank God you came. I was losing my mind,” she says dramatically.
I laugh despite myself.
“You have your full family helping you,” I reply. “Why would you lose your mind?”
“Because tomorrow is my baby shower, and apparently, I don’t know what to expect.”
I glance at her belly before smiling again. “You have experienced sisters-in-law. Your entire family is here. Why do you need me? I have zero experience with any of this. In fact, this is the first baby shower I’ll be attending.”
Meher’s smile softens as she reaches for my hand.
“I know I have people to guide me,” she says quietly, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. “My bhabhis (sisters-in-law) are experts at this. They’ve been through all of this before me. But they belong to the Walia side of the family.”
