Next Day - Baby Shower (Walia House)
I’m already dressed in the embroidered navy-blue kurta that Simran designed for us. Ayaan is wearing a similar one in maroon, while Baba is wearing the cream-coloured one. Meher made sure I wore mine before stepping out of the house.As if I had a choice.
But Siya hasn’t seen me in it yet. She was in her mother’s room getting ready when Baba and I had to leave for Walia Mansion a little earlier than everyone else.
Pratap Uncle has been calling Baba since morning, sounding more like a man preparing for war than a baby shower. Instead of letting Baba make the trip alone, I volunteered to take him over early. Ayaan could have brought him too, but today belongs to Meher. And a husband should be beside his wife on a day like this. So, Baba and I left first while Ayaan stayed back with Meher, Siya, and her mother to bring them over once they were ready.
Preparations are already in full swing at Walia Mansion. Flowers, lights, security, guests, and laughter fill every corner of the house. Although it’s technically a ladies’ function, no one in this family believes that celebrations should be divided by gender.Everyone belongs everywhere.
The moment we step inside, Pratap Uncle appears as though he’s been waiting at the entrance just for Baba.
“There you are!” he grumbles before hugging Baba. “I’ve been calling you since morning. You made me wait like a bride waiting for her groom.”
Baba laughs.
“If it’s your daughter’s baby shower, then it’s also my daughter-in-law’s too. I had things to take care of at home. And don’t complain. I still came early, only because of you.”
Pratap Uncle chuckles.
“Good. I finally have somebody sensible by my side. Now we can manage these guests together.”
Then his eyes fall on me and his expression shifts. I know why. Right now, my marriage, and more importantly, the way I married Siya in Cape Town, is a hot topic within the family. Vishnu and Simran join us as Pratap Uncle sighs.
“What have you done, son?” he asks, sounding disappointed. “Everyone wanted to see you married, but not like this. Not by forcing a girl into it and putting the entire family in danger again.” He shakes his head. “This wasn’t the right way. None of us ever imagined you’d do something like this.”
All eyes are on me, waiting for an answer, but I remain silent. I don’t owe anyone an explanation. And even if I did, they wouldn’t understand that I couldn’t let Siya go. That I would do it again if it meant keeping her safe and forever with me.
I exhale slowly. “Can we focus on Meher’s baby shower today and not discuss me or my marriage anymore?”
Silence follows. Before Pratap Uncle can say another word, Baba steps in like the referee he’s always been.
“C’mon, Pratap. Leave the boy alone.” He throws an arm around Uncle’s shoulders. “He’s already trying to settle into married life. Let’s not do this today. It’s Meher’s special day, andeven she’d hate to see us standing here arguing about this. You know Raghav is her favourite.”
He’s right. I am.
Pratap Uncle sighs and shakes his head.
“You always shield your boys, Kailash. You spoil them too much.”
“Don’t forget, one of my boys is also your son-in-law.” Baba grins.
That earns a smile from Pratap Uncle.
“And I won’t hear a word against my sons,” Baba replies. “Now come on. Let’s go greet the guests before they start wondering where the hosts have disappeared to.”
Baba literally drags him away. Both of them disappear into the crowd, still arguing like best friends do, leaving me alone with Vishnu and Simran. While Simran smiles warmly at me, Vishnu just crosses his arms. I know what his father couldn’t continue, he would.
“Even I never saw this coming,” he says at last. “The man who used to run away whenever someone mentioned marriage would actually get married, holding the mafia at gunpoint for a woman. You really do know how to make headlines, Raghav. Always.”
“Vishnu…” Simran warns, rolling her eyes.
“What?” he laughs. “I’m just impressed.” His grin widens as he turns to me again. “Looks like even Raghav enjoys doing thingsout of ordernow,” he adds with a smirk.
I know exactly where this is going. Back when he’d married Simran after discovering he already had a ten-month-old son with her, I’d mocked him endlessly for doing things‘out of order’in a congratulatory message about his marriage.Baby first. Marriage later.
Now, he’s using that same line on me. Vishnu raises his glass of lemonade with an infuriatingly smug smile.
“But in your case, I sincerely hope the proposal doesn’t come after the kids, Raghav,” he says, taking a sip of his drink.
