For a second, I simply stand there, watching her. Back at RK Estate, I’ve never seen her like this. There, it is just Siya, me, and her. But here, she’s smiling, talking freely, and participating in conversations as though she’s known these people for years.
RK Estate can give her security, but she needs people. It’s clear she enjoys big families, chaos, laughter, and a sense of belonging. As I move closer, I hear the reason behind all the laughter.
It’s Pratap Walia. Apparently, the Chief Minister still hasn’t forgotten how to charm the women around him.
“Rukmini ji,” Pratap Uncle says with an easy smile. “If I had known Raghav’s mother-in-law would bring such grace with her, I would’ve personally welcomed you at the gate.”
She chuckles softly. “Pratap ji, you flatter me too much.”
Uncle immediately shakes his head, but Baba intervenes this time. “Don’t believe a word he says. Pratap was the biggest charmer in his younger days. No one could flirt better than him.”
Krish leans towards Ayaan and whispers loudly enough for all of us to hear. “The old man’s still got it.”
“After all, whose father-in-law do you think he is?” Ayaan replies with a grin.
Meher’s jaw drops as she smacks Ayaan’s arm. “So you flirt with other women too? Have you forgotten you have a wife and are going to become a father very soon?”
“C’mon, Meher. Have I looked at any other woman ever since I fell in love with you?” Ayaan scoots closer to her. “I just meant your dad is smart. Like me. That’s it.” He winks at her with a boyish grin.
“Oh, really?” Meher narrows her eyes and pushes his arm away, though I know she isn’t taking any of this seriously.
I then glance at Siya, who is enjoying this far too much.
“He’s still the same old Pratap,” Baba tells Siya’s mother as he sips his tea.
Meanwhile, Pratap Uncle isn’t done. “Don’t listen to them, Rukmini ji. They don’t see what I do. You know some people walk into a room and the entire mood changes. You’re one of them.”
This time, Siya’s mother blushes. “Now you’re just being kind.”
“Not at all,” he corrects her with a grin. “I’m just being honest.”
She laughs again, looking slightly flustered. “You always have an answer ready, don’t you?”
“Only when I know I’m right,” he says with a hint of mischief in his voice.
It’s a light-hearted, harmless conversation, and everyone is enjoying it. Everyone except me. Something about watching another man, even if he is Pratap Walia, trying to charm my mother-in-law doesn’t sit well with me. It’s not anger. It’s protectiveness. She’s Siya’s mother…my family.
My eyes narrow slightly as I turn towards Vishnu, who’s standing beside me. “Tell your father to control himself. He’s getting carried away.”
“Not a chance.” He looks at me, barely holding his smile. “It’s been ages since I’ve seen him like this, and frankly, I’m enjoying it too much. So don’t expect anything from me.” His grin widens. “And what exactly is your problem? Rukmini Aunty herself looks comfortable. Nobody is troubling her. So save all that possessiveness for the daughter… not her mother.”
“Doesn’t matter,” I say a little more sharply. “She’s my mother-in-law.”
Vishnu stares at me. “So?”
“So?” I repeat, looking offended. “What kind of question is that? She’s family, and I don’t like other men flirting with the women in my family.”
Vishnu holds my gaze for a second before shaking his head. “Relax, Raghav. They are just having fun, and they don’t need your permission to enjoy themselves.”
Then he turns back to the rest of the family and acts like nothing is wrong. And I don’t like it one bit.
SIYA
I can’t believe what I’m seeing. Raghav is standing beside me with his jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed, looking like a pressure cooker about to explode. He’s absolutely pissed about Pratap Uncle’s harmless flirting with Mom, who is very much enjoying this herself.
I steal a glance at him and nearly bite back a smile. I know Raghav is ridiculously protective.But even for Mom?That’s surprising.
Right now, he looks ready to scowl at any man who so much as looks at Mom or speaks sweetly to her, just like a little boy who doesn’t like anyone else getting too close to his mother, wanting all the love and attention for himself.
