Suddenly, I realise why he’s behaving like this. He never got to live that phase with his mother. Now that he has my mom, he’s become just as fiercely protective of her without even realising it. No one has notices this, except for me and Kailash Uncle, who is sitting across the room, but every now and then, his eyes are on Raghav. Then I catch the smile on his face. That soft, knowing smile that only a father could wear.
Mom is completely unaware of the drama happening around her, though. She laughs again at something Pratap Uncle has said. That finally does it. Raghav takes one step forward.
“Enough.”
The entire room goes silent. Everyone turns to look at him, including Mom and Pratap Uncle, who pause mid-conversation.
“I mean...” Raghav clears his throat, suddenly aware that everyone is staring at him. “Enough of the talking. Give her a break.”
Pratap Uncle frowns. “What’s your problem? Why areyouso bothered? If Rukmini ji’s cheeks are hurting from all the laughter and talking, she’ll tell me herself. I’ll stop whensheasks me to. Right, Rukmini ji?”
I watch Raghav’s hand curl into a fist. Without thinking, I grab his wrist to calm him down. He glances at my hand on his wrist, and his expression softens, if only a little.
Before either of them can say anything else, Kailash Uncle intervenes. “Pratap, you can’t expect Rukmini ji to be happy with compliments alone. She and the rest of us are all hungry. The food is ready. Come on, we’re starving.”
That finally convinces Pratap Uncle and everyone starts getting up to head towards the dining area.
Krish shakes his head, grinning at Raghav. “You actually managed to end the conversation, man.”
“Possessive son-in-law,” Vishnu says, giving him a wink.
Trisha is trying hard not to smile while I stare at my husband. Only Raghav could look ready to start a gang war over his mother-in-law being harmlessly teased by a sixty-year-old Chief Minister.
And the funniest part? The moment everyone gets up and the entire topic dies, I can actually see his shoulders relax, as if he has successfully averted a major crisis.
Seriously… this man is unbelievable.
*****************
Everyone gradually settles around the long dining table. Platters of food are passed around and conversations overlap, filling the room with laughter and the familiar chaos of a big family meal.
That’s when Meher smiles at me. “Oh, I forgot to introduce you to the youngest troublemakers in the family.”
I laugh as she points towards the little girl in a high chair beside her mother Devika. Three-year-old Avika is busy eating while Devika patiently feeds her. On the other side, Simran is occupied with her two-and-a-half-year-old son, Veer, who is seated in his own chair and refusing to eat.
“Avika, say hello to Siya Aunty,” Meher says.
The little girl grins and waves. “Hello.”
I wave back at her.
“And this is my little monster, Veer.” Simran sighs dramatically. “He only listens to himself… just like his father and grandfather.”
Everybody laughs, including me.Kids.There were hardly any children around me while growing up. With all the guns and guards, children never really belonged in our world.But these two... God, they are adorable. Soon, I’m talking to both of them while everyone continues eating around us. Avika proudly shows me her spoon, while Veer babbles something in his own language, and I can’t stop laughing.
“See, he likes you already,” Simran says.
A few minutes later, while Simran is trying to feed Veer, the little troublemaker turns away from her spoon and stretches his tiny hand towards me instead.
“Traitor!” Simran gasps.
Laughing, I take the spoon from her.“Come here, Veer.”
The little boy happily opens his mouth and lets me feed him. Then, after finishing the bite, he suddenly catches my finger and licks it.
“Oh, God!” Simran laughs. “You’ve officially stolen my son.”
I burst out laughing while Veer giggles proudly at his own achievement.
