Raghav… stepping into the vat.
Raghav… holding a woman.
Raghav… lifting her in his arms. In front of everyone.
No one here expected me to step in for a mere guest like this. My protectiveness and possessiveness are reserved solely for my family. No one else. And yet, here I am, standing insidea wooden vat, holding Siya Vardhaan as if she belongs exactly where she is.In my arms.
Siya reacts a moment later, her hand gripping my shirt tighter as she steadies herself in my arms.
“RK?” she says in a hushed voice. “Put me down.”
I don’t.
“Put you down and let you hurt yourself? Not happening. I don’t want your guards to think we risked your safety here,” I say.
That’s the only reason I can come up with. Siya glares at me but doesn’t argue further. I adjust my hold on her and step out of the vat, ignoring everyone’s gaze on us. The momentI set her down a few steps away, the staff rush forward, handing her a towel, fussing over her, and making sure she’s fine.
Siya is too overwhelmed to respond. I turn around to give her the space to collect herself, only to meet Baba’s knowing gaze. Whatever he saw just now revealed more than I would ever share.
“We should wind up the tour here,” I say, making the decision without waiting for anyone else.
“Wind up?” Baba asks, a bit taken aback. “But what about the wine tasting? That’s the most important part of the tour.”
Of course, he would say that. He built this place with care, hard work, and pride. For him, every aspect of this experience matters. But right now, my focus isn’t on the vineyard; it’s on regaining the control I lost a few minutes ago. I need to get it back.
“She’s here for the next few days,” I add. “She can do the wine tasting anytime she wants. Just not now. Besides, you are already tired from the journey, Baba. I don’t want you getting stressed or exhausted over this. We are leaving.”
I expect Siya to argue, to lift her chin, to throw something back at me, to remind me that she doesn’t take instructions from anyone. But she doesn’t.
“He’s right,” she says, turning to Baba. “I need to clean up anyway.”
Baba sighs and nods in agreement. That settles it. I turn to Haider and give him a small nod. He understands immediately and reaches for his phone, already instructing the staff to bring the buggies around.
The staff quietly resumes their work and clears the setup in no time. It almost feels like nothing out of ordinary ever happened here. I hope whatever just occurred doesn’t stretch beyond this place. Within minutes, the buggies arrive, and we all get in without exchanging a word as we make our way back to the resort.
CHAPTER 12
RAGHAV
Returning to the villa, I make sure Baba rests for some time. But by evening, just like always, he takes over the kitchen to prepare dinner for the two of us. He loves cooking, and back in Mumbai, it has become a ritual for him to occasionally cook for Ayaan and Meher.
I’m usually very particular about what I eat. Measured portions. Clean food. Minimal oil. High protein. But when it comes to Baba, all my rules seem to go out the window. Tonight, he’s made simple dal and chawal.
We sit across from each other, talking about everything that matters. Work, family, and random little updates here and there, including Meher’s baby shower. The conversation flows effortlessly between us, like it always has. Thankfully, Baba doesn’t bring up the topic of Siya even once.
I know Ayaan and Meher must have told him about the call Siya interrupted, which is probably why Baba came here to see things for himself. But now that he has met Siya, he still doesn’t question me. I feel relieved because the truth is I’m not ready to talk about Siya with anyone yet, especially not with Baba, to whom I never want to lie.
By the time dinner ends, Baba informs me that he has to leave for Mumbai tomorrow morning. Earlier in the evening, Bhaskar Uncle, his personal assistant, had called about anemergency at one of the rehabilitation homes they support for girls. A legal issue has suddenly cropped up, and a few minors there need immediate intervention and protection before they’re forced back into unsafe conditions. Baba’s presence is needed there by evening, and there’s no way he can postpone the trip.
Under normal circumstances, I would have argued with him and insisted he stay longer. But this time, with Siya at RK Estate, I simply nod and make the arrangements for his return flight.
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Day 6 @ RK Estate (Morning)
Baba and I step down from the buggy near the helipad, where the helicopter is already waiting for him. From here, it will take him straight to the airport for his flight back to Mumbai.
Ever since I took over RK Estate, I had a private helipad built on the property. Not as an extra luxury feature for guests, but for my family and me. Access to it is strictly restricted. Guests aren’t allowed anywhere near it, and most people staying here have no idea it even exists. The only time it is ever used beyond us is during emergencies connected to the resort.
