Naina pointed at her brother from the sofa. “Tyrant behaviour. Absolute tyrant behaviour.”
Meera’s face turned the colour of her bridal lehenga.
Abhinav looked at her then, fully.
Her attention dropped to the bandage around his hand. She inhaled, the breath felt painful.
Naina dragged herself upright with visible suffering. “Right. Everybody move toward dinner before Bhai starts staring at Bhabhi as if oxygen has finally returned to Earth.”
“Naina,” Sarita cut in through laughter.
“What?” Naina gestured toward him. “Yesterday this man challenged God to combat.”
Gauri shook her head with a smile. Devendra escaped toward the dining area with impressive speed.
The room emptied around them.
Abhinav crossed to her. His arms went around her waist, pulling her close. Warm. Solid. Relieved.
Meera leaned into him. Her arms wrapped around his waist. Her forehead pressed against his chest, fingers clutching his shirt.
The tightness inside her chest loosened. Only now did breathing feel possible again.
His grip tightened.
“How are you?” His voice carried a softness meant only for her.
Meera shifted slightly in his arms. Her gaze fell on his injured hand where it rested against her back.
She took it carefully between both of hers. Her fingers brushed the bandage with a softness that hurt more than any touch. “How are you?”
His eyes stayed on her.
“Better.” A faint smile touched his mouth. “Doctor promised it would heal cleanly.”
Her fingers tightened around his hand because he sounded normal. Too normal. As if yesterday had not ripped through both of them.
His thumb brushed her wrist. “Still thinking too much?”
Before she could answer, Naina’s voice cut through the room. “If romance is over, starving people would also appreciate food.”
Abhinav shut his eyes for a second. Meera bit the inside of her cheek. Dinner unfolded slowly after that.
He sat beside her, close enough for his shoulder to brush hers every few minutes. He filled her plate before touching his own. Dal first. Baati next. Churma placed to the side because he remembered she preferred it last.
Halfway through the meal, he turned toward Devendra. “After the wedding, Uncle, we should plan a vacation.”
Devendra looked up. “A vacation?”
“Kerala has excellent houseboats. Or the mountains, if Aunty prefers cooler weather.”
Devendra’s spoon stopped midway. “Thakur Sa, that is generous, but there is no need to include us in your plans.”
Abhinav frowned. “Include you?”
The firmness in his voice pulled the entire table into silence.
“You are Meera’s parents. That makes you mine too.”