Page 106 of No Boss
Sweat marked his temple. His shirt had given up its crisp lines. Shoes no longer respectable.
And his expression… Calm. Too calm. Amusement sitting just beneath it.
She recognized that expression. And internally, prepared for consequences.
“You will ride with us,” her voice clipped. “Front van.”
Her eyes dropped back to the clipboard. Because eye contact felt like a bad idea.
“Yes, Boss.” He said it loud enough to draw attention.
Three people turned.
Meera did not react. Her grip tightened on the clipboard.
‘Maa, I am completely composed.’
From outside, through the open door, she heard him chuckle. And that… that confirmed it. She was going to pay.
???
The community square had begun to fill when the vans arrived.
Families waited. Elderly men and women stood in small groups. Young workers waited before leaving for the day. No rush. The food would come. It always did.
Tables went up. Containers lined in rows. Serving stations formed within minutes. The square turned into a working kitchen.
Abhinav simply continued what he had been doing since three-thirty.
Meera moved through it, voice firm. “Elderly line here. Families there. Children first. Separate containers.”
People shifted without question. The system settled into place smoothly.
A car stopped at the edge of the square.
Meera looked up.
Sarita stepped out in a simple cotton salwar kameez. Naina followed in jeans and a kurta, already scanning everything.
A murmur moved through the staff.
Thakurain Sa did not come here. She blessed the food at the Haveli. This… this was not her space.
Meera reached them. “Thakurain Sa, we were not expecting…”
“I hope we are not late,” Sarita answered.
Meera shook her head. “Not at all.” Her eyes moved across the square, trying to find them a spot. “The elderly need help getting seated after they receive their food. If you would…”
“Perfect.” Sarita moved at once.
Naina grinned. “Assign me, General.”
Meera placed her at the plating table.
Sarita went to the elderly section. An old woman recognized her. Her face lit up. They spoke with ease, years of familiarity between them.
At the tables, Naina’s portions were uneven, her method enthusiastic at best.
