Page 113 of Since You Stole My Heart

Kashvi let out a genuine chuckle. ‘That sounds about right.’

‘And what about your parents?’ Malini asked warmly.

Kashvi curled her fingers into a fist. ‘My father stays out of town because work keeps him away. My maa… she passed away when I was six.’

Malini rested her hand on Kashvi’s shoulder. ‘Oh, I’m sorry, beta. That must have been very difficult at such a young age.’

Kashvi shrugged, looking away. ‘Siya Di was always there for me.’

Malini shook her head, her eyes distant. ‘No one can make up for the absence of parents, no matter how much they love you. But yes, having someone to look after you definitely helps. Take Swayam, for example. Whenever he misses his parents, he comes over.’

She turned to face Kashvi, gently holding her by the shoulders. ‘You can also come, dear. Anytime. You don’t have to think twice.’

A surge of emotion choked her, but she managed to rasp out, ‘Thank you, Auntyji.’

‘Oh, c’mon, you can call me Maasi too,’ Malini said with maternal ease.

They began walking again, and the store at the end of the floor caught her attention. Malini pointed to a mannequin and exclaimed, ‘Oh! That would look great on Swayam. C’mon, let’s go in.’

Kashvi followed her into the store, the scent of dyed fabrics and faint incense greeting them. Luv and Swayam joined them, but Kashvi moved to take one of the seats, keeping her gaze fixed on the floor.

Malini gestured towards the display. ‘Could you show me that kurta?’

The young boy nodded, immediately fetching it. She held it out. ‘Swayam, what do you think?’

‘It’s very… cream,’ he mumbled, shaking his head.

When she showed another kurta, Luv scoffed. ‘It’s too festive. It will seem like he’s the groom.’

Malini frowned. ‘At least try it once.’

Swayam didn’t move. ‘Luv is right.’

The assistant quickly brought out a handful of options, holding them up one by one.

Swayam raised his hand to stop him. ‘I can already tell it’s not my style.’

‘These are popular, custom designs, sir,’ the assistant replied quickly.

‘It’s giving uncle vibes,’ Luv said, backing him up.

Kashvi sighed to herself. She knew what they were doing. Every option they saw was good, but they were too busy rejecting each one to even consider it.

‘Too loud.’

‘Too plain.’

‘Too shiny.’

‘Too dull.’

It went on for a few minutes until Malini’s patience began to thin. ‘You cannot just reject everything without even touching one of them.’

‘None of them are good,’ Swayam said, infuriatingly calm.

Kashvi pushed herself up from the seat and moved towards the side racks where rows of kurtas were arranged along wooden rods. Their colours ranged from muted creams and ivories to deeper jewel tones, all catching the overhead lights. She scanned them, keeping an ear on the conversation behind her.

‘You can at least pretend to be interested,’ Malini scolded.