Page 143 of The Redemption
“Where I sleep in that room isn’t a problem, Siya.Bed. Couch. Floor. It doesn’t matter.Wherever I sleep, you’re going to end up with me anyway. So now you decide which option sounds safer. Next to me on the bed, or on top of me on the couch. Because either way, every morning, you’re still going to wake up and see me first.”
She has no comeback this time. Just fury. I can practically see her wanting to hit me. Instead, she places both hands against my chest and shoves me hard, then turns around and stomps towards the stairs.
I watch her go, shaking my head.
Unbelievable woman.
A reluctant smile tugs at the corner of my mouth. Then, throwing my coat over my shoulder, I follow my furious wife back to our room.
SIYA
Next Morning
Not finding Mom or the rest of the family downstairs, I step out into the front garden and immediately come to a halt.
A massive breakfast table is being arranged right in the middle of the lawn under the soft morning sunlight. Kailash Uncle is standing beside a live dosa counter, dressed in an off-white kurta with the sleeves rolled up, instructing the staff.
“Careful with the batter,” he says to one of them. “The dosa has to be crisp, not burnt.”
And standing beside him is… Mom. I lift my brows in surprise. She’s actually helping him prepare dosas, while another staff member arranges the plates and cutlery on the table. I slowly walk closer.
“Mom?” I ask. “What exactly is happening here?”
Mom turns towards me, and for the first time in days, she looks relaxed and happy.
“Kailash Bhai Sahab decided to host a proper South Indian breakfast for everyone. I’m just helping him. It doesn’t look good if I simply sit and watch while he does all the work.”
Although I agree, my eyes narrow at the title.Bhai Sahab?
Mom reads my face and sighs softly. “You know he’s a good man.” She smiles. “It’s not his fault. Whatever Raghav did was his own decision. Why should we punish the rest of the family for it?”
I exhale sharply but don’t argue, because she isn’t really wrong. Kailash Uncle has done nothing except try to make us comfortable ever since they arrived. Mom wipes her hands before looking at me again.
“And honestly,” she continues, “I was getting bored sitting inside that room. At least this is better.” Then her eyes brighten a little. “Besides, you know how much I love South Indian breakfast.”
That finally makes me smile. Just then, Kailash Uncle walks towards us, carrying a tray loaded with three large bowls of chutneys.
“Perfect timing. The chutneys are ready.” He places them carefully on the table and points to the different bowls. “This is tomato-red chilli chutney, this one is pudina, and this is the coconut chutney.”
I look at the bowls. The mint chutney is bright green while the tomato one looks fiery enough to burn someone alive.
“The coconut chutney is my favourite,” Uncle continues. “Ayaan likes the mint chutney, and Raghav only eats the tomato-red chilli one.”
The moment Raghav’s name leaves his mouth, my expression hardens automatically. Of course, the man practically breathes danger. So naturally, he would love the red-hot one.
Uncle notices my mood immediately.
“Don’t think I’m trying to make up for what Raghav did with this breakfast,” he says quietly. “I’m not. But right now…” He sighs tiredly. “I just want some peace in this family. Both my sons are at war with each other, and I don’t know how to fix it. So this…” he gestures around lightly, “is simply my way of trying.”
Then he smiles slightly.
“Besides, I never even got the chance to properly welcome my daughter-in-law into this family.”
The termdaughter-in-lawstill feels strange.
“You’re family now, Siya. Just like Meher. Both of you deserve the world. So next time I’m here, forget the dosas, I’m going to make all your favourite dishes.”
I stare at him for a long second. Then the words leave my mouth before I can stop them. “Why are you so good?”
