Page 205 of The Redemption
“Exactly.” Ayaan laughs. “That’s precisely why I’m trusting you.”
That’s it.Having seen and heard enough between the two of them, I step forward and reach for Siya’s hand. Her fingers automatically entwine with mine.
“Someone’s jealous,” Ayaan teases, noticing my possessive handhold.
“Stop teasing them, Ayaan,” Baba intervenes as he reaches us and looks at me. “I want all of you here again before Meher goes into labour. Though, I’ll visit you once before that. I have some work at RK Estate.”
“We’ll be waiting for you,” Siya replies on our behalf.
Baba smiles. Then Siya and I bend down side by side to touch his feet together. The realisation hits both of us at once. For the first time, we are doing this together, like a married couple seeking blessings from an elder. Our eyes meet briefly as Baba places his hand on both our heads.
“Khush raho, dono. (Stay happy, both of you.) May God always keep you together. And may you always find strength in each other, no matter what life brings your way.”
Baba pulls both of us into a warm hug. It is only after we straighten up that I realise my other hand is still holding hers. And throughout the goodbyes, my hand never leaves her. Not while I talk to Ayaan. Not while I hug him again before leaving. Not while I hug Meher and remind her to take care of herself. And judging by the grin she throws our way, she’s noticed it too.ButI don’t care.
The cars are already waiting outside. Still holding Siya’s hand, I walk her towards the waiting car and open the rear door for her. She gets in, followed by her mother. Once they’re settled, I close the door and move towards the front when Ayaan steps over to me one last time.
“Regarding what happened at the club yesterday, don’t worry. GLEN will handle it and make sure we keep a close watch on any further incidents,” he says firmly. “Whatever mess comes our way, we’ll deal with it together. Okay?”
Then his expression hardens. “But don’t do anything that could make this worse, Raghav. We know the Singhals were behind what happened yesterday. But don’t take any action against them or anyone from the mafias without talking tomefirst.”
His gaze locks onto mine. “And I mean it.”
A smirk tugs at the corner of my mouth. “I know how to deal with them,” I tell him. “You don’t have to teach me.”
Ayaan exhales and rolls his eyes, as if he expected exactly that answer. I pull him into another brief hug, reassuring him that I’ll be careful. He finally relaxes and gets inside the car, taking the wheel while I slide into the front passenger seat. He’s dropping us at the airport, where my jet is already waiting to take us back to RK Estate.
Meher and Baba come outside to see us off. We wave at them one last time before Ayaan starts the engine. The moment our car pulls away from Shergill Mansion, the security vehicles fall into line around us.
It’s time to go home.
CHAPTER 39
SIYA
Next Day – RK Estate
We arrived at RK Estate only yesterday, but somehow, it already feels as though the baby shower happened days ago. This morning, I leave my room dressed in fitted blue jeans, knee-high boots, and a cream cashmere sweater, originally planning to meet Esha in the resort lobby. Instead, I end up wandering through the estate, lost in my own thoughts.
The night Raghav finally confessed how guilty he felt for forcing me into this marriage… I think I truly forgave him that very night. Not because what he did was right, but because his guilt and regret were real.
A few weeks ago, I would never have imagined forgiving him so easily. But now, I think this marriage was always meant to happen. Forced or not. With consent or without. The thought stays in my mind as I finally step into the resort lobby.
I’m looking around for Esha when Kriti catches my attention. She’s standing beside one of the staff members, scanning the lobby before asking, “Where is Raghav?”
The employee immediately answers, “Sir was here a little while ago, ma’am, but I don’t know where he is now.”
Then he notices me. “But Mrs. Kundra is here.”
Kriti turns. Her eyes land on me and instantly harden. It’s obvious she still hasn’t come to terms with Raghav marrying me, and that the title she wanted for herself now belongs to me. For a brief moment, neither of us speaks. Then I walk over and stop right in front of her. Sensing the tension, the staff member quietly excuses himself and leaves us alone.
“Still looking for Raghav?” I mock. “I thought you would’ve stopped doing that by now.”
Her jaw tightens. “What do you mean?”
I fold my arms and hold her gaze. “Stop pretending, Kriti. I know you like him.”
She stiffens ever so slightly.
