Page 47 of The Redemption
“My boy is shy,” he says, shaking his head. “That’s why he’s avoiding the topic.”
Heat rises to my face before I can stop it. I immediately compose myself and turn towards Raghav.
“No one asked you to join us,” I say, meeting his gaze head-on. “Your Baba is perfectly safe with me. You can leave whenever you like. Who is stopping you?”
His expression hardens as he steps closer. “Even I don’t stay where I’m not needed, Siya Vardhaan. I’m here only because of my Baba, and I alone decide who he’s safe with.”
His gaze does not leave mine.
Uncle clears his throat lightly. “Bas, bas… enough,” he says, shaking his head as he looks between us. “Both of you… just stop now and enjoy the place. Not everything has to turn into a battle.”
Raghav exhales slowly and leaves first on the pretext of making a call. It suddenly occurs to me how easily I had spokenagainst him in front of Kailash Uncle earlier. Yet, despite that, Uncle has been nothing but kind to me.
“I’m sorry,” I say, turning to him.
Uncle looks at me, slightly surprised. “Oh, you don’t have to be. Raghav is very protective when it comes to his family, so he doesn’t easily listen when someone makes decisions for us against his wishes.”
“I can see that now,” I admit. “But that’s not why I’m apologising.” I pause, choosing my words more carefully this time. “I shouldn’t have complained about him to you this morning. If I had known you were his family, I wouldn’t have said those things so casually.”
He watches me for a moment, and then a small smile tugs at his lips.
“You think I would be offended just because you spoke against him?”
“Of course.” I nod. “You are his Baba, and fathers usually don’t like to hear any nonsense about their children from someone else.”
As soon as the words leave my mouth, my own memories come rushing back.
“My dad was like that too,” I add before I can stop myself. “No matter what my brother said, he always took my side. Always.” I let out a sigh. “So I know what it feels like when someone speaks about your child like that.”
I try to keep my calm, but Uncle still notices the lone tear that slips from my eye.
“Where is your father now?” he asks gently.
I swallow hard before answering, “He’s not… he passed away a year ago in a car accident.”
Uncle looks shocked, and for a second, there’s nothing but silence between us. Then his hand comes to rest on my head.
“I’m sorry, beta,” he says softly.
I blink, forcing the tears away as I compose myself. “I have my mother though, and I love her very much.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” he says warmly. “But don’t say youonlyhave her. You have me, too, now.” He smiles brightly, clearly trying to make me feel better. “I may not have children of my own, but Ayaan and Raghav… they’ve never let me feel that void. They’ve always allowed me to be there for them in every way that matters.”
I nod. He seems like a great father, just like my dad was.
“Ayaan?” I ask. “You mean RK’s twin brother, right?”
“Yes. Initially, it was just the two of us. Then, a few years ago, Ayaan married Meher, and now even Raghav has joined our family. I’m surrounded by my children, and soon, I’m going to be a grandfather too. Meher is pregnant with twins. Our family is growing.”
I’m still processing their family details. They all look so happy and deeply connected to one other. Although I can’t imagine a man like Raghav to be so family oriented. He is truly lucky to have them in his life. People who genuinely love him. It’s not easy to find a family like that, one that not only accepts you, but also understands you, stands by you, and claims you as their own without conditions.
Almost again, my gaze drifts back to Raghav, who has just finished his call. His eyes shift to mine as if he knows what we are talking about. But just as quickly, he looks away, as if it meant nothing.
“Come,” Uncle says gently, pulling my attention back. “There is more to see.”
We step outside again, and the cool air brushes against my face as we walk along the stretch of vineyards. A staff member brings a small buggy around, and Uncle gestures for me to get in first.
“No.” I shake my head. “You go ahead.”
