Page 234 of The Redemption
“Mom,” I gasp. “I don’t take an hour. I literally got ready in thirty minutes today, bath included.”
“That’s because you woke up late today. Otherwise, you do take hours to get ready, Siya.”
I frown, and Baba bursts out laughing. Even Raghav turns towards me, but he looks serious. He knows why I was late. The man hardly let me sleep for more than a couple of hours lastnight. How was I supposed to wake up early? If only I could tell Mom that. Huh!
“Rukmini ji, don’t blame Siya.” Baba takes my side. “Today, even my son skipped his usual morning ride through the vineyard on Zephyr. He hasn’t missed it even once since he came here. I wonder what made him skip it today?”
Oh, oh!
Mom and Baba give us knowing looks, both trying hard to hold their smiles, while I just want to dig a hole and hide in it. Meanwhile, Raghav admires me openly, as if unbothered that they know why.
“But I’m happy,” Baba continues as he turns to Raghav, “You finally discovered that colours exist.”
“Even I’m happy.” Mom nods. “You should wear colours more often, Raghav. The world won’t end if you stop wearing black every day.”
“Exactly.” Baba grins. “For years, I thought black was the only colour available at the stores where Raghav shopped.”
“That’s enough teasing for one day, Baba,” Raghav says, pulling out a chair for him. “Sit.”
“Wait.” Baba shakes his head. “I should take a picture for Ayaan and Meher,” he says, already taking out his phone. “Otherwise, no one will believe Raghav voluntarily wore blue.”
“Not necessary.” Raghav takes the phone from his hand and puts it down on the table. “Please eat your breakfast.”
“I’m serious.”
Mom nods immediately. “So am I.”
Raghav rolls his eyes, though I know he’s secretly enjoying all the attention this time. I can’t help it. I laugh. The moment I do, Raghav’s eyes find mine again, and the entire room seems to fade into the background.
Baba clears his throat loudly, and both of us immediately look away.
“Are you both joining us for breakfast, or are your stomachs already full just from looking at each other?” he teases.
The amused look Baba and Mom exchange is enough to make heat creep into my face again.
“I… I’ll get the remaining chutneys.” Without waiting for anyone to respond, I escape to the kitchen.
What I don’t realise is that Raghav follows me. I’m still standing by the counter, deciding which bowls to carry out first when Raghav appears behind me and traps me between himself and the marble counter.
“You okay?” His eyes search my face.
I know why he’s asking. The man practically drained all my energy last night. I didn’t even have the stamina to get out of bed this morning when I woke up.
“I’m okay,” I assure him. “And stop asking me if I’m okay every few minutes. I’m fine now.”
Raghav lifts my chin up and makes me to meet his eyes. “You sure?”
I take a deep breath and tell him the truth. “Apart from feeling a little sore down there, I’m fine.”
His jaw tightens slightly, almost as if he regrets it. “Then why are you doing all the work? Leave it. You should rest today.”
“I’m fine, RK. Stop worrying so much.”
He exhales slowly as I continue, “Besides, I can recover from last night. But how am I supposed to recover from this?” I glance down and point at his shirt.
His smirk widens. “Didn’t you say the other day that seeing me in black all the time was getting boring? I’m taking my wife seriously these days.”
“I never said boring,” I argue. “I said I was getting a phobia.”
