Page 76 of The Defiant Wife

I stay exactly where I am. Hands slipping into my pockets, I stare at the closed door for a long moment.

My pulse is still racing. My breathing is still uneven. I rub the back of my neck with a quiet sigh, trying to get rid of the warmth lingering there.

It doesn't help.

I am in serious trouble.

25. FAILED OPERATIONS

DIYA

When Meher bhabhi sa casually mentioned over breakfast that she wanted to bring her school children to visit the NGO, I thought it's simply a sweet idea. A chance for both groups of children to spend time together. I spent the entire morning getting the courtyard ready, setting out painting supplies, arranging water bottles, and trying very hard to ignore the strange tension still hanging between Veeraj and me after whatever that almost-moment was in the sitting room yesterday.

I expected bhabhi sa.I expected a school bus full of noisy children.What I absolutely do not expect is a sleek black royal SUV pulling into the driveway right behind the bus.

The driver's door opens andVeeraj steps out.The moment his boots touch the gravel, I freeze, a stack of plastic cups slipping slightly in my hands.

What is he doing here?

Before I can even ask him why he's invaded my territory without permission, a chorus of excited screams fills the playground.

"Prince uncle!"

"Prince uncle is back!"

Half the NGO erupts into chaos.Children abandon the swings and race across the courtyard, some of the younger ones practically throwing themselves at his legs.I instinctively brace myself.When he first came here, even a child standing too close made him uncomfortable. Surely he'll stiffen. Step away. Politely untangle himself.

He doesn't.He simply stands there with the expression of a man accepting his fate.

Keshav wraps both arms around one of his legs. Rani is already telling him something so fast she barely pauses to breathe. Lucky keeps tugging at his sleeve.

Veeraj sighs quietly, reaches down, and pats Keshav's head before gently steadying another child who nearly trips into him.

He doesn't smile.He doesn't have to.The children already know they're welcome.Watching them crowd around him, their faces glowing because they're genuinely happy he's back, does something strange to my chest.The leftover irritation from yesterday slowly melts away, replaced by a warm ache I don't know what to do with.

As Meher bhabhi sa gathers the school children for introductions, the crowd around Veeraj slowly breaks apart.

That's when I notice where he's walking.Toward Raj.

Raj is sitting alone on the old wooden bench, just like he usually does during loud gatherings. His sketchbook rests on his lap while his fingers absentmindedly trace the edge of the page.

The noise around him doesn't reach him.Most people don't either.I take a step forward.I don't want Raj feeling uncomfortable.But before I can reach them, Veeraj surprises me.Instead of towering over him, he lowers himself into a squat until they're at the same height.

Then his hands move.

Slowly.

Confidently.

Not awkwardly.

Not uncertainly.

Hey, Raj.What are you drawing?

For a second, Raj simply stares.Then his entire face lights up.I've seen that smile before.It's the smile children wear when they realize someone has entered their world instead of expecting them to enter everyone else's.

His hands begin flying excitedly through the air as he signs back, showing Veeraj his drawing.