“Hukum…” she whispered again, half-asleep.
He exhaled, warmth and exhaustion in it. “And you blame me.”
“You are impossible.”
“And you,” he murmured, adjusting the sheet around her, drawing her closer, “are very tolerant of your tyrant.”
She smiled. “I will not call you that again.”
“We will see.”
She did not argue. She had already drifted too far.
He watched her for a while, the teasing fading into something deeper. His hand moved through her hair once.
Then he settled on his back, pulling her fully against him, his lips resting against her hair.
Sleep came for him as well, though his hold on her did not loosen.
Chapter 42
The Haveli woke late.
Celebration lingered in the air. Doors opened slower. Voices stayed soft. Even the corridors seemed to stretch, as if Anand Mahal itself had not slept enough.
Sarita and Naina sat on the couch, absorbed in videos from the night before.
The door opened. Both looked up.
Abhinav entered, hand at Meera’s back as he guided her inside. Meera’s makeup sat flawless on her skin, careful enough to hide what needed to stay hidden.
Naina’s face lit up. She jumped to her feet and crossed the room, wrapping Meera in a tight hug. “Good morning, Bhabhi.”
Meera returned it with a soft smile.
Naina caught her hand and tugged her toward the couch. “Come. Sit. You missed Kamla Maasi’s dance last night.”
Meera paused near Sarita and bent down.
Sarita’s hand came to her head in blessing. “Khush raho, beta.”
Abhinav stepped forward and touched his mother’s feet.
Sarita blessed him too. Her attention returned to Meera. “You could have slept more. Weddings are tiring.”
Heat rushed into Meera’s face. Abhinav turned his face aside, mouth curving in a smile as he sat on the other couch.
Naina saw everything. She slipped off the couch laughing. “Maa…”
Sarita tapped her arm. “Enough.”
She pulled Meera down beside her. “Sit.”
Naina settled back into her place, still grinning, her attention moving to the newly weds with open delight.
Before she could speak again, the door opened.
A servant stepped in and folded his hands. “Pandit ji has arrived. Devendra Bhai Sa and Gauri Bhabhi Sa have been informed as well.”
