Page 36 of The Promise of a Traitor

“You don’t?” Amu grinned.

“No, I don’t. No one asked him to stay. So, if he’s going to insist on hanging around, the least he can do is be civil.”

“He’s jealous.” Amu laughed. “That’s obvious to everyone, including Dr. Amay. And Di?” She didn’t give Aastha a chance to protest, speaking right over her stumbling words. “He’s been damn sweet, grumpy but sweet, to stay with us. He’s the first person to ever do it. Stop giving him such a hard time.”

“I’m giving him a hard time? He-“ Aastha stopped as the door swung open and Advik walked in again, frowning at his phone like it had personally offended him.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, familiar anxiety fluttering in her belly. When was the last time she hadn’t felt anxious or stressed or overwhelmed or lost? Dammit. She really needed to get a grip.

“I’m not sure something is wrong exactly,” Advik said, looking at her, a clear question in his gaze. “But something is off.”

“What is?”

“That was my mother.” Advik held the phone up in the air like he was providing evidence to back up his statement.

“And?” Aastha stiffened. Even Amyra went very still in her hospital bed, her entire gaze trained on Advik.

“Your mother called her today. Apparently, she’s been consulting with a Panditji today and the most auspicious day for our engagement is on the 20th of this month.”

“That’s just a week away!” Aastha exclaimed, stepping back from him. “And a few days after Willy Wonka.” She pressed her hands to her flushed cheeks. “That’s not possible. It’s too soon.”

Advik was just watching her, that intense gaze of his boring into her, stripping her of any mask she could even dream of conjuring up.

“Apparently the Panditji says that’s our most auspicious date.”

Amyra snorted, sounding a lot like Advik had a short while ago. “Pandit, my arse.”

“Amu!”

“You know as well as I do,” Amyra rounded on her sister, “that she picked a date off an AI app masquerading as an astrologer.

“It doesn’t matter.” Aastha rubbed her sweaty hands on her dress. “I’ll talk to her. This-“

“This is what’s bothering the two of you?” Advik demanded, anger ripe in his voice. The sisters turned to look at him, a little startled by his sudden outburst.

“What’s bothering you?” Aastha asked carefully.

“Your sister is in hospital. You’re dealing with her medical crisis and your work crisis alone. Neither one of your parents has come to visit.” A short, harsh bark of laughter escaped him. “Forget come to visit. I didn’t see either of them call you to check on either of you. Or to try and help. But they have time for this? For astrologers and planning an engagement?”

This was why he was angry? Aastha and Amyra exchanged a glance.

“Why are you not angry? Either of you? Angry or sad or anything?”

“This is just who they are,” Aastha said finally when it was clear Advik expected a response. “Getting angry won’t change that. My mother is a narcissist and my father is…” She thought for a moment and then added, “angry. He’s angry with me.”

“So they just leave you to deal with it alone?”

“But I’m not alone,” Aastha said quietly. “I’ve always had Amu. And she has me.”

“And apparently now,” Amyra piped up, “we have you.”

For a long moment, Aastha met Advik’s eyes, liquid heat in his meeting the burning grief in hers.

“Yeah,” he said, not looking away from Aastha. “You have me.”

You have me.

What the hell was he doing? Complicated emotion flared within Aastha as she met his eyes. Was it possible that Advik and she could have another chance? Put the past behind them and try again.