Page 46 of The Promise of a Traitor

“I guess it means we should get engaged on the 20th,” he replied with a smile, kissing her between each word. “The stars have aligned after all.”

Hope darkened her eyes even as something darker moved beneath it. She blinked and it was gone. “Are you sure?”

Advik nodded. “I have never been more sure of anything in my life. You’re mine, Aastha Agarwal, and I am not letting you go. Not this time.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Aastha

“The palmiers are disappearing at rather an alarming rate,” Rohan murmured, as he came to stand beside her.

“Rehaan Bakshi is an absolute culinary genius,” she marvelled as she watched some children cluster around the wishing tree they’d created in one corner of the café. Covered in chocolates, candy, and other yummy goodies, each child needed to close their eyes, make a wish and grab for the nearest treat. Whatever they managed to get their hands on was theirs to take home.

At a table, at the other end of the café, Kabir Kashyap sat, strumming a guitar, his beautiful wife and gorgeous baby sitting beside him. As she watched, he launched into a medley of nursery rhymes that had the toddler clapping her hands and laughing. As more children gathered around him, their star struck parents with them, he moved from nursery rhymes to Baby shark and suddenly the Willy Wonka carnival had its own private disco happening as all the kids started dancing, their hands flapping to mimic the sharks. A beat later, the parents were joining in, loud laughter and music filling the air.

Strong arms came around her waist, pulling her in, against a hard chest. She rested her head on his shoulder and smiled up at Advik, his beard tickling her cheek and making her giggle.

“Looks like you have a smashing success on your hands, Ms. Agarwal,” he murmured, kissing her temple.

“All thanks to you and your family.” The older generation seemed to have reservations about her after the revelation of her past with Advik but the others had welcomed her with open arms, everyone pulling together to help her bring the Willy Wonka carnival to fruition.

“We helped but,” he twirled her around in his arms, smiling down at her, “you did this. This café, this carnival, your family, it’s all you, Aastha. Don’t think I don’t see it.”

Her cheeks warmed under his gaze but before she could respond, one of her servers called out and she had to, reluctantly, pull herself out of his embrace and get back to work. They were slammed that day and she stayed on her feet for all of it. Rehaan did a marvellous job of working with her head chef and getting the orders that needed to be prepared that day plated and served. She made a mental note to get him something extra special over and above the money she was paying him.

When the crowd got too unruly, Kabir had to leave. He apologised for not staying longer and Aastha breathlessly laughed it off, wondering how this was her life.

“Breathe,” Advik murmured with a smile, like he often did when she ventured too far into starstruck fan territory around Kabir.

She laughed, dropped a quick kiss to his lips and spun towards the counter, ready for the next customer. Her smile disappeared when her eyes met Advik’s mother’s.

“H-hello,” she sputtered.

Maya’s gaze dropped to where Advik’s hand still rested on her waist. She felt it tighten and then slide around to hold her more securely against his warmth.

Maya’s lips tightened but all she said was, “The place looks lovely.” Her gaze scanned the bright, cheerful decorations, most of them handmade by Aastha and Amyra in their bedroom. “Congratulations on a successful event.”

“I couldn’t have done it without your children,” Aastha said, the words rushing out of her as the door behind her swung open, fortuitously, and Rehaan appeared looking sweaty and dishevelled. Maya’s gaze softened at the sight of him.

“Looking good, Reh.”

“I should be saying the same about you, beautiful,” Rehaan replied, swaggering his way around the counter to envelop his aunt in a hug.

“Take your hands off my woman,” Yash said mildly, appearing from the crowd.

“Everybody’s always interrupting my Maya time,” Rehaan grumbled, letting go and hugging his uncle. With a small, sketchy salute, he disappeared back into the kitchen.

Yash stepped back with a grin and looked around the café. “Place looks great, Aastha,” he said with a quiet but friendly smile. “Advik, have you been useful or have you just been standing around like one of your robots?”

“My robots,” Advik retorted, “are very useful. Me? Not so much.”

“Could we place our order now?” Maya’s cool voice cut through their laughter.

“Yes, of course,” Aastha replied, flustered. She was about to slide a few menus across to them when she paused. “Actually, would you let me recommend some dishes to you?”

“We would love that,” Yash replied before his wife could. “We’re just going to grab a table while there are still some available.”

“I’ll bring your order over,” Aastha promised. She moved toward the kitchen only to come up short. Advik’s arm was still wrapped around her waist holding tight, his brow furrowed as he watched his parents walk over to a table in the corner. His mother’s limp seemed more pronounced today than it had the other night, when they’d had dinner together. She must be tired.