Page 76 of Fixation

“Aren’t they amazing?” Ananya said from beside her.

“I love seeing him happy like this,” Reina said. “Sheena and the kids have been good for him.”

“I agree, one hundred percent,” Ananya said.

Like Reina, she was dressed in tracks and a tee, but she was still too damn thin. Reina needed to get her head out of the sand she’d buried herself in and talk to her sister. Ananya needed to look after herself. That’s it. Staring right now, Reina was goingto stop moping over her disastrous love life and focus on her family.

“Let’s go, let’s go!” Ananya clapped. “It’s time to play.”

Laughing, she followed Ananya. Shiven and Nia ran to the two of them. Ananya lifted Nia up, tickling her tummy. The little girl laughed excitedly.

“Rei,” Shiven squealed, climbing into her arms. “I scored a basket. Did you see?”

“Yes, you are so good,” Reina said. “But hey, isn’t it way past bed-time?”

“It’s Friday,” he replied happily. “No school tomorrow. Mom says we can watch your game.”

She smiled. Oh, he was growing up so fast. He spoke in such proper sentences now.

“See my new t-shirt,” he told her. She appreciated it, asking him about it and the player’s name on the back of it. A few minutes later, Nia raised her arms to Reina. She and Ananya exchanged the children. Her niece was absolutely adorable. Dressed in shorts and a purple tee, and her hair tied in a little high ponytail, she looked too cute. Reina cuddled into her neck, inhaling her soft baby scent and kissing her chubby cheeks.

“Hi, my baby girl,” she cooed. “Are you not sleepy?”

“No,” Nia rejected, loudly and clearly. “I’m playing.”

She wriggled out of her arms and ran to pick up her ball.

Ananya put Shiven down and clapped her hands again. “Alright, how are we doing this?”

Rajiv and Sheena neared them, both of them dressed, ready to play.

“It’s you and me vs Sheena and Reina,” Rajiv told Ananya.

Sheena looked ahead. “I’m not playing.”

“Why, Princess?” Rajiv winked at her. “Are you afraid to lose to me? Afraid of what I will ask from you if you lose?”

She gave him a naughty smile. “I will never be afraid to lose to you, nor will I lose to you. I wasn’t a sports captain in school for nothing. But come to think of it, I ought to play, and then maybe I can ask you?—”

“Okay, enough of your verbal foreplay,” Ananya cut in. “If Sheena’s not playing, then how are we doing this?”

“I’m not playing,” Sheena tipped her chin up, “but she is.”

Reina turned and found Navya walking toward her with their parents. Navya reached her first and gave her a hug.

“How come Armaan let you out of his sight?” Reina asked. “That too at night?”

“I insisted on spending the night here!” Her sister grinned. “He wanted to come too, but I wanted some family time. And he has the bodyguards stationed outside.”

Reina still found it hard to believe that her parents were okay with Navya having a live-in relationship with Armaan.

Her chest warmed. Sara and Anvay were just the best. They were always willing to do things differently for their children’s happiness, and she loved them even more for it. She was so grateful to her parents for giving Navya and her a stable life.

Shiven and Nia rushed to them. Her parents dropped on their haunches to listen to them. It surprised her that they were home on a Friday night, when usually they went out with their friends.

After she finished meeting the others, Navya said, “So, how are we doing this?”

Reina raised her hand. “Wait, if Sheena is not playing, then Rajiv and Ananya have to play in opposite teams. Navya and I by myself won’t work.”

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