Page 175 of Glass Jawed
But then—
“Navya,” Advik growls, “I told you what would happen if you didn’t stop interfering.”
Wait. He’s onmyside?
“I haven’t been with her since that night,” he says to me, softer now. “And I won’t be. I’m sorry, man. I didn’t know Navya was... stirring all this up.”
“Bhaiya!” she gasps, switching to rapid-fire Hindi like it’s a damn strategy. Clearly doesn’t want me to understand.
Advik responds in Hindi too—quieter, but pointed. I only catch bits and pieces. Something about Kiki Aunty.
“Alright, enough,” I interject. “Either speak in English or just leave. And Navya, please stop. I’ve given youzerosigns—none—to justify whatever fantasy this is.”
“I’m helping you!” she whines.
“You’re helping no one. And your help isn’t needed. I’m sorry, kid, but you aren’t even a remote part of this,” I say.
“You’re coming between two people who are in love,” Advik adds, dead serious now. “And evenI’mnot doing that, considering everything. Stop. Or Iwilltell Vicky.”
“You’re blind,” she says to me. “That Kiki Aunty is just—”
“Stop right there,” I snap, voice cold. “Don’t say another word about her. I promise you, it won’t help your case. In fact, it might bury it.”
Then I turn to Advik. “What the hell’s wrong with her, man? Isn’t she... I don’t know, an adult?”
“She’s acting like a ten-year-old,” he mutters, dragging a hand over his face.
“Wow! You’re both so fucking stupid,” Navya seethes. “She’s playing you both like the sl—”
Advik gently places a hand on her shoulder. “Stop.”
And I see it hit her—the line she just crossed. Her face falters.
“Navya,” I say, keeping my tone even even though I’m fuming, “do you want to ruin this wedding? Because I’mveryclose to having you removed. And I don’t think Ishika would appreciate someone trying to meddle in her cousin’s business. So unless you want me to make a scene, back off.”
Her eyes fill with tears. She sniffles and gives a tiny nod.
“Good,” I say. “Now I’m going to ask you to never—ever—speak to me or Rohi again. Understood?”
Advik exhales hard. “Fuck. This isn’t how I wanted things to go. But Navya... I don’t know what’s gotten into you.”
She looks down and then at me. “I’m sorry. I just—you helped me with my luggage that first day and... I thought...”
What? I don’t even remember that. I must’ve helped the whole family on my first day here. She didn’t even register.
Advik leans in and whispers something in Hindi. She doesn’t reply—just quietly walks away.
“I’m sorry. I’ll talk to her,” he says, watching her go. “Kash told me last night. Otherwise... I’d have stepped in sooner. I think she’s just... fixated. On you.”
There’s concern in his eyes, and I get it. He cares about her. But she’s still an adult. This behavior isn’t excusable.
I nod, swallowing the tension. “I just hope this doesn’t affect your family.”
“I’ll make sure it doesn’t,” he says simply.
An awkward silence lingers. And I try to wrap my head around this. Advik—the man who... shit. I can’t even think about that without wanting to kick his ass.
He breaks silence with a smirk. “Are you worried Kiki Aunty will prefermeoveryou? I’d make a great son-in-law, you know.”
