Page 41 of Since You Came Along

When they stepped out into the hallway, Abhay was waiting, his posture tense. ‘Can I talk to Meera for a moment?’ he asked, his voice uncertain.

Raghav guessed it had something to do with Siya and gave them space, stepping aside without a word.

When Meera left a few minutes later, the house felt quieter. Raghav stood by the window, watching her car disappear down the road. Already, he was counting down the hours until tomorrow.

With two boxes of donuts in hand, Meera rang the bell at Siya’s apartment. Kashvi, her younger sister, opened the door.Her eyes locked onto the boxes, and without hesitation, she reached for one.

‘Wait!’ Meera teased, holding the boxes out of Kashvi’s reach. ‘You’ll end up taking the one Siya wants. I’ve got separate boxes for you both, so no arguments today.’

Kashvi grinned, grabbing her box with a victorious air. ‘You’re a lifesaver, Meera.’

Siya sat curled up on the sofa, her arms wrapped around her legs, chin resting on her knees. Her eyes were puffy, and her nose had turned a light shade of red.

Her heart squeezed at the sight. Meera walked over and wrapped her arms around Siya, pulling her into a firm hug. Siya sniffled and clung to her.

Meera rubbed her back and said, ‘Only you can pull off a cute, crying look.’

Siya let out a wet chuckle, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. ‘You’re such a liar.’

Meera sat beside her, opening the donut box and holding it out. ‘Nope. I’m honest. Now, eat this before I finish the whole thing myself.’

Siya smiled and grabbed a chocolate-glazed donut. She took a bite, and for the first time that evening, her face softened into a genuine smile.

Meera ruffled her hair and settled between the two sisters. ‘Now tell me everything,’ she urged.

Siya sighed and began recounting her ordeal. ‘I’ve been pulling all-nighters, fighting court cases all day and working on those designs at night because Dad promised us a fairmeeting. He said we’d both get to present our ideas. But today, out of nowhere, he announced he’s going with Dhruv’s designs instead.’

Her voice cracked as she continued. ‘And they’re based on ancient cultural patterns, the same concept I was working on! Somehow, Dhruv found out and stole my idea!’

Kashvi shook her head, anger flashing across her face. ‘That Dhruv is such a snake. How does Dad not see it?’

‘Your dad may not see through him now, but you’re talented, Siya. Your work will shine through,’ Meera assured Siya.

Siya sniffled, but didn’t respond. Instead, she asked, ‘What are the guys up to tonight?’

‘They’re working from home,’ Meera replied. ‘Abhay was worried about you.’

Siya looked away, her tone dismissive. ‘Who cares?’

Meera gave her a knowing look. ‘One of these days, you’ll have to tell us what’s going on between you and Abhay.’

‘There’s nothing going on. I don’t even like him,’ Siya said, her expression sour.

‘I’ve got something for you,’ Meera said, fetching a small bar of dark chocolate and a folded piece of paper from her purse.

She handed them to Siya, observing her reaction. ‘Abhay gave me these for you.’

Siya blinked in surprise, not expecting it.

‘I didn’t read the note,’ Meera added with a teasing smile. ‘And you’re lucky I don’t like dark chocolate, or I’d have eaten it myself.’

Siya unfolded the note and gasped. ‘I can’t believe he remembered,’ she whispered to herself.

Meera couldn’t help but smile. Siya peeled the wrapper, took a bite, and Meera watched as a big smile spread across her face.

‘I still don’t like him,’ Siya mumbled with a mouth full of chocolate.

‘Mm-hmm, and I can walk on water,’ Kashvi chimed in with a smirk, earning a death glare from Siya.

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