Page 97 of One Hellish Wedlock
He walked toward the balcony next. Aanya followed, her eyes narrowing as he stopped near the swing.
“Girls and swings,” he murmured. “There’s always a connection. Even Di had one in her room.”
Aanya stepped out beside him, folding her arms. “Now you have a problem with my swing too?”
“I didn’t say that,” he replied, holding her gaze. “But tell me something—why do you always get defensive with me? Can’t we ever have a normal conversation? The second I walk into the room, your tone changes.”
She didn’t have an answer.
In a split second, she shifted the conversation. “I accepted Shagufta’s friend request today on my Instagram.”
Reyansh’s expression didn’t change. He didn’t even flinch. “And what does Shagufta have to do with our current conversation? Or are you tossing random grenades to justify your tantrum?”
Aanya was speechless. He wasn’t just calm today; he was winning every verbal battle without lifting a weapon.
“There’s definitely something off with you today,” she muttered. “Why are you suddenly being... nice to me? Since when do you care this much?”
“Good question,” he said, sliding his hands into his pockets, his posture perfectly still. “I’ll answer that in South Africa. With proof.”
She frowned.Proof?What was he even talking about now?
A knock at the door interrupted their tension. Radhika peeked inside.
“May I come in?” she asked with a warm smile.
“Di! You don’t need to ask,” Aanya quickly said, shifting her energy to welcome her sister-in-law. Reyansh followed her back inside.
“Where’s Jeeju?” Reyansh asked, returning to a normal tone.
“He’s with Anand Uncle. They’re waiting for you,” Radhika said. “If you’re done here.”
“Sure,” Reyansh replied and walked out. Aanya’s eyes followed him until he disappeared down the hallway.
“I hope I didn’t ruin your moment,” Radhika teased.
Aanya rolled her eyes. “You could never ruin anything.”
“Aww. That’s sweet.” Radhika looked around. “Your room is adorable. Like a teenage girl’s dream.”
Aanya chuckled.
Radhika suddenly turned serious. “I don’t know if I’ve the right to ask, but you haven’t accepted Kyle as your mother, have you?”
Aanya’s face turned sombre. “No, Di. She’ll always be my father’s wife, not my mother. That place is irreplaceable.”
“I understand,” Radhika said softly. “When our mother passed, Reyansh and I felt the same. Luckily, Nani stepped in. She became our safe space. For me, a mother. And for Reyansh... well, I think I took that role for him.”
“That’s why he loves you so much,” Aanya murmured.
Radhika’s eyes shone with affection. “Yes. He does.”
A house help entered to inform them dinner was ready and Radhika and Aanya made their way out.
Dining Room – Malhotra Mansion
“Paneer Mutter?” Aanya lifted the lid from the serving bowl.
“Your favourite,” Anand announced, beaming with pride.
