Vrishali was popularly known as the life of the party. She had a natural ability to make friends with anyone she met. Everyone adored her, and she had yet to find her perfect match amidst all the chaos of her college parties. However, she was not in...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
The kids weren't home. Naina had brought the tea and biscuits to Padmanabh's seat. Padmanabh shook his head. "I would've made tea. You don't have to make it for me." Naina smiled. "I don't mind making tea for my brother when he visits his sister's home once in a blue moon."
"I was busy in Jaipur." Naina raised her brow. "Aren't you now?" Padmanabh didn't reply to the question and sipped his tea. "Did Jiju bake these biscuits?" Naina laughed. "Don't call them biscuits. They are his butter cookies."
"Cookies?" Padmanabh was baffled, looking at the biscuits or cookies on the plate. They sat silently enjoying their tea before Naina shifted her gaze to Padmanabh. "What are you thinking?"
"Nothing." Naina smiled. "Huh—Ah. Spil it out. You don't have to hide things from me." Padmanabh wasn't sure how to put in words. He wasn't at peace in Jaipur. He had to come to Mumbai and meet his sister and her kids to keep his mind sane. From the moment Vrishali left India— Padmanabh left anxious, and there was too much disturbance.
"Did you speak with Vrishali?" Padmanabh nodded. "We had a call last night, but she was having her exams, and we couldn't talk for long."
"Do you frequently call her?" Padmanabh placed the empty cup on the table. "Hmm, no. Once in a week." Naina hummed and finished her tea. "Do you miss her?" Padmanabh was taken aback by the question. He isn't sure how to answer it. He hadn't asked himself the question before and he is shy about admitting it.
Naina waited patiently while Padmanabh was lost in his thoughts. "You don't have to tell me. Don't strain yourself with unnecessary thoughts. If you miss her, take a break from work and book the flight. I know you have an American Visa. You don't have to worry about anything. Just go and meet Vrishali before it's too late."
"There's a misunderstanding, and if you are not going to clear it up, Vrishali is bound to imagine things, and they will become a disturbance. So, I suggest you clear the air." Padmanabh looked at Naina in surprise. "How do you know about it?"
"Papa had called me that night. He gave me all the details of what Ma had done. If I'm being honest, Ma is creating the drama, and you are letting her do it."
"How am I letting her do it?"
"You need to draw the line. You should take the stand seriously. I heard that Ma is trying to set you up with Harika." Padmanabh shook his head. "She tried, but nothing is going to happen. Harika stays away from me."
"Okay. . . And Dad mentioned that when Ma was bad-mouthing Vrishali— Vrishali was passing the hallway. He was mortified, and he didn't have the chance to apologize as you two left in a hurry after the announcement."
Now, Padmanabh was confused. "Ah? I don't understand." Naina let out a sigh. "Well, Ma kind of created an impression that you aren't happy with the marriage, which was the reason behind the New York plan. I believe Vrishali might have thought the same. You didn't have a conversation with her, and she had to find out the other way. You haven't reached out to clear the air."
