What Lies Beneath

Chapter 4

The dinner was finally ready after about an hour. I tried to help sister-in-law but because she didn't let me help cook the food, I somehow managed to assist her in a few things. The breeze of hot spices definitely brought water to my mouth as we arranged the menu on the dining table and waited for the family. Soon everyone came to the hall and greeted each other evenings before sitting on the chairs. We helped them serve the food.

Mr Malhotra sat at the center of the table and mother and Shubh on his either side. Vivan, their middle son, also came with his eyes stuck on the phone screen and sat next to mother. Strangely, he is the most absent minded person when it comes to family ties. I don't see him more than once on a daily basis and sometimes, I don't see him at all. He didn't look at me once even when I stood beside him to serve his food, as if he ignored the whole world around him. Niharika bhabhi soon came holding Ruhi and Ruhan in hands and they sat happily beside their dad. Shubh bhaiya patted both on their back and everyone started their dinner.

"My dear, how's your health? Have you rested well?" Mr Malhotra asked, looking at me with concerned eyes and I nodded with assuredness.

"You didn't come in the morning, we were worried about you but that's good to see you're doing great." Mother added after him and I smiled pitifully.

Mr Malhotra then started discussing with Shubh about the business, how projects are going and the meetings with the partnering companies and I kept hearing them absent minded. My mind lingered on the staircase, still waiting for the only member left to come anytime soon. After a good ten minutes of waiting I heard footsteps and my body tensed unconsciously.

Ishaan came with his eyes lowered to the ground. He changed his attire in a black henley shirt and gray sweatpants. His hair was uncombed but still perfectly sat on the sides of his head and I couldn't move my eyes away from him. He came and sat beside the children, passing an endearing smile to them.

Before I could bother, bhabhi served his food and he silently began eating it without sparing anyone a glance, just like Vivan. Or should I say he was avoiding me all the time on the table.

"Misha," Shubh's voice came as he brought me out of the dizziness of my mind.

"If you are feeling okay, do you want to start working from tomorrow? I was thinking about it, there's gonna be a project our company is starting to work on soon, and I thought it'll be easy for you if you get more time to know about it. You know, learning procedures and preparing files takes a lot of time."

I thought about it and blinked. "Yes, bhaiya*. I would be more glad to start from tomorrow. Nonetheless it's boring to stay at home all the time. Bhabhi didn't let me help her either."
(Bhaiya*- elder brother)

Everyone chuckled a little, "Ohkay then, I'll prepare a few of your documents. Make sure you take them from my office before going to bed." He offered me a smile and began his food.

"Have you decided when you are going to announce about the wedding in the office?" Mr Malhotra asked Ishaan out of the blue and I saw his fair hands freeze in the middle of his meal, mine stiffing as well. His eyes for the first time moved up to see his dad but with a stern face.

"It's not happening anytime, father. Let things be how they are going. You have created enough mess in my life and I don't want more." His words made the elders' eyes wide in the dinner hall, surprised. Meeting his glare with his dad for one late time, he furrowed his brows and dug his head back on the plate.

"Can't you be more gentle with your dad for once?" Mother stated despairly.

Ishaan's hand clenched on the spoon in his fingers and he swallowed hard, shutting his mouth tight before biting back a bitter reply.