The Rathore's Family

awkwardness

It was almost 10 p.m., and everyone gathered around the dining table for dinner—except for one person. Amaira was chatting about her recent trip, while Drishti and Chachi (Riddhima) served food to everyone. Just as everyone was about to start eating, Dadi's sharp voice cut through the noise.

"Anjali, how can you eat before your husband? Have you forgotten the rules?" she said, instantly drawing everyone's attention to Anjali.

At that moment, Tej walked into the house.

"Looks like everyone's forgotten about me already, right?" Tej remarked with a smirk.

"No, beta, how can we forget about you?" Dadi replied, smiling in that way that felt more like duty than joy.

Anjali stood up nervously.

"Come sit. Drishti will serve you," Dadi added.

"Haan aayiye," Anjali muttered with fear lingering in her voice.

As Tej took his seat, Advait abruptly got up from his.

"I don't think I can eat anymore," he said, walking out of the dining room without looking back.

Drishti stared after him, puzzled, trying to piece together what had just happened.

Despite the tension, dinner continued, and eventually, everyone headed to their rooms. But Drishti couldn't stop thinking about Advait—he hadn't eaten anything. So, after everyone had left, she quietly made pasta for him, hoping it might ease whatever had bothered him earlier.

She walked into their room, holding the plate, and saw Advait sitting on the sofa, working on his laptop. She placed the plate on the nearby table.

"Y-ye aapke liye... aapne kucch khaya nahi," she stammered softly.

Without looking up, Advait replied in his usual cold tone, "I'm not hungry. Take it away."

"But—" she began, only to be cut off by him.

"Did you not hear what I said? I don't like repeating myself," he said, his voice sharper now.

"All right," she murmured, eyes fixed on the floor.

She picked up the plate and left the room. In the kitchen, she sipped some water, trying to calm herself. It took so much effort just to talk to him.

"I don't want to eat. Hmph! Jab bhookh se marenge, tab pata chalega," she muttered, mimicking his tone with a faint smile.

Suddenly, Anjali's voice startled her. "Drishti, what are you doing here? It's late—you should be in your room."

"Haan, Ma, I just came to get some water," Drishti replied, quickly finishing her water and heading back upstairs.

It was their first night actually sharing a room, and Drishti was filled with anxiety. She wasn't sure where she should sleep. Advait usually arrived so late that she never had to worry about it before. Nervously, she decided to lay out a blanket on the floor, thinking it was the safest option. Advait glanced at her, but said nothing, continuing to work on his laptop.

She settled down, covering herself with the blanket, and put on her earbuds to escape the awkward silence.

"Drishti!" Advait's voice broke through her thoughts.

She didn't respond, unsure if he was even talking to her.

"Drishti!" he called again, this time louder. When she didn't answer, Advait got up from the sofa, walked over, and squatted beside her. He pulled the blanket off her, startling her as she quickly sat up.

"Do you want something? Or... are you hungry?" she blurted out in a single breath, avoiding his gaze.

"No," he said softly, standing up. "But why are you sleeping on the floor? Go to the bed."

She glanced at the bed, then back at him, her eyes lowering again.

"What?" he asked, frowning. "Did you hear me? I said go to the bed."

"But—" she started.

"Stop this! I already told you, I don't like repeating myself," he said sternly, his voice leaving no room for argument.

Without another word, Drishti quickly picked up her things from the floor and laid down on the bed, her heart racing.