The Love Maze

33) Behind closed doors

Rishi's POV

On dinners like these, my beloved uncle and aunt would take the responsibility of making it hostile and awkward.

Contrary to the usual, we young generation stole their thunder doing it on our own tonight.

I can't find out the serious reason why Viv and Dee are fighting. Like why is there so much tension?

Kicking Aditi's feet under the table, I questioned what was up with her mood and she deliberately told me to fuck off.

Not the kind of evening I looked forward to.

As uncle went on in his never ending attempt to turn every topic to humiliating Vivan, Kyra watched the shit show in confusion.

"Too much talking. Look, the food is getting cold", I smiled, adding more to his plate for the one solemn reason

And aunty looked at me like I craved a gold statue for her husband.

"Kyra? That's your name, right?" she shifted her attention to Kyra causing her to almost choke on her food.

Passing her the water, I gently rubbed her back, letting her know it's fine.

"Don't scare her away. She's visiting for the first time", Aditi joked.

"There's no need, beta. Rishi's face is giving me all the answers we need to know", now aunty caught me off guard with that.

Vivan let out a muffled chuckle, seeing me red.

Great... now that's gonna be all over the evening call to my mother.

They could never go without sharing their everyday gossip. They'd talk even when they have nothing to talk about.

But my mother knows where to draw the line, protecting my privacy. She always did.

So I better tell her this myself before my aunt snitches on me.

Again, I bet she already knows what her idiotic son is up to.

"Well... I'm not an expert with words. But I want you to thank you for having me here", Kyra smiled warmly.

"Save the thank yous, beta. You're always welcomed here", my aunt replied fondly and uncle nodded in agreement.

That's a fast entry into their favourites list.

The rest of the peeps focused on the food as I leaned close to Kyra.

"Congratulations, you're gonna be adopted as their fourth child", I spoke into her ear and she chuckled adorably.

"But something tells you'll always be the first", she teased.

"You kidding? I'm definitely the second or even third", I made a guess.

"I don't think Vivan is anywhere near the top of this list"

Cool... she made quite the observation

"Oh. If we're counting him,the number's five"

It was then it hit me what crucial detail I just casually slipped in.

"Five?"

"Yeah... Rihan Sharma—Vivan's brother", I hesitantly dragged my words.

"Vivan has a brother?" she gasped excitedly.

"Vivan had a brother", I repeated with a sad smile. The correction to the past tense felt unacceptable even after the run of years.

Taken aback, she stared at me with questions in her eyes.