YOU NEVER WALK ALONE

17-Checking Out

AUTHOR'S POV-

After the whole revelation, everyone sat down for dinner. Ananya and Prachi joined them too.

Rashvik was still not present in the dining area, and everyone thought he would not join them. But then the door of his room opened, and he stepped out, saying,

"Dad, mai aau ki nahi khana khane?"

(Dad should I come for dinner or not)

Surprisingly, he was not angry or grumpy; instead, he looked happy, with a smile on his face.

"Mana karunga toh nahi ayega?" his dad replied.

(If I'll deny then you'll not come?)

"Aunga na," Rashvik said, laughing loudly.

(I'll)

"Sometimes I feel like Aashu bhai is bipolar. He was angry a few hours ago and now look at him, all happy," Ananya said, looking at Reyansh, Rakshit, and Sarakshi.

Reyansh and Rakshit laughed loudly, while Sarakshi gave them a quick smile before continuing to set the plates for dinner. Her mind was still stuck on the moments that had happened a few hours ago.

"Who bought this bouquet, Dad?" Reyansh asked, picking up the bouquet from the dining table.

"I bought it, but it's of no use now. Throw it in the dustbin," Rashvik said, taking his seat.

"There's a card inside too. Let me read it," Reyansh said, pulling out the card. But Rashvik quickly snatched it from his hands.

"I said throw it away. There's no need for it now," Rashvik insisted.

"You bought it for Bhabhi, right? I mean for S'S," Rakshit joined the conversation.

"That's why I'm saying throw it away. There's no use for it now," Rashvik said, glancing at Sarakshi

"Kya no use no use kar raha hai, laya hai toh de dena" Rajiv said to his son

(Why do you keep saying, it's of no use? You have brought it then give it to her)

"Dad, if she wants it, she can keep it, but I'm not going to give it to her," Rashvik stated firmly, his gaze locked on Sarakshi, who hadn't met his eyes even once. It struck him then that they had never truly made eye contact before.

"But you're not giving it to her," Ananya sighed, giving him an 'I'm so done face'

"No," he affirmed, his voice deep and commanding, causing Sarakshi to involuntarily shiver.

"No worries, bhai, we'll give it to her," Rakshit chimed in cheerfully, skipping over to Sarakshi.

"Bhabhiii!" he exclaimed joyfully.

"Beautiful flowers for our beautiful bhabhi," Reyansh added, extending a bouquet toward her.

She whispered a small thank you, preferring not to say much, especially in his presence. As she served everyone, she noticed Rashvik gesturing for her not to serve him. He helped himself.

Internally, Sarakshi was a turmoil of emotions every time she glanced at him.

'Him!? Bhagwan ji, him!? Why him? He was the one I wanted to take out for a thank-you date. He was the one I wanted to have a long, comfortable conversation with. How is this possible? Just when everything was going well, there had to be a plot twist' she thought to herself furrowing her eyebrows as she watched him eat dinner. After a moment's gaze, she looked down and began to eat.