SHE SAW ME

ONE ROOM

Happy reading ❤️🤗

____________________________

In the living room of Kahini's house, the joyful laughter of the morning had evaporated, replaced by an awkward silence. Sanam's heart hammered in her chest, each thud echoing her growing anxiety. Her hands, damp with sweat, rubbed against each other as she seated before Kahini's family—people who were intimately connected to the woman she loves yet she was completely stranger to them. Kahini's parents, an elderly couple in their sixties, sat on the couch, their eyes scanning the unfamiliar faces with holding curiosity. Others were scattered around the room, watching quietly.

Sanam's throat felt tight but she carry graceful smile. She knew this is the moment Kahini had feared—a collision between her carefully separated worlds. The anxiety gnawed at her, but Sanam forced herself to maintain her composure. She had to be calm, and support Kahini.

"Hm, Kahini is out for a meeting. She should be back soon," Sanam said softly, her voice filled with warmth. She smiled brightly, as she attempted to cut through the uncomfortable silence.

"A meeting today?" Kahini's mother asked, her tone laced with concern. The worry lines on her face deepened as she thought about her daughter's relentless work schedule.

Sanam smiled at familiarity of the feeling of maternal worry. She knows how much Kahini is close to her mother. She can see why, innocence in her eyes were so evident to sanam which worries as sanam little knowing what's to come. She could feel Saiba's supportive presence behind her, giving her the strength.

"Like you don't know your workaholic daughter, Veenaji," Kahini's father chuckled lightly, his warm laugh softening the air in the room.

"And you are, beta? Are you a friend of Kuhu?" her father asked with polite curiosity, his voice welcoming carring warmth.

Sanam felt her nerves tighten a bit, but she kept her smile in place. Before she could answer, Shirish, sensing her inner turmoil, quickly stepped in. 

"Yes Dad, she is our friend, Sanam Mehru." He smiled reassuringly at Sanam. "Sanam, let me introduce you to everyone. Meet Mr. Nayan and Mrs. Veena Vyas, K's parents," Shirish said smoothly, his voice offering comfort.

Sanam felt a wave of relief wash over her, grateful for his intervention. "Hello," she greeted them with a respectful, her hands folded together.

"Hello," the elder couple responded, their smiles genuine and comforting. Their warmth made her feel slightly less on edge.

"And this is Charu and Vikash Shah, K's sister and brother-in-law, and their son, Shiv," Shirish continued, introducing waving a hand toward them.

Sanam nodded politely, feeling curiosity of their gaze on her. "The one who plays great tabla, right? the gold medalist," she commented lightly, attempting to engage in small talk, radiating grace in her aura as she smile send wave of warmth .

Shiv's eyes lit up with the compliment. "Thank you, ma'am," he responded, clearly taken aback by the praise from someone like Sanam.

"So, are you from Mumbai too? You look familiar, have we meet before?" Charu asked with curiously, her eyes narrowed in frown.

"No, Mummy, she's not Indian. Sanam Mehru is the renowned Sufi singer, the one whose classical songs I practice on remember, you must've seen her on TV or something." Shiv interjected excitedly, surprising others with him. "I'm shocked Masi didn't mention she knows you!" His words tumbled out in his excitement, and the awe in his eyes was impossible to miss.

His father quickly intervened, "Betaji, it's good, but it's not polite to stare at someone like that," Vikash admonished, a gentle sternness in his voice. Shiv immediately looked away, his face flushing with embarrassment.