Intensely Twisted Fate

Chapter : 23

Laranya's POV

As I stepped into Shravan's home, I felt a mix of nervousness and hope. His mother greeted me warmly as always, her smile instantly soothing some of my jitters. She was a kind-hearted woman who reminded me of what I had lost so many years ago. “Where is Shravan?” she asked, her curiosity apparent. A wave of guilt washed over me as I quickly offered the only explanation I could think of, “He’s still at the office, working on some important project.”

She gave a soft nod, seemingly accepting the excuse. “You must’ve come for something important, then,” she said as she patted my shoulder affectionately. “Why don’t you sit, dear?” I hesitated a moment, then asked, “Where is uncle?”

With a reassuring smile, she replied, “He’s out for some urgent grocery shopping. He should be back soon.” She gently guided me to the couch and brought me a glass of water, her motherly nature putting me at ease. The way she fussed over me reminded me so much of my own mother—the one whose touch I’d missed for so long.

As she sat down beside me, I felt a sudden rush of emotions I hadn’t anticipated. This wasn’t just about the mission I had in mind anymore. It was about filling a void I didn’t know I was trying to fill. I turned toward her, placing a soft hand on hers. “Auntie, you already know… I lost my mom a long time ago. I’ve never really thought much about things like marriage,” I admitted, my voice trembling slightly. “But I’m really trying to look forward to it, especially with Shravan.”

Her gaze softened even more, and she placed her other hand on top of mine. “Oh, dear,” she said, her voice gentle and understanding. “You can think of me as your mother too. Whenever you feel like you’re missing her, my arms are always open for you. Sometimes, having only your father or sister isn’t enough, and I can understand that.”

I felt a tear slip down my cheek, and I quickly wiped it away. “Thank you,” I whispered, trying to hold back the flood of emotions that threatened to overwhelm me. Her words felt like a balm on an old wound, and for a moment, I allowed myself to feel the tenderness of a motherly figure once again.

She reached out to wipe away another tear that escaped. “And soon, you’re going to be a member of this family,” she added warmly. “You can call me mom, you know. Oh, dear, don’t cry! Shravan will scold me if he finds out I made you cry,” she joked, her laugh contagious.

Before I could respond, the front door creaked open, and uncle walked in, holding a couple of grocery bags. He paused at the sight of us and then beamed, his voice filled with affection. “What a mother-daughter jodi. May no evil cast an eye on you two,” he said as he walked toward us.

I stood up quickly to help him with the bags. “Let me take these, uncle,” I offered, grabbing them from his hands.

He chuckled, shaking his head slightly. “You’re a guest here, not a helper, Lara.”

I grinned at him, feigning a hurt expression. “But I’m soon going to be a member of this house. Don’t hurt my feelings by calling me a guest,” I teased, earning a laugh from him as he ruffled my hair playfully, just like a dad would.

As we all settled back on the couch, I took a deep breath, readying myself for the real reason I had come. “I’m actually here to talk about something important,” I began, glancing between auntie and uncle, their expressions turning curious and attentive. “It’s something I’ve been thinking about, and I wanted to do this from my heart.”

Their eyes widened slightly, but they both nodded, signaling for me to continue.

“Well, you know that you’re already looking for a new place, and in our free time, Shravan and I have also been searching for some options,” I explained. “So, I was wondering… after you find the right place and as you move in, would it be okay if I stayed with you all for a few days? To help with unpacking and to get to know you both better? I mean, only if you don’t think I’m moving too fast with Shravan, or that I’m overstepping…”