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The evening air felt light and refreshing as Tara returned home, the sense of victory still lingering in her heart after the successful deal at the office. As she stepped through the front door, she was greeted by a warm, familiar sight—Veer and his mom, standing by the dining table, smiling at her with pure joy.
"Tara, we've been waiting for you," Veer's mother said warmly, gesturing towards the dining table.
Tara's eyes widened in surprise. The table was set beautifully, covered with dishes that made her heart skip a beat—all of her favorite foods. From the dal tadka she loved to the crispy paneer tikkas, the spread was an exact reflection of her tastes. She didn't know how they had managed to find out, but it filled her with an overwhelming sense of warmth. She looked between Veer and his mother, who were both beaming at her, their pride evident.
"How did you...?" she started, her voice soft with wonder as she walked toward the table, her eyes scanning the feast.
"We have our ways," Veer's mother said with a mischievous smile, placing a gentle hand on Tara's shoulder. "Tonight is all about celebrating you. We're so proud of you, beta."
Tara's heart swelled. She hadn't expected this. The affection in their voices, the effort they had put into making her feel loved—it was more than she had ever dared to hope for. She had never experienced this kind of warmth in her own family, where achievements were acknowledged with little more than a nod and a polite 'well done.' But here, it was different. Here, she felt celebrated. Loved.
As they sat down for dinner, the mood was light and filled with laughter. Veer and his mom took turns praising Tara, sharing how proud they were of her success, their sincerity making her eyes glisten. Every word, every laugh, every smile felt like a gift, a moment she wanted to hold onto forever.
Tara's heart was so full, it almost hurt. It was as if happiness was bubbling up inside her, threatening to burst free. She feared her heart might actually explode from the sheer joy of it all.
"This is too much," she said softly, her voice thick with emotion as she looked at Veer's mother, who gave her a knowing smile.
"No, it's not enough," Veer's mother replied, her eyes shining with affection. "You deserve every bit of this."
Later that night, after the dinner plates had been cleared and the house was quiet, Tara sat in the balcony, the night air cooling her flushed cheeks as she leaned back in her chair. Her heart was still racing with the happiness from earlier, and she felt a sense of contentment settle deep within her. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she was exactly where she belonged.
The sound of the balcony door sliding open caught her attention, and she looked up to see Veer stepping out, a grin on his face. In his hand, he held a tub of butterscotch ice cream and two spoons.
"Do you think an ice cream would hurt after all that food?" he asked, holding up the tub like a peace offering.
Tara smiled, a playful gleam in her eyes. "I always have space for ice cream," she replied, moving over to make room for him on the balcony seat.
