As Kiaan arrived at the Singhania mansion that afternoon, the heightened security barely hesitated to let him in.
The guards, recognizing his car, opened the gates swiftly. He stepped out and made his way inside.
Arhaan and Vedant’s Dadi was sitting on the couch, sipping tea, engrossed in her newspaper, while Arhaan's mother was busy drawing jewelry designs on her iPad. Vedant’s mother, meanwhile, was on a phone call.
Dadi Sa’s expression soured slightly when she spotted Kiaan. Her disapproval of him was no secret, and today was no exception.
She returned to reading her paper, dismissing him entirely. But Kiaan didn’t mind.
He had never sought her approval, knowing she found him unruly and a troublemaker.
His focus was on the two women who greeted him warmly.
“Kiaan beta! It’s been so long since we last saw you. Don’t you miss us anymore?” Arhaan’s mother exclaimed as she stood up to greet him.
Kiaan grinned, bending to touch her feet. “Of course, Badi Ma! I miss you all, especially your handmade, delicious food.”
“And me?” Vedant’s mother chimed in, joining them.
“How could I forget you, Choti Ma?” Kiaan said with a mischievous smile. “In fact, both of you are looking so young today—what’s the secret, huh?” He winked playfully, making both women laugh.
“Our third son has come home, so maybe that’s why,” Badi Ma said, beaming.
“And anyway, we are always young,” Choti Ma added with a wink, making Kiaan chuckle along with them.
Kiaan then reluctantly moved towards Dadi Sa to touch her feet, earning a gruff “Khush raho” in response, devoid of warmth.
“Where are Vedant and Arhaan?” Kiaan asked as he settled on the couch.
“They’re still at the company,” Badi Ma replied, already dialing Arhaan’s number. “And you’re staying here today—don’t even think about leaving.”
“Par Badi Ma…” Kiaan tried to protest, but Choti Ma cut him off sharply.
“No ‘par-var’! You’re staying.”
Kiaan sighed, realizing he wouldn’t win against them.
“By the way, congratulations on Vedant’s wedding, Choti Ma,” he said, taking the tea offered by a servant.
Choti Ma smiled at the mention of her son's marriage.
But then Dadi Sa’s sharp voice cut through the air. “Oh, so you came empty-handed? Not even a gift for the wedding?”
Kiaan, unfazed by her irritation, turned to her with a charming smile. “Dadi Sa, what could I possibly give you? You already have everything—a big house, cars, money, fame. What could my small gift add to all that?” He added mentally, ‘Except for mind and wisdom.’ But he held his tongue, merely smiling at her.
Dadi Sa glared at him and, without another word, stormed off to her room.
“Don’t mind her, Kiaan,” Choti Ma said gently, noticing the tension.
“I understand, Choti Ma,” Kiaan replied with a grin. “Old age does that, you know. The mind starts to slow down.”
Choti Ma fell silent, not wanting to add fuel to the fire.
Badi Ma returned, looking confused. “Okay, they’ll be here in 15 minutes. What’s going on here?”
Choti Ma sighed, shaking her head, while Kiaan just smiled into his tea, leaving Badi Ma baffled by the tension in the room.
