I Found You

56.

• Adhira •

I entered the kitchen and paused at the doorway, surprised to find Advait Bhaiya already at the stove, boiling tea.

The sight made me smile faintly- one who once hated waking up early, now had grown into the weight of his responsibilities.

"I'll make coffee for you." He said without turning as he slid the bread slices into the toaster.

"No bhai," I stepped in, retrieving the tray from the cabinet. "I'll have tea."

He chuckled, glancing over his shoulder with a faint smile. "Tu kabse chai penne lagi?"

"Jabse shaadi hui hai." I replied simply, pouring the tea into the cups.

My hands moved automatically but my mind wandered to last night as the conversation replayed in, the abrupt way he'd cut the call, and that curt message: 'good night'.

Had I said too much? Had I crossed a line?

"Butter ya jam?" Bhaiya's question broke my thoughts.

I turned to find him standing by the counter, licking jam off the very spoon he was using to spread it on the bed.

"Bhaii, ewww." I smacked his arm and snatched the spoon, tossing it into the sink.

"Oye, I'm not Vikram." He teased, tugging at my braid, making me wince.

"What do you mean?" I pulled my braid out of his hold, glaring at him.

"You know what I mean." He smirked, turning back to place the toast on a plate, leaving me to roll my eyes.

I followed him out of the kitchen with the tray in my hands. "Aren't you getting late for work?"

"I am on leave today." He replied, setting the plates on the dining table. "I'll call Papa." He added, already heading toward his room.

I turned to the table, deciding to cut some fruits. Just as I picked an apple to slice it, the door bell rang. Yuvaan.

I set the knife down, quickly wiping my hands with the edge of dupatta before moving to the door.

When I opened it, he stood there, his gaze fixed on mine, expression unreadable. He was dressed in crisp formals, his tie hung loose around his neck, hair neatly brushed back.

For a moment, neither of us moved, the air between us heavy with unsaid things. I took a small step back, wordlessly letting him in, my gaze following as he entered.

"Gudiya, will you keep him standing at the door only?" Bhaiya's voice cut through the moment, snapping our gaze apart.

I stepped further aside, allowing him to come in and touch Papa's feet. We all moved to the dining area, though he kept insisting he'd already had breakfast.

"Papa, I had my breakfast. I just thought of checking on you before office." He said as he took a seat beside Papa. "You all continue with yours."

"Acha chalo, chai toh lo." Papa pressed.

"Papa, main shaam ko aaunga dubara, fir sath chai peelenge." He reassured with a smile, his usual charm in full effect.