Shadows Of The Stumps

Chapter - 126

Later that night, after the chaos had settled and everyone had gone to bed, Meera sat curled up on the couch with Luna resting her head on her lap. She absentmindedly scratched behind the dog's ears, lost in thought.

Rahul walked in, stretching his arms before flopping down next to her. He didn't say anything at first, just sat there, his presence solid and steady like it had always been.

After a while, he nudged her with his knee. "So. A date, huh?"

Meera groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Oh my God, not you too."

Rahul chuckled. "Me too what? I'm just checking in on my favorite tomato baby."

She peeked at him through her fingers, scowling. "I am not a baby."

"Mmm." He hummed, unconvinced. "You're my baby sister, which means I get to ask—are you okay?"

Meera blinked at him, caught off guard.

He wasn't teasing. He wasn't interrogating her like he had Hardik. He was just... asking.

Her heart clenched.

She exhaled slowly. "I don't know."

Rahul nodded, as if he expected that. "He really cares about you, you know."

"I know."

"And I trust him. Not because he's my best friend, but because he looks at you like—" He stopped, shaking his head. "Like you're his entire world."

Meera swallowed, looking down at her hands.

Rahul sighed, reaching out and pulling her into his side. She fit there easily, the way she always had since they were kids.

"But more than that," he murmured, "I want to know if you're ready."

She stilled.

"Because if you're not, Meera, it's okay. No one is rushing you. Not him, not me, not anyone."

Her eyes burned. She blinked rapidly. "Anna..."

He tightened his hold, pressing a quick kiss to the top of her head. "You don't have to be scared. Not with him. And definitely not with me."

For a long time, neither of them spoke.

Then Meera whispered, "I think I like him."

Rahul smiled. "Yeah?"

She nodded against his shoulder.

Rahul exhaled, long and slow. Then he poked her cheek. "Okay. But if he messes up, I'll beat him up for you."

Meera laughed, wiping at her eyes. "Deal."

And just like that, she felt lighter.

________________________

Hardik arrived at the house right on time, dressed in a casual black shirt and jeans, looking relaxed—but only on the surface. Inside, he was nervous as hell. This was the first time he was taking Meera out properly, and while she had agreed, he knew what he had to face before actually leaving with her.

As expected, Rahul was waiting for him at the door, arms crossed, looking every bit the overprotective elder brother he had been since forever. Behind him, sitting comfortably on the couch, were Virat, Anushka, Athiya, Rohit, and Ritika—all watching the unfolding scene like it was a prime-time television drama.

Hardik cleared his throat. "So... I'm here."

Rahul narrowed his eyes. "I can see that."