Oberoi's Ardhangini

CH | 155

"One month!" they all muttered, gears racing in their minds to make the plan successful despite the risks. It's not easy to manipulate the old man to make a move on their mother in a month when they have been unable to do it for the past several years. But they have no other choice than this.

As they all were deeply immersed in their thoughts, Pranavi turned to Jathin. She called softly, "Jathin."

Hearing his name, Jathin blinked his eyes and raised his head to meet Pranavi, and so did Jwalin and Shreya. Pranavi inhaled a chunk of air and fiddled with her hands before she gathered her courage and muttered, "Can I ask you something?"

Jathin narrowed his gaze as he understood it was no good to him with the way Pranavi was acting, but he nonetheless agreed, "Yes, Sister-in-law."

Pranavi gulped her uneasiness down her throat. She said, "Can you and Shreya live with us till the situation becomes more stable?" 

The moment the words left her mouth, Jathin was stunned would be an understatement. Jwalin and Shreya were no different, but Shreya felt slight relief, as staying with Pranavi was much better than staying alone in a house with Jathin, where she had no control.

Jwalin turned to Pranavi and mouthed, "What are you doing?"

Pranavi said softly, "I'm doing what is needed for us. For this family."

Jathin still made no move, making Pranavi squirm, and she voiced, "I feel if we're all together, then we can keep Dad here, and he can recuperate well without any disturbance. I and Shreya can take good care of Dad and spend some time with him as he needs that."

Seeing the silent Jathin, she added, getting worried, "I cannot handle all of that alone, Jathin. If I have Shreya, it would be helpful as we can then handle both work and house."

Jathin pressed his lips together, his gaze brooding, his aura turned cold not liking where this was going, and Shreya stayed silent, not daring to say anything when Jathin's mood was not at all looking good. 

"I cannot agree to this, Sister-in-law." Jathin declared, and Pranavi sighed in exasperation.

Jathin continued, his tone firm. "Elections are nearing, and I cannot stay with you and Jwalin in the JN residence. I had a bunch of stuff to do and take care of, all my people were waiting for me at my house. I cannot let Shreya stay here as well, as it would raise suspicions about our marriage."

Pranavi was utterly disappointed hearing all of this, even though she expected what the outcome would be. But she wanted to try once again and stated, "I don't want Dad to go to his house and be alone or stay at the Oberoi Mansion. He needs plenty of rest, and recuperation is not a small thing. I cannot make him stay here if it's just us, Jathin."

Pranavi almost pleaded, "Can you guys stay for a few days at least? So I can make Dad agree to stay here?" 

Seeing the silence, she couldn't help but yell at Jwalin, "Help me out here, Jwalin. Why are you silent? Didn't you agree with me earlier?" Jwalin squinted his eyes in confusion as she never discussed this with him beforehand, but he did agree with Pranavi, and he understood where Jathin was coming from as well. 

For a while, Jwalin didn't understand what to do and felt as if he was caught between his wife and brother. He couldn't help but mock himself. "Why am I always getting stuck between these two?"

Jwalin finally uttered after thinking through, "How about you go do your things and come back here at night? Just at night so Dad can see you, and Sister-in-law will stay here as you'll drop by at night."

Jathin didn't look pleased upon listening to this either. "I barely get time to sleep as it's elections in a month and a half, and you want me to travel across the city as both our houses are on opposite ends? My security teams and rest everybody with me will struggle as everyone are on their toes these days."