𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒐𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑹𝒊𝒅𝒆

PART-73

"I still cannot believe she literally puked after seeing Rudraksh bhai," Navya whispered as she walked down the corridor leading to the spacious living area of the house. Her brows remained knitted, though the corners of her lips twitched, as if she could not decide whether to worry or laugh.

After settling Ira in her room and coaxing her to sleep, after she had emptied her stomach until silent tears streamed down her face from the body ache and strain, Navya and Nidhi had stood there for several long minutes, watching her carefully to make sure she would not need them again.

A nervous chuckle slipped from Nidhi as she walked beside Navya now, fidgeting with her fingers near her stomach. "Well, you did say she would faint after seeing your handsome and intelligent brother." She winked with a sheepish smile. "Congratulations."

"Yah!" Navya lightly slapped her arm, though a reluctant smile escaped her anyway.

They entered the wide living area where the family members were seated cross-legged on a thick mat spread neatly near the wall. The walls were adorned with framed family photographs and delicate handmade crafts that lent warmth to the space. In front of each person stood a small, rectangular wooden table, low to the ground, holding plates neatly arranged with food.

At the sound of their footsteps and the soft jingle of Navya's anklets, a few heads lifted. Smiles flickered, conversations dipped for a brief second, then resumed, flowing back into the familiar rhythm of the household.

"How's Ira, Navya?" Swarnika, seated beside Anusuiya on an adjacent chair, asked carefully, drawing a few curious glances from the others.

"She's sleeping, Maa," Navya replied evenly. Her gaze flickered toward her brothers, who appeared far too engrossed in their own conversation to notice anything else happening around them.

Vardhaman leaned slightly toward Rudraksh, whispering something that made both of them grin. A quiet burst of laughter escaped them before they bent back over their plates, shoulders brushing as they giggled over shared nonsense, completely detached from the subtle shift in the room.

"Kids these days are so dependent on street food," Anusuiya remarked. Her gaze slid slowly toward Nidhi, assessing, while Nidhi stood stiffly beside Navya like a ludo token mistakenly dropped onto a chessboard. "You both live together, girl?"

Nidhi immediately stopped fidgeting. "Yeah," she murmured, nodding.

"Then try cooking and eating at home," Anusuiya continued, her tone sharp as she smoothed the crease of her saree with deliberate precision, as if correcting more than just fabric.

Before Nidhi could respond, Navya cut in smoothly, her usual bright smile settling on her face. "They have to study, Bua. They're preparing for government jobs. It demands immense hard work and a lot of time."

"Yeah, yeah," Anusuiya replied, her voice lowering but not softening. "I know what kind of studying they do," she added with a scoff.

Nidhi's eyebrows furrowed, her lips parting as if to retort. But the words died on her tongue. Disbelief replaced the initial sting. She inhaled silently and swallowed whatever response had risen within her.

Navya moved ahead and sat beside Rudraksh, folding her legs neatly. She patted the space next to her, signaling Nidhi to sit.

"What are you talking about?" Navya whispered, leaning forward slightly to peek past Rudraksh, successfully drawing her brothers' attention.