Second Chances | Grooms #2 | Slow Updates #WattyLonglist

【 xiii. sticks & stones】

One evening after work, Maahi drove over to an address Parth had texted her earlier in the day with the message asking her to meet him there for something important. She had texted back asking what was important but he'd said it was better to tell her face to face. Now, from earlier conversations, she already knew Arjun was going to return today. She put two and two together and figured that whatever Arjun had found, Parth must have seen.

Inhaling deeply, readying herself to brace whatever reality waited for her behind the door, she rang the doorbell. When a female answered the door, she spoke in confusion, "Uh, I'm sorry. I must have the wrong..."

Sanam shook her head, opening the door wider and welcoming her in, "You must be Maahi?"

"Yes."

Sanam introduced herself, "I'm Sanam. Arjun and Parth are both inside. Come in."

Maahi recalled the familiar name and that she was Esha's older sister and Arjun's wife. Walking inside, she commented. "Ah, yes. Esha had shown me a picture of you. Sorry, I didn't recognize you."

Sanam smiled at her kindly, not at all offended for she wasn't the best with recalling faces either, "Oh, no worries. We're technically meeting for the first time, after all."

Turning at the end of the narrow hallway, they found themselves in the living room. Arjun and Parth were seated on a couch reading something in a file. Sanam chuckled and informed Maahi in a quiet voice, "These two have a bad habit of remembering that there is a world around them when they get sucked into work-mode."

Maahi smiled back on learning that about Parth but it was polite. Right now, the anxiety of learning about the proof against Sonu was overwhelming her on the inside. There was a feeling of 'wanting to simply get it over with' running deep in her veins.

Sanam cleared her throat to get their attention, "Ahem, guys?"

Parth said in response to Arjun, continuing their conversation in a hushed voice, "No, but see..."

Sanam exclaimed shaking her head, "Arjun!"

This time, Arjun did answer for she had raised her voice, "Yeah, sweetheart. Just a sec."

She let out a sigh for even though she wanted to reprimand him for not paying attention around him, that word he used on her always got her to calm down. "Alright. Well, just to let you know: Maahi is here."

Instantly, their heads snapped up. feeling slightly awkward under their gaze, Maahi did a little wave of greeting. "Hi."

Parth looked at his wrist watch and realized it was indeed evening. "Oh."

Sanam placed her hand on Maahi's shoulder, inviting her to walk into the room. "Come, have a seat. Can I get you some water?"

Parth advised, "She is going to need something stronger."

Maahi looked at him and the concern in his eyes that she could feel for her. Given how cryptic he had been in messages to not tell her anything, she didn't doubt his words. Just finding out about her grandmother's scheming had taken a toll on her and he knew that. She braced herself for something that could be far more disturbing.

Since Sanam was looking at her for confirmation, Maahi said, "I guess I will."

Arjun stood up, "I'll get it."

Sanam teased him almost in hope to somewhere lighten the moment, "I do know my alcohol's now, Arjun."

Her point? There was a time no more than a couple years ago when she did not even drink. Since then, she had dabbled to find her drink and in the process, Arjun had taught her which drinks were softer, lower in alcohol content and which were higher.