Page 108 of One Hellish Passion

She circled the thali before the two. Maya felt uncomfortable. Once that was done, the women left, and Daadi led the two inside.

“I heard you came for the auction,” Daadi asked.

“You heard that right. And I am going to buy you Daadu’s Vintage Car.”

“Oh, that old scrap?” she mocked. “I am better off without it.”

Maya had no clue what they were talking about. So far, she didn’t even know what the auction was about. Daadi sat on the couch, and before Ranveer and Maya could sit together in front of her, she stopped them.

“You sit next to me. Here,” she insisted, patting the vacant seat next to her.

Maya glanced at Ranveer, who gestured her to do as told. Ranveer watched his Daadi observe Maya keenly the moment she sat down. Maya was both confused and nervous for being examined like that.

“Ranveer has told me about you. And before he did, I had seen your pictures together in the newspaper,” Daadi exclaimed.

Maya had no clue how to respond, but it seemed unnecessary because Daadi had not finished yet.

“There have been many girls I have seen my grandson with, but among all of them, you seem to be much simpler and naiver. I wonder how he found you.”

Maya smiled. He didn’t find her, nor did she find him. It was fate that brought them together.

“I hope you know what you are getting into, Maya,” she continued.

“Daadi,” Ranveer tried to speak up, but she gestured for him not to interrupt.

“You need to have tremendous patience to handle my grandson, and if you still manage to do that, I cannot guarantee he will show you the same positivity to succeed in this relationship. He is very unpredictable. He has got these traits from his father, and I can tell you they are unchangeable.”

Maya knew what Daadi was talking about, and it had scared her all the time. But as she was here to pretend to be Ranveer’s girlfriend, she had to take things calmly.

“I know all of that, Daadi,” Maya replied confidently. “And I think I can handle him.” She quickly glanced at Ranveer, who smirked at her sureness.

“We will see how long this goes,” Daadi tactfully answered and asked her maids to start serving food.

After lunch, while Daadi and Ranveer were busy talking, Maya took a look around the house. She found photos of Daadi with Ranveer until he was a teenager, but after that, there were no more pictures. In a family photo, Daadi, Ranveer’s father, and Ranveer posed together, but his mother was missing. There wasn't a single picture of her in the house.

Ranveer cleared his throat.

“We should leave. The auction will begin in an hour,” he informed.

“Why is there no picture of your mother here?” she asked.

Ranveer sighed in disappointment.

“Daadi doesn’t like her anymore.”

“Why?” she asked.

“She didn’t approve her second marriage to Dev Malik.”

Now it was clear. For the old lady, it would be really hard to see her daughter-in-law getting remarried, especially when her grandson was young.

“Let’s go,” he grabbed her hand and took her out. Daadi was waiting for them in the living room. The moment she saw them, she got up from the couch.

“I will see you both at night. Please enjoy your stay here, Maya. And do let me know if you need anything.”

“Thanks, Daadi.”

Maya was about to take her blessings again, but Daadi instead chose to hug her. Maya was overwhelmed. Daadi then glanced at Ranveer and smiled at him. It wasn't a usual smile. It was like she was conveying something to him. He hugged her too, and then they got back in the elevator. Maya's chain of queries began.

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