“And you let me stay here,” she intruded. “That really means a lot to me.”
Ranveer exhaled. This girl could never see anyone beyond him.
“I won’t trouble you anymore. I am leaving,” she said, shyly.
Maya cleared her throat. Good. The girl was leaving, and their problems would solve for the moment.
“You are not going anywhere,” Ranveer declared.
“What do you mean?” Adira pretended to be innocent.
“You are staying here until your father returns.”
Maya fisted her fingers, but she chose not to cut her husband’s decisions, not when they were surrounded by people. If she had a problem with it, she would fight with him privately.
“Here?” Adira’s face glowed. “In your house?”
Ranveer didn’t care to explain further. He turned to Garima. “I am hungry, mom-in-law. Can you please serve breakfast for all of us?”
Garima was stunned with his decision to let Adira stay with them for some time.
“Yeah. I will serve. Adira, you too join us. You must be hungry.”
Adira rolled her eyes. She didn’t need to follow that woman’s commands, but since Ranveer was around, she obeyed.
“Thank you, Ranveer,” she purred.
Maya walked away, ostensibly to assist her mother in the kitchen. Adira was glad she did because that proved how much she was affected by Ranveer’s favors.
***************
“Maya, I asked for the pancakes. Not the pan,” Garima mentioned as Maya handed her the pan she didn’t need.
“Oh.” Maya searched for the pancakes, and despite the plate being right before her, she couldn’t spot it.
“It’s here,” Garima said, taking the plate in her hand.
“Oh.” Maya swallowed. “Honey. I will get the honey bottle.”
She was about to leave, but Garima caught her hand.
“Stop running. I know you are upset that Ranveer allowed Adira to stay here. I am confused too. I will talk to him.”
“No, that’s not necessary, Mumma,” Maya snapped. “I am sure he must have thought of something before making such a crucial decision.”
“But Maya…” Garima paused upon seeing Ranveer in the kitchen. Maya immediately focused on getting the honey bottle. Ranveer gestured to his mother-in-law to give them some privacy to talk. She nodded and left them alone. He reached his wife and turned her around.
“That’s it?” he asked. “Your trust in me is gone?”
Maya met his heated gaze.
“My trust is not so weak,” she snapped. “I still trust you. I know there is a reason behind you making Adira stay here with us.”
“Then what's bothering you so much?”
She kept the honey bottle away and crossed her arms in front.
“That you don’t even talk to me before making such decisions. Ranveer, I am your wife now. We are married. Just like before, you always make decisions yourself, without even consulting me. I am not asking you to seek my approval for everything, but in situations like this… I should be informed of what is going on in that thick head of yours.”