Page 11 of One Hellish Desire

Before our argument can escalate, the plate slips from Daadi's hand, shattering on the floor. Our gazes snap to her as she sways, nearly collapsing. Vikram and I rush to her side, each grasping an arm to support her.

“Daadi,” we cry out in unison.

“Let's help her sit,” I insist, and for once, he doesn't argue.

We guide Daadi to the couch and settle her there.

“Get some water,” he commands.

I hurry to the table and fetch a glass of water. Together, we help Daadi drink. A few seconds later Daadi takes a deep breath, opening her eyes and looks at us. “Daadi, are you okay?”

Worry etches our faces. We may be polar opposites, but in this moment, we're united in our concern for Daadi's well-being.

“I'm fine,” she says, painfully withdrawing from our hold. “Hariya!”

We both don’t understand why she calls Hariya, our house help, until he enters the living room.

“Jee, Daadiji.”

“Take me to my room,” she commands.

“Daadi, I can take you,” I offer.

“No,” she says, rising from the couch.

Vikram makes the same offer, but Daadi rejects him as well. Hariya takes her hand and leads her to her room, leaving both Vikram and me dejected.

“This has never happened before,” I groan. “Daadi is ignoring me because of you.”

“Even I can see how well you've poisoned her mind against me and my family,” he counters. “Otherwise, she would never have refused my help.”

“I have better things to do than turn her against your family. She's mature enough to understand how your family treats her,” I snap.

“How we treat her?” He takes a step toward me, rage emanating from him. “We don't have thorns, Cub.”

“Thorns are better,” I scoff. “At least they're visible. You're all like tear gas. You've given her countless tears, and I'm the one who's wiped them away every time.”

I don't realize I've backed into the pillar until I feel it against my back. In all these years, I've never argued so fiercely with anyone. He's the only one who draws such reactions from me. We fall silent for a moment, our eyes locked in a heated stare. We've debated so intensely that we both need a break.

“We need to sort out our differences,” I finally say. “For Daadi's sake.”

He gives a gentle nod.

“I don't want her to see us fighting. We both mean something to her. What happened today can't happen again,” I further add.

He rolls his eyes. “That goes without saying, Cub. You're not the only one who cares about her.”

I could have argued over that point further, but I push the thought aside. Right now, Daadi's well-being is more important to me than fighting with Prince Pompous.

CHAPTER 4

MAAHI

Last night, I couldn’t sleep well. Daadi ignored both Vikram and me for the first time, all because of that arrogant Prince Pompous. But I refuse to let Daadi ignore me for long. This morning, I set everything up for the Puja before she steps into the temple room.

“Morning, Daadi,” I greet her, taking her blessings as usual.

“Khush raho (stay happy),” she blesses me but doesn’t speak another word. She continues with her holy rituals, not taking my assistance, and it brings tears to my eyes.

---