Page 57 of One Hellish Desire

Vikram stretches his arms and embraces his mother.

“Morning Mom.”

As they embrace, I feel Meera aunty's eyes boring into me. The hatred there is palpable, no doubt intensified by the sight of me in Vikram's arms last night. I shudder to think how she'd react if she knew about our kiss.

Uncertainty grips me as everyone takes their seats. I've always felt like an outsider when Vikram's parents visit, unsure of my place around them. Before I can decide where to sit, Vikram grasps my arm, guiding me to the chair beside him at Daadi's right. I shoot him a reproachful look – does he not realize how this fuels his mother's suspicions? But he seems maddeningly calm.

“So, Maahi,” Meera aunty's voice drips with barely concealed disdain, “what do you do apart from being Maa's tail?”

I bristle at her tone, ready to defend myself, but Vikram jumps in before I can speak. “She's a businesswoman, Mom. She runs her own boutique – Blush.”

Our eyes meet, and I feel a spark of... something. Gratitude? Or annoyance that he spoke for me?

Before I can decide, Aunty talks again, “she can speak for herself, Vikram.”

Now its Vikram who is offended. Both mother-son are giving me tough time but I won’t let them toss me as per their wish.

“I'm a fashion designer,” I state firmly. “I have clients all over the country, and I'm expanding soon.”

“I heard your engagement broke,” Meera aunty interjects, her words sharp as knives.

I clench my fists beneath the table, fighting to maintain composure. “I wasn't engaged,” I correct her. “Shyam and I were going to get engaged, but I ended things. He was more interested in my property than in me.”

“Property?” she scoffs. “You mean that little boutique of yours? How much could it be worth to break an alliance, Maahi?”

“Not cool Mom,” Vikram interrupts this time. “You have no idea what Shyam and his father intended and I don’t think you should be poking your nose in this matter anymore.”

Vikram's angry interjection surprises me, but I've had enough. It's time to lay all the cards on the table.

“Actually, you're right,” I say, my voice steady and confident. “My boutique isn't worth breaking an alliance over. But Devki Estate is.”

Vikram's hand presses mine, a silent warning to not broach this subject now, but I press on. “Daadi has gifted that estate to me. I'm the legal owner now.”

The silence that follows is deafening. Meera aunty glares at Daadi, while Vanraj uncle stares at Vikram in dawning comprehension. I've said my piece, and I no longer care about the fallout. Rising from my chair, I turn to Daadi. “I'm really getting late. I need to leave for the boutique.”

Without waiting for a response, I slip away, my heart pounding. I've dropped a bombshell, and I know the repercussions will be significant. But for now, all I want is to escape the suffocating tension of that room and lose myself in the familiar comfort of my work.

VIKRAM

The aftermath of Maahi's revelation is explosive. Dad pushes away his breakfast plate, his appetite vanishing. “What's going on here?” he demands, turning to Daadi. “Did you really do that, Maa?”

Mom interjects, her voice sharp. “Of course she did. Didn't you hear Maahi? Is this the same Devki Estate you and your son were after for expanding our business?”

I ignore their reactions, focusing on Daadi's uncharacteristic silence. When she finally speaks, her words are firm. “It was my decision,” she states. “That estate holds a special place in my heart. I wanted someone close to me to own it. None of you were here, Vanraj. I’ve already told Vikram. You both have rights to all my property except Devki Estate. It’s Maahi’s now, and whatever she says goes.”

“No!” Dad shouts. “No, Maa. That’s not how it works. Devki Estate isn’t just any property. It’s a fortune, and you took it from your own son and grandson to give to an orphan?”

“Don’t call her that,” Daadi snaps. “She’s not an orphan, not as long as I’m alive. If you call her an orphan just because she doesn’t have her family, then I deserve the same title.”

Dad and Mom look horrified at Daadi, who is unstoppable today.

“Yes, Vanraj. If Maahi is an orphan, so am I. Despite having a son, daughter-in-law, and grandson, I’ve lived without them for nine long years. Your monthly phone calls can’t bridge that gap or make me feel any better.”

Dad looks away, ashamed, but Mom remains stern. She’ll never admit she’s part of the reason Dad rarely returned to India.

“Maahi was my only family, and she still is. She has seen the best and worst of me. She’s supported me like a daughter, and that’s why she deserves that land. If anyone tries to hurt her, they’re hurting me. So, be careful.”

For the first time in my life, I feel both guilty and proud. Guilty for not being there for Daadi in her good and bad times, and proud because she’s finally opened up to my parents. Daadi gets up and leaves the breakfast table.

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