Kiaan watched the Mercedes disappear down the road. His chest felt like it had been hollowed out. Without thinking too much, he turned back toward the farmhouse, opened the garage, and started his own car. There was nothing left to do here. The spark was gone.
The Mercedes pulled into the Oberoi mansion's long driveway. The air was already tense after all, the engagement was barely a week away. The driver got out and opened the door for Kavi without saying a word. Kavi stepped out and the car rolled away silently.
He stood there for a second, just breathing in the overwhelming familiarity of home his chest tightening with every breath.
That's when Amma appeared. Her eyes softened the moment she saw him.
"Beta, how have you been?" she said gently, her hand slipping into his.
Before he could even reply, she continued, "Don't worry, no one's going to ask you anything. I told everyone you went for a silent retreat… something special. Spiritual. Nobody questioned it."
She led him toward the back of the house, taking the narrow worker's stairs rarely used by the family. She didn't want him bombarded with questions or attention not yet.
Kavi walked into his room and closed the door behind him. Before he could even take a full breath, a soft meow greeted him. Kiki, who had been lounging on the window ledge, leapt down in excitement.
Kavi picked him up immediately, pressing his nose into the cat's fur. "I saw your papa," he whispered. "We spent the whole week together. He's still more handsome than anyone else."
There was a knock at the door. Amma entered with a small bowl of chicken biryani.
Without a word, she sat beside him and scooped a spoonful toward his mouth. He resisted a little, but she gave him that quiet, knowing look. He opened his mouth. Slowly. Bite by bite.
She didn't force him. Just fed him slowly, like he was a child again. She handed him water. He drank.
As she stood to leave, he spoke, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Amma… is it wrong for me to love a guy?"
She paused. Not surprised. She turned back to him, her expression unreadable but warm.
"There's nothing wrong with falling in love with someone who makes your heart feel alive," she said. "But…" she sighed softly, "love doesn't always guarantee we get to be with them. Sometimes love isn't enough."
Then she smiled at him and left the room.
Kavi sat there in silence for a moment. "She's right," he murmured, collapsing backward onto his bed.
After a few minutes, he reached for his phone. Missed calls. Dozens. Messages from Alina, Roy, even Pinky.
And Riya.
Hey brother, I heard you went on a silent retreat. I'm a little pissed because you didn't tell me, especially during my engagement prep, but I hope it helped you. We have a lot to do!
He sighed. Set the phone down. But guilt tugged at him. Eventually, he took Kiki with him and headed downstairs. The house was as chaotic as he left it, the decorators moving in and out, planners yelling instructions, relatives laughing. His mom didn't sit in one spot for more than two minutes.
Then he saw Riya across the room. Her eyes locked on him. She made her way over quickly.
"Can we talk?" she asked, not waiting for an answer as she led him outside to the garden.
She turned to face him, arms folded across her chest.
"You couldn't even tell me where you were going?" Her voice cracked. "I'm your sister. Your best friend. You didn't think I deserved to know?"
Kavi looked down, guilt pooling in his chest.
"Ever since Kiaan my fiancé came into the picture, you've been distant. Cold. I feel like I'm losing you. Why? Are you not happy for me? Don't you want to see me happy?"
She was crying now, and Kavi felt his throat close up.
"I met Kiaan at a charity event long before this arrangement happened," she said through tears. "I loved him even then. I dreamed of this. And now that I'm finally getting it… you're pulling away."
Kavi stepped closer and wiped her tears gently.
"I'm sorry," he said softly. "I'm so sorry for making you feel that way. You didn't deserve that. I was… just overwhelmed. But I'm here now."
He pulled her into a hug, and they stayed that way for a moment, two siblings trying to bridge a sudden distance.
"Monday is the official engagement photoshoot," she said quietly into his shoulder. "I want you there. With us. Behind the scenes. Supporting me."
He nodded. "I'll be there, didi. No more hiding."
She smiled, relief flickering in her eyes. "Check on your friends, too. I think they're ready to kill you."
"I deserve it," he muttered.
She laughed a little, then walked back inside, leaving Kavi standing there alone.