And then there's Winston-looking like the happiest creature alive because he knows I can't snitch on him. I shook my head as I began chopping vegetables. The rhythm of the knife hitting the board was oddly soothing. For some reason, I felt... peaceful here. Like this kitchen belonged to me.
Even the owner of this house has no choice but to follow my rules when it comes to feeding his mother.
I filled a pan with water and placed it on the stove to boil. Just then, Winston trotted into the kitchen with that innocent, I'm-guilty-but-cute look on his face.
"Why are you here now? Planning another mess?" I furrowed my eyebrows.
He spun in circles, pacing back and forth like he was deciding whether to stay or leave, then bolted out of the kitchen.
"What's wrong with him?" I mumbled, glancing at the boiling dish. Once the food was done, I turned off the stove, prepped the trolley, and placed Renuka aunty's plate neatly on it. As I pushed it toward the dining area, I paused.
I heard voices-two men talking, along with Maya and grandma.
I frowned and peered toward the living room. From this angle, I could only see the tops of two heads. Maya and grandma seemed cheerful, chatting with them.
Who are they?
Curious, I moved closer. Grandma looked up and smiled warmly.
"There she is, the personal caretaker of Renuka," she said.
I stepped forward-and froze.
My eyes widened. My throat dried. Standing right there was Raj... and beside him, Charan-Kathir's father.
No. No. No.
Panic rippled through me. Charan. I failed. I was supposed to keep him out! What if Kathir finds out?
Charan's eyes narrowed. "I've seen her before," he said.
I stiffened. My heart was pounding. I couldn't think. I couldn't breathe.
Raj quickly stepped in with a soft smile. "Of course, uncle. She's the personal nutritionist for Renuka aunty. It's possible you've seen her before."
I swallowed hard, my anxiety crawling over every inch of my skin. Kathir told me not to let him in... and now here he is, inside the house. And I was the one who failed.
"Let's have lunch together," Maya said with a smile.
Charan nodded, and everyone rose from the couch. Raj lingered for a moment and leaned in closer to whisper,
"I know Kathir warned you. But we didn't have a choice. Just keep this a secret," he said gently.
I looked up at him helplessly and nodded, even though my hands were trembling. I couldn't blame Raj. He was stuck too-trapped in this storm between loyalty and family.
I glanced down. Winston was spinning in small circles with his ears pinned back, as if he could sense the tension too.
I sighed and pushed the wheelchair toward the dining table, trying to loosen the tight knots in my shoulders. But it was useless. I was too tense.
"It would be better if Kathir also joined us," grandma said softly as she took her seat.
Charan's jaw tightened. "Then I wouldn't be here," he said sharply.
His tone was firm, his eyes sharp with restrained rage. The same look I'd seen in Kathir whenever he talked about his father. This... was the root of it. The wound.
"Let's not ruin the mood," Maya said gently as she began serving food.
I quietly helped Renuka aunty with her soup and forced myself to eat. But even Maya's delicious spaghetti tasted like sand in my mouth.
Then I heard it-words that nearly made me choke.
"Maya, it's better if you talk to Kathir. Let me take my wife back to my house. I can take care of her far better than him."
I paused, fork mid-air. My chest tightened. Did he just say that?
Maya responded cautiously, "Well... it's not that easy, but I'll try to talk to him."
No, no, no. That's not just a bad idea-it's a death wish. Even feeding the soup to Renuka aunty suddenly felt difficult. My hands trembled.
"Well... that's not a good idea, Maya," Raj said calmly, yet firmly. "I know Charan uncle can take care of her well, but Kathir isn't any less. You've all seen how he takes care of his mother-he hired a personal nutritionist, after all. It's best to avoid talking to him about this."
I could hear the tension beneath Raj's polite tone. He was protecting his friend.
But Charan turned to Raj, voice low and serious. "I want my wife back."
Raj sighed heavily, clearly done arguing. "Let's talk about this later," grandma interrupted, trying to keep the peace as she added more spaghetti to Charan's plate.
Then, a sudden sound made me jump.
Footsteps. Steady and heavy.
I glanced at the others-everyone seemed calm... except Raj. His eyes widened, mirroring my panic. We both turned toward the source of the sound-
Only to see Charan casually tapping his cup on the table.
We both let out synchronized sighs of relief.
"Uncle, you have a meeting with Mr. Tyler," Raj said quickly.
Charan checked his watch and nodded. "I had a great time with you all. I'll come back again."
Come back again? My mind screamed. Then I'm finished. I'll be haunted by Kathir Rathore till my last breath.
Charan rose from his chair as everyone else followed suit. He gently rubbed his wife's head, kissed her forehead, and hugged grandma and Maya. He nodded at me with a smile. Despite the tremors coursing through my body, I forced a smile back.
Raj walked toward me and extended his hand. I shook it, feeling the coldness in my fingertips, my pulse quickening. But then, he leaned in closer, his voice low and serious.
"Clear all the evidence, and never let Kathir know about this! Got it?" he whispered.
I swallowed hard, my throat tight. I nodded, though my mind was a whirl of panic.
Raj nodded back, gave a thumbs-up, and then both Charan and Raj left the house.
I let out a long, shaky sigh. Maya turned to grandma, holding her shoulder gently. "Let's go and get some rest, grandma," she said softly.
Grandma nodded, and Maya wheeled Renuka aunty out of the room. I sat down on the sofa, my palm pressed against my chest, trying to calm the storm of thoughts crashing inside me. I couldn't relax. My muscles were too tight, my nerves too frayed.
Finally, I could breathe-sort of. Even with Charan and Raj gone, their presence lingered, heavy in the air. The thought of Kathir finding out... it was suffocating.
I had to clean this house. Before Kathir came. I had to make everything perfect. Because if he found out... everything would come crashing down.