The peace of the evening was shattered by a doorbell that refused to stop screaming. Divyash scrambled to pull himself together, his shirt half-fastened and his hair a wild mess from the earlier interrupted intimacy. When he finally wrenched the door open, his heart dropped.
Standing there, bathed in the pale porch light, was Kajal. She was trembling, a stark contrast to the composed woman he usually saw.
"Kajal Bha—I mean, Kajal? What on earth happened?"
"Mr. Singh... I tried calling Vivek, but he didn't answer," she whispered, her voice fractured by terror. "The Khosla men... they were circling my house. Just watching. I didn't know where else to go. I went to the chambers, but they were dark, locked. I was so scared I just... I drove here."
Divyash’s protective instincts flared. "Calm down. Just breathe. Come inside before someone sees you." He guided her to the sofa, his mind racing. "I’ll find my phone and get Bhai."
Avni descended the stairs, her shock mirroring Divyash's as she saw their guest. "Kajal? Are you hurt?" She rushed to her side, offering the kind of quiet strength only she could. Divyash was mid-explanation, phone in hand, when the doorbell rang again—this time with a heavy, familiar rhythm.
"God, not now," Divyash hissed.
"Divyash, wait!" Avni grabbed his arm. "If that’s your parents, and they find her here... it’s over. We have to hide her."
"Take her to our room," Divyash ordered, shoving Kajal's bag into Avni’s hands. As the women disappeared upstairs, Divyash took a breath and opened the door.
His family poured in like a tidal wave: Vinayak, Ridha, and Dadi, with Scooby the dog yapping in his father's arms.
"This boy takes an eternity to open a simple door," Vinayak grumbled, letting Scooby loose.
Ridha eyes raked over her son instantly. "And look at you! Your shirt is a mess, your hair is a disaster... did you just crawl out of the shower or a wrestling match?"
"Vivek and Avni?" Dadi asked, claiming her spot on the sofa.
"Bhai is gone to his chamber, and Avni is upstairs," Divyash said, sliding into a seat next to his father, his heart hammering against his ribs.
"That brother of yours," Dadi sighed. "He lives in that chamber. It’s like he’s married to his law books."
"I don't know what to do with him, Maa," Ridha added, her voice laced with motherly frustration. "Even when I introduced him to Meera, he acted like he was at a funeral. All he thinks about is work. I fear for that boy's future."
The front door opened again, and Vivek walked in, looking exhausted. He stopped dead when he saw the family gathering. "Maa? Dadi? You’re back early."
"Bhai! There you are!" Divyash jumped up, lunging for Vivek’s arm before he could say another word. "I've been calling you a dozen times. Come upstairs—now. I have something in my room I need to show you."
"Divu, let go," Vivek snapped, trying to shrug him off. "I'm not in the mood for your jokes."
"It’s not a joke, Bhai. Trust me." Divyash practically dragged him up the stairs, ignoring Ridhu’s confused shouts from the living room. He reached his bedroom door and gave a sharp knock.
"Who is it?" Avni’s voice was guarded.
"Me and Bhai."
The door opened just enough for them to slip in. Vivek’s eyes widened, his face turning ashen as he saw Kajal sitting on the edge of the bed. "Kajal? What... why...?"
"Keep it down!" Divyash hissed, locking the door. "Unless you want a full-blown interrogation downstairs."
Vivek’s shock turned to cold fury as Divyash explained the Khosla men's intimidation. "I'll kill them. I'll take them apart piece by piece."
"Later," Divyash said, rubbing his temples. "Right now, we have to handle the parents. If they find her, it's a scandal we can't fix. And we can't exactly sneak her out with the whole family in the foyer."
"Stop it, both of you," Avni commanded. "Vivek, sit. Divyash, stop pacing. You’re making everyone nervous." She turned to Kajal, who had begun to cry. "It’s okay, Kajal. You’re safe here."
"Dev! Vivek! Avni! Dinner is ready!" Ridha’s voice echoed up the stairs, sounding closer than before.
They all shared a look of pure panic.
"Okay, new plan," Avni whispered. "Divyash, you and Vivek go down. Act normal. Eat. Bring two plates back up here—one for me, one for Kajal. Tell them I’m buried in paperwork."
"Got it," Vivek said, pulling himself together.
At the dinner table, the tension was thick enough to cut. Divyash shoveled food into his mouth with unnatural speed. "Maa, make a plate for Avni. She’s eating upstairs. And make another one for me."
"Another one?" Ridha asked. "You're already on your second helping."
"I'm going to keep her company," Divyash said with a strained grin.
"You'll burst if you eat that much," Vinayak muttered.
Dadi turned her gaze to Vivek. "Vivek, I’ve been looking into some prospects for you. It’s time you settled down."
Vivek nearly choked on his rice. "Dadi, please. Not now."
"Why not? If you don't choose someone, we will. Do you have someone else in mind?"
"No," Vivek lied, his voice tight.
Dadi looked at him worriedly. "Vivek... tell me the truth. Are you... into those 'modern' shocks? You know, the boys who want to marry other boys?"
Divyash choked on his water, and Vivek went red. "What? No, Dadi! I’m not gay!"
"Then what is the problem?" his father demanded. "Look at your brother. At least he’s settled. What have you accomplished in your personal life?"
Vivek’s temper flared. "I haven't 'accomplished' a disaster, for one!" He pointed an accusatory finger at Divyash.
"Hey! Leave me out of this!" Divyash barked. "I’m the one helping you!"
"Enough!" Ridha snapped. "Divu, take these plates to Avni. And I want them back in the kitchen tonight."
Divyash grabbed the plates, pausing only to kick Vivek’s shin under the table before retreating upstairs. He delivered the food to the two women, the room finally falling into a hushed, anxious silence.
Hours later, when the house was finally draped in the silence of sleep, Vivek emerged from the shadows. With the stealth of a thief, he guided a hooded Kajal through the darkened hallways and out into the night, hiding her in the one place he knew he could protect her his chamber.
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