The morning sun filtered softly through the heavy curtains of the master bedroom, casting long, pale beams across the hardwood floor.
Siddanth stood near the large glass window, holding his smartphone to his ear.
The line connected on the second ring.
"Morning, Sid," Arjun's voice came through the speaker. He sounded remarkably awake, though there was a faint, underlying trace of nervous energy that he rarely carried into a corporate boardroom.
"Morning," Deva replied, his tone relaxed and amused. "Did you manage to sleep, or were you up all night mentally preparing a presentation for my father-in-law?"
Arjun let out a short, dry chuckle. "I didn't make a presentation, but I was definitely awake. I spoke to my parents about an hour ago."
Deva shifted his weight, leaning a shoulder against the window frame. "And?"
"And everything is fine," Arjun confirmed, the relief in his voice palpable even over the cellular connection. "They were surprised, obviously. But they accept it. They already know Anjali, they know your family, and they trust my judgment. There wasn't any resistance from their side."
"I told you there wouldn't be," Deva pointed out reasonably. "Your parents are practical. They just want you to be happy. If Anjali makes you happy, they aren't going to stand in the way."
"I know," Arjun sighed. "It's just... having it out in the open changes things. It makes it real. The only people left in the dark are Subba Rao uncle, Suma aunty and your parents."
Deva took a slow sip from a glass of water resting on the windowsill. "I'll take care of it today."
"You're sure?" Arjun asked, a hint of caution creeping back into his voice. "I don't want to cause a disruption in the house right now. If they react badly, Anjali is the one who has to sit there and deal with it while we're all locked down."
"They aren't going to react badly, Arjun," Deva reassured him. "They know you. They trust you. I will manage the conversation."
"Alright," Arjun agreed, yielding to his friend's confidence. "Thank you, Sid. Truly."
"Don't thank me yet," Deva smiled, pushing himself off the window frame. "I still haven't decided how much I'm going to make you suffer for keeping this a secret for a year."
Arjun laughed genuinely this time. "If they agree to it, I am ready for anything."
They exchanged brief updates regarding a few essential supply chain movements for the company, keeping the business talk brief before disconnecting the call.
Deva lowered the phone, slipping it into his pocket. At the foot of the bed, Ronnie let out a long, whistling yawn, stretching his front paws across the rug before pushing his heavy frame up to follow Deva out of the bedroom.
Deva turned away from the window and walked out, making his way down the staircase with the dog's nails clicking softly on the wood behind him.
The ground floor of the farmhouse was usually bustling by this hour. The rich aroma of filter coffee and roasting spices typically filled the hallways, accompanied by the chaotic, high-pitched babbling of the twins echoing from the living room.
Today, however, the main hall was unusually empty.
The television was switched off. The large woven rug in the center of the living room was devoid of wooden blocks and stuffed animals. The kitchen was quiet, the breakfast dishes already cleared away.
Deva walked into the living room, his brow furrowing slightly.
Vikram was sitting in his usual armchair near the veranda doors, a pair of reading glasses perched on the bridge of his nose. He held a thick, hardcover book in his hands, absorbed in the pages, enjoying the rare silence of the house. Ronnie immediately ambled over and dropped his chin onto Vikram's slippered foot with a heavy sigh.
"Where did everyone go?" Deva asked, stopping near the edge of the sofa. "The house is deserted."
"They went to see the horses," Vikram answered, giving Ronnie's ears a brief, absentminded scratch without looking up from his book. He gestured vaguely toward the back of the estate. "Krithika and Anjali decided the children needed some fresh air before the sun got too hot. Your mother and your in-laws went along to watch."
Deva nodded, understanding the migration.
"I'll go find them," Deva said, turning back toward the hallway.
"Take your time," Vikram chuckled. "It is very peaceful in here right now. I might actually finish a chapter without someone trying to climb onto my shoulders."
Leaving his father to his reading, Deva stepped out through the rear doors of the farmhouse, Ronnie having decided to abandon his post at Vikram's feet to trot happily outside into the morning air.
He walked at a leisurely pace along the paved stone pathway that wound through the manicured gardens, passing the large swimming pool and heading toward the treeline. Ronnie bounded a few paces ahead, occasionally stopping to sniff a promising patch of grass before hurrying to catch back up.
As he approached the clearing where the stables were located, the sound of overlapping voices and soft laughter drifted through the trees.
The horse track was a wide, oval expanse of soft dirt, surrounded by a low wooden fence. Standing near the edge of the fence, leaning comfortably against the wooden rails, were Sesikala, Subba Rao, and Suma. They were chatting amiably, their attention focused on the track.
Deva walked up behind them, following their gaze, while Ronnie sat patiently at his side, his tail swishing against the grass.
Moving at a very slow, controlled walking pace around the dirt track were two well-groomed horses.
Krithika sat tall and confident in the saddle of a beautiful chestnut mare. She held the leather reins securely in one hand, while her other arm was wrapped tightly around Rishi, who was seated in front of her.
A few yards behind them, Anjali rode a slightly smaller, dappled grey horse. She sat with equal comfort, her posture relaxed, holding Aadhya securely against her chest.
Both sisters were experienced riders. Deva had ensured they received proper, professional instruction, and the horses themselves were calm, older animals accustomed to a gentle pace. Two of the estate's dedicated handlers walked closely beside the horses, holding the lead ropes, ensuring safety for the toddlers.
There was no danger, no reckless galloping. It was simply a quiet, morning stroll on horseback.
Deva didn't call out or interrupt. He stepped up to the wooden fence, resting his forearms on the top rail next to Subba Rao, and simply watched his family.
Subba Rao glanced sideways, noticing his son-in-law's arrival. He offered a smile, pointing toward the track. "They have been going in circles for twenty minutes. The children refuse to get down."
"I'm surprised Aadhya hasn't tried to grab the reins yet," Deva murmured, keeping his eyes on his daughter.
"She tried," Suma laughed softly from his other side. "Anjali had to gently pin her arms down for the first five minutes. Now she is just enjoying the view."
As the horses rounded the far curve of the track and began heading back toward the viewing area, Krithika noticed Deva standing by the fence. Her face immediately lit up with a smile.
She leaned slightly forward, speaking close to Rishi's ear.
"Look, Rishi," Krithika said, pointing her free hand toward the fence. "Look who's there. It's Nana."
Rishi, who had been sitting still, his small hands gripping the edge of the leather saddle with concentration, slowly turned his head. He blinked, his dark eyes scanning the people standing by the fence until they locked onto Deva.
The expression of intense concentration melted away. A soft, genuine smile appeared on the boy's face. He let go of the saddle with one hand, raising it slowly into the air, and offered a wave.
Deva smiled warmly, raising his own hand to wave back.
Behind them, Anjali saw Deva and immediately alerted her own passenger. "Aadhya! Look at Nana!"
Aadhya didn't wave slowly. The moment she spotted her father, she gasped loudly, her eyes going wide with excitement. She immediately started bouncing in the saddle, her small legs kicking against the horse's flanks, unconcerned by the fact that she was sitting several feet above the ground on a massive animal.
"Nana! Nana!" Aadhya babbled loudly, throwing both her hands into the air, wriggling aggressively against Anjali's hold.
"Whoa, hold still, little monster," Anjali laughed, tightening her grip around the toddler's waist to keep her anchored securely in the saddle. She looked over at Deva, shaking her head. "She thinks it's a carnival ride."
The handlers brought the horses to a halt near the edge of the fence.
Deva ducked under the top wooden rail, stepping onto the soft dirt of the track. Ronnie stayed obediently on the grass, giving a soft, inquisitive whine at the sight of the large animals. Deva walked over to Krithika's horse first. Reaching up, he placed his hands securely around Rishi's waist.
"Did you like the ride, buddy?" Deva asked softly.
Rishi didn't say anything, but as Deva lifted him smoothly out of the saddle and brought him down to his chest, the boy wrapped his arms tightly around Deva's neck, resting his cheek comfortably against his father's collarbone. The boy felt warm and smelled faintly of baby powder and fresh air.
Krithika gracefully swung her leg over the back of the mare, dismounting with practiced ease. She patted the horse's neck affectionately, thanking the handler, before stepping over to stand beside Deva.
Deva turned toward the second horse.
Anjali was currently engaged in a wrestling match with Aadhya, trying to unpry the toddler's determined fingers from the leather saddle horn. Aadhya was letting out a series of high-pitched, frustrated whines, making it clear that she had no intention of ending her equestrian adventure.
"Come here, Aadhya," Deva instructed gently, stepping closer.
He reached up, bypassing the saddle horn and scooped her securely into his free arm. Aadhya kicked her legs in protest for three seconds, pointing back at the horse with a demanding scowl.
"Horse go," Aadhya commanded, looking at her father with an expression of authority.
"The horse is tired," Deva replied smoothly, immune to her demands. He adjusted his grip, balancing one child on each hip effortlessly. "It's time to go inside."
Aadhya huffed, crossing her tiny arms over her chest, but she stopped kicking.
Anjali dismounted, landing lightly on the dirt. She stretched her lower back, brushing a stray lock of hair out of her eyes.
The family grouped together, saying goodbye to the handlers, and began the slow, leisurely walk back toward the main farmhouse, with Ronnie happily resuming his position at the front of the pack.
Subba Rao, Suma, and Sesikala walked a few paces ahead, discussing a recipe Suma wanted to try for dinner.
Deva walked slightly behind them, carrying the twins. Krithika walked on his right side, while Anjali walked on his left. The shade of the trees provided a cool canopy, the sunlight filtering through the leaves in scattered, golden patches along the stone pathway.
For a few minutes, they walked in comfortable silence.
Then, without changing his pace or raising his voice, Deva spoke.
"Arjun called me this morning."
The relaxed posture Anjali had been maintaining vanished instantly. Her shoulders visibly stiffened, and her head snapped up to look at Deva. The sudden mention of the name immediately brought all the anxiety rushing back to the surface.
She didn't say anything, but her wide eyes silently demanded the rest of the information.
Deva didn't make her wait. He kept his eyes focused on the pathway ahead, his tone casual.
"His parents are fine with everything," Deva told her softly. "He spoke to them early today. They accepted the relationship without any issues."
Anjali let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Her shoulders dropped, a wave of relief washing over her features. She looked down at the stone pathway, a happy smile touching the corners of her mouth. The fear of rejection from her future in-laws had clearly been weighing heavily on her mind.
Krithika reached across Deva's back, lightly tapping Anjali's shoulder. "See? I told you they would be fine. They've known you for years."
Anjali nodded, her smile remaining, but it flickered slightly as a new, far more immediate problem presented itself.
She looked past Deva, her eyes settling on the backs of her own parents walking just a few yards ahead of them. The relief of Arjun's parents accepting the match was overshadowed by the looming prospect of having to tell Subba Rao and Suma.
Anjali looked back at Deva. The tension had returned to her expression, her dark eyes filled with apprehension. She chewed nervously on her lower lip, clearly trying to find the words to ask how they were going to navigate the impending storm.
Before she could form the question, Deva shifted Rishi slightly higher on his hip.
"I already told you I'd talk to them," Deva reminded her. "Don't worry."
She gave a small, jerky nod, choosing to trust him.
They reached the rear entrance of the farmhouse, shedding their shoes near the veranda steps. The transition back indoors involved a flurry of domestic activity. The twins had dirt on their hands and knees from attempting to touch the horses.
"Straight to the bathroom," Krithika instructed, taking Rishi from Deva's arms.
"I'll take Aadhya," Anjali volunteered, reaching over and lifting her niece. "Come on, little monster, let's go wash off the stable smell."
Aadhya babbled cheerfully, forgetting her earlier anger at being removed from the horse, and patted Anjali's cheek as they walked down the hallway.
The next hour passed in a blur. The children were washed, changed into clean, comfortable cotton clothes, and released back into the living room to play with their blocks.
Deva retreated upstairs to take a quick shower, changing into a fresh linen shirt.
By the time the large grandfather clock in the hallway chimed one o'clock, the enticing smell of home-cooked food wafted through the house, signaling that it was time to gather.
The entire family took their places around the table.
Vikram sat at the head, with Sesikala to his right. Subba Rao and Suma sat opposite them. Deva and Krithika occupied the middle seats, with two elevated wooden highchairs positioned between them for the twins. Anjali sat across from Krithika, quietly arranging a cloth napkin on her lap.
The lunch spread was extensive. Large silver serving bowls contained steaming white rice, rich yellow dal, spicy chicken curry, a mild potato fry, and an array of homemade pickles and fresh yogurt.
"The mango trees in the eastern orchard are blossoming well," Vikram noted, serving himself a spoonful of dal. "If the weather holds, the yield should be much better than last year."
"As long as the unseasonal rains don't hit next month," Subba Rao agreed, breaking a crisp papad in half. "I was talking to a colleague in the agricultural department before the lockdown. He said the moisture levels in the soil are unusually high this season."
While the grandfathers debated horticulture, the parents were engaged in the significantly more complex task of feeding toddlers.
Rishi was being cooperative. He sat in his highchair, his eyes fixed on the small, colorful plastic plate in front of him. Krithika had mixed a small portion of rice and dal, mashing it thoroughly. She offered him a spoonful. Rishi opened his mouth, accepted the food, chewed slowly, and swallowed before opening his mouth for the next bite.
Aadhya, on the other hand, was treating lunch as an interactive art project.
She refused to be fed by a spoon. She insisted on picking up the small, soft pieces of potato with her own hands. This resulted in half the potato making it into her mouth, while the other half was squeezed through her fingers and dropped onto the wooden tray of the highchair. The pieces that missed the tray entirely fell straight down to the floor, where Ronnie was strategically stationed beneath her chair, happily serving as the designated clean-up crew.
"Aadhya, put it in your mouth, don't paint the tray with it," Deva chuckled, gently wiping a streak of yellow turmeric off her chin with a damp cloth as Ronnie's tail thumped against the floorboards below.
Aadhya looked at him, gave a bright, messy smile, and immediately tried to hand him a squished piece of potato as a peace offering.
"Thank you," Deva said, eating from her hand.
Suma watched the exchange from across the table, smiling fondly.
Anjali ate quietly, participating in the conversation when spoken to, but mostly keeping her eyes on her plate. She cast occasional, nervous glances toward Deva, wondering when and how he was going to execute the plan.
Deva did not rush it. He waited until the initial hunger was satisfied, the plates were halfway empty, and the conversation had settled into a slow, comfortable lull.
He took a sip of water, placing the glass back onto the table. He turned his head slightly, looking directly across the table at his father-in-law.
"Mama," Deva asked casually. "Are you planning Anjali's marriage anytime soon?"
The question dropped into the quiet dining room.
It wasn't an offensive or inappropriate question. In a traditional Indian household, an older brother-in-law inquiring about a younger sister-in-law's marriage prospects was standard. It was expected.
Subba Rao paused, his hand hovering over his plate. He looked up, his brow furrowing thoughtfully as he considered the question.
Suma, sitting beside him, also stopped eating. She exchanged a quick, meaningful look with her husband.
"We have been thinking about it," Subba Rao answered honestly, reaching for his water glass. "With the current lockdown, obviously, nothing can be done immediately. But yes, the thought is there."
Suma nodded in agreement, wiping her mouth with a napkin. "She has finished her education. She is working at your company now, Siddanth, and doing well. We feel she is settled enough to consider it. We were planning to start looking at profiles once this virus situation clears up and things return to normal."
"It naturally feels like the next step," Subba Rao added, looking affectionately at his younger daughter. "We want to make sure she finds a good home."
Anjali sat still, her eyes locked onto her plate, her fingers gripping the edge of her napkin under the table. Her heart was beating a rapid, frantic rhythm against her ribs.
Deva nodded slowly, absorbing their answers.
He picked up a piece of roti, tearing it neatly in half.
"What about Arjun?" Deva asked simply.
The silence that followed was different from the relaxed quiet of a few moments ago.
Subba Rao blinked. He didn't immediately dismiss the question, but the unexpected nature of the suggestion clearly caught him off guard.
Suma looked surprised. She looked at Deva, trying to determine if he was making a casual joke or offering a serious proposition.
"Arjun?" Subba Rao repeated, testing the name out loud, as if trying to fit a puzzle piece into a slot he hadn't considered.
"Yes," Deva said mildly, taking a bite of his food.
Subba Rao set his glass down.
"Well," Subba Rao started slowly, his voice reflecting genuine respect. "Arjun is a very good person. That is without question. He is responsible. He has built a massive company with you. He is polite, respectful, and we know his family background. From a character standpoint, one couldn't ask for a better match."
"He is very grounded," Suma agreed softly, her maternal instincts recognizing Arjun's calm demeanor. "He never acts arrogant despite his wealth. And we know how much you trust him, Siddanth."
"But," Subba Rao continued, his brow furrowing deeper as the practical realities of the situation asserted themselves. He looked at Deva with a slightly hesitant, skeptical expression. "Would a man in his position accept a proposal like this? He is the CEO of a global corporation. His family is immensely wealthy. We are a middle-class family, Siddanth. What about his parents? Would they agree to an arranged match with us?"
Subba Rao's hesitation was born of humility. He respected Arjun too much to assume that the billionaire CEO would simply agree to marry into a retired government officer's family.
Deva stopped eating.
He let Subba Rao's concerns hang in the air for three seconds. The comedic irony of the parents worrying about Arjun rejecting their daughter—when Arjun had been in love with her for over a year—was almost palpable.
A warm smile spread across Deva's face.
He rested his forearms on the edge of the table, looking into Subba Rao's eyes.
"Anjali and Arjun are already in love."
The words hung in the sunlit dining room.
Subba Rao stopped breathing. His jaw went slack, his eyes widening in shock.
Suma let out a sharp, audible gasp, her hand flying to cover her mouth.
At the head of the table, Vikram and Sesikala, who had been unaware of the impending reveal, simultaneously dropped their silverware. Vikram stared at Deva stunned, while Sesikala's eyes immediately darted across the table.
Every single pair of adult eyes in the room instantly snapped toward Anjali.
Anjali didn't look up. The energetic, outspoken, chaotic younger sister had vanished. She looked small in her chair. Her cheeks were burning with a shade of crimson. She kept her gaze glued firmly to her plate, unable to meet her parents' stunned stares.
The silence stretched on, thick and heavy.
Subba Rao finally found his voice. It was hoarse, stripped of its usual authority. He didn't look angry, merely blindsided.
"Anjali," Subba Rao asked, his voice wavering slightly. "Is that true?"
Anjali squeezed her eyes shut for a fraction of a second.
"Yes," she whispered, her voice so quiet it barely carried over the table.
Suma stared at her daughter, her mind scrambling to connect the dots.
Before the shock could morph into any form of parental anxiety or frustration regarding the secrecy, Deva moved. He didn't allow the silence to fester into doubt. He immediately took control of the atmosphere of the room.
"Mama," Deva said, his voice calm.
Subba Rao tore his eyes away from Anjali, looking back at his son-in-law.
"You just said Arjun is a good person," Deva reminded him gently, using Subba Rao's own logical assessment against his shock. "You said he is responsible, and that his character is without question."
Subba Rao blinked, nodding slowly, unable to deny his own words.
"That means," Deva continued, his tone shifting into one of pride, "that Anjali has picked a good guy. She didn't make a reckless choice. She chose someone solid."
"You know how long I have known him," Deva told them, his eyes locking onto Subba Rao and Suma, ensuring they heard the sincerity in his voice. "He isn't a stranger. He has been standing next to me since we were in elementary school. I trust him with my company, I trust him with my secrets, and I trust his character."
"He is like a brother to me," Deva stated simply. "I would never let anyone hurt Anjali. If I thought for one second that he wasn't worthy of her, I would have stopped this myself. But they are good together."
The confidence in Deva's voice acted like a soothing balm over the shock in the room. Subba Rao's rigid posture began to relax. The fear of his daughter making a youthful mistake was instantly eradicated by Deva's guarantee.
At the head of the table, Sesikala finally recovered from her own surprise. Her maternal instincts immediately took over.
She looked at Anjali, her eyes softening with affection.
"Siddu is right," Sesikala said, her voice warm, neutralizing any lingering tension. She looked at Subba Rao and Suma. "Arjun has been coming to our house since he was seven years old, I think. He is like another son to me. He is respectful, he is kind, and he works hard. You do not need to worry about whether he will care for Anjali. He will treat her like a queen."
Vikram nodded firmly in agreement, picking his water glass back up. "He is a fine young man. An exceptional young man. The company wouldn't exist without him. To have him officially join the family... it is wonderful news."
The overwhelming support from Vikram and Sesikala fundamentally shifted the dynamic. It wasn't just Deva defending the relationship; the entire Deva household was embracing it.
Suma looked at Anjali, her eyes shining with happy tears, but her motherly anxieties weren't entirely quelled.
She looked back at Deva, a hesitant frown appearing on her face.
"But Siddanth," Suma asked, her voice tight with concern. "What about his parents? If they have been hiding this... surely his family doesn't know either. What if they object? We cannot force a billionaire's family to accept our daughter if they want a different match for him."
Deva smiled.
"I already handled it," Deva explained gently. "Arjun spoke with his parents this morning. They are comfortable with the relationship. They already know Anjali, and they respect her. There are no objections from their side, Aunty. None at all."
"They have agreed that the two families should meet formally," Deva continued, mapping out the practical road ahead. "Obviously, with the lockdown, we can't arrange a meeting right now. But once the restrictions ease, we will sit down together and discuss the future properly."
He wasn't forcing a wedding date on them today. He was simply securing their acceptance of the reality, offering them a path forward.
Subba Rao sat in silence for a long moment. He looked down at his plate, digesting the entire, staggering sequence of information. His youngest daughter was in love. The man was one of the most successful, respected young CEOs in the country. The boy's family had already agreed. The Deva family was fully supportive.
Subba Rao slowly raised his head. He looked at Suma, communicating a lifetime of shared parental understanding in a single glance. She nodded softly, wiping a stray tear from her cheek.
He then looked at Anjali, offering her a loving smile, before finally turning his gaze to Siddanth Deva.
"I leave it in your hands, Siddanth," Subba Rao said, his voice quiet but firm, carrying absolute trust. "If you believe this is the right path for her, then we accept it gladly."
Deva's smile softened into gratitude. He nodded respectfully to his father-in-law.
"They make a perfect couple, Mama," Deva promised softly. "You'll see."
The tension that had gripped the dining room evaporated, replaced by relief and joy.
Suma wiped her eyes again, letting out a watery laugh. "I cannot believe you hid this from me, Anjali. Right under my nose."
Anjali finally looked up from her plate. The crimson flush was still high on her cheeks, but she managed a weak, highly embarrassed smile. "I'm sorry, Amma. We just... we didn't know how to bring it up."
Krithika, who had remained silent during the delicate negotiation, finally leaned across the table and placed her hand warmly over Anjali's. She offered her younger sister a bright, mischievous grin.
"You can relax now," Krithika whispered loudly enough for the table to hear. "The execution is over."
"I think Siddu managed to arrange the marriage without giving us five minutes to mentally prepare," Vikram chuckled, picking up his spoon and resuming his lunch. "The boy operates like a military general."
"I just streamline the process, Nanna," Deva joked lightly.
The normalcy of the lunch was entirely restored by the intervention of the youngest members of the table, who had remained blissfully unaware of the life-altering family dynamics playing out above their heads.
Aadhya, having grown tired of playing with her mashed potatoes, decided she wanted whatever was on Deva's plate.
She let out a sharp, demanding squawk, reaching her small hand across the gap between her highchair and Deva, her fingers grasping blindly toward his chicken curry.
"Ah! No, Aadhya, that is too spicy for you," Deva said quickly, catching her wrist and gently pushing her hand back toward her own tray.
Aadhya frowned, her lower lip trembling as she prepared to unleash a tantrum of epic proportions.
Rishi, sitting on Krithika's other side, observed his sister's impending meltdown. He carefully picked up a small piece of carrot from his own tray, leaned over as far as his highchair straps would allow, and dropped the carrot directly onto Aadhya's tray.
Aadhya stopped crying, looked at the carrot, picked it up, and immediately shoved it into her mouth, her anger forgotten.
Rishi sat back, looking satisfied with his successful diplomatic intervention, and resumed eating his rice.
The adults burst into laughter, the heavy emotions of the secret reveal washed away by the comedic genius of toddler logic. The rest of the lunch proceeded with warm, overlapping conversations, the family operating as a unified, happy whole.
Once the meal concluded and the plates were cleared, Siddanth, Krithika, and Anjali stood up from the table.
The three of them walked out of the dining room, leaving the twins safely occupied with their adoring grandparents, and headed toward the main wooden staircase. Ronnie abandoned his post under the dining table to lazily trail behind them.
They climbed the stairs in silence.
When they reached the first-floor landing, the facade of composure Anjali had been maintaining finally broke.
She let out a shuddering breath, leaning heavily against the wooden banister, pressing her hands against her face. The adrenaline of the confrontation leaving her system made her knees feel weak.
Krithika immediately wrapped an arm around her younger sister's shoulders, pulling her into a warm hug. Ronnie nudged Anjali's hand with his wet nose, sensing the emotional shift and offering his own form of canine comfort.
"You did it," Krithika murmured, kissing the side of Anjali's head. "It's done. The secret is out."
Anjali hugged her back fiercely, laughing, though her eyes were suspiciously bright. "I thought Nanna was going to shout. I really thought he was going to be angry about the secrecy."
Deva stood a few feet away, leaning casually against the wall, his hands resting in his pockets. He watched the two sisters, a smile on his face.
"He wasn't going to shout. He loves you. He just needed to know you were safe."
Anjali pulled back from Krithika, wiping her eyes quickly, and gave Ronnie a grateful pat on the head. She looked at Deva. The usual sarcastic banter between them was absent, replaced by gratitude.
"Thank you, Bava," Anjali said quietly, her voice thick with emotion. "I couldn't have told them myself. I would have panicked. Thank you for doing it."
Deva smiled, pushing himself off the wall. He reached out and lightly, affectionately ruffled her hair, exactly as he would to a younger sibling.
"You're family, Anjali," Deva said simply, dismissing the gratitude as unnecessary. "I just pushed the door open. You and Arjun have to walk through it."
He gestured with his head down the hallway toward the closed door of his private office.
"Come on," Deva instructed, his tone shifting back into a lighter, more playful register. "We have a billionaire CEO currently pacing a hole into the floor of his farmhouse, waiting to hear if he is allowed to marry you. Let's go put him out of his misery."
Anjali laughed brightly, wiping the last tear from her cheek.
Krithika kept her arm securely around her sister's waist, and the three of them walked down the carpeted hallway together.
The heavy tension that had existed over the past twenty-four hours was gone. For the first time in over a year, the relationship was no longer a burden hidden in the shadows. It was out in the light, embraced by the family.
As they pushed the heavy oak door of the office open, preparing to deliver the good news to the man waiting on the other end of the digital connection, the reality of the lockdown outside seemed entirely insignificant.
The world was standing still, but inside the Shamshabad farmhouse, a new, beautiful chapter was just beginning.