Chapter 4- Threads of Gossip

The Khanna courtyard shimmered in the soft light of the evening lamps. The faint fragrance of marigolds mixed with the earthy scent of chai as Vimla Bua settled herself on the jhoola, eyes sharp as needles searching for fabric to pull apart. Her tongue, as usual, was quicker than the swing.

“Meera,” she began, her voice sweet but edged with vinegar, “pados ke Sharma ji ke ladke se rishta aaya hai. Bada hi settled hai, foreign company mein naukri karta hai. Tumhari umar bhi toh ho gayi hai, beta.”

Meera, dressed in a crisp cotton kurta after a long day at the office, raised an eyebrow but said nothing at first. She sipped her chai, letting the silence stretch just long enough to make her indifference clear.

Aditya, who was flipping through the day’s newspaper nearby, lowered it and gave his bua a pointed look. “Bua, shaadi koi schedule pe hone wali meeting nahi hai. Meera sirf tab shaadi karegi jab uska mann hoga. Aur tab, jis se hoga.”

Vimla sniffed dramatically, clearly dissatisfied. “Arre, main toh bas keh rahi thi… ab kal ko log kahenge ghar ki ladki business ke piche bhaagti rehti hai, par apna ghar sambhalna nahi chahti.”

At this, Meera placed her cup down with quiet precision. Her voice was calm, but every word carried the sharpness of conviction.

“Bua, meri zindagi ka faisla meri file ke contracts ki tarah hai—sirf main sign karungi. Main apna business kabhi nahi chhodungi. Jo rishta meri zindagi ki izzat karega, wahi mera hoga. Jo samajhna chahe, samjhe. Jo na samajhe, woh bhi theek hai.”

The firmness in her tone left no room for counterargument. Vimla opened her mouth to retort but stopped when she noticed Daadi watching from her chair, rosary beads slipping silently through her fingers.

Daadi’s gaze was steady, her silence more powerful than any defense. She tilted her head ever so slightly, a subtle nod in Meera’s direction—as though her wisdom, weathered by decades of storms, was shielding her granddaughter from every dart of gossip.

Vimla muttered under her breath and busied herself with adjusting her dupatta, unwilling to take on both Aditya’s sharpness and Daadi’s quiet authority in one evening.

Meera leaned back, exhaling slowly. Aditya caught her eye, and for a moment the siblings shared an unspoken bond—an assurance that no matter how sharp the world’s words grew, she would never face them alone.

*thank youuuuu so much ❤️*

Honestly guys if you have any feedback please do share it without any hesitation, I don't go much in details about the surroundings coz I find them boring, but if u guys want I can add pictures or more details❤️

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Bhai honestly if there is any girl reading this, tell me what is the cutest thing you wish your boyfriend does for u? Or if u want to read any particular scene between the leads do tell me!! I honestly feel that I am more of the soft romance girlie except in bed 🫣🫣.... basically like bridget and Rhys from the twisted Series🫣🫣

Ps: sorry for ranting but it feels good so I am gonna do it again 😌😌

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