Page 29 of Mrs. Rathore

“Aryan!” a familiar voice called out.

I turned to find my grandmother in her wheelchair, her smile wide and full of life. I rushed over, knelt, and wrapped her in a hug, covering her cheeks with kisses.

“My spoiled brat,” she laughed.

The memories came rushing in, those years when Dad was posted across the country, and Mom had to travel with him. Rhea and I stayed with Dadi the whole time. She’d been more than a grandmother. She was home. She bathed us, fed us, taught us how to talk to elders. She was the one who massaged my head after a hard day, the one who held me when I cried.

Two years ago, an accident left her bound to a wheelchair. It was too much for Mom to handle, so she moved in with Bua. She couldn’t attend my wedding yesterday because Bua couldn’t get leave from work.

“So, you’re married now?” she chirped, eyes twinkling. “But as far as I remember, you’re still the same little Aryan who used to dance in his underwear!”

“Dadi!” I laughed, wheeling her inside. “Let’s pretend that version of me never existed, okay? And for God’s sake, don’t share that story with anyone.”

People started gathering around her, eager to greet her and take her blessings. My father leaned in and kissed her forehead.

“I missed you, Maa,” he said.

“Oh please,” she teased, breaking into a loud laugh. “Miss you, Maa…” she mimicked him in a baby voice, making everyone burst into laughter. Only she could joke with him like that.

“Where’s my granddaughter-in-law?” she asked suddenly, scanning the crowd.

I tensed immediately.

Just then, Rhea appeared, wheeling Avni toward us.

“We found a daughter-in-law just like you, since you never liked me,” my mother quipped sarcastically.

I gave her arm a warning squeeze.

“She doesn’t walk?” Dadi asked, concerned.

“Yes, just like you don’t walk,” Mom replied coolly.

“Mom, enough,” I snapped, glaring at her.

_______

Chapter 10

AVNI

“No, I can walk,” I said quickly to Aryan’s grandmother. “It was just an accident… but it’ll take time. I’m sure I’ll walk again.”

Rhea rolled my chair over to the grandmother, who gave me a warm, knowing smile. I bowed my head, taking her blessings as she gently caressed my hair.

“God bless you, sweetheart,” she murmured, her gaze briefly dropping to my legs before meeting my eyes again. “How did this happen?”

“I was walking down the road when a drunk driver hit me. I don’t remember much after that.” I glanced at Aryan, noticing how his jaw tightened.

“This kind of thing has become far too common nowadays,” she said with a sigh. “Drunk people get behind the wheel even when they shouldn’t. Today, many young people are wasting their time and money on alcohol. They get so intoxicated that they lose control and are unaware of their actions, leading to an increase in accidents. But not my Aryan. He’s not like the others, he’s different.” She smiled fondly at him.

I bit the inside of my cheek to stop laughing. Granny really adored her spoiled prince. If she ever found out the truth that Aryan was the one who hit me then it would shatter her. I decided then and there: I’d take that secret to my grave. After all, what difference would it make to her?

“The priest has arrived, Ma’am,” a servant announced, prompting my mother-in-law to turn and walk away.

Oddly, Granny hadn’t seemed surprised to see me in Ira’s place. Had no one told her Ira was Aryan’s girlfriend? Probably not. That would’ve ruined Aryan’s perfect image in her eyes.

“Go take grandmother to mom,” Aryan said, stepping toward us and grabbing the handles of my wheelchair. “I’ll take care of her.”