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Though she and Shaurya had remained in touch through brief video calls and quiet smiles exchanged from their balconies, Nandini had pulled back and had stopped arguing with Grandpa. In the past few days, she’d kept things peaceful between them—no defiance, no arguments. Only love and quiet, respectful affection. Not because she’d given up, but because she didn’t want to bother him anymore. She clung to Shaurya’s words that no matter how far apart they were, their love wouldstill stay strong. There was no point in fighting with her grandpa every day. It would only hurt him more. Instead, she waited. Waited for the day he’d truly understand. Waited for he’d finallyfeelthe depth of what they shared and accept it wholeheartedly. She had faith that day would come, and she had already started counting down to it.

She cleared her throat softly and called out, “Lakshmi Aunty.”

The sound snapped Grandpa out of his daze. Lakshmi Aunty immediately came out of the kitchen. Nandini nodded towards the now cold tea and said, “It’s gone cold. Can you please heat it again?”

Grandpa waved a dismissive hand. “No need. I’m deliberately drinking it cold today.”

Nandini smiled faintly. She knew that wasn’t true. He just didn’t want to admit he’d been sitting there, staring at nothing, lost in thoughts about her and Shaurya, no doubt.

As Lakshmi Aunty went to reheat the tea, Nandini took a seat beside him on the sofa.

Grandpa looked her over. “All ready for your investor meeting?”

Nandini hadn’t told Grandpa yet who the investor actually was. She hadn’t had the heart to tell him that it was Rhea, Shaurya’s ex-wife. The tension between them was already stretched to the seam, and this was one thread she couldn’t afford to pull. The last thing she wanted was to throw another complication into an already fragile equation.

She nodded. “Yes. I’ll be back in two or three hours. Don’t skip your post-lunch medicine. Lakshmi Aunty will remind you.” She hesitated, then added gently, “I’ve finished packing my bags. Just a few things left to add once I’m back.”

Grandpa looked at her, surprised. He hadn’t expected her to finally agree to go to London with him. He reached out andgently patted her head. “You might be thinking I’m the villain in your story, Nandu… but I’m doing this for your own good. For your future.”

A weight dropped in Nandini’s chest as she realised how close she was to putting such a huge distance between herself and Shaurya. She blinked away her tears and quickly wiped the corner of her eye.

Grandpa noticed it. But before he could say anything, she took his hand and gave a trembling smile, apologising, “Sorry, Daadu.”

His brow furrowed. “For what?”

She drew in a shaky breath. “I’ve been meaning to say it, but I didn’t want you to think they were merely empty words. That day… when I said I was grown up and could make my own decisions… that I could’ve run away with Shaurya if I wanted to… I shouldn’t have said that. I’ve never raised my voice at you ever. That wasn’t me. I’m sorry, Daadu. Please forgive me. I am sure even Daadi would’ve been hurt to see me speak to you like that.”

She broke down and leaned into him, hugging him tightly.

He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. “I don’t know about your Daadi,” he said softly, “but I forgave you the moment it happened. These things… they happen in the heat of the moment. But always remember, whatever your elders ask of you, it’s never to control you. It’s because we want to protect you. One day, you’ll see that.”

She didn’t respond. Instead, she just pulled back to wipe her cheeks. But before she could reach for anything, Grandpa gently brushed her tears with his thumb, his touch tender and full of understanding.

He gave her a small, teasing smile. “Is this how you plan to meet your investor? With a teary face?”

That finally made her laugh a little, and she shook her head through a watery smile.

Just then, Grandpa turned and called out for Lakshmi, who appeared almost instantly, as if she already knew what he was asking for. In her hands was a small bowl of curd and sugar.

This was something Nandini’s Daadi always did. Every time she stepped out for something important, Daadi would feed her a spoonful of curd and sugar, saying it brought good luck. And somehow, it always did.

Grandpa took the bowl from Lakshmi and held it up to her. Nandini bowed her head slightly, her heart full as he fed her a spoonful.

“This,” Grandpa said warmly, “will make your meeting with the investor go in your favour.”

Nandini swallowed it and smiled. “I really needed this today.”

Then, bending down, she touched his feet. He rested his hand gently on her head and blessed her.

“Go,” he said. “You deserve the best, Nandu. I’m sure you’ll make this meeting a success.”

Just then, Lakshmi returned from the kitchen with the reheated tea. She handed it to Grandpa and then turned to Nandini, wishing her a cheerful, “All the best, beta.”

Nandini smiled, thanked them both, and turned to leave.

“Don’t overthink it. Just take rest, okay?” she told her grandfather at the door. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” he replied, his voice unusually tender.