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“You’ve been doing everything on your own—running this house, managing your grandfather, chasing around his tantrums. You don’t need to spend another six hours rolling dough. Just order the damn pizza.”

Grandpa huffed. “My tantrums? What do you mean by my tantrums?”

Shaurya turned towards him, saying sharply, “This isn’t about you right now, but your granddaughter. She is doing enough already and needs a goddamn break.”

Grandpa sighed and turned to Nandini.

“For once, I agree with the grumpy neighbour. He is right. We should order the pizzas.”

Before Nandini could reply, Lakshmi entered with a tray of hot samosas.

“Wait,” Nandini said. “You made samosas?”

“Yes, she did,” Grandpa replied proudly. “I was craving it.”

As he reached for the plate, Shaurya stepped forward and snatched it away. “Absolutely not.”

“What the hell—?” Grandpa gasped, pulling his hand back.

“This is not on your diet. You’re on medication and are recovering. You don’t get greasy street food,” Shaurya declared.

Grandpa looked personally betrayed. “Who do you think you are to stop me?”

Shaurya folded his arms. “The man responsible for your recovery, remember? You made me that the moment you blamed me for your fall. So now your diet is my business.”

He handed the tray back to Lakshmi. “Take this back, please. Give him something healthier.”

Grandpa looked like he was ready to explode. “You’re doing this on purpose.”

“Maybe,” Shaurya winked and said coolly. “Payback’s delicious and oil-free.”

Nandini bit back a smile. “For once, I’m with him. Youdoneed to eat better, Daadu.”

Grandpa slowly turned towards her. “You too?”

She nodded. “Your BP has been acting up. You need healthy food. I promise I’ll make samosa chaat for you when you’re better.”

Grandpa grumbled and crossed his arms. “Fine. But I’m having pizza at the party. And you two are not stopping me.”

“You can have pizza,” Shaurya replied, already pulling out his phone which buzzed just then. “Just not with extra cheese.”

Nandini stifled a laugh and saw Shaurya head out to take a work call lighting up his phone. But just before stepping out, he looked back.

It wasn’t just a glance, but a deliberate turn of his head. His eyes found hers, holding them like they had every right to. Her breath caught as her eyes lingered on him too.

That same charge that had been following them ever since their first kiss.

She tilted her head, a smile threatening to break free. Shaurya didn’t say a word. He simply lifted the phone to his ear and walked out as if nothing had passed between them.

But that ghost of a grin tugging at his lips? It spoke volumes.

Pizza party or not, he was already in way too deep.

And if Nandini’s pulse had a say, it was already betraying her by beating far too fast for someone who was claiming to be indifferent to her hot neighbour.

As he disappeared down the hallway, Nandini and Lakshmi followed slowly behind.

“You know,” Nandini said offhandedly, trying to sound casual, “I think Daadu’s finally met his match.”