Page 15 of Since You Came Along (Ever Since #1)

R aghav ruined Abhay’s plans with a casual remark. ‘Kusha’s in town. She arrived today. She’s coming over for dinner in an hour.’

Abhay’s first instinct was to decline, but the thought of a distraction, however small, felt like a lifeline. With a nod, he agreed.

When Abhay returned carrying boxes of pizza, Kusha met him with a ferocious hug. Five months was a long time to go without seeing each other.

‘Look at you! Perfect timing, twinkle toes. Your brother was getting unbearable without you,’ Abhay teased, ruffling her hair with a grin.

Kusha swatted at his hand. ‘You’re lucky I’m here then,’ she shot back.

Raghav stepped in, placing a hand on her shoulder to guide her towards the kitchen. ‘Come on, let me introduce you to Meera,’ he said.

Kusha pursed her lips but nodded, her expression giving nothing away.

In the bedroom, Meera was busy putting away her sketching supplies. When Raghav entered with Kusha, Meera looked up and greeted them with a warm smile.

Raghav gestured between the two women. ‘Kusha, meet Meera, my wife. Meera, this is Kusha, Luv’s twin sister.’

This was the first time Raghav had introduced her as his wife. Meera couldn’t help the unfamiliar flutter in her stomach. She gulped down the unexpected nervousness and she turned to Kusha.

‘Hi, Kusha. It’s so nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you,’ Meera said.

Kusha nodded and offered a polite smile before shaking her hand.

When the silence stretched, Meera tried again. ‘How was your flight? You must be hungry.’

‘Yeah,’ Kusha replied tersely, her tone clipped, giving no further response.

Meera studied her carefully. Kusha was stunning. Her sharp cheekbones, light brown eyes, and raven-black hair tied in a top bun gave her a chic look. But there was something guarded in her posture, a subtle stiffness that hinted at disapproval.

When Kusha offered another withdrawn smile, Meera raised a questioning eyebrow, hoping to break the tension.

Oblivious to the simmering tension between them, Raghav exclaimed. ‘We missed you at the wedding, buddy! It wasn’t the same without you.’

When Kusha turned to Raghav, her expression softened. She adored him, that much was obvious.

Meera watched the easy affection between them and decided it was okay if Kusha didn’t like her. As long as Kusha treated their relationship with respect, she would accept the situation.

They returned to the living room, where Meera took a seat next to Siya on the couch. Raghav introduced Kusha to Swayam, while Luv was busy complaining about how he’d had to cancel a date to be here.

‘Next time, at least give me some notice,’ Luv grumbled, earning a playful punch from Abhay.

Siya leaned in close to Meera and whispered, low enough not to be overheard, ‘Is there a problem with her?’

Meera hesitated before responding. ‘I don’t know. Raghav and Abhay told me so much about her. She seems great. But it feels like she’s not comfortable with me.’

Siya chimed in, ‘Can I help in any way?’

Meera shrugged. ‘It doesn’t matter. As long as she’s nice to all of you, it’s fine. It doesn’t matter whether she likes me.’

Siya reached out to squeeze her shoulder. The reassuring gesture made Meera smile, though a faint sadness lingered. Deep down, she wanted to be friends with Kusha, but if Kusha wasn’t interested, Meera wouldn’t push.

A moment later, Raghav called her over. He was sitting with his guitar, tuning the strings. Meera walked over and stood next to him, watching as he adjusted the instrument.

She laughed at something he mumbled and rested a hand on his shoulder to steady herself as she leaned closer to see what he was doing.

Across the room, Siya observed them. It was clear they were slowly but surely finding their way to each other. She made up her mind then. As long as Raghav and Meera cared for each other, nothing else mattered.

The evening settled into a comforting hum as everyone gathered around for pizza and drinks. Meera offered coffee to those who needed to drive back home.

The men began planning a night out, and the women made plans for their own girls’ night. Meera turned to Kusha and said, ‘You should join us.’

Kusha gave a non-committal response. ‘I’ll let you know,’ she said, her tone measured. Meera nodded, hoping that Kusha might warm up to her with time.

Abhay announced he’d stay the night and claimed the couch, but Meera insisted he take the bedroom which Raghav slept in earlier

When Meera had fallen sick, Raghav had spent two nights sleeping on a rocking chair next to her bed.

Later, she told him he could sleep on the bed.

Since then, they had been sharing her room.

His quiet care had touched her, and it felt surreal to think how much their relationship had evolved since then.

Meera went to their bedroom to find something comfortable for Abhay to wear. As she turned with the clothes in her hands, she noticed Kusha leaning against the doorframe. Meera waited for her to speak, sensing that Kusha had something to say.

‘You have a beautiful home,’ Kusha said, her voice calm but distant.

‘Thank you,’ Meera replied. It was a sanctuary they had built together, piece by piece.

‘Thank you for having me over.’

‘You are welcome here anytime,’ Meera said, offering an olive branch. When Kusha shrugged in answer, Meera knew she didn’t reciprocate the sentiment.

‘The guys seem to like you,’ Kusha said, almost as if testing the waters. ‘Especially Raghav.’

Meera tilted her head, unsure of where this was going. ‘I like them too. They’re great,’ she said.

A heavy silence settled between them before Kusha voiced what was on her mind. ‘You won’t be able to replace Veronica. I won’t let that happen. They won’t either.’

For a moment, Meera stared, trying to process the accusation. ‘Why do you think I would want to replace her?’ she asked.

Kusha narrowed her eyes. ‘Your actions make it seem that way. You cook for them all the time, help them with their work, and invite them over all the time. Luv has practically been living here.’

Meera blinked, the words sinking in, heavy and unshakable. Is this really how Kusha perceived her efforts? Is this what the others thought as well? Did Raghav think the same?

While Meera was asking herself these questions, Kusha continued, ‘He will never love you, not the way he loved Veronica. You can never take her place. And you certainly cannot buy their affections by doing all this.’

Meera decided to make some things clear to her. ‘Kusha,’ she began, ‘I’m not trying to replace anyone. From what Raghav has told me about Veronica, she was an amazing person. I respect that, and I respect her memory.’

Her expression remained impassive, so Meera continued, ‘I’m my own person, and I have my place in Raghav’s life, just as he has his place in mine. I don’t feel like I owe you any other explanation.’

Kusha said nothing, but her silence spoke volumes. Meera took a step closer, her voice softening as she added, ‘Yes, I cook for them, help them, and invite them over. I do it because I care about them. They’re part of my family now, and I want them to feel at home here. That’s all there is to it.’

Kusha looked away, her guarded exterior cracking just enough for Meera to see the pain beneath and she tried to reassure her. ‘Veronica will always have her place in their hearts. I’m not trying to change that, I promise.’

With that, Meera walked past Kusha, leaving her standing in the doorway, lost in thought.

Swayam had to drop Luv and Kusha off, so they left. The night had settled into a deep, quiet calm by the time Meera went to make herself some hot chocolate. Exhaustion had caught up with Raghav long before, and he was already fast asleep.

Meera smiled to herself, recalling how attentive Raghav had been earlier. He had asked Meera multiple times if she was fine after listening to such loud music.

She was rinsing out her cup when Abhay walked into the kitchen. His footsteps were light, almost hesitant. He opened the fridge, poured himself a glass of milk, and slid onto a table at the counter.

Meera glanced at him and asked, ‘Something on your mind?’

He nodded, sipping his milk. Once the glass was empty, he set it down with a soft clink and leaned forward, rubbing his palms together.

‘I’m sorry on behalf of Kusha. She was out of line,’ he said, sincerely.

‘How did you know?’ she asked, surprised. She hadn’t realised he had overheard their conversation.

Abhay shrugged. ‘Luv saw her heading toward your room. He asked me to remind her they’d be leaving soon. I heard everything.’

‘Oh, it’s okay.’ Meera said, her fingers fidgeting with her wedding ring.

Abhay sighed, running a hand over the back of his neck. ‘I thought that maybe if I told you a little bit about Kusha, it might help you understand her. She’s… complicated, but there’s a reason behind it.’

Meera nodded, gesturing for him to go on.

‘Luv and Kusha joined our school halfway through fifth standard,’ Abhay began. ‘Even back then, Luv was the same charming guy he is today. But Kusha… she was shy, quiet, and she struggled to fit in. One day, Veronica caught some seniors picking on her.’

He continued, ‘She stood up for her and helped her handle those bullies. After that, they became inseparable.’

Meera felt a pang of sympathy for Kusha. Veronica had been a lifeline for her, and losing someone like that would leave a void that nothing could fill.

His tone grew heavier as he added, ‘When Raghav and Veronica started dating, Kusha was over the moon. Losing Veronica hit her hard. Almost as hard as it hit him.’

Meera stayed quiet, letting his words sink in. Abhay leaned back in his seat and said, ‘Today was the first time Kusha saw all of us with you and your friends. More importantly, it was the first time she saw you and Raghav together. It’s going to take her time to adjust to that.’

When Meera said nothing, Abhay quickly added, ‘Meera, I’m not trying to defend her. She shouldn’t have spoken to you that way, and I’ll talk to her about it. I think she’s worried that we’ll all move on and forget Veronica, but none of us can ever forget her.’

It was clear to Meera that they loved Veronica, and her heart ached for the pain they had gone through.

‘I understand,’ Meera assured him. She meant it. But there was something she needed to ask. ‘Do you also think I’m trying to take Veronica’s place?’

Abhay shook his head before she even finished speaking. ‘No, not at all. We are a family now, and it would be incomplete without you.’

He paused, his expression softening. ‘I’ve seen the change in Raghav since you got married, Meera. After Veronica, he shut himself off from everyone. But now, we see a glimpse of our old, happy friend again. You’ve made a difference.’

She thanked him, and Abhay said, ‘Kusha is stubborn, but give her time. She’ll come around.’

‘Let’s keep this between us?’ Meera asked, and he nodded in agreement.

As she was about to leave the kitchen, Abhay called out to her. She turned, and he said with quiet conviction, ‘You’re right, you know. You have a place of your own in our lives.’

Later that night, as Meera climbed into bed, her mind lingered on Abhay’s words. She turned to Raghav, sleeping beside her, and couldn’t resist brushing her fingers against his cheek. The thought haunted her as she lay awake all night, wondering if she truly had a place in his heart.