Raj gently brought Rohit to the dining table in the living room.

Arya sat in her usual place, back straight, going through something on her phone.

Across from her, Tanuj was leaning back in his chair with the easy comfort of someone who had never once questioned whether he belonged in a room.

Vijay sat beside him, quieter, watching everything with the careful eyes of a boy who had learned early that watching was safer than speaking.

Kalyani and Hemant occupied the far end. Ananya sat near the window, dressed simply, her hair down, a small smile already on her face before anyone had said anything worth smiling at.

Rohit moved toward his usual seat near Arya but Raj’s hand grabbed his arm briefly.

"You sit here," Raj said, gesturing to the empty chair near the head of the table — Ragini’s usual place.

It was symbolic. Every eye in the room turned toward him. Today’s topic was clearly going to be about Rohit.

Rohit nodded quietly and sat down. Even though Raj was treating him kindly, he felt nothing.

Raj cleared his throat and announced in a firm voice, "I have decided to appoint Rohit as Special Advisor to the Singhania Group’s Delhi branch. His presence is warranted in today’s board meeting."

The table fell silent. Even the maids serving breakfast paused mid-motion.

Arya couldn’t hold back. "But Dad... he hasn’t even completed his school yet."

Raj gave her a steady look. "I am aware. But he has proven himself capable. In just three days, he went out, found his missing friend, and more importantly, wiped away the humiliation our family faced. If this is not worth rewarding, then what is?"

Arya pressed her lips together. Deep down, she knew her father’s decision was justified, but it still stung.

She had spent years building her position in this house — her degree, her record, the managing director role earned through a path Raj had defined and she had walked without complaint.

Now Rohit was being handed such a responsible position so easily. It felt conflicting, but out of respect for her father, she stayed quiet.

Kalyani, however, was less practiced at silence. She set her cup down with a gentle click and turned to Raj with the careful expression of someone raising a concern they believe is reasonable. "Bhai Sahab, isn’t there a risk of overburdening the boy? His studies—"

Raj didn’t even glance at her. He took a sip of his tea and replied calmly, "That’s for him to decide."

All eyes turned to Rohit.

He looked at Aunt Kalyani and said politely, "Thank you for your concern, Auntie. But I think I can manage."

The topic ended there. Everyone resumed eating.

Rohit felt a quiet sense of relief as he saw the breakfast menu — sandwiches, omelettes, and fresh curd. After days of oily, spicy outside food, a simple home-cooked meal felt like a blessing.

Raj checked his watch and pushed his chair back. "I’m running behind. Carry on without me."

Ananya looked at him pleadingly. "Please, Raj... I made it myself."

Raj gave a stiff smile and sat back down. "Since you insist." He took a bite of the sandwich and nodded. "It’s quite decent."

Ananya shook her head modestly. "You’re being generous. It’s nothing special."

Rohit raised an eyebrow. No one seemed to care about their interaction, as if it had become normal in just three days.

Three days ago, Ananya had been nothing more than a guest in this house. Now she was making breakfast, and Raj was staying at the table simply because she asked him to.

She was an outsider with her own husband to care for. Did that mean, in his absence, she was already trying to take his mother’s place?

He took a bite of the sandwich and savored it. It wasn’t that bad either.

In the meantime, Tanuj spoke up. "Uncle, Vijay and I have decided to take Tanya out for a late-night party. She’s been feeling quite distressed these days."

Raj paused, glancing at Ragini’s empty chair, then turned to Kalyani. "What’s going on with her?"

Kalyani’s expression shifted into something between worry and delicacy. "She won’t say much, Bhai Sahab. But I suspect it’s connected to her boyfriend and the recent arrests."

Raj glanced at Rohit briefly.

Rohit was looking at his plate, chewing steadily, entirely unbothered.

Raj turned back to Tanuj. "You don’t need permission for something like that. Stay out as late as you want."

Tanuj gulped and exchanged a quick glance with Vijay and Arya. "We were wondering if Cousin Arya would come along and accompany us. It would be good for her to get some fresh air and a brief respite."

Arya looked up sharply. "Absolutely not. I have things to deal with."

Raj considered the idea for a moment, then spoke to Arya in a rare, softer tone. "Arya, dear... don’t be like that. You should spend some time with your cousins and take a break once in a while."

Arya held his gaze for a moment, searching for a way out that wouldn’t cost her anything. She didn’t find one.

"If you say so, Dad."

Raj then turned to Tanuj. "Take Rohit as well. It’ll be good for all of you to spend the evening together. Consider it a small celebration."

Rohit paused mid-bite. He wasn’t worried about Arya , she had a naturally repulsive personality which would keep her fine. But being added to the outing felt quite deliberate.

He didn’t show it. He continued chewing normally, eyes on nothing in particular. But his attention had sharpened completely.

He glanced around the table. Kalyani hadn’t noticed anything. Hemant was focused on his food. Arya was too busy managing her own feelings to read anyone else’s.

Raj’s eyes, as he asked the question, had not been on Tanuj at all.

They had been on Ananya.

Who was looking at her plate with a small color rising in her cheeks and saying absolutely nothing.

Tanuj masked his reaction quickly. A smile came easily, but his eyes sharpened for a fraction of a second.

"Of course, Uncle," he said smoothly. "He is my dear couson. I was going to invite him anyway."

"Well, then it’s settled," Raj said, standing up with his empty plate. "I’ll be taking my leave now."

Kalyani looked at her husband and hissed something. Hemant nodded. "Third brother..." He too stood up, followed by Kalyani.

The room was lighter without them.

Rohit finished his sandwich and reached for the curd, turning the evening’s arrangement over in his mind without urgency.

His father was clearing the house for a reason. The outing was convenient for everyone except the person it was supposedly celebrating. Ananya’s blush was not the blush of a woman surprised by attention.

He took a spoonful of curd. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

’So that’s what he’s doing.’

He glanced once toward the corridor where Raj had walked out, then back at his plate.

’I need to set up the camera before we leave.’

Shortly after, Aisha entered the dining room, yawning sleepily. She took her usual seat and gave a casual greeting. "Good morning, everyone."

Arya immediately questioned her. "What were you doing in Rohit’s room? I saw you sneaking out of his room this morning."

Everyone at the table turned to look at her.

Aisha’s face turned pink, her usual calmness cracking. "What do you mean by ’sneaking out’? Your brother had my mobile. I just went to get it back. Why are you making such a big deal out of it?"

Arya leaned forward, not backing down. "Hey, don’t answer so rudely. I’m just asking a simple question."

Rohit stood up from his chair, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "Excuse me, everyone... I’m done too."

He didn’t wait for the conversation to escalate further.

There was no reason to stay.

Not when the day had already begun shifting in directions that mattered far more.