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Raghav noticed the change in her expression.
So did Ayaan and Meher.
“You’re missing home already?” Ayaan asked, teasing her gently.
Siya glanced at him with a smile. “A little.”
“Oh, come on.” Meher laughed. “You’ll be back in two days.”
“I know.” Siya looked at the screen again, her smile softening. “I just didn’t expect to miss it this soon.”
“That’s because you’re seeing it from a screen,” Meher teased. “Wait until you’re back home. Then you’ll probably start missing the Maldives.”
“Two more days, Princess.” Raghav reached across and briefly covered her hand with his. “We’ll be back home then.”
Siya looked at him and nodded. By then, Kailash was inside the villa.
“Look who’s on the line,” they heard him announce. “The children have called.”
The camera shifted as he moved further inside, and a moment later, Rukmini Vardhaan came into view.
She was standing beside Pratap Walia, handing him a cup of tea as they chatted, clearly lost in their conversation. Something Pratap said made her laugh, and the sight immediately brought a smile to Siya’s face.
“I knew they’d end up together in one frame.”
“I was about to bet on it,” Meher teased, turning to Raghav who simply shook his head.
He had stopped being surprised by the easygoing friendship between his mother-in-law and Pratap Walia a long time ago. The two had developed a comfort level that required neither explanation nor invitation. Wherever one was, the other somehow seemed to appear sooner or later.
The moment Rukmini and Pratap noticed them on the screen, they both turned towards the iPad.
Rukmini’s face brightened instantly.
“Oh! Look at that. There you all are!”
Siya’s face softened the moment she saw her mother. “Hi, Mom.”
“Hello, everyone,” Rukmini greeted them warmly.
Pratap stepped closer to the iPad, his face lighting up at the sight of all four of them.
“It is so good to see you all. How is the vacation going?”
“Wonderful,” Ayaan replied. “We’re actually enjoying some quiet time.”
“Good.” Pratap nodded approvingly. “You all needed that.”
Meher’s gaze suddenly dropped to the cup in his hand.
“Dad? Why are you drinking tea at this time? It’s not even evening yet.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “You told me you were cutting down. Two cups a day. You promised.”
Pratap looked at Rukmini first, as though silently asking her to save him, before turning back to his daughter with an innocent expression.
“Rukmini ji was making tea for everyone. How could I possibly refuse?”
Rukmini immediately laughed.
“Meher, don’t blame him. I made tea for everyone, and naturally he decided he couldn’t possibly be the only one without a cup.” She pointed at him. “But don’t worry. That’s his last cup for today. I’ll make sure of it.”
