Mom looked at me expectantly , waiting for the explanation while I tried to drag the time so meanwhile I can think of an excuse.

"Well, we are already seated so you can start with your explanation", Mom said when she understood that I wasn't going to say anything anytime soon.

"Mom, of course I am going to tell you but let me offer some snacks and water to you all. You three had a 3 hour journey and Jay is a kid, surely he must be hungry, right Jay?", I turned the conversation towards the child who hid his face in his father's arm as an reply.

"Yeah bring some snacks. I don't know about Jay but I am dying out of hunger", Rishi said laughing.

"And please don't mind Jay. He is just feeling shy as this is his first time meeting you", Rishi explained when he saw my fallen face when Jay turned away from me.

"First time? Isn't Jay around 5/6 year old and Sia came here just 2-3 months ago then how come they didn't meet before today?", Rudra asked confused.

Rishi, Mom and I glanced at each other not knowing how to answer.

"I am adopted. I came in this family one month ago so I haven't met with her", Jay answered and went back to hide behind Rishi.

"Ah...shit..I didn't knew. Sorry. I keep messing up things, don't I?", Rudra said guilt clear on his face.

"Don't be sorry. How would you know about this? And please don't mind Jay. Even though he is shy around new people, he is too straightforward", Rishi said letting out a small laugh while caressing Jay's hair.

"Can we come back to the topic, please?", Mom said exasperated.

"Sia you go and bring snacks and you, what your name is? Explain me why are you here?", Mom ordered.

"Mom..", I started but Mom interrupted me and sternly ordered, "Go".

I sighed and pleaded Rudra through my eyes to handle the situation before going to the kitchen.

"He is Ganga Tai's son, isn't he?", Rishi asked coming from behind, making me jump at the suddenness of it.

I looked at him with widened eyes.

"God, look at your face. Priceless", Rishi laughed seeing my scared face.

"Okay okay sorry", he said when he saw me frowning at him.

"So, What's going on?", he finally asked coming out of hysteria.

"Nothing is going on. Yes he is Ganga Tai's son but he is also my friend. Leave this topic. Tell me about how come, you are here? No one told me that you would be visiting", I asked Rishi confused by his visit.

"It was decided at the last moment actually. Raghav had an urgent meeting and you know Tanya has stopped talking to your mother so here I come", he said while bowing at the end like the hero does at the end of a play.

"You even dragged poor Jay into this", I said knowing this long drive would been tiresome for the kid.

"What to do? Jay is still not used to everybody. I mean he likes everyone in the family but he still needs time to get comfortable enough, for me to leave him alone with the others.

Now enough about Jay. Gather the snacks fast or else Rudra would die in the hands of your Mom before we reach the living room", Rishi said.

"Oh yes, how can I forget about it?", I said panicking and picked up the plates.

We reached the living room to see Mom and Rudra laughing.

"Oh Sia, you didn't tell me you had made such a sweet friend. Rishi do you know he woke up and came so early just because he was excited to meet me as Sia had told lot of stories about me", Mom said smiling widely, obviously happy as Rudra kept giving compliments one after the other.

I raised my eyebrows at him, silently praising him for coming up with a fabulous excuse. The obnoxious man he is, he winked at me in return while smirking.

"Man, he is such a sweet talker", Rishi whispered in my ear before taking a seat near Jay.