Hariprakash's eyes fell on his daughter and son-in-law, who had just walked in. After not bothering to answer their phones all night yesterday or this morning to at least have the decency to apologize, they had some nerve standing there with such wide and chirpy smiles.

"Papaji," Raja extended his arms in front of him as he entered the house before bending down to touch his father-in-law's feet. "It has been such a long time since we last met. When was that?"

"When you asked me if I could give you a loan so you could invest in your friend's pyramid scheme and I disagreed, and you stormed out of my house after using some very colourful language. Do you not remember?"

Deepti looked appalled at her father while Raja chuckled nervously. "I am so sorry about my behaviour that night." He said, shaking his head. "Ask Deepti," he turned to his wife, who appeared just as guilty looking. "I have wanted to come here and apologize, but I couldn't muster the courage. Then I thought if I did something that would make you proud, then you would be able to forgive me much more easily."

"Oh, really? What elaborate scheme have you come up with this time to try and convince me to invest in another one of your business ventures?" Hariprakash scoffed.

From his peripheral vision, Hariprakash noticed Chandni standing up from the table.

"You know, Papaji." Deepti snapped. "You think so little of my husband. It is really upsetting. Raja works so hard so your relationship can work, but you just don't want to try at all even after all these years."

Raja stopped Deepti with a slight shake of his head. "Deepti, how many times have I told you that I won't stop trying till Papaji accepts me as his son, not his son-in-law? Anyways, forget all this. We heard you have guests over."

"Yes, we do!" Chandni said enthusiastically. "Deepti, you remember your Purshottam Chachaji and Tanuja Chachiji."

"Of course!" Deepti nodded and touched the elders' feet. "I would always tell Raja that we should go to your house whenever we visited Delhi. No, Raja?"

"She talks about you all the time," Raja said as he followed Deepti's suit and touched their feet.

"Really?" Purshottam smiled fondly. "What does she say about us?"

Raja and Deepti looked at each other awkwardly and then laughed. "A lot, Chachaji."

"Ji," Chandni touched Haripraksh's shoulder as she spoke, "Why don't you go and call Soumya?"

Haripraksh gave a firm glance to Chandni, but she too didn't back down till he finally left the room. Although he was quite glad to get out of the room because he knew if he stayed there any longer with his good for nothing son-in-law, he was bound to say something nasty, which would not only be embarrassing for him and his family but also the Rawat family. He needed to hide in Soumya's room for a while!

~~~○●○♡○●○~~~

Raja and Deepti finished getting introduced to the grandsons of the family as well before they took a seat on the chairs that had been vacated by Soumya and Hariprakash.

"Don't mind, Papaji," Raja said, accepting a fresh plate that Manoj had passed to them. "I always say this- he is like a coconut. Hard on the outside and soft on the inside. I am still waiting for him to forgive me for running away with his daughter and getting married to her." He hit his head with his hand lightly. "You are one of his oldest friends. You probably know him better than anyone."

Purshottam smiled and nodded. "You are right. Hari is indeed like a coconut."

An awkward silence settled on the table as they tried not to watch the new entrants eat their breakfast while the rest of them sat with empty plates and dirty hands.

"So," Tanuja cleared her throat and asked, "What do you do, Raja?"

"I have started a new job recently." Raja reached for his wallet with his left hand, and Deepti helped by plucking out a business card. "I am the new manager at the cutlery manufacturing plant." He said as he held it out for Purshottam. "What vendor does We Care Hospital use for cutlery?"

Purshottam looked a little taken aback at the question and then pointed at Rudra. "My elder grandson, Rudra, he takes care of all those decisions now. I am a retired man."

Rudra sighed at being thrown under the bus yet again. "I am not sure. I'll have to check." He said when Raja looked at him expectantly.

"Well, check and let me know. I'll get you good bargains." Raja said with a grin that revealed a gold tooth to match the gold chain around his neck and countless rings on his fingers. "You have my card, so we'll begin production as soon as you send us the order."

Akash covered his laughter with a cough beside Rudra.

"I am not sure. Just I don't make these decisions. We have a team." Rudra replied with the most professional and non-irritated tone he could muster.

"Of course! I am just a mere manager at a small plant who has no idea about running such a big hospital." Raja said, shaking his head in self-pity.

"So how long will it take for you to make the decision?" Raja asked after a few moments. "A few days? Weeks or a month?" He asked enthusiastically.

Rudra found his patience wearing thin. He was an utter professional who hated working the way Raja was trying to get him to do. Offering a small tight-lipped smile, he shrugged, "I am not sure. I can let you know when I have an answer."

"Chachaji, don't mind me saying this," Raja still had a smile on his face, but there was also impatience and irritation. "You shouldn't have given the reins of such a big hospital to someone who can't take such a small decision by himself."

Rudra scoffed and opened his mouth to tell Raja precisely what he was feeling about Raja's attempts to corner him to give them a deal, but Purshottam answered for him instead. "You are right. Rudra is still learning and still has a lot of it left to do." The older man turned towards his grandsons and gave them a meaningful glance. "Why don't you both go and get ready so you can bring our luggage from the hotel?"

Akash and Rudra nodded quietly and walked upstairs towards the room they were sharing.

Chandni felt her face flush in embarrassment, but Tanuja smiled and squeezed her hand in reassurance.

"Congratulations. Why didn't you tell us?" Chandni asked with a forced smile. Raja getting a job and settling down meant that Haripraksh's anger would settle down a little or until he found out about him trying to solicit business from Purshottam.

"Why would we? It is not like you are ever happy for us." Deepti argued with her mouthful of the halwa. "Who made this?" She asked as her face turned distasteful.

"Soumya did. Isn't it the best halwa you have eaten?" Purshottam asked like a fanboy.

"Chachaji," Deepti shook her head and took another bite of the halwa, making the same repelled expression. "This is terrible. If you want to taste some good halwa, then I'll make it." She said, pushing her plate away. "Why don't you teach her, Maa? As it is, her prospects of her getting married are low, and on top of it, if she cooks like this, then they'll become non-existent."

Tanuja and Purshottam frowned at the harsh comment Deepti were making about Soumya. Granted, they didn't know much about the girl, but whatever they knew was enough for them to reach a conclusion that Soumya was a great girl.

"Deepti," Chandni shot her daughter with a warning glare.

"Come on, Maa. You were always the one who said Chachaji and Cachiji are like our family." Deepti said nonchalantly.

"Don't. Your Papaji is already upset with last night's fiasco. Why did you not answer your phone?"

"Maaji, that is all my fault," Raja said, holding his hands in the air in defeat. "We had gone last night to a party at the mayor's house because his son and Subham go to the same college. How could we leave the party that consisted of such big personalities?"

"Plus, the guy that was coming to see Soumya already said no." Deepti pointed out.

"So, you didn't think it was important for you to inform us?" Chandni asked in disbelief. She was the first one to make excuses for her daughter's behaviour but this was inexcusable. "When did you find out about the boy not wanting to meet Soumya anymore."

"While we were at the party. If we called you, an argument was about to break out and spoil our mood, and that party was important for us. Raja made a huge deal with a big restaurant in Dharamsala." Deepti said. "The boy was supposed to see another girl before he came here. It turns out they were giving him a gift worth 50 lakhs, plus the girl wasn't like our Soumya. This is why I tell you to agree to give expensive gifts. If a normal girl is giving 50 lakhs, then for Soumya, we need to give more."

"Gifts as in dowry?" Purshottam asked with a frown.

"No," Deepti said, feeling offended. "A gift out of love for their daughter. You tell us, Chachiji. Don't you think parents should give their daughters and son-in-law things as gifts to ensure their comfort? Especially someone like Soumya."

Tanuja couldn't believe that the woman sitting in front of her was the same Deepti, who was the sweetest and most adorable girl she had come across as a child. "No girl should be giving gifts to a boy she is marrying. And Soumya... She is such a bright and beautiful girl. Not only is she a doctor, but she is managing the entire clinic by herself. I am sure that any boy would be lucky to find a partner like Soumya."

"Exactly!" Purshottam added. "It is not my place, but I know a lot of eligible young men who would be happy to marry Soumya without any gifts."

Deepti and Raja chuckled. "Please, Chachaji. Don't take on such projects; otherwise, you will also suffer like us and be meted out unfair and unrequired taunts and jibes." Raja said.

"Exactly! We have arranged so many meetings between prospective grooms and Soumya, but she has a problem with the ones that like her. For someone who is infertile, you would think that she would have some gratitude for a man who is willing to marry her." Deepti shook her head and then realized what she had just said. Clearing her throat, she suddenly got up when she saw the glare her mother was giving her. "Yes, now get angry at me for speaking the truth. You tell me, Chachaji and Chachaji, Would you let Rudra or Akash marry a woman who could never bear them children?"

"Deepti, that's enough." Chandni snapped. "How many times have your Papaji, and I told you not to bring up Soumya's medical condition?"

"If I don't bring it up, then you all don't seem to remember that Soumya isn't a normal girl. She has a disability, and we should acknowledge it." She argued.

"Acknowledging it and constantly rubbing it in her face is different." Chandni snapped in annoyance.

"I really don't understand any one of you. Remember how I told you all that we would have this issue going forward when Soumya underwent a hysterectomy surgery, but no one listened to me. Especially Anuj."

"That's enough, Deepti," Chandni said with a voice that she rarely used. "Go and wash your hands and let's end this topic because if your father found that you said these things, he would be agitated."

Deepti and Raja rolled their eyes and shook their heads as they walked to sink to show their annoyance.

"Why are we always being made the villains in the family?" Raja asked while he stood behind Deepti as she washed her hands. "All we do is try to help, and they treat us like this. I am so happy that the relationship didn't work out because if it did, then that family would keep blaming us for marrying off their precious son to Soumya."

"They are always like this." Deepti placated. "At least we were able to give your number to Rudra. Once this deal goes through, we will ask them to give our Subham a nice job in their hospital."

"You are too smart. How did I get so lucky?" He mused as he playfully splashed some water droplets on Deepti.

Deepti looked proud as she grinned at her husband.

~~~○●○♡○●○~~~

Rudra put away his cell phone in the pocket of his track pants as he made his way to the dining table for that night's dinner. To his surprise, the table was empty. One glance towards the main door revealed his grandfather and his friend chatting. His heart tightened at the sound of his grandfather's laughter. He couldn't believe that one day he would have to live where he couldn't hear or speak to his grandfather. He ran his fingers through his damp hair and shook his head to clear his mind from the negative thoughts. The doctor in him knew the harsh reality that was waiting for him, but the grandson in him refused to accept it and chose to live in denial. Not wanting to disturb the friends, he quietly made his way towards the dining table and sat down. Just as he was about to call his secretary for an update regarding the staffing issue at the hospital, Soumya came out of the kitchen, holding a casserole.  

"Sorry, I didn't see you there," She said sheepishly when she almost let out a startled cry at the sight of Rudra.

"It's fine. I can wait in the room if I am in your way," He offered as he began getting up, but she shook her head and smiled. 

"Dinner is almost ready. I tried to get them to agree to make simple dinners going forward." She said, placing the container on the table and began distributing the plates and bowls on the table. 

Rudra nodded and sat down, feeling awkward. He didn't want to make the phone call in front of her. Usually, he never cared about offending people, but this family was special to his grandparents, so it was special to him too. 

"How was your trip to Dharamsala?" She asked after a few moments. 

He looked up from his phone and nodded again. "It was good. Akash did most of the driving, so I was able to get some work done."

"That's good." She smiled and leaned against the chair on the other side of the table. "Did you go to the sandwich place that I told Akash about?"

"Yes, he insisted we go there." Rudra shook his head when he remembered how adamant his brother was about visiting the sandwich store. 

"Did you like it?" She asked as she nervously straightened the table cloth with her fingers. 

"It was good," Rudra said and then watched her warm smile grow wider. 

"My sister and I love the restaurant. We try to go there at least once a month." She offered as she began filling the water in the glasses. 

"Dr. Soumya," Rudra called out when she turned to go into the kitchen once again. He stood up and circled the table to stand in front of her. "About this morning..."

The white kurta she was wearing seemed to be glowing under the fluorescent lighting, and he was momentarily distracted by how it reflected on her face. "My comment about your posts wasn't called for. You have a great following, and I respect that-"

"Please," She giggled, and her fingers tightened around the empty water jug. "It's fine. There is nothing wrong with you said."

"So, you are not offended by my comment?" He asked to be sure that he had heard correctly. "Akash and my grandparents said you might be."

Her smile turned from friendly to an amused one as she looked up at him, "You are saying all this because your brother and grandparents said you should?"

He was taken aback by her question and sudden change in her tone. "What?... No, of course not. Well, maybe a little, but I do feel they might be right." 

"Don't worry about it, Dr. Rudra," She waved her hand in the air dismissively. "I assure you that I am not offended or hurt by your comments."

"Are you sure? But why? I mean, I would be." His scowl grew deeper as he watched the woman in front of him in confusion.

"Well, like you said, people are very complicated." She said with a smile and an innocent shrug.

He scoffed and stuffed his hands in his pocket. "Seriously?"

She nodded and nervously reached around her back to pull all her long hair to lay on her right shoulder. "Also," she added as an afterthought. "You can call me Soumya. It feels a little strange to be called Dr. Soumya at home." She blurted out.

He cleared his throat and nodded. "Sure... Of course! Not a problem. I wasn't sure how you liked to be addressed. And you can do the same."

"What? Call you Soumya?" She asked seriously before laughing awkwardly at her own joke. "Sorry! That was a terrible joke. I have a very strange sense of humour. Don't mind me." She mumbled, and he watched her cheeks turn the same shade of light pink like the loose pants she was wearing.

After she disappeared from his line of vision, like a tube light in these scenarios, Rudra felt the corners of his mouth twitching. Clearing his throat in an attempt to get rid of the smile fighting to escape, he too walked back towards the chair he had been assigned last night and this morning.

"How are you feeling, Dadu?" He asked when Purshottam joined him all by himself.

"Great!" Purshottam nodded enthusiastically. "And you, Dr. Rudra? How are you feeling?"

"Good?" He drawled with a small frown. "Why?"

Purshottam lifted his shoulder playfully and then feigned confusion when Rudra continued to look at him with curiosity.

Both Soumya and Rudra looked up at Purshottam at the same time during dinner when they felt his eyes on them. Quickly averting his eyes from the couple, he focused on munching his salad, which for some reason, didn't taste as terrible as all the other days.