Meira finally broke the silence, her voice cautious. "Just a guest."
Dev didn't buy the deflection for a second. He leaned back, his smile turning a bit more cunning. "So, 'Miss Just-a-Guest,' you must have a name. Just like I, being 'just a visitor,' have mine."
Meira's mind flashed to the news Sahil had shared—the visitor who was part of the high-profile marriage proposal. She didn't want to appear rude or draw unnecessary attention by being difficult, so she softened her stance. "It's Meira."
"Meira," Dev repeated, his smile lingering. "I see."
Before the conversation could go any further, a sharp voice cut through the air. "Dev! Here you are! I was searching for you everywhere."
Raghav appeared in the doorway, his breath slightly hurried. He looked from Dev to Meira, and his face instantly darkened.
"Hey, Raghav. Sorry to make you worry," Dev said easily, not moving from his spot. "I was with Sahil, but he got a call from his college. I felt like walking through the corridor a bit more... but see who I found."
Dev looked back at Meira, and Raghav's eyes followed. The moment Raghav's gaze landed on her, a wave of visible irritation washed over him. He hated that the "outsider" was being seen by a guest of Dev's stature, especially in such a messy, informal state. However, he knew the importance of the diamond tycoon's family too well to let his temper flare. He forced a stiff, fake smile onto his face.
Meira shrank back slightly, her heart sinking. She knew exactly how Raghav felt about her presence—to him, she was a stain on the Salai reputation. His cold eyes told her she would pay for this "interruption" later.
"Dev, everyone is waiting for you," Raghav said, his voice tight. "Shall we go?"
Dev nodded, but before he turned to leave, he caught Meira's eye one last time. "So, Miss Guest... see you soon."
Meira didn't reply. She stood there, still damp from the paint water, watching their retreating backs. Dev's easy confidence and Raghav's suppressed rage felt like two different storms passing through her small room, leaving her more confused than ever about where she stood in this house.
he hall was soon filled again as Raghav and Dev returned, followed shortly by Taniya and Aditya. The transformation in Taniya was impossible to miss; the girl who had walked to the gallery with a frozen, obedient mask had returned with a soft, genuine glow. Divya, ever observant, tracked the change immediately. She saw the light in Taniya's eyes and felt a surge of triumph—the plan was working.
"So, it seems that everything is going well, Mrs. Sen?" Divya asked, turning toward Aditya's mother with a graceful smile.
Mrs. Sen was practically beaming. "Yes, everything is fine—infact, it is more than good! They look wonderful together."
With the atmosphere now lighter, the elders moved quickly to the business of the union. Shekar leaned forward, tapping his fingers on the arm of his chair. "In that case, let's start deciding the plans. We should look at the calendar."
"When should the wedding be then?" Vivek added, already calculating the logistics of such a high-profile event.
Mrs. Sen paused, her expression turning earnest as she looked at the Salai family. "Can we do the engagement tomorrow?"
A collective wave of shock rippled through the hall. Even Divya's composed expression faltered for a fraction of a second. An engagement with less than twenty-four hours' notice was unheard of in their circles.
"Tomorrow?" Yamini whispered, her mind racing through the sheer amount of work required.
"Actually," Mrs. Sen explained, her tone warm but firm, "my brother, Raj, is coming to Mumbai tomorrow for some very important work. He means the world to me, and I would dearly love for my son and my to-be daughter-in-law to receive his blessings. It would be the perfect occasion."
The mention of Raj—Dev's father and the powerful diamond tycoon—changed the weight of the request. To have a man of his stature present at the engagement would elevate the family's prestige to heights they hadn't seen in years.