As the sound of Kapoor's car faded into the distance, Yuvika turned her attention back to the trio of lawyers standing before her. Though their presence was meant to be professional, she couldn't help but notice the faint hints of curiosity and unease in their expressions. Deciding to lighten the mood, she gestured toward the nearest servant, her voice soft but clear.
"Please arrange rooms for our guests," she instructed. "Make sure they're comfortable."
The servant nodded and scurried off, leaving Yuvika to face the three. Arjun, the most formal of the group, cleared his throat and took a small step forward. "Thank you, ma'am," he said, his tone polite yet stiff.
Yuvika immediately waved a hand, cutting him off with a playful smile. "Ma'am? Really? That makes me sound like I'm twice your age!" she teased.
Arjun blinked, startled by her reaction. "I—I apologize," he stammered, but Yuvika shook her head, laughing softly.
"Call me Yuvika," she said firmly, her tone warm. "There's no need for formalities here. Grampa left you here for a few days, and while you're with me, I want you to feel at home. Just treat me like a friend. Deal?"
Priya hesitated, glancing at Arjun for a cue, while Karan was already grinning, his easygoing nature shining through. "Deal," Karan said quickly, his tone light and playful. "Though I have to warn you, Yuvika, I can get pretty loud when I'm comfortable."
Yuvika laughed, appreciating his humor. "Loud, huh? Well, this house could use a little liveliness." She glanced at Priya and Arjun, her smile encouraging. "And what about you two? Are we going to be friends or are you sticking with the ma'am routine?"
Priya's lips curved into a small smile, and she nodded. "Friends, then," she agreed, her tone softening.
Arjun, though still slightly hesitant, relented with a sigh. "Alright," he said, his tone grudging but good-natured. "Friends."
"Good," Yuvika said brightly, clasping her hands together. "Now that we've settled that, let's get one thing straight—this is your home for the time being. I want you to feel as comfortable as you would in your own houses. No stiff routines, no awkward silences, and definitely no tiptoeing around me. Got it?"
"Got it," Karan said with a mock salute, his grin widening. "You're making this way too easy for us."
"Well, someone has to," Yuvika teased back, her kind heart shining through her easygoing nature.
It didn't take long for the mood in the room to shift. Karan, with his playful energy, was the first to start cracking jokes, pulling Priya and even Arjun into the conversation. Within minutes, the formal atmosphere dissolved, replaced by the warmth of newfound camaraderie.
Yuvika's laughter echoed through the hall as she bantered effortlessly with them, her natural kindness and approachable demeanor making it easy for the three lawyers to relax. Despite the heavy circumstances surrounding their presence, she had a way of creating an environment that felt welcoming and lighthearted.
As the evening settled in, it was clear to everyone that Yuvika wasn't just their client—she was a friend, someone who saw beyond titles and formalities, someone who made the world around her a little brighter with her genuine, open heart.
As the evening unfolded, the soft hum of conversation filled the room, and Yuvika laughed lightly at something Karan said. Her laughter, though bright on the surface, didn't reach her eyes. Arjun, standing a step back, noticed the subtle tension in her shoulders, the fleeting sadness that shadowed her gaze before she quickly masked it.
She was trying too hard, he thought. Trying to appear strong, trying to convince not just them but perhaps herself that she was okay.
Priya, too, had been watching Yuvika closely. While the young woman's laughter seemed genuine to an outsider, Priya could see through the facade. The forced cheerfulness was a shield—a way for Yuvika to keep her grief at bay.
After a while, Yuvika stood, smoothing the fabric of her dress. "I think I'll call it a night," she said, her voice soft but steady. "Thank you for keeping me company." She offered them a small smile before excusing herself.
The room fell silent as the three lawyers watched her retreat to her room, the echo of her footsteps fading down the hall.
It was Karan who broke the silence. Leaning back in his chair, he crossed his arms and sighed. "She's holding back her tears, you know," he said, his tone uncharacteristically serious. "She's trying to look normal for us, but inside... she's struggling."
Arjun and Priya exchanged surprised glances. Priya was the first to speak, her brow furrowing. "You noticed that?" she asked, genuinely astonished.
Karan arched an eyebrow at her, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Of course I did. You think just because I joke around, I don't pay attention?" He shook his head, his playful demeanor tempered with a rare sincerity. "Yuvika's not as okay as she wants us to believe. She's smiling and talking, but it's all to distract herself from the pain of losing her grandmother."
Arjun nodded slowly, his respect for Karan growing in that moment. "I saw it too," he admitted. "But I didn't expect you to pick up on it so quickly."
Karan shrugged, his tone lightening again. "It's not hard if you pay attention. The way her laughter doesn't quite reach her eyes, how she avoids certain topics, and how she clings to her cheerful facade—it's all there if you look close enough."
Priya leaned back, crossing her arms as she considered Karan's words. "You're right," she said quietly. "She needs support, but she's too proud—or maybe too scared—to ask for it."
Karan tapped a finger against his chin thoughtfully. "Exactly. So, it's up to us to help her, even if she doesn't realize she needs it. I made her laugh earlier, but that's just the first step. We need to be here for her, to remind her she's not alone."
Arjun, always the steady presence, nodded firmly. "Agreed. She's been through so much, and losing her grandmother is a wound that won't heal easily. If we can help her, even in small ways, we should."
Priya sighed, a determined look settling on her face. "Then let's do it. Let's be the support she doesn't know she needs."
Karan grinned, the mischievous glint returning to his eyes. "Good. Because I'm not letting Yuvika stay stuck in her sadness. By the time we're done, she'll be smiling for real—not just for show."
The three shared a nod of silent agreement, their bond strengthened by their shared purpose. Kapoor had left them with a duty, and now it was clear that protecting Yuvika went far beyond ensuring her physical safety. They would stand by her side, helping her find her way through her grief and back to the happiness her grandmother would have wanted for her.