The dining room seemed to glow as Yuvika entered, dressed sharply in a tailored navy-blue business suit. Her sleek hair was tied back neatly, accentuating her radiant complexion. There was a renewed confidence in her step, and her face carried a genuine smile that hadn't been seen in days. The sunlight streaming through the tall windows only enhanced the glow of her presence.
"Good morning, everyone!" she greeted cheerfully as she walked to the table.
Arjun and Karan, who were still seated and finishing their breakfast, looked up at her, momentarily stunned. The Yuvika standing before them was a stark contrast to the sorrowful girl they had met the day before. Her eyes sparkled with determination, and her entire demeanor exuded positivity.
"Morning, Yuvika," Arjun replied, his voice tinged with surprise.
"You're looking... radiant today," Karan added with a warm smile, his usual playful tone replaced with sincerity.
The servants in the villa, who had been quietly tending to their duties, exchanged happy glances. It had been a long time since they'd seen their young mistress so full of life. Ever since the passing of her grandmother, Yuvika had been a shadow of her former self. Now, it seemed as though the light had returned to her, and the atmosphere in the villa felt brighter because of it.
Yuvika took her seat at the head of the table, her movements graceful yet purposeful. She leaned back slightly, her smile unwavering, and addressed the servants. "Bring me my favorite dish from the kitchen, please," she said, her tone light and cheerful.
The head servant hesitated, bowing slightly. "Miss Yuvika, all the dishes prepared for today have already been brought to the table," he explained gently, gesturing to the lavish spread before her.
Yuvika tilted her head, her smile not faltering. "No, there's something else," she said confidently. "Check again. I'm sure it's there."
The servants exchanged puzzled glances but nodded. "As you wish, Miss Yuvika," one of them replied before hurrying to the kitchen.
Arjun raised an eyebrow, leaning slightly toward Yuvika. "You seem awfully sure about this mystery dish," he said with a teasing smile.
Yuvika looked at him, her eyes twinkling. "Call it a hunch," she replied with a small laugh.
Karan chuckled, shaking his head. "You've got everyone on a treasure hunt now. I hope this dish is worth it."
Moments later, the servant returned from the kitchen, carrying a covered silver tray. His expression was a mix of surprise and wonder. "Miss Yuvika, you were right," he said as he placed the tray on the table and lifted the lid to reveal a steaming plate of her grandmother's signature stuffed parathas, prepared just as she liked them.
Yuvika's smile widened, her heart warming at the sight. "I knew it," she said softly, her voice filled with emotion.
Arjun and Karan exchanged curious glances, sensing something deeper in her reaction, but they chose not to ask. The servants, too, were astonished but delighted.
As Yuvika took a bite of the paratha, a sense of comfort and nostalgia washed over her. Though she didn't say it aloud, she knew in her heart that her grandmother had something to do with this. It was a silent reassurance, a reminder that her grandmother was still with her in every way that mattered.
As the servants quietly discussed among themselves, a sense of confusion lingered in the air. None of them had prepared the dish, and none of them could quite place where it had come from. They exchanged puzzled glances but chose to maintain their silence, unsure of how to explain the mysterious appearance of the dish.
Yuvika, however, was unfazed by their bewilderment. With a smile, she took a piece of the stuffed paratha and served a portion to Arjun, then to Karan, who looked at the dish with a mix of curiosity and delight.
"Go ahead," Yuvika said with a light laugh, nudging the plate toward them. "You have to try it. It's absolutely delicious."
Karan hesitated for a moment but then took a bite, his eyes lighting up immediately. "Wow, this is incredible!" he exclaimed, savoring the flavors. "What's the secret ingredient? This tastes... different in the best way possible."
Arjun followed suit, tasting the paratha and nodding in agreement. "You weren't kidding," he said, clearly impressed. "This is amazing. I've never had anything like it."
Just as they were finishing their first bites, Priya entered the dining room, her presence drawing the attention of everyone at the table. She greeted Yuvika with a polite smile, but her gaze lingered on the plate of parathas. The delicious aroma filled the room, tempting even the most reserved.
Yuvika, ever the hostess, immediately served Priya a portion, urging her, "You have to try some too, Priya. It's too good to miss."
Priya hesitated for a moment, her eyes flicking between Yuvika and the dish, unsure if she should accept. There was a flicker of uncertainty in her expression, a hesitation born from the awkwardness that had lingered between them since the previous night. But seeing the genuine happiness on Yuvika's face, the warmth and joy that radiated from her, Priya couldn't bring herself to refuse.
"Alright," she said softly, her tone almost reluctant. "I'll try a little."
She took a small bite, and the moment the flavors hit her palate, she paused. For a brief second, her eyes widened in surprise before she smiled, genuinely impressed. "This is... incredible," Priya admitted, her voice warm. "Where did this come from?"
Yuvika, with a soft smile, shrugged playfully. "I'm not sure. It just appeared," she said, her tone light, but there was a hint of something deeper in her eyes—a quiet knowing that this was more than just a coincidence. She glanced at the others, who were equally puzzled but enjoying the dish nonetheless. "But I'm glad it did."
The servants exchanged looks but didn't speak a word, their curiosity still hanging in the air. Yuvika, however, seemed content, savoring the comfort that the meal brought her. It was a small, yet significant reminder of the connection she still had with her grandmother, even if only in spirit.
The others continued to enjoy their breakfast, the lightheartedness in the room growing with each passing moment, and for the first time in a long while, Yuvika felt a sense of peace, a comfort she hadn't known in days. The villa seemed a little brighter, and the silence that had weighed heavily on her heart was beginning to lift.