Chapter 29 — A Little Time Together

After Safeena left, the atmosphere in the Qureshi mansion slowly became peaceful again.

Ritika remained upstairs with Rishi, while the elders gathered in the living room.

Shabana looked thoughtful.

Shabana: Didi, I was thinking about something.

Rehnaa: Tell me, Shabi.

Shabana: Should we send Ritika, Rishi and Arnav to the penthouse for a few days?

Rehnaa looked at her curiously.

Rehnaa: The three of them?

Shabana nodded.

Shabana: Yes. They need some time together without everyone around them.

She paused.

Shabana: Ritika needs to understand Arnav, and Arnav needs to understand Ritika. Rishi also needs time to become comfortable with Arnav as part of his life.

Rehnaa thought about it.

Rehnaa: Are you sure they will get along if we send them there?

Shabana: I think they might.

Abhram nodded thoughtfully.

Abhram: I agree with Shabana.

Rehnaa looked toward him.

Abhram: Arnav has always been independent. Ritika is entering a completely new life. If they remain surrounded by family all the time, they may not get enough opportunity to understand each other.

Shabana: Exactly.

Rehnaa smiled slightly.

Rehnaa: But we shouldn't decide it for them.

Abhram: Of course not.

He looked toward the staircase.

Abhram: Let Arnav come home. We will discuss it with him.

Shabana nodded.

Shabana: And we should ask Ritika too.

Rehnaa: Yes. It should be their decision.

Abhram smiled.

Abhram: If they agree, the penthouse might give them some peaceful time together.

Shabana: No relatives constantly checking on them.

Rehnaa laughed softly.

Rehnaa: No family interrupting every five minutes.

Abhram: And hopefully Arnav will actually speak to his wife.

Shabana smiled.

Shabana: That may be the biggest challenge.

Everyone laughed quietly.

Rehnaa: Let's wait for Arnav.

Shabana nodded.

Shabana: And if they agree, we'll send them together.

The three elders exchanged a knowing smile.

They weren't trying to force Arnav and Ritika closer.

They simply wanted to give them something they hadn't yet had—

time.

Time to understand each other.

Time for Rishi to become comfortable with Arnav.

And perhaps, time for a marriage that had begun through families to slowly become a relationship of their own.