A Calm That Felt Like Home
For the first time in days, the Sign residence felt… normal.
Laughter echoed from the dining hall as Twinkle argued loudly with Jodha over sari colors.
"Pink is too sweet," Jodha said gently.
"That's because you're boring," Twinkle replied cheerfully.
Najma hid a smile as she folded invitation cards beside Saraswati and Shruti.
"You're enjoying this," Saraswati observed.
Najma nodded softly. "I forgot what peaceful sounds like."
Saraswati's eyes softened. She reached out, adjusting Najma's dupatta instinctively—then froze.
Najma noticed but didn't pull away.
Small things mattered.
In the courtyard, the brothers gathered.
Rangeer leaned against a pillar, scrolling through his phone. "Twinkle just told the tailor to redesign my outfit without asking."
Ranveer raised an eyebrow. "And?"
"And I said thank you," Rangeer replied smugly.
Ranveer scoffed. "You're finished."
Rangeer grinned. "Happily."
That evening, the women prepared for a small family pooja.
Najma wore a simple ivory sari.
Twinkle stepped out moments later in a bright red one.
The men froze.
Rangeer nearly dropped his phone.
Ranveer forgot how to breathe.
Twinkle noticed first and laughed. "Close your mouth before a fly gets in."
Rangeer cleared his throat. "You're… distracting."
Najma adjusted her bangles quietly.
Ranveer stepped closer, his voice low. "You shouldn't do this."
She looked up. "Do what?"
"Remind me how much I have to lose."
Her lips curved slightly.
During the pooja, Najma's hand brushed Sasha's.
Sasha hesitated, then gently intertwined their fingers.
Najma stiffened in surprise.
"You belong here," Sasha said quietly, eyes forward.
Something warm settled in Najma's chest.
Later that night, Twinkle dragged Najma to the balcony.
"Promise me something," Twinkle said suddenly.
Najma frowned. "What?"
"No disappearing. No secrets. No walking away without telling me."
Najma looked at her sister under the soft glow of the lights.
"I promise," she said.
And for once—
She meant it.
Across the city, a car engine started.
A phone vibrated.
A location was shared.
Rachel smiled at the screen.
"Tomorrow," she whispered.