Chapter 16

As the sun started to set, orange and crimson tones began to fill the open sky. Suhala shifted the folds of her pale blue saree once more before clearing her voice. It was difficult to ignore her impatience.

Shanaya pulled out her cell phone once again, dialling Ahail’s number. He did not bother picking up this time either. Sighing, she looked at her grandmother who was watching her intently.

“When is he coming?” Suhala asked, her voice coarse like sand. “He said he would come.”

“I don’t understand why we’re wasting our time here,” Aruna, Neil’s mother, remarked. Folding her arms, she continued, “He never comes to any such events. Let’s just leave, Harish. I don’t want to be late to my son’s art exhibition. It’s an important day for him.”

“You’re right, Aruna,” Suhala agreed, fixing her daunting eyes on the woman. “It is indeed an important day for Neil, which is why he asked all of us to be present. Together. As a family.”

Aruna had the audacity to scoff, bearing a look on her fa