"Gauri, how long have you been working here?"

Maithili asked as she stood near the kitchen counter.

"For the past two weeks, Madam,"

Gauri replied politely.

"Who do you have in your family?"

"Just me and my Maa."

Her voice was quiet, her answer brief — she wasn’t one to share much.

Maithili noticed her reserved tone.

"Am I disturbing you?"

Gauri shook her head gently.

"No, Madam. It’s just... I’m an introvert. I prefer listening over talking."

Maithili smiled kindly.

"Then stay with me for a few days, and we’ll turn you into an extrovert!"

That made Gauri smile, a rare and genuine one.

"Look, Gauri, I’m going to be here for a few more days. After that, we’ll go back to Chandigarh — Hriday’s cousin is getting married. Until then, I want someone to talk to. I love talking!"

Gauri stirred the vegetables on the stove and responded softly,

"And I love listening, Madam."

That made Maithili laugh out loud.

"Oh my god, Gauri — you’re funny too!"

Gauri chuckled.

"You’re even funnier, Madam."

Maithili beamed proudly.

"Papaji says the same thing. You’d love him — Hriday’s Dadaji. He’s full of jokes and stories."

Hearing that, Gauri's smile dimmed a little. Hriday had a full, joyful family — a mother, a father, a grandfather. People to laugh with, to care for him.

She had her mother. And Subhash Uncle, who was aging now and couldn’t help her the way he once did. There was no crowd around her — just the two of them, always just the two.

"What are you thinking about, Gauri?"

Maithili asked, picking an apple from the basket.

"Nothing, Madam... I was just wondering how it feels to have a big family. How it feels to have people — relatives, friends — around you all the time."

Maithili’s expression softened. She reached over and gently placed the apple back on the plate.

"Let me tell you something — from now on, I’m your friend. And about relatives? They only matter if they truly care. You already have someone far more important — your mother. Don’t ever disappoint her, Gauri. She’s your true family."

Gauri blinked back a hint of emotion and nodded.

"Thank you, Madam... for your words. I really enjoyed your company."

"Maithili!"

Shikar’s voice called from the other room.

"Coming!"

she said, stepping out of the kitchen with a light smile.

"What were you doing in the kitchen?"

Shikar asked with mock sternness as she approached.

Maithili gave him a playful grin.

"Just making a new friend."

"A new friend?"

Shikar raised a brow, settling onto the couch.

Maithili sat beside him.

"Yes. You know how extroverted I am!"

"That’s one of the reasons I like you so much."

He said with a smirk.

She blushed and rolled her eyes.

"Shikar, stop with your cheesy lines. They don’t work on me anymore."

"Oh really?"

He leaned closer.

"Then why are your cheeks turning pink?"

"Shikar!"

She swatted his arm, flustered.

Shikar laughed, admiring his wife's shyness even after all these years.