"Gauri, from when are you working here?"

Maithili asked casually, leaning against the kitchen counter.

"From the last two weeks, Madam."

"And who all are there in your family?"

Gauri kept her eyes on the vegetables she was chopping.

"Just me... and my Maa."

Short. Simple.

She wasn't someone who liked talking much. But Maithili was speaking kindly, and Gauri didn't want to seem rude.

Maithili noticed her reserved tone.

"Am I disturbing you?"

Gauri quickly shook her head.

"No, Madam. It's just... I'm an introvert. I like listening more than talking."

Maithili's eyes lit up.

"Oh ho! Then stay with me for a few days. I'll turn you into a complete extrovert."

Gauri couldn't help it.

She smiled.

"Look, Gauri," Maithili continued cheerfully, "I'll be staying here for a few days. Then we'll go back to Chandigarh. Hriday's cousin is getting married, so we have to attend that. Till then, I want someone to talk to. I love talking."

"And Madam," Gauri replied softly while putting vegetables into the pot, "I love listening."

Maithili laughed loudly.

"Ha ha! See? We're already a perfect combination!"

Gauri giggled.

"Oh my God, Ma'am... you're so funny."

Maithili lifted her chin proudly.

"Papaji also says the same."

For a second, her voice softened with nostalgia.

Gauri understood.

Hriday had a big family.

Mother. Father. Dadaji. Cousins. Weddings. Gatherings.

Noise. Laughter. Belonging.

Gauri had only her mother.

No relatives who visited.

No festivals crowded with people.

Only her Maa.

And sometimes Subhash Uncle, who helped whenever things became difficult.

But he was aging now.

And Gauri knew—

She would have to learn to stand on her own.

"What are you thinking, Gauri?"

Maithili's voice pulled her back.

"Nothing, Ma'am... I was just thinking... how it feels to have a big family. Relatives. Friends..."

Maithili's expression softened completely.

She picked up an apple from the fruit basket and spoke gently—

"Relatives don't matter unless they truly care. And you are blessed. You have your mother. That's your world. Never disappoint her."

Gauri nodded.

Something in her chest felt tight.

"Thank you, Ma'am. I really enjoy your company."

Before Maithili could respond—

"Maithili!"

Shikhar's voice came from the living room.

She quickly placed the apple on a plate and walked out.

"What happened?" she asked.

Shikhar looked at her with a stern expression.

"What were you doing inside the kitchen?"

Maithili walked closer, smiling mischievously.

"Nothing, my caring husband. I was just chatting with my new friend."

"You made a friend also?" he asked, amused.

She sat beside him.

"Yes! You know how extrovert I am."

Shikhar leaned back, looking at her fondly.

"Yes. That's why I like you so much."

She instantly looked away.

"Shikhar, stop using these cheesy lines. They don't work on me."

"Oh really?" he said calmly. "Then why are your cheeks turning pink?"

"Shikhar!"

She lightly hit his arm.

He laughed softly.

Years of marriage.

Still teasing.

Still warmth.

Still that comfort that didn't need grand gestures.

From the kitchen doorway—

Gauri unintentionally saw them.

And for the first time—

She realized love doesn't always look dramatic.

Sometimes it looks like soft teasing on a sofa.

And she wondered—

Would she ever have something like that?

Or was she meant to just watch it from the sidelines?