Chapter 5: Kunal, the Side Character

Early the next morning, a sedan pulled up outside my colony.

A teenage boy stepped out, looking shy. “Hello, Uncle Raghav.”

I nodded. “Don’t be nervous, treat this as your own home.” The scent of jasmine drifted from the neighbour’s balcony, mixing with distant school van horns. The boy fiddled with his bag strap, eyes lowered.

Ananya, waiting in the living room, burst out. “Papa, you’ve gone too far! No one can replace Raj. I’ll never agree to your arranged marriage!”

I stared, confused. “What are you saying?”

“Kunal has good marks, good personality. You two aren’t a match. Why would I set him up with you?”

Ananya’s face turned green. “Even if you don’t admit it, you’re trying to break me and Raj. Why else bring him here?”

The WhatsApp forwards scrolled:

[Didn’t see this coming.]

[Dad is the most disgusting villain—always up to tricks!]

I shook my head. “Kunal is the son of Anil’s Breakfast Corner owner from our old neighbourhood. He lost his parents, lived with his dadi in the village. Now he’s here to study.”

Ananya rolled her eyes. “Yeah, right. Just hoping I’ll fall for him and dump Raj. I’m telling you—this village boy doesn’t stand a chance!”

She stormed out, not looking back.

I glanced at Kunal, who looked mortified. “Sorry, my daughter’s going through a phase. Ignore her.”

He shook his head quickly, pressing his palms together in namaste. “I’m already very grateful you’re giving me a chance to study.”

Watching Kunal press his palms together in namaste, I remembered my own first day in Mumbai, pockets empty but head full of dreams.