The Daadi Protocol

The Singh dining table was a place of silent efficiency—until Daadi entered. Advaita was buried in a digital tablet, his face a mask of cold calculations.

"Advaita ,beta," Daadi said, placing a bowl of extra-buttery parathas over his tablet.

"Daadi, I’m analyzing a hostile takeover," Advaita sighed, but he didn't move the bowl.

"The only thing 'hostile' is your heart, Aloo," she teased, sitting beside him. "Your face is getting as stiff as your starch-collared shirts. You need a wife, not a new company."

Advaita groaned. "Daadi, marriage is an inefficient merger. High risk, low ROI, and zero exit strategy. I’m happy with my spreadsheets."

"Spreadsheets don't hold your hand when you’re old, and they certainly don't make good tea," she countered. "I’ve picked out three girls. All from good families—"

"I have a 9:00 AM meeting," Advaita said, standing up and kissing her forehead to dodge the topic. "I’ll see you tonight. No more 'merger' talks."

Later that morning, Daadi visited the ancient Shiva temple. The stairs were steep, and the crowd was thick. As she reached the top, she felt a dizzy spell. The heat and the incense were overwhelming.

She stumbled, her prayer thali slipping from her hand.

Before she could hit the ground, two steady, arms with bangles caught her.

"Steady, Daadi-ji! Take a deep breath. Slowly... in and out."

Daadi opened her eyes to see a girl with eyes like a gazelle and a smile that seemed to have its own sunlight. It was Keerthi.

Keerthi didn't just help her up; she took charge. She guided Daadi to a cool marble bench, fanning her with the edge of her dupatta.

"I'm fine, child. Just a bit of a tumble," Daadi insisted.

"Nonsense," Keerthi said, her tone authoritative but sweet. "Your sugar levels are low. You’ve probably been fasting for the pooja, haven't you? Logic says you shouldn't fast without a backup plan."

Keerthi reached into her bag and pulled out a small, silver box of barfi. "Here. The best medicine in the world."

Daadi took a bite, the sugar instantly reviving her. She watched as Keerthi quickly gathered the spilled flowers and coins from Daadi's fallen thali.

"You have a very quick mind, Beti," Daadi noted, impressed by how Khushi was simultaneously managing her, organizing the thali, and politely telling a pushy priest to wait his turn."It’s just Resource Management, Daadi-ji," Keerthi winked.

As they sat together, Daadi asked, "What do you do, child?"

"I’m a Marketer," Keerthi said playfully. "I help people find the 'soul' in their business. But mostly, I just try to make sure the world doesn't forget to smile while it’s busy making money."

Daadi was captivated. She saw a girl who was traditional enough to be at a temple, but sharp enough to navigate the world with a "logical heart."

"My grandson needs someone like you," Daadi blurted out. "He’s a very big man, very successful, but he’s forgotten how a burfi tastes."

Keerthi laughed, a sound like wind chimes. "Then your grandson sounds like a very boring man, Daadi-ji! Tell him that from me. A life without 'Sweet Chaos' is just a long board meeting."

Daadi watched Keerthi walk away, her payals ringing against the stone. She took out her phone and called Advaita.

Advaita answered on the first ring, his voice tense. "Daadi? Is everything okay?"

"Everything is perfect, Aloo," Daadi said, a mischievous smile on her face. "I just met a girl in a saree. And for the first time in years, I think I’ve found someone who can make you lose an argument."

Advaita rolled his eyes at his desk. "I don't lose arguments, Daadi."

"We'll see,Aloo," she whispered. "We'll see."

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***