After dinner, Avu and Aarvi left with Indira Devi to her room for bedtime stories, their soft giggles fading into the distance. Meanwhile, the rest of the family gathered in the hall, the air thick with an unspoken tension.
Pratap took a deep breath, his gaze steady as he looked at his daughter.
"Anu… I respected your choice and conducted a background check on that boy, Rudraksh," he said, his voice calm yet firm. "Beta, tumhari khushi mere liye bohot zaroori hai, and as your father, I want the best for you."
He paused, his expression growing heavier.
"But Rudraksh is not someone I can entrust your future with," Pratap finally declared, his words slicing through the silence.
Anushka paled at her father’s statement. A lump formed in her throat as an overwhelming heaviness settled in her chest. Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill.
"Papaaa… Please… Koi galatfahmi hui hai," she pleaded, her voice trembling. "He is really nice… Tell me, aisa kya pata laga hai aapko jiski wajah se aap mana kar rahe hain?" Her voice broke as she cried desperately, searching for answers.
Pushpa, who had been silent until now, stepped forward, her face stern and unwavering.
"Anu… He is a liar and a coward," she stated, her tone carrying a finality that sent a shiver down Anushka’s spine. "Apne fayde ke liye doosron ki zindagi barbaad ki hai usne. Is that enough, or do you want to hear more?"
Anushka shook her head violently, tears streaming down her face.
"Nahi, Maa! Woh aisa bilkul bhi nahi hai… Your sources are wrong… Rudraksh is nothing like that!" she sobbed, her voice breaking under the weight of her emotions.
A tense silence settled over the room before Ranveer finally turned to his father, his brows furrowed in confusion.
"Papa…" he started hesitantly. "I got Rudraksh investigated by my trusted sources, and they found nothing against him." His tone was laced with doubt as he tried to make sense of the situation.
Pratap exhaled heavily, rubbing his forehead before speaking.
"There’s something you don’t know—something that happened years ago," he said, his voice low yet filled with conviction.
As he narrated the past events, shock rippled through the room like a crashing wave. The weight of his revelation hung thick in the air.
Ranveer’s gaze instinctively shifted to Ranvijay, who had remained eerily silent throughout. His usual sharp tongue and unyielding nature were absent, replaced by a quiet stillness.
"Why did you never tell me about this?" Ranveer asked, his voice edged with disbelief.
Ranvijay finally sighed, his expression unreadable.
"You were out of the country," he said with a casual shrug, though his voice carried an undertone of something deeper. "And Papa handled it well."
Ranveer stared at him, stunned by his indifference. How could he be so unaffected? Or was this silence masking something far more profound?
The tension in the room crackled like a brewing storm, and in that moment, Anushka realized—this wasn’t just about Rudraksh anymore .
But what she said next shocked everyone even more.
"I know about it… Rudraksh ne mujhe khud bataya hai," she revealed, her voice trembling yet determined. "He is guilty about it… He was brainwashed by that girl. Mistakes happen, but we don’t hold onto them for the rest of our lives."
She turned to face her family, her teary eyes pleading for understanding.
"Aap log Rudraksh ko ek galti ki wajah se kaise judge kar sakte hain?" Anushka asked, desperation lacing her voice.
"Bilkul kar sakte hain!" Pushpa’s voice thundered, making Anushka flinch. "You are the one who’s been brainwashed by him!"
The rage in her mother’s eyes made her stomach twist.
"I can never forgive him for what he did to my son! Uske ek action se mere bete ke saath kuch bhi ho sakta tha!" Pushpa roared, her anger spilling over.
The finality in her tone sent a chill down Anushka’s spine.
"We will never accept him, and that’s final. If you still want to be with him, then the doors are open for you."
Pushpa’s words rang through the silent hall like a death sentence.
"Bohot badi ho gayi ho tum, right?" she continued, her voice heavy with sarcasm. "You’re mature enough to choose a partner for yourself… But we are not with you in this, Anu. You can leave this house anytime… take your share and go."
Anushka’s breath hitched as she looked at her mother, disbelief and pain washing over her.
"Pushpa… just stop it!" Pratap’s stern voice cut through the tension. "Gusse mein kuch bhi mat bolo."
He turned towards Anushka.
"Anu kahi nahi jaayegi," he stated firmly before looking back at his wife. "And let me handle this my way. I don’t want any interference in this matter."
Pushpa exhaled sharply, her hands clenched into fists.
"Decide whatever you want," she said, her voice quieter but no less cold. "Main kuch nahi bolungi, but I have decided—main kabhi uss ladke ko accept nahi karungi."
She turned on her heel, her decision unshakable.
"Agar aapko inki shaadi karwani hai, toh go ahead. But I won’t be part of any of this."
With that, she walked out of the hall, leaving a suffocating silence behind.
"Papa… please… he regrets it deeply," Anushka whispered, her voice breaking. "Ek galti ki wajah se don’t judge his entire life…"
Her hands trembled as she wiped her tears.
"Agar hum mein se koi aisi galti karta, toh kya hum usse maaf nahi karte?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Sanyukta glanced at Ranvijay, who sat completely still, lost in his own thoughts.
She didn’t know what should be done, but she knew one thing for sure—what Rudraksh had done to Ranvijay was not something that could be easily forgotten or forgiven… at least not for her.
But at the same time, Rudraksh and Anushka’s love couldn’t be dismissed so easily either. That was a fact they couldn’t ignore.
Marriage wasn’t just the union of two people; it was the union of two families. And right now, the hatred and resentment towards Rudraksh ran deep within theirs.
It wouldn’t be easy to make him a part of the family.
"Bhaiya, are you sure that everything else about him and his family is clear?" Ranvijay finally spoke, his voice sharp yet unreadable.
Ranveer frowned but nodded. "Yes."
Anushka saw a glimmer of hope, and without thinking, she spoke—desperately trying to prove her point.
"Bhaiii… you also married Sanyukta Bhabhi even when she was a divorcee and a single mother… "You fought with everyone to marry her and even accepted the child—despite him not being your own," Anushka said desperately, trying to prove her point. But in doing so, she unknowingly pressed the wrong nerve… at the wrong time… of the wrong man.
The words had barely left her mouth when Ranvijay’s jaw clenched, his entire demeanor shifting.
"What did you just say?" His voice was dangerously low, his eyes dark and unrelenting.
"Not my own?"
The hall fell deathly silent.
"This is the first and last time I will say this—he is mine." His words were slow, deliberate, and filled with something unbreakable. "And there won’t be a next time when I will clear this to you."
He took a step closer, his presence overpowering.
"You better keep this in mind before opening your mouth again."
Anushka swallowed hard, realizing her mistake too late.
Sanyukta, sensing the tension, placed a gentle hand on Ranvijay’s shoulder, silently asking him to calm down.
But he wasn’t done yet.
"And do not compare my wife with that rascal boyfriend of yours," he spat, his voice dripping with disdain.
"He was naive? He regrets it? Just one mistake?" Ranvijay scoffed bitterly. "Keep that bullshit to yourself."
He took a deep breath, trying to contain the storm brewing inside him.
"Kisi ki ek galti kisi ki zindagi barbaad kar sakti hai," he stated, his voice eerily calm. "He was not naive. Crime ko galti kehne se aur criminal ko bacha kehne se kuch badal nahi jaata."
His eyes bore into Anushka’s, unflinching.
"But if you think I’m opposing this for personal reasons, then you’re highly mistaken."
His voice dropped, his tone final.
"I don’t give a damn about that bastard… but I do care for my sister."
He turned away, his hands clenched at his sides.
"Lekin agar sab jaane ke baad bhi tum uspe trust karti ho, then go ahead. Marry him. Your life, your choice."
He exhaled sharply.
"I won’t say a word. I am out of this matter… and out of this marriage if it happens."
His next words were cold and unyielding.
"Just because tu uske pyaar mein pagal hai, I won’t open my arms for a backstabber."
He took a step back, his expression unreadable.
"I don’t have space for deceivers, nor do I believe in giving them a second chance. And I will stand by that, no matter who he becomes."
Without another word, he turned and strode upstairs, his departure leaving a deafening silence behind.
Anushka turned to her father, who sat in deep thought.
"Papa… we can discuss this later," Ranveer suggested, noticing their father’s dilemma.
But Pratap simply sighed, already knowing the answer.
"Everything is clear, Ranveer. Your mother and Ranvijay will never accept Rudraksh… and I know them well enough to say they never will." His voice was heavy, resigned.
He looked at Anushka.
"Ask Rudraksh to visit us tomorrow for dinner with his family," he said at last.
Anushka's breath caught.
"Let’s discuss things openly," Pratap added.
A small smile formed on her lips as she nodded, hope flickering in her eyes.
The Next Day…
Avu was animatedly narrating a story to his Daddy while having breakfast.
"Aurrrr phirrrr Lionnnn ne bolaaaa… 'I’m biggggggg! Meiii khaaaa jaungaaaaa…'" Avu tried to mimic a lion, opening his tiny mouth wide and curling his fingers into claws. Ranvijay played along, making a scared expression before offering the little lion a bite of paratha.
"Have you ever seen a real lion?" Ranvijay asked, feeding him another bite.
Avu shook his head. "Nooo..."
"Chachuuu, mene dekhaa hai!" Aarvi piped up excitedly. "We went to the zoooo with our class!"
Avu’s face fell into a pout, his big eyes filled with disappointment at missing out.
Seeing his son’s crestfallen expression, Ranvijay ruffled his hair. "We can go to the zoo in the evening! What do you say, champ?"
Avu’s face lit up instantly. "Sachiiiiii?" he asked, his eyes twinkling, deep dimples appearing with his wide grin.
"Of course!" Ranvijay grinned before pressing a kiss to his chubby cheek. Both kids cheered happily at the idea.
Ranvijay turned to Sanyukta and said ... "Sanyukta… be ready in the evening with the kids, okay? Hum log zoo jaayenge..."
Sanyukta, watching the sweet moment, hesitated before speaking "Lekin shaam ko jaana possible nahi ho paayega… Rudraksh aur uski family dinner pe aa rahe hai..."
She stole a glance at her mother-in-law and Ranvijay, unsure of their reaction.
Ranvijay, unfazed, leaned back in his chair. "So? Hum koi ghar lock karke thodi jaa rahe hai… Jisko aana hai aaye." His tone was plain, uninterested.
Pratap’s sharp voice cut through the moment. "Ranvijay, this is not how things work. Vo log aa rahe hain, and I want everyone to be present."
Pushpa, who had been silent so far, finally spoke, her voice unwavering "Kyun? Aapki beti ki khushi ke liye aap kar rahe hain—kijiye. But don’t force my son to be a part of this."
Her voice turned colder. "Meri toh majboori hai, but Ranvijay ko aap force nahi kar sakte iss sab mein."
She continued "Agar vo kisi bhi cheez mein involve nahi hona chahta, then you should respect his choice as well." Her piercing gaze met her husband's, clearly unimpressed.
Pratap’s jaw tightened. "Pushpa… are you even listening to yourself?" His voice was dangerously calm. "Kya matlab hai agar vo involve nahi hona chahta toh? This is not a choice. He has to be here."
Pushpa straightened, her expression hardening. "Toh aap ek ki khushi ke liye doosre ko majboor karenge?" Her tone carried offense, and Pratap’s glare darkened.
Ranveer, sensing the storm brewing, quickly stepped in. "Maa, Papa, please… calm down! We can discuss this rationally."
He turned to Sanyukta, subtly gesturing towards the kids. "Sanyukta, take them outside."
Sanyukta nodded, gathering Avu and Aarvi. She led them to the garden, their breakfast plates in hand. As she sat them down, she put on a cheerful smile and started telling them funny stories, hoping to lighten their mood.
She knew they had sensed the tension, and she didn’t want their innocent hearts to carry the weight of the elders' battle.
"Mummaa... Daduuu gussaaa hai..." Avu asked with a deep frown, chewing his food slowly.
Sanyukta smiled, gently brushing his hair back.
"Dadiii bhi gussa hai, aur dono fighting... it's a couple thing, Avuuu..." Aarvi said with a knowing nod, as if she had just shared the wisdom of the universe.
Sanyukta couldn’t help but laugh at their innocent talk.
"Couple thing? And how do you know about it, my little wizard?" she asked, feeding Aarvi another bite.
Aarvi puffed her chest proudly. "Chachiiii, I just know... Papa ne bataya tha." She declared wisely, making Sanyukta giggle.
Avu, ever the curious one, tilted his head. "Cupllll kya hotaaa haiiii?"
Aarvi sighed dramatically, as if explaining the most basic fact of life. "Offooo Avuuu... jab shaddi hoti hai... boy aur girl... couple ban jaate hai." She shrugged as if it was the most obvious thing.
Avu’s eyes widened in surprise. "Daduuu nddd Dadiii ki saaadi kab huiiiiii?!" He gasped as if he had just unlocked a great mystery of the world.
Sanyukta burst into laughter.
Aarvi pouted. "Mujhe nahi pata... maybe mei baby thiiii tab hui hogiii..."
Avu turned to his mother, blinking his big innocent eyes. "Mummaa... Daduu Dadii ki sadiii mei aap gaiii thiiii?"
Sanyukta shook her head, trying hard to control her laughter.
Avu, not done with his investigation yet, suddenly remembered someone else. "Baiiiii Dadiiii ka cpl kahaaa hai?" He asked, referring to Indira Devi.
Aarvi clapped her hands, giggling. "Unkiii saadiiii nahi huiiii hai Avuuu!"
Avu gasped, dramatically covering his mouth with both tiny hands before bursting into giggles. Aarvi joined him, and this time, Sanyukta gave up—she rolled onto the grass, laughing uncontrollably.
Just then, Ranvijay walked into the garden area, frowning at the sight before him. "Andar puri Mahabharat ho rahi hai aur tum log yaha hass rahe ho?" He commented, sitting beside Avu and Aarvi.
"Daddyyyyy! Hum loggg Baiii Dadiii ki saddiiii ki baat kar rahe hai!" Avu informed him excitedly.
Ranvijay raised an eyebrow. "Huh?"
Aarvi shook her head dramatically, as if dealing with an amateur. "Offo silly Chachuuu! Mei samjati hu…" She cleared her throat like a teacher explaining to a clueless student. "Ghar mei sab couple haiiii, badi daddi ka couple nahiii hai… Hum unki shaddi karwa denge toh unka bhi couple ho jaayega!" She announced proudly.
Ranvijay stared at them, completely bewildered, while Sanyukta finally lost it. She clutched her stomach, rolling on the grass with laughter.
Ranvijay blinked at her. "Abeyyy pagal! Itni zor se mat hass…" He chuckled, seeing tears spilling from her eyes. He reached out, gripping her arm gently to help her up.
But instead of standing, Sanyukta kept giggling, wiping her eyes.
Ranvijay shook his head with a smirk. He couldn't help but smile at her infectious laughter, while Aarvi and Avu’s tiny giggles filled the air, making the moment even more heartwarming.
For a while, the tension inside the house faded into the background. In this little corner of the world, amidst all the chaos, these two munchkins had managed to bring lightness, laughter, and love.
Write a comment ...