Master Tactician
Master Tactician
For the first time since she entered the room, Ujjwala looked at her husband's face and saw the scowl marring his features.
Taking cognisance of his unusually severe expression, she sat down on one of the chairs and said with a long-suffering sigh, "Sure, go ahead."
Harshvardhan had been absorbing the nuances of her changing expression in the past couple of minutes. He was well aware that his wife didn't hold him in high esteem but ever since that she had joined the royal committee, she had started looking at him with down right derision.
Despite her shortcomings, he had always been fond of his wife and it was partially the result of his overindulgence that she had become overbearing to this extent.
Sucking in a deep breath, Yash waited for his father's reaction. He could sense the charged atmosphere. It was the first time ever that he had seen his father get into a confrontational mode.
"I believe you owe me an explanation about the whole episode with Vasudev and his daughter," he started.
Ujjwala felt her mouth open in surprise. Of all the things, she hadn't expected that he would wish to discuss this with her.
She turned to look at her son who averted his eyes in guilt.
"There is nothing to explain. I think I had told you about it long ago. Since you didn't show much enthusiasm at that time, I decided not to bother you with the details. I am assuming that you have been updated by our son about the current status of the situation, so there is no need for me to repeat it, right," she said haughtily.
Actually, she was a little worried about his reaction but she dare not expose her thoughts in front of either of them.
"Going by your train of thought, would you have bothered to inform me about my son's engagement before you made it happen?" he asked in a sarcastic manner.
Ujjwala was surprised at her husband's countenance. It was unlike his usual behaviour to actively seek confrontation. She needed to change her tactics before this spiralled into something more serious.
She sighed and said, "It seems that you are against this association. I am not sure which family in this country would not like to see their eligible son marry the future queen except mine. Tell me what is so bad in what I have envisioned for our son? He is a brilliant boy and I wish for the best for him."
"Who decides what is best for me, Maa? I am sure that you are aware that as per the marriage act, no one except for the groom and bride are legally allowed to make this decision," Yash couldn't hold it in any longer.
Ujjwala frowned at his tone and words. The father and son were behaving in a manner, alien to their true nature.
She raised her hands in surrender and said in an upset tone, "I think you have really grown up. Quoting a law to converse with your mother..."
She continued in the same soft but disappointed voice, "Maybe I have been hasty in getting you together with Vindhya, out of excitement. Which is why it is a good idea to have Vindhya spend some quality time with you here during the coming weeks. You both can decide if you are suited together or not."
Yash was shaking his head in negative even before she finished speaking.
"I don't need her to come here for me to know that she is not the one for me," he replied in a firm tone.
Ujjwala raised helpless eyes towards Harshvardhan and said in a plaintive tone, "I have already promised her parents that Yash will help her prepare for the upcoming competition. How can I renege on my word?"
Harshvardhan replied coldly, "You should have thought that when you decided to make the plan without consulting him or me."
She looked at both of them. They must be feeling extremely proud of themselves at this moment but Ujjwala allowed herself a small smile. She hadn't even warmed up yet. She was a master tactician and both the males in front of her were no match.
"I understand and admit to my mistake. But are you going to make me lose face in front of outsiders because of this? Just let the girl come here and spend a few days. If both of you still don't think that she is the right girl for this household, I promise that I will send her back myself and never raise the issue again," her eyes had started to tear up.
Yash breathed a sigh of relief when he heard his mother say that. The whole thing was going better than what he had expected. He glanced at his father who nodded discreetly. Yash went upto his mother and crouched in front of her.
"Alright maa, we will listen to you. I will help Vindhya to the best of my ability. But then you have to call off the engagement," he said.
Ujjwala shook her head in agreement and a few tears rolled off her cheeks by the action. Yash's heart hurt when he saw the sight and wiped her face gently.
"The cook has prepared your favorite dishes. Dad and I have been waiting for you to come back. Should we go and have dinner now?" he asked with a smile.
Ujjwala hid the triumphant smile and gave him a tremulous one, instead.
Northern Zilla
"YES!" These were the first words which Shaurya uttered as soon as Bela returned with the herbs in her palm.
His answer didn't surprise her. She had gauged that this would be his reaction but she still wanted to give him some time to sort out his thoughts. She didn't reply to his words and instead handed over the herbs to him.