Beyond The Palace Walls| ONGOING

Chapter - 08

Agastya was sitting in his cabin, going through some documents, when his receptionist called him. "Sir, Mrs. Singh aayi hai aapse milne" she said.

Agastya was taken aback. He hadn't expected his mother to visit him unannounced. He asked her to let her in and went back to his desk.

"Maa, what brings you here?" he asked, trying to hide his confusion.

"Mein tumse kuch baat karne aayi hu, Agastya Sanjay Singh!" she replied, her voice firm but controlled.
(I have come to talk to you about something, Agastya Sanjay Singh!)

Agastya nodded and sat down, still feeling a bit bewildered.

As soon as he took a seat...

Agastya felt a stinging sensation in his cheek as his mother slapped him. The room fell silent, except for the sound of Agastya's gasp.

"Maa, why did you do that?" he asked, trying to keep his emotions in check.

Archana's face was stern, her eyes flashing with anger. "Why did YOU do that, Agastya?" she countered, her voice low and menacing. "Tumse Maine kaha tha ki Meera ka dil jeeto, naki usse shadi karne ke liye majboor karo."
(I told you to win Meera's heart, not force her to marry you)

Agastya's eyes narrowed. "Aapko kaise pata chala, maa?" He asked, his voice laced with curiosity.
(How did you know, mom?)

Archana looked at him with a serious expression. "Mein subah Mandir gayi thi. Aur jab maine pandit ji se Meera ke baareme pucha toh unhone mujhe sab bata diya."
(I went to the temple in the morning. And when I asked Pandit ji about Meera, he told me everything.)

Agastya's face fell. He had been so caught up in his own emotions that he hadn't thought about the consequences of his actions. "What did Panditji say?" he asked, his voice small.

Archana took a deep breath. "He told me that you had threatened Meera to marry you. That you didn't listen to her when she said no, and that you didn't care about her feelings or her well-being. And you blackmailed her? I can't believe this, Agastya! I didn't raise you to be a spoiled brat!"

Agastya felt a pang of shame and guilt. He knew he had been wrong to do what he did, but he had been so caught up in his own emotions that he hadn't thought about the consequences.

Archana looked at him with a stern expression. "Agastya, tumhe samajhna hoga ki pyar forcefully nahi hota. Pyar samman aur consent ke Bina nahi hota. Ye baat ache se samajh le."
(Agastya, you have to understand that love is not forced. Love does not happen without respect and consent. understand this clearly)

Agastya nodded.

Archana's face was stern, her eyes flashing with determination. "Agastya, tum Meera se maafi maangoge. And you're going to mean it."
(Agastya, you will apologize to Meera.)

"Okay, Ma," he said reluctantly, his voice heavy with resignation.

Archana's expression softened slightly. "Good. Mein janti hu ki tu pareshan hai par tujhe Meera se maafi maangni hogi. Tujhe janna hoga ki tu kisi ke Dil ko control nahi kar sakta."
(I know you are upset but you have to apologize to Meera. You have to know that you can't control anyone's heart.)

Agastya nodded, feeling a sense of defeat wash over him. He knew his mother was right, but he didn't want to admit it.

"Mein maafi maangunga, maa." He said, his voice firming up. "Mein Meera se maafi mangunga. Vaada karta hu."
("I'll apologize, mom." He Said, His Voice Firming Up. "I will apologize to Meera. I promise.")