The Fated Knot

His Angel

In the middle of the night, the living room lights in the Shekhawat Mansion flickered when the sound of a five-year-old boy’s inconsolable cries echoed.

Adhiraj, the eldest grandson of Virender Singh Shekhawat and Devyani Shekhawat, was the one in distress. His parents, Jaidev and Vandana, immediately rushed towards Virender’s room upon hearing their son’s cries.

Adhiraj had always shared a special bond with his grandparents, who showered him with care and affection, surpassing even that of his own parents. It was no surprise, therefore, that the young child found solace in sleeping beside his grandparents every night.

“Mummy ji, what happened?” Vandana’s concerned tone could be heard as she walked into Virender’s room.

“I think he has digestive issues. His stomach feels really tight,” Devyani whispered, her face filled with worry as she gently placed a hand on Adhiraj’s stomach.

“I’ll call his doctor,” Jaidev quickly offered, reaching for the landline.

“Hold on, Jai,” Virender interjected. “I’ve already done that. Dr. Awasthi is currently attending to an emergency at the hospital. We’re taking him there.”

“No need, I can try some remedies....” Devyani’s voice trailed off as Virender picked up a sobbing Adhiraj and declared, “I can’t bear to see him like this,” and hurriedly headed out with Devyani closely following him.

“Vandana, take care of Atharv and Samrat. I will look after Raj,” Devyani said, as she hurried to catch up with Virender. Meanwhile, he shouted out orders to prepare the car.

Jaidev ran his fingers through his hair and stormed back into his room. Vandana followed him, assuring, “He will be alright, Jai. Papa ji and Mummy ji know how to handle him better than us.”

“I know, Vandana. It is just that sometimes I feel jealous of my own son. Papa never showered me with so much love,” Jaidev muttered, earning a soft chuckle from his wife.

“Papa ji loves you,” she reassured him.

“Now that I am a father myself, I understand his love. But sometimes, their excessive affection towards Raj worries me,” he confessed as he held his wife close in the comfort of their room.

Vandana soothingly rubbed his back and reassured, “I’m confident that Raj will grow up to be a remarkable gentleman under their guidance. I believe in them, Jai. You should, too.”

With a nod and a deep breath, Jaidev let go of his concerns and held onto his wife even tighter.

—————

In the hospital, Virender furiously demanded the receptionist to summon the doctor into the emergency room right away while he carried Adhiraj inside.

Devyani, being an observant and understanding wife, silently pleaded with the receptionist, acknowledging that her husband’s behaviour may appear unreasonable.

Being a perpetually cheerful woman, she was a familiar face to the receptionist. She was the kind of mother-in-law that every girl would hope for. She had always been there for Vandana, accompanying her to every prenatal visit and subsequent check-ups for her three grandsons.