His Brown Bride

32

Rajiv's POV













She didn't go to her village!

Defying her father's warnings, she refused to return home.

It's an open rebellion against our time-honoured traditions.

And to make matters worse, she's avoiding me.

Her stupid bodyguards blocked my every attempt to reach out to her yesterday.

I can't even get a message through without resorting to using my employee as a go-between. That's how I got her contact information.

Who does she think she is, disobeying our family's legacy like this?

I glanced at my phone when it started ringing.

Her father's name flashed on the screen.

I answered and greeted him, "Good evening."

But his response was filled with malice and anger. "I'll make sure that defiant girl pays for her disobedience," he snarled.

"I'm coming to Mumbai to drag her back to where she belongs. She'll regret ever crossing me." His words sent a chill down my spine because I know he is capable of inflicting harm on her, and I fear for her safety because I want her now.

"Is that necessary?" I asked.

"Very necessary," he replied, his voice cold.

"She's a disobedient wife, so she needs to be taught a lesson. She's strayed from our path, but I'll make sure she understands her place." He paused, then added, "I'll ensure I guide her back; mark my words." With that, he ended the call.

I released a long, exhausted sigh.

Maybe it is really necessary!

••••

It was the next day, Sunday.

I heard a familiar voice yelling, "Daughter-in-law! Daughter-in-law!"

I was in the middle of a phone call, discussing the restaurant's interior designs, but I quickly hung up and rushed outside.

My eyes widened in surprise when I saw my grandmother standing there, her voice booming as she called out to my mom.

What in the world brought her here?

My mother descended the stairs, her silk sari rustling with each step she took.

My brother followed closely behind, with Divya.

"Oh, I forgot," my grandmother asserted as she fixed her gaze on Divya.

"Why, daughter-in-law! That girl will fetch my luggage," she proclaimed.

Divya's eyes darted to me, then back to my mother, and then Rajesh, her expression a picture of disbelief.

"Me?" she chuckled while raising a hand to her chest.

"Yes, or will you disobey me?" She replied, her hands on her hips, her eyes flashing with steel as she stared straight into Divya's eyes, her expression an icy calm.

"I'm sorry, but I won't..." she began to say, in a respectful way, when Rajesh intervened in a whisper.

"No one disobeys Grandmother. Please, just quietly obey her," he whispered, his eyes pleading with her to comply.

She turned to him, and he conveyed his apology with a slight nod and a regretful grimace.

She nodded, then stormed out of the room and shut the exit door with a loud slam.

"And you," she spat, her gaze snapping to my mother, who moved to touch her feet for blessing.

However, her hand hovered in mid-air, frozen in surprise, because Grandmother backed away.

"You've lost that right," she told her.

"Go and prepare my room at once!" Her tone was cold, and it made my blood boil.

My fists clenched in anger at the way she was speaking to my mother, who looked crestfallen, her eyes welling up with tears.

"Did I do something, mother?" she asked, her voice trembling, but she was met with an icy glare that made her flinch.

"You're asking me what you did?" she sneered,

"You've done so many things, so many things. Now get out of my sight. I want to meet my grandsons." With a dismissive wave of her hand, she pushed my mother aside.

After she turned to us, her gaze softened.

"Ah, my able grandsons," she cooed, her voice transforming from icy to gentle.

She opened her arms and said, "Come, come, my little ones. Grandma has missed you so much." Her face, once stern and unforgiving, now radiated with love.

Rajesh smiled and embraced her.

"I'm still upset you didn't marry the girl I chose," she stated.

"But don't worry; now that I'm here, I'll make sure everything falls into place again." She pulled away, a sly smile spreading across her face, while he looked on, confusion appearing on his features.

I approached her hesitantly because she is still my elder, so I am obligated to show respect.

I touched her feet, and she blessed me with a long life.

"I'm still angry with you too," she said, her eyes narrowing.

"How could you let your wife leave you? Who does she think she is to walk out on you? If only you had shown her what a man is capable of."

I met her gaze, then moved away, uncomfortable with the hug she offered next.

She smiled, while my mother reappeared downstairs, telling her, "Your room is ready, mother."

Her gaze darted to the closed exit door, and her expression transformed into one of irritation. "Where did that girl go? Why hasn't she returned yet?" she exclaimed.

"Rajesh, go and check on her," she instructed in an authoritative voice.

He nodded obediently and headed out.

I also excused myself and stepped out into the fresh air.

"What do you mean?" Rajesh asked Divya.

My attention wandered to them.

"Why should I carry her bag?" she retorted, shrugging her shoulders.

"She's still fit and capable. She could've done it herself. I won't carry it. You're her grandson, so you take it in."

He sighed, shaking his head in resignation, and lifted the bag. As he turned, he noticed me watching and offered a faint smile.

I returned a small smile of my own before continuing into the garden.