A Hundred Flukes

Trapped

Chapter 19

A mother's affections can never be partial with her children, but can the same be said as regards a grandmother? If Devyani Raizada often found her affections rather inclined towards the children of her deceased daughter, one would be quick to point that these affections were indeed rooted in her deep concern for the two. Although Devyani had time and again manifested her disapproval of her son and his act of marrying the girl of his choice, namely Manorma, she was in no doubt that their son Akash had received excellent upbringing of which she never failed to take the credit for.

She knew she'd never have to worry about Akash for being the youngest of the three notwithstanding, Akash was much more sorted than his elder cousins, at least on emotional grounds. He had unfailingly assumed the role of a peacemaker, whether it was a tussle between his grandmother and mother or any problem in general, unless it involved Arnav. Devyani trusted Akash for his actions.

On the other hand was Anjali, the eldest of the three - the princess of the family. A shadow of her mother, Anjali was an epitome of grace. She replicated the same placidity of disposition and magnanimity, characteristic of her mother. Every time Anjali smiled, Devyani saw Ratna, her daughter smile through her, every time Anjali spoke, the family saw Ratna speak through her, but Anjali had inherited much more than she ought to from her mother, the precious daughter of the Raizadas had too much to endure. She had been subject to the cruel vagaries of fate, much of Anjali's teenage and twenties had been a complete mess, and her crippled leg could not have done more to add to her insecurities. Had she not met her husband three years back, she would have been pretty much the same without the emotional support he had given to her life. Devyani felt like the most content woman in the world to see her grandchild settled, but it was her daughter's son, Arnav, who wouldn't deign to give her similar contentment.

Even as a little child, Arnav had been difficult and irascible, his growing years had only turned him more rebellious, yet in his presence was an assurance, that he was somebody to be depended upon. It was after Devyani's husband, Pratap Singh Raizada died of a cardiac arrest seven years back, that Arnav had taken the responsibility of the family and that he had carried out with efficiency till date. So much so that he didn't even deem it necessary to consult his grandmother before taking decisions; dominating he had always been but in the past few months, Arnav had conveniently overruled Devyani and the family had backed him. This was perforce, to Devyani's dislike, not that she had any ego issue with him, but it were his expedient and often rash ways that aroused her concern. And it was to this attitude of his and her years of experience that she was highly skeptic upon the knowledge of him being involved with a girl. The fact that all the others in the family, apparently, knew about his affair and that it was somehow being kept secret from her prompted her to draw conclusions, which for that matter, weren't in favor of her grandson.

"Hello? May I speak to Ms Lavanya Kasyap?" Devyani inquired over phone.

"Yes, that's me. Who is this?" replied a drowsily reluctant voice.

"I am Arnav's Nani." said Deyani sternly, not quite liking the tone of the girl.

The phone almost fell from Lavanya's grip, why on Earth would ASR's grandmother call her? Arnav never really talked much about his family, although Lavanya knew Akash well and had a fleeting acquaintance with Anjali and her husband whom she had met a couple of times, but nani...?

"Are you listening to me?"

"Yes naniji..."

"I need to meet you, at my residence in twenty minutes. Don't tell Arnav anything about this. Do you follow?" said Devyani sounding like a military official.

"Only twenty minutes?"

"Yes, you have any problem with that?"

"N..no, as you wish Naniji."