Chapter 6

Chapter 4-Manveer

"You shouldn't have done that Manveer.", daarji said disappointedly.She looked up,anger and regret warring within her. For the first time in over seven years,daarji had expressed his disappointment in her.The feeling of being looked down on was rather unpleasant.

He continued, oblivious to her turmoil,

"No matter how justified you might have been ,it doesn't give you the right to raise your hand on him.Do not degrade yourself.You're a Brar bahu."

With that he left.

She put her head in her hands, utterly spent,once and for all.

She didn't even bother looking up when her husband sauntered in.Taking a deep breath,she rose and walked towards the door,having no desire to see his face.

"It's not my fault."

The words stopped her short.Her hands were in fists by her side as she fought against her rising anger.If he wanted to get a rise out of her,she wouldn't fall for his bait.Squaring her shoulders,she turned back to him.

"Really?Then whose fault is it?"

He ignored her and made his way to the decanter to refill his glass.

It was bad enough that the men in her life thought her a disappointment,she didn't need to be ignored as well.Blood boiling, she took the decanter and hurled it against the wall,the alcohol seeping through Picasso's dove of peace hanging on the wall.There were glass shards everywhere,on the floor,on the bed,in his hair.The crash seemed to bring him back to life for a second.His eyes hardened as he surveyed his ruined painting.

"I wonder what I did to deserve a shrew like you."

The words broke her.

Shrew

Hag

Witch

The words which had haunted her her whole life had finally found a home in her husband as well.

He looked aghast,as if reproaching himself,but he didn't seem inclined towards apologising either.

All her life,she had been forced to play second fiddle to a man who didn't deserve the power he had.Her father ,brother and now her husband.The only man who respected her as a person of her own was her father in law.She knew where her loyalties lay and walked out of the room.She'd send Sukhdeep over the next day to get her possessions.

Angad would never become like his father.She'd raise him to become the best version of himself.He'd be a gem of a man,worthy of his grandfather, a prince and heir to the throne.And she'd be the beacon of power behind him,standing unsupported and unfettered, a woman of her own.

Manveer, you can't be so harsh and rigid.

Manveer, you look so pretty when you smile

Manveer,I didn't think you had it in you to smile

Manveer, you'll have to become the head of the household.

Manveer, you need to support Inder.

Poor Inder, it's a pity he married her.

Poor Inder,he deserves better.

Poor Inder,I wonder what Akaal Singh Brar was thinking.

The words kept echoing in her as she stepped out of the western wing into the main mansion.She decided to apologise to Daarji for her rash actions and inform them about her change in accomodation.

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Bebe was fast asleep when she arrived.Daarji took her out into the garden.

"Daarji,I'm sorry.I'm afraid I lost myself and reacted in the heat of the moment."

He sat silently,saying nothing for a while.

"Your anger is justified but do not let it get ahead of you.Weaponize it ,direct it towards something more productive."

"I understand daarji.And I'm also shifting to the guest bedroom in the Eastern wing."

"Jabjyot won't be happy, but I'll talk to her.Don't worry about it.And remember, as the eldest bahu , you're the face of the brar family now.Don't let us down.Do your duty as a mother. Angad's behaviour will reflect on you.Keep that in mind."

"I understand."

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To her surprise,she found Jaspal reading Prabhjyot and Angad a bed time story.She 'd never known that her brother in law had it in him to patiently answer the silliest questions the children could come up with.

"Bua, will you please stop kicking me?"

Angad glared at his aunt as she'd give him a kick .

She simply stuck her tongue out at him and continued fidgeting with her blankets.

Giving a quiet chuckle ,Manveer walked inside.

"Jaspal,I'd like to put Angad in bed if you don't mind.He has school tomorrow and I don't want him up late.If you need is,you can find us in the eastern wing."

If he had detected anything odd about it,he didn't indicate it.

"Of course.Good night Parjaai,good night Angad."

Prabhjyot gave her nephew and sister in law a kiss each before settling herself between her blankets.

Nodding at her brother in law, she left for her room,a reluctant Angad tailing behind.

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"Mumma, is papa alright?"

She froze at her son's innocuous question.

Despite her dress,she decided to rip the bandage off once and for all.

"Angad, your Papa is a bit sick and won't be able to join us during celebrations and work anymore.He needs to rest in his room."

He pondered that bit.

"Will he be okay?"

"I don't know puttar.But don't worry.You've got me and Daarji.We'll be there for you.

And remember,since Papa is sick, you'll have to help Daarji and become the man of the house when you grow up."

"Yes mumma."

He nodded solemnly.