Chapter 42

Chapter 39-Jabjyot

Jabjyot watched her husband closely as he smiled to himself in the mirror as he got ready for bed,a rare occurrence indeed.Usually,she never interfered with her husband's moods,letting them run their course but this time she was too intrigued to let go.

"Brar Saab,you look very happy tonight.I wonder what's in the air?"

He chuckled before turning to her,

"Meri votti, your husband is now the father in law to the most affluent woman in all of Punjab.Now no one can look down on the Brar household.I no longer have to look down on anyone."

While she was happy for him,she couldn't help having misgivings.

"Brar Saab, don't you think it's a little unorthodox for Gurleen to outrank Jaspal and you?He is her husband and you're her father in law.What if this sows discord in the family?"

"Jabjyot, you're severely underestimating your son and husband."he reprimanded her,

"Jaspal is not Inder.He will be proud of his wife's accomplishments and will do his utmost best to ensure her success.As for me,what sort of father cannot resent his own child's success?"

"You don't trust your own children,but you're perfectly willing to support a near stranger.How could you?"

Her husband contemplated for a while before replying.

"All my children have been disappointments. Inder is too wrapped up in himself to consider his family and business.Jasleen is a chameleon. She loves no one and is utterly worthless when it comes to business.For all that she goes on and on about not getting the same opportunities as her brothers,not once has she ever attempted to work for it.If she expects me to hand everything over to her on a silver platter, she's sorely mistaken."

Jabjyot was shocked.She had always thought her husband had trouble expressing his love towards his children but such full blown hatred was unexpected.Brar Saab had decided to back Gurleen which left her to protect the interests of her children.

"And what about Manveer? She's ambitious and smart enough."she ventured .

"But she rejected my job offer in favour of her husband.Had she been an iota smarter she would've realised the insecure wimp her husband actually is and acted sooner.Yet she clung to him and he discarded her."

Jabjyot closed her eyes,she had been disappointed in Inder as well.Brar Saab had hoped for Manveer to join the company but Inder had quickly put a stop to it,unable to see his spouse sucessful in face of his own failures.

"You've talked about everyone;but what about Jaspal?"

"Jaspal is my least problematic child and probably the only one's life I haven't ruined yet with my interference.He is kind ,good and loyal and deserves all the love in the world.I wish to marry him off to someone who will love him unconditionally for the way he is and protect him."

A lone tear trickled down his cheek.Jabjyot felt numb.Her husband had finally acknowledged his part in ruining Inder's life,yet he was ten years far too late.While she was happy that he cared enough about Jaspal,a part of her resented the fact that her third son could be happy while her first son drowned in misery.

She knew a mother could not have favourites,yet Inder was the child of her heart.She had nearly died giving birth to him and wanted him to be happy.She'd been heart broken when he had been forced to give up hockey and the love of his life and had prayed he'd find his happiness with Manveer.Yet it was not meant to be.He became a drunkard and her daughter in law miserable.Her only solace now was Angad,who in her eyes was an extension of the child of her heart.

If her son couldn't be happy,atleast get grandson could.She'd ensure that Angad inherited what was rightfully his as the eldest Brar.There was no way she could let an outsider change the status quo.As long as Jabjyot Kaur Brar was alive, everyone would stay in their rightful places.

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The next morning,she went in search of Manveer who was busy instructing the household staff regarding the preparations for Gurleen's induction as chairperson.Manveer was the perfect Brar bahu,someone who could uphold the family's image no matter how dire the circumstances were.She was very reliable and never questioned their judgement.Most importantly,she was grooming Angad to be a worthy heir.What more could she want?

"Manveer puttar,"

"Ji Bebe?"

"Could you please walk with me?"

Manveer took her arm and the two of them set out into the gardens outside.

"Puttar,I need your opinion about something,no someone.Your family has known the Babbars for a long time right?What is Gurleen like?And more importantly,is she suitable for this family?"

Manveer thought for a moment before replying.

"Bebe,I know I have always been harsh on Gurleen and that has coloured your judgement.I have always been unfair to her.While she did play a role in sending my brother away to the States,we cannot forget that she'd didn't mean any harm.She was just a child who was in the wrong place at the wrong time .I just need time to get over the whole incident, that's why I still feel reserved around her.Plus, she's already apologised multiple times which has actually helped me.

She is truly a good person Bebe.You can never doubt her character.Her only flaw is that she talks too much,if that's even an issue and has the tendency to befriend any living being."

Jabjyot started laughing.It seems they had all missed something hidden beneath the girl's reserve.Jaspal was in for a shock.And she was going to enjoy every single minute of it.

However,nice as the girl might be, she'd have to learn and adhere to the status quo.She vowed to ensure it would happen.