OS collections:-4- Arjun-Vasu OS: Just a little love (5th post)17/6

"Your case is different,Lakshmi..."

Virender's words echoed in Ramesh ears. They had managed to convince Babuji for Nisha's job, yet these words haunted Ramesh.
As a sort of stress buster, he decided to prepare tea for his wife and himself.
Lakshmi looked happy for Nisha. probably, those words had no impact on her.
Maybe I'm reading too much into this...

"Ramesh are you all right?"Lakshmi asked as took a sip.
"Yes, Lakshmi. Just tired." He replied.
"Liar" She accused.
"Why would you say that?!" He asked feigning offence.
"Because you put vinegar in the tea." She giggled.
Ramesh slapped his palm to his forehead.
"Sorry!" he offered, holding his ear.

"What is it, Ramesh?"Lakshmi insisted.
"Don't you wish I earned more... so you wouldn't have to work?" he asked hesitantly.
"So you agree with bhai saheb? Women from good families don't go out to work, huh?"She countered.
"Lakshmi, relax me. I think you're the definition of a good woman. I just asked what you feel... If my inadequacy is a burden for you..." He explained.

"I like teaching Ramesh. You can never be a burden. How can you...?" Lakshmi asked, saddened by his self deprecation.

"Babuji, thinks I'm a liability." Ramesh said simply.

"No, he thinks that you're an asset that has sooo much potential." She said, holding her arms wide.

"I wish." He replied.

"It's true." She asserted.

"We're talking of Shri Nemichand Gangwal, not Shrimati Lakshmi Gangwal..." Ramesh said with a laugh.

She narrowed her eyes. "He doesn't think you're inadequate Ramesh. He just expects a lot from you. He would not have expectations if he thought you're no good." She said.

"Expectations that I'll never fulfil..." He mused.

"It's ok, Ramesh. You don't need to prove yourself to him. Maybe if you both stopped trying to bring the other around to your own point of view..."

Ramesh stared at her. Not happening here. Each having his own point of view? In this house?

As if reading his mind, she burst out laughing.
"Okay, okay. Let it be. But Never call yourself inadequate. You're the most perfect husband ever. Even if you give me vinegar-tea."

Ramesh got up to bring her another cup.
As long as she was on his team, he'd survive.

"Why can't he be a singer?" Saroj meekly asked her husband. Nemichand glared at her. "Are you here to defend your son?"

Saroj's expression hardened. "My son? Well, if that's what you think... Then Rames was right in his decision to run away."

Nemichand stood up in indignation. " You have spoiled him. I never thought you'll go as far as supporting such outlandish, stupid,disrespectful ideas! You should have stopped him! God knows how he is managing... " Nemichand plopped back down on the bed. His anger gave way to helplessness. "He's not even 18..." He said trying to suppress the lump in his throat.

"You could have stopped him too. In fact, only you could have stopped him. For all his rebelliousness, he only cares about your approval or disapproval..."

Nemichand looked away. " What will people say?"

"The truth. That your son rebelled against you." Saroj said calmly.

"They'll say that a jeweller's son had to become a mere singer..." Nemichand argued.

"A charioteer's son became a warrior in the Mahabharata, SriKrishna became the charioteer...what is wrong with trying a different profession? You rebelled against your father to try your hand, and I came with you!" Saroj countered.

"I know, I know Saroj. Just imagine how Ramesh will go through all this alone. I got success with so much difficulty so that I could give my children a safe, comfortable life. He is again stepping out of that comfort. Everything I wanted to save him from..." Nemichand trailed off.

Saroj offered him a glass of water. Like every night since Ramesh left, they reached an impasse. Like all those nights she found herself torn between being the understanding mother and the practical wife. She couldn't deny that she was worried sick for Ramesh,too.

***

That night Nemichand had a nightmare of Ramesh singing on the roads begging for his next meal. He awoke with a start.

"I'm bringing him back, Saroj. I'd rather argue with him all my life than worry if he's alive. I'm bringing him back.

"Here you go." He held out his handkerchief to the young, obviously depressed maiden.

"Thank you." She sniffed.

He smiled at her. "Arjun. Arjun S-... What's your name?"

"Vasundhara." She replied, wiping her tears. Suddenly, she asked, "Do you think I'm pretty?"

Arjun's eyebrows shot up. "Of course. Why would you even ask?"

"Is my voice annoying?" She pushed.

"No.No." He replied indignantly.

"Then why doesn't Ramesh love me?" She wailed.

Arjun lowered his eyes. "Because... He's stupid. You deserve better."

She looked at him fully now. "It is irrelevant what I deserve. I want him. Papa has fallen ill after hearing that Ramesh won't marry me."

Arjun smiled sadly.

***

*A few days later*

"Vasundhara, I know that you don't love me... But... That day when i saw you weeping in my palace grounds...I lost myself to you. I wanted you to smile... To be the reason for your smile...Will you allow me to love you? Will you marry me?"

"You're... Arjun Singh Rathore." Vasundhara asked in shock.

Arjun nodded.

"What about our families?" She asked worriedly.

"Shhh... I'll set everything right. I'm here for you. I want to be here for you all my life. Just say yes."

"Yes." Papa will be so happy to hear that I got a Prince. Maybe Ramesh will realise what he lost.

She hugged him. "Thank you Arjun. That's all I ever needed. A little love."

vinegar in tea🤣

good touch.

well written👍🏼