Maryada: Vidya-Gaurav FF - Updates. p. 145 (6/29) - Page 30

Originally posted by: saomom

Okay. Fine. I know it's not even been 24 hours, but I totally blame you for making me so darn addicted to your writing. You're like a dealer and I, your junkie.

Please update soon. ('cause I'm sure you have noting better to do on a Saturday.😆)

Agreed- completely obsessed!!! Please Devi maa - Update update update - Pretty please with a cherry on top!! Make Gaurav show up and whisk vidya away :)

Chapter 30: The First Rule of Engagement

She stood still and concentrated on keeping her breathing even without wavering her gaze from his. She knew from animal behavior that unless the threat was imminent and direct and the best course of action was flight, the next important lesson was to never show fear, even if your insides were clutching with it. She imagined that such knowledge translated very well to her Sasur.

He reached towards her suddenly and she drew back from him startled, feeling the wood of the shelf against her spine. Her father-in-law laughed at her reaction and took the book from her hand. She internally cringed at the invasion of her space and knew from his amused expression that that had precisely been his aim.

"Easy there, girl. You should not startle so easily when you have managed to perfect a steady gaze. It gives you away, don't you know?" He flipped through the book cursorily and then looked up at her. "One of the finest books I have ever read. But maybe you are not ready for it yet. Machiavelli's principles need a completely rational and objective mind as its recipient. I think you have it, although you are a woman, and there are certain limitations posed by your sex that are simply unavoidable. So, let me be the first one to teach you some basic rules of engagement."

He paused there, taking a moment to study her. His gaze was unnerving in its intensity, but she did not look away.

"That is impressive. Not many people can hold my gaze. Not even my wife, and she has known me a lot longer than you."

At this reference to her mother-in-law, she couldn't help but draw back even deeper against the shelf, but it was an almost imperceptible movement, barely detectible, or so she thought.

"See that… again… your body language does not match what you have trained your eyes to do. Be consistent. That is the first rule of engagement. If you face down someone with something as powerful as your eyes, then don't hesitate to have control over the rest of yourself. Without that, my lovely bahu, you would lose the game before it even begins."

She didn't know why he was telling her this or what exactly he was telling her. But the chore of not moving a single muscle required so much concentration in that moment that she couldn't ponder those questions at length.

"You are quite a surprise, Vidya. I will tell you that." He returned the book to her with an unsettling smile – she found all his expressions unsettling – and walked out of the room.

She stood exactly where she was and did not alter her breathing in the least as she stared unwaveringly at the spot where she had seen him last. With several seconds, his head reappeared just there, as she had known it would. Her expression did not change; it reflected no surprise, fear, apprehension… not even curiosity.

"You are a quick study, my dear. Very quick. Maybe Machiavelli won't be lost on you after all."

And with that, he was gone. She closed her eyes as she released the breath that she had been holding in with measured deliberateness. She felt as if she had started a chess game with an opponent whose plays she couldn't see just yet. The only way to proceed was with extreme caution. Because she already knew that the cost of a wrong move would likely be lethal…

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Res
*edited*
yay! Me first! Hm..showdown between bahu-sasur. He creeps me out; I don't like him. Gaurav, gadha, where is he? At work? At home? Sulking? I want to see some Vidya-Gaurav time, Shiv-Gauri made it six months, let's see how long it takes these two. :) knowing you, it's going to take a lot longer, or not. We never know, with you anything is possible. Yes, I agree with the others. Your writing is like a drug, and I just can't get enough of it!! :)

I really, really like that Guarav did not show up! Go Vidya! I vote she use the Rules of Engagement with Guarav...

*sighs*

The whole time ..when I was reading .. I kept reciting " Vidya, you could do it..dont break down" .. I wonna poke this guys eyes out...and puke on his face 🤢..
sorry he just makes me very angry!
Thanks for the updates Devi!

this is what i've been dreading and it's so repulsive to even think her Father in-law would go so far on his own son's wife!

Devi ...i'm so hooked on to this that wait for ur updates desperately ...😃

SSP actually trying to read Vidya's body language. interesting!!! I am liking Vidya trying to keep up her stand.

Please update super super soon .