Vows Of Serenity

4.

[Translation: you keep these smooth talks of yours to yourself

: what's the problem with this woman]

"Radhika bas, Vivek call the Agarwals and you, my child, are going to explain to us about everything", his voice was firm and dominating. I nodded at him and didn't break the eye contact. I didn't want him to think of me as some weak girl.

"I want to talk to you, alone", I added and heard gasps and murmuring from the surrounding. I felt someone bore holes in my head from the back and it didn't take me twice to realise that it was my husband.

Moksh stood inraged on his place and threw daggers at me with his piercing gaze. His grandfather looked at me for a few seconds and then nodded standing up from his seat.

"Aap iss ladki per kaise bharosa kar sakte hai Dad? We don't know what lies she will feed you and trap you under her spell. Eh ladki joh khena hai sabke samne kaho Varna dafa ho jao yaha se", Radhika bua accused and looked at me sharply. I understood her detest towards me. She was just trying to protect her family and she was right in her place. Who in their sane mind would believe a stranger who replaced the real bride and married her son under a veil?

[Translation: How can you trust this girl, Dad? We don't know what lies she will feed you and trap you under her spell. Whatever this girl has to say, tell it in front of everyone or else get lost from here]

"Maine kaha bas Radhika ab ek aur shabd nhi", Dadaji's voice was stern and everyone turned silent. I recognised everyone from the Mehrotra family since I'd seen them during all the rituals. Everyone spared me different looks with mixed emotions, sad, betrayed, cheated on, deceptive, they looked at me as if I'd done the biggest infidelity that I have.

[Translation: I said enough Radhika, not another word.]

Dadaji walked towards the stairs and guided me to the study room. Once inside he sat on the big single couch while I closed the door reframing anyone from ears dropping on our conversation. I walked and stood five steps away from where he sat.

"Speak", his voice was curt, void of any emotion proving how good of a businessman he was.

"I know whatever I did was wrong but I had my reasons", I started

"And we are here to discuss them, so stop beating around the bushes and come to the point", I clicked my tongue and closed my eyes

I counted backwards and then with a huge intake of breath opened my eyes and stared deeply into the man who royally sat on the velvet fabric.

"You weren't aware of everything Dada Ji, there's a big loophole in the deal", I said making him furrow his eyebrows in confusion

"As mentioned in the deal signed, the Agarwal daughter who marries the eldest son of Mehrotra aka Moksh would acquire 20% of shares from the family business making her the biggest shareholder among the rest daughter-in-laws", I added

"I'm aware of that"

"I know, but there's more in it"

"The merger was supposed to happen after the marriage right? But remember you signed some papers last night after the Haldi ceremony? Everything starts getting downhill there", I said and watched his expressions change. He appeared deep in thought and then realisation dawned upon him. He took hold of a file kept on the table and read through the pages before his eyes shifted to me and he signalled with his hand for me to continue.