Captured

Chapter 2

"Certainly!" Ranvijay muttered thoughtfully and glanced at the evidence cluttered on his office table. He lit another cigarette, "This is just to divert us. Only Randheer can give me answers. I'm sure Raghvendra has something to do with this. It's just…"

"Ranvijay!"

Fuck! Ranvijay cursed the timing and butted the bead nimbly before waving the smoke away and kindly smiled at the woman standing on the doorstep. "Nani ma! What are you doing here?"

"Well, you've been scarce for everyone so I thought to check upon you. This place came first into my mind." A lady in her late sixties scowled playfully, coming in and juggled her gaze between both the men. "Did I interrupt anything?"

"Of course not!" Ranvijay assured her smiling, his instructive eyes travelling to Bhushan who gave an understanding nod and took his leave after greeting the Rajmata. Ranvijay tactfully hid the photographs under some files and supported himself on the table, folding legs at ankles. "Why are you here? You could've called me. You should take rest."

"Why? Am I sick?" The woman grew offended and he shook his head, chuckling to himself. "No. I didn't mean it like that. It's just you've been extremely excited about this wedding that you've not properly taken care of yourself. I am worried."

"You are worried over nothing." The lady rolled his eyes and Ranvijay adored her face with a smile. He placed his hand forward for her to hold and caressed her gnarled hand. "You don't know what you are to me, Nani maa. You are my only, only strength. I have no one except you. No one. That's why I care for you the most."

Padma Raghuvanshi peered at him with concern. He was strangely resembling the small boy who came to Amergarh as its adopted successor. His eyes—bold and beautiful, filled with rage and apprehension—and his mind troubled. She caressed his cheek, "What's bothering you, son?"

Ranvijay covered her hand, shaking his head. "Nothing. I am fine."

"It doesn't look like that."

"You are just concerned. I am telling you I'm fine. How is it going with the new couple?" He deliberately changed the topic and made her sit on the plush couch, grinning. "Has Shekhar won any of the games or he's failing all?"

"Deepika is smart!" She joined him and sniffed the air with a frown. "What's this foul smell? Is it tobacco?"

Ranvijay paled. "No. No. It's, um, uh, burning wood."

"Wood?"

"Yeah! Uh, these, uh, maids are, I guess, um, enjoying bonfire." He excused, scratching his nape and internally cringed. How bad I am at lying!

"Bonfire in the scorching noon?" Padma wasn't backing off and her face screwed up. "They need our permission but…"

"Forget it, Nani ma. They'll be getting melted off in heat, what it has to do with us? Now, tell me, is there anything important?"

"No. I just wanted to appreciate your efforts." She praised him, patting his back. "You arranged everything luxuriously. I am proud of you." 

Ranvijay's smile was gone. He gave a derisive look and gazed down on his lap. She was trying to make him feel better and he wouldn't waste her efforts, for she was the woman who had dedicatedly carved out his strong, fearless personality out of a thirteen years old shaken up boy. With a troubled childhood as his, none anticipated him to evolve with such powerful and controlling aura in his adulthood. She made him learn how to endure it all with a smile and get back so fiercely that the enemy wouldn't have time to wink.

"You flatter me the most." He humored and she shrugged at him, "Well, one should learn to flatter the king."

"I'm not the one yet. Your son still holds the position. You should flatter him actually." He reminded and she negated firmly. "No, he is your representative. He will step down when you're ready. We are waiting to see you married and happy. With your wife coming in your life, Ajinkya and I will retire from our official obligations." She said on an exhale and Ranvijay admonished her. "You just got a granddaughter in law, Nani ma."