Captured

Chapter 2

"I wanted you to marry first." She grumbled, puckering her forehead out. "You are the eldest one. And, it's time you make a family. You are one handsome, strapping male with the prestige and respect in the world. You should…"

"Okay, okay, enough for today." He butted in, holding his hands up. "I've got some work to finish. We can discuss my attributes later. So, how about I walk you to your room?"

The lady slapped his arm gently, "I am still young to walk without the support of your sturdy arms."

"It's contrary actually." He said, holding her palm, "I need the support of your mighty arms. Come on!" They exited his office and he made her arm hooked into his, making sure to engage her in light conversation until she turned the sniper at him. "Why aren't you going to attend Devendra's engagement?"

"It's not important for me." He dismissed and Padma shot him a glare. "He is your grandmother's relative. Sumitra will feel bad."

A cold sneer appeared on his face. "Nani ma, as much as I know her. She'll be glad that I'm not attending the ceremony."

He knew how much hatred was there in Maharani Sumitra's heart for him that she wouldn't want to see his face. If it were in her hands, she would get him killed. Not that she didn't try but she never succeeded. She had forgotten their relationship long back and it was just a facade for both of them now.

"Ranvijay, it's not…"

"Nani ma, please." He insisted and Padma reluctantly clammed up. "Fine. Do whatever you feel like." Ranvijay opened her mouth but she continued. "If you don't care about you grandfather, you should not go."

"You know he is using this engagement as an excuse to see me." Ranvijay grumbled, bored of his elders' tantrums. They behaved like kids. "I'm not ready for his questionnaire. He already knows that I'm not going to change my mind. Why…"

"But, what's wrong in this?" Padma interrogated, banging her eyebrows together. "You should marry. When you take up your responsibility, I want a decent lady to reduce the burden off your shoulders. I've seeked Maharaja Lakshyadeep's opinion and he said whatever suits you. We can always hold a ceremony and talk to…"

"You don't have to." Ranvijay desperately maintained. "I don't believe in marriage, you both know this. I can't bear this responsibility and Vijayata is nowhere near the woman I can think of spending my life with. She will never be."

"But…"

"There has not been any record of marital obligation in royal history to ascend the throne." He said on a frustrated exhale, "I can handle everything."

Padma watched him in a painful expression. "You have hurt me a lot today, Ranvijay. Your grandfather and I just want to see you happy and married. There hasn't been any marital obligation but one can not ascend the throne without the makings of an heir. And, even without an heir, you can't spend your whole life alone."

Ranvijay rubbed a spot above his eyebrow and closed his eyes. He had to leave before the matter flowed out of his hand. He racked his brain for an opening and just then, Veer sautered to them. "What's this granny? Only he is dear to you. You never walk with me." He pouted.

"Why are you jealous!? Don't you already know she loves me more?" Ranvijay smirked and Padma admonished him. "Shut up! All my grandsons are dear to me."

Veer flashed Ranvijay a winning smirk.

"But, yes, Ranvijay is the most dear one out of you three." Padma added, amusingly and Veer's smile dropped, making Ranvijay and Padma chuckle.

"Alright. Veer, take Nani ma to her room. I have to be somewhere urgently." Ranvijay quickly slipped away and made his way to the security room.

***

Matsyaa was curled up on the swing installed in the roof, lost in her despondent thoughts. Three long days had elapsed. Three days where she'd slept off every night, remembering her uncle and woken up every morning, seeing the mournful face of her aunt. Arush was another tale. The final rituals were over. Company was shut down for a week.

The news of Ashish's demise spread like forest fire and their company started to lose shares in the absence of a stable owner. Since her father was the highest stakeholder after her uncle, responsibility fell upon his shoulder for the management of the company and that meant settling in India.

Gauri and Anup weren't in favor of the idea and wanted Arush to step into his father's shoes to command the company but he was the same age as Matsyaa, still working towards his business degree in Australia thereby becoming unable to run a company.

Besides, the board of directors had straightforwardly refused to be responsible towards a kid who lacked proficiency.

Fifty thousand people who are dependent upon us for food and shelter, Matsyaa pondered, swinging and snuggled the cushion close to her heart. A heated debate was going on downstairs within elders and they had decided to keep kids out of this.

But, Matsyaa—and others, as well—had an idea of what was happening. Upesh, her father's eldest cousin, had suggested administering the company if Anup transferred some of his shares to him, making him the major shareholder but the legal attorney of the company forbade them.

He reminded them of the clause made in Late. Badrinath Rathore's will, clearly stating that Anup could only transfer his shares to Matsyaa and the owner needed a sum total of forty seven percent shares to hold the position of Chairperson. Except men in the family, only Matsyaa had the shares that reached the threshold of thirty percent—major part of them were gifted to her by her grandfather on being the first girl child in four generations.

Unwillingly, Anup agreed to hold the command of the company and decided to train Arush meanwhile so that he could step up to administer the company once his studies were completed.

But, Gauri wasn't very impressed with this alternative. She had inherited hospitals from her father—which was the major cause why Anup had to settle in London—and Anup had a branch of their business. Their immigration was tough with the responsibilities upon their shoulders.

Amidst this Matsyaa was unable to find peace and the only thing that calmed her was pretty sunset.

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Hi folks,
Just the initial twelve chapters will be available here.. You'll find the full book on Booknet. The link is in the description.