Harika was pacing in front of kitchen for almost 15 minutes trying to gain some courage and face her mother. As far as she remembers, that is a first for her. She never had to think much before going to her mother, even when she was at fault. Because her mother never walked out on her, especially not after scolding her like that. Her mother always took her side. She saved her from everyone's anger, almost every time she pulled some stunt. Honestly speaking, she felt betrayed when her mother walked out like that. She, as usual, expected her mother to save her. But her perspective changed after the conversation she had with Agastya. What she did now, is not some silly thing or prank, which can be unseen.
According to everyone, what she did was not only morally wrong but also a criminal offense. Even though, opting for unfair means, is normalized in few households, her's never approved of it. Such things were not expected from her and they had been vocal about it all along. By doing that, she hurt their feelings and by being nonchalant about it, she dissed their parenting, in a way. And they don't deserve that!! For that and that alone, she is here, to apologize. She took a deep breathe and reminded herself of why she is here and walked inside.
Anjali looked at her daughter and ignored her. If the girl is here, thinking that she can talk her way out of it, she is definitely wrong.
Anjali's ignorance stung Harika more than anything. Tears rushed into her eyes but she blinked them back and approached her mother cautiously.
"I am sorry, Mumma." She apologized to her mother. Anjali turned around in shock listening to the words that slipped out of her daughter's mouth. Out of everything she expected her daughter to talk, apology is the least of it. Her younger daughter never apologized. She only knows how to talk her way out of it. The girl is gifted with charming innocence and those cute eyes, which did half of the work.
Harika missed out on her mother's reaction completely as she was looking down and continued "I am really sorry Mumma. I am not sorry that I cheated. I still don't understand why it is that big of a problem, but I am truly sorry that I cheated, despite knowing that you won't appreciate it. I hurt you and I have no right to do such thing. I made a mistake, knowing that it would hurt my family. I am sorry for that."
Anjali could hear the honesty in her daughter's voice. After a long time, she saw such honesty from her younger daughter. She could always see through her kids but she let them get away with almost everything. Last time Harika was this honest, was when she fought with her only best friend and realized that she was wrong. Her daughter realized her mistake and confessed it to her before going to her friend.
The girl standing in front of her was not dishonest, but she was not completely honest as well. Until and unless Harika realizes that she is wrong, she never apologizes, not even to get her way out of it. She knows what works with each of them and she never thinks to use that knowledge for her gain. But this time, she didn't chose that path and came to her, with an apology. Now that is change, which is a shock to her. When she heard that Agastya stepped in to save Harika, she was a bit disappointed. She didn't expect Agastya to support Harika. But now she can see, he didn't support her but made her realize the mistake. He did something which none of them did. She decided to trust the honesty in her daughter's voice and Agastya's involvement in this, like she always does.
She made her daughter look up. A hint of smile on Anjali's face eased Harika to some extent.
"Tumne maafi maangi aur maine maaf kardiya. Lekin dubara repeat mat karna. Thappad pad jayega. Hmm?"
Harika nodded with a smile and hugged her mother tightly. She whispered "Aap college authorities se baat karoge?"
Anjali shook her head and pulled back. She looked straight into her daughter's eyes "Nahi. Mai kisi se baat nahi karungi. Apne Papa se bhi khud baat karlena. Aur agar vo maan gaye, tho chale jaana college. Galti kiya na tune, manao sabko." She declared.
Harika's face fell but she knew she can't ask for more. Anjali's forgiveness gave her a little courage to face her father. She hugged her mother once again and walked away to find her father.
Anjali looked on as she saw her daughter walking to her father. A small smile graced her lips. The pleasant change she saw in her daughter had everything to do with Agastya. The boy, who walked into her house few months ago, wouldn't have cared enough. He would have been extremely polite and might have stopped them from scolding Harika but he wouldn't have taken Harika's responsibility. Of course, he was new to the house and them but she believed that he wouldn't have cared even if he had known them. He is changing for good. The happiness she felt with this information, overpowered the disappointment towards Harika.
Harika made her way to her father who was sitting in the lawn, under the shade of tree, staring into nothing. He was agitated and she could see that from far. She felt guilty for putting him through this. Her father is the best anyone could ask for. He never restricted them from doing anything until and unless it comes to their honour and safety. He has been very particular about this. He always made sure to reiterate every time that they live in a society and if they call themselves social beings, then there are few things which should be done according the society. Her father cared about his honour more than anything and she dared to put a black spot on that. She approached him slowly and sat beside him.
Raghav looked at his daughter who sat beside him and got up to walk away before he scolded her, or worse raised his hand on her. But Harika stopped him catching his wrist. "I am sorry, Papa." she apologized and Raghav turned to her in shock. But soon the shock is replaced with doubt. He raised his eyebrows. The girl never apologized. She stood like a statue when a simple sorry would have bailed her out. Why is she doing that now?!
Harika got up and looked into her father's eyes "Maine aapko hurt kiya. I am sorry, Papa. Mujhe pata tha aap approve nahi karoge. Mujhe nahi laga tha ki mai pakdi jaungi. Iska consequences tho pehle se hi pata tha. Par ab face kar rahi hu na consequences, I realised it is not worth it. Aap sab ko ani selfishness mein hurt kardiya maine. I am sorry, Papa. Please maaf kardijiye."
Raghav was too taken aback by the number of sorrys rolling out of Harika's mouth! And surprisingly, she sounded .. honest? Could that be real? The change of attitude within minutes is too good to be true. For all he knows, she is just faking it?
He wanted to cross check with her but his gaze fell upon Agastya who is talking to the villagers. He had been right there when the villagers came to him with their problem. He was too agitated to give them any kind of solution. He was about to dismiss them but Agastya stepped forward to handle the situation and he let Agastya. And now, by the looks of it, Agastya had already sorted the problem. He sighed.
So, Agastya is the reason his daughter came to him with apologies. He kept looking at Agastya as he talked to the villagers, de-crowding them one by one. The man went through the motions with a practiced ease. Agastya's behavior always had him amused. Understanding the problem and providing the solution for it was not which had him amused. What amused him was Agastya's power of not only understanding the problem but also the people that came to them with problem. That made the job much easier. He couldn't help but wonder about what Agastya used to do before he came to this village. With so much efficiency and intelligence at hand, the man must have been definitely successful at what he chose.
While he was lost in his thoughts, Harika apologized again, getting agitated with his silence. And Raghav nodded his head, still looking at Agastya, shocking Harika. Soon, the shock is replaced by a smile "Iska matlab mai college jaa sakti hu na?" She asked out of happiness while Raghav nodded again, absentminded. Her eyes widened and she hugged him tightly bringing him back to the world.
Raghav sighed when he realized what just happened and decided to let it be that way. He looked down at his daughter who was clinging onto him. He couldn't stop himself from embracing her. After Harika had her fill, she pulled back with the same smile "Aap please college mein ek baar baat karlo, Papa. Aapki baat tho koi mana nahi karte hai." She pleaded.
Raghav shook his head "Mai kisi se baat nahi karnewala, Harika."
Harika pouted and whined "Maine sorry bola na Papa. Ab kya karu? Aap help nahi karoge tho kaun karega? Mumma ne bhi mana kardiya! Di waise bhi meri koi help nahi karti. Bhaiyya se puchke koi fayda bhi nahi hai."
Raghav looked back at Agastya "Jake usise puch lo jisne tujhe samjhaya hai."
"Agastya bhaiyya?" Harika frowned and Raghav nodded, looking at Agastya who was talking to one last person, while the crowd dispersed long ago. He smiled at that and shared his feelings "Dekha jaye tho uski baat bhi koi nahi taaltha."
Harika shook her head out of her foolishness. How could she not think about it? She nodded "Bhaiyya yun manalenge!" She exclaimed, no bounds to her relief.
Raghav turned to her daughter "Pehle use toh manale. Phir kush hojao!"
Harika scoffed "Vo kyu nahi manenge? Vo humesha meri side mein hote hai!"
"Achi baat hai." Raghav spoke in an even tone and walked towards Agastya while Harika ran in to the house. Contrary to Harika's beliefs, Raghav strongly believed that it would be toughest to pacify Agastya, out of everyone. Agastya took Harika's responsibility and as far as he understood Agastya, the man never leaves any work in middle.
Agastya sighed in relief as the villagers walked away. It was a petty fight but the egos were to big to back down on both the sides. All he had to do was make them see an incentive which is bigger than their ego. It was no easy task but he pulled it off with ease. Years of experience can't go waste, after all! He still remembered the day his father took him to the office, along with him when he was child. He had known then and there, that he would become a businessman one day, just like his father. That had been his passion all along. And he worked for it, making himself worthy to join the empire, that his parents laid foundation for! He was spiraling in his thoughts when Raghav walked to him.
"Harika ne maafi maangi"
Agastya looked at him startled while Raghav continued "Jaanta hu tumne samjhaya hai aur ye bhi ki tumne uski zimmedari li hai toh nibhaoge."
"Poori koshish karunga, sir." Agastya replied, humbled with Raghav's trust.
Raghav nodded "Zimmedari bina haq ya adhikaar ke nibhana mushkil hota hai, Agastya." He spoke making Agastya confused. Raghav placed an ran arm around Agastya's shoulder and started walking towards house, "Jab mai sarpanch nahi tha, mai zyada kuch nahi karpaya. Karna ka man tha aur karne ka tareeka bhi pata tha. Lekin vo adhikaar nahi tha. Niyat thi par zariya nahi tha."
Agastya listened patiently as Raghav was trying to make a point.
"Tumare sath aisa na ho, Isliye baat kar raha hu." He spoke.
Agastya looked at him confused "Aap kya keh rahe hai, Sir?"
"Tum iss parivaar ko apna maante ho Agastya. Jaanta hu Harika se bahut lagaav hai tumhara. Dikhta hai sab ko." Raghav stopped and turned to Agastya "Par aaj se uspe haq bhi hai tumhe. Use apni choti behen maan ke usi haq se pesh aao. Hume parivaar maante ho, lekin mai keh raha hu, tum parivaar ho, Agastya." Raghav announced shocking Agastya. He shook his head immediately "Iski zaurat nahi hai Sir. Harika ko mai samjhadunga..."
Raghav cut him off "Agastya! Mujhe kisi nakabil ko zimmedari Dene ki aadat nahi hain. Hoti toh Aaj tumhari jagah Satya hota. Agar kuch kar raha hu, toh soch samajh ke hi kar raha hu. Meri baat ka maan rakhlo."
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