Page 6

“Papa, this car goes so fast!”

Everyone bursts into laughter again. Raghunath turns to Vyom and says.

“Son, I gave you the money last night itself. Why haven’t you bought a bike yet?”

“Papa, there was so much work at the office that I didn’t get time to look at any bikes. I don’t want to make a rushed decision. That’s why I didn’t buy it today. Tomorrow I won’t either; I want to visit 3 to 4 showrooms first. Only after that will I think about buying it the day after tomorrow.”

“It’s your wish. The bike is yours, so the choice should be yours too.”

“What nonsense… If the bike comes late, I won’t be able to ride it at all. You know I have an interview scheduled the day after tomorrow. After finalizing everything, I’ll be leaving within two days. I like all three companies a lot. The problem is no one wants to help me decide where to go, saying I should work where I’m comfortable. Do you even understand how much work is waiting for me?”

Vyom says nothing but smiles quietly. Raghunath lovingly looks at Jhankar, who just wants to have fun and tease her brother.

~~~

Vikrant dislikes celebrating rituals but refrains from expressing his feelings in front of Sharda because she is managing all the marriage responsibilities so well. He feels powerless to say anything against her efforts. Despite knowing Vikrant’s dislike for these traditions, Sharda is determined to ensure the marriage proceeds with flawless rituals, and she cannot stop herself.

“I still can’t believe you’re going to become a groom. Your marriage is tomorrow. Until I see you with your bride, I won’t believe you’re married.”

“You still treat me like a small child.”

“People call you a dangerous mafia, but I call you my little Viku, who will never grow up. By the way, I told you to get Sonakshi something suitable, something wonderful for her first date.”

Vikrant can’t hide anything from Sharda, nor does he want to, so he replies immediately.

“You said that, but I think she had high expectations that I would get her something. That’s why she came prepared. She asked me what I wanted.”

“Well, that’s even better. At least she’s wearing something of her own choice. Your choice was terrible anyway.”

Vikrant turns to face her, and she bursts into loud laughter. Akhil had told Sharda everything about Sonakshi, and Sharda doesn’t see anything wrong in it. Every bride dreams of wearing something she chooses at her wedding. Since Sonakshi had picked something herself, Vikrant also wanted to gift it. For the payment, which had to be in cash, she openly tried to talk to him. What Sharda likes most is that the girl is trying to handle everything openly, and so she refuses to hear anything negative about Sonakshi from Vikrant.

As Sharda reaches for her glass of water, some drops fall onto the table, catching Vikrant’s attention. After drinking, he carefully wipes the table with a piece of tissue paper, places the tissue beneath the glass, and then sets the glass down on top. Sharda watches attentively and comments.

“Your bride will be very upset because you find flaws in every small thing.”

“I have no control over this. You know I want everything to be perfect. It may be perfect for others, but until it’s perfect for me, I’m not comfortable.”

Sharda smiles, running her hand gently through his hair, then kisses his forehead tenderly. Tears fill her eyes this time. Vikrant is strong and can handle anything, but her eyes are now moist with emotion. He immediately grasps her hands and speaks softly.

“Why do you do this, Maa? You know I hate it.”

“You won’t understand how thrilled I was when I held you in my arms for the first time. From that day, you became my son. I was preparing for my own son’s wedding when the accident happened, when both my husband and son burned alive. I completely lost hope. But the day our grandmother entrusted you to me, I saw my son in you. From that moment until today, I’ve only dreamed of you becoming a groom. Tomorrow, when you come here with your bride, I will die of happiness.”

“Maa, if anything happens to you, I will set the whole world on fire.”

“Don’t love me so much that you feel forced to do things you don’t want to.”

“The whole world is on one side, and you’re on the other side for me. If you ask me to slit my throat in front of you, I will do it too. So I never think about doing something I don’t want to do. I’m doing everything only for you. So listen carefully, whatever you say is my order, and I will obey every word.”

Sharda is unable to respond in words. Instead, she kisses his forehead again and smiles, because he is her happiness, and she longs to hold onto this love forever. Vikrant sits quietly, resting his head on her knees. She kisses his forehead and whispers,

“God bless you with love, my son.”

“And you are my god.”

She smiles softly and continues praying for his joyful life.

CHAPTER 4