Chapter-8

Singhania Haveli

Devnagar

Rajasthan

Sanjana's POV:

Akshay has been in a foul mood since yesterday.  Every member of the family was on his/her toes.

Nobody wanted to face his wrath. Only Ma was the one who had reprimanded him to control his anger.

Even Dadi, Kishori bua and Avantika were behaving and prevent themselves from creating any further nuisance.

I was arranging the bed covers when a frustated Akshay enters into the room while banging the door loudly. 

I just ignored him because MA has cautioned me not to aggravate him further. As if I don't know : he is not aggravated enough. 

He paces from one end to other end of room for few times while muttering to himself. Nobody in the house has seen him loosing his self-control like this. Whatever the reason behind his agitation was it, it was some serious matter.

He deep breathed quite a few times and composed himself. 

"Sanjana, ask Kirti to meet me within next ten minutes."

"Ok, anything else?" I asked.

"No." He said and left for the bathroom.

I left the room to call Kirti Di when I reached room, I saw that she was not alone but Dadi and Avantika were with her in her room.

I knocked and enter.

"Yes Sanjana?" She asked.

"Kirti Di, Akshay is calling you in his room."

"And why is he calling me, Sanjana?" 

"That I am not aware Di but he asked me to inform you he wants to meet you within next ten minutes."

"Then tell him that if he has some work with me, he can come here by himself and can talk to me." She haughtily replied.

"Look Di, I just informed you what Akshay had said to me but let me advise you it will be beneficial all of us if you do not meet him soon and please try not to anger him further." I politely replied to her.

"Keep your opinion to yourself." With that she slammed door on my face.

I left from there shaking my head at her stubborness and high headedness.

I immediately informed MA what has transversed in last five minutes.

She tried to coax Kirti Di but all in vain. I asked Ma to inform Akshay that Kirti Di has denied because I was seriously terrified of his anger. That man intimidates me like no other.

I was preparing Mac' n cheese for Abhiaynk and Abhilasha (children of the family) when a sudden commotion from the hall attracted my attention. I, Milapriya bhabhi and Khusali bhabhi came out to check the ruckus. 

Akshay was sitting on the sofa opposite to the staircase and everyone else was standing on the sidelines and a screaming and screeching Kirti Di was dragged infront of Akshay by two bodyguards.

Akshay signalled the guards to leave and they left immediately.

"Kirti, I had asked you to meet me. Have not I? Why did not you?" Akshay asked her in composed and controlled voice.

"I am not your puppet like everyone else who will dance on your tunes." She angrily snapped at him.

Ma tried to interfare but Akshay signalled her not to do so. 

"Look Kirti, I have no time for your tantrums. I wanted to talk to you privately but you are more interested in being childish so let it be. I am going to ask few questions and you are going to answer truthfully because test me one more time and I promise you, you will see me at my worst. Am I clear?" Akshay aksed in his snappy business tone when she unwillingly nodded her head.

"Is there anyone in your life?" 

"Yes." She whispered.

Everyone was shocked listening to her answer. But Akshay was calm whether it was calm before storm or something else. No one knows.

"Who?" He asked.

"Ranvijay Pratap." 

"How can you keep such thing from us, Kirti?" Ma asks her. 

"Not now, Mum." Said Akshay.

Akshay dialled someone from his phone and said just a word "File" before hanging up.

Just after few seconds, Alex came with a file and left immediately. He scanned the file quickly and nodded to himself.

"Next month on 25th, Kirti will be getting engaged to Ranvijay Pratap." He announced to a dumbfounded Kirti and started leaving and then suddenly turned and said to her "Ask him to meet me, tomorrow sharp at 6:00, in evening."

"Neelanjla, look at your daughter shaming our family name. I guess she was not satisfied that she did it once and now she is doing again and your beloved son instead of slapping some senses into her is more interested in getting her married to her lover."  Kishori bua taunts Ma.

This made Akshay angry.

"I will keep my mouth shut if I was you bua, you will not want me to open file on your son and daughter, would you?" When she did not respond he continued.

"Everyone, let me make it to you very clear. I will not tolerate anyone badmouthing against Kirti. If I wanted I would have made sure whole fiasco take place privately but I did not because I wanted to make one thing clear to everyone here that I do not have any problem with Kirti being in a relationship so what if she is a divorcee, she has a right to relive." With that being said, he left.

Kirti Di was standing there stunned, overwhelmed and excited. Milapriya bhabhi went and hugged her and said "I told you, Akshay will take care of it."

Ma from other side said " I am proud of my son." 

Everyone except Kishori bua and Dadi hugged and congratulated Kirti Di.

This act of him made me respect him even more. In Indian society, the divorcee woman are frowned upon and are not treated with the respect they deserved.

"MA, Will Ranvijay's family accept Kirti Di without any objections?" I asked.

"Akshay has a taken a decision, it means he has thoroughly researched about the family and investigated then only he has agreed. Don't worry he does not take decision in haste."

At the night, when I arrived to our room after completing my chores. I found the room empty. Maybe Akshay is working late again I thought to myself. I locked the door and started undoing my saree.

I undid the pallu and removed my blouse and bra and placed them on the bed. 

I was about to remove my saree when sound of door opening was heard. I dumbfoundedly turned around only to see Akshay standing at threshold of door in a towel only. But he was not looking in my eyes but was staring at my body. I glanced downward only to realize I was naked till waist and my breasts were on full display.

I immediately covered myself with saree's pallu but it was of not any help as it was transparent.

Akshay sauntered toward me and grabbed me from my waist. He opened my hair and parted them in two halves and covered my visible breast through net with help of my hair.

"Go change." And slowly pushed me toward bathroom's direction.

I changed into my pajamas and came back. I avoided eyecontact with him as it was very awkward for me.

We both slept without uttering a word to other.

{}