Chapter 3 - Grandma's wish

He rolled his eyes, “okay but I also have one condition.”

“What’s that…?” she frowned so did Rajveer, curious to listen since Neel got ready for the marriage now.

“The girl will be of my choice.” He said.

“But…” grandma pouted trying to protest since she knew his choices, those skinny modern girls.

“You have lost that right grandma, now when I am ready to wed.” Neel reminded her own words.

Savita just sighed nodding him to continued, “I will choose the girl who I want to marry.”

….

It’s been a week from that day, and Grandma had not left a single day even, asking him the same question, “Have you found a woman who appeals to you? Please say yes and bring this old lady some peace."

Today wasn’t different; Neel drew deep breath, trying to keep patience in front his melodramatic grandma.

“You should realise that I'm not growing any younger. My old body is decaying so swiftly that I might not be living the next day. My final wish is to see you married."

Neel’s gaze soared toward the ceiling. Heaving a frustrated sigh, he said calmly, “Grandma, I hardly think of you as old,” Inside the frail body you describe is a vibrant young woman who will undoubtedly outlive us all."

“No, my son, my heart is in fragile condition that aches to see you happily married,” Savita contradicted.

“I do wish you would greet me with something other than asking about my marriage.” 

Neel grumbled, his tone harsher than he’d intended. He was already frustrated on not able to find the girl of his nightmares to teach her lesson of lifetime, on that those nightmares only getting worse day b day. Now he would find peace only when he will be able to find the girl.

“You are twenty seven years old, for God’s sake! You need a woman to care for you, one who will look after you. You need to be responsible; Your father is too busy counting his money to see to your future, so I am left with no choice but to intervene.”

Neel tried to hold his anger after hearing her.

However his Grandmother was right, he couldn’t digest ill words against his father. He loved both of them equally. He found nothing wrong in his father’s doings. Why would his grandmother have so much grudges against her own son.  

After his wife’s death, he had completely devoted himself to his work, having no regard for anyone but himself. His obsession for making money preoccupied him, and Savita considered it disgraceful, that he ignored his son after his wife’s death.

He had never taken time for anything else, not even for his wife. Nonetheless, Savita constantly belittled his father for neglecting his son, who was sorely in need of guidance.

Neel had no issues against his father, since his father had given him much needed freedom to live his own life the way he wanted.

“Father is a very busy man,” He said defensively. “And I am quite capable of taking care for myself.  And I have no complaints about my life,” he added with a careless shrug.

“Of course you don’t!” Savita railed.

“You have been left to run wild and your father has conveniently forgotten that he needs to install some morals in his son… He was married to his business long before he wed your mother. But I will not be satisfied until you find a wife and make your own family.” her strength failed her and she thumped down on the bed.

“Grandma, please don’t stress yourself this much.” Neel rushed to her, giving her glass of water.

“I won’t when you promise to listen to me.”

“That I had done, you just need to give me some time.” he pleaded.

Savita nodded realizing she was going overboard; she really needs to give him some time.

“Answer my only prayer, Neel. Find a woman who can fill the emptiness in your life.”

Seeing his confused look, she added, the world is thick with gold diggers Neel, I do wish you would be more careful of the company you keep.”

Neel kneel down before her and clasped his grandmother’s hand in his own, becoming more concerned hearing her voice getting low.

He would never forgive himself if something happens to her because of him.

Neel dearly loved the old woman, despite her tendency to pull on the same annoying subject.

“Does it mean so much to you to see me happily wed?” Neel reached up to caress her wrinkled hands with his long fingers.

“It means everything to me, son,” Grandma breathed hoarsely. Then she gave her grandson’s hand a weak but loving squeeze. “You are all I have left in this world. I want you to marry a woman you respect and admire, one who won't throw you aside for wealth, one who will love you.”

Neel noticed her eyes getting wet, and he could not bring himself to disappoint his grandma, not when she is feeling weak like this.

Neel had grown up like a wild wind. Only his grandmother had attempted to offer him direction.

He decided to give his grandma what she wanted, even if it was not in his power to do so.

….

Next day, 

“Neel we need to go to the town in west, are you coming with me?” Grandma told him. 

“For what?” Neel.

“For some land, just yesterday I got the call from Malhotras there; they are interested to sell their land. I have already shown my interest in the land from there.” She informed.

“But what will you do, buying that land?” he asked confused.

“I will do lot more, don’t forget I am businesswoman first before your grandmother,” She smirked proudly making Neel chuckle. 

“Alright, I will accompany you but in my jeep.” He agreed.

“What is this, Neel?” Grandma knew his intentions just with those words he uttered.  

“No argument on this Grandma, have you seen the road from there, first of all I was no interested visiting such places, it’s you for whom I am going to that place.” He argued.

“Okay okay…don’t give me tantrum.” She agreed before both break into another fight.

“I am not, for god’s sake, try to understand me once,” he whined.

“I understood, you can come from whichever vehicle you want, and with whomever. I have no issues,” said Grandma tightly and next moment Neel called his friends. 

....

To be continued...