CHAPTER – 3.2
"Here ?", Isha asked with a confused face but on seeing her husband's smirk, she understood he was in a mood to avenge her tears. "Rana sa... no, not here", Isha said looking at Sharah and Veera, she got an idea that her husband is gonna use them to trouble her brother.
"Do what I say Isha", he said sternly and she huffed before texting he brother. She thought to save her brother if her husband went extreme, since now she is friends with her husband's wild pets.
Bhairav is hesitant to allow Ranveer to the back palace as he didn't trust anyone with that information but he is bound to follow the king's orders.
"Hukum and Rani sa are in the back palace yuvraj...", Bhairav said showing the entrance of the secret passage, Ranveer's eyes widened because he heard a lot of stories from his childhood about the royalty and enthralling experience of visiting the palace. It was said that the back palace was the biggest among all the palaces in the country, and it's size is almost 3 times the main palace where the Ranawat family currently resides.
The back palace was the place where the kings and all the king's family of the Ranawat clan used to live but after Abhyansh's great grandfather i.e Uday Singh Ranawat's father took the throne, he changed it predicting the future dangers, and considering the strong and mysterious structure of the back palace, he decided to keep it as a rescue place during the wars to save women and children in the worst case scenario. Ranveer always heard many great stories about the Ranawat clan and the back palace from their bhabhosa.
He also heard from his wicked father about how rich the palace is with a lot of wealth and treasure hidden there, but he never got to visit the place as Abhyansh Singh Ranawat allows no one inside then why him ? Bhairav saw the same question he had lingering in Ranveer's eyes. After half an hour of speedwalking and running, Ranveer and Bhairav reached the grandeur entrance of the back palace.
Bhairav asked Ranveer to enter and left from there. Abhyansh opened the access and the doors opened. If Ranveer thought the huge gates and the main doors of the palace are magnificent, he couldn't find any words to describe the inside of the palace.
He entered, walked, and walked but couldn't find his brother-in-law or sister. So, he took out his phone to call his sister but before he could dial his sister, he heard his brother-in-law.
"Walk more Rajput ? Already tired huh", Abhyansh said, but Ranveer could only hear Abhyansh but couldn't see him.
"Is this BEAST trying to kill me by calling me to this abandoned palace? Might be possible, he is capable of doing anything", Ranveer muttered walking in...
"Shut up Rajput", He heard his brother-in-law again but couldn't see him again, but soon his impatience ended when he saw both his sister and brother-in-law sitting on the floor with a lion and a tiger beside them, his sister playing with them. Wait! LION and TIGER ?
"WHAT THE ACTUAL F**K ?", Ranveer screamed in shock realizing what he saw, Sharah and Veera spotted Ranveer and immediately got up to attack him when they saw Ranveer glaring at their king and queen.
"sh... calm down, calm down, he is my brother", Isha said but Sharah and Veera were waiting for their king's orders but when Abhyansh didn't say anything, they ran towards Ranveer to attack him.
"SHARAH, VEERA, come back", Isha shouted in worry, she tried to get up and stop them but Abhyansh held her wrist stopping him.
Ranveer turned back and started running, Abhyansh laughed wholeheartedly looking at it, but when he saw his wife's eyes went red with anger and tears, directly looking at him, he stopped his laughter immediately and called Sharah and Veera back.
"Sharah, Veera, back", Abhyansh's strong command stopped them in their tracks so did Ranveer's.
As soon as Ranveer stopped running, Isha jerked her husband's hold on her wrist and ran to her brother hugging him...
"Bhayyu...", she said and Ranveer hugged her back calming his nerves too, he couldn't completely relax with those wild creatures still in the same room as him though they were now far from him.
"Ishu... what's this ? let's go from here and talk somewhere else, come", Ranveer said trying to pull his sister and seeing this, Sharah who is more attached to Isha growled in anger thinking he was trying to take their Rani sa away from them. Ranveer quickly left her hand and Abhyansh smirked. Isha remembered her brother's betrayal so she went back to her husband and sat beside him and Sharah and Veera around them like before.
"If we are talking, it's here, " Isha said, glaring at her brother, before turning to Sharah and Veera smiling softly and patting them shocking her brother.
"Ishu... I'm sorry bacha... but don't do this, your BEAST of a husband has planned my killing along with these two wild beasts", Ranveer said cutely, but Isha didn't melt, even surprising her husband with her strong resolve.
"Who did you call BEASTs ?", she asked not only getting offended for her husband but also her newly made friends.
Ranveer huffed at his sister's protectiveness towards all the three BEASTs, but he dared not say that out. He took slow steps towards his sister and took a seat in front of her, trying as much as possible to avoid Sharah who was sticking to his sister. He didn't understand how come his timid sister turned this brave to pet a lion and a tiger. He glared at his brother-in-law for turning his innocent sister like this.
"Ishu... I don't know how you got to know but...", Ranveer started but is interrupted by Isha
"How many people know about it that you are this unsure of the source Bhai ?", Isha asked her brother hurt.
"Ishu... it's not that... I wanted to tell you but...", Ranveer started but was interrupted again...
"There is a lot of difference between wanting to tell and actually telling", Isha said
"I know bacha... I'm at fault, I'm so sorry, but trust me, I so wanted to tell you right from the start but...", He started but was interrupted again
"Tell me one thing bhai, when would you have actually told me if I didn't get to know by myself? Would you have told me or directly thrown a wedding card at my face ?", Isha asked
"Ishu...", Ranveer started but she cut him off...
"I didn't know you consider me worse than an outsider ?", she said and he huffed
"Will you stop interrupting me and listen to me ?", Ranveer raised his tone... Immediately, Sharah and Veera got up on their paws and growled angrily at him ready to attack him at his one wrong step from him to harm their queen.
Seeing this, Abhyansh smirked, he was glad that Sharah and Veera were now properly trained to protect his wife in his absence. His testing is completed now, but he felt like troubling his brother-in-law more.
"Sharah, Veera, a man is raising his tone at Rani sa and you are just growling at him ?", Abhyansh said to tease Ranveer but he didn't use that tone and modulation or actions that could help the wild carnivores understand what he meant. Hearing him, horror strikes Ranveer's face...
"See, I told you, your husband wants me dead", Ranveer complained but Isha knew her husband was just troubling her brother, that's why he made sure Sharah and Veera didn't get what he meant. So, she didn't react. Seeing the wild animals not reacting, Ranveer calmed down but still the fear of what if they pounced on him suddenly raised his heart rate.
"Sharah, Veera, what are you staring at ? Your dinner for today is here, go, get it", Abhyansh again teased, looking at Ranveer's wide eyes and horror-stricken face, legs ready to run, Abhyansh burst out laughing, this time Isha didn't glare at her husband, instead laughed with him looking at her brother who is looking extremely cute.
Ranveer glared at his sister and brother-in-law but didn't dare to raise his tone as he was still afraid. Seeing her brother's flaring nose, she stopped laughing.
"Rana sa... let's go from here, I have to prepare dinner as well, bhai is here after a long time, I'll cook his favorite dishes", she said and turned to her brother... "We'll talk after dinner bhai", she said
"His favorite dishes ? Why would you make them ? For hurting you or making you cry ?", Abhyansh asked seriously glaring at his wife, Ranveer felt guilty hearing his sister shed tears because of him. He could never see her cry and here he himself made her cry.
Sharah and Veera growled at Abhyansh seeing him raising his tone at Isha but not too loud as they trust their king but growled not liking the tone. Ranveer smirked seeing this...
"Answer me Rani sa", Abhyansh asked in a slightly raised tone and they growled again and Abhyansh lost it... "Get inside both of you", he said angrily showing them his finger towards the way to their cage rooms and they looked at Isha one last time before walking to their cage rooms understanding their king's command and they would never disobey him.
"Why did you shout at Sharah and Veera ?", Isha asked angrily while Abhyansh sighed...
"They are interrupting me... and now will you answer me ? Your brother deserves your anger, not his favorite dishes, you were crying just this evening, and seeing him you melted ?", he asked
"I didn't Rana sa, but that wouldn't stop my love, he hadn't eaten my handmade food for weeks now, and I knew he was missing it...", she said
"If he was, he wouldn't have avoided you for all these weeks just to hide his relationship, stop defending him, don't forget he had hurt you", Abhyansh said
"so did you... Did I ever ask her to stay away from you", Ranveer asked and Abhyansh raised his brow... "Okay I did, but you deserved it, you still do, you don't deserve her forgiveness, while I do, I know I had hurt my sister and I am guilty, I regret it, but I love her the most, I always did, and I'll always do. Not like you, you said you hated her first without a valid reason, now you say you love her, who knows, you might again say you hate her ? I don't trust you with my sister at all Ranawat", Ranveer burst out shocking Isha and Abhyansh as well.
Abhyansh understood that something must have triggered Ranveer's outburst and his suspicion immediately went to Nandini Rana, if that woman dared to spill something out, she wouldn't be alive to see another sunrise the next day, determined Abhyansh.
"Bhai... stop this insane behavior, why are you suddenly saying all this now ?", Isha asked her brother trying to control her emotions.
"What wrong did I say? What if he would again start hating you ? Can you bear if he leaves you for reasons unknown ?", Ranveer said and a hard punch landed on his cheek making him drop on the floor, Isha cupped her mouth, she turned to her husband to see him burning in rage...
"Don't you dare say nonsense about my marriage Rajput, It will hardly take a minute to kill you", Abhyansh said, and soon Ranveer got up and was about to punch the BEAST but he held his brother-in-law's fist before it touched his skin.
"Rana sa, leave his hand", Isha said and Abhyansh left it immediately. She slowly sat on the nearby sofa trying hard to stop her tears at the happenings. Ranveer walked to her trying to hold her palm but she jerked it glaring at him.
"Ishu, you can't be angry with me for worrying about your future, I'm your brother, it's my responsibility", Ranveer said
"My happiness was your responsibility before my marriage, now it's my husband's responsibility and to tell you, he was fulfilling it very well, I know there are unknown things between us, but we are taking one step at a time... I trust our relationship and Rana sa... I know we'll solve our problems sooner or later, don't worry about me anymore, now you have your own life, your sister is a minor part of your life, you should think about your future with Ragini instead", Isha said, Ranveer can hear the hurt he caused in her last sentence.
"No bacha... you are not just a minor part of my life, you are the most important part of my life, everyone comes after you, and your happiness matters the most to me... I can't stop worrying about you ever...", he said cupping her face, wiping the tears slipping her eyes gently. Abhyansh walked there and sat beside his wife trying to hold her palm but she didn't let him hold it either.
"Really ? Your actions say otherwise bhai... I didn't know you are such a hypocrite, you worry for my well-being, my life and my marriage every minute even when you see me and Rana sa happy, even after knowing him completely and how much he loves me, but I shouldn't worry about my brother even if I have zero information about my brother's love life... Am I not capable of taking care of my brother ? I'm a failure as a sister, because my brother thinks I'm incapable of caring for him,and like a stupid I'm, planning to search a bride for you... Why didn't you tell me bhai ?", Isha asked holding her brother's collar... Abhyansh hugged her and this time she didn't resist, she just leaned on his shoulder and tried controlling her pain while he consoled her by rubbing her hair.
"Ishu... I wanted to tell you, right from the start, but Ragini wasn't accepting my proposal and she didn't want me to tell you anything, she didn't want you to know that she rejected your brother, I also want her to accept me because of her love, not because I'm her best friend's brother, so we thought of telling you when we are sure about us, I don't want you to be disappointed or hurt if this relationship didn't work and when she accepted, I was scared, I didn't know how would you react... I'm sorry", Ranveer said holding her palms. She suddenly got up startling her husband and brother.
"I heard what you said, but I'm sorry bhai, I'm not convinced with your justification, your explanation is too vague to justify how I felt when I heard two random strangers discussing my brother's relationship with my best friend, and how I acted as a wing woman in their relationship", Isha said shocking Ranveer. They didn't know people were actually gossiping about them, they thought they were discrete... "Ji haan(Yes) people were gossiping about you bhai and imagine how I felt hearing it, you are a man and from a royal family, people won't say anything to you, but have you thought how much Ragini has to face ? I wanted to blast their cheeks for talking rubbish about my best friend, when you know things like this could happen, you should have taken care of it", Isha said glaring at her brother...
"Just because media doesn't know about it, doesn't mean no one else does too Rajput... If you thought so, you are stupid", Abhyansh said
"Of course, I didn't think people wouldn't notice it, but I thought your employees wouldn't dare to speak rubbish about it, but they did", Ranveer said, he understood it must be only employees who could notice it and gossip about it.
"Who did it ?", Abhyansh asked after a minute of silence... His voice held the coldness as if he would destroy the people.
"I'm not telling you Rana sa", Isha said
"You think I'll leave people who speak nonsense about my family? I'll slit their throats", Abhyansh said clenching his fist, his eyes red with anger... Isha sighed, she could never understand her husband, just now, he was punching her brother and threatening to kill him, and now he was ready to kill for the same person.
"And that is why I won't tell you", Isha said
"Okay tell me, you know I won't act so violently right ?", Ranveer asked his sister.
"No, I know how you react when it's about your family and Ragini is your family, you might not kill them but you are no saint bhai, so no, I'm not telling you either, but trust me, they will get what they deserve for the things they said about my best friend", Isha said and both the men huffed thinking to find it on their own... "Dare you try to find it on your own", Isha warned and it really pissed them off this time.
"Okay, both of you got me late for dinner, I can't make bhai's favorite dishes now...", Isha said and Abhyansh smirked... "Rana sa, you always get what you want huh", Isha said shaking her head at her husband.
"Jealous Ranawat", Ranveer said glaring at her brother-in-law who ignored him royally.
"Stay for the night bhai that is if you don't have plans with Ragini, I'll make your favorite badam shake", Isha said
"What do you mean by 'if you don't have any plans with Ragini ?' even if I do, I'll stay back if you ask me, and about Ragini, that woman loves you more than me, there will be times when even I might deny you but she won't", Ranveer said
"Bhabhi aapne sahi dhundha(You searched my sister-in-law right) but I'm hurt with how you hid it", Isha said
"I'm sorry bacha, really sorry", Ranveer said but Isha shook her head...
"I'm sorry too bhai, I can't forgive you", Isha said and walked away but not before saying "You don't get to complain about the food menu today Ansh", to her husband who groaned knowing there will be fewer items for dinner.
"Now tell me Rajput, what was that ?", Abhyansh asked but Ranveer ignored him like he(Abhyansh) ignored him before. "Whatever that woman is feeding you, just delete it from your head, don't spoil your sister's peace and my stability, you know I get really uncontrollable when I get mad, don't bring me to that situation", Abhyansh said and Ranveer is shocked on how he knows that 'Nandini' told something to him.
"She didn't tell me anything yet, I don't know why she is so hesitant to tell me, actually I know, she is scared of you", Ranveer said remembering Nandini's words.
"What he knows wasn't the truth, I don't know what he thinks but I do have an idea and it was only half-truth, at that time, he wasn't in a situation to realize what was happening and when I went there to convey the truth as per my late sister's final wish , he wasn't ready to hear the truth", Nandini said
These were the only words she told Ranveer after his constant attempts to get the truth out from her but he wasn't telling that to the BEAST.
"Then why did you react that way all of a sudden ? Are you mentally ill and that was one of your many stunts", Abhyansh mocked and Ranveer glared at him.
"The uncertainty of the truth and secrecy you are trying to maintain is causing me worry Ranawat", Ranveer confessed.
"I told your sister...", Abhyansh said and Ranveer's eyes widened, he understood he was talking about the past... "Not the part that's involving her ba**a*d of a father, but rest all I did", Abhyansh said clenching his fists, even Amar Rajput's thought filled his body with rage.
"Don't call my 'bhabhosa' names Ranawat", Ranveer warned
"I will Rajput, I have all the right to do so", Abhyansh said clenching his teeth and Ranveer huffed.
"I want to know too", Ranveer said and Abhyansh understood he was talking about his past...
"Why would I tell you ?", Abhyansh said and walked away. Ranveer ran behind him...
"Fine, don't tell me, but don't leave me alone here", Ranveer said holding Abhyansh's shoulder who jerked his hand dusting that place earning a glare from Ranveer but did the BEAST care, no. He smirked instead, knowing Ranveer is scared of Sharah and Veera.
"I heard that you pet a lion and tiger, but I didn't believe it, I thought all those were rumors", Ranveer said, "They said you have dangerous hounds as well, thank god that part was a rumor", Ranveer said but looking at Abhyansh's silent smirk he understood he had them as well. "God! People maintain a personal gym, personal library, personal pool etc but you maintain a personal zoo ? Your name suits your actions, BEAST", Ranveer said, Abhyansh glared at him and started walking faster, but Ranveer ran to catch up with his speed, making Abhyansh chuckle amazing Ranveer. His chuckle and laughter were really nice, he saw how happy his sister got seeing her ever-brooding husband smiling and laughing, he too felt good to see his brother-in-law in a lighter mood, but he would never voice out anything good about his beast of a brother-in-law.
Dinner was a silent affair, Amruta was happy seeing Ranveer but she could easily see that the brother-sister fought, there was this cold aura between them and she also noticed how her elder son is enjoying his wife giving a cold shoulder to her brother. 'Shaitan(devil)' Amruta thought to herself, she is extremely happy seeing her son returning to his true self slowly. She prayed to God to keep him safe and happy always.
After the dinner, Ranveer walked to the king's chamber much to his brother-in-law's dismay. Ranveer told Isha how he pursued Ragini, and everything. His sister seemed very excited throughout, at the end, she said she was very happy that he chose Ragini but she couldn't forgive him, bursting his bubble and making his brother-in-law's day.
"Rana sa, get some ice from the refrigerator", she said inspecting her brother's cheek, she knew it must be hurting but her brother wasn't saying.
"Huh ? Me ?", Abhyansh asked
"Is there any other Rana sa here ?", she asked in response.
"I won't get ice for him, ask him to get it by himself", Abhyansh said sternly.
"You should, in fact, you will put it on him since you are the one who hit him", she said
"Are you crazy ? What kind of a logic is this ? If someone gets into an accident, Will you let the doctor treat the patient or ask the one who hit to come and treat ?", Abhyansh argued, making Ranveer chuckle at his brother-in-law's petty argument with his wife.
"You are right, but at least the one who caused the accident will take the person to the hospital, so get the ice", Isha said, Abhyansh huffed but got up as he observed his wife was about to get it and he doesn't want her to strain more as she walked a lot from the morning. Isha started putting ice gently.
"Ishu, rub it gently so that the ice won't melt easily, woh kya hai na(the thing is) my sweet brother-in-law brought this ice for me, I don't want it to melt this fast", Ranveer said teasing Abhyansh.
"Will bury you in an ice box forever, neither the ice will melt nor will you", Abhyansh threatened
"Itna pyar jaanleva ho sakta hai Ranawat (so much love is harmful Ranawat) so please don't love me so much, I know it's hard to resist loving me but you could try", Ranveer said with a smug look and Abhyansh so wanted to bang his head with the flower vase beside but didn't.
"Out Rajput", Abhyansh said coldly, his brother-in-law always managed to get on his nerves.
"I will leave, ask your wife to give me my badam shake", Ranveer said and Abhyansh huffed...
"Rani sa, make him leave our chamber in the next 10 minutes or else I will have to kick him out and you won't like my ways", Abhyansh said controlling his anger
"Okay, okay, aap gussa mat hoyiye, hum baat karte hai (don't get angry, I'll talk to him), he won't irritate you now", Isha said and turned to her brother. "Bhai... Accompany me to the kitchen, I'll make your badam shake", she told her brother and she pulled him with her holding his palm as he was about to say something and the look on his face said it's to irk her husband so she didn't let him talk.
"Why do you irritate him so much?", Isha asked preparing his shake.
"Ishu... Ishu... You asked me this question a lot of times and my answer will be the same, you would never understand the joy of irritating the beast especially when you know he could do nothing to stop you", he said and she sighed...
"It's not like he could do nothing, he tolerates you because of me", Isha said and Ranveer chuckled at his sister's words and the offensive look on her face when he said her husband could do nothing.
"Yes, that's what I meant, you are my Raksha kavach (protective shield/armour)", Ranveer said and Isha shook her head with a smile.
"Here...", Isha said handing over the glass...
"Ishu... forgive me bacha...", Ranveer asked holding his sister's palm
"I will, when your betrayal doesn't sting anymore, I will", she said and Ranveer's face paled.
"Betrayal ? That was too big of a word Ishu", Ranveer said
"I know bhai, and you betrayed my trust, I thought you would tell me first whenever something like this happens but you chose to hid it from me as if I am an outsider, I agree we aren't real brother and sister, I am just a cousin to you, but I wasn't used to you treating me like one, so it stung", Isha said and Ranveer got angry hearing the 'cousin' from her.
"Ishu... you are my sister, bhabhosa and bhabho are my parents more than Kailash and Sheela Rajput ever were, never say that again", Ranveer said and Isha sighed. Her motive wasn't hurting her brother but showing how hurt she was.
"Okay leave all that, have your shake and go to your chamber, don't think much about all these things, sleep peacefully, look at yourself, you have dark circles and bags under your eyes", Isha said holding her brother's cheek.
"Hm... Don't be so nice bacha... Your bhayyu has hurt you right ?? Scold him, get mad at him, beat him, maybe then I'll feel a little better, I am so sorry Ishu, I made you cry", Ranveer said and Isha smiled at her brother's affection.
"Bhai... I don't know why were you so hesitant in telling me, all I would have done is jump in happiness for you because you are getting a life partner like Ragini. Don't take so much stress bhai, all I want is your happiness, if you are happy, then I am happy too, I'll make sure everything that makes you happy stays in your life forever", Isha said and Ranveer smiled proudly at his confident and powerful sister. Isha knew that her brother might be fighting within himself about how he should reveal it to her and how she would react.
"I know Ishu, you love bhayyu the most, just like I do", Ranveer said and Isha smiled, if her husband heard this, he would land another punch on her brother as her husband absolutely hates it if someone claimed number 1 position in her life. That's only reserved for him.
"Don't say that in front of Rana sa", Isha said and Ranveer smirked.
"Now I will tell this in front of him definitely", he said earning a slap from his sister on his shoulder.
"I was thinking of making your favorite dishes for breakfast and lunch tomorrow, now I won't", she said and Ranveer sighed deeply.
"Fine, I am leaving, Good night", he said stomping outside the chamber but not before kissing her forehead. She smiled proudly at herself, she could convince the two most stubborn men in her life just with her handmade food. She is proud of her culinary skills that could make a man like her husband give into her almost all the time.
He wouldn't refuse to do anything she asks but if at all he does she would blackmail him with the food and he gives in. It was such an addiction to him. Well, she enjoys teasing him that way sometimes.
"I asked you to send him away not take him out yourself", he said grumpily as soon as she entered their room again.
"I didn't, I just made shake and gave it to him", she said settling beside him but he still was working on his laptop ignoring her and she huffed at his puffed face.
Isha shut his laptop, put it safely on the bedside table and settled in between legs leaning her head on his chest and making him wrap his arms around her waist. He tightened his hold and ran his rough fingers on her bare waist, she took deep breaths to control herself. He nuzzled his head in her neck pressing soft kisses on her nape and neck.
"Rana sa...", she said pushing his away making him groan.
"I wanted to talk to you tonight", she said
"Where am I stopping you, talk as much as you want, I am all ears", he said nibbling her ear, a moan escaped her lips...
"Only this comes out when you do all this, not words", she said pushing him away, he laughed at her cute complaints.
"What to do, staying away from you became an impossible task for me", he said, his lips touching her neck...
"I feel bad for bhai... I think I should forgive him, what do you think ?", she said and he groaned.
"Your brother again", he said in irritation... "Everyone should take lessons from you on 'How to spoil husband's mood ?' ", Abhyansh said
"I thought I should teach on 'How to make your husband's mood especially when you have a husband who broods 24*7", Isha teased him... "Ah... Rana sa", she whined in pain when he bit her lower lip, he started soothing it immediately with his tongue making her pain turn to desire.
"I don't think you should forgive him yet, he made you cry and I so wanted to take revenge on him", he said leaving her lips.
"And you did", she said remembering how scared her brother looked because of Sharah and Veera. Abhyansh groaned in disapproval.
"Why do you love him so much that you are always ready to defend him ?", Abhyansh complained
"What kind of a question is that? Because he is my brother", she answered and Abhyansh rolled his eyes.
"Okay let's not talk about him now, maybe later", he said taking her lips into his, pushing her gently on the back and hovering over her.
They made love passionately appreciating every inch of their body, Abhyansh let her explore him to her heart's content before taking control, since they both would be satisfied only by his rough love.
The next day Isha tried getting some information about Anshi from her brother but he didn't say anything, all he said was it was better for some things to stay unknown. So, Isha had to get help from her cousin Anuj who runs a security Agency in Australia so he had some idea about how to get the necessary information. He promised to get back with the needed details soon.
Days passed and the 'Europe' issue wasn't solved yet but Abhyansh was trying to push his Europe trip as much as possible but seems like it's inevitable. He knew he needed to leave for Europe anytime now, so he decided to inform his wife about the issue briefly skipping parts which aren't needed for her to know, so he asked her to reach home early and get done with all her duties earlier and they could talk, he needs to get her ready to manage everything on her own for the days to come.
Isha decided to take help from her mother-in-law as she had a lot of work to complete. She didn't see Amruta in the main hall of the palace like every day, Isha thought that was because she was early from office today. So she decided to meet her in her chamber only.
Isha walked towards her mother-in-law's chamber, she reached the entrance, she was about to enter when she heard her father-in-law's harsh tone, and her eyes widened at it.
"Don't you dare say a word, I hate you and your son's existence, he doesn't respect me a bit, I am his father, or you told him I am not ?", Pratap screamed
For a second she is shocked to hear how he is speaking to his wife. Does he still verbally abuse her ? Isha wondered
"Please don't talk this way about Abhyansh, he is our son... he might not show it but he loves his family a lot", Amruta said tired of her husband's same words always
"You are actually right, but I'm not his family, his father is someone else huh ?", Pratap said, Isha cupped her mouth hearing her father-in-law's shameless accusations...
"How could you even say that about your own son ?", Amruta asked raising her tone angry at her husband for indirectly calling her son a b**t**d which she couldn't tolerate.
"Don't raise your tone at me Amruta", Pratap said in an even higher tone
"I will, if you speak against my son, I will", Amruta said, it was the first time Isha heard her mother-in-law's strong tone... Isha started walking inside fearing her father-in-law might shout even higher, so to save her mother-in-law she walked in but what she saw shocked her.
"How dare you ?", Pratap shouted, and soon slaps followed his raised tone.
"SASUR SA", Isha screamed in anger and shock, she just entered when he slapped Amruta for the second time. Amruta turned her sideways in shame knowing her daughter-in-law saw what's known as a normal day in her life.
Pratap felt bad for a second but his ego overpowered his conscience, how dare his daughter-in-law raise her tone at him.
"This is a matter between a husband and wife, leave from my chamber", Pratap said harshly
"Tone down when you talk to me, I know it's your chamber but it's my PALACE, your behavior is not justified here... How dare you raise your hand on a woman, that too on the king's mother ?", Isha asked strongly, Pratap stood stunned at Isha's strong tone... Her eyes softened when she saw Amruta crying turning to the otherside, she understood what she must be feeling, she walked to her and took her mother-in-law in her arms hugging her tightly...
"Why are you ashamed? It's he who should be ashamed for raising his hand on you...", Isha said wiping Amruta's tears... "I'll see you downstairs in an hour", Isha said sharply looking at Pratap, and walked away taking Amruta with her.
Both of them reached the meeting hall downstairs where decisions like this are generally taken. Isha summoned the whole family in an hour. She purposely avoided letting her husband know as she knew his reactions would be extreme.
Isha gave some water and after Amruta calmed down a bit... Isha gently started the topic...
"Ma... Does he do this regularly ?", Isha asked but Amruta didn't respond... "Ma... please tell me, I need to know", but still Amruta didn't open her mouth.
"Exclude Avyan as well from this meeting, I don't want my children to know about this", Amruta said, Isha tried to convince her otherwise but Amruta was adamant, so she excluded Avyan as well.
Exactly an hour later, Pratap and Rajmata Devyani Devi reached there.
"Why were we being called here Rani sa ?", Devyani asked, purposely addressing her as 'Rani sa' and not Isha as that was an official setting and she could not disrespect the queen.
"To announce punishment Rajmata... I would like to hear from you, what is the punishment for a man who raises his hand on a woman, I want to add, if that woman is the king's mother, and the man who has committed the crime is none other than her husband i.e the king's father", Isha finished and Devyani looked at her son in shock...
"PRATAP SINGH RANAWAT, What am I hearing ?", Devyani shouted at her son making him shiver, even after all these years, he still feared his mother.
"Ma sa...", Pratap started but he had no answer... he was guilty but he didn't regret his accusations, he regretted raising his hand on her though.
"I thought I raised you to be a man if not a great king but I was wrong...", Devyani said and turned to Isha... "The punishment for assaulting a woman can be public humiliation, 50 - 100 lashes, even expulsion from the palace Rani sa, you are free to choose the punishment", Devyani said looking at Isha signing her to punish Pratap harshly so that he wouldn't dare to repeat what he did. Amruta's eyes widened upon hearing the punishments. She looked at Isha with panic, no if her husband is publicly humiliated, everyone will get to know about it, and Pratap couldn't take lashes with his condition and expulsion? No that can't be done either...
"Mr. Pratap Singh Ranawat is prohibited from using his right hand until I feel that he learned his lesson", Isha says shocking everyone... She calls the doctor to plaster the hand in such a way it cannot be used at the same time it should look like a plaster for fracture to avoid any suspicion. After the doctor was done with his work, she dismissed him and turned to Pratap... "If you go against my orders, I'll make sure the plaster becomes a reality Sasur sa", Isha warned Pratap dismissing him.
Devyani too went away after caressing Amruta's hair, Isha for the first time, saw Devyani Devi displaying affection towards her daughter-in-law. Isha consoled Amruta but she didn't respond much.
"I want to stay alone Isha...", Amruta said and Isha understood it...
"Ma... go to guest chamber please", Isha said and Amruta nodded... Isha didn't want to leave her alone but she knew she must be feeling so embarrassed and shameful... She knew that pain of humiliation but her husband never slapped her, he hated her, disgusted her presence, called her names, and tortured her, but never slapped her, she saw him controlling himself from doing that one act by fisting his palms whenever he wanted to do that and she thanked her fate for that, because a slap is something she couldn't have forgiven ever as for some reason, she felt that act more humiliating than any other physical abuse, it's not just a slap on her face, but on her self-respect. But, that doesn't mean she would forgive her husband for all other things, no she wouldn't, he had to give her a proper justification and do a proper redemption before he was forgiven, she shook her head, as she needed to think about her mother-in-law's problem for now.
Abhyansh called Isha that he would get late, so he would directly come for dinner. He reached late, Isha sent her mother-in-law's food to the guest chamber as her cheek was swollen and she couldn't come in front of anyone.
"Where are others ?", Abhyansh asked implying his parents.
"Ma is unwell, so I asked her to have her dinner in her chamber, Sasur sa is sick too", Isha said 'mentally' she murmured to herself, her blood boiled whenever she thought about how her father-in-law raised his hand on her mother-in-law.
"Ma is sick ? what happened bhabhi ma ?", Avyan asked getting worried for his mother.
"Don't worry, she is fine now, resting in her room, don't go and disturb her", Isha said
"But bhbahi ma...", Avyan started
"Avi... she is fine, I just checked on her, don't worry", Isha said softly and Avyan nodded, Isha knew Amruta doesn't want her children to know her condition, specially Avyan who is very soft and gets extremely sensitive if it's related to her.
They are done with dinner, and Isha went to give turmeric milk to her mother-in-law and check on her, but Amruta didn't speak a word worrying Isha.