Marriage reception of Akash and Varsha was concluded successfully. Next morning many newspapers have covered the news of marriage reception and grandpa is busy reading the news about it. Normally three to four newspapers are delivered at Patel family residence but today about nine to ten different newspapers are delivered.
Grandpa and grandma are sitting and laughing in the main hall while reading the newspaper. Grandpa also praised Akash and Varsha for their presentation and behavior in reception party while reading the newspaper which received the agreement of grandma.
At the breakfast table, Grandma said "I am really happy about my granddaughter-in-law. All those ladies were really envious of me for getting such a good looking girl who is also cultural and humble." She looked toward Varsha and said "Dear! you have made grandma really happy."
"Grandma! You did not read the newspapers properly. Some people praised but some also made fun. Elders thought sister-in-law is great, but the younger generation thought she was satirical. If we are looking into the future, shouldn't we care how the younger generation thinks?" Arpit, cousin of Akash commented. He tried to show how concerned he is but in a way he is trying to humiliate Varsha.
On the comment of Arpit, Akash sneered "Cousin is really devoted toward making a good name for the family. I am sure you will become a university topper and help us expand the business many folds in the future."
Comment of Akash made Arpit shut up and Ira giggled. Arpit is not very gifted or a genius student but he still feels competitive towards Akash.
Grandpa said "You should read a newspaper but don't mind their views because views represent the individual standpoint and the views of reporters are there to get more sales and not to bring out the truth. Some people who talked with Varsha found her witty, many thought she is a backward thinker. What is wrong with being a backward thinker? I am also a backward thinker. I would just say that my dear Varsha is very unique in her own way."
Eldest uncle sneered "What unique? She is more like a satirical person. She has made us a laughingstock in front of many people. Father might feel proud of being humble but what about the younger generation. Let us also hear their thoughts."
To Akash also unique word felt like an insult. Unique means being dramatic, a show-off and too humble like a pathetic person of no self-confidence. When he met the eyes of the eldest uncle, he does not know what should he say. He also does not wish to stand on the side of Varsha and prove that she is the best choice of his wife. He fell in a dilemma.
Those headlines from newspapers are also not all too good looking to Akash. Some are too dramatic, some neutral and some are even embarrassing to him. Only some headlines are good ones but Grandpa and grandma don't see any issue with any of them. Akash muttered "What was the use of making so high profile reception? Weren't we doing just fine without it? Now even within the family there are different views among people."
The muttering of Akash did not go unnoticed. Ira is sitting on his one side and Varsha on another who probably heard him. His words are simply neutral. He is not standing on side of Varsha and he is also not arguing against eldest uncle. It made Varsha sad as she expected some reply from Akash in her defense and she lowered her head toward her breakfast plate to hide her own expression. Ira seeing the expression of her sister-in-law felt her anger rising.
Ira felt irritated by the comment of eldest uncle and even with her elder brother for not standing with her sister-in-law and she said "What would younger generation think? We think about being independent. We feel like everyone has the right to think and be what they want to be. We don't want others to be what we want. So, uncle should not drag us in blaming sister-in-law."
"Well, there were some comments from people about how sister-in-law did not follow etiquette while eating," Arpit said. He tried to be precise and not talk much. If he said more, it might come back to bite him.
Varsha looked toward Arpit. She is already feeling down and now someone is trying to hit her when she is down. She felt angry but still said calmly "We eat food when we are hungry and not when we want to show off etiquette."
"We eat when we are hungry but we follow the etiquette of eating while eating. We can't eat like animals." Eldest uncle added. He is calm but his words show how much he detests her.
"Younger ones are talking. Why are you jumping in such a childish topic? Why don't you act like an elder?" Grandma scolded the eldest uncle.
Grandpa felt angry and shouted "Did you see someone shoving their head directly in food? What is called eating like animals? Even I like eating with hands directly without using a fork and knife. Are you also ashamed of your father and mother due to this?"
Eldest uncle felt awkward after the angry reply of Grandpa. He needed to salvage the situation and turn the discussion in his favor. He smiled and then looked toward Varsha and asked calmly "Okay, my bad this time. What is that answer about worshipping your husband? Isn't it too much hype? It's not good to be too much drama. You should have thought properly before you answered." He tried like he did not say anything before while adding more insult to Varsha.
Varsha felt like being hit on the gut. How can someone question how she feels about the person she loves? Her heartfelt words are being treated as a joke. Her eyes unknowingly turned misty and she said in a hoarse voice "It really seems like Eldest uncle does not like me and trying to find fault in everything I do. Shouldn't you be on my side instead of the person who ridiculed me and my husband at the party? I say it is uncle's fault to be standing there and allowing that person to say whatever he wanted."
With this Varsha stood up from the breakfast table and said with a lowered head "I am full" and ran toward her room. She cannot control her tears and she also does not wish to show them to anyone specially Akash. Ira is fuming due to anger and Akash felt irritated. Now Akash is really feeling like it was wrong of him to not join the argument and shut everyone before this happened. Everyone present felt silent and did not know what to say.
Grandpa looks angrily at his second son and said "You might feel it funny but thinking of husband as God is the teaching which is given to girls in our culture. You never know if Varsha also thinks this way. Before ridiculing her you should think whether your mother also thinks the same way. Are you implying that you are also ashamed of your parents?"
"Stop talking this way. They are all grown up. They will understand it after thinking." Grandma tried to pacify the temper of grandpa.
Grandpa stood up from the chair and said to his second son before he walked toward his room "Don't meddle into the relations of the younger generation. It does not suit to the dignity of an elder."
After reaching her room Varsha lied in the bed and cried and fell asleep thinking about the comment of the eldest uncle. She felt sad when she thought that Akash did not say anything to help her. She remained in her room and grandma came in the room with her lunch and tried to make her happy by talking about different things. Ira also came to her after lunch and tried to cheer her up. Akash did not come but Varsha felt thankful for this because she did not wish to show this emotional side of hers to him especially when she loves him so much and he doesn't.
By the evening Varsha has again found her strength and determination and decided that she will continue to strive and do better. She thought properly and found that her husband's response was not as bad as she thought. He was only irritated due to the situation but he has not said anything bad about her. Thus she reached on the conclusion that there is still no issue between them. She remembered his promise and believed that her husband is just a bit prideful and wishes her to take care of small issues by herself.