Both the father and daughter started up at his sarcastic words. Neither Ahana nor Minister Apurba Baruah could have imagined that Yougal Lucas would reject them in such a blunt manner.
Breaking the awkward silence that suddenly dominated the room's environment, Yougal Lucas' cold voice reached them, "I've a bride ready. Offer your daughter to someone who would want to profit from your money. Now if you'll excuse me, I've a meeting to attend."
He stood up from his chair, an indication to his visitors that they should leave too. Ahana saw that Yougal Lucas could not care less about her powerful father. She threw what she had thought was her trump card.
"Yana belongs to us. We're going to claim her custody."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
After the confession in the public that he loved her or that he had plans only for her, Yougal decided it was time to tell his grandma about Nia. A week had passed since he confessed to Nia about his feelings for her but his friends had been still discussing how a very private person like Yougal Lucas Sinha, at last stood surrounded by strangers in a cafe, in front of the woman he loved and confessed to her.
It was not only that, to the surprise of his friends he even pleaded to her to listen to his words. The people spreading the words were also his friends who witnessed the unfolding of a whole new side of their otherwise impassive friend. Nicholas shared with Yougal Lucas how Arvind Saxena, Marshal Keishing, Purab Barua could not stop talking about the new Yougal Lucas Sinha.
"Man, I've been waiting to happen half of what have transpired, only I wouldn't have dared to imagine you choosing a public place." Nicholas laughed, shaking his head.
Yougal Lucas did not care what they had been talking about. All he was concerned about was how to convince that woman that she was the one who alone mattered to him. Ever since the Nirvana episode his grandma had never talked about his marriage. He was thirty one but grandma seemed to have forgotten that he still did not have a girlfriend.
Now that he wanted to marry Nia, Yougal Lucas thought that the sooner he revealed to grandma about his intention regarding Nia the better things would turn for him. The return of his grandmother's best friend seemed to herald the arrival of a future he did not wish to pursue any more. An ominous insinuation filled up his mind.
Ahana's father called him on his phone in the morning to press on the marriage proposal and urge Yougal Lucas to accept it. He hid it from his grandma that minister Apurba Baruah came to his office a few days ago to ask him to marry Ahana. Yougal Lucas did not want his grandma to go back to hospital. Extreme anger was detrimental to her heart condition.
He wanted to get engaged with Nia as soon as possible and declare to the world that he was taken by the most beautiful and accomplished woman. Yougal Lucas was not worried about Ahana's threat regarding Yana's custody. He would crush everyone who dared to harm Nia or his family.
After reaching home he went straight to his room to take a shower. In the hot September evening one could not feel refreshed without taking a shower after the day's work in the office. After showering Yougal Lucas changed into beige cropped pants and a half sleeved cobalt blue t shirt. He went down to grandma's room.
After her return from the hospital grandma mostly stayed inside her room in the evening. So Yougal Lucas made it a point to have tea with her in her room after he returned home from office. Like the other days he sat down on the sofa in her room and the housekeeper served them tea.
"Grandma, I've something to say to you."
"Okay, but don't tell me anything about going to a resort town. I'm not leaving home." She replied grumpily. His grandma was still angry about having to stay at the hospital for what she thought was a long time.
"No, it's not about that." Yougal Lucas laughed. Sometimes his grandma could be very difficult to handle.
"Gramma. I've done my homework." Before Yougal Lucas could talk about the woman he wanted to marry Yana came in and went straight to grandma.
Yougal stretched out his hand to drag her to his lap. Ever since he told her that she could call her auntie mummy only auntie and drop the mummy part his little girl had been ignoring him mostly. Yana avoided his hand and looked at grandma instead.
"Gramma, can we go to auntie mummy's home tomorrow."
Yougal Lucas frowned. How she can go to an imaginary person's house or to someone's place whom nobody at home knew. Suddenly he had a bad feeling. He looked at Yana and said in a stern tone, "You don't have any auntie mummy. I'll soon bring you a mummy."
"I've an auntie mummy." Yana said grumpily.
Yougal ignored her whining. For a five years old she was turning more and more wilful. Perhaps they had been spoiling her too much for her own good.
"So you'll bring her a mummy." Grandma had a strange look in her eyes. Her sentence was less a statement and more a question.
He thought grandma looked unhappy. "Yes, I was going to tell you about it. I've met a wonderful woman. I want you to meet her."
"Who's this wonderful woman of yours? How did you know her?"
Yougal Lucas noticed the faint trace of sarcasm in his grandma's voice. But he stood his ground. "She's Rhianna's friend. we've met at Rhianna's birthday party. Nia is a very accomplished woman."
"Nia?" A glint appeared in grandma's eyes and disappeared the next instant. "Have you been seeing her?"
Yougal Lucas looked a little dejected at his grandma's question. "I wish I were. I'm still pursuing her. I want to marry her. I'm sure you'll like her."
"Okay, stop pursuing her. You already have a fiancee. And I like only Nirvana." Grandma Lucinda Fiona replied defiantly.