The Estate came to Rawal Singh with Sudhasmaranmati. After the untimely death of her brother, Sudha was the only child her parents were left with. She was a quiet girl, busy studying and singing and barely taking interest in social life like her peers.
She was born a weak baby. It could be the birth after four still born siblings or the effect of growing inside a weak mother, but the fact was she remained physically submissive through out her life. When the engagement was fixed with Rawal Singh, she was barely sixteen. But the marriage happened much later, almost after a decade of the engagement so that she was ready to cope up with the pressure that came with the Estate.
But the wait, the preparation, the excitement, all started fading the moment the couple realized a decade has changed a lot of things.
After the initial shock of not bearing an heir sank in, Sudhasmaranmati started planning for the future of her only daughter who was almost twenty by then.
She now became obsessed with the girl and more she saw her, the more she repented for giving her away.
No doubt, the next in line meeting had a very different impact on her than that of her husband. She was a mother and mothers are always desperate.
After a couple of sleepless weeks Sudha decided to meet Bablu, the man nominated as the next Keeper of the Estates.
He was one of the favorite nephews she had. His father was Sudha's third cousin and Bablu was more of a son than a nephew. Known for his brilliance, the boy had made the elders proud with his sincerity and talent. To be honest, he was a dream son to all. With the load of her secret and the nonchalance of Rawal Singh, Sudha's troubled heart kept on pointing her towards this prodigal son who was not only well known for his excellency in work but also for his wise advise.
Deep down Sudha trusted him to find a solution that would save the future of her daughter without hampering their reputation.
Sudha flown across the country to meet Bablu and after the initial chit chat, she directly questioned the young Man.
"What will you say if I claim we already have an heir for the Estate" and that can be supported by DNA testing?
The man in front had smiled, "Buaji(Aunt), you say I obey. Why do you even ask? "
"I ask because it's necessary Beta(son). "
"Well, then we again have another meeting where the right person is declared as the rightful owner. End of story. "
"What if I say it was a wedlock situation when we had the child?"
Bablu frowned.
The council had orthodox members. They won't accept illegitimate children. He himself had nothing against letting the rightful person step up, but, truth is not always the best weapon to achieve a goal. Moreover, a secret child would mean lack of proper royal etiquette and talents. Sudha Bua definitely needed royal schemes to overcome this crisis.
"Son? "
"No. Daughter."
"I presume she should not be less than 18? "
"23."
"Can you be a bit more elaborate on this secret daughter of yours Bua? I mean education, upbringing, charms?"
" There is nothing I can boast about. She was tucked away to this Eastern part of the Country and presently she works as a Cafe supervisor. She has a degree in Hotel Management and a distant MBA education too. I know it's nothing impressive, but they say she has good business tactics. Wait, let me show you my girl"
Sudha surfed through the gallery until she found a small video that she secretly captured a few weeks back.
Bablu stared intensely as he watched the video.
Once it was done, he returned the cell.
He took a chair opposite her and sank into an eternal silence.
Sudha started to get worried.
The silence was unbearable.
Sudha kept on praying to the Almighty for a solution and she really hoped Bablu would cooperate. She was risking too much by divulging the secret to him.
Finally he rose and walked over to her and sat in front of the elderly lady on his knees.
"Seems there is a way. But only if you deem fit."
Sudha nodded , silently praying for something amicable.
"I can marry her."
Sudha never expected this.
She could feel her heart filling to the brim as she looked affectionately at the boy in front of her.
The dream son to the dream son in law.
She couldn't have ask for anything better!!!
The right owner will enjoy the Estate while spending her life with the most eligible man any parent an ever dream of. Wow!!!
Moreover the Estate Keeper himself will need either to be bethored or married when he takes charge.
Perfect solution.
She picked his chin and planted a kiss on his forehead affectionately.
"Then all set Damadji (son inlaw)"
They both now grinned ear to ear as the word DAMADJI sounded way too hilarious coming from a person who had always been Buaji to Bablu.
After a few drops of happy tears, Sudha reached for the chain she wore round the neck from which dangled a single magnificent ring.
She plucked it out.
She had kept it for her daughter.
The ring of the Estate Keeper.
"Consider it my blessing son.
I can give you my permission but
impressing her will rest on you. "
Bablu smiled.
"I guess I wont fail you.
So, what about a winter wedding Buaji? "
*****************************
Women have weird minds, layered, emotion ridden and simply complex.
To secure her daughter's future Sudhasmaranmati bared her past to a man who was not only the next in line for the Estate but also the cleverest mind in the Clan.
Though known for his positivity, such an act of rashness on Sudha's part could have destroyed their reputation for ever.
But ain't it said, GOD HELPS THEM WHO HELPS THEMSELVES!!!
And in this case Sudhasmaranmati walked straight to the living God, her Bablu, a.k.a Madhav Chand Rathore.