"In future when you take over your father's business, I want you to have a large network ready that can be utilised to expand the existing base. You know that your father is too soft hearted and the thriving money lending legacy which your grandfather had left him, remains stagnant. Unfortunately, Harshvardhan hasn't managed to add much value to it. As a result, you will have to make up for his deficiency. My dream is to see your business in the top ten money lending institutes of the country in the next decade," she went on, passionately.
Yash, who was used to his mother's rant heard her out patiently. He didn't try and correct her statement about his father. Even though Harshvardhan had done very well in the business, he was an easy going person and never bragged about his accomplishments. As a result, his wife didn't think high enough about him. Yash was aware of his mother's nature very well.
He smiled and said, "I know, Maa. You have told me this enough number of times. Now if you won't let me go, how will I get ready for the party? Ah… will it be ok if I invited a few friends for the event today?"
He asked her tentatively, hoping that he could use this opportunity to at least introduce Mriga to his mother once.
"There is no need. You can't afford distractions today. This is a working event for you, not a social one," she said in a brusque manner.
Noticing his dejected expressions, she smiled and said, "don't look so sad. I was going to surprise you with this but since you seem to need something to uplift your spirits, I might as well tell this now. I have sent an invitation to Vindhya to join us this evening. This will be an informal introduction of both of you as a couple into the society."
The look of horror grew in Yash's eyes with every word that his mother uttered. What just happened?? This was going to go wrong in the most ugly way. After he had told Vindhya about his feelings for Mriga, there was no way that she would join him at the event today. What if she wrote about her reason for the refusal on the reply as well? No, he needed to inform his mother about it before Vindhya sent her answer.
"Maa, that is.. uh, you should have let me handle the conversation with Vindhya. I don't think that she will be joining us today. The reason…" he started tentatively.
"Uff, you are just like your father, so unsure of your own charm. It seems that the girl is smitten with you, already. She has not only confirmed her presence, but even asked if I needed her to come early to help around. The message seemed a touch eager. As an aspirational Queen candidate, the girl needs to mask her reactions better," his mother sounded smug.
Yash's eyes crinkled in confusion. His mother had definitely read the situation wrong. There was no way that Vindhya would react like this knowing the truth. If she had said yes, it was probably because of her giving face to his mother due to the relations between the two families. It seemed that he would have to tell his mother the whole thing tonight.
"I will do it post the party. Maybe she will be in a happier mood then and…" he shied away from thinking about his mother's reaction to his confession.
At the Gurukul
"Wait a minute! Have I understood this clearly? The teacher just told us that even our grade has qualified for participating in the race for the Queen's throne?" Ishani squealed in disbelief.
Mriga laughed at the comical expressions on her friend's face.
"Does this mean that we will see you sign up for it?" Mriga asked her friend, tongue in cheek.
Ishani resembled a train wreck when the exams approached. It was near impossible to visualise her prepping for this rigorous life altering contest.
"Wipe that condescending smile off your face. I know exactly what you are thinking right now. How can you be so mean?" Ishani scowled at the play of emotions at her friend's transparent face.
"So, are we going to see the both of you pitted against each other, anytime soon?" Vandit's laughing voice reached the girls making them turn around.
Mriga saw Ishani's face turn beetroot immediately at his arrival. Swinging her gaze from one to another, she couldn't help but take a swipe at them.
"Well, I would have participated in the contest had I been assured of your support. After the display of your amazing skills during the quiz, I am in awe. But unfortunately, if I went up against Ishani now, I don't think you will help me with those skills despite me being your friend for a long time. Sigh! Fighting against one's best friend and losing an important support, I wouldn't stand a chance," she imitated Ishani's exaggerated expressions.
The result was that she earned a glare from both of them.
Seeing Abhirath reach them, she turned towards him with a pitiful expression and said, "Please help me. Gurukul's newest love birds are bullying me."
"Newest… wh… what?" Ishani spluttered at her friend's brazen words.
Vandit's ears resembled a reindeer's nose.
"Mriga, aren't you being a little too shameless? How can you say stuff like this?" He complained in embarrassment.
She looked at them in confusion and said, "Wait, aren't you guys seeing each other?"
Abhirath shook his head in resignation before stepping in yet again to smoothen the matters, "Mriga, I need to speak with you about something real urgent. Can we…"