Tensing even Ashutosh, to say nothing about Yuvika.
'Relax, my child. I just wanted to ask some basic questions. But, it seems you are quite nervous. So, I thought it would be better if there would be fewer people.
If you want then I can send him off too.' Kiara said while holding Yuvika's hand gently. But before Yuvika could say anything, she could see Ashutosh shaking his head like a rattlesnake. Obviously, he has no plans to join the 'left-out' group.
Kiara snapped her head and witness this, earning a sigh.
' I told you, you will let her talk and decide.' Kiara roared at Ashutosh, who sat on the sofa like a mannequin. Yuvika kept staring at the duo. Well, till now, she had concluded this lady who is sweet to her is actually scary.
And if she was left alone with her, then whether she will make it out alive, would remain a mystery.
'Umm... if it's okay, then can he stay?' Yuvika asked nervously but politely, earning a sweet smile from Kiara, who nodded. Making Ashutosh sigh deeply.
Thank-god, this girl didn't kick him out.
'Of course, it is more than okay, my child. After all, I have some questions for him, too.' Kiara said with a smile, freezing Ashutosh on the spot, who now was contemplating whether he made a grave mistake by staying or not.
' First thing first, it's been so long since your marriage why didn't you visit us? Not even once?' Kiara asked, making Yuvika hella nervous, But she felt that she got mercy from the heavens when she saw the question was aimed at Ashutosh, not her.
'Ma, I was busy. You know, I am a businessman. The transactions of trillions depend on my decision. It's hectic.' Ashutosh replied with a complicated look on his face.
'Then, do you even give her your time? ' Kiara asked next, making Ashutosh sigh again.
' I am trying my best, Ma. I am trying to maintain a balance between my personal and professional life, for the last four and half months. I am trying to understand her, to know her, to love her and to give her as much of love, time, the care I can.
But, my life is a bit of a mess as of now. We have more than three hundred projects on 'pending', two hundred on 'working', and one hundred and fifty on still 'consideration'.
I hope to find a balance soon.' Ashutosh replied, feeling the stress taking a toll on him.
' Work. Work. Work. Why do you have to do so much work? You know, she isn't some product or convenience, to whom you can deal with as you wish. She is a human, most importantly your wife.
Ashutosh, are you being fair to her, like this?' Kiara asked next, making Yuvika feel goosebumps just by hearing how serious, deep and complicated this conversation was getting.
' I am sorry, Ma. I am sorry, Yuvika. I will try my best to keep you happy, from now onwards.' Ashutosh said, knowing full-well, he might just admit it now, rather than getting into detailed conversation and admitting the same later on.
'That's my boy. Ashutosh now you are a family man. You have her. She is your responsibility. Her happiness, her sadness, her everything is related to you.
It's good that you understand this fact, sooner. I don't want you to be like your father, who only knew about work and forgot his family completely.
Then, asking for forgiveness when it was way beyond too late.' Kiara said with a deep sigh. Well, this guy is really like her husband. Workaholic.
She just wishes, he won't commit the same mistake her husband made, neglecting her and their little family for work.
' By the way, my child, what do you do all alone in his house, when he is busy with his laptop and documents? Huh! Don't you get fed up? Don't you feel bored?
You know this house is also your home. Whenever he is too busy, you can come here and spend some time with us.'Kiara said while squeezing her arm gently to encourage her.
Making her smile sweetly, while wondering what would be the best answer.
' Ma, she is my wife. I need her.' Ashutosh ends up butting in, making Kiara glare at him.
'What? You just said I must spend some time with my wife. I realize my mistake. Now, I will spend all my time with her. You don't have to worry about her.
I will take good care of her.' Ashutosh cut his mother's suggestion short.
While Yuvika wondered, why didn't he mention that she works in his company?
'Wow. You ungrateful brat, trying to teach me, here. Huh! I was just asking her to keep me company so that she won't get bored. Alright! Besides, I am not a Dracula to drink her blood or eat her alive.' Kiara ends up bursting into fits of rage, to which Ashutosh just nodded.
' I got it. She understands it well, too. But Ma, I am hungry. Did you cook something tasty? Or do we have to starve to death?' Ashutosh said while trying to avert the topic.
'What do you mean by starving to death? You didn't have your breakfast.' Kiara asked, a bit worried.
' Well, I will only tell, if you promise me you won't get angry.' Ashutosh adds the bait, making her nod immediately.
' I finished three meetings before coming. She had cooked a delicious meal as usual, but I didn't get the time to taste it. Besides, you know, I am Mama's boy. So, I wanted to taste your tasty dishes, in front of whom, even the 5-star restaurants are nothing.
Now, hurry up. I am hungry.' Ashutosh pouted like a cute boy, making Yuvika bite her cheeks to stop herself from laughing out loud.
It goes without saying, he was lying. Ashutosh expected her mother to leave, but instead, a flying slipper came his way, to whom he narrowly dodged.
' You moron. You still have the guts to ask for food. Go and cook for yourself. There's nothing in my kitchen for an ungrateful brat like you.
Leave, right away.' Kiara roared once again, making Ashutosh feel the flight or fight situation. So, he left hurriedly.
When he was behind the pillar, he couldn't help but shout; ' But Ma, I am not a child anymore. You can't beat me in front of my wife.'
Making the just calmed Kiara to feel like beating the shit out of her son to prove him how wrong he is. As expected, she excused herself from Yuvika while starting to chase away her son, who ran for his dear life.
~~
Yuvika just sat on the sofa quietly, fully understanding the meaning behind the phrase ' Don't judge a book by its cover.'
She could still hear the bickering between the mother and son and the laughter of the father and daughter, who were enjoying the free show, with snacks and drinks from the balcony.
She really was expecting a cold, regal, high family. Not this dis-oriented, crazy fam, who only knows how to get on the other person's nerve.
They are The Pratihasts.
Sigh! She was still wondering, when she saw Ashutosh running back inside, in her direction, panicking her. After all, the place had long turned into a world war III battleground.
Does he want her to be the sacrificial goat here?
But before she could get the time to react, she was already standing like the statue of a peace treaty between a mother and a son. Ashutosh tries his best to hide his big statue behind her small one.
Kiara was trying to make Yuvika comfortable, but the rage in her eyes was not subsiding, not even a little bit.
' Alright, kids. That's all for today. Time to call the truce. Let's give our new family member some time to adjust to our craziness level.' Sidharth finally said, holding the white handkerchief in his hand, showing the peace sign to both sides.
Making Ashutosh leave Yuvika, even Kiara let go of her anger. While Preeti was controlling her laughter by placing both her hands over her mouth. Yuvika was still processing what happened or what was going on?
' Ah, my child. This is the age-old norm of this house. That whenever a member of this house picks a fight with another. Then, they would get a complete chance to fight with each other.
But this fight comes with three meal intervals. Since it's lunchtime. So, here comes the interval.
After lunch, they will resume their fight.' Sidharth said, making her give the bewildered expression.
Daeng, do they really have to play World War III in their own house?
'She must have been shocked?' Preeti said while holding her laugh.
'I think it's more of a trauma than a shock.' Sidharth said, while still maintaining his serious face, making Preeti burst out laughing loudly.
While Kiara and Ashutosh gave the father and daughter a death glare.
'Are you alright, sweetheart?' Ashutosh asked, half concerned, half worried. Making her nod, absent-mindedly.
'See, it's all your fault. Can't you just behave properly?'Kiara shouted once again, flinching Yuvika in the process.
'Ma, she is scared.'Sibling said together, noticing the flinch.