Zoya went to where Lakan was with the rest, serving each a cup of tea, then he asked
"Where's Prita? I haven't seen her today. Hope she is okay?"
"Yes, she is okay, my love. I think she is because I left her with Mom."
"We all know that she isn't okay at all. Why should she be, when the survival of the throne depends on her giving birth to a boy and not another idiotic girl" Haje said. Heje was the third son of the family.
"You are right, Je. Prieta giving birth to another girl will be a disgrace to this family. After two girls, she is meant to give birth to a boy this time around. But, don't worry, if she doesn't give birth to a boy, I will help her do that since she is just used to giving birth to girls" said Bindiya.
Unknown to them, Prita had been standing at the door with tears flowing down her tender cheeks and onto her dress. Her hands were in a tight fist, upon hearing what Bindiya just said. She couldn't believe that she would come and hear this after the threat from her mother-in-law. All she wanted was people to talk to, but it seemed her family was anything but loving.
They kept on talking and arguing about what Bindiya just said. Lakan and Zoya disagreed with her speech, while Haje, her husband, agreed to it. Haje was a selfish man, whose aim was to take over the throne and rule, and he was glad Prieta wasn't going to let that happen.
She turned around and walked out. On her way out, she accidentally hit an older maid, Grandma Loli, mother to one of the dead maids who worked there for 12 good years of her life, before she died, leaving her daughter, Loli in her mother's care.
Granny, I'm so sorry, I didn't see you coming. I hope I didn't hurt you, because I won't forgive myself if I did." She put both her hands on her ears and had a sign of apology. Grandma Loli just smiled at her.
"It's okay, my queen. I hope you are well. I don't think you are. Have you been crying? Your eyes are so red." Her motherly eyes scanned Prita frantically h
"I hope it's not because of anything Cunchi or the queen's mother did to you?"
"No granny, it's not Cunchi, he has never for once hurt me since we got married 8 years ago, and he loves me too much to hurt me. But if you asked, if it was the Queen Mother, then yes it was her." Prita responded.
"What did she do this time around?" the elderly woman inquired.
"All she wants is an heir. I pray to God, that this child in my womb, is a boy and not another girl because I will die if this child turns out to be a girl. I don't want the other family to mock us for only producing girls as heirs. Mother will surely die.
The hatred between our family and the Gangan is too much for me to bear. Innocent people have lost their lives because of this war. I pray to God every day, asking him to stop the bloodshed between us all. I pray he listens to you, if not me." Prita said with soft sobs in her voice.
... "The Gangan Family"...
The Gangan, is a well-known and powerful family, just like the Singaniyan. Their domain is in the East part of Begusarai.
"Abby!" Oje called out.
"Yes dear, I'm coming" Abby immediately stopped what she was doing and ran to meet her husband before she got another slap for not answering his calls on time.
"What were you doing when I called you?" Oje inquired
"I-I-I was coo-cooking when you called me, so I left it to answer your call. Why did you call me?" she asked.
"I want you to go and deliver this money to Mr. S. You must give him as soon as possible because it's urgent, so take" He stretched his hand to give it to her.
"Why don't you send your son, Marnu, to go give it to him? You know I'm a little busy now" she replied.
"Did I ask you anything? All I said was that..." he raised his hands and slapped her, making her fall with tears in her eyes, "go and deliver this money to Mr. S, are you born stupid or deaf? Answer me," he growled.
"None", she replied. "I was just suggesting...."
Just then, Marnu and the rest of his siblings came running to where they heard the sound, to find his mother like that. He instantly boiled his anger. "Father? What is all this about? What is the meaning of this rubbish? What has she done that made you slap my mother...."
"Stay away from this, Marnu. It is not your business. This is between me and your stupid mother."
"Don't you ever call my mother names" Manu raised his hand and gave his father the same slap he gave to his mother. People working and living there came out to see what was happening. Seeing Marnu slap his father was a shock to all, including his aunt who just walked into the house after being away for a while.
"Marnu?" She walked to him, about to slap him, but he held her hand in a tight fist making her scream in pain.
"Marnu, let go of me. I'm your aunt. I command you right now to let go of me, now!!!" But he was pissed. He just threw her away, making her hit her head hard on the floor.
"I may be your son; your first; your blood, but don't you ever lay your stupid, nonsensical hands on my mother ever again, or your last drop on earth will be death." He left his father's side, walked to where his mother was, picked her up, and left the scene like that for anyone who wished to complete it.