Gurdeep, with a stern yet amused expression, glanced at Abhi, who was covered head to toe in grime and muck from the earlier swordplay with Gowthami. His clothes were soaked and clinging to his body, and streaks of dirt marred his face, making him look anything but dignified.
"Once you're done having fun, switch into some fresh clothing and report right back to me in the study room. I'd like to get a take on you all," Gurdeep said, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.
Abhi knew it wasn't just a suggestion—it was an ultimatum. He nodded in acknowledgment, slightly embarrassed but not surprised. He was well aware of how disheveled he looked, and even though his competitive spirit hadn't dimmed, he respected Gurdeep enough to follow orders without hesitation.
Gurdeep then turned to Rajeev. "Rajeev, accompany me into the study area."
Rajeev exchanged a quick glance with Gowthami, a faint smile playing on his lips, before nodding to Gurdeep. As the men started to leave, Abhi was the first to stride off, eager to clean up and change. His pride had been bruised, but not shattered, and he carried himself with the same confidence he always had.
Gurdeep followed closely behind, with Rajeev trailing after him. The women remained behind on the battlefield, watching the men disappear into the house.
Sashi turned to Gowthami, shaking her head in mild amusement. "Well, that was something," she remarked. "I think you've earned quite a bit of respect today."
Gowthami, still calm and composed, smiled. "It wasn't about winning. I just didn't want to back down."
Uma, who had been watching the whole scene quietly, stepped forward. "I think Gurdeep will want to talk about more than just swordplay." Her words hung in the air, hinting at deeper conversations that were bound to take place in the study.
With all the men gone, the battlefield felt different—quieter, softer. The women remained, but the playful tension had faded, replaced by an easy camaraderie as they walked back toward the house, preparing for whatever came next.
Gowthami stood before Sashi, still processing the unexpected reaction. Sashi, who had just seen her husband—an undefeated swordsman—lose a duel to Gowthami, didn't seem upset at all. In fact, her admiration was palpable.
..
Gurdeep's intense gaze bore into Rajeev as they stood in the study, a quiet but imposing space filled with the scent of old wood and books. His authoritative stance left no room for evasion. "What was it that Ram was about to say?" Gurdeep asked, his voice low but firm.
Rajeev, sensing the gravity of the moment, tried to lighten the tension. "You know how Ram is, Uncle. He's always blurting things out like that," Rajeev replied casually, hoping to deflect the inquiry.
But Gurdeep was having none of it. His expression hardened, and his tone turned sharper . " Rajeev, aren't making fun of me. who serves as her mentor. How much do you know about her? Have you had any chance to meet her family? Tales are not what I want to hear.What precisely is her identity?"
Rajeev felt a ripple of unease. Gurdeep's unexpected anger caught him off guard. He lowered his gaze slightly, his earlier confidence wavering. "I… I haven't met her family," he admitted softly.
He wasn't hiding anything. Gowthami had never introduced him to her family. From what she had told him, her father had passed away, and her mother was all that remained. There was no reason to dig deeper—or so he thought.
Gurdeep narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Rajeev's response. He knew Rajeev wasn't one to lie, at least not about something like this. Yet something felt off. "Then who is this guru Ram almost mentioned?" Gurdeep pressed, his curiosity tinged with suspicion.
Rajeev hesitated, but he knew he couldn't hide the truth. "We did meet her guru," Rajeev said, his voice measured. "It was when we got lost in the woods. He's… different, but we never managed to find out more about him."
Rajeev wasn't lying. He had met the man Gowthami called her mentor, though that man was his own father. For reasons Rajeev still didn't fully understand, his father had chosen to remain in the shadows, keeping himself hidden from all parties involved, even Rajeev himself. The encounter in the woods was brief, leaving Rajeev with more questions than answers about Gowthami and his father's true connection to her.
Rajeev was left with a lot of unknown hidden mysteries.
Gurdeep's eyes narrowed. "You saw him? Then you can tell me who he is, where he is. Surely, he knows something about Gowthami's family. Maybe he's the key to figuring out who she really is."
The pressure in Gurdeep's voice was heavy, but Rajeev couldn't meet his gaze anymore. He clenched his fists as his eyes lowered, unable to shake the emotions welling inside him. His father had shut him out of his life completely, leaving Rajeev in the dark about his whereabouts and his reasons. Every attempt to reach out had been met with silence.
In a quiet, almost broken voice, Rajeev finally said, "No, he's tricky to find."
The room fell into silence. Gurdeep, seeing the pain in Rajeev's face, knew there was more to this than a simple guru or some forgotten family member. Rajeev wasn't just stalling or hiding the truth; he was grappling with something much deeper. Something painful.
Gurdeep took a deep breath, softening his tone. "Alright, Rajeev. But this isn't the end of it. We need to know more, and I'm counting on you to figure it out. You're getting married soon. You need to know the full truth about her, for both your sake and hers."
Rajeev nodded, though a storm of thoughts swirled in his mind. He had never felt so torn—between loyalty to his father, love for Gowthami, and the weight of the unknown hanging over all of them.
As Gurdeep left the room, Rajeev was left alone with his thoughts, staring at the ground. One question burned in his mind: Who really is Gowthami, and what role does my father play in all of this?
....
"Oh my goodness, Gowthami, that was truly amazing," Sashi exclaimed, a mixture of awe and amusement in her voice. "I hadn't witnessed my husband lose before, but your performance was exceptionally talented in this capability."
Gowthami blinked, surprised by Sashi's lighthearted response. She hesitated for a moment before asking cautiously, "Are you not agitated?" Her eyes were filled with concern, as she wasn't sure how to read Sashi's calm demeanor.