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Chapter 241 - mind reader

Abhi observed his son with a knowing gaze, a faint smirk playing on his lips as if he could read the boy's thoughts like an open book. Turning to his wife, he crossed his arms and said with a touch of challenge in his tone, "Mark my words, Sashi. Our son's thinking exactly what I suspect."

Sashi, unconvinced and unwilling to concede, rolled her eyes. "Stop it, Abhi. Stop overthinking, and for heaven's sake, lower your voice. Parikshit would never ask for something so absurd as keeping a tiger as a pet." Her tone was firm, but a hint of unease betrayed her confidence.

Abhi arched a brow, his smirk widening into a knowing grin. "Really? You think so? Fine, let's put it to the test. Go on—ask him yourself."

Sashi turned to her son, her eyes narrowing slightly as she scrutinized him. "Parikshit," she said slowly, her voice filled with both curiosity and disbelief, "is there something you're not telling me?"

Parikshit hesitated, shuffling his feet and avoiding his mother's gaze. Finally, unable to maintain the facade under the weight of their expectations, he lowered his head and muttered sheepishly, "What Dad thinks is right. I... I do want a little tiger as a pet."

Sashi's jaw dropped, her expression frozen in utter disbelief. "What?" she exclaimed, her voice rising an octave. She stared at her son, stunned, before turning to Abhi, who now wore a smug, triumphant look.

"Told you," Abhi said smugly, his tone laced with amusement. He leaned back against the wall, arms still crossed, while Sashi stood there, too shocked to respond, her mind racing to process her son's unexpected confession.

Sashi composed herself, taking a deep breath to steady her rising frustration. She knelt slightly to meet Parikshit's eye level, her expression a mixture of firmness and understanding. "Parikshit," she began, her voice calm but resolute, "you cannot have a tiger as a pet. It's not just about what you want—it's about what's right, what's safe, and what's practical."

Parikshit crossed his arms defiantly, his brows furrowed in a stubborn pout. "But why not? Gowthami aunty has a tiger as a pet. If she can have one, why can't I?" he retorted, his voice edged with childish insistence.

Sashi sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of her nose before meeting her son's gaze again. "Sweetheart, Gowthami's tiger is not an ordinary pet. It's a special situation. That tiger was raised under unique circumstances and has a deep bond with her. But even so, it's not something just anyone can or should do."

"But I can raise one too!" Parikshit argued, his tone unwavering. "I'll take care of it, feed it, and train it just like Gowthami aunty did."

Sashi shook her head, her patience thinning but her tone remaining measured. "Parikshit, a tiger isn't like a dog or a cat. It's a wild animal, no matter how much you try to tame it. They have instincts that can't be controlled. What if it hurts you? What if it hurts someone else? Loving animals is a good thing, but we must also respect their nature."

Parikshit's lips pressed into a tight line, his stubbornness flickering slightly as doubt crept into his young mind. But he wasn't ready to concede yet. "Then why is it okay for her and not for me?" he muttered under his breath.

Sashi softened slightly, reaching out to touch his shoulder. "Because, Parikshit, that tiger is part of her story. It's a connection that was meant to be, and it's not something you can replicate just because you admire it. You have your own story to write, and maybe it's about loving animals in a different way—one that's safe and kind for everyone."

Parikshit didn't respond immediately, his gaze dropping to the floor as he wrestled with her words. Sashi watched him carefully, hoping her reasoning had made its mark.

Sashi looked at Abhi helplessly, her eyes pleading for assistance, but he merely crossed his arms, watching the situation unfold with quiet amusement. Before the tension could build further, Gowthami stepped forward with a gentle smile, signaling to Sashi with a subtle nod that she would handle the matter.

Turning her attention to Parikshit, Gowthami knelt before him, her voice soft but filled with a warmth that immediately caught his attention. "Parikshit," she began, "I understand why you're fascinated by Vyaaghra. He's strong, majestic, and loyal—a friend anyone would be lucky to have. But my story with Vyaaghra is unique, and not something that can easily be repeated."

Parikshit looked at her with wide, questioning eyes, his disappointment still evident. "But why can't I have my own tiger?" he asked, his voice tinged with both sadness and curiosity.

Gowthami reached out, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You see, when I found Vyaaghra, he was just a little cub, separated from his mother. He was scared, hungry, and all alone. I didn't plan to keep him as a pet—I became his mother because he needed someone to take care of him. Over time, he grew up with me, and we built a special bond. But raising a tiger isn't easy, Parikshit. They are wild animals by nature, not meant to live in cities or homes."

She paused, letting her words sink in before continuing. "In fact, keeping a tiger as a pet is not allowed in cities or most places because it can be dangerous for both people and the animal. Tigers like Vyaaghra need open spaces, forests, and freedom to truly thrive. It's different here in Dharmagiri, where Vyaaghra has the space and care he needs."

Parikshit's lips quivered as he processed her explanation, the sadness in his eyes deepening. "So... I can't have my own tiger?" he asked softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Gowthami smiled tenderly, cupping his cheek with her hand. "No, my dear, you can't. But do you know what you can have?" she asked, her tone brightening. "You can have Vyaaghra as your friend. Whenever you visit Dharmagiri, Vyaaghra will be here, waiting for you. You can play with him, spend time with him, and share a bond just like I do. Because Vyaaghra isn't just my friend—he's part of this family now. And that means he's your friend too."

Parikshit's eyes lit up slightly at her words, though a hint of sadness remained. "Really? I can play with him when I come here?" he asked cautiously, hope creeping back into his voice.

"Absolutely," Gowthami assured him, ruffling his hair. "He already likes you. You've seen how gentle he is with people he trusts. And I can tell he'll love having you as his little buddy."

Parikshit nodded slowly, a small smile forming on his face. Though he still wished for a tiger of his own, the promise of a special bond with Vyaaghra was enough to soothe his disappointment. Sashi sighed in relief, mouthing a silent "thank you" to Gowthami, while Abhi chuckled under his breath, clearly impressed by how effortlessly she had resolved the situation.

Abhi and Sashi felt at ease when they realized that Gowthami had succeeded in persuading Parikshit.

Abhi held out his hand to Sashi and said, "All right, it's done. Please return my card."

Sashi smiled evilly at Abhi.