Rajiv's POV

She didn't go to her village!

Defying her father's warnings, she refused to return home.

It's an open rebellion against our time-honoured traditions.

And to make matters worse, she's avoiding me.

Her stupid bodyguards blocked my every attempt to reach out to her yesterday.

I can't even get a message through without resorting to using my employee as a go-between. That's how I got her contact information.

Who does she think she is, disobeying our family's legacy like this?

I glanced at my phone when it started ringing.

Her father's name flashed on the screen.

I answered and greeted him, "Good evening."

But his response was filled with malice and anger. "I'll make sure that defiant girl pays for her disobedience," he snarled.

"I'm coming to Mumbai to drag her back to where she belongs. She'll regret ever crossing me." His words sent a chill down my spine because I know he is capable of inflicting harm on her, and I fear for her safety because I want her now.

"Is that necessary?" I asked.

"Very necessary," he replied, his voice cold.

"She's a disobedient wife, so she needs to be taught a lesson. She's strayed from our path, but I'll make sure she understands her place." He paused, then added, "I'll ensure I guide her back; mark my words." With that, he ended the call.

I released a long, exhausted sigh.

Maybe it is really necessary!

••••

It was the next day, Sunday.

I heard a familiar voice yelling, "Daughter-in-law! Daughter-in-law!"

I was in the middle of a phone call, discussing the restaurant's interior designs, but I quickly hung up and rushed outside.

My eyes widened in surprise when I saw my grandmother standing there, her voice booming as she called out to my mom.

What in the world brought her here?

My mother descended the stairs, her silk sari rustling with each step she took.

My brother followed closely behind, with Divya.

"Oh, I forgot," my grandmother asserted as she fixed her gaze on Divya.

"Why, daughter-in-law! That girl will fetch my luggage," she proclaimed.

Divya's eyes darted to me, then back to my mother, and then Rajesh, her expression a picture of disbelief.

"Me?" she chuckled while raising a hand to her chest.

"Yes, or will you disobey me?" She replied, her hands on her hips, her eyes flashing with steel as she stared straight into Divya's eyes, her expression an icy calm.

"I'm sorry, but I won't..." she began to say, in a respectful way, when Rajesh intervened in a whisper.

"No one disobeys Grandmother. Please, just quietly obey her," he whispered, his eyes pleading with her to comply.

She turned to him, and he conveyed his apology with a slight nod and a regretful grimace.

She nodded, then stormed out of the room and shut the exit door with a loud slam.

"And you," she spat, her gaze snapping to my mother, who moved to touch her feet for blessing.

However, her hand hovered in mid-air, frozen in surprise, because Grandmother backed away.

"You've lost that right," she told her.

"Go and prepare my room at once!" Her tone was cold, and it made my blood boil.

My fists clenched in anger at the way she was speaking to my mother, who looked crestfallen, her eyes welling up with tears.

"Did I do something, mother?" she asked, her voice trembling, but she was met with an icy glare that made her flinch.

"You're asking me what you did?" she sneered,

"You've done so many things, so many things. Now get out of my sight. I want to meet my grandsons." With a dismissive wave of her hand, she pushed my mother aside.

After she turned to us, her gaze softened.

"Ah, my able grandsons," she cooed, her voice transforming from icy to gentle.

She opened her arms and said, "Come, come, my little ones. Grandma has missed you so much." Her face, once stern and unforgiving, now radiated with love.

Rajesh smiled and embraced her.

"I'm still upset you didn't marry the girl I chose," she stated.

"But don't worry; now that I'm here, I'll make sure everything falls into place again." She pulled away, a sly smile spreading across her face, while he looked on, confusion appearing on his features.

I approached her hesitantly because she is still my elder, so I am obligated to show respect.

I touched her feet, and she blessed me with a long life.

"I'm still angry with you too," she said, her eyes narrowing.

"How could you let your wife leave you? Who does she think she is to walk out on you? If only you had shown her what a man is capable of."

I met her gaze, then moved away, uncomfortable with the hug she offered next.

She smiled, while my mother reappeared downstairs, telling her, "Your room is ready, mother."

Her gaze darted to the closed exit door, and her expression transformed into one of irritation. "Where did that girl go? Why hasn't she returned yet?" she exclaimed.

"Rajesh, go and check on her," she instructed in an authoritative voice.

He nodded obediently and headed out.

I also excused myself and stepped out into the fresh air.

"What do you mean?" Rajesh asked Divya.

My attention wandered to them.

"Why should I carry her bag?" she retorted, shrugging her shoulders.

"She's still fit and capable. She could've done it herself. I won't carry it. You're her grandson, so you take it in."

He sighed, shaking his head in resignation, and lifted the bag. As he turned, he noticed me watching and offered a faint smile.

I returned a small smile of my own before continuing into the garden.

****

We gathered around the dinner table, and I took my seat alongside Rajesh.

Divya pulled out a chair, about to join us, when Grandmother's piercing gaze halted her.

"What do you think you're doing?" she asked with a stern tone.

Divya replied, "Having dinner, of course!"

Grandmother's expression turned disapproving. She shot my mother a lengthy, disapproving stare. "So, you're allowing girls to sit at the same table as men now?" She exclaimed, her voice rising.

"Haven't you learnt by now that the only time they are meant to share the same space is during intimacy? Otherwise, they should maintain their distance."

My mother flinched while lowering her gaze.

"They're not equal to them, so why should she sit here?" She continued, and then her gaze scanned the room as if searching for someone.

"And where is Rashi, anyway?" she demanded.

My mother hesitated before whispering, "H-hostel..."

Grandmother's hand shot out, delivering her a stinging slap.

"Hostel?" Her voice rose to a scream. "So she thinks she can avoid marriage to pursue education instead?"

I couldn't hold back anymore.

My own anger was boiling over.

"Grandmother, enough!" I thundered, but Mother immediately intervened in a firm tone.

"Keep quiet, son!" she warned, her eyes welling up with tears while she avoided my gaze.

"She's my mother!" I exclaimed, my outrage coursing through my veins.

"How can you slap her when she's this old, that too, before her daughter-in-law?"

Grandmother's expression remained angry, even when she spoke.

"It's necessary," she retorted. "I'm simply disciplining her and teaching her a lesson. And you should learn from my example, Rajiv. You should have done the same with your wife when she wanted to leave. You should have taught her a lesson and shown her her place. Then she would never have dared to defy you or look you straight in the eye again."

"With all due respect, Grandmother," Divya spoke, her voice quivering slightly in fear. "Why would you want a wife to fear her husband? What kind of mentality is that?" But before she could finish, Grandmother's hand delivered a sharp, stinging slap that silenced her and left her cheek red and throbbing.

Her eyes moistened with tears as she recoiled in shock and pain.

Then Grandmother turned and slapped my mother again, the sound echoing through the room like a crack of thunder.

"So you've been teaching them that their opinions matter too?" She sneered, her eyes blazing with ire.

My mother's face crumpled as she cried out, her body shaking with sobs.

"Grandmother!" I rumbled, my voice echoing through the room with fury.

"Grandmother, what?" She retorted, glancing at me.

"This slap will reach your wife too; don't worry. I'll set everything right here," she claimed.

"Where is she, by the way? In Banaras? I spoke to her family, and they said she never returned there," she added.

I replied, trying to sound nonchalant. "I don't know."

However, my mother's voice trembled as she spoke, "In Mumbai!"

Grandmother's face lit up with a malevolent grin. "Wonderful! We're so close. Why don't I pay her a visit then? Where in Mumbai?" She turned to me, her eyes glinting with a wicked ray.

I replied again, "I don't know."

But my mother blurted out, "She owns a restaurant."

I wanted to silence her to protect Anita from Grandmother because she is cruel, but it was too late.

Her eyes sparkled with excitement before she spoke. "Her mother clearly failed to teach her manners. Does she not know her place is within these four walls? How dare she think she can work?"

Rajesh moved to comfort Divya, who was now sobbing uncontrollably. But Grandmother grasped his arm, her grip like a vice, and she said, "Is it one slap she's crying for? She needs to toughen up. She's a married woman now. Let her learn to comfort herself."

Divya's voice trembled as she declared, "I won't stay here, Rajesh. Not until she leaves."

Grandmother's gaze raked over her with a cold smile across her lips, while her eyes gleamed with a sinister light.

"Girl, that youthful arrogance and immaturity you're displaying should better disappear this instant," she spat, her voice venomous.

"You're a married woman now. You'll be bound to him for seven lives, whether you like it or not."

Divya, despite tears streaming down her face, replied. "I won't stay quiet like Mother. I won't let you abuse me."

Grandmother's expression turned glacial as she strode over to her, forcing her chin up to meet her gaze.

"This is your first and last warning," she hissed.

"Learn to think before you speak. Don't forget, I had an obedient girl for him, but you ensnared him with your love. So, be prepared for anything that comes your way. Now, get out of my sight," she said, and then pushed her away with a shove.

She turned to me and said calmly, "Take me to your wife."

"I don't know where she lives," I responded.

Her gaze turned icy. "You're lying!" she spat.

"Please have your dinner and rest. You've had a long journey." I started, but she interjected.

"Take me to that wretched girl this instant!" she commanded, her voice rising with cruelty.

"I don't know where she lives!"

It was the truth. I have no idea where she lives, but since she lives with Akash, I suspect they live in Malabar Hill, where the wealthy people reside.

But I can't reveal that to Grandmother, not now, not ever, or she will kill her when she finds out she is living with another man.

Her chuckle sent a quake into my heart. "Your mother will starve until you finally agree to tell me her whereabouts," she informed me, then glanced at my mother, who nodded meekly.

I honestly do not want her to find out where Anita is, but I have no choice now.

She has my mother under her thumb, who will do anything she tells her without question, over what I say.

"I think she lives in Malabar Hill," I blurted, the words tasting like ash in my mouth.

"Then, let's go!" She exclaimed while grabbing my hand.

"Please, let's not go there! Not today. Besides, her father will be coming soon." I protested, but she cut me off.

"Enough! Keep quiet and come with me!" She tightened her grip, her nails digging into my skin.

"Why should we let her live happily while you're suffering?" she added.

"Who said I was suffering?" I retorted,

"Don't deny it, son! I know all about it. No need to be shy with me!" She dragged me out of the house with her.

"Grandmother, it's extremely late at night!" I spoke, but she disregarded me, stubbornly entering the car and closing the door.

I sighed, because I don't have any choice but to agree.

"Fine, let me just check her location on maps using her phone number." I entered the driver's seat and pulled out my phone to do so.

****

"Take a left!" Google Maps directed me, and we turned, arriving in front of a black gate.

I honked the horn, hoping we were at the right place.

A security guard, clad in uniform while carrying a long gun, approached my window.

I rolled down the glass, and he asked, "Good evening. Who are you here to see?"

"Mr. Akash Kapoor," I replied.

He eyed me warily. "And who are you?"

I paused, thinking, then lied, "A friend."

"If you're a friend, you should know better than to come unannounced," the guard said sternly.

"Moreover, Mr. Kapoor doesn't receive visitors in this residence, and he didn't inform me of any visitation today."

"Why don't you call him and tell him Rajiv is here?" I asked.

"Why don't you call him yourself?" he said dismissively.

"Look, sir, please leave the premises immediately!" he added.

My grandmother spoke, her voice firm. 'We're not here without a reason. We're here for Anita. Who is this Akash, and why is she living in his house?"

I hesitated, but regardless, I explained, "They live together, Grandma."

"So she's living with a man despite being married?" She spoke in disapproval.

"Hey, boy! Go tell her her grandmother is here!" She ordered the guard.

"She has a phone. Call her and let her know you're here. If she wants to meet you, she'll inform me to let you in." he replied.

I rolled up the window and turned to her, and her face turned red with anger.

"See? I told you it was pointless coming here."

"Fine. Then we'll go to her restaurant tomorrow." She gritted her teeth.

****

I opened my eyes, finding my grandmother standing over me, shaking me awake.

"Get up," she said.

I yawned, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. "What's going on?" I asked, my voice still heavy with sleep.

"We need to get your wife. Come, let's go wait for her at the restaurant."

I glanced at my phone, yawning again, and saw that it was only 6:02 a.m..

"Grandma, she's still sleeping. No one's even awake at this hour," I opposed, trying to reason with her.

"I'm giving you twenty minutes to get ready. In the meantime, I'll go and see why your brother's wife is still sleeping at this hour." She nodded towards the bedroom.

"She's still in there with him, I presume? But who will set the breakfast table for us?" she asked.

Before I could respond, she turned and exited the room.

****

We arrived at the restaurant at seven, but we waited in the car.

For nearly three hours, we sat there, watching the entrance.

Finally, a dapper black Mercedes, the latest exclusive model, pulled up.

Akash emerged from the driver's seat and walked around to open the front seat.

Grandmother's eyes narrowed as she gazed at him. "Is that the man she's living with?" she asked in a low, intense tone.

I nodded and whispered. "Yes."

She stormed out of the car, and I followed close behind.

She confronted Anita, who had just stepped out of the Mercedes, looking sexy in an exquisite long dress.

With a swift motion, she slapped her across the face, leaving her shocked and stunned, her hand instinctively reaching at her cheek.

Akash's face instantly reddened with rage. "Hey!" he bellowed.

"You wretched girl!" she exclaimed. "Is this what you've become?"

Akash retaliated by calling for the guards, who appeared from their car and moved to restrain Grandmother.

"Have this woman arrested immediately!" he asserted dominantly.