(The next morning, sunlight filtered gently through the half-open window, the smell of incense and fried sweets filling the house. Birds chirped outside, while tension simmered within.)
Mayra (her face stern, eyes blazing with suppressed frustration) stepped into the room and faced her mother.
"Mom, I want to study more," she declared firmly. "Why only till 10th class? Why don't you explain this to Grandmother? Why only me? You know I scored 98%!"
Reeta (her voice soft, confused, trying to calm the storm) asked:
"Mayra, what's the problem with you? Explain to me."
"Mom, see—if I study, I will make you proud! Please, Mom, please… leave me!" (Her palms pressed together, her eyes shimmering with tears.)
But Reeta's tone turned harsh, final:
"I said you are not going to study. That's the final decision."
(At that very moment, Devi entered—the sound of her anklets striking against the marble floor, her presence commanding silence. She glanced at Mayra with cold disapproval.)
Devi quickly shifted, asking:
"Did you prepare food for the pooja?"
"Yes, Mother-in-law. Just five minutes more," Reeta replied (her hands trembling slightly, though her face carried forced calmness).
"Yes, okay. Do it fast," Devi said flatly.
Devi turned to Mayra, her eyes narrowing like a hawk:
"So, the princess is helping her mother, is she?"
"Mayra, you don't need to help," Devi interrupted hurriedly. "Get back to your room. I'll bring food for you. Why are you troubling your legs? Go back—go back!"
Mayra's patience broke (her voice sharp as a knife, her eyes aflame):
"Stop it, Grandmother! Now listen—I will study more, and you can't stop me now!"
"Stop it, Mayra! Get back to your room!" Devi roared, her fist slamming onto the wooden table (the sound echoing through the room like a thunderclap).
(After the pooja and lunch, the atmosphere was heavy. Conversations turned to whispers. Kalicharan, seated at the dining table, noticed an empty chair.)
"Where is my Mayra?" he asked (his tone soft but questioning).
"She is not having lunch with us. She is in her room," Reeta replied nervously.
"Why? What happened now?" Kalicharan pressed, concern evident in his eyes.
Reeta sighed, then explained everything (her words heavy with hesitation).
"Oh, that's the problem?" Kalicharan muttered (a slight smile of pride flickering on his face). "Mayra wants to study more? Then let her. She will not stop."
Devi (her eyes sharp, voice commanding) said:
"No, she will not study!"
Kalicharan's voice hardened:
"Okay then, Pinku will also not study. Why should only he study?"
Devi said proudly:
"He will study and will make us proud."
Kalicharan scoffed:
"Ha! He will make you proud? Good! But then you will also pay the school fees and everything else!"
Devi stood tall (her voice steady, her eyes firm):
"Yes. I will pay."
(Later that evening, Mayra was in her room, a small lamp glowing beside her. Her books lay open as she scribbled notes feverishly.)
"Can I get in?" came a voice.
"You need not take permission from me to enter my room, Daddy," Mayra replied softly.
Kalicharan stepped inside (his face calm, his hands carrying both concern and pride):
"What happened to you, my love? Why do you want to study more so badly?"
"Please, Dad… I want to continue my studies," Mayra whispered (her eyes glistening).
Kalicharan placed his hand gently on her head:
"You will study, my child. I will pay the fees myself. You will become whatever you want to be. But promise me—promise me that you will work hard to achieve it, no matter what happens."
Mayra's voice shook, but her spirit was fierce:
"Yes, Daddy. I promise. I'll do everything to achieve it."
"Fine," Kalicharan smiled. "Tomorrow morning, we will go to your school."
(The evening air was warm, and the house buzzed with preparations. Decorations hung in the hall, and relatives began arriving, chattering and laughing. Devi sat near the window in a high-backed chair, her eyes coldly observing everything.)
"Where are you going today?" Reeta asked Kalicharan (her brows furrowed, a hint of worry in her voice).
"I know. But I am going to Mayra's school—for her admission," Kalicharan replied firmly (his eyes gleaming with quiet determination).
Devi tilted her head (her voice sharp, dripping with authority):
"Why do you want to go anywhere today? Don't you remember? Today is Pinku's party. He scored 68%!"
Kalicharan's eyes narrowed:
"What? Only 68%? And, Mother, do you even know how much Mayra scored?"
"I… I don't know," Devi said quickly (her lips tightening, her eyes flicking nervously around).
"Ninety-eight percent, Mother!" Kalicharan said (his voice rising slightly, pride mixing with disbelief). "Thirty percent more than Pinku! Yet, no party was organized for her—only because she is a girl? No! Listen to me—I am going to her school, and she will study further, no matter what!"
(Mayra, standing near the stairs, clenched her fists silently. Her eyes shone with fire as she watched her father.)
Kalicharan smiled warmly at her:
"Come on, Mayra. Let's go."
(The party began, the hall filled with relatives and laughter. Devi, seated in her chair, watched Mayra closely.)
Devi called Mayra aside (her voice low, venomous):
"You are not going to tell anyone about your score. Understood?"
"Okay, Grandmother," Mayra replied softly (her lips pressed together, hiding a small smile).
"That's my good girl," Devi said (her eyes narrowing slightly, pretending to be pleased).
But Mayra whispered to herself (her voice barely audible, fierce with determination):
"Grandmother, you can't stop me. I am going to say it."
(Soon, relatives gathered, chatting about Pinku's achievement. One of them asked:)
"What about Mayra? How much did she score?"
Mayra straightened her back, lifted her chin (her eyes shining with confidence), and said proudly:
"Ninety-eight percent."
Devi froze (her face turning red, her eyes widening). One of the relatives turned toward her, voice loud and reproachful:
"You organized a party for Pinku, who scored only 68%, but your granddaughter scored 98% and you never organized anything for her! How shameless you are, Devi!"
Devi's face paled, her hands clenching the arms of the chair:
"Actually… I… I didn't know her score," she stammered (her voice shaking slightly).
(After the party, the tension in the hall remained thick. Devi, furious, slapped Mayra across the face.)
"I told you not to tell anyone!" Devi hissed (her hand still raised, her eyes blazing). "Then why?"
Mayra stood tall (her back straight, voice steady, eyes fierce):
"Oh, Grandmother! I scored that. I don't want to hide it from anyone. I will say it proudly. You can't stop me like this. I will achieve something great, and even then, you will try to silence me. But listen carefully—(her voice rose, echoing in the room) just shut your mouth and let me do what I am doing. If you try to interfere again, what I do next will be very unexpected for you!"
Reeta gasped (her hands flying to her lips, her face pale with shock):
"Mayra! What are you speaking?"
Mayra's voice rang clear (her eyes glistening with unshed tears, her jaw firm):
"Mom, I know exactly what I'm speaking. (Her fists clenched.) And I will stand by it."
Devi, trembling with rage, pointed toward the stairs:
"Better go back to your room at once!"
Mayra turned, her footsteps slow but resolute, her mind whispering to herself:
(One day, I will win. One day, everyone will be proud of me.)