Hello friends, how are you all? Let's begin the next chapter...
ð Veer's Grand Welcome
After Meenakshi's warm hug, Veer felt for a moment that he was exactly where he belonged. In that instant, the hustle of Delhi and the tangles of coding felt far away.
"Come in, Veer! Look how thin you've become! Don't you get food in Delhi?" Meenakshi joked, though her eyes were moist with joy.
"I do, but not made by your hands," Veer smiled, affectionately patting her head.
As they stepped from the main gate into the mansion's courtyard, an atmosphere of celebration took over. Dadosa Rajkaur, leaning on her walking stick, hurried toward Veer.
"Look! My moon has arrived! My precious son is here!" Dadosa nearly ran to embrace Veer. Her face, though etched with wrinkles, was glowing like the sun. "Veer, you've grown even more handsome, boy! May no evil eye fall upon you!"
Grandmother kissed Veer's forehead lovingly and immediately began performing a ritual to ward off the 'evil eye' . Veer leaned down to touch her feet, and Dadosa patted his back with deep affection
In the next moment, Veer's mother, Sarla Devi, stepped forward, adjusting the veil on her head. Her face reflected the relief and maternal love that only a mother feels upon seeing her son.
"Son, why didn't you tell me you were coming so early? I would have prepared special dishes," she said, stroking her son's cheeks.
"It's okay, Ma. I was craving home-cooked food. Anything made by your hands will do," Veer replied, giving his mother a gentle hug. Tears welled up in Sarla Devi's eyes, which she wiped away quickly so the Chaudhary Saab wouldn't perceive her as weak.
Meanwhile, from the platform built in the center of the courtyard, the commanding voice of Chaudhary Harpal Singh echoed. He was sitting near the hookah, holding a small gathering (chaupal). His demeanor was, as always, serious and authoritative.
"So, the Engineer Babu has arrived! After breathing the air of Delhi, you finally remembered the soil of your village?" Harpal Singh spoke without a smile, though a hidden spark of joy flickered in his eyes.
Veer immediately walked toward his father and bowed to touch his feet. "Namaste, Papa. Yes, I couldn't settle in there. Who can forget their own roots?"
Harpal Singh responded with a simple "Hoon" (a grunt of acknowledgment) and gestured for Veer to sit beside him. That "Hoon" was no less than a "Welcome Home" for Veer, as Harpal Singh rarely expressed his emotions openly.
As Veer sat down, his gaze fell upon Vikram Singh (his younger uncle) and Preeto (his younger aunt) standing in the left corner.
Vikram Singh folded his hands formally and said, "Veer is back? Excellent. Now the Chaudhary Saab's workload will be lightened a bit." There was a surface-level politeness in his voice, but Veer could clearly see a hint of envy in his eyes.
"Yes, Chacha ji. Namaste. I'm here for a few days," Veer replied briefly.
Preeto didn't miss the chance to chime in. "Arre! Your engineering must be over by now, right Veer? What's the plan for a job? I hope you don't intend to marry some city girl?"
The bluntness of Preeto's question made the atmosphere awkward. Veer's mother, Sarla Devi, immediately tried to change the subject.
Dadosa scolded Preeto, saying, "Be quiet, girl! My grandson has just arrived and you've already started with the questions. Go to the kitchen! Bring some lassi and matthi for Veer!"
Preeto, intimidated by Dadosa, left without a word, but she shot a piercing glance at Veer as she walked away.
A little later, the mood in the mansion turned cheerful again. Veer wasn't allowed to go to his room straight away; first, he was seated on a cot in the courtyard and served cold lassi, homemade matthi, and fresh milk cream (malai).
Dadosa fed him the cream with her own hands and said, "Now, leave these talks of degrees behind and settle down soon. The village needs an educated Chaudhary like you. And your bride... yes, your bride should also come home soon."
Harpal Singh took a deep drag from the hookah, exhaled the smoke, and said, "Grandmother is right, Veer. Your studies are complete now. You can work in the city for a year or two for 'experience,' but your real work is here. The Panchayat elections are next month; you'll have to sit with me and learn."
This was the first 'signal' for Veer that the battle had begun. The talk of 'experience' was merely an excuse; the true goal was to pull him into the feudal life of a landlord.
Veer replied calmly, "Alright, Papa. I understand. But I also have a 'plan' for you. I want to start something new that will benefit our village as well."
For the first time, Harpal Singh looked directly at Veer. His eyes held a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.
"What kind of plan?"
"First, give me a day or two, Papa. We'll sit and talk comfortably. I'll explain everything to you," Veer thought to himself that this wasn't the right time, while the mansion was still in a celebratory mood.
Harpal Singh nodded in agreement. "Fine. But remember one thing, son. Your roots are in this soil, not in the concrete of Delhi."
Veer knew this wasn't just a play on words; it was the turning point of his future. There was joy in the mansion, but the scent of the coming struggle was already in the air.
(To be continued...)
âïļ Radhika ðļ