C14 His Dilemma

Rashi pov

"Finally the assignment is finished. Now I can relax and enjoy myself. Before that, I need to go and look after Kavya. Bhai is going on a dinner date with Mala. I don't know why I don't want her to be my bhabhi(sister-in-law). " Thinking all this I strolled towards Kavya's room. As I was approaching her room, I heard faint sobs. I ran into the room and the scene shocked me to the core. Before she could slap her I held her wrist and turned her, to face me.

" How dare you? I don't know what bhai will do with you. " With the corner of my eye, I saw bhai entering the room.

"What is happening here? Princess, why are you crying." Hearing bhai's voice Kavya ran to him.

" Dadda. Bad aunty. Hit me. Hurt my leg." Bhai picked her up and took a look at the place where she pointed. There was a red scar on her foot. When he tried to wipe her tears, she flinched. It was then he saw a red mark of fingers on her face. Bhai was furious, his eyes flared and he clenched his fists. He turned and slapped hard on Mala's face. She flinched.

" Did it hurt you?" Bhai asked calmly.

" What type of question is this?" Mala caressed her cheeks.

" Oh. Then why did you hit my little girl? You were supposed to look after her and this is how you look after them, by slapping such a small girl. " Bhai roared at her. I have never heard Bhai shouting at someone I feared seeing him like that. Kavya started crying, hearing Bhai's roaring voice.

" Daddy no. Pwease. " Kavya started sobbing.

"Thank God my daughter was saved from such an evil lady. I was going to propose to you today. Get lost from here and don't dare show me your face again.

Jai Pov

It was getting late so I hurriedly took a shower and got ready in black slacks and a red button-down shirt and wore a black waistcoat on top of it. I put the box in the pocket of my slacks. After combing my hair I went out. I heard some commotion coming from my princess's room.

Shock was a small word at the scene in front. Seeing my princess like that I felt my heart squeezing with grief. What I did could not be justified but I was furious and couldn't control myself. Kavya's soft whimpers diverted my attention. I picked her up and squeezed her into a tight hug. Mala threw daggers at me and started sobbing but I didn't care. She ran away. I don't give a damn about it. She is more concerned about her dress than a toddler who is burnt. Rashi tended to her burns.

"Dadda, princess hungly. " My heart breaks seeing the tear-stricken face of my princess with finger marks. She was rubbing her eyes. Rashi gave me her milk.

"Dadda princess sleeps with daddy. No bad aunty. "

" You want to sleep with me." She nodded her head in approval. I was at the door when I saw my parents entering.

"When did you both return? "

"Just now. I saw Mala running with teary eyes. Did something happen in our absence?" Ma looked at me quizzically.

" It did. Why don't you go and change and come to my room? Kavya is sleepy and wants to sleep beside me." As if on cue, Kavya kept her head on my shoulder and I caressed her back. She slept in no time. I tucked her in bed and went to change. My parents were sitting on the couch.

I sat on the floor near Ma's feet and kept my head on her lap. She started caressing my head.

"Jaivardhan Singh Rathore, would you care to explain what has happened? " Dad whispered to me. His taking my full name was enough to intimidate me.

With a face as steady as ice, I told them everything. He was furious like a raging bull. His eyes were fiery. He clenched his fists so severely that his knuckles turned white. His temperament was intimidating.

"How dare she? Doesn't she know that Kavya is the apple of my eye? I won't spare her." He gets up instantly but before he moves Ma grabs his hand.

" Rana sa don't behave irrationally. You are furious now. Think rationally. Deepti is supposed to come on Monday and if something terrible happens to Mala, we will be held responsible. " Ma tried to make sure that Dad didn't do something irrational. After sitting in silence for some time they departed.

All of a sudden my door was opened with force. Someone barged in. My eyebrows furrowed.

" Please leave me alone. I don't want to explain it."

" Bhai, Rashi told me everything. I came to make sure that my princess was fine. " Rashad strolled to the bed.

"Sorry, Raghav. I'm in a sour mood and don't want to talk to anyone. As for the princess, she is sleeping. By God's grace, she is not burnt, just some drops of milk fell on her leg." Raghav came near Kavya and kissed her forehead.

It was Sunday, so no office and no school. I took Kavya to the playroom in the mansion. We played for some time then she wanted to watch cartoons which I let her watch. Her squealed laughter filled the room. Earlier we had planned a picnic at the zoo but after what took place yesterday, I couldn't even look at her without anger.

"Jai, I can understand very well why you cancelled the picnic but it doesn't mean that you have to sit and sulk. It was not your fault. You never knew." I went near her and faced her.

" Ma, why can't every woman be like you? Loving, caring, understanding. That day when you lashed out at me for not giving my princess a complete family, I gave it a thought and agreed with your opinion. Why does Mala have to spoil it for me? Had she behaved with her in the same way if she would have been her birth mother? No woman will ever love a stepchild as her own. I don't want a stepmother for my daughter. I want a mother for her. Who would love her as her own? " My eyes were glistening with unshed tears. I kept my head on Ma's shoulder to seek the warmth of her love.

"Jai, I understand your plight. One day you will find a girl who will love our princess unconditionally. Your dad told me that he had told you about Aarav's daughters. They are nice. I haven't met them for a long time but I have seen them grow up."

"Yeah, Dad told me about them but they are pursuing their careers. I had told Dad to let them finish their studies first."

" I agree. Let us wait. Come with me to the living room and yes Mala is not there. " Ma picked Kavya and we left the room.