“You know where she is! You know damn well where she’s living,” Saurav snarled, stepping into his father’s space. “I took days off just to go there, Dad. I’ve fulfilled all your wishes. Now, it’s your turn to fulfill mine. You’re going to take me to her.”
“I won’t... I can’t,” Mr. Chauhan said. His stony expression remained, but a slight crack in his voice betrayed the secrets he was guarding. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a meeting.”
“You’re not going anywhere!” Saurav’s roar made me flinch. Mr. Chauhan froze, staring at his son in disbelief. “Tell me. Where is my mother?”
Mr. Chauhan stepped forward, fists clenched. He looked like a man breaking from the inside out.
“We are not talking about her. We are not talking about a woman who abandoned you before you even knew the world. If you want to find her, do it on your own...but don't you dare expect help from me.”
He turned for the door, and I scrambled back to my room. I shut the door quietly, my heart hammering against my ribs like a gong.
As my breathing leveled out, I replayed the confrontation. Saurav’s mother. The woman who had supposedly run away with a lover. Now, Saurav was desperate to find her, and his father was a stone wall. Did Mr. Chauhan truly not know where she was, or was he protecting a truth Saurav wasn't ready to hear?
My head throbbed. I took a long, steaming shower to wash away the tension, then dressed for the office.
When I walked downstairs, I found my husband and father-in-law sitting at the dining table in eerie silence, waiting for breakfast as if the explosion an hour ago had never happened.
I didn't ask questions. I headed straight for the kitchen. Though the Chauhans had a personal chef, Mr. Chauhan preferred my cooking; I always made sure his meals were healthy. Saurav would never admit it, but he enjoyed my food just as much.
After a quiet breakfast, Mr. Chauhan and I prepared to leave for the office. Saurav appeared in the foyer, car keys in hand.
“I’m coming too.”
“We don't need you there today,” Mr. Chauhan said flatly.
“I need to go through some documents I left behind,” Saurav countered, his eyes flickering toward me.
Mr. Chauhan didn't argue. Saurav took his own car while I drove with my father-in-law. Today was the follow-up meeting with Abhiraj Sisodiya regarding his new project proposal.
An hour later, the conference room was full. When Abhiraj entered, his expression hardened the moment he spotted Saurav.
“Mr. Chauhan, I’m surprised you showed up today,” Abhiraj said, his tone laced with bitterness. Saurav ignored him completely.
Abhiraj began his presentation with effortless confidence, explaining that this wasn’t merely a commercial venture but a platform aimed at fostering financial independence and creating opportunities for women with limited access to resources. He spoke about training programs, mentorship networks, and a vision for long-term sustainability.
Everything was going smoothly until my husband leaned forward.
“Mr. Sisodiya, a few questions, if I may?” Saurav interrupted.
“Of course,” Abhiraj replied, though his posture stiffened.
“Do you think women are incapable of competing in normal markets?”
“They are more than capable,” Abhiraj answered politely. “The issue is access, safety, and opportunity. This model removes those constraints so the competition is fair, not forced.”
“And what makes you think the women in that village even want this?” Saurav asked, his words landing like punches.
“We’ve conducted field surveys and partnered with local NGOs. The demand isn’t theoretical, Mr. Chauhan; it’s documented. What’s missing isn’t ambition but infrastructure.”
Saurav smirked. “One last question. If the project fails, will you admit you encouraged these women to risk their life savings on an unstable model?”
Abhiraj’s confidence wavered for a split second. He took a breath.
“It is a calculated, supported risk. Yes.”
“I’m satisfied,” Saurav mocked, leaning back.
Abhiraj glared at him before taking the empty seat next to me. He leaned in closer than necessary, his voice a low whisper.