Chapter 242 - Learning about the truth (5) (1/2)

|Innaya|

Looking at the downcast expressions on Eshan's mother's face as she drank that vile liquid, I felt troubled. Unlike Eshan and Arjun, she had difficulty with drinking the juice. Her complexion turned paler and paler as she forced herself not to spit it out. Her nose scrunched up. From time to time, she would glance at me and then to her husband's side.

Was she waiting for me to offer her gulab jamun? Perhaps she wanted her husband to stop her. However, he did not move and stared ahead firmly. He was not going to help her. That left me with no choice.

Making my mind, I picked up the bowl of gulab jamun and pushed it in Eshan's hand. Keeping my gaze lowered, I slightly curved my finger and pointed towards his mother. He should be able to understand. Though I had calmed down early, I could not bring myself to initiate a conversation with his mother. What if she misunderstood me?

I did not wish to start another round of drama. Eshan's lips curved in an unnoticeable smile. Eshan understood my unsaid words as he took the bowl from my hand and went to his mother.

”Mom, eat this.”

”Look, she is still caring enough for you people. Where is your damn conscience? How could you bear to hurt her? Were your brains eaten by pigs?” Eshan's father snarled.

I almost jumped in my place at his imposing and stern voice. He did not yell, but his voice had a tinge of ferociousness.

A sobbing sound followed his abrupt outburst. Tentinvily I followed the source of the voice. My eyes landed on Eshan's mother. She was sobbing with her fist held against her mouth.

I panicked with the way Eshan's father glared at the trio. What was happening?

”Dad, please stop it,” Eshan said as he rubbed his mother's back.

”Oh! What? Can't bear to listen to your stupidity?” His father retorted.

”Suhas-”

'If this continued, they would soon start quarreling.'

”Uncle, can you please calm down. Actually, all of us need to calm down. This matter won't reach anywhere with the way we all are dealing with it,” Arjun said. ”And, we have carried out the punishment without any complaint. So, can you please forgive us.”

I almost nodded at Arjun's words. I shared his thoughts on the situation.

Eshan's father flared up, but before he could say anything, I chimed in. ”He's right.”

”See, your daughter also agrees. Be magnanimous like her, and show some mercy on us peasants. We're at fault, but there's always a reason behind things. Not necessarily everything is black or white...”

Was Arjun fool? Magnanimous? Mercy? What era was we in? Did he consider Eshan's father as some sort of king from the ancient era? The aura surrounding Eshan's father was regal and his temperament did not pale in comparison with royals in history… but wasn't Arjun being too much with his flattering?

The fierce expression on his face faltered and he swallowed back his words.

”Stop crying.” He passed his white handkerchief to his wife. ”My daughter gave her share of sweets to you, eat it,” he then added with a little pride.

I mentally rolled my eyes.

Eshan's mother sniffled but she accepted the handkerchief. She cleaned her face, and then took a bite of the gulab jamun. Her eyes stayed trained on me and the tears in them glistened like pearls.

It made me uncomfortable. So I did the best thing that could divert my attention. I picked up the spoon and started stuffing my mouth with the biryani. Though I did not eat like gluten with no manners, I made sure to keep my eyes on my plate. One spoonful after another, I just kept on eating the biryani.

With all the tension in the air and the weird atmosphere, I could not even taste the food. I just wanted to avoid getting myself in another terrible confrontation.