Chapter 1-Jaspal
There was chaos everywhere as the house-help scurried around the living room in a frenzy.It was not everyday that the great Akaal Singh Brar announced his retirement to make way for his young heir into the Brar Jewellery empire. Everything had to be perfect, at least when his daarji was involved, even more so when his parjaai was responsible for organising the whole event.After all,it would be her husband who was taking over the reins of the company and hopefully the household as well.They had invited virtually everyone, including important government officials, fellow business heads and most importantly ,extended family.
While Jaspal was vaguely aware of the feud going on between his father and his relatives and even agreed with his father's motivations for one upping them with the most exorbitant ceremony one could throw, he had a really bad feeling.A part of him didn't think it was wise to make an important announcement live in front of the media and half the city. Even the smallest glitch could upend the delicate balance necessitated by the takeover.He had favoured a written statement,followed by a small get together for their closest associates and if time permitted ,even an impromptu interview with the Ludhiana times.
However,no one had listened to him as usual and he had been content to be relegated to the sidelines.All he had to do was to wait for the drama to unfold and start troubleshooting. His mother had called him a cynic and even a pessimist when he had expressed his 'inauspicious' thoughts while his father had given him a single glare, effectively shutting him up.It wasn't that bad he reasoned.If worse came to worst, atleast one person would be prepared and he was comfortable working in the shadows.With that comforting thought in mind ,he leaned back against the wall ,arms crossed and surveyed the chaos.
"Veerji",a deceptively innocent voice called out.
Rolling his eyes,he turned to find himself face to face with his ten year old sister.
"Prabhjyot,what have you done this time?"
She gave him a brilliant smile.
"Nothing.Why do you assume that I come to you only when I'm in trouble?"
Jaspal nearly snorted at that.
"Let's see.."
Before he could start ,a ruckus at the doorway caught his attention.Time seemed to freeze even as horror started to creep upon him.His Amarjot maasi stood at the doorway,covered from head to toe with mud. She didn't look too happy.Wincing,he turned around only to find his younger sister gone.And to make matters worse,his parents had chosen the worst possible timing to show up.Thus there he was,stuck with three extremely unhappy elders,who looked more than ready to chew him up and leave his entrails outside.
Prabhjyot you monkey,what have you done?
He cursed his luck internally and made his way to the doorway, schooling his expression into that of polite concern.
"Sat sri akaal maasiji.How are you?"
In hindsight,that had probably been the wrong thing to say.He could have sworn that she'd turned a shade redder.
"How do you think I am Jaspal?"
She was definitely angry.
Praying to the heavens,he decided that humility was the best course of action if he wished to get his sister out of trouble.
"Maasi ji,please forgive Prabhjyot for this accident."
"You call this an accident."
"Maasi,she had actually meant to prank me but unfortunately that bucket of mud ended up on your head."
He hoped everyone would buy his story and leave things alone.Unfortunately for him,lady luck had decided to not side with him that day.
"Jaspal,the mud slinging happened out on the lawn.Prabhjyot knew that you were inside the whole time.How can you say that you were the intended victim?" his father mused.
He was definitely done for.Knowing the art of picking one's battles,he decided to call it quits and let the matter slide.Any further interference from his side would only spell doom on Prabhjyot. Hopefully, he'd be able to cheer her up later.
"Prabhjyot has not behaved in a manner befitting a daughter of the Brar household."
"Brar Saab, perhaps you should try talking to her before administering the
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