Chapter 2 The Protagonist

• Christian left the house right after the heated argument. But his grandfather, Leo, was still as calm as the sea. It was already late evening, and resting on his bed, he was talking to the picture of his deceased wife Rosella.
• He was chatting about the Indian girl, and why he chose her for their grandson when Dr Agnes walked into the room with a bottle of wine and two glasses.
• “Hey, oldie! Talking to Rosella?” Dr Agnes gave a broad smile.
• “Yeah, I was telling her about the girl I met in India,” Leo responded.
• “Oh, that same girl you chose for Chris?” Agnes asked.
• “Yes,” Leo replied with a broad grin.
• “Well, I sincerely wish to know, what is so exceptional about this Indian girl that you like her so much?” Agnes inquired, sitting on the couch and pouring wine into the glasses.
• Leo placed Rosella’s photo frame on the night table and sat next to Agnes on the couch to answer her. “Well, she is a beautiful girl. She knows how to handle relationships and keep a family together, and that’s precisely something my family is in dire need of learning.” Leo said, taking a long pause.
• “She is an ideal girl for our Chris. She can give him a successful career and a loving family for which he craved in his childhood.” Leo further added, and Agnes nodded in response. “You know, Agnes, I am afraid. I am really afraid for my family. The family which Rosella and I moulded with so much love and care is on the verge of breakdown today and I am incapable of doing anything about it.” Leo said and glanced at Rosella’s picture sadly.
• “This girl is my last hope and I’m certain she will reunite this family. She’ll do everything that I’ve failed to do. I wish to see this family together before I close my eyes forever. Agnes, it’s my last wish!” Leo took a sip of wine, removing tears from the corner of his eyes.
• “I understand you, Leo. I know you’re afraid for your family, but you know Chris. He is way too smart. He must be looking out for a way to escape this trap.” Agnes said.
• Leo chuckled. “Oh, I’m sure! But believe me, he can never find a way out of this trap.” Leo said with a wide smile on his face. “And I completely trust Lia on this. That bloody silicone-filled barbie doll will definitely break up with him.” Leo made a disgusted face, and they both laughed.
• “Well, I’d enjoy watching Chris getting trapped. By the way, where did you meet this girl in India?” Agnes asked.
• “Do you remember I went to India two months back for some business purpose?” Leo asked, and Agnes nodded.
• “Well, someone told me about a city Varanasi, where people get peace and souls attain salvation after death. It’s one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and is also considered the spiritual capital of India. So, I decided to visit Varanasi from Mumbai, and I can’t describe the serenity of that place. I realised that there was something magical, some kind of unseen, pure, and powerful energy. I absolutely enjoyed my stay there, and I met…..” Before Leo could complete his conversation, someone knocked on the half-open door and their attention shifted to the door.
• “Dad, can I come in?” Luke, Christian’s father, peeked inside.
• “Leo, I think I should leave now. You two need to talk.” Agnes stood up to leave. “But I’m really looking forward to meeting this girl.” She smiled and Leo nodded his head with a broad smile and then shifted his gaze to Luke.
• “Sure, you can come in. I knew you’d come to see me.” Leo chuckled, and Luke closed the door behind his back. “So how can I help you, son?” Leo asked, maintaining a poker face.
• “Why are you forcing Chris to marry that girl?” Luke asked, crossing his arms across his chest.
• “I want her as my granddaughter-in-law and this dream can only be fulfilled through your son,” Leo stated clearly, and the corner of his mouth curved up.
• “But Indian girl? Indians are so different from us. Why don’t you choose Lia or some other girl who belongs to our civilization? Why an Indian girl?” Luke questioned.
• “Because….. never mind. Even if I try to explain, you will not understand. And what kind of father are you, huh? Can’t you see Lia isn’t suitable for your son? She’s a gold digger like your girlfriend, and she’ll ruin Christian’s life like your girlfriend ruined your marriage.” Leo almost shouted, stating the facts.
• “Anyway, it’s irrelevant to talk about this anymore. I want that girl in this house! Tell your son to prepare himself for this wedding.” He said adamantly. “Now show yourself out! I’d like to talk to your mother and close the door on your way out.” Leo said, and Luke walked out, slamming the door with a loud thud.
• Leo picked up Rosella’s photo frame again and started talking to her. He was telling her about the other qualities of the girl that he liked, and why she was just perfect for this family when the door of his room burst open, and there stood Christian.
• Leo stared up at him and covered his mouth in shock. “Oh my god, are you really in front of my eyes or am I hallucinating? I thought you’d come back at least a month later when all your credit cards will stop working, but you are back in just twelve hours. What happened to my son? Lea broke up with you when she found you’ve given up the position?” Leo asked sarcastically.
• “Yes, you were right about her. As soon as she came to know that I have left the battle of the CEO position, she dumped me.” Christian answered in an irritated tone.
• “Wow!” Leo raises his eyebrows in surprise.
• Christian took a deep breath and continued, “So, here I am, ready to marry the girl you’ve chosen for me. But I want to know why her and not any other girl from our country?” he glared at Leo.
• “Son, you need to stop glaring at me like your father. And we both know that till date, all the girls you have dated were gold diggers. And this girl, whom I’ve chosen for you, is a gem and I want this gem in my family.” Leo said proudly, and Christian rolled his eyes at him.
• “Okay, grandpa, I’ve already heard a lot of praises for her from your mouth. Now please don’t start again. I said I am ready to marry her.” Christian said.
• “Trust me, you will not regret this decision,” Leo said with a wide grin on his face.
• “But she will definitely regret marrying me!”Christian thought. “What’s her name?” He asked, scratching his neck.
• “Her name is Mishka,” Leo replied with an appreciative smile.
• “Mi… Mi what?” Christian stutters.
• “I know it’s a bit hard to pronounce. I, too, took some time to speak this name properly.” Leo smiled, “But you need to practise because she hates when someone misspells her name.” Leo said and Christian nodded his head, but from inside, he was simmering in anger.
• “Now that you’re ready for this marriage. So let me tell you, Mishka is arriving here tomorrow.” Leo broke the news, and Christian’s eyeball bulged out of its socket.
• “What?” He shrieked.
• “Yeah, so now leave. Practice overnight to take her name properly.” Leo clapped his hand. “And let me tell you once again, it’s MI-SH-KA.” Leo clearly pronounced each word.
• “Now, please close the door on your way out. I’m exhausted and want to sleep.” Leo yawned, and Christian nodded his head.
• “Bye Grandpa, goodnight,” Christian said.
• “Good night, son. Now, Chop!! Chop!! Tomorrow is a big day for me.” Leo answered and Christian left his room, turning off the lights.