Chapter 8 -- Vikas With Family
"Damad ji, would you like tea or dinner right away?" Sonali said once Vikas was settled in his chair "I need to discuss something with you and get your opinion after dinner."
"Let's discuss what's on your mind, Sasu Maa. I can have tea while we talk and dinner later." Vikas said, and looked around "Unless anybody is hungry already then we can eat now."
Nobody spoke. Nobody was going to go against Vikas' wishes.
"I will make the tea." Shriya said and went out.
"Sit here and tell me what you need, Sasu Maa." Vikas said.
Rhea placed a chair in front of Vikas and Sonali sat down.
"It's about Rhea, Damad ji."
"Ok." Vikas said.
Sonali continued "She had applied to take part in a fashion show that her college is doing in Delhi. She had sent a dress for it that she designed. This week, they told her that she has been selected. The show is this weekend. Guddu was going to go with her. I had given her permission and told her to book the train tickets. But Guddu has received an interview call for a job on Monday morning so he can't go. Hemant has his office on Monday, he says he has taken too many leaves already and can't miss office right now. I have not asked Prakash but I think his answer would be the same."
"I have asked Prakash, mom," Amisha said from her seat, her tone was dry "and you are right. He can't take time from his business right now."
Acknowledging her with a nod, Sonali continued "Rhea still wants to go. It's a good opportunity. But I can't send her alone."
Vikas leaned forward and took her hands. Sonali got flustered and looked around as the whole family was there. But she could not pull her hands back. She left them in his hands and tried not to show how nervous it made her.
"First of all, you should have told me this earlier, we could have planned it better." Vikas said
"Sorry, Damad ji, I didn't want to bother you with every little thing."
"Anything that concerns my girl's future is not a little thing." Vikas said and looked at Rhea. Rhea beamed.
Vikas continued "What happens in this family interests me, you know that by now. Or I thought you did." Vikas said "But anyway, the main thing is that you can't tie down Rhea just because she is a girl. She is a girl but she is also intelligent, talented and driven. That means she would want to go into Fashion Design in a big way, either as a professional or a businesswoman. You can't expect her to be dependent on someone else for every little thing that she has to do."
"But Damad ji, she is a girl, and I worry about her." Sonali said.
"Your worry is valid, but your fears should not clip her wings. She is going to do great things in her life and you can't keep her down because she is a girl."
"Of course you are right, but --" Sonali started but Vikas held up a hand and stopped her.
"Let's leave that as a policy discussion for another time." Vikas said "For now, let's focus on the immediate problem."
"Ji, Damad ji." Sonali lowered her eyes.
"Rhea, how big a deal this fashion show is, baby?" Vikas kept holding Sonali's hands as he looked at Rhea.
"It's a very big deal, Jiju," Rhea said "there will be a celebrity designer as chief guest and colleges from the whole country will be participating. There were more than a thousand entries. Only 50 were selected."
Vikas nodded "Obviously it will help a lot in your career whether you do a job or business."
"Yes, jiju." Rhea said "Even taking part will look good on my CV, if I don't win any place."
"Then you should definitely go." Vikas said.
"But Damad ji --" Sonali started.
"Don't worry, Sasu Maa," Vikas interrupted her "I will go with her."
"You, Damad ji? But your business...?" Sonali said.
"My business won't go to pot if I am away for a day or two. That's now how I built my business." Vikas looked at Rhea "What tickets have you booked, honey?"
"Friday night, Jiju." Rhea said "I need to register there on Saturday morning. The show is on Saturday evening."