Their Equal Share

9.Blackmail

Surya p.o.v.

The food I am eating now is really delicious,I didn't know that our regular cook can prepare this delicious food."Where is the cook?" I asked the two people sitting along with me on the table who are called as my parents. "What happened?Don't you like it?" I didn't reply her but I can see the disappointment in her face when she didn't get any reply from me.So, Mrs.Vasudha is disappointed on her son. Mr.Prabhu who is my dad called the cook.

"Yes sir..!" came a voice which belonged to a familiar lady in her 40s. She was the same cook who had served for our family for years. I smiled at her which I didn't do since I came here to my parents house.She is very kind and sweet,she was one of the person who took good care of me since my childhood until I settled in Hyderabad.

She cooked and fed me every dish I asked her in my childhood.I got up from my chair,"Aunt Lakshmi...How are you?I missed you so much." I hugged her. "I am all good Surya...How are you?You seem to be lean.Don't you take your food properly there.?" She told me by hugging me back and patted my head as a gesture of blessing.

"Haha..because I don't have a best cook like you there who can cook a delicious food for me.And by the way,today's food is really delicious." I said smiling at her. "Really son...then I think this appreciation should be given to your mother.She had cooked today's food specially for you." She replied me with a broad smile.

I lost my smile with her statement and there was a silence, an uncomfortable and cold silence. Sensing the tension Lakshmi aunt retired back to kitchen silently.I went back to my seat,and sat there for quite good minutes before continuing with my food,not caring to acknowledge their presence.

By the time I almost completed my food the tension in the air was reduced and was back to normal again.My dad cleared his throat,"Surya...we called you to tell you something important." It sounded serious. "I know, that is why I am here.If you don't mind just come straight to the point." I told without looking at him.

"Do you remember few months back we attended a Business meeting at Salem?" This time it was my mother. "It is not like you had attended only one meeting in your life that I should remember.All your life you both had been attending only business other than anything." my reply created again a strong silence on the table.

"Let me come to the point.I bumped unexpectedly into my childhood friend in that business meeting,he was the catering in charge there and he compelled us to stay at his home to catch up for our long lost friendship.We stayed nearly a week there,they are very good and lovely people and we liked his daughter.And we asked her hand in marriage for you and they agreed recently for the marriage.We want you to get married to her."

Is he serious?How could he decide my life without my permission.Now,he is not even asking me,he is just saying his decision as if it is final. "No...no How can you decide this?It is my life.I have my liberty to decide for myself.I can't marry any random girl whomever you show."My voice was raging with anger.

"Surya...down your voice you cannot talk like this to us.We know what is good for you." Ho..he knows which is good for me but did he know which will make me happy?No way, they don't care about my happiness."Don't tell me your doing this marriage for your business benefits.I am not any card to play your game.I will not marry her." I said it as final with loud and clarity.I don't want to be a card for their business.I will never allow them to use me.

My dad came to tell something but my mother kept her hand on him asking him to be quite. "Surya...she is very good girl,you will have a good life with her.She is perfect and eligible for you in all aspects like beauty,studies.She is a physiotherapist.You will be happy with her."My mother told in sweet and calm tone,the child in me wanted to listen her words.But the matured me don't want to listen her.

She should have talked with me like this since my childhood with love.But no all she and my dad talked with me very less,that too never with all the love I expected.

"no...I. Will. not. marry. her. that too your choice.Never."she was completely disappointed with me or may be sad.She almost looked like she is about to cry.And my dad was glaring at me.

"OK,then you will not marry her right? It is your wish right?Then transferring my assets is also my wish to whomever I want,all means Including your company in Hyderabad.Do you remember that still it is in my name?If you don't agree to marry her then I will not transfer it to your name.I will transfer to whom ever I want."

Damn him!he is right my company is still in his name.Only name,all the hard work is mine.When I completed my education I wanted to start my own business,I tried to get loan from many banks but they wanted some one with more assets or business to give me surety.It was very difficult for me to get a loan without using my father's name.

One day when my father came to know about this through Ram,he offered me place and money in his name.He told me that I can return his invested money and money for the land once I prove myself by taking the company to its heights.

I didn't agree with him but my friend Ram being my business partner insisted me to take this offer as a business.Because of him,considering him,I didn't want him to suffer with me due my dislike to my father and stubbornness.Now my company is at good position whenever I discussed with Ram about returning the money he would brush it off with one or the other reason.Now,I am the one going to face the consequences.

"You can't do this to me.You are blackmailing me." I said him through my gritted teeth. "Of course I can do it.It is not blackmailing I am just telling you the consequences,if you don't marry her." This really sounds a typical businessman tone.

By now he was leaning on his chair very relaxed as if expecting me to agree with no other choice.I don't want to agree but that is the truth I don't want to loose my company,my hard work, my passion that to for this silly marriage and all of the worst to loose it to my father.

The room was completely silent,a dead silent as if expecting for something to happen.I was boiling with rage.Either this or that.I will not care whoever this girl is because I don't expect any girl in my life.And other hand my company,my best friend as a partner.My dream,my passion and above all the employees who are dependent on our company.I cannot risk these many things for this silly marriage.

"Ok...I will marry her." I saw a victory smile on my dad's face as if he expected this answer.And my mother she was really excited with my reply and above all she rushed towards me and hugged me in happiness.But I didn't reciprocate it.With sad face she backed away from me promising me that I will get a good life through this marriage.

"Ok...then your marriage is next week.So,you have to stay here still your marriage is over." my dad announced getting up from his chair. "What next week?Why this soon.Just now you got my permission and within that marriage?" I asked with complete shock.

Why are they this quick. "We had already checked your Horoscope with Niranjana's, it is perfect match.And we don't have perfect muhurtham (auspicious day)in next month.The sooner the marriage the better." my mother told with smiling face as if it is easy to prepare for a marriage.

"But there are lot to prepare for marriage two weeks will not be sufficient,it will be enough if you wanted to get register marriage." She waved her hand saying don't worry. "You are the last one to know about the marriage.We had been preparing for this for a month.We know you will agree." she said by making her way to kitchen.

I watched her retreating figure as a dumb.My father had already moved out with his phone making some calls. "Niranjana's photos are placed inside your room already.If you want you can see her picture." my mother told from the kitchen.