Hello friends, how are you all? Let's embark on a new journey together today... a journey that begins in Sonipat.
In the Sonipat district of Haryana, the prestige of the Khap Panchayats and the arrogance of the landlord lifestyle were still as fresh as the first ray of the sun. The village was named 'Birbalpur,' and at its center stood the Chaudhary Niwas. This mansion wasn't just built of brick and stone; it was a chronicle of old-world feudal grandeur, unbreakable traditions, and Jat pride.
Chaudhary Harpal Singh, the current master of the mansion and the biggest landlord of Birbalpur, would twirl his mustache and make decisions as if they were government decrees. His every word, his every gesture, was law. Harpal Singh's only son, Veer Singh, was the sole heir to this massive legacy.
At this moment, Veer was sitting in his college hostel room, but his mind was elsewhere. The modernity of Delhi and the fields of Birbalpur existed as two different worlds within him.
In terms of physique, Veer was as sturdy as his father, but his eyes... his eyes held a rebellion that wanted to break free from years of feudal constraints. He had no interest in sitting at the village square (chaupal), nor did the bubbling of the hookah bring him peace. He wanted to build his own world in lines of code on his laptop. He was about to complete his B.Tech degree, and that was his ticket to freedom.
"C'mon Veer, coding again? Give it a rest today at least!"
The voice came from his friend Alok, who was lying on the bed in a T-shirt and track pants, reading a comic book in the corner of the room.
"Just five minutes, Alok. There's a small bug; if I don't fix it today, I won't be able to sleep tonight," Veer replied, his eyes glued to the screen, fingers flying across the keyboard.
Alok walked over and patted Veer on the back. "Do you really think the Chaudhary Saab is going to put his seal of approval on this coding job of yours? You know he can't stand to see you away from the soil of the fields. And your grandmother! She wants you to get married immediately and take over the mansion."
Veer took a deep breath and closed his laptop. A faint smile touched his face, but the unease in his eyes was clear.
"I know, Alok. But I don't want to live in the fields; I want to live life on my own terms. I don't want to rule over the land my grandfather and great-grandfather built. I want to create my own 'ground,' right here, in this world of technology." He placed a hand over his heart.
"And that's what I have to tell Papa... tomorrow. I'm going back to Birbalpur. The semester is over, and before the final year starts, I have to make him understand."
Alok shook his head with concern. "Best of luck, brother. Just remember, you aren't going to argue with your father; you're going to argue with a tradition."
Veer opened his bag and looked at the kurta-pyjama packed inside. He hated wearing it, but in the village, it was his 'uniform.' He smiled and said, "But my name is 'Veer' (Brave), Alok. And now, the time for 'struggle' has come."
That night, Veer stayed awake for a long time. Outside was the rushing light of Delhi, and inside him were the centuries-old walls of Birbalpur. He knew that tomorrow he wouldn't just face his father, but a legacy that—in the Jat-land of Haryana—was considered a sin to reject.
Veer was still staring at the kurta-pyjama when his mobile screen suddenly lit up. Seeing the name 'Tanya' with a heart emoji, a peaceful smile spread across his face.
Tanya... the girl who was Veer's anchor in the fast-paced life of Delhi. She was so simple and pure-hearted that being with her made Veer feel as though he had left all the world's noise behind.
Veer loved Tanya not just for her beauty, but for her calm nature and clear thinking. With pink lips, a fair complexion, golden-tinted hair, and a toned figure—she looked no less than a celestial nymph, and her simplicity made her even more enchanting. From their first meeting in the first year of college, Veer felt she was 'perfect' for him in every way. They wanted to spend every moment together.
However, there was a deep crack in this 'perfection'—a flaw that could become a heavy burden for their future.
Tanya was from a Rajput family. 'Jat' and 'Rajput'—in the landlord world of Haryana, these two words weren't symbols of a love story, but of conflict and stubbornness.
Veer took a long breath and answered the call.
"Hello, Tanya," his voice softened instantly.
Tanya's sweet, slightly worried voice came from the other side. "Veer, not asleep yet? I thought you'd be preparing for your trip tomorrow morning."
"Yeah, just doing that. Packing some things," Veer said, ignoring the kurta lying in front of him.
"Are you... are you okay? You sound a bit nervous." Tanya's intuition regarding Veer's mood was very sharp.
Veer smiled. "I'm fine. Just going home tomorrow, so I'm trying to figure out how to explain to Papa that I love coding, not the fields."
Tanya remained silent for a moment, then spoke softly. "I know, Veer. Your Papa... he's a bit strict. But don't be afraid. You have every right to live your life on your own terms."
"If you were with me, I'd probably have more courage," Veer said from the heart.
A slight sadness entered Tanya's voice. "I wish I could come. But you know... it wouldn't be right for me to be there."
Veer understood immediately. Within the walls of Birbalpur, a Rajput girl being in the Chaudhary's son's room was like inviting a storm.
"It's okay, Tanya. I'll be back soon. And this time, I'll return with a decision," Veer said firmly. "I have to tell them that I want to complete my engineering and marry of my own choice... both things."
He didn't finish his sentence, but Tanya knew exactly who he was talking about. They loved each other immensely, but their love stood before an ancient societal rule that was not easily broken.
"Take care of yourself, Veer. And call me every day. I'll wait for you to return," Tanya said. "Or, I'll do one thing, Veer—I'll head to my village in a day or two as well... because I really want to meet Bapusa (father)."
"Sure... you go ahead in a day or two. Good night, my engineer-wife," Veer joked.
Tanya laughed at the joke, but an unknown fear was hidden behind that laughter. Veer hung up and looked at the kurta once more. Now, it wasn't just a piece of clothing; it was the armor he would wear to fight the battle for his identity.
(To be continued...)
✍️ Radhika 🌸