The next morning, Veer was ready. He wore simple jeans and a T-shirt, but his face clearly reflected a mix of slight excitement about going home and anxiety regarding the upcoming 'clash.' He picked up his bag, stepped out of the hostel gates, and took a taxi to catch the bus to Sonipat.
As soon as he sat on the bus, the first thing Veer did was call his grandmother, Dadosa (Rajkaur).
There was always a peculiar warmth and motherly affection in Dadosa's voice, the kind that could warm even the cold walls of the mansion. "Namaste, Dadosa. I've boarded the bus. I'll reach by afternoon," Veer said softly.
On the other end, Dadosa's joy knew no bounds. Her face flashed before Veer's eyes—wrinkled yet glowing, with her head always partially covered by a veil.
"Arre! My Veer is coming! Did the sun rise in the west today instead of the east?" Dadosa's voice carried a hint of a joke and a mountain of affection. "Don't you worry, son. Your favorite food will be prepared today. Just get here safely. I'll tell them right away to decorate the mansion properly. My darling Engineer Babu is coming home!"
Veer knew that for Dadosa, his arrival was no less than a festival. She immediately busied herself with managing the household, and the news spread through Birbalpur like wildfire: Chaudhary Harpal Singh's sole heir, the 'Engineer Babu from Delhi,' was returning.
Chaudhary Niwas, known simply as 'The Mansion' in Birbalpur, was not just a building; it was a living museum of Jat tradition, pride, and responsibility. Every member of this family had their own distinct personality:
1. Chaudhary Harpal Singh (Father)
Appearance & Personality: Around 55 years old, Harpal Singh was a man of sturdy build with a commanding mustache. He had a deep dusky complexion, and his eyes always held a profound seriousness.
Nature: He was strict, just (from his perspective), and traditionalist. For him, 'Land' and 'Jat Pride' were paramount. He wanted Veer to finish his B.Tech, but the ultimate goal wasn't a job in Delhi—it was for Veer to handle the landlordship of Birbalpur and establish dominance in village politics. No one dared challenge his will, especially regarding family decisions. His love for Veer remained buried beneath his stern exterior.
Attire: Always a white or light-colored kurta-dhoti with a thick turban on his head.
2. Mrs. Sarla Devi (Mother)
Appearance & Personality: Around 50 years old, a calm and composed woman with a wheatish complexion and a simple face.
Nature: She was the ideal Indian mother—kind, maternal, and obedient to her husband's commands. She understood Veer's desires but could never speak openly for fear of Harpal Singh. She always tried to be a bridge between Veer and his father. She was soft toward Veer's studies, but she knew nothing about Tanya; if she did, she too would likely stand on the side of tradition.
Attire: Always deep-colored cotton sarees or salwar-kameez with the pallu over her head.
3. Dadosa Rajkaur (Grandmother)
Appearance & Personality: 75 years old, slightly agile with a spark in her eyes. She was the oldest and most respected member of the mansion.
Nature: Dadosa had the softest nature in the house. She considered Veer a piece of her heart and wanted to fulfill his every whim. Although she was raised in tradition, Veer's happiness was her priority. She was the only one who could 'argue' slightly with Harpal Singh. Veer always had her full support. Her biggest wish was to see Veer with a daughter-in-law of their own clan (gotra).
Attire: A dark-colored ghagra and kurti, with her head covered by an odhni.
When Veer reached Birbalpur by bus, the afternoon sun was at its peak. The dusty air of the village and the heat rising from the paved roads brought him far away from the air-conditioned world of Delhi.
From the Birbalpur bus stand to the mansion, every face knew him. People greeted him with folded hands. Veer replied with a smile, but his internal restlessness was growing. He knew that once he entered the mansion, his 'Engineer' persona would be left behind, and he would have to become the 'Chaudhary's Heir'—at least until he could make them see his point of view.
At the large iron gate of the mansion, the wait for 'Veer Singh Chaudhary' was finally over.
Chaudhary Harpal Singh's younger brother and his family also lived in a section of the mansion, adding to the complexities of this large household.
4. Vikram Singh (Younger Uncle/Chacha)
Nature: Vikram Singh assisted Harpal Singh in managing the estate, but he was never given the authority to make major decisions. This stung him constantly. He appeared calm and humble on the outside but was envious and ambitious within. He felt more anxiety than joy at Veer's success, as Veer was the sole heir to the entire legacy. He always said "Yes, sir" to Harpal Singh's face but constantly critiqued family decisions behind his back.
5. Preeto (Younger Aunt/Chachi)
Nature: Preeto was the 'political expert' of the mansion. She poked her nose into everything and kept an eye on every small detail. Her main goal was to get more respect for her husband and equal rights for her young son. She was the center of the household 'SaaS-Bahu' drama but remained subdued in front of Harpal Singh and Dadosa. She often taunted Sarla Devi about Veer "slipping away" because he lived in the city.
Chintu... was the 7 Year-old son of Preeto and Vikram Singh. Though just a child, he had a hobby: he recorded videos of every little thing with his handcam. He dreamed of becoming a filmmaker one day.
6. Meenakshi (Veer's Younger Sister)
Appearance & Nature: 19 years old and in college. She was slim, agile, and had mischievous eyes like Veer. She was the dearest member of the family to Veer. Like her brother, she was open-minded but couldn't speak freely due to family pressure. She saw Veer as her idol and hoped he would break the traditions that made her feel suffocated. She supported Veer silently and often asked him for news about the world in Delhi. She, too, wanted to live life on her own terms.
As he arrived in front of the mansion and walked toward the main entrance, Veer's eyes first fell on Meenakshi, who was waiting for him behind the door. Meenakshi immediately ran and hugged her brother. In that hug, there was not just love, but the heartfelt relief of two people who shared the same mindset.
Veer knew that within these four walls, his battle was not just with tradition, but with a whole web of envy and expectations.
(To be continued...)
✍️ Radhika 🩷