THE HUMILIATION

The sun was glowing like gold early in the morning. A cart carrying two figures was going on a rocky path.

"Dad, where are we going?"

"I think it's time to tell you some things, my son!"

Ashok sighed in a low voice.

"This story is about those days when in the vigor of my youth, I set out on a journey with a few of my friends."

Ashok's tone got gloomy as he said these words.

"But... one of my friends betrayed us and tried to kill all of us for a treasure that we had found. Luckily I was able to survive and run away from there."

"I desperately ran and ran to survive. In the end, exhaustion took over me and I fainted in a forest. When I woke up I was in a wooden house and I was covered with many bandages all over my body. Then, I heard a soft voice that I can never forget. It was a woman's voice asking me not to move." After a pause, Ashok continued.

"She was your mother, my son. She had found me unconscious in the forest and took me home. I stayed in that house for a couple of months with her to get treated and we fell in love with each other. We married a few days later and when I took her to my home..."

Ashok's enthusiastic tone suddenly became hostile.

"...because of her humble background, I was banished from my family. I was not sad because I was banished from my own family but I was sad because... because of me your mother had to suffer such humiliation."

This story made Darsh's heart ache and he finally understood why their faces would turn gloomy whenever he asked his parents about his grandparents.

"Darsh, you asked where we are going right?"

"Yes, Dad!"

"Son, we are going to the city of Ariana. It is the richest city of the whole Kingdom of Vetar."

Darsh's eyes widened.

"My family... that I no longer belong to also lives in this city. Today we have come here to let you join it so that you can use the resources necessary for your growth."

"But dad..."

"No buts, I don't mind getting humiliated if it means that you can have a bright future."

Darsh knew that his father was a very stubborn man so he didn't say anything afterwards.

They reached their destination in about 2 days' time.

Ashok took Darsh to many shops and Darsh was amazed by seeing the culture in the city. When the sun was about to go down they reached a huge mansion on which a plaque was present on which with big letters 'SHIKHAWAT MANSION' was written.

There were two watchmen on either side of the big door leading to the mansion. When they saw Ashok they were a little puzzled at first but then quickly ran into the mansion.

In the hall of the grand mansion, an old man was sitting in the middle seat and some other old men were sitting on the seats on the sides of the hall. They were the Patriarch and Elders of the Shikhawat family.

Suddenly the door opened and two men came running into the hall.

"What is this impudence? Don't you see that we are in a meeting right now!" An elder spoke.

"We ask your forgiveness, Patriarch and all Elders." The two men said in unison trembling.

"But we have important news, the banished member of the Shikhawat family, Ashok is in front of the doors waiting."

Everyone present had different reactions after hearing this but the Patriarch who was also Ashok's father and Darsh's grandfather had no reaction at all.

"Everyone, calm down!" The Patriarch said in a domineering voice.

"And you, tell him to come inside."

The Patriarch whose name was Kabir Shikhawat ordered the two guards.

They went outside immediately.

"The Patriarch has asked you to come inside."

The two men said to Ashok as soon as they saw him.

"Ok."

Ashok didn't say much and went inside. Everyone was seeing him strangely except for his father who had an icy look on his face. Darsh followed behind him.

"Why have you come here today?"

As soon as Kabir started speaking the whole hall went silent.

"Today, I have come here for my son. I want him to join the family."

Everybody's complexion changed and even Kabir's face looked a little excited hearing this.

"Your son? You mean my grandson." Kabir's face was like the sunlight in the spring season.

Darsh did not expect such a thing and he felt flabbergasted.