Chapter 4: The Family Rules

That night, I was sorting the guest gift list in the study when a servant came to say Father-in-law Rajeev Mehra wanted me downstairs for a family meeting.

My pen paused over the last name, ink smudging slightly as I closed the register. The corridor outside was dark, the faint buzz of a tube light the only company.

I put my things in the safe and locked it, then went down to find everyone already present.

Father-in-law sat at the centre of the living room sofa, lips pressed tight, face stern.

On the left sat Arjun and my brother-in-law Kabir.

Kabir teaches at a university; he can't be seen during the day, only comes home at night. When he saw me, his eyes lit up and he smiled.

My mother-in-law sat on the right, eyes red and indignant, as if she'd just been crying.

Father-in-law nodded at me and spoke gently:

"Riya, have a seat."

I sat as instructed.

The sofa's edge was stiff, and the air heavy with unshed tension. I smoothed my dupatta nervously.

In the oppressive atmosphere, my father-in-law began in a deep voice:

"When I first came to Lucknow, I didn't even have a place to stay. How did I build such a big family business today?"

"By behaving with dignity and acting with caution."

"This is the Mehra family tradition, the family rules I've repeated to each of you."

He turned and sternly scolded my mother-in-law:

"How could you treat Riya like that in public today? You may be an elder, but didn't you make her a laughing stock for outsiders? How is she supposed to handle people outside in the future?"

Father-in-law is the unquestioned head of the family.

He rarely gets angry, but when he does, everyone is terrified.

The grandfather clock in the corner ticked loudly, measuring out the silence that followed his words. Even Maaji shrank a little under his gaze.

Right now, my mother-in-law's usual pride and elegance were gone. She replied softly:

"I was just anxious for a moment, didn't really mean to make her wipe them. How could I know she'd squat down right away?"

Her voice trembled, almost pleading. For the first time, I saw the fragility beneath her careful poise.

"Nonsense!" Father-in-law slammed the table.

"When I came to Lucknow alone, if Riya's grandfather hadn't taken me in and brought me into the business, would any of you have what you have today? Whoever makes a mistake must be punished. You're no exception."

My mother-in-law trembled, sobbing in grievance.

The Mehra family started with ayurvedic health products. The basement still has the earliest herbal grinding tools. Every time someone in the family makes a mistake, they're punished by grinding herbs for hours, until their arms are so sore they can't even hold a dabba the next day.

Father-in-law sees this as "a lesson to never forget our roots."

In that moment, the old rules felt heavy—older than the marble floors, older than the Mehra name itself. Even the servants in the shadows stood a little straighter.

Arjun, leaning back on the sofa, spoke up:

"Dad, Riya didn't mind it, and Mom is getting old, her hands can't take it. Why not let it go this once?"

Father-in-law's face darkened. "No!"

My mother-in-law whimpered through her tears, "I'm about to perform piano at the orphanage. If my hands are sore, how can I play? I'm doing this for the company's charity."

Father-in-law pressed his lips together, silent.

The air was thick with the weight of his decision. Everyone waited, barely breathing.

"Let it go, Dad."

Kabir also tried to persuade him.

I said nothing, staring at my tightly clenched knees.

As expected, Father-in-law changed his tone and spoke slowly:

"An exception is out of the question."

"Riya, why don't you take this punishment for your mother-in-law?"

He turned to me kindly.

His eyes were almost gentle, but the meaning was clear. The family rules would not bend, but there was always a way to make them fit the occasion.