The Protector

“So you are ‘Rajata’,” commented the man who was sitting cross-legged on the living room chair.

 “I am, Sir,” said Rajata with a slight nod. He sat in a chair opposite the well-built man with his elbows resting on his knees.

 The white-haired man looked at Rajata investigatively. “Frankly, I don’t know what Kalyana sees in you,” he said a few moments later, “especially when compared to Harso who is a scientist and Armand whose successful career has led him to his assignment abroad.”

 “Papa …!” protested Kalyana who sat in another chair facing the two men. Kalyana’s fierce face then suddenly changed. “Errr, wait a minute, Pa. How can you know about Harso and Armand? “

 The father turned to Kalyana. “Na, your papa is old-fashioned, not nonsociable,” he said, “I have many friends who are happy to tell Papa about many th