Hi Friends…
I know, I’m too late… But, please don’t be angry on me and keep reading…
As I had already mentioned my bad health, family issues and finally family get together after a very long time took a long time for me to make an update… I hope you understand…
Please keep reading and commenting…
Let’s get started… Happy reading…
Next Day – The Royals, 09:30 AM
Neil was in his room thinking deeply. He even didn’t realize the second person entering his room.
Man: What are you thinking so deeply…?
Neil: (Came out of his trance and looked at the intruder.) What are you doing here…? We planned to meet by ten… You’re thirty minutes early…
The person rolling his eyes, took his seat across him.
Man: That isn’t the answer for my question… And yes, I’m early… And no one can stop me from meeting my big bro…
Neil: (Spoke nothing.)
Man: (Not getting any reply, he huffed.) Fine, I’m leaving… (And walked towards the door.)
Neil: (Mumbled.) Dramebaaz…
Man: (Stopped and turned towards him.) I’m leaving…
Neil: (Shrugged and showed him the door.)
Man: (Stamping his feet, he marched towards Neil and pulled him to a hug, muttering to himself.) Insensible man…
Neil: I heard it…
Man: Good… (Still being in his embrace.)
Neil: (Chuckled and gathered him close in his embrace.) Is everything fine, Vishal…?
(The man was none other than Vishal Banerjee.)
Vishal: (Nodded affirmative.)
Neil: (Waited patiently for him to speak.)
Vishal: Mom’s health is not good, she fainted last night… Dad is very tensed seeing Mom breakdown… And Bro, don’t know what is running inside his mind… I’m scared, bro… I don’t want to lose anyone…
Neil: And you won’t lose anyone…
Vishal: Can I ask you something…?
Neil: (Understood what would be his questions and gestured him to proceed.)
Vishal: (Inhaling a deep breath.) I don’t know who was the girl in this room last day… But I’m sure about one thing, she is special to both you and Arjun… If Vaishali’s baby is proved to be Arjun’s blood, will there be any hurdles… I’m sorry, Bro… My intention is not to hurt you, but seeing Mom last night isn’t helping me…
Neil: (Holding his shoulder.) Would you like to know what did that young lady say yesterday…?
Vishal: (Nodded affirmative.)
<<FLASHBACK – BEGIN>>
Radhika: (Lifting her head from his chest and looking straight into his eyes.) Will you promise me something…?
Neil: (Controlling the tears that are threatening to fall, nodded his head once.) Yes…
Radhika: Promise me that, if the child turns to be his, you won’t hurt anyone… Not him nor yourself…
Neil: (A lone tear escaped his eyes.)
Radhika: I want the baby to be happy with his/her parents… Both the parents, not anyone…
Neil: (Nodded his head weakly. Once again pulled her into his embrace.)
<<FLASHBACK – END>>
Neil: She wishes the baby to enjoy the love and care of both parents, Vishal… So, there won’t be any hurdles… You can relax… And Aunt Vidhya will be fine soon…
Vishal: (Hugged Neil and apologized once again.)
There was a knock on the door,
Parth: (Peeped in.) Boss, Mr. Banerjee is here, with his sister…
Neil: (Gestured him to get them in.)
Parth: (Still stood not moving.)
Neil: What is it Parth…?
Parth: Boss, senior Banerjee is also here and is in the restaurant… He suggested to stay there and asked me not to tell anyone about his arrival…
Neil: How long is he here…?
Parth: Since a hour…
Neil: (Screamed.) And you’re telling me now…?
Arjun: (Just entered the room.) Is everything fine, Neil…?
Neil: Just a sec, Arjun… (And walked past him, running.)
Arjun: (Went behind him.)
Vidanth & Vaishali, who saw them running, went behind them, Vishal following them just behind.
Neil: (As he reached the restaurant, he searched for the man, whom he considered as his god-father, and spotted him in one of the tables near the glass wall. He rushed towards him and stood beside him.)
The old man sensing someone’s presence, lifted his gaze to lock his eyes with Neil’s pained eyes. He smiled affectionately and stood from his chair.
Neil: (Immediately bent to touch his feet.)
The old man blessed him and pulled him into a fatherly hug.
Neil: Uncle Abhinav…
Abhinav: How are you, son…?
Neil: (Bobbed his head vigorously.)
Abhinav: (Kept caressing his head and shoulder.)
Everyone had a pleasant smile on their face except one.
Vaishali: WOW… How great is that…? Hats off, Father… There your wife and sons were going crazy about not knowing where you went and here you’re enjoying a cup of coffee and this man…
Banerjee Men and Neil had enough of her nonsense. But before anyone could make a move, she was pulled face to face with Arjun.
Arjun: Respect, care, love, all these emotions aren’t expected from you… But I had a little hope that it isn’t the same with your own family… And you know what, you proved me wrong stating that you care nothing and no one… (Pointing his finger straight to her face.) Get one thing clear woman, one more disrespectful word or action, I’ll make sure that you would curse the day you met me… And you better know that I’m not a man to give empty warnings…
Vaishali: (The fire and coldness in his eyes and words shook her. Still stood her ground.)
Abhinav: (Patting Arjun’s shoulder.) Relax… (To Vaishali.) And young lady, I don’t find it necessity to answer your questions and accusations… And as you said, it was my wife and sons who were worried and I would make it up with them…
Vidanth: That isn’t necessary, Dad… We were able to understand that you would be here… It is just that before thinking we simply freaked out on not seeing you…
Abhinav: (Offered him a smile.) (To Arjun.) Can I say you something…?
Arjun: (Nodded his head slightly.)
Abhinav: Stop looking for women… It would end your life, maybe now or later…
Arjun: (Exhaling a deep breath.) Trust me when I say that I already understood what you want me to understand… (He was zoned out.)
Abhinav: The true and pure love always makes you realize the truth…
Arjun: (Was shocked to hear the old man’s words, whom he is meeting for the first time in life.)
Abhinav: Your age is my experience… (Letting out a sigh.) If the child is proved as your blood, you would be my son-in-law… If not, you would be welcomed as my son… In both way, you would be my son…
Arjun: (Eyes glittered with tears.) Why…?
Abhinav: Maybe you had committed mistakes, but you aren’t a bad man, son… You’re a man of principles… You are the man whom my Neil trusts… It is that simple… (Extending his hands.) Now, how about sealing our relation with a hug…?
Arjun: (Hugged the old man in front of him. For the first time in life, he felt the fatherly love.)
Vaishali: I hope you would have shown the same love and care towards me, that you show towards a mere stranger, father…
The guys had their fists balled and controlled themselves.
Sammy (From behind.): You should earn that, Ms. Banerjee… Nothing comes for free… (She stepped forward, with Radhika behind her, head hung low. Walking past Vaishali, she stood in front of Abhinav and bent forward to get his blessings.)
Abhinav: (Stopping her half way, holding her shoulders.) The place of a daughter is never the feet, child… It is always the heart… (And opened his hands welcoming her.)
Sammy: (Hugged him.) Thank you, Uncle… It means a lot…
Abhinav: (Patted her head.)
Sammy: (Pulling out of the hug, introduced Radhika to him.) Uncle, meet Radhika…
Radhika: (Bent down to take his blessing.)
Abhinav: (Stopped her half way and hugged her. His eyes flickered with an unrecognizable joy. His gaze roamed and ended at the pair of eyes looking keenly at them.)
Abhinav tried to read the look in his eyes, but before he could understand, Neil turned his gaze away from him. The old man understood that there was something more to the truth. And it is related to the lady in his embrace.
Radhika: (Tried to break the hug.)
Abhinav: (But he didn’t let go of her.)
Radhika: (Raised her head to look at his face.)
Their eyes were locked for few seconds. Realization hit him strong. She saw the difference and diverted her gaze down. His gaze went to Neil instantly, enquiring if he was right. Neil stood silent with head hung low, not able to answer the old man.
Abhinav: (His eyes were filled with tears.)
The changes in Abhinav’s face and his silent talk with Neil, everything was noted by all around them, except one pair of eyes. Vidanth and Vishal could understand that there was something for sure now. Sammy and Arjun exchanged glances as the old man in front of them knew the truth now.
Abhinav: (Gathering Radhika close to his heart, hugged her tight. After few seconds, he pulled her out of his embrace and kissed her forehead lovingly.)
Vaishali: (Was fuming in anger. She wanted Radhika to vanish from her life right this moment, as she was more important to anyone here, leaving her behind. First, it was Arjun, then her older brother and now her own father.) (Thinking.) Radhika, I’m going to destroy you and make my own place…
Voice: Hello everyone…
All turned towards the same direction.
Lots of Love,
Anci