Chapter 18

"Papa with Bade Sahab?!" Sid stared at the photograph, amused.  "Do they know eachother?". 

"May be that's the reason Bade Sahab has been taking care of us like his own" Roli spoke, equally shocked. 

"But, if he knows my dad then he should have told us about it. Why he never mentioned about dad?" Sid grew eager to know how his dad and Bade Sahab had a picture together. 

On the way back to their room from store room, Sid had asked about the photograph to a couple of servents in the corridor. But, they seemed to be joined the haveli recently, so they had no idea about the topic. Deciding to ask Bade Sahab directly, Sid went to his room and waited for him.

Nearly two hours later, Bade Sahab returned to haveli after his meeting with his people. The moment he entered the spacious hall, Sid could no longer hold back his eagerness and rushed down the stairs, followed by Roli. 

Bade Sahab was a little surprised to see Sid hurried to him. He slowly asked "Do you want anything?". 

Sid nodded in response and replied with a question "Do you know my dad?".  

Bade Sahab was stunned at his sudden and direct question. He was clearly not expecting it to come. He remained silent as if not wanting to answer.

Receiving no response from Bade Sahab, Sid spoke as he flashed the photograph before him "I just happened to find this in the store room". 

Bade Sahab was now shocked to find the photograph in Sid's hands. He turned to the servants and spoke in a stern voice "Didn't I told to lock the store room?". 

All the servants, standing at side, shivered in fear at his stern voice, hung their heads and didn't dare to answer. They just forgot to lock and obviously they couldn't say it out loud to Bade Sahab. 

"So, you've ordered them to lock the store room to avoid me seeing this" Sid guessed the situation and said pointing at the picture. "Well, I'm not asking much. Just want to know if you know my dad". 

Before Bade Sahab could respond, a middle aged man, who had accompanied Bade Sahab and standing behind him all the while, spoke with a hint a surprise "Are you son of Rajender Sahab?". 

Sid and Roli were surprised at his question. Sid smiled as he responded "seems like there are lot of people here who knows my dad. I'm more curious now".  

"Of course, we know him" the man replied with a beaming smile "Rajender Sahab and Bade Sahab are brothers..." Just as he spoke, Bade Sahab shot him a glance, shutting him up. 

"Brothers?" Sid eyes widened in shock while Roli, standing next to him, was shocked as well. 

"Then why dad never mentioned about his family?" Sid was perplexed. He remembered asking his dad about his parents and their family. But, every time Rajender used to divert the topic and never talked about it.  

"May be he is upset" the man replied to Sid's query. 

"Upset?" Sid frowned at the man. While Bade Sahab turned around and gave a look to him, stopping him to speak further. 

Sid, who noticed it, walked ahead and stood before the man as he said sternly "why my dad would be upset? I need the whole truth". 

The man looked at Bade Sahab, nervously, as he knew Bade Sahab had never allowed anyone to talk on this particular topic. But, Bade Sahab seemed to realized that now nothing could be done as Sid was adamant to know the truth. Thus, he maintained his silence, still silently wishing for Sid to stop enquiring about the topic.

"Can you please tell me what had happened? Why my dad never talked about his family and why would he be upset to talk about them?" Sid's growing curiousity had made him impatient. 

"Because his family has cut off every relationship with him" the man said, making Sid and Roli shocked. 

~ 25 years ago ~

Rajender Bharadwaj just returned to Bijaipur after finishing his studies abroad. Mahender Bharadwaj, whom people fondly call as Bade Sahab, along with his father used to take care of their province in Bijaipur and it's people. 

Pratap Bharadwaj, Rajender and Mahender's father, had arranged an alliance for Rajender and was waiting for his younger son to return from abroad so he could arrange a grand wedding for him. 

But, when Rajender had returned, he was not alone, he had come along with Sujata, his classmate abroad, whom he eventually fell in love with. He wanted to inform his family and marry her with their blessings.

Pratap was agitated at his son's decision and didn't accept for their marriage as Sujata was an orphan. Being from an orthodox family, Pratap had strictly denied their relationship and asked Rajender to choose any one between Sujata and the family. Mahender and his wife, Sabita had tried their best to convince Pratap but, he was strict with his rules and everybody was aware of it.

Going against his father's wish, Rajender had chosen Sujata as she trusted him and he didn't want to break it. Rajender got married to Sujata and moved to Delhi.

Days passed by, but Pratap was still adamant to accept their marriage, despite of Mahender's endless requests.  

~×~

Sid stood in shock as the man narrated whatever he knew about the past. At the moment, he realised why they never went to any relatives and why they never had any family gatherings. His mom had no family while his dad broke his relationship with his family. 

When the hall was filled with pin drop silence, two people entered the hall. Roli immediately rushed to Sid and signalled him to look at the entrance. 

Sid rose his head and surprised to find his mom and dad there. While Rajender and Sujata walked in, equally shocked to see Sid and Roli. 

"Sid!" Sujata rushed to him and asked with concern "Are you alright?".

"I-I'm fine, mom" Sid replied holding her hands, which were cupping his face. He then went near Rajender, who was still in shock, and spoke "why you didn't tell me all these, dad?". 

Rajender looked at Bade Sahab while the latter stood calmly, which explained the things to Rajender. He realised Sid got to know the truth. 

"Why you didn't tell me about our family? Why you didn't tell me that I have a bade papa?" Sid looked at Bade Sahab as he said those last two words. While Bade Sahab looked at him with complicated emotions.

"He is not your bade papa, Sid" Rajender spoke slowly. Sid looked at him in confusion. 

"Chote" Bade Sahab finally broke his silence as he addressed Rajender. "You have come just now. Go take some rest". 

Sid and Roli looked at him in surprise as they witnessed the sudden endearment in his tone. Unlike his usual tough and stern tone.

"No, bhaiya" Rajender replied "it's time for him to know the truth". 

"What kind of truth?" Sid turned to Rajender as he couldn't contain his curiousity to know what else he should know about. 

Rajender looked at Sid as he said "the truth that he is not your Bade Papa, but... Papa". 

Here comes the biggest shock for Sid. He couldn't believe what he just heard. He even thought that he had misheard and asked "what did you say, dad?". 

"You are Mahender bhaiya and Sabita Bhabhi's son" Rajender said with clear voice. 

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A/N : Sorry for the short update🙈 I felt it's too melodramatic and lost interest to write more