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Part 77
Veer went into his room. The next day was up for many preparations. Shipra was coming after fixing a major deal with an international company, and it was a tiring deal.
Veer thought about the members of his family. He, a middle aged man who had devoted his life only to serve his family, his brother, who had devoted his life to owning everything, and the others whose lives seemed to have a fixed purpose, devoted to one idea or person itself. Shipra being the only daughter of the family, had always been pampered from childhood. She had been allowed to to whatever she wanted. Added to this was the fact was that everybody around her wanted to cover up the absence of her father, a role model in a girls life.
The Raghavan family was quite 'widespread.' Vishwas Dharvesh, father of Raghavan, was a professor by occupation. He was a man of simple demands, and all he wanted in his life was to see others grow, which justifies his job. But Raghavans mother, Ketaki Dharvesh was different. She came from a rich background, and had grown up in luxury. She happened to study in Vishwas ' College, and that was where they met and fell in love. Vishwas very well knew how Ketaki was, but he didn't want to break the heart of a girl who had come pleading to him to accept her love. Ketaki had a past, but he never wanted or cared to know.
They got married. But then something else happened.
Ketakis father, Somraj, whose business knew no boundaries came to a standstill. It was found that Somraj had been involved in smuggling activities across the border. Somraj was arrested a very week after their marriage. The business fell into the hands of the government and Ketaki got not a single rupee she was entitled too. Her cousins left her with Vishwas and she was labeled as the daughter of a theif. Ketaki could not take this. She needed to avenge this. She pleaded Vishwas to take action but the former was not of that nature. Ketaki went on pleading for a long time and went from place to place in search of help, but no one would help the wrongdoer, would they?
Ketaki was tired now. It had been a year since their marriage and she became pregnant. She still hadn't forgotten the humiliation to herself and her father.
One day,
(At Vishwas' house around 50 years back)
Ketaki Sat on the iron bed clenching to its side. The child in her stomach kicked notoriously. The fan wouldn't work and it was hot around.
"Had Baba been here, he wouldn't have ever let this happen to me. " she said to herself.
Ketaki let out a shriek but no one listened. Finally, the child stopped moving in her womb.
All the flashes of pain in her life ran through her mind. All that she had encountered, and was still enduring.
She touched her womb and cried.
A cry of anger.
" If I have a son, I will make sure he doesn't have to face any pain in his life. I will make him so big that he will make others understand how it feels to be pained. And if I have a daughter, I will make her show others how much pain a woman has to bare. "
(Two months later, Raghavans birth)
Ketaki was rushed to the local hospital in their neighbors car. It was raining heavily, and no ambulance was available. Vishwas got her admitted and she was immediately taken in.
The winds outside grew stronger and harder. Rain poured like never before. It was a small hospital, and Ketakis cries could be heard till the reception.
The doctors told Vishwas she was having a difficult Labour. Maybe she wouldn't survive.
After a 3 hour ordeal, the ferocious cry of a newborn was heard. The baby had clenched fists and strong grip, even though he was a few minutes old.
The doctors announced to Vishwas about the birth of his son. Vishwas smiled and rushed in to see his wife and child. Ketaki lay still, she had endured. The son slept with heavy breathing. Vishwas smiled on seeing him.
Ketaki was to chose a name for him after 5 days. They contemplated but nothing seemed to suit.
Finally, the astrologer suggested Raghavan. When asked about the choice of name, the astrologer just smiled.
The astrologer never revealed : The time in which Raghavan was born was highly inauspicious. There was only person who could protect him, The Lord Raghavan himself. And hence the choice.
But all it depended on was his upbringing, he could become Raghavan or Raavan. Just a name couldn't do anything.
Ketaki was ecstatic on the birth of her son. She knew what mission she had with her child, and from his very childhood she molded him in such a way that he always learnt about the negative side of things, not the positive. He was bright, intelligent and intellectual but his intellect always thought of ways to get things done, by crook.
Ketaki had two other sons, Karan and Veer. Karan was sober when happy, but if anything angered him, he wouldn't stop raging out. He was bigger in build than his brothers and always played a protective role. Veer had never specially been paid attention to by his mother, but Vishwas made the best out of him.
When Raghavan was 10, he had a sister. Shipra. Being the only girl child, she was loved by he R brothers and parents. But she was rebellious too. Anything that was not given to her, she snatched it.
Raghavan became increasingly sharp. He had a pure business mind. His mother had told him about the brutalities of life from a very young age and that had made his mind a no-trash-eating machine. He knew how to deal with people and things well.
When Raghavan was 25, he joined a company owned by one of his cousins, Kuber. With Raghavans involvement, the company slowly and steadily increased, and in one of the years, it made huge profits.
At the success party, everyone was enjoying, when something struck Raghavans mind. When he saw Kuber sign the logo of the company as Chair, he couldn't stop himself from throwing the glass on the ground. Everyone turned to look at him.
"What happened Raghav? " Kuber asked.
" Why are you signing on it? "
The room became numb.
" Why, I'm the chairman. "
" But what work have you done to be the chairman? "
Kuber couldn't believe what he heard. His brother who had stayed up nights with him to build a dream now questioned him on his hard work.
He walked straight in front of Raghavan.
" It's my business. I have built it. "
" You? If I hadn't joined you, you would have never come here. "
" I admit, but that doesn't make you the head. "
" it does. I don't only have a share here, it's my bloody company. "
" Since when Raghav? "
" Since the very day I stepped in. "
Kuber slapped right across his face.
" you prick! I kept you here for this return? "
Raghav looked up slowly. He repeated his mother's words in his mind: when you have a right over something, fight, till eternity, but don't let it go."
He slapped Kuber hard. The guests had already started to leave.
"If you have guts stand here and look into my eyes and tell me you have built this empire. You can't do that. You know why? Because it's me who has done all this. All this was never yours. When interviews come out in newspapers I'm always the one standing at the back. Why? I put my sweat and you get the Name? "
Kuber held him by the collar and a fight ensued between the two. Blood, glass and yells.
Raghavan pushed Kuber to the wall and kicked him in the stomach. Kuber fell. But before he could react, Raghavan took a glass bottle and thrashed it on his head.
Kuber lay silent. Still. It was just a beginning to the blood Raghavan was about to spill.
Kuber was paralyzed and the property automatically went to Raghavan. All those who knew the truth chose to keep quiet.
Raghavan gave a new shape to the empire. He rebuilt it. But it was no more the glorious institution, it had become a black market business. The flow of money had increased by a hundred times, but the respect...
Seeing all this, Vishwas refused to stay with Ketaki or Raghavan anymore. He moved out. Veer insisted on coming with him due to his age, but stayed back on his Mother's Command.
Having a broken family is not easy for a girl. Shipra was still young when all this happened. In the very important years of her life, she didn't have her father. She grew up In a dangerous environment. When it became time for her to get married, no good prospects came, thanks to her brothers image and family image. She grew anxious and hostile. Sudden violent attacks were common from her.
After many rejections, she finally had found a man of her choice. Vidyut. He was smart, handsome and too had a business. Initially, Raghavan didn't accept their marriage, but on Malinis insistence, his wife for about 6 years then, he agreed.
Shipra and Vidyut were living happily till Vidyuts true colors were finally revealed. Alcoholic, violent and cheater by nature. He never loved Shipra, he only wanted to marry her for her brothers money. When Raghavan came to know of this, he had him killed off. Shipra slipped into depression once again. She didn't trust men anymore. She remained engaged in her brothers work, but was never happy.
Raghavans sons, Indraneil, Akshay and His Adopted Son Tanay were different from each other. Indraneil, strong, sharp and like his father, only a little more compassionate. Akshay, though young, just like Indraneil. And Tanay was different. He had been adopted on Malinis wish. He was quiet, shy but loved his father the most.
Veer thought of all this and dozed off. Shira was coming after all.
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Shipra had already complained about her jet being late, the driver being harsh on the road and the cold weather. So when she came and saw the room, she really didn't complain much.
Evening came. Shipra waited for Raghavan to come and meet her. He still hadn't met her, and nor had she. He had work, she had ego.
Ultimately, she couldn't resist anymore and stormed off to Raghavans office room in the house.
The guards told her about an important meeting going on inside, but she refused to listen. She was adamant to meet
Raghavan. The guards didn't protest much, they knew how she was.
Shipra stormed in wearing Pajamas and a Tshirt in a room full of people clad in formals.
Raghavan looked up from his laptop at her. Shocked.
"Shipra, what are you doing here? "
She smiled and looked at the others.
" Could I have a moment alone with my brother? "
Everyone walked out quietly. Raghavan came up to her and yelled a little.
" I was coming to meet you right! Why have you come here? "
" You weren't coming. I'm not important to you anymore. "
" You are Shipra. Stop being kiddish. What do you want to tell me? "
" Bro, I need a break. I'm going on a holiday. "
" So go. Since when did you need my permission? "
" I'm not taking your permission. I'm telling you. "
" hmm. Where are you going? "
" I'm thinking to look around here itself. I don't wanna go too far from the house? "
" You want to see Manali? "
" Ya why not? I love this place, I can see it a 100 times. "
Raghavan scowled.
" Go to anywhere else on the planet Shipra, but not Manali. "
She was taken aback. She was never stopped by her brother.
" Why? "
" Shipra you know right what is going on here. You know what I'm doing. So why do you want to ask again? "
" Ya but you won't hurt me right? "
" I won't but you may get hurt. "
" I won't. "
" Don't be adamant Shipra. I'm already planning for an attack on that Ram, and it's going to be big. I don't want you in all this. "
Shipra clenched her fists.
" When I have decided something, I don't break away from it and you know that best. I'm staying here itself. "
" If you do that Shipra there will be no one worse than me. "
Shipra turned to walk out. She said as she went,"
Do anything you want Raghavan Dharvesh. You aren't stopping me. "
Raghavan knew she was going to mess up something. Something big.
Hello!!
Hoped you liked it!!
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And I hope the story is understandable and correct.
Thank s!!
Anupamaa
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