FF - The Promise - Thread I - Chapter 1 to 68 - Page 10

I stay in Michigan and it is also very very cold here.

Thanks for the PM ...

no problem dear, we can wait... take your own time...

I have been wanting to give some background information on Rishab Kundra and his life for a while, but it just wasnt the right time to introduce that piece of information.

Now that time has come and am going to explain the relationships in Rishab Kundra life.

Gosh it is 2 in the morning and am up trying to piece together an update. Well when I get an idea in my head it is difficult to let it rest. I have to gnaw at it till I see perfection or atleast my idea of perfection.

Chapter 17

That evening Rishab sat in the study shifting through the first draft of drawings for the new slum development project while nursing a glass of scotch. Usually by this time he would be on his 3rd or 4th glass, but today he was feeling especially good about himself, and wanted to savour the flavour rather than down it like he usually does. As he worked, various thoughts kept running through his head and he went with it. He couldn't fathom the fact that he was considered to be the city's most eligible bachelor. No, he wasn't being coy, but it was actually an article in last months Cosmopolitan. He was considered to be the man with everything and nothing to want for. He shook his head, if they only knew. They are many who crave the limelight and being with him basically guaranteed that spotlight. Deepali was one of the many. She loved the attention and wanted it to be a permanent fixture and so latched on to him at every instance. He knew her kind and normally he was an expert at detaching himself from them but since he had to work very closely with her family he had to maintain a cordial relationship with her. But today he throughly enjoyed taking the wind out of her sails. She will think twice before setting course in his direction again. Gradually his thoughts landed on Madhu, the reason behind Deepali's disgrace. Though she was dressed in the plainest of clothes and looked like someone who just ran a marathon in the blistering heat, she was still beautiful. The simplicity, in her talking, dressing and actions was alluring. The sound of her laughter was like joyful chords of music, melodious and cheerful. Yet somewhere he felt like her laughter though genuine, didn't really reach her eyes.

His thoughts were disrupted when he heard the door of the study open with a creak and in walked Mr. Mohan Kundra. Mr. Kundra glanced over at Rishab, while walking over to the small bar set up in the study. Knowing that his Dad had come for his usual glass of drink offered to make it for him. "Dad the final figures of the SJVN Ltd. shares are on the study table. Why don't you glance through them while I make you a drink. I just opened a bottle of Bruichladdich 1973 and must say that it is quite lively and nicely balanced for such a mature whiskey." He waited for a response and finding none, he continued, "It is elegant, complex and layered and, so very magnificent the way it builds very very slowly in the mouth." "Rishab, I know all about your $400 dearly departed whisky (FYI it is a rare discontinued bottle). Just pour me a glass already."

Mr. Mohan Kundra is the only person who could talk to Rishab like that. Rather it was only his father who he allowed to talk to him like that. In front of him, Rishab turned into a child who constantly is seeking approval and appreciation from his father but never receiving it. From the day he was born, he was brought by not by his father but rather a string of servants who catered to his every need. His every wish would be fulfilled even before he could ask. Alas the one thing he wanted the most, love from his parents, he never got and till this day somewhere deep down that child was still waiting patiently. What he did have was an absentee father, a step-mother who did not love him but cared for him as if it were part of her job description and loneliness.

Mr. Mohan Kundra knew he was being unnecessarily harsh on his son, Rishab, but every time he looked at Rishab all he could see was Radha, his first wife, the mother of his son. He and Radha were childhood sweethearts, who got married and all they wanted from life was to be happy together. He wanted to give her everything and worked hard to set up his diamond business. He wanted to name it Radha Diamond Works after her, but she insisted they name it Kundra Diamond Works, because this way both of them would be connected to the name. Their love and business grew steadily and both were happy. His joy knew no bounds when Radha gave him the good news that she was carrying his child within her. Together they nurtured the child growing within her.

All fell apart when she slipped and fell in the washroom while he was on tour in Antwerp. While he was checking the quality of diamonds in Antwerp, his wife was struggling for her and their child's life. At admission she was immediately diagnosed with severe obstetric trauma with pelvic fractures and internal hemorrhage. The doctor's initial evaluation and resuscitation were initially maternally directed and when they were able to establish minimum maternal stability which they hoped would remain constant, they turned their vigilance to the fetal well-being. They performed ultra-sonography, computed tomography and an open peritoneal lavage and also ordered continuous fetal heart monitoring. The doctors worked hard to save the lives of both mother and child but the mother's stability and survival remained the top priority as per Mr. Kundra's request over the phone. He had signed and faxed the required papers and had chartered the next available plane back home.

Unfortunately even before Mr. Mohan Kundra could land on Indian soil, Mrs. Radha Kundra passed away leaving behind a baby boy who was still fighting for his life in the Neo-Natal ICU. Mr. Mohan Kundra was left disconsolate and heartbroken. He didn't even get a chance to say good-bye. He couldn't even stand looking at his son, a product of their love for each other. He gave him a name and every thing else under the sun but couldn't give him love. Even today when he looks at his son, his wounds come afresh.

such a silly man his dad is, u can't do such a thibg with ur child, when his mistake was nthng ? i hate such type of mentality nyc update dear

awesome update dear...its really sad Rishabs dad think like that...actually he should be haapy that his wife left with them their symbol of love their child...

Awesome Update

Wonderful ... Thanks for PM ... Keep writing.

Chapter 18

Shortly after Rishab left, Mr. Mohan Kundra sat chastising himself for the way he treated his son yet again. At first it was the guilt that ate at him, guilt for not being there when his family needed him the most, guilt at not being able to soothe away the fear his wife must have felt - fear for her child, fear for herself, guilt that his only son had to fight for his life all alone. He failed his wife and son. He was a FAILURE. He couldn't bear to even look at his son because he was afraid that he might fail him yet again. So he did the next best thing, he bought the best everything he could, the best caregivers, the best toys, the best clothing.

Failure began to carve out his insides. He just could not fail again. So he turned to the one thing he knew he was good at – business. He worked harder and longer hours, expanded his business and took over others. Somewhere down the line, his guilt and resulting failure slowly worked itself to growing hatred, hatred directed to himself. One who hates himself cannot love anyone and tends to spew hatred everywhere he goes. His love for Rishab was overshadowed by his hatred. He turned callous and apathetic to the emotional needs of his son.

When Rishab turned 22, everyone started insisting he get married again saying that he needed someone to care for him. Rishab is all grown and soon in some years he will settle down and have a family of his own. At that time you need someone to take care of you. Over time with their constant nagging he eventually agreed and married his current wife, who was a widow with no children 7 years ago. She slowly became his habit and he began to care for her. He thought he would never be able to experience love again but he did. He could never love her like he loved Radha but loved her in his own way.

Mohan Kundra regretted his indifference to Rishab all these years and wanted to make it up to him. But didn't know how to break the cycle. Every time he wanted to say something nice to him it just wouldn't come out. Being harsh and cold with Rishab was like second nature to him now. Like they say old habits die hard. Letting go of his indifference and abrasiveness was turning into a hard task.

It was dark and she was scared to death as she kept running. She didn't know where she was and what she was running from. She could see a light somewhere at a distance but as she kept running it felt as if the distance just kept getting longer and longer and she was getting tired. She could not run anymore. Just when she was about to give up, she saw a flicker of light right in front of her. As her eyes adjusted, she tried to make out the source of the light. She felt someone's breadth close to her ear as that same someone draped his hand around her waist. Any other time, she would have screamed, but his touch felt safe. She felt protected in his arms. "Shhh... Don't worry I've got you", she heard him whisper in a soft hushed yet calm voice. His voice felt familiar. His closeness sent a shiver down her spine and her breath quickened. Hearing her short and quick breathing and feeling her shiver under his touch, his grip on her waist tightened. In response, she arched her back into him which only egged him on and he began blowing soft raspberries from her ear to her neck and as he reached back up again, he started nibbling on her earlobe. She tilted her head sideways to give him further access and pressed herself further into him if that was even possible. She moaned in ecstasy when he started sucking on the sensitive spot behind her ear. Upon hearing her moan, he looked up at her and smirked slyly. The sexual tension between them was reaching another level. Somewhere as if in another lifetime, they both registered a sound of a falling flashlight, but it was quickly forgotten. His now free hand traced its way up and down her arm while his other hand made its way to the edge of her shirt and his fingers started drawing circles across her skin. He continued his assault on her skin with quick kisses, small nips and soothingly lapping at her skin. He was caught up in the moment with her scent, her taste, her touch which was driving his senses insane and he wanted more of her. He kept making small circles on her skin but suddenly that just wasn't enough and his hand travelled up her shirt to cup her breast.

The loud and sudden buzzing of the alarm woke Rishab up with a start. He got up all sweaty and found that he was breathing heavily. He remembered parts of the dream and tried to put a face to the girl in his dream but just couldn't, which left him frustrated to no end, because the fire he experienced with her was something he never had. With all the others he just went through the motions but with her he felt something, something deep, something everlasting.

On the other hand, Madhu woke up with Maya looking down at her with worried eyes. "Madhu sweetheart, what's the matter? Did you have a nightmare?", Maya asked her with concern. Madhu looked around and realized that she was dreaming. Remembering her dream, she blushed and looked away saying, "No, nothing." "But you were making noises in your sleep and rolling around like..." Madhu interrupted her saying, "Just a crazy dream where I walked to my exhibition with no clothes on" and hoped that would be the end of her questioning.