I had this idea while reading through viewpoint (Kiara's) oneshot Those were the best days of my life (which is a delightful read, please read that). I was thinking how would Raghav and his son's relationship be like. So... I scribbled it up.
PS:- I know I have a load of other stuff to complete but heck! I am in pieces.. I can't keep up the continuity so.. enjoy my broken pieces for now. I'll try to update the rest as well. 😅😅😅
PPS:- This is unnaturally long.. sorry for that... 😂😂
------------------------------------------------------
Arjun Rao was furious! Well that surely was an understatement! It would be closer to the truth if it is said that he was apoplectic. The twenty-six year old son and heir to Hyderabad's most notorious and richest corporate shark, Raghav Rao couldn't remember when was he so angry last time. He always had a passive sort of anger, he became very quiet and reserved in his own self, drawing into his own shell if he was angry. He was more like his mother in his rage. But today he couldn't seem to see past the red in his eyes so to speak. A typical strain of his father's infamous temper.
It was his second deal cracked and because of some over enthusiastic PR member of his company and some dirty politician he might've pissed off due to reasons unknown had made a Royal fool of him in front of National media.
It took some awesome and terrifying level of VR and photo morphing to produce absolute false news about him sleeping around with his client's celebrity wife and the media ate it fully with flourish and excreted out a humongous deal of smelly shit of it. The market crashed and most of his investors opted out, his company had officially decided to cast for the Titanic, James Cameron be damned!
No one dared to comfort him, not even his precocious little sister. He was aware of his mother trying desperately to bring him out of his room but frankly he didn't care today! He was mad! Awfully maddeningly despondently stark raving mad! He had built his company from scratch and a few vengeful monsters managed to take it down with a false gossip and humiliating accolade. It must have been ages when he silently slinked off his room treading towards the bar.
He needed a drink. Frantically! Thank God no one was in sight! It was one am in the night. He reached the bar and immediately spun around with dizzying speed to rabbit away before the person sitting caught his sight. But it was too late! He had already heard him approach rather than seeing him.
"Arjun?"
Raghav called patiently. Sometimes his father would become like this. So, patient. As calm as the ocean. As if nothing in this world can ruffle him. Like he was beyond normal human hysterics. Arjun always admired his father's albeit occasional quality of remaining perfectly composed even in the direst of emotional situations. Very rarely though and uncharacteristically panic becomes an emotion practically alien to Raghav. But today that very quality was irking him to no end.
"Dad don't even star.."
"I hate this shit! Why do we drink this anyway? I bet most of it is overrated anyways."
Raghav eyed the glass of scotch in his hand suspiciously before gulping it down without flare or fervour. Arjun came back with unsure and halting steps.
"You know drowning your sorrows in the drink is a bit outdated now though, isn't it?" He supplied too cheerfully for Arjun's present mood.
"Well, that doesn't stop you from ruining your liver now, does it!"
Arjun snapped back not feeling a least bit of regret at the rancour in his tone. Raghav didn't look perturbed at all. He smirked at him sideways as Arjun poured himself a generous amount. Still so maddeningly calm.
"Don't go harping about it to your mother now. She'll have a fit."
He added as an afterthought. Arjun smiled involuntarily thinking about Pallavi's reaction about their impromptu midnight choice of beverage. They sat together for some time in companiable silence. Finally, he broke the quiet grudgingly.
"How do you do it?"
He asked peering down into his half empty glass. He felt Raghav's gaze at him, not boring, neither pitying but a familiar soothing aura beaming at him.
"Do what?"
"Remain so calm in testy situations."
"I introspect. I cannot change anything not in my power, I cannot undo what I've done but rather I can speculate about how to not sink into the problem more than I already have..."
"Then what do you do to avoid sinking?"
"I wade through it."
Arjun looked at his father bemused, to see whether he was being serious. Raghav stared back, a hint of mischief twinkling in his otherwise blank eyes. He burst out laughing suddenly. He laughed without pause for two minutes straight, that he had to literally wipe his tears due to smiling too hard. Raghav grinned indulgently.
"Oh God.... That was .... Are we being serious right now... Cause my company is sinking and I'm laughing like some crazy... ridiculous lunatic."
He managed to choke out between breathless gasps.
"Arjun life mein na sab ek dusre ka upar chad ke top mein pohochna chahta hain. Isme koi ye nhi sochta ki unka kyaan, jinhe woh apne pairon tale kuchal ke piche chod diya. This is an animal's world. Where social laws do not apply. You have to have courage to bear defeat as much as strength you need to possess to succeed. But in that process, do not forget your human values kyunki ultimately all that matters is not the material wealth u have amassed in one lifetime than the hearts you have collected."
Arjun felt his eyes sting a bit as he let his father's wisdom soak in each pore of his body. Trust his dad to sound casual and warm at the same time. So typical of Dad. Even now, twenty-five years later, taking him to school, making him feel like a little boy. That same little boy who gripped his father's large hand tightly and literally had to sprint along with him to match his long gait. He was suddenly taken back into a trip down the memory lane.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Flashback
"Shh... Shh.. Bas bas bas....oh ho! Arjun...bas.."
Raghav patted on little Arjun's back as he kept bawling. Arjun was three years old and suffering from a severe cold which resulted in a terrible ear ache. His piercing cry in the middle of the night had woken his dead tired parents from their much-needed sleep.
Pallavi had promptly gone into a complete panic mode unable to understand the reason of her son's cries while Raghav managed to upset the entire cabinet of medicines in search for mild painkillers. Though he had given a suitable painkiller, because of the very mild dosage it was taking too long for it to take effect. Raghav knew Pallavi was too tired this day and it would be too unhealthy for her to remain awake after such a gruelling day taking care of their sick child. So, he forced her to go back to sleep. After much coaxing and cajoling she finally agreed and instantly fell asleep as her head hit the pillow.
Raghav took Arjun to another room so that his wife gets a much-needed nap. One hour had passed but the pain wasn't subsiding at all, it seemed to him. Arjun kept on crying ceaselessly clinging onto his father with all the might his small body possessed, his tiny hands clamped tightly around his neck and legs weaved around his torso as Raghav held onto him with one hand securely. Raghav was rocking slightly hoping to calm him while rubbing his little back with his large palm almost covering it.
"Sorry, bacha.... Papa ko business deals karna toh aata hain par chah kar bhi, aap ka ear mein chupa viruses koh bahar nhi kar sakta.."
Raghav whispered helplessly while kissing Arjun on his tiny head. He could feel his eyes sting in desperation now. He was not able to do anything to cure the ear ache and his baby's pain was making his heart ache in sorrow. Finally, he started humming a lullaby he remembered Jaya used to sing to him when he was a kid. After what seemed like ages, he heard Arjun stop screaming his little lungs out and fall asleep, his tiny yet even breaths hit his bare shoulder and Raghav sighed in relief. He slowly dropped on the bed with his son on his bare chest and covered both of them with the comforter. He felt Arjun's breaths whiff softly on his chest and he craned his neck to plant another kiss on the shaggy raven curls very tenderly not to awaken him.
God! He never wants to relive this again!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Nine years old Arjun looked up to meet his father's disapproving stare. Raghav pinched his son's nose tilting his head upwards to staunch the blood flow.
"Why did you fight with your friends?"
He asked him.
"But I didn't Nana, Rahul hit me because I got more marks than him. And then I hit him back and then he complained to the teacher."
Raghav sighed loudly. Arjun's big lashy eyes started to water not so much from the pain of his broken nose than hearing the disappointment ringing in his father's tone.
"Arjun, Rahul is just a big bully. You shouldn't..."
"What's a bully ?"
"A person who likes to scare and hit other people for fun. But you shouldn't be afraid of him as.."
"But he is sooo big and scary!"
Raghav felt his lips quirk upwards a bit, a hint of a smile appeared on his face. The first one since he was called from the school, asking him to pick up his son who had had a nasty fight. Arjun felt his heart jump a bit inside his chest seeing Raghav smile.
Maybe his dad isn't so mad at him.
"Bullies are themselves scared and unsure most of the time. And they try to frighten people who are better than them. You are stronger than him Arjun."
Arjun looked amazed at his little hands trying unsuccessfully to believe that he was stronger than the hugest boy in his class. Raghav felt a laugh bubbling in his chest but he kept a straight face with much effort.
"Yes you are! You know why..?"
He shook his head.
"Because you are smarter than him baby. Rahul whatsisname is afraid of you because you are far more capable and intelligent than him so he tries to frighten you, dominate over you."
"So, what should I do?"
Raghav pulled a few tissues from the rack above the sink and dabbed his nose to clean the blood and made him wash his face.
"You shouldn't be afraid Arjun. There will be lots of bullies like Rahul in this world those who will try to scare you but... You should fight back but with grace. Fistfights doesn't work everywhere and every time. In this case, just ignore. Know when it is wise to walk away."
Arjun nodded his head vigorously trying to appear sincere and serious but managed to look incredibly cute anyways, his chubby cheeks wobbling, desperate to please his father.
"I promise Nana."
Raghav felt his chest swell a bit with a weird mixture of pride and love. He ruffled his raven black hair lovingly and tapped on his nose lightly.
"Good boy! Now run along to your Amma, she must be getting worried now. Your food will get cold."
Arjun went away happily skipping all the way and Raghav straightened up dusting his expensive Armani suit, just as his pregnant wife entered. Pallavi looked incredibly beautiful and glowing to him even in that bloated condition. She preened at her husband suspiciously.
"What are thinking?"
"Arjun will turn out just fine!"
He declared proudly before kissing her frown lovingly while drawing her close to his chest sideways. Pallavi grinned widely.
"Ye bhi toh dekho beta kiska hain..."
Raghav smiled at her. Pallavi hated to burst his bubble but she couldn't help it.
"Mera! Patidev!"
"Saree ka Dukaan..."
"Ghamandi Rao!"
She tried to run but he drew her back strongly making her crash against him and both of them started chuckling at their own antics. Raghav kissed on the top of her head nuzzling it.
Yes, Arjun would grow up just fine.
-------------------------------------------
It was a perfect day. He was on an offsite meeting with his client. A luncheon in a posh golf club, Hyderabad's finest and richest people around. His favourite kind. He hadn't managed to upset Ragini (his super uptight secretary and P.A) the entire day for even once and she looked quite satisfied with his behaviour for the first time in their life.
He even liked the Client for a change. The deal was made and he was enjoying a glass of Dom Pérignon. A perfect day. But it rarely remains like that. Then the phone call came. He remembered giving the glass to Ragini before picking the call. Come to think of it now, it was better or else the glass would've definitely slipped from his hands and broken wasting a perfectly good champagne.
He remembered hearing the garbled voice of his uncle ring from the other side and felt the half-digested lunch lurch up to his throat. He remembered bolting from there in a very ungentlemanly way knocking past several annoyed people in the path. Ragini had understood, something was amiss so she had handled the client somehow.
Good ol' Ragini! He thanks God for bringing her in his life (now don't think otherwise). Anyways! He remembered reaching the hospital in record time breaking every traffic rule in the book. The receptionist screamed the room number at him even before he could ask. He remembered running up the stairs, unmindful of his heart pounding with hysteria till his lungs were on the point of collapse. Then he reached. He saw his baby sister barking orders in her usual no nonsense tone. She might've gone on auto mode. He was proud of her. Aisha could handle any situation with poise and ease. She will shake and cry about it later but at the moment her calm was exhilaratingly good.
"Aisha!"
"Arjun!"
He covered the distance between them in two long strides and before he knew he was crushing her in his chest. He felt her arms wrap around his muscular frame tightly and moisture in his shirt. He kissed on her head lightly murmuring comfort in her ears. Then they separated and she wiped her face with a hand before muttering an excuse and ran away. He just nodded his head in exasperation.
He saw Nikhil come out of the room holding a teary Keerti. Nikhil made Keerti sit on the waiting chair before turning to his stoic nephew.
"Arjun?"
"How?"
"They got him."
"Who?"
"Mhatre... Ashish Mhatre."
"That disgraced politician who was jailed for murdering his wife?"
"Yeah! We couldn't have guessed, after so many years, that he would..."
"But I don't understand Mama! What is his enmity with Dad?"
Nikhil sighed, dragging a palm over his face. Then he told him the entire Mhatre fiasco which had taken place at least twenty years ago. He heard him bewildered. Apparently his father had been helping the Mumbai police in finding Ashish Mhatre who had run from Mumbai after killing his wife, stealing confidential government papers and hid here in Hyderabad. He wanted to go out of country somehow.
But this place was his father's turf. Everyone worth their salt knew not a leaf rustles in this air without Raghav Rao's explicit permission. So, the Mumbai police force combined with the Hyderabad police asked help from him. Raghav had used his immense contacts and influence and had flushed out the disgraced politician who finally got caught before he could leave country.
It was too much information for his poor brain to handle. But he realised why the buffoon Mhatre, having gotten out of jail, had emptied an entire barrel into his father. While he was returning home from an event. They would require better security, Arjun ticked off in his brain mentally.
"Wouldn't you go in?"
Nikhil broke his internal musings.
"Amma?"
"Vaiini andar hain. See if you can convince her to take a bit of rest."
He nodded though both of them knew it was futile to hope for so, no force on this Earth will be able to separate Pallavi from Raghav now. Still, he had to try. He caught the knob of the door and heaved out.
"Here goes nothing..."
He entered the room nervously and felt his throat dry up instantly at the scene in front. His mother had her head bowed on Raghav's bare shoulder, her hands clutching one of his limp hands. Her pained whimpers were reverberating in that impossibly cold room resplendent with the nausea inducing smell of nitrophenol. He forcefully dragged his lead laden feet to reach her and placed a hand fearfully on her shoulder. She looked up to meet his gaze and he immediately regretted the decision. Her usually bright eyes had dulled and had become almost crimson with spiky lashes. He always admired his mother's large expressive eyes. But today they looked so impossibly big in her tear-streaked face that it was heart wrenching.
"Arjun...?"
She whispered and the agony in her voice pierced his heart painfully.
"Amma... Samhalo apne aap ko! Nothing will happen to him. Aap jaanti ho naa, he is too stubborn to die..."
He cupped her face and she burst into a fit of uncontrollable sobbing. He quickly dragged her up and hugged her close to him. She buried her face in his chest and shook with the intensity of her cries. He heard her illegible muttering and felt his own eyes sting painfully.
"They...sob... He.... Shot.... Arjun... Sob... I...sob.."
"Bas bas bas... Enough... Dad wouldn't want you to ruin your health like this. Shaant ho jao Mom. Come on... Lets take you out.. No! Not a word from you."
He took her outside and deposited her in the able hands of Amrutha before coming in again. He sat on the chair vacated by Pallavi and for the first time looked at him. His father seemed to be sleeping peacefully. His eyelashes thick and stuck to his dusky cheeks and a few strands of his slightly silver streaked hair fallen over his forehead. He observed the bandages wrapped securely around his chest and stomach. The several machines hooked to him beeped away to glory grating his ears insensitively. His eyes caught sight of a large ugly bruise under his left eyes, over the cheekbone. Looked like a punch.
He felt the tie was choking him and he nearly tore it away from his neck, unbuttoning his jacket simultaneously and threw both of it to the floor unceremoniously. He slowly took one of his hands in his own. His hand was so cold... Unlike the usual. He always remembered his father's palms to be surprisingly warm. Whenever he grasped his hand in a firm clasp wrapping his long fingers effectively along his little ones, he felt the warmth of his protectiveness as a kid.
He had always thought his Dad to be invincible, like nothing can break him. Not people, nor diseases...nothing! Not even God! But today seeing him lie limp and fragile, unmoving on the hospital bed needing an oxygen mask to help him breath was making his chest constrict in a weirdly painful way.
"Dad? Hey... Kya hua? Uss idiot ex-MLA se harr gaye aap? Ye kya baat hui... How disappointing..."
He whispered but there was no reply. The silence was oppressive and he wanted to break something.
"Come on Nana.. Say something! Get up... Don't just keep mum, lying like that... Kuch bhi chalega. Scold me... Scream, shout anything. I'm ready to even hear your corporate jargon but please... Just talk!"
Nothing! He a hot liquid slide treacherously down his face.
Bloody f*cking tears!!!
Then he placed his head down on his chest gently so that it doesn't hurt. He heard his weak heartbeats reassuring him that his father is still alive.
"I hate you! I so bloody hate you! You are doing it on purpose.... Horrid man!"
He whispered again hoping at now he will say something. Yet nothing but silence greeted him, more like it mocked at him. His tears rolled down his face and wetted Raghav's bandage.
"Please dad...please... Don't do it with me. At least think about Mom, she can't live without you. And Aisha... Please get up.."
He straightened up and brushed the hair off his father's eyes and kissed on his forehead tearfully.
"Wake up soon dad!"
Then his eyes sharpened. A cold naked fury whiplashed its way into his being making his nerve sizzle with hatred.
"Till then, I'll take care of Ashish Mhatre!"
He spat, venom dripping from each of his words.
It took Raghav another week to get discharged from the hospital and the first news he saw on the TV was that Ashish Mhatre was killed in a horrific road accident. The vehicle hitting his car had a brake failure and was out of control. It dashed against Mhatre's SUV and pushed it off the guard rail into the rocks below the bridge. The collision resulted in a tremendous explosion which brought about an abrupt and painful end to the unfortunate ex-MLA.
"Rather filmy right? What do you call it? Judgement of the Universe type...huh?" Vihaan, Keerti's son and Arjun and Aisha's favourite cousin, declared. Raghav shrugged his shoulders and hugged Pallavi sideways who was clinging unto him and was vindictively happy at the turn of the events. Aisha smirked winking at her elder brother who had a most innocent expression on his poker face.
Yeah! Revenge was sweet!
-------------------------------------------------------
"Media ko sambhalna muskil hain... ye log har baat ka patangad banak e beitha hain. Aur ek news se dusra news mein jaane ka zyadaa time nhi lagata. Thoda kuch aur interesting ho jaee.. next din hi bhul jagea pichla news. Aur unke saath saath... baaki log bhi. Haina? So very fickle they are."
Raghav had left his stool to go stand near Arjun, his hand gently on his head, so softly that it nearly touched his spiky hair only. He got the heart achingly familiar smell which he always associated with his father, a mild lingering smell of spices and something citrusy of his cologne with a hint of gunpowder.
Then it went off as soon as it had come and Arjun felt his being crave for it immediately. He wanted to cast aside all his apparent inhibitions and false pride and just hug him, he wanted to feel his Dad's arms encircle him in its almost leonine protective warmth like he used to do once. But he couldn't do either.
Bloody damn ego!
Raghav looked up, hands in his pocket.
"And just for the record, they should have known better than to print you with that woman. Don't they know, you are not the slim long-legged type, that's more me I guess.... You might be more the curvy petite brown-haired type."
"Dad! That's preposterous!"
Arjun felt his face burst in flames at his not-so-subtle hint about him liking Ragini, as he heard his father walk off silently towards his room, his deep rumbling laughter still ringing in his heart long after. He smiled and turned back to his lone drink. He took the glass and stared at the crystalline liquid hard while his mind went over Raghav's words. Suddenly he hit a point. The media was fickle! Give them a bigger news and they would forget and make the people forget the prior one as easily.
A brilliant idea! He would deal with this mess in his own way. He grinned and put down the glass on the bar slab and leaped towards his room. He had some calls to make.
"Thank you Nana!"
He missed Raghav standing in the shadows looking at him from far behind and the way he grinned mirroring him perfectly.
"You're very welcome sweetheart."
THE END
----------------------------------------
Tell me how it was in the comments please! 😁
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
Cricket
