You Are My Sunshine

Chapter 1 - A Deal came

"Dev...Dev..breakfast ready, come down." - Sarada shouted from the staircase.

"Coming Mom," Dev replied and came to the dining table in his full designer suit.

It was a beautiful mansion poised majestically on a prized two-acre estate with timeless elegance and stately sophistication.

Meet SatyaDev, the most eligible bachelor in Chennai city.

At such a young age, he had built his empire in the hotel industry. He is also the owner of a renowned chain of star hotels, which spread across the world. Dev is a cold-hearted, arrogant, self-centred man and also a Casanova type. He lives by his own rules, and with just a snap of his fingers, he can get whatever he wants.

"Good morning Mom, wow! You made poori with potato today?"

(Poori- an: Indian whole wheat bread formed in flat rounds of dough that puff up when deep-fried)

"Yeah, your favorite right?"

"Yes, but how many times I had told you, not to strain yourself in the kitchen, then for what we have cooks?"

"They may cook, but Mom's preparation comes along with love and care."

"If you say so!"

They both started eating. Sarada choked her food after hearing Dev's next statement.

"Mom, tomorrow we have to visit Mr.Arjun's residence to fix my marriage."

"What?"

"Yeah, a deal came. Mr.Arjun promised to invest a big share in our company when I marry his daughter. He also promised to merge with some of our businesses. You know they are the number one in this industry, if we merge, our company will rise to the number one position. It's a very good deal, what you think?"

Sarada doesn't know whether to cry or laugh at her son's business mind. Composing herself, she calmly replied,

"Dev, this is not your business, your life; you have to live with that girl for your lifetime. There must be some attraction or love, and simply for the money, you can't do this. By God's grace, we are rich enough now, then why you are thinking like this. You have to be content with what you have. I meant not to say you should not develop our business. You are still young and energetic, and I am sure you will reach great heights one day. But Marriage is a lifetime commitment; your wife would be your everlasting relation."

"Everlasting relation, you very well know what relations did" - he laughed sarcastically.

"Dev, that is different, this is different, and don't think that I will support this idea of yours. You may consider this as my request, and can't you fulfill your mother's only wish?" - she justified.

"Mom, why can't you see the benefits we will achieve through this?"

"Sorry Dev, I won't let this happen. I know about that family and the girl. Already her name was spoilt in the social circle, and I can't imagine her as my daughter-in-law"

Dev thought for a while and mulled it over. Sensing the emotional attachment of his mother, in his marriage, he decided to leave it to her wish. For the past few months, Sarada was showing so many pictures of prosperous girls and asking his permission. As Dev rejected on the spot, she even asked, whether he is in love with someone, so that she can take it forward. But Dev being Dev, didn't take it seriously, and only business can grab his attention. So when the proposition came, he thought of killing two birds with one stone so that his mother will be happy, and at the same time, he can also achieve what he had dreamt for. But he never imagined that his mom would be this much sensitive about his future wife. She is her only love; how can he reject her request.

"Okay fine, I will inform him, happy can you smile now" - he pulled her cheek, who was keeping a long face.

"That's my boy!" - she hugged him with joy.

"But one condition, you have to say yes for the girl I am showing" - she added.

"You can take that for granted, I don't have any choice, even if you show a donkey, I will marry her okay" - saying that he started to his office.

But Sarada can't feel happy; she started worrying about her son's attitude. Even before 30 years, her husband asked her opinion. But he is behaving like a heartless man, she thought. Hers was an arranged marriage, and her parents didn't ask her opinion about the groom. But her soon to be husband, Mathan visited her and asked her opinion on the proposal. She still remembers his words,

"I am very much interested in marrying you, but I want your decision in this. You may have some dreams about your future husband if I am not the one you imagined, we can work it out. Without using your name, we can stop this marriage without taking forward"

Sarada fell in love with his words and they lived as a perfect couple. But his son is void of sentiments.

"Is it my mistake, didn't I teach him good values" - she worried herself.

There is nothing to blame on her. She is a perfect mother, but the sequence of events that happened in their life turned him one.

During his childhood days, he was not like this, but everything changed after his Father's death. His Father, Mathan, was number one in the hospitality sector. He owned so many businesses all over the world. When his regime was at its peak he was fed up with the accounts. Based on his Accountant's advice he transferred many of his assets to some of his close relative's names and assigned them as partners. They were dummy partners and the poor Mathan relied on them on his money. But destiny played its role. Mathan got a heart attack and collapsed on the spot.

Dev was in his freshman year at that time. His mother was also very naïve to face their cunning so-called relatives. After Mathan's demise, the dummy partners claimed their share and left Dev and his mother in the lurch. Dev was so young to run a company, but he transformed himself and took the responsibility. He switched to evening classes and started learning things about the company.

They were left with a single company that was in his father's name. But that too had to be pledged to run the company. Mugil was the one who was very helpful at that time. Mugil was his only friend during his school time. They both joined the same business college. Though his family was not well established, they are known for their reputation.

Dev worked hard during the initial stage, and some of the senior-loyal employees helped him to recover from the disaster. Later, after finishing his studies, his full concentration was in business, and he worked his ass off for its development. Now the company is in number two position in the hospitality sector only next to Mr.Arjun's company. During this period, Dev turned into a ruthless, arrogant, and self-centered businessman. There is no such word called sympathy or empathy in his dictionary.