Mumbai, Maharashtra, Bandra
Death is a natural part of a life cycle, yet it is the most unexpected and heart-wrenching event that leaves the living in a state of utter chaos. The loved ones left behind, must pick up the pieces and cope through the tough times. Much goes into arranging a funeral and settling affairs; it takes strength and willpower to deal with it all with grace. Though he wants to give voice to the anguish threatening to rip his heart to pieces, Rishabh Kundra remains quietly somber in honor of the man his father had wanted him to become.
Standing at the window, he watches with cool detachment, his father's harried lawyer, Siddharth Shah, drive his silver Mercedes Benz C-63 through their bungalow's ornate, majestic gates. Rishabh closes his eyes as memories of the time he and his family had moved in their newly constructed home. He was just 5 years old at that time and still remembers being in awe of the white washed, cobble stoned ground and the pristine water fountain that had beckoned him to jump in and splash water on his irate, older sibling.
Their home is still as appealing as when it was newly constructed. Rishabh's father had designed it in loving memory of his beloved wife, who had always wanted a home that was spectacularly grand, yet warm and cozy. The grey bricks adds warmth to the Edwardian style home and the large, open windows and doors in contrasting pearly white, welcomes the sunlight during the day, making their home very bright and airy. Rishabh's father always used to say that the sunlight shining through the windows, bathing their house in glowing warmth was his mother's way of bestowing her blessings and love on her family. Now his father is also gone and he would like to think that he is up in heaven with his mother and together they will bestow their blessings on him, keeping a watchful vigilance over his family.
Returning back to the present, Rishabh turns around to see that Mr. Shah has been ushered in to their marbled foyer and into his father's office that he had set up to occasionally work from home. Crossing his arms, he leans his broad shoulders on to the window, balancing his muscular frame. His hazel eyes alight with affection as the grey haired lawyer, who has also been a friend of the family for years, walks into their ornately decorated living room, in hues of red, white and gold. Rishabh reflects that though he prefers modern, contemporary furniture and architecture; the overly traditional room, just like the rest of the house, with the richly, embossed mahogany woodworks and classic, antique pieces of art, still feels warm and cozy.
Mr. Shah ambles over to the white, high back chair and with a tired sigh, he lowers his small, fragile frame down and leans back, contentedly, against the red and gold embroidered, silk cushions. He smiles in greeting at the expectant faces, looking at him in equal parts of warmth, affection and trepidation. It has been a few days since Mohan Kundra has passed away and tonight they will be read their father's last will. Like any family in possession of a large fortune, the Kundras, with the exception of Rishabh who could truly care less, wonder what percentage of the vast fortune they have inherited.
Mr. Shah opens his black, leather briefcase with an air of importance and looks up at Risahbh, still standing, leaning against the window. He speaks in a raspy voice, "Rishabh. I am about to reveal the contents of your father's last testament. Would you like to join us and take a seat?"
Rishabh shakes his head and responds in a deep, resonant voice, "I am fine where I am uncle. Please proceed whenever you are ready."
Rishabh's youngest sister, Trishna, nods her head in affirmation and speaks in a voice far too young for a woman of 27 years, "Forget bhai. He has always considered himself to be apart from the family, like he is better than the rest of us."
Trishna's fiancé and also best friend to Rishabh, Shiv Anandi, squeezes Trishna's hands to get her to curb her tongue but she ignores him and continues, "Just ignore his cold, aloof and inhospitable behavior uncle and please start reading father's last will. I am most anxious, as is most of us in this room, to know the details of our inheritance."
YOU ARE READING
Games of Deception
RomanceA relationship borne out of necessity, Rishabh and Madhubala come to mutual understanding and enter into a marriage of convenience. They come up with a set of rules for their marriage and all seems well. But is it really? Read to find out!
