Rishton Ka Manjha - MaAn

𝙓 | 𝙃𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜|

Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport, Mumbai

Anuj had boarded the plane along with GK. He was awaiting the plane to take off. The amused, weird, and sympathetic glances that he was receiving made him uncomfortable. He knew that this flight was going to be the longest one. He had always been a nervous flyer but touching down Ahmedabad had given him cold feet. He tried to let go and get himself a nap as the last few days had been hectic for him but it was futile. It was a rare incident when Anuj would try to remain low key as possible rather than garner attention when his family was concerned. He had been fiercely protective of his family and had kept them away from the prying eyes of the media. He disliked being accosted in public with his loved ones in the picture. It was so ironic as he chuckled at his thoughts for Anuj was one of the world's wealthiest business tycoons. He had graced his presence on the pages of Forbes Inc and other magazines or even been courted on television giving way to all the fame and glamour. However, one thing that was stark opposite to his high-profile status was his nature. He continued to be down-to-earth, humble, and generous for he possessed Gayatri Kapadia's personality traits. He glanced at the bird's eye view of the city as the flight took off. His mind went into a flashback as he recalled the drastic turn of events in the last one and a half year.

Vikram had left for Ahmedabad on his insistence and continued monitoring the work profile. Saveer had returned home after topping the university making him proud. Saveer was currently interning at one of the prestigious business firms in New York after gaining an experience in California, rather than being cushioned under his father's name. He was happy and contented yet his soul yearned for love. He missed his baby terribly. Saveer now helped him with his business. He was learning the ropes of it. Anuj was in Houston attending a conference when GK suffered a stroke. He left everything and rushed back to New York. Though his health was on the mend doctors suggested giving him a change of atmosphere that would lead to a speedy recovery. Anuj recalled the conversation that he had with Dr. Kapoor. "Anuj, you are hardly around him although you have given him everything you can to make his life comfortable. GK is still lonely." The doctor spelt it out for him, by stating, "Send GK to India. Let him spend time with his friends and family." Anuj looked uncertain. Dr. Kapoor kept his hands on Anuj's shoulder and further continued, " You are our biggest benefactors, and would not invite the ire of the board of directors by upsetting you. I am suggesting you as I believe in it and I have seen it myself." The conversation went on further when GK put forth his wish as he along with some other people could get away with anything as far as Anuj was concerned. His heart melted and gave away to his wish. GK could really be persistent at times. He remembered the glow on GK's face when he had given in to his demand of coming to India with him. The conversation stirred something within him as he looked on blankly, " You have done a lot for the people in Ahmedabad, Anuj - funded schools and hospitals, made donations to charities and projects that have benefitted the local communities. But you haven't really been home, not even for a business meeting." said GK. The tenacity that Anuj had was something that he had learnt from GK. The stroke forced him to shift his base to India more specifically Ahmedabad whereas Saveer looked after the work that needed to be wrapped up there. It was going to be a long time before he could see his son again. Thus began the heavy lifting before he could begin with the shifting process when he received the news of the site being cleared for the hotel from the head of the Mumbai Branch. It was Kanhaji's signal to him. It had made him take another major decision. The decision to shift to his homeland permanently. It had taken him six months to sort out the process before he could move to India.

Therefore, he expected to wrap up the hotel's legal work and finalize the layout within six months but it went on longer. It took him one year to get done with the hotel work, and thus he was in Mumbai for the last one year. He was overlooking the work in Mumbai as well as kept tabs on the project in Ahmedabad. He was well-updated by Vikram. He also looked after GK personally. The joy his face radiated had put his inhibitions to rest. The choice of shifting the base had been right till now. Anuj felt himself feeling a conundrum of emotions when the catastrophe struck. He had gone numb and he hated hospitals. The mere sight of it would give him an intense anxiety attack. The fear that was long lost had come back again. He was scared more than fear. A feeling that he had been alien to all these years was creeping back. He had already lost a lot of people in his life. He had learnt to live with it but only he knew how he felt. It was like his world had stopped for a millisecond. There was still a nagging pain in his heart as the void was too big. He had really accepted Mukku getting distant or cutting off ties with Ankush or losing his parents in that ill-fated accident but with each blow, the crack had deepened. He sought assurance and security that life had denied him. He had kept his feelings to himself when he had lost his parents for he had a small Malvika to look after. He had grown up overnight taking over the role of a parent, a brother, and a friend. The responsibilities had increased. Saveer entered his life a few months after that terrible accident. Saveer, his adopted son was truly a blessing in disguise. He was the reason that he had been living his life. He entered his life when he had hit the rock bottom. The day he left Ahmedabad as there was nothing left for him according to his logic he found a baby being abandoned on the steps of a temple when he had gone to the temple for the one last time to question the plays of the almighty despite his faith and belief that his parents had instilled in him. He was glad about the support that Saveer had provided him.