Metaphor ||✔

H E R B R O T H E R

Track- Redux track. This follows the thoughts after my book Metaphor.

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Shivaay Oberoi has shared a glimpse into his childhood, college days and family life.

Shivaay Singh Oberoi is among the most prominent faces in India, known for his achievements in business and his philanthropic activities. The chairman of Oberoi Industries has now shared snippets of his life’s journey in a post shared on the Human’s of Bombay Facebook and Instagram pages. In the first post of a three-part series, Oberoi has shared a glimpse into his childhood, college days and family life.

He starts by saying he had a happy childhood. However, experienced a tough time when his parents committed suicide."I had a pretty good family and friends. I and my step-sister did constantly face a little fair of ragging due to our (common) father's affair and later for my parent's infamous death. Which was hazardous," He said.

It was his paternal grandmother and family who brought him and his sister up. He also credits his grandmother and aunt for shaping his personality, into who he is today. "My Dadi and badi maa were my enormous support system, then. Dadi always taught me to be humble, and optimistic in life. Badi maa wasn't my mother yet she tried filling the empty spot. She took us, me and my younger cousins, to show the world." He says.

He also hails his grandmother for supporting his career plans when his Uncle had different plans for him.

He goes also delves into the time he was about to get married to his Uncle's business associate's daughter, Tia Kapoor. "It was nothing more than a deal, in promising of something. Preparations were reaching it (his wedding). I was almost 31 when it happen. I met Annika through my sister as my wedding planner.  Awkward. I wasn't supposed to have growing feelings towards her when my then-fiancee stood next to me. Then through some unfortunate series of events, I and Annika got married without anyone's notice at night, and Prinku had a fatal accident. I said many disgusting words to her that stood against my upbringing. It wasn't the right time. To date, I grieve my actions. I don't want to mention it nor remember those memories. Annika stood by me even when she was the victim of my creation of the faults." He bitterly chuckles. He talks about how unfortunate circumstances moulded their tale, into a picture-perfect.

When asked the number of times he has fallen in love, he confessed. "Seriously many times. The first time was looking at my wife's witty and compassionate nature. The second time was when I started my second inning in life, I saw Annika's strongest self-standing for me. I realised that somebody was there for me too. The third time was when I was looking at Avi, my soul brother Khanna's kid. Love can happen in different parts and ways." He says rubbing his tear stricken cheeks.

"I do attend some gatherings or birthday parties but never again couldn't be the same again. Rudra still stays, he has the best relationship with me and my family than others, even when it's not the same as before." Oberoi also spoke about his relationship with his cousins, and how it has strained during the time.

He says that his priorities and decisions were sometimes inappropriate in the past. "It caused a lot of mishaps. She suffered a lot more than people think. In all those things we lost something precious little."

He added that his only regret was not being a good husband and father to his wife and child respectively. "I deserted them. Not many know our lives. I never knew the existence of my unborn until she was no more. Maybe because of my karma or dharma I didn't have a chance of being a father for approximately ten years after my wedding. It's all fate." He sadly smiles shrugging his shoulders.

When asked about his life after the death of his uncle or perhaps his feigning he answered that it was all different. "I never expected that to happen at that point. I was happy. Annika was happy as the rest were. We were in a stage, where a new life was starting. But then it happened. I was self-doubting, having no idea." He shrinks back to the seat recalling the past.