A/N
I know I said that I'll update once in a week but I just couldn't stop myself from updating. So yeah here we are!
Enjoy!
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They reached the Raichand Mansion after a few minutes. As they got down, Arjun gave them one last warning look and together the trio went in.
The mansion never gave Vansh good vibes. Even when their parents were alive they lived in the Raichand residence, their home sweet home. After their parents death they lived in the mansion only for 2 years and those 2 years were the dullest phase of his life.
Sensing Vansh's uneasiness, Arjun wrapped a protective arm around him and gently squeezed his shoulder. Vansh immediately snuggled closer to him.
Rishi looked at Vansh and said in a low tone, " That's why I said that coming here is a bad idea!"
Arjun glared at him and was about to give him a piece of his mind when a voice caught his attention.
"Aree, Arjun baba, kaise aana hua?" the head gardener, Ramu kaka asked with a smile.
Arjun smiled at him, "Kaise hai Ramu kaka? Ghar me sab kaise hai?"
"Aapki data se sab thik hai, baba. Chotu ko naukri dilakar aapne bohot bada ehsaan Kiya hai humpe." he said gratefully.
"Ehsaan kaisa kaka? Chotu bhi toh mere bhai jaisa hi hai." he said sincerely.
Rishi looked at Vansh. He still had a distressed look in his eyes so he thought that it was time to lighten the mood.
" Aree aree RK, aap toh mujhe bhul hi Gaye. Bas bhaiya hi dikhte hai na aapko." Rishi said with a naughty smile.
"Aapko kaise bhul sakte hai, Rishu baba. Agar chahe bhi toh,aapki shaitaaniya hame aapko bhulne hi nahi dengi. Hame to Aaj bhi yaad hai kaise aapne hamari cycle ki tyre se aawaz Wale patake bandh diye the aur jaise hi hamne unhe chalana shuru kiya itni zor se aawaz aayi ki hum Darr ke maare cycle par se hi gir gaye." he reminisced and burst out laughing.
Rishi and Vansh joined in his laughter while Arjun just shook his head. He asked in a damn cheerful voice,
" Aur Rishu yaad hai uske baad jo tujhe mujhse maar Padi thi..it was all worth it, wasn't it?"
Rishi immediately sobered up at the mention of that dreadful aftermath. His whoppings were always a sensitive and painful topic. "Killjoy" he muttered under his breath.
Arjun smirked at his overgrown toddler of a brother. He just couldn't let his innocent Vanu get ideas from his brat Bhaiyu.
"Ise pehchana aapne kaka?" Arjun said to Ramu kaka putting a comforting hand on Vansh's shoulder.
"Ah..Vanu baba. 10 saal pehle dekha tha...ab kaafi bade ho gye hai aap."
Vansh gave him a shy smile and softly said, " Namaste kaka"
" Khush rahiye. Aapke bhaiya ne bohot acche sanskar diye hai aapko. Jaake apne dadaji se milke aaiye phir ham aapko bachpan ki tarah garden ki shair karate hai."
Vansh looked at his Bhaiya for confirmation. Once he nodded, Vansh smiled and said, " Ji kaka."
They left towards the mansion. Ramu kaka looked at their retreating figures. The way both the boys adored and respected Arjun always surprised him. The way Arjun showered his love and authority on them surprised him even more. They were much more than just brothers. After that fateful night, 15 year old Arjun effectively stepped in their father's shoes and he still held his ground.
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" Aaiye sir. Bade sahab aap sabka upar intezaar kar rahe hai." a staff informed them.
As they entered the room, they were shocked to see Arun Raichand sitting on an adjustable bed with a number of medical stuff surrounding him and an IV attached to his hand.
"Aao Arjun. Baitho." he pointed at a stool kept near him. Arjun touched his feet and sat down on the stool. Vansh followed his lead and stood behind Arjun while Rishi just touched his feet for the sake of touching it.
Arun gave a forced smile and said,
"Khush raho sab"
Rishi rolled his eyes as he knew that he was not included in the 'sab'. Not that he minded at all. His blessing was no better than a curse.
"Ye sab kaise hua dadaji?" Arjun asked in a concerned voice.
" Kaafi dino se tabiyat kharab hai beta. Doctors ka kehna hai ki sirf kuch hi mahine hai hamare paas."
Arjun was shocked , Vansh looked scared while Rishi had an unreadable expression on his face. He put an arm around Vansh pulled him closer.
Arun came on the topic," Mere jaane ke baad itna bada Raichand empire tumhe hi to sambhalna hai Arjun. Mai jaanta hu ki tum business nahi karna chahte the aur isiliye hamne tumhe tumhari padhai khatam hone ke baad 7 saal diye par it's a high time now. Ab tum apni zimmedari se bhaag nahi sakte, Arjun."
" Ye business meri zimmedari nahi hai, dadaji. I have made my life choices and I am content with them."
" Ham jaante hai Arjun aur maante bhi hai. Tum maano ya na maano hame bhi apne aap ko ACP Arjun Raichand ka dada batane me garv hota hai but at what cost, Arjun? Abhi tum jawaan ho par aane wale samay me kya aise khatarnak kaam karna theek hoga. Aage Chalke tumhara khud ka pariwar hog-"
"Mere paas abhi bhi Mera pariwar hai, dadaji. Aur unhe mere field of work se koi bhi problem nahi hai. Please drop the topic, dadaji. We won't get anywhere." Arjun said coldly.
Arun looked disappointed but somewhere it was predictable. He just accepted his decision for one last time. Somewhere, old age has given him the gift(or rather curse) of acceptance. Moreover, he wanted to lie on his deathbed free of all wordly responsibilities and guilt. Perhaps his end was the end of the great Raichand empire. May the almighty grant his grandson some common sense!
"Thik hai, mai tumhe aur majbur nahi karunga. Rishi beta, Zara uss drawer me se woh kaagaz toh leke aana." he said
Rishi eyes widened at his choice of words.' Yeh to sahi me sathiya gaya hai.' he thought.
He took out the paper. He fully expected it to be his last will but he surprised to find a single, worn out piece of paper. He shrugged and handed it to him.
"Aaj se lagbhag, 12 saal pehle hame ye chitthi mili thi. Tumhare pita ke guzarne ke 4 mahine baad"
" Papa ke saath saath Mumma bhi hume chodd kar chali gayi thi, Mr. Raichand." Rishi interrupted him.
Arun Raichand never accepted Aarti as his daughter in law. The fact that Ronit married against his wishes was too much of a blow for his ego. He never hesitated before hurling out insults at her. Finally when Aarti got pregnant, Ronit moved out of his ancestral house. However, Aarti never got the respect she deserved.
"Nahi Rishi, tumhaari maa Zinda thi uss samaya. Aur ye issi ki chitthi hai."
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A/N
Finally the beans are about to be spilled! Hope you liked the chapter. Also a humble request.
Please Vote and Comment. I would appreciate inline comments.
Constructive criticism is welcome.
If I get good response then I might consider the idea of daily updates.
Regards.
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Ummeed (Raichand Siblings Saga-Book 1)
General FictionA story of Raichand brothers who are happy in their own lives. What happens when an unexpected revelation paves the way for the entry of an unknown member who is hell bent on creating havoc in their lives. Unbeknownst to them, they have brought a r...
