The Foundling

2. Road to recovery

Prerna calmed down a lot in Krishav's warm embrace. She finally pulled away from the warm embrace reluctantly and gazed at her 13-year-old son.

Krishav looked at his mom and, wiping her tears, he gave her a warm, reassuring smile, as he knew speaking would be futile.

Prerna held her son's hand and brought Krishav close to her, hugging him she caressed his back. "Mumma troubled you a lot na, baby? Mumma is really sorry my, baccha," prerna spoke in a softer tone.

Upon hearing his mom's words, Krishav moved out of the hug and cupping his mom's face, he looked into her eyes.

"Mumma, you can never trouble me. Never say sorry to me, you are my mom. It would be my failure as a son if someday you would ever have any self doubt or second thoughts about sharing something with me, thinking you are troubling me."

Each word was said with so much sincerity that Prerna's eyes welled up seeing the love of her young son who became so mature in the recent years .

Krishav leaned against his mom, soaking in her love, which visibly appeared impossible to do five years ago.

The Singhania's and the Malhotra's had been their greatest support in their time of difficulties, if not for them Krishav didn't know how they would have reached here.

They have not recovered fully from their greatest loss and may never recover from it, yet they are on the road to recovery.

Ranvijay Singhania, the owner of Singhania industries, a merciless man in the business world. No one messes up with him. But to his family he's like a gigantic bear, who only knows to spread love.

Neha Singhania is a lawyer, a strict mother who maintains the level of love and punishment. Strength of Ranvijay and her family.

Abinash Malhotra is a doctor by profession. Strict man for matters of health of his family, otherwise a pure child by heart.

Anjali Malhotra is a psychologist by profession. Has never lost a single case. Her one glare is enough to shut her rowdy family. Her love for her family redefines all bonds.

Krishav is truly grateful to them for their support. They have proven more than enough times that a family is not only formed from blood; it's the people who stand by you in your difficulties, who encourage you, who motivate you.

FLASHBACK

Just as the machine hooked to dad flat lined, I felt the floor under me crumbling. Living without dad is like my worst nightmare coming true.

I look around the room, seeing doctors and nurses filling the room as the bodyguards rush in.

At that moment, the only thing in my mind was dad is no more. He left us forever. Just as soon as this realisation came, I felt my world crumbling down.

Nothing was making sense. Everything felt loud, while a deafening silence enveloped me.

Sound of someone's crying registered inside my head. Bringing me back to the reality.

There I saw my bubbly mother crying hysterically while holding dad's now icy hands. Gone was the warmth.

Rushing towards mom I engulfed her in my embrace. Everyone was crying. Even the coldest guards had tears in their eyes.

The doctors have left the room along with the guards. Only Khana remained standing in one corner of the room, trying to hide his tears, which were mercilessly flowing down.

Dad wasn't just a boss to Khana, he was like a brother to him. Dad became his light in the darkest phase of his life.

Whereas me "Daddy's boy", I have always declared loud and clear to everyone how much I love dad.