ll Ghuroor Ke Badal غرور کے بادل ll

10.**Chapter Ten**

LASHARI HAVELI

The next morning, a calmness settled over Rohan as he woke. The weight of the past few days felt lighter after his talk with his father last night. He lay in bed for a few moments, reliving those words of reassurance, the rare glimpse of his father's vulnerability, and the reminder that, despite everything, he was still loved. It made him feel grounded, something he hadn't felt in a long time.

Rohan got up, glancing at the scar on his eyebrow in the mirror. It was a reminder of his mistakes, but today, he felt a renewed sense of purpose-to make things right, to become a version of himself that his father could be proud of.

As he made his way downstairs, he noticed the early morning sunlight streaming through the large windows, filling the mansion with a warm, golden glow. The usual tension that had lingered in the hallways seemed to have dissipated, replaced by a peaceful quiet. When he entered the dining room, he found his mother, Zahra, already seated, reading the morning paper and sipping her tea. She looked up and gave him a warm smile as he approached.

"Good morning, meri jaan," Zahra greeted him, her tone filled with motherly warmth. "You're looking better today. Did you sleep well?"

Rohan nodded, pouring himself a glass of fresh orange juice. "Yeah, I did. I talked to Daddy last night, and... it helped. I think I understand where he's coming from now."

Zahra's smile widened, a look of relief in her eyes. "He only wants what's best for you, Rohan. You know that, right? No matter what's happened, you're his son, his everything."

Rohan took a seat, glancing around the room as if seeing it differently for the first time. The dining table, the family portraits on the wall, his mother's favorite vase on the sideboard-each object was a reminder of the life his parents had worked so hard to build, a life he had taken for granted in many ways. "I know, Mom. And I'm going to do better. I don't want to put you and Dad through all this again."

Zahra reached across the table and gently squeezed his hand, her eyes glistening with pride. "That's all we ever wanted to hear from you, Rohan. One step at a time, and we'll be here with you."

Just then, Mir Lashari entered, his expression softer than usual. He gave Rohan a nod and took his seat, joining them at the table. Rohan met his father's gaze, offering a small, grateful smile. No words were needed; a silent understanding passed between them, an unspoken promise to each other.

The family settled into breakfast, the clinking of cutlery and soft murmurs filling the room with a sense of normalcy that had been missing for days. For the first time in a while, Rohan felt like he belonged here, not as the heir to the Lashari name but as a son, a young man determined to find his place and make things right.

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After finishing breakfast, Rohan straightened his suit, mentally preparing for the long day ahead. He had a lineup of client meetings and various tasks at the office-the business ventures didn't slow down, even if Rohan's own life had been on pause lately. Taking a deep breath, he made his way to the car, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement at finally returning to work.

Once he arrived at the office, he found it bustling with activity. Rohan greeted a few familiar faces, exchanging nods and smiles, before heading straight to his own office. His assistant was already there, briefing him on the day's schedule.

"Sir, you have the first meeting in fifteen minutes with Mr. Ahmed on the new project," she informed him.

"Thank you, Maria. Please send him in when he arrives," Rohan replied, settling in behind his desk. It felt good to get back to business; he found it grounding, a much-needed distraction from the recent turmoil in his life.