Rhapsody of love

01 "Fractured ties"

Samar raghavan

I Stood firm, fixing my gaze on the floor as my father's thunderous voice reverberate through the opulent mansion. Every word he uttered dripped with venom, each sentence cutting blade aimed at my resolve.

"You're a disappointment, Samar! A failure!" He spat, his face flushed with rage. "You'll never be worthy of our family's legacy!" Despite the twisting in my gut, i refused to yield. Growing up, I knew my father as a powerful businessman, Always surrounded by security. Our entire family lived under its watchful eyes. My days were filled with rigorous training, leaving little time for friendships. At 10, martial arts became a regular part of my life, honing my physical strength.

Despite being raised under my father's shadow, i remained oblivious to his involvement in mafia. My mother, however, instilled in me a strong sense of right and wrong, ensuring i understood the distinction between good and evil. And now I'd grown weary of his manipulation, exploitation, and lies.

My mother's pleading eyes met mine, but I turned away, unable to hear the weight of her silent apology. "Dad, I won't be silenced," I said my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "I won't be a part of your corrupt empire anymore. I'll expose you, and your dirty dealings will be the end of you."

His laughter was a cold, mirthless sound. "You think you have the courage? Do you think you can defeat me? You'll end up groveling at my feet, imploring me for mercy." I lifted my gaze to meet his fierce stare. " I'm not afraid of you. And i won't back down."

My younger sister, Rhea, standing by the window —she is a type of girl who craves for constant attention. "Oh, poor, Samar. Always getting away with everything." And rolls her eyes.

"Rhea, shut up!"

"How dare you speak to your sister like that!" My father approached me and grabbed my collor. He consistently showed a bias in favor of Rhea, he was never capable of being a good father and i doubt he will ever be. "Stop, please. This is getting out of hand." My mother says in a pleading way.

I released myself from his grip and stormed up to my room, grabbed my suitcase and began packing. My mind raced with memories of childhood as I gazed up at the wall adorned with framed memories. I looked at a family picture where everyone seemed happy, despite their true feelings. "I'll never forgive him. I hate him." then my eyes landed on an old photograph from my childhood. In the photo, I stood alongside my childhood crush, who happens to be the only daughter of my father's best friend and lives in Malaysia. Those were truly unforgettable days.

I was thinking about calling my best friend, Rohit, the only person who thinks I'm sane. Just then, I heard a knock at my door. It was my mother.

"Samar, please come sit down. We need to talk beta." My mother speaks softly and motions for me to sit back.

I sigh and settle back, " what's there to talk about, Maa? And I'm struggling to understand why you continue to support him despite being aware of his darker side." I puzzled why some women hesitate to advocate for their rights. Despite the law's protection and equal rights for all, I see my mother, a traditional Indian woman, embracing her life with restrictions, and i wonder why she doesn't feel empowered to speak up for her freedom—too innocent and old-fashioned.

"Maa, come with me to Malaysia. You don't have to stay here anymore," I said as I glanced at her. She was already crying. I sat beside her and embraced her. 

"samar, He just wants what's best for you and us and How can you be so certain that he committed the crime, and do you have any evidence to support this claim?" She's challenging my statement. I raised an eyebrow and shot her an incredulous glance, unable to believe she was taking his side despite knowing him so well, and I exclaimed, "Are you serious, Maa?" I rested my head in my palms in disbelief.

"I know I'm wrong, but I'm hesitant to accept it because I fear your father will stop at nothing."

"Maa, I need some space, I can't continue living here and seeing the face that reminds me of the devil every day, I want to return to Malaysia and I'm planning to leave today." After completing my training, my father transferred his ownership of his Malaysian properties to me, but I was determined to make a name for myself and establish my own business and mansion in Malaysia through hard work and dedication.

"I accept your choice and think it's for the best that you distance yourself from your father and live life on your own terms, don't worry, I'll take care of everything once you've left."
She replies with a gentle tone.

My mother is a sweet soul, and i love her more than anything. I wrapped my arms tightly around my mother as tears streamed down her face."Maa, I want you to know that I'll always be by your side, I'm confident that Father will come to regret his actions soon."

The eerie silence that followed my mother's departure, I pulled out my phone and dialed Rohit's number, my mind still reeling from the events that had just transpired.

"Dude, what's going on? Your text was cryptic. Everything okay?" His voice was a welcome respite from the tension.

I took a deep breath, trying to process the chaos myself. "It's my dad, man. He's..... he's suffocating me. I can't take this anymore. I need to get away, clear my head, and figure out my move."

His tone turned serious. "I'm on it Samar. And i have made the reservation for your flight to Malaysia for today. But be careful, okay? You're not alone in this. We'll get through it together."

I nodded even though he couldn't see me. "Thanks, man. Means a lot to me."
Rohit was more than just a friend—like a brother. Someone I deeply trusted and considered faithful. Among my many friends, he stood out for his loyalty and dependability. Our friendship, which began in school, was built on a foundation of mutual understanding, with him being privy to even the most personal details of my life, including family matters.

********

As I stepped off the plane in Kuala Lumpur, the warm Malaysian air enveloped me, a familiar embrace that felt like coming home. I'd been here many times before, but this time it felt different. This time, I was running towards something, not away from it.

My driver, greeted me with a warm smile and whisked me away to my mansion in Tanjung Bungah, a picturesque beach town on the outskirts of Penang. The sprawling villa, with its sleek modern design and breath-taking ocean views, was my sanctuary, my haven.

I'd built a life here, a life that was far removed from the toxic world of my father's making. My business, a thriving Empire of real estate and hospitality, had flourished under my guidance. I was known and respected as one of Malaysia's most successful entrepreneurs, and I'd worked hard to earn that reputation.

And yet, despite all the trappings of success, i couldn't shake off the feeling that something was missing. A sense of purpose, perhaps, or a sense of belongings. I'd built life, but had I truly found myself?

I sigh, visiting my favourite cafe in town, The cozy cup, and enjoying it's coffee might be just what I need to lift my spirits.

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods enveloped me as I pushed open the door. I took a deep breath, feeling my tension ease. As I waited in line, I noticed a familiar face, a girl with long, wavy brown hair. Although I can only see her from behind since she's facing the barista and laughing, I really appreciate her sense of style, there was something familiar about her.

When it was my turn to order, I was distracted by my thoughts and accidentally bumped into her, causing her espresso spill all over my suit.

"You clumsy Oaf!" She exclaimed, her eyes flashing with anger. "Look what have you done now!"

It wasn't until I saw her face that I realized why she seemed so familiar—I knew her. I was about to speak, "R..Ruh..." but she cuts in, exclaiming, "YOU"