"Rudraksh Oberoi: A Tale of Power, Redemption, and Fatherhood"

chapter 13

Rudraksh glanced down at Roohi, who was still sitting at the breakfast table, her small hands clutching her bowl. The sight of her-vulnerable and in need of care-reminded him of the responsibility he now bore.

"Roohi," he said gently, crouching down to her level. "I have to go to the office for a while. I need to take care of some important work. But don't worry, I'll be back soon."

Roohi looked up at him with big, trusting eyes. "Will you be gone for long, Papa?"

Rudraksh softened his expression, trying to offer her as much reassurance as he could. "I'll try to be as quick as I can. The maid here will take care of you, okay? You can ask her for anything you need."

He turned to the maid, who had been quietly observing the interaction. "Make sure she's comfortable and has everything she needs," he instructed. "I'll check in when I can."

The maid nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Of course, Mr. Oberoi. I'll look after her."

Rudraksh gave one last look at Roohi, who was still clutching her bowl but seemed to be trying to put on a brave face. With a final nod, he turned and walked towards the door, his mind already shifting to the day's work.

As he stepped out, the weight of his new role pressed heavily on his shoulders. The office, usually a realm of calculated decisions and ruthless business, now seemed like a refuge from the emotional turbulence of fatherhood. But as he entered his car, he knew that no amount of professional success could replace the responsibilities and challenges of being a father to Roohi.

The drive to the office was quiet, with Rudraksh's thoughts focused on the tasks ahead and the daunting new chapter of his life. He had always been a man who thrived on control and efficiency, but now he was facing a different kind of challenge-one that required patience, empathy, and a heart he had long kept guarded.
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Rudraksh's day had been relentless, each hour blurring into the next as he navigated through an endless series of meetings and critical discussions.

The office was a whirlwind of activity; strategy sessions with top executives, urgent talks over lunch with business partners, and detailed briefings with the marketing team for an upcoming product launch consumed his attention. There was no respite, no moment to breathe.

As the evening wore on, the pressure intensified. A critical issue emerged in his mafia operations-a shipment of guns had encountered an unexpected complication.

The urgency of the situation was undeniable, and Rudraksh's focus was unwavering. The clock was long past midnight when he received an update from Akash, one of his most trusted lieutenants. The issue demanded immediate attention, and Rudraksh's mind was consumed by the crisis.

In the basement of his office-a secluded space where he managed the more illicit aspects of his empire-Rudraksh's attention was fully absorbed by the emergency. His phone was on silent mode, tucked away as he dealt with the complexities of the situation.

It was during this critical moment that Karan entered the basement, his face reflecting a mixture of concern and urgency. "Rudraksh, have you checked your phone?"

Rudraksh's eyes flashed with irritation. "Why would I check my phone now? I'm dealing with a major issue here. What's going on?"

Karan's expression remained serious, his voice insistent. "Just check it. You're missing something important."

With a huff of frustration, Rudraksh pulled out his phone, his face tightening as he saw the sheer number of missed calls and urgent messages. The realization hit him like a jolt-there were multiple calls from the maid and a couple of notifications from the office. His heart sank as he remembered Roohi and the promise he had made to be there for her.

"Damn it," Rudraksh cursed under his breath, his mind racing.

He quickly dialed the maid's number, his frustration and worry palpable. The phone rang for what felt like an eternity before the maid answered.

"Mr. Oberoi," the maid's voice was tinged with concern, "Roohi has been asking and crying for you all evening."She seems very unsettled, and I wasn't sure how to handle it without your guidance."

Rudraksh's pulse quickened. "Give her the phone," he instructed urgently.

The maid handed the phone to Roohi. Her voice, shaky and sobbing, came through clearly. "Pa-pa..."

Rudraksh's grip on the phone tightened, and he took a deep breath to steady his voice. "Roohi baby, Papa is on his way back. I'm sorry I got late; I was packing a surprise for you. Don't cry, sweetheart. I'll be there soon."

The tenderness in Rudraksh's voice surprised everyone in the room, and even Karan, who usually saw Rudraksh as the embodiment of cold efficiency, couldn't help but smile at this softer side of his friend.

As he ended the call, Karan looked at Rudraksh with a mix of sympathy and understanding. "You need to balance this, Rudraksh. You're taking on a lot, and Roohi needs you."

Rudraksh gave a terse nod, his expression shifting from frustration to determination. He had built his empire on control and dominance, but now he faced a new challenge-one that required him to be emotionally and physically present for a little girl who had unexpectedly become the center of his world.

As Rudraksh made his way out of the basement, he felt the weight of his dual responsibilities pressing down on him. The demands of his empire and his role as a father were converging in ways he had never anticipated. The journey ahead was fraught with challenges, but he was resolved to face them head-on, for Roohi's sake and his own.