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

Chapter -22

The grand hall was bustling with activity as the event approached. The room was elegantly decorated with soft lighting and floral arrangements, each detail meticulously planned to create an inviting atmosphere. The media were already setting up their equipment, eager to capture every moment of the high-profile event.

Rudraksh stood at the entrance, dressed impeccably in a tailored suit, his face a mask of controlled calm. He glanced at his watch-time was ticking, and soon, everything would begin. Beside him, Karan and Akshat were also dressed sharply, their presence a reassuring support.

Roohi, in her new floral dress, was nervously clutching Rudraksh's hand. She had been so excited about the event, but now, as the moment drew closer, she looked up at her father with wide eyes.

"Papa, are you sure everything will be okay?" she asked softly.

Rudraksh knelt down to her level, smoothing her dress. "Yes, sweetheart. Everything will be just fine. You'll do great."

The doors to the hall opened, and the first wave of guests began to arrive. The media quickly started snapping photos and setting up their cameras. Rudraksh took a deep breath, guiding Roohi through the crowd with a protective hand.

As they made their way to the stage, the room filled with murmurs of anticipation. Karan took his place at the podium, ready to speak on Rudraksh's behalf. Akshat moved among the guests, ensuring everything was running smoothly.

Rudraksh took a moment to scan the crowd, then looked down at Roohi, who was gazing around with a mixture of curiosity and awe. He leaned down to her ear. "Just be yourself, Roohi. Smile, and remember, everyone is here to meet you."

The lights dimmed slightly, and the crowd quieted as Karan stepped up to the microphone.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Karan began, his voice clear and commanding, "Thank you for joining us this evening. We are here to celebrate a very special occasion-introducing Roohi, the daughter of Rudraksh Oberoi. This event marks an important step in welcoming her into our lives and celebrating her future."

The crowd applauded warmly, and Rudraksh felt a wave of relief. He guided Roohi to the center of the stage where she stood beside him. The media cameras flashed as they captured the moment.

Rudraksh took a deep breath and addressed the audience. "Thank you all for being here tonight. Roohi has brought immense joy into my life, and I am thrilled to share this special moment with all of you. I want to assure everyone that our focus is on her well-being and happiness."

He turned to Roohi, who was now smiling shyly at the crowd. "Roohi, do you want to say anything to everyone?"

Roohi hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Thank you for coming. I'm happy to meet you all. I hope we can have lots of fun together."

The crowd responded with another round of applause. As the evening progressed, Rudraksh and Roohi mingled with the guests. However, just as things seemed to be going smoothly, the media began to raise some uncomfortable questions.

A reporter stepped forward, microphone in hand. "Mr. Oberoi, can you address the recent rumors regarding Roohi's parentage? There have been some unsavory speculations circulating."

Rudraksh's face darkened. He took a deep breath, feeling a surge of anger at the intrusion. "I will not entertain baseless rumors and attacks on my family. Roohi is my daughter, and that is all that matters. I ask that you respect our privacy."

Another journalist interjected, "But there have been claims about her being born out of wedlock. How do you respond to that?"

Karan stepped forward, his lawyer instincts kicking in. "As Mr. Oberoi stated, we will not engage with or validate any unfounded allegations. Tonight is about celebrating Roohi and her future, not addressing irrelevant gossip."

Rudraksh's gaze remained steely. "I will reiterate-any further questions about my family's personal matters will be redirected to my PR team. I expect all future inquiries to focus on the positive aspects of tonight's event."

The media seemed taken aback by Rudraksh's firmness, and the questions shifted to safer topics. Rudraksh, still seething with anger, took a moment to calm himself. He turned to Karan and Akshat.

"I need to handle this situation carefully," Rudraksh said through gritted teeth. "Make sure the PR team is on top of this, and set up an official announcement about Roohi. We need to put an end to these rumors."

Karan nodded. "We'll get it sorted. The focus should remain on Roohi and the positive aspects of this evening."

Akshat, who had been quietly observing, added, "Let's make sure Roohi has a great time tonight despite this distraction."

As the evening continued, Rudraksh managed to push aside his frustration and focus on the event. The crowd enjoyed the festivities, and Roohi's joy shone through. The media's probing questions were managed, and the night ended with a sense of accomplishment and hope for the future.

After the event, Rudraksh and Roohi stood by the window, overlooking the city lights of London.

"What did you think of tonight?" Rudraksh asked, brushing a stray hair from Roohi's face.

"It was fun," Roohi replied, her eyes shining with excitement. "I met so many people and saw lots of pretty things."

Rudraksh smiled, feeling a deep sense of fulfillment. "I'm glad you enjoyed it. This is just the beginning, Roohi. There's a lot more ahead for us, and I'll be with you every step of the way."

The night ended with a sense of promise and hope, marking a new chapter in their lives-one filled with potential and the promise of a bright future.