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

Chapter -24

The sun shone brightly over the bustling streets of London as Roohi walked to school, her beautiful white dress swishing with each step. Excitement buzzed in the air as today was not only a regular school day but also the day of a much-anticipated drawing competition.

As Roohi entered the school gates, she spotted her friends and waved excitedly. The hallway was filled with the chatter of students eager to showcase their artistic talents. Roohi felt a mixture of nerves and excitement as she approached her classroom.

Inside, the competition was in full swing. Students were focused on their drawings, the room echoing with the sound of pencils scratching on paper. Roohi settled at her desk, her drawing pad spread out before her. She began sketching, her concentration evident in her furrowed brows.

Amidst the focused atmosphere, a commotion erupted at the back of the room. Roohi glanced up to see Megan, their class bully and mean girl, taunting Sofia, a cute little girl with glasses. Megan was laughing and making hurtful comments about Sofia's drawing, which was clearly distressing the young girl. Sofia's eyes were brimming with tears.

Without hesitation, Roohi stood up and walked over. "Hey Megan, that's not very nice to make fun of others," Roohi said firmly. Turning to Sofia, she added, "Your drawing is beautiful and unique."

Megan rolled her eyes and snapped, "Stay out of this, Roohi!"

Roohi remembered her dad's playful warning about eye rolling and decided to use it. "Well, if you keep rolling your eyes, they might get stuck like that," she said with a hint of a smile.

Before Megan could reply, their teacher returned to the room. The class's attention shifted back to the lesson. Megan muttered something under her breath and walked away, leaving Sofia visibly relieved.

Sofia looked up at Roohi with gratitude. "Thank you, Roohi," she said softly. "Will you be my friend?"

Roohi beamed. "Of course, Sofia! I'd love to be your friend."

Later, Roohi was introduced to Lily, who was equally friendly and quickly joined their new group. The rest of the day flew by in a flurry of activities. The drawing competition was a success, and Roohi's colorful depiction of a magical garden earned her praise from her classmates and teachers. Even Lily and Sofia's drawings were appreciated by the teacher.

During lunchtime, the girls sat together, enjoying their meal and chatting. Their conversation was interrupted by a group of older kids laughing loudly. Roohi noticed Aarav Raichand among them-a tall, confident 10-year-old with a sharp gaze. His presence caught Roohi's attention, but she didn't know much about him.

Sofia leaned in and whispered, "That's Aarav Raichand. He's the son of Abhay Raichand, a very successful businessman. The Raichand family is considered dangerous."

Roohi recalled her father mentioning the Raichands only in passing, usually with a tense tone. It was clear that Rudraksh's relationship with them was far from friendly. Seeing Aarav glance over at her and her friends made Roohi feel uneasy.

Despite her apprehension, Roohi focused on enjoying the positive experiences of her day. She didn't want to let the encounter with Aarav overshadow the new friendships she had made and the excitement of the drawing competition.

Later that evening, at home, Roohi excitedly recounted her day to Rudraksh. "Papa, today was great! I made new friends, and I stood up to a bully for Sofia. But I also saw Aarav Raichand at school. He's the son of the man you talked about, isn't he?"

Rudraksh's expression shifted slightly, but he maintained his composure. "Yes, Roohi, Aarav is indeed part of the Raichand family. Just remember to be yourself and stay true to your values, no matter who you meet."

Roohi nodded, feeling reassured by her father's support. She was beginning to understand more about the world around her and was grateful for Rudraksh's guidance. As she drifted off to sleep, her thoughts were filled with the day's adventures and the promise of new friendships.