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

Chapter -42

Scene - School trip-

The school courtyard was bustling with activity, filled with the excited chatter of children and the reassuring words of parents. Rudraksh stood near the entrance, his arms wrapped tightly around Roohi. His face was a mix of worry and reluctance, as if he couldn't quite bring himself to let her go.

Roohi giggled, looking up at him with her bright, trusting eyes. "Papa, you need to let me go now!" she said, her voice filled with both amusement and affection. She clutched her pink Barbie suitcase in one hand and had a small backpack slung over her shoulder, ready for the adventure ahead.

Rudraksh leaned down and kissed her forehead gently, then pressed his forehead against hers. "Never," he whispered, his voice a soft but firm promise.

Roohi smiled, her tiny hands patting his cheek in an attempt to comfort him. "But, Papa, everyone from my class is going. Lily and Sofia are going too. I'll be fine, I promise," she reassured him, her tone both confident and soothing.

Rudraksh sighed deeply, his protective instincts in full swing. "I know, sweetheart, but-" he started, his words filled with hesitation.

Before he could finish, Roohi's class teacher, "Mrs. Thompson", approached with a warm, understanding smile. "Mr. Oberoi, I assure you, we take the safety and security of all the children very seriously. There are plenty of teachers and chaperones coming along, and we have everything well-organized. Roohi will be in good hands," she said, her tone calm and reassuring.

Rudraksh nodded, trying to muster a smile. "I know, "Mrs. Thompson". It's just... she's never been away from home for something like this," he admitted, still holding onto Roohi's hand.

"Mrs. Thompson" gave a sympathetic nod. "I understand, it's always hard for the first time. But camps like these are a wonderful experience for the kids. They learn so much and make wonderful memories."

Roohi nodded eagerly. "See, Papa? I'll learn a lot and have fun. You don't have to worry so much."

Rudraksh looked down at his daughter, her excitement contagious but his heart still heavy. "Alright, alright," he said with a reluctant smile, finally letting her go. "But you have to promise to call me every night before bed, okay?"

Roohi nodded enthusiastically. "I promise, Papa! And I'll tell you all about the adventures we have!"

With that, "Mrs. Thompson" gently took Roohi's hand and led her towards the bus, where the rest of her classmates were already boarding. Rudraksh stood there, watching her go, his heart full of a mix of pride and worry.

As the bus engine roared to life and started to pull away, Roohi waved excitedly from the window. "Bye, Papa! I love you!" she called out, her voice full of joy and excitement.

Rudraksh waved back, his eyes misting slightly. "I love you too, sweetheart," he whispered, watching as the bus disappeared down the road. He stood there for a moment longer, trying to shake off the lingering worry, knowing he had to trust that Roohi would be okay and that this experience would be good for her.

After Roohi left for her school trip, Rudraksh headed back to his office, trying to push down the anxiety gnawing at his insides. The memory of what happened with Nicholas still haunted him. The fear of almost losing Roohi weighed heavily on his mind, and he couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that something might go wrong again. He knew he needed to trust the school and the staff, but the protective father in him couldn't help but worry.

Sitting at his desk, Rudraksh stared blankly at the pile of paperwork in front of him. His mind wasn't on the contracts or the emails he was supposed to be addressing. Instead, his thoughts kept drifting back to Roohi's smiling face, her cheerful goodbye, and the fear that gripped his heart every time he thought of her being away from him. He rubbed his temples, trying to focus, but the worry was too strong.

A soft knock on the door pulled him out of his thoughts. "Come in," he called, clearing his throat and straightening up in his chair.

The door opened, and Karan walked in, carrying a few files under his arm. "Hey, Rudraksh," he greeted, noticing the tired look on his friend's face. We need to go over some of these contracts related to new projects

Rudraksh nodded, trying to muster a smile. "Yeah, sure. Have a seat," he said, gesturing to the chair opposite his desk.

Karan sat down, placing the files on the desk. "You okay, man? You seem a bit... out of it," he remarked, concerned about lacing his voice.

Rudraksh leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. "It's Roohi," he admitted. "She just left for her school trip, and I know I should be excited for her, but after everything that happened with Nicholas... I can't help but worry."

Karan nodded, understanding the weight behind Rudraksh's words. "I get it, Rudraksh. What happened with Nicholas was terrifying for all of us, but especially for you. It's natural to feel this way," he said gently. "But Roohi is safe. You've done everything you could to ensure her safety, and the school has taken all the necessary precautions. You have to trust that."

Rudraksh sighed deeply, his eyes flickering with both fear and determination. "I know. It's just... I keep thinking, what if something happens and I'm not there? What if-"

Before Rudraksh could finish his thought, his phone buzzed with a new notification. He glanced at it and saw a message from Roohi, accompanied by a cute photo of her at the camp. She was smiling brightly, holding up a handmade craft with a proud grin.

Karan noticed the change in Rudraksh's expression and saw him gently blush at the sight of Roohi's photo. "See? She's having a great time. She's in good hands with her teachers and friends."

Rudraksh's worry began to ease as he admired the photo. "You're right," he said, his voice steadying. "I need to let go and trust that she'll be fine."

Karan smiled, leaning back in his chair. "That's the spirit. Now, let's go through these contracts. I've got a few things flagged that I think you should take a look at."

Rudraksh nodded, feeling a bit more grounded. "Alright, let's get to work," he agreed, reaching for the folder. As he began to focus on the documents, the weight on his chest lifted slightly. The routine of work, combined with Karan's supportive presence, was a welcome distraction. With a renewed sense of calm, Rudraksh worked through the contracts, reassured by the knowledge that Roohi was safe and happy at her camp.