NEXUS

20.Two Decades Ago

Author's POV

Nothing is permanent in this world. 

A man in power today could turn out into a man in misery tomorrow. 

Because life is the greatest frolic and we are its pawns, our strings are attached to its hands and it’s fate that decides whether you sit proudly on the throne or thrown away in the darkest corner of torment.

Naren Raghuvanshi was the least aware of his future. Unfortunately, his son began a long journey to seek revenge for all the injustice delivered to him and his mother, Chetna Arora.

“Satish Juneja,” a man in a sleek white shirt introduced the weak old man to Maahir.

“Leave,” he dismissed his secretary with a wave of his two fingers.

“But Sir —”

“I'm the boss.” 

Adhering to his boss's command, the poor soul turned on his shoes and walked out leaving the two men inside.

“Let's not waste my time,” Maahir’s loud voice radiated in the room. “How did you meet Naren Raghuvanshi?”

“Naren?” The man dressed in shabby clothes blinked.

“Naren Raghuvanshi. Mera baap.” He roared, rising from the stool. 

He pulled out the gun from his pocket and dug into his forehead with no further delay. Satish’s eyes turned pale, experiencing the fear of embracing death.

“Batata hu. Drop the gun. Drop the gun.” His voice quivered, gripping the gun and his eyes wavered with fear.

He removed it and dragged the stool in front of him. Crossing his arms, he straightened his posture like a king waiting for the culprit to confess his crime before announcing the punishment.

“Naren and his brother Manav Raghuvanshi looked after Raghuvanshi Industries when I met him for the first time.  Manav, being the eldest son, got the privilege to be CEO, and Naren was appointed as General Manager and their mother used to be Chairperson.”

“I know it. Tell me, why did you invest it in their business?” He asked firmly and turned on the recorder in his phone, “Be louder.”

“Manav was an alcoholic. And his wife changed men frequently every night.”

“How do you know?”

“Because I was one of them.” Maahir closed his eyes for a moment to grasp his words. “She told me to invest the money won in a lottery in the business. But I provided them with a loan. For a better rate of interest.”

He placed the gun back on his forehead with his silent demeanor.

“I lend money to Naren in exchange for hiding my affair with Manav’s wife. But he betrayed me.”

Sonia Manav Raghuvanshi. Born into the Mittal family – well known for their diamond business since the early 70s. She met Manav through an arranged marriage setup but was married against her will, because women of Mittals abide by rules formed by the patriarchal head of the family. Six years passed but she failed to conceive the heir because she never wanted her husband to share the same roof as hers. By that time, Manav suffered from various personal and professional problems, resulting in him meeting his loyal companion – alcohol addiction. He worked all day at his office and by night, he became a frequent visitor of bars.

Sonia used this opportunity to meet several influential men equivalent to her class and money. Then, one day she met Satish Juneja, the new divorcee in the town. Their rare meetings turned into frequent hangouts and then into a hunger for lust. Manav caught them in his room and driven by rage, he filed for divorce but it was never accomplished due to the unbreakable bond shared by Raghuvanshi and Mittal families.