PROMISE TO BE YOURS

CHAPTER 5

JRS was in shock. Since the doctor told that Gupta was no more JRS has been in a stupor just staring at space. His brother his mate and his all time partner had left him without any notice. They had so much to share so much to talk about and so much to look forward to. Rudhi's going from princess to doctor, to wife to mother and so many other stages in her life. Them becoming grandparents and fighting for the attention. Spending their retirement having long chats discussing about their kids. Everything came to a standstill and now JRS is looking into empty space. JRS was fond of all the Gupta boys and always wished them well. He knew Mohan's accident would upset the calm Gupta but he never thought it will take his life. He suddenly went back in time to reminiscence their life journey.

JRS and Gupta were of the same age. Gupta's father was the Singhania butler and this relationship had continued generation after generation. Rajesh Singhania was a man with no morals. He had his own set of rules and lived by them. He did not bother what happened to the people around him when he lived his life his way. In order to inherit the Singhania kingdom he had to do as his grandfather insisted. That is to marry his cousin whom he did not like or love. Padma Singhania was a quiet timid convent educated orphan who was the apple of her grandfather's eye. Her grandfather's wish was her command so when he said he wanted her to marry her cousin she agreed even though she knew he was a good for nothing hooligan who was hated by everyone. He drank, gambled and openly engaged with woman of all kind. Her grandfather insisted that he will change after marriage and that he will make sure he changed. Roopnath Singhania thought he would be able to blackmail and threaten his nephew to change and do what he wants if he dangled the vast kingdom of wealth in front of his nose.

Very reluctantly both cousins stepped into a marriage that was doomed from day one. Padma refused to consummate her marriage and moved to a room of her own. She had a personal mail Matilda who was with her since she was a young child. Rajesh carried on with his life as if nothing important happened. One night when Roopnath was out of town in a drunken stupor Rajesh forced himself on Padma which resulted in her getting pregnant. Padma first went into a deep depression and over a period of time suffered from a nervous breakdown. Roopnath was furious but got the best doctors in the country to help her come out of her sickness. After a difficult delivery she was blessed with a beautiful little boy. Padma now had a purpose to live so she put all her love and emotions into bringing up her little boy.

When JRS was 4 years old Rajesh gets the butler to move in as the servant quarters come vacant. Padma met little Gupta on one of her walks in the garden. Since then she would let JRS play with little Gupta. Rajesh was not too keen but Padma insisted both boys went to the same school and all expenses were borne by the Singhania family. When JRS finished high school Rajesh insisted he should go to college in the UK. By now Roopnath was long gone and Padma was suffering from depression again. Rajesh's life style was such he now did whatever he did from home. The house was like a club and every evening it was full of men and woman drinking and dancing into the late night. Padma's fear of her son following the same life style forced her to agree to send the boy to college overseas. JRS was not close to his father but he had some respect and love for him as he was treated reasonably well than his mother. He was quite close to his mother both because of the way his father behaved and because of her fragile health. Padma made JRS promise that he will never take to his father's lifestyle and will lead a life that will make his great grand dad happy.

Communication was not advanced as it use to be now so the only mode of contact was via letters. The first year his mother kept replying to him but suddenly the letters stopped. He wrote to his father once and got a reply informing his mother was okay but was not able to write due to her illness so he should not worry writing letters but concentrate on his studies. In reality Padma's condition had worsened and she was now placed in mental health care hospital. She had a young nurse by the name of Gauri taking care of her. The doctors had informed SRS several times that Padma should be taken home but SRS insisted she should stay in the hospital. This detoriated her condition and she died in her sleep. Two weeks before she took a turn to the worst she sent the young nurse Gauri to bring Gupta to her. Padma wrote a long letter with the help of Gauri to JRS and made Gupta promise her that he will stick by her son regardless what happened. Gupta loved Mrs Padma like a second mother who treated him the same way she did her son. He promised he will never leave the side of JRS.

Rajesh never informed JRS of his mothers demise. Gupta managed to send a telegram but by the time JRS arrived 24 hours had elapsed since his mother's interment. Gupta took him to meet the nurse Gauri who had taken care of his mother. He spent time with her talking about his mother and with time a friendship started to grow between them. Gauri was a sweet girl who was 2 years younger than JRS. Gupta and Gauri helped JRS to come over his sadness and the 3 were now good friends. Gauri continued to work as a nurse while JRS and Gupta joined a leading construction company. This was against his father's wishes. JRS was determined to stand on his own feet.

A/N: Arrogance has no future. Cruelty has no justification. Wealth has never saved a soul.