Kaira- United we stand

Part 1

"It is notified that Mr. Manish Goenka and Mr. Karthik Goenka are hereby declared insolvent. The court shall seal their personal and official properties until all the financial dues are cleared." 

Manish Goenka woke up with a start; with his body shivering and sweat drenching him. The memories continued to haunt him though it was more than 6 months since the incident happened. Swarna woke up and placed her hand on his shoulder

"The same dream again" Swarna asked softly

"I have not able to sleep properly. It is all my mistake. Karthik told me not to step into that deal. But I did not trust him as I had lost my confidence on him. I should have trusted my son. Now because of my mistake, the children are suffering so much." Manish told, his voice choking

"Manish, the past cannot be changed now. Please sleep" Swarna said looking away from him.

"I cannot. I feel so guilty and useless. We had to go through so much humiliation. I built the Goenka empire from scratch after my Papa passed away. I have lost everything. I am guilty for my children going through difficulty.' Manish said, getting up from the bed and looking out of the window

"Manish, I understand. But you should be proud of how our children are coping up. Karthik and Naira refused to accept business and property from the Singhanias because they are keen to earn back what we lost by their hard work and determination. Just imagine how much it would have hurt us if they had accepted it. They are working day and night.Look at Luv and Kush, they have secured top marks in twelfth by working hard. They have earned scholarship in a top college. Look at Mansi, she is also struggling hard to become a doctor on scholarship. We have a little angel Sakshi to keep us in our spirits. If only Shubham...." she stopped.

Manish did not say anything and went to his side of the bed. He knew that sleep was far off, however he knew he could not do anything.

....................................................................................

It was morning. Naira stirred in her sleep and was awakened by a movement near her. She smiled to see her darling daughter pat her father's forehead, as Karthik was fast asleep. "

"Sakshi baby!!, tum itni jaldi ut gayi kya" Naira said as she sat up and took her daughter in her arms and kissed her cheeks.

"Why did you not pat me and only Papa?" she asked Sakshi with a cute pout

"Sakshi love Papa" Sakshi said in her innocent voice while Karthik smirked, revealing that  he had not been asleep. Naira got pissed off and pinched him as he jerked up

"Baby see Mumma?" he complained to Sakshi

"Sakshi, you don't love Mumma? " Naira asked sulking

"Sakshi love Mumma also" Sakshi said and placed a wet kiss on Naira's cheek

"Awww Mumma loves my princess too" Naira told cuddling her daughter 

"Karthik, get up, we have lot of work" Naira said and looked to Karthik, who was now lost. Naira knew what he was thinking. He went into his own world often. Though he had accepted their position now, better than Manish, he was still not out of the shock yet.

"Karthik" she said more loudly

Karthik came out of his trance and got up silently and got up and went to the bathroom. Sighing deeply, Naira got up hoping she had enough strength to face the challenges for the day.

..............................................................................................

She went down and took blessings from Dadi. Dadi blessed her, with tears in her eyes.

"You children are suffering so much, I shall also apply for a job" Manish said, coming into the hall

"Papa, Karthik and I have already said, you shall work, but only for Goenka Group as Managing Director." Naira said firmly. She continued "Papa, please dont talk like this in front of Karthik. He will get very angry. You already know how short tempered he is these days. We will get back our company and house Papa. We just want you to be without pressure" Naira said looking at Manish, braving a smile on her face.

"But how beta, how are you able to speak like this, when I have been responsible for this? My son was carrying out his duties, yet I accused him of not focusing on his work, I accused you of diverting his attention. Even after all that, he was against the project, I did not listen to him. I have brought upon all this."

"Papa, stop it." Naira said sharply. Manish looked at Naira who smiled and said " God has given us enough strength to carry on. We should make use of it. I shall go and prepare breakfast and lunch. Waise bhi today is the first day of college for Luv Kush, we should be happy and proud for their success." 

Naira went into the kitchen with Swarna to prepare breakfast. Karthik came to the hall, his face much brighter on seeing his twin brothers dressed formally, getting ready for their first day of college. 

He went and sat near Manish "Slept well Papa?" he asked with a smile on his face.

"Yes" Manish lied. Karthik asked him this question everyday and Manish lied everyday.

One hour progressed quickly. As Naira and Swarna worked in the kitchen, Karthik made his daughter ready for school. He was an expert in combing his daughter's hair, dressing her up and he loved doing this part of the morning, as it kept him diverted from other pressures he was facing.

He kissed his daughter's forehead and asked her to go to the hall so that he can get ready. After Sakshi left, his face changed sullen once again as he looked at his mother's photo on his bed stand

"I am trying hard Maa. I shall make things alright. But it is taking a lot more time than I thought it would. Please be there with me always." he said and quickly wiped off the lone tear from his eye and started to get ready for work for the day.

Despite he being a director of a company once upon a time, he was now working as an employee and it did not hurt him that he was an employee. What hurt him was to see his family struggle everyday. During the initial days after being declared insolvent, the entire family had to bear taunts from the society. People who once respected them for their status now insulted them.

Naira and he had refused to accept help from the Singhanias because they wanted to stand on their own feet. He knew his father was used to giving away and not to accepting and he did not want to hurt his parents more. He knew he had to take care of his little sister and brothers. His uncle and aunt had left the world, but they would have had confidence that the children would be taken care of.

.....................................................................................................................................