Journey of Hope

CHAPTER:- 2

The alarm clock rang exactly at 9 a.m., and Pratik woke up rubbing his fingertips on the eyelids to get a clear view. The morning wind blew, pushing the curtains of the window. The sun rays peeped through the escape ways formed by the flying curtains and reflected right on his face. His fair skin and blackish hair reflected the golden rays. Turning off the alarm, he wore the black tracksuit, and lazily moved towards the separated gym block, on the second floor. His work out time was scheduled for 20minutes straight without any break.

After hitting the day's target, he entered his room. Lifting the cup of green tea, he drank the whole cup in one sip. The ingredients were added perfectly by the most experienced servant of his mansion, who was well aware of the perfectionist's anger. Exactly at 9:30, he went to take a shower, and then after freshening up, he descended the stairs to reach in the living room. For that day he chose a grey three-piece check suit to wear.

The dining table was arranged perfectly as his taste. Everything was decorated at their own place. In the middle, the fresh white orchids, and surrounding it, the spoons were arranged.

"Good morning, Pratik!" He heard a feminine voice from behind. Turning around, he took some steps to reach near his mother, before hugging her to greet a good morning wish.

"Good morning, Mom." He wished back. The servants pulled two adjacent chairs at the same time. Sirisha sat on the head chair, and Pratik sat beside her.

Sirisha Ahuja - A leading businesswoman in her era. After losing her husband in a car accident, she was abandoned by her relatives. Seeing the greed of getting her husband's lifetime earned possession in the eyes of their so-called relatives, made her strong enough to come out of the veil of a recently widowed wife. Forgetting the scar of her husband's sudden demise, she fought fearlessly in the world to save her husband's legacy for her son. On the way, she had faced so many obstacles. She easily demeaned all, but she found it difficult to survive against her own people, who turned into backstabbers. In the world, where no one cares for the poor and weak, she was called in names during her earlier days of struggle too, where people even questioned her character. That time, she chose the short cut, she changed and adapted the qualities to be a successful and cunning businesswoman of her era.

On the other hand, from his childhood, Pratik had seen his mother struggling to feed him. He was a silent spectator of her journey from an abandoned widow to a successful businesswoman. He had seen his mother losing her innocence, turning into a greedy woman, but never lose respect for her. Somewhere he also felt that in this materialistic world, money speaks louder than values. The relatives who had left their hands during the need of time, were back to their mercy, all thanks to her mother's greed for money and power.

"A winner is all that the world wants to admire, a ruler is all that the world needs to follow. No one gives a damn to the way or the amount of struggle you have faced." That's what Pratik believed exactly, so as his mother, Sirisha Ahuja. Pratik never had a passion to follow, but a goal to achieve. He didn't start from the ground, but aimed to reach the height. Life had taught him to take advantage of the privileges. After getting a bachelor degree in business administration, he got hold of his mother's business. Still, he preferred Sirisha's advice to tackle any kind of critical situation in the field of business.

"All ready for the new venture?" Sirisha asked taking a bite.

"Yeah. Finding a trustworthy investor for the big budget." Pratik replied chewing the bread.

There was a moment of silence prevailed, until Pratik crunched the almonds. He took a sip of orange juice when Sirisha asked an unexpected question. "You are going to be 28 next month, any thoughts about marriage?"

Pratik choked splitting the juice out of his mouth. He quickly murmured a 'sorry' for his behavior. But Sirisha's eyes were bored into him, and he gulped another sip in nervousness. "Still 28 is too early to marry, Mom." He replied gulping the orange juice.

"It's not. You are well established and settled. Girls are eager to get the eligible bachelor of the town as their husband." Sirisha declaimed her view as every Indian mother.

"Don't talk like a typical Indian mother now." Pratik said wiping the splattered juice from his face with a tissue.

"I am just helping you with your new venture, and you better know me - how much typical I am!" Sirisha said with a wicked smile.

"Marriage is definitely a venture, then now I don't need a burden of another relationship on my head." Pratik shook his head expressing his disapproval.

"Let's keep it clear. You really need it now than ever." Sirisha said leaning on the table. Pratik raised his eyebrow in confusion. "I mean your dream project needs a trustworthy investor, and in India, you won't get a more trustworthy partner to invest than your to-be wife's family." Sirisha replied. The same wicked smile was playing on her lips.

"But Mom! I can do it without involving any relation's burden too." Pratik was a little distant from Sirisha's idea.

"Yeah. Then why to lose the opportunity of choosing a more smooth way? Remember, in the end, the tag of win matters. That's all." Sirisha framed the sentence enough convincing for Pratik to deny.

"Fine then. As you wish." Pratik said, taking the last bite from the plate.

"It's a yes then?" Sirisha asked twitching her brows together.

"Did I ever say a no to you?" Pratik stood up from his chair and kissed Sirisha's cheek, who in return grinned seeing her son's love for herself.

"Never. You are always my obedient Rajkumar (Prince)." She kissed Pratik's forehead. "Let me contact the marriage broker to find the girl who will be best for my son, and her father - to be the best investor for my son's business."

Pratik shook his head at his mother's choice of words. Ordering one of the servants to hold his belongings, he went outside. The driver was already waiting there. As soon as Pratik reached, the driver wished him a good morning, opening the car door, and Pratik entered inside just giving a simple nod. The driver inserted the key, and the engine was started. Soon the car drove away on the busy streets.

"Time is money." That's what Pratik followed as a mantra for his successful life. Sitting inside the air-conditioned car, he picked up 'THE TIMES' magazine to read. It was a better idea rather than wasting twenty minutes on the journey to the office. Surfing the page randomly, his hands stopped on the lower corner of a page, where his square-shaped photo was printed. Standing behind the podium, he was giving his charming smile. He recognized the photo's three-piece royal blue suit. He had worn it once, that too in that annual convocation ceremony of Delhi University as one of the guests.

"The rising entrepreneur Pratik Ahuja, who happened to be in the notable Alumni list of Delhi University was also present during the convocation ceremony. Sharing his memories of his college days, Mr. Ahuja has advised the fresh graduates to see themselves in the mirror of their own eyes, rather than choosing someone else's eyes like a mirror to find their own self."

He continued to read his speech on the last column of the article - that was actually occupied two whole pages. The rest paragraphs were filled with the praises about the chief guest - Raghav Bharadwaj, who happened to be the richest man of Asia. The exact position, that Pratik always wanted to achieve. He wanted to achieve the day, when the same magazine would dedicate its cover, and title to him with the same respect - that it had shown to Raghav Bharadwaj.

His daydream broke when the driver applied the sudden break. The sudden jerk made him about to hit with the front seat of the car while his hands were unknowingly placed against the seat and the magazine fell down. Before he could show his anger to the driver, he saw a girl with an average height standing in front of the car and waving her hands. "Stop! Stop! Stop! Bhaiyaa! stop the car, this man is dying here, we need to save him. Please help." She was telling in one breath.

Pratik came out of his car and was about to say "get lost" to her for interrupting his way and wasting his precious time, but his eyes fell into few people standing nearby and recording the entire scenes in their mobile camera. He was pleased with the scenario.

For a moment Pratik thought there was not a better chance for him to create an image of a great human for the famous entrepreneur Pratik Ahuja. Pratik tried to show his fake concern for the victim who was about a 45-50years old man hit by a bike. He was laying there being senseless and bloodstreams were continuously flowing from the entire body and head. Pratik called his driver and they took the man into his car while the bloodstains were imprinted in his suits.

Inside his mind, all these dramas brought detestations, but he realized his heart beating faster more than ever which was something new for him. And it took him a second to realize the reason for this unknown occurring in his heart. He was moving but his heart was stuck into that girl in an off-shoulder mustard yellow frock with shiny hair all open scattering till her waist and her eyes holding the kindness for a stranger who got hit by a bike.

Pratik's heart collected all her innocence and his head started to get cooled down.

After taking the man into his car, Pratik asked the girl "Hey... You can come with us to the hospital". The unknown nervousness was at the peak as he was initiating a conversation with a random girl for almost very first time in his life. He never felt the necessity of talking to any girl rather than any office works. But this time, his heart was holding some unknown feelings for a stranger girl with whom he just met for an incident like this.

The girl got into the car without further conversations. Pratik sat on the passenger seat and observed that unknown girl from the rear mirror, he cared less for that blood soaked old man lying on her lap. The sweat beads dripped from her forehead, adding glow to her natural glowing skin. The driver drove the car to a nearby hospital. While on the way to the hospital, Pratik could see her care for the unknown, whose head was just resting on her lap and she was trying to stop the bloodstream by her handkerchief.

After reaching the hospital, they admitted the old man. And only after that, she could take a deep breath as well as Pratik. While sitting there, Pratik wanted to start the conversation.

"So, you know him?" Pratik asked keeping his nerves tight.

"No, I don't" The girl replied while trying to call the phone numbers she got from the mobile of the old man.

"Ohh, I thought you knew him, as you were so panicked for a stranger. " He added.

"What's in recognitions? He's someone like my father." She showed her concerns.

"Yeah, that's right," Pratik said lowering his voice.

"By the way, what's Your name?" Pratik asked hiding a little nervousness in his voice.

"Adyasha Bhardwaj.", She replied looking at his face straight.

"Bhardwaj!", Pratik repeated her surname showing little disbelief.

"Yeah, what happened?" Adyasha questioned back.

"No, nothing!" he replied.

"But it seems there's something." She said and smiled.

"Have you ever heard about Mr. Raghav Bhardwaj?" He asked to clear the matter.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I hear about my father?", She asked him.

"What! You are the daughter of Mr. Raghav Bhardwaj!!", Pratik asked in disbelief. "Then what were you doing there in the middle of the road begging for help..."

Before he completed his sentence, "Actually classes are suspended today, and friends insisted me to go for a movie." She said.

"Oh! Where are your friends then? I didn't notice any of them on the spot."

"Probably watching the c****x scene now." Adyasha said checking her watch. "We went there to the theatre to watch a movie. I came out to attend a phone call."

"You didn't like the movie?" Pratik asked curiously. Adyasha gave a confused look to him, who was a stranger for him to talk like a friend. Even Pratik rubbed his nape in nervousness. "Never mind. Leaving the movie in the middle, you are helping an unknown man, So I just asked. You know... out of curiosity." He stammered.

"Actually my friends insisted on me, and I couldn't deny them for the movie. They made me ditch the security too. I dialed Baba's number, and his PA received as he was in the mid of an urgent meeting with foreign delegates. I asked him about his schedule and called again after 1 hour according to his free time. So yeah, It was only me who came out in the mid of the film to attend Baba's call, and find this dreadful accident, and then you know the rest."

"You informed every little thing to your father?" Pratik couldn't help but express shock. Adyasha gave him a look of disbelief. "Curious I am! Usually, girls in your age have a fascination to break the rules, and here you are the only daughter of the richest man helping a mere stranger, setting a new example of kindness."

Her cheeks turned into scarlet red, hearing the praises. "Nothing like that. I love my father enough to see him worried for me, and freedom never matters to me if the cage is made of love." Adyasha replied.

Pratik's heart wanted to listen more of her innocent talks, while she started saying 'Hello, hello... This is...' on phone calls to inform the victim's family or relatives.

Pratik sat down in the chairs in disbelief. And started to recognize the new feelings arousing in him for Adyasha. He liked her beauty from the first sight only. Now seeing her innocence and submissive nature, he felt attraction for her. Suddenly he remembered his mother's word about his marriage and the investment he needed. And now easily his mind could understand what he needed to do, and what he used to dream of becoming while his mind brought Adyasha's view.

"Hello, where are you lost?" Adyasha's voice put a break to his mind and "Nothing! " came in reply.

"I called this man's family, and they are coming." She said about the phone call.

"Oh Good." He said. At the same time, his mobile rang. Pressing the receive button, he hurriedly replied, "yeah, coming soon!"

"Adyasha! sorry, but I have to go now. Should I arrange a car for you?" Pratik asked while making a helpless expression.

"It's okay. I have called my driver to pick me up.", She replied slowly and said "Thank you..."

While her confusion was ended by Pratik's reply "Pratik... Pratik Ahuja."

"Thank you Pratik " She again thanked smiling, and they both started to laugh.

"It's okay, no need to thank me. Helping another human is our duty as a human, isn't it?", Pratik chose his words carefully, trying to impress Adyasha.

"Yeah, bye," She said. She was already impressed with Pratik's facade of kindness.

"Bye! " he said looking back at Adyasha and left with a smile on his face, that soon replaced with a smirk as soon as he came out. Then he went to his office.

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After returning home, and being freshened up Pratik sat on the drawing-room sofa, where his mother was watching a news channel on TV.

"How's your day?" Sirisha asked while chewing the fried popcorn.

"Good, very good." Pratik replied smiling.

Sirisha knew her son well to find his different behavior. She easily detected the changed smile and asked him to tell about the special reason behind his special smile. Being an obedient son, Pratik started to narrate that day's incident to his mother. Now Sirisha could understand his son's mischievous smile.

"So Adyasha is my Daughter in law, isn't she?" asked Sirisha, and Pratik blushed. "Ahh... You are blushing. I really have no problem with accepting your choice, but I certainly have a better choice for you and your business at the same time."

"Mom! She is Adyasha Bharadwaj. The only princess of Raghav Bharadwaj, the king of an empire called, Bharadwaj Industries." Pratik replied smiling wickedly.

"Oh! I have full trust in your choice then." Sirisha replied with a newly founded enthusiasm. "And for an additional information, I have chosen the same girl for you."

"Really?! " Pratik asked raising his eyebrow.

"Not really. It's Vabna Upadhya, the wedding planner, who came home today with a marriage proposal, and I ignored all the bio-data after seeing Raghav Bharadwaj's daughter - pretty and naive at the same time." Sirisha said while a wide smile broke into Pratik's lips.

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Adyasha clattered the spoon again on the silver plate, but Raghav didn't look up from his mobile's screen. "Babaaa" She cribbed, while Raghav bit his inner cheek to stop himself from laughing. The servants sniggered, but to their bad Adyasha noticed it. She looked at them, and then at Raghav. Realizing that they were laughing at her, she threw the spoon on the plate, and the jangling sound echoed. Adyasha sat on the dining chair, folding her hands and huffing with her red cheeks.

"Here I am hungry, but nobody cares for me. All they have to do is either stare that stupid mobile or to make fun of me." She murmured in a low voice, but it was loud enough for everyone in the hall to hear.

"Princess. If you are hungry, then you should eat. Why are you making those spoons dance with your own tune?" Raghav said keeping his phone on the table.

"You are making fun of me, again?" Adyasha whined pouting angrily.

"What? Who has the guts to make fun of my princess?" Raghav dramatically asked every servant, with a fake surprised expression. Everyone hid there smile and shook their head, acting as equally surprised as him.

"It's you, Baba." Adyasha pointed her fingers towards Raghav, narrowing her eyes.

"So I should be punished." Raghav stated as a matter of fact.

"Yeah. And your punishment is to switch off that stupid phone." Adyasha said pointing her index finger as a nursery teacher.

"As my princess commands." Raghav said showing the phone's screen. The green circle moved around, and the screen light disappeared. As soon as the phone went off, a bright smile played on Adyasha's lips.

"Baba, I am hungry." She again whined.

"Then eat. Who is stopping you?" Raghav asked shrugging his shoulder.

"Mamma!" She pointed her index finger towards Sunanda who was talking on phone, standing behind her. She was smiling continuously much to Adyasha's irritation.

"She seems to be happy. Maybe some good news is waiting for us. Let's eat and then we will celebrate happiness together." Raghav said serving the curry on his plate. He was about to serve in Adyasha's plate, but she holds his hand in the middle. Raghav raised his eyebrow in confusion.

"I will wait for Mamma. She won't feel good to eat alone."

"Ok then, we will eat all together and celebrate together," Raghav said, keeping the curry on its place. Adyasha grinned.

"No." Sunanda said coming from behind. "We will first celebrate the good news together."

"Good news?" Adyasha asked being excited.

"Yeah. After all, Raghav's princess is going to be the queen now. Remember, I told you about my friend Vabna Upadhya - the wedding planner?" Raghav nodded. "She brought an alliance for Adyasha, and now she only called, the groom's family said yes."

"Say no from our side then. It's too early." Raghav said immediately before Sunanda could complete her sentence.

"Yes, Baba. I haven't even completed my MBA yet." Adyasha made a puppy face to melt her father.

"You are twenty-three Adyasha, but still you consider yourself as a child." Sunanda mocked. "And Raghav! Your childish behavior will stake her future. This alliance is too good to be missed."

"Who is he?" Raghav asked making an expressionless face.

"Pratik Ahuja." Sunanda said, and Raghav's face softened. Taking it as a cue, Sunanda started her praises about Pratik. "A well-settled career, renowned family, and most important point is, Adyasha won't have to face the relative's tension there. His widow mother is all he has. She will live there like a queen, what more do we need?"

"I have met him in the last week's convocation ceremony. An intelligent and ambitious youth icon he is! Soon he will achieve new heights in business. I have no problem with this alliance. Let Adyasha's decision be the last and final." Raghav indirectly conveyed his acceptance.

"Her red cheeks have already said a yes." Sunanda said, looking at Adyasha who was blushing hard from the time Pratik's name was mentioned.

"Mamma!" Adyasha whined.

"What Mamma? Is it a no then?" Sunanda faked seriousness in her voice.

"When did I say a no?" Adyasha asked, being trapped in her mother's words.

"You never say a yes too. By the way is the silence mean a yes?" Sunanda asked with a teasing glint in her eyes.

"Whatever you decide, I have no problem with it." Adyasha blushed.

"Typical way to say a yes." Sunanda shrugged and laughed loudly. Turning around, Adyasha hid her face in Sunanda's stomach hugging her waist tightly. Raghav stood up from his seat and embraced both of them in a tight hug. The servants silently prayed to bless them with happiness.