Journey of Hope

CHAPTER:- 1

"Princess! Wake up, baby. It's time to rise and shine." Raghav mumbled in a soft voice while caressing his daughter's hair, who was sleeping peacefully in her dreamland, without caring about the disturbance of the exterior world.

Raghav looked at his daughter who hadn't moved a little - not even an inch. Not a morning person she was! He was aware of his daughter's love for sleep, but it was his everyday routine to wake her up once, before starting his day. And her daily routine was to show tantrums in front of her baba.

Raghav Bharadwaj was a man in his late forties, but the well-built physique made him look younger than his age. He was always conscious about his diet, and never neglected his work out schedules - his top two secrets of maintaining a healthy life. Then looks were not the only character, that made him so admirable, he had always been the role model for the youths for his significant achievements in the business world, and young girls still adored his charming smile between the grayish-beard. Having a net worth of USD 66 billion, he had managed to top the list of the richest man of Asia.

The hour clock clicked, it was 8 a.m. For a business magnate like Raghav Bharadwaj, every single second priced in millions. While the morning in the month of June was equally to mid-day, Raghav had an option to open the curtains of the large window, allowing the sharp sunrays to enter inside. In that purple-walled large posh room, the right length of the sleigh bed was facing the window. Raghav looked at his daughter, who was lying on his stomach, and her face was turned towards the window. All he had to do was - open the window and let the sharp sunlight find a way inside the room. His task of waking up this lazy soul would have easier. But, he quitted the idea, as soon as his eyes laid on the books lying beside her along with an open notebook and a pen. He immediately recognized that parker ball-point pen - the same one, that he had gifted to a 17 years old Adyasha, during her 10th board examination, and she had topped in her whole school. Raghav had boasted his little girl's achievement in front of everyone - from his security guard to the foreign delegates even with whom he didn't sign the deal too.

Adyasha Bharadwaj - that 23-year-old girl was indeed an angel by looks and heart at the same time. She was a blessing in her mother's life, while for her father, she was his life. In the world where everything cost a price, Adyasha was the priceless possession of Raghav Bharadwaj, whose every second was determined worth of millions.

From her childhood, Adyasha was everyone's favorite. From the servants to the employees of Bharadwaj Industries. Raghav still adored her as his baby princess, who was now grown-up into a beautiful young woman. She was indeed an innocent angel - with an enchanting aura, while humbleness and kindness were the cherries of the cake in her personality. She had always been the highest scorer in her class. So it was not a piece of unexpected news for everyone, to find her topped in the board examination too. But the naive princess was never so confident about her nobility. She gave all the credit to this silver-colored parker pen - in Adyasha's words, it was the luck of her lucky charm. From that day, her father was always his lucky charm, and she had to see his face every morning. Raghav was more than a delight to fulfill this childish demand of his princess. Even when he was out of city for business meetings, he had to video call her, otherwise, she would not open her eyes. She even kept that pen with her all the time as her luck. Whenever the pen ran out of ink, she cried as a kid, until it was refilled again. Raghav had asked her numerous times to throw that old pen, but being a stubborn soul, she kept it all the time for doing every important work of hers' - including all the examinations and life-changing decisions too.

The presence of the pen on the bed meant that she must have some important assignments to finish, and she was doing it awaking the whole night. Raghav saw her thick books of Human resource management and the white papers filled with calculations. Adyasha had always maintained her topper image - from school board to the MBA semesters. Raghav was always proud of her, but somewhere he wanted his daughter to be less tensed about all these. He had earned so much to face her such hardships! Knowing about her daughter's sleepless night, he dropped the idea of opening the window. He sighed before moving away from her bed. He decided to let his tired princess sleep peacefully for some more time. While standing up from the bed he felt a tug near his abdomen area and looked down to find a sleepy Adyasha holding his shirt's mid button.

"Where are you going, Baba?" Her eyes were still closed but demand for the answer was evident even in her sleepy voice. A few moments ago this girl was sleeping like a log and now she was demanding an answer from him like a stubborn princess, his princess! Raghav shook his head at his daughter's childish antics.

"Nowhere. I was just going to my room as my baby princess was sleeping and I didn't want to disturb the peace in her beauty sleep." He said lovingly patting her cheeks. But she pulled him to sit on the bed and placed her head on his lap.

"How can the baby princess sleep peacefully in her Baba's absence?" She said with an adorable pout while holding his hand and placed it above her head indicating to caress her hairs. He smiled and continued to follow his princess's command while she snuggled more into his stomach. The father-daughter duo was having their own time. Raghav loved to pamper his princess, while Adyasha loved to be pampered by her father. Their moment was disturbed by a loud feminine voice, echoing from the living room walls.

"Raghav! Don't forget that your baby princess is going to be twenty-three this year." Sunanda taunted while coming from the kitchen, holding a coffee cup. Raghav dramatically put his both hands on his princess's ears in order to save them from his wife's loud voice. Adyasha giggled at her father's failure act as her Mamma's voice can cross the thickest barrier of iron, and her father's palms were just made of some tissues.

Sunanda Bharadwaj - even in her early forties, she had maintained a slim hourglass figure, which was a goal to the young fitness freaks. A lady with class and elegance. She was indeed perfect in every sense to be the better half of Raghav Bharadwaj - a man of perfection. Running the biggest fashion house in India, she had become a businesswoman. But, in the end, she was a typical Indian mother who was always worried about her daughter's marriage.

Seeing her husband's dramatic behavior, Sunanda shook her head in disappointment. Then Adyasha's giggling rose her temper again. "Yeah. Giggle, Smile and laugh as much you can. Soon you will be married and leave for your house. There will be a new family with a lot of responsibilities to handle. Your father won't be there to bear your tantrums, and also to put hands on your ears to prevent your mother-in-law's taunts. So be habituated to do your duties by yourself from now only."

"Baba! Mamma is acting worse than those evil mother-in-laws of her daily soaps, isn't she?" Adyasha did a high-five with Raghav, who was smiling seeing his daughter's playfulness.

"Fine. Laugh more loudly. Later when your mother-in-law will scold you for these bad manners of yours, at that time, don't blame me that I didn't teach you anything before." Sunanda anticipated, and threw her hands up in the air to convey her displeasure.

"Don't worry about me, Mamma. Just pray to God to send a prince charming for me exactly like you, who have got my Baba for herself. Then my prince-charm will protect me from every trouble." Opening her eyes, Adyasha winked at her mother and stared at her father's face with a proud smile lingering on her lips.

Raghav lovingly caressed her hairs, and she giggled making him smile simultaneously. But, Adyasha's words were no longer sweeter to Sunanda. Her face hardened, but she tightened her fist to control her emotions.

"I will prefer to die before wishing something like this for you. I will obviously pray for your child to get a father like yours but never for you to get a husband like mine." Sunanda's eyes held an unknown emotion which was not understood by Adyasha at that time. But, Adyasha could feel a lot of emotions behind that blank and emotionless face of her mother.

"Sunanda!" Raghav called her in a tone that Adyasha had never witnessed before. His voice was hoarse, and his eyes were blood-shot red, which even scared Adyasha. She confusedly looked at her parents who were conversing through their eyes but not in the way the fictional characters do in the romantic novels, she reads every night. There was a lack of love in their eyes.

"Baba!" She stuttered somewhat being scared. Raghav understood her fear and closed his eyes tightly to control his anger. Adyasha was looking at her Mamma, who was no longer shouting at her. Her eyes were soft, yet compelled to show any emotions.

"Baby Princess!" It was the endearment, that she had loved the most whenever Raghav had called her. Probably this was the first time, she was not feeling anything. Maybe because she could sense the tension between her parents, and there the reason was still unknown to her.

"Your mother is just claiming her possessiveness for me. Even she is getting jealous of her own daughter now. What if you will get a handsome and charming husband like Raghav Bharadwaj! Then how will Sunanda Bharadwaj boast herself around you?" Raghav playfully said while side hugging Sunanda, who tightened her fist to control her emotions.

Adyasha felt that as Raghav was showing off his affection towards Sunanda. It seemed to Adyasha as if her father was trying to assure her that everything between her mother and him was fine. Then there was nothing to assure about a fine relation, it came out on its own by the person's behavior towards each other. We only showed off to prove the smoothness in a fake relation. Although Adyasha was not satisfied with Raghav's excuse, she trusted her Baba's words more than anything and anyone in this world to question back.

Raghav understood that she was not fully convinced, so he changed the topic to divert her attention. "Enough of frowns on my princess' forehead. Now she will wake up and freshen up. Her baba will take care of all the worries coming in her ways." Raghav said kissing Adyasha's forehead. Her father's forehead kiss was enough to clear all her tensions.

She side hugged him and spread her other arms inviting Sunanda to join the hug. Sunanda joined the hug happily without any hesitation. Seeing Adyasha's smile, Sunanda's all pains had gone already. Adyasha put her parents' hands on each other. Raghav looked at her raising his eyebrows. She just smiled, shaking her head, and went to the washroom, leaving Raghav and Sunanda alone in her room. Their hands were still holding each other.

Raghav's demeanor changed as soon as Adyasha was out of sight. He forcefully withdrew his hand and went out of the room, not before throwing an annoyed expression towards Sunanda's direction.

Tears started to flow from Sunanda's eyes, not considering any barrier. She had already lost control over her emotions, so she let them flow the way they had wished. She lost the count over time, and almost twenty minutes were passed. The eyes were dried, but the stain was still left on her rosy cheeks.

A sound of click was heard, and the bathroom door opened revealing a fresh Adyasha in her bathrobe. She was wiping her wet hairs when her eyes fell on Sunanda, who was facing her back towards her. "Mamma!" Listening to her sudden voice, Sunanda startled. "You are still here! And why these tears?" Adyasha asked coming towards her.

"Tears!" Sunanda tried to think of an excuse. "Ohh. They are nothing, just tears of happiness." She said wiping the tears from her eyes.

"Tears of happiness! Why so?" Adyasha suspiciously asked arching her eyebrows.

"Remembering the childhood days of yours, tears came out on their own. Those days are pure bliss to remember." Sunanda said patting her cheeks.

On normal days, Adyasha would have pulled her mother's leg going all awe over her cuteness. But that day she was not satisfied with Sunanda's excuse. She was about to ask her more questions, but Sunanda showed her big eyes to her. "Stop your question express, and come fast. Breakfast will be cold."

"And the Sunanda Bharadwaj is back!" Adyasha exclaimed sarcastically.

"Your father is spoiling you."

Sunanda stood up to go outside, but Adyasha pulled her back and made her sit on the bed. Putting the towel in Sunanda's hand, she sat on the floor crossing her legs. Sunanda smiled at her daughter's childish antics and started to wipe her hair. Adyasha closed her eyes feeling relaxed.

"It's done. I am going now. Come soon for breakfast." Sunanda said throwing the wet towel on Adyasha's lap.

"Mamma! Put out a dress for me, please." Adyasha lazily replied leaning on the bed. Her eyes were still closed. Sunanda shook her head and went near her wardrobe.

Being the only daughter of the country's leading fashion designer, Adyasha had a wardrobe full of exclusive collections of clothes. But, Sunanda knew her daughter's preference. Among all those fancy dresses, she would choose only a dress - simple and comfortable. She pulled out a mustard yellow colored cotton knee-length frock.

"Match a brown sandal with it, and come fast." Sunanda said throwing the frock directly on Adyasha's face, who was still sitting at the same posture.

"Thank you, Mamma." Adyasha grinned, peeking out from the dress on her face. Sunanda hid her smile and moved out of the room.

_______________________________________

Sitting on the head chair, Raghav was skimming through the daily newspaper, when Sunanda arrived. Raghav didn't look up till Adyasha came, jumping like a little bunny on the stairs.

"Princess! Slow down. You will fall." Raghav shouted in panic.

"You are here to catch me." Adyasha grinned, lifting an apple from the fruit basket.

"Always." Raghav smiled. "Still you should be careful, ok?" He asked sternly.

"Yeah." Adyasha replied pouting adorably.

There were no many chit-chats. Everyone completed their breakfast silently. All the while Sunanda was secretly glancing at Raghav, who was not even sparing a single look towards her Adyasha sensed the tension between them, but stayed silent.

"Raghav!" Sunanda called as soon as Adyasha went upstairs to pack her stuff for college. Raghav ate his breakfast silently. "Raghav!" Sunanda tried to hold his hand but he rudely shoved her hand away.

"I am sorry, Raghav. I am really sorry. I shouldn't have brought those past topics again. Please forgive me once, for the last time." Sunanda couldn't help but cried. Her fresh tears warmed Raghav's cold heart. His eyes softened and anger melted.

"Sunanda! Sunanda! Sunanda!" He called her name in a singsong manner, but she didn't stop crying. "Aye Sunanda! See I have no resistant technology to protect my mansion. So please stop this artificial flood of yours." Raghav smiled holding Sunanda's hand. She took a few seconds to understand Raghav's teasing.

"Raghav!" She cribbed. Raghav laughed loudly side hugging her. Even Sunanda smiled. At that time Adyasha came with her rucksack. Her heart got the lost peace seeing her parents behaving normally with each other.

"Sorry for interrupting your moment, but I have to go to college." Adyasha said.

"Then go, who is stopping you?" Sunanda asked raising her eyebrow.

"That's rude Mamma," Adyasha said narrowing her eyes. "By the way, Baba has promised me that today he will drop me at college. I won't mind if he will ditch me at the last moment either, to spend time with you. Never mind You guys can enjoy it." She winked.

"Adyasha Bharadwaj!" Sunanda faked anger to hide her embarrassed face.

"I know my name." Adyasha blinked her eyes. Raghav sniggered at their drama.

"Princess! Let's go, you will be late otherwise." He said controlling his laughter.

"See Mamma, Now Baba ditched you for his beautiful princess. Poor you!" Adyasha said showing her tongue.

"Adyasha!" Sunanda was about to chase her, but she ran away to the outside.

"Leave her. She is still a child." Raghav said holding Sunanda's wrist to stop her.

"Yeah, a twenty-three old child." Sunanda mimicked, and Raghav laughed. "I hope you are not angry now." Sunanda said lowering her eyes.

"I am changed Sunanda. Over the years, I have realized that I was wrong with you. I am really ashamed of my mistakes." Raghav said in guilt. "I know that I was a jerk, who snatched your every happiness. But, please don't dig those past topics again, specially in front of princess."

"Adyasha is not only your daughter, Raghav. She is my life. I am just scared about her future." Sunanda became emotional. She had forgiven Raghav's misdeeds, but couldn't forget the scars of past, and she was afraid - afraid for her daughter's future. What if destiny would be cruel enough to choose Adyasha as a bait, to make Raghav repent for his sins! She couldn't even think about such misfortunes to happen.

"I am not blaming you, Sunanda. I just don't want your tears to curse my daughter's future. It was me, who did the sin, I don't want my princess to face any hardship because of this." Raghav's eyes held fear. Somewhere he had the same fear, that Sunanda had.

"Baba!" They heard Adyasha, shouting from outside. "I will be late."

"She can't even wait a bit. Let's go, otherwise, she will take the whole house on her head." Raghav said chuckling at his daughter's act.

"Impatient soul! just like her father." Sunanda shook her head in disbelief.

"And a cry baby just like her mother," Raghav said. Sunanda made a face but followed Raghav to the outside.

The driver was already inside the car. Adyasha was sitting on the backseat. She waved her hand excitedly seeing Raghav.

"Baba! Come fast." She shouted.

"Adyasha behave. You are not a kid." Sunanda shouted coming from behind of Raghav.

"Oh, Mamma! You are being an old woman now." Adyasha put her both hands together and bowed dramatically inside the car.

"She is always my kid." Raghav said loudly, joining Adyasha. Both of them hi-fived, while Sunanda pouted sadly. Then Adyasha blew a flying kiss in her direction, and she acted as if it was caught by her near her heart. Both of them smiled, giving peace to Raghav. Sunanda waved her hand, as the car went on the road.

Adyasha - a soul full of life. Her father's princess and her mother's hope - She was a true beauty to be cherished by love. Apart from being the daughter of a rich business man, she had a rich heart beyond any price. Humbleness and the down to earth nature picked her out of the crowd. A girl who believed in hope - hope for better. Dreaming about a prince-charm, She was the naive princess.