AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I shrug off his arm from mine. Though I had stopped sharing anything with Kailash three decades ago when we turned our backs on each other, today, somehow, I open up to him. Kailash listens patiently as I recount everything that happened.
“Meher is treating me differently because I haven’t publicly acknowledged Vishnu as my son. And the derogatory remarks I make about her husband hurt her,” I begin.
Kailash nods in acknowledgement as I continue.
“Aksh apologised to me today, but now he has a change of heart, and he wants to undo his father, Nilesh’s, wrongdoings. He is going against my wishes and planning to approve the Mashaal Project. When I opposed his decision, Vishnu threatened me and supported Aksh, saying that he would stand up for his siblings. He even warned me that he wouldn’t hesitate to expose me if I expelled Aksh from the party for going against my decision.”
Kailash looks visibly worried as he hears it all.
“I think they all are acting very immature and indecisive, like children under the age of 10,” I add.
“That’s not true,” he interrupts. “Your children are strong and wise enough to know what is right and wrong, Pratap.”
“Oh really?” I snap. “You mean I am not wise enough to make the right decisions for them?”
“You don’t appear to be wisely handling their problems at the moment.”
“Whom am I even listening to?” I snap again. “When have you ever taken the time to consider my perspective, understand my problems and how I deal with them?”
“Always, Pratap,” Kailash responds. “I’ve always considered your side whether you believe it or not. But let’s not delve into our differences now; let’s address the issues currently troubling you. Look—”
He moves to sit right beside me, aiming to explain more effectively.
“I understand how difficult it must have been for you in the past to come to terms with having a son from another woman outside of marriage and then revealing it to the world. You were focused on upholding your political career and did what you thought was best at the time. You kept Vishnu close to you after Vandana passed away. But do you think that is enough for him, Pratap? When he needed a father figure, you prioritised your career over him. You made it clear that he came second to your career. Yet, he has always been there for you. So, there’s nothing wrong with him supporting Aksh.”
I turn to meet Kailash’s eyes.
“By doing this, he is not going against you. He is doing exactly what you had done for your brother Nilesh in the past—standing up for the family. Vishnu has learned that from you, from his father. You should be proud that he is continuing your legacy of supporting the family in tough times.”
The atmosphere is charged with tension as my former friend, Kailash, now distanced from our past friendship, confronts me, holding up a mirror to make me face the present reality.
“Now, coming to Meher. She is right. No woman can tolerate anyone, including her father, passing derogatory remarks or insulting the man she loves, her husband. And I don’t need to remind you how much Meher loves Ayaan, just like the way Meera loved you. Do you remember how Meera never invited her extended family to your home simply because she knew her uncles were against her alliance with you? All because you were a politician?”
I recollect that moment. My wife Meera had a large family, but she chose to cut off ties with a few after our marriage, maintaining connections only with those who genuinely loved and cared for her.
Her mention brings a tear to my eye, and Kailash strokes my back to comfort me.
“You need to show some respect to the man your daughter loves, Pratap. Trust me; she’s married to a man who can stand against the world for her if needed. I’m not saying this because Ayaan is my son but because I’ve witnessed his love and protectiveness for her. I know you’ve seen it too. You’re just too stubborn to accept that and move forward, making peace between you two.”
“How do I make peace with it, Kailash? He is Tej’s son, the man who has shattered our lives. I only allowed Ayaan to marry Meher because I thought he was your son. But now that I know he shares Tej’s blood, I can’t accept it.”
“Tej has ruined my life too, Pratap. I lost both my wife and my unborn child in that hospital that day because of him,” Kailash’s voice trembles. He wipes his eyes before continuing, “Yet, I raised his son Ayaan as my own. Why? Because it’s not Ayaan’s fault. If I had thought like you that day, I wouldn’t have saved that little boy from the fire either, or I would have passed him to some orphanage. I couldn’t do that because it was never his fault. I raised him and gave him morals and values, just like every parent would for their children, and today, I am proud to call him my son. That’s what it will be for the rest of my life.”
I soon realise tears are streaming down my face, joining Kailash in revisiting the wounds of our past.
“Your children, all three of them, have grown up to be excellent human beings. Let them make their decisions now. Don’t ruin it because of your ego. You may have been able to control them in the past, but you can’t do that forever. Understand them and their perspectives, Pratap. Give them what they really want because they deserve it, and stop blaming others for your mistakes. Forgive Aksh, give Vishnu his rights, and show some respect to Meher’s husband. If you want your children to cherish you like before, you need to be their pillar of strength, not the reason for their downfall.”
His words, however true, pierce my heart.
“If you don’t stand by them today and keep feeding your ego, the day isn’t far when you’ll have everything, including your political career, but not your children to support and share your joys and sorrows. Don’t make that mistake, Pratap.”
That’s my greatest fear. I don’t want to lose my children for anything. Despite their opposition, they are still my own. If I could forgive my brother in the past and move forward, why can’t I do the same for my children? I believe I couldn’t have received better advice from anyone other than Kailash. Though he is now my adversary, he remains the only one who has known me closely, felt my weaknesses and seen my strength. I firmly grasp his hand, expressing my acknowledgement of his words.
“Did you notice one thing?” Kailash asks, a smile gracing his face. “When Tej went away from our lives, you and I turned against each other, and now that he has returned, we are bonding again.”
At his words, I retract my hand from Kailash’s and get up from the couch, emotions overwhelming me.
“Don’t get your hopes up,” I reply. “Nothing between us can be like before.”
