APEKSHA'S POV

"Alright students so half the chapter is done today. Hope you all understood it, we will continue it in the next lecture. Please keep in mind that the upcoming topics are important so attend the lectures properly." I said finishing the lecture 10 minutes earlier than usual, as 10 minutes are not enough to start the new topic.

Exiting the class I dialed papa's number. He called me twice but I was in lecture so I didn't pick up.

"Jii papa? You called but I was taking a lecture so..." Before I could finish he spoke in his heartwarming soft tone.

"It's okay beta I understand, actually I wanted you to come and pick me from my office today because my Ramprasad is acting up again and I can't take a rickshaw because of the strike today" he said with a nervous chuckle.

Ramprasad aka my papa's beloved scooter. That scooter is stuck in the 18th century. Maa and I always tell papa to sell it but no he won't sell it. Sometimes I think that my papa is the long lost brother of Atmaram Tukaram Bhide.

"Alright Papa, I am on my way. Just send me the correct location, it's difficult for me to find your office by this route" I said and got an 'okay' from my father. It's my first time visiting my father's workplace.

My father, Mr. Arvind Roy, works as a sales manager in 'Raghuvanshi Enterprises' which belongs to the royal family of Rajasthan. My family is of only three members: papa, mumma and I.... oh and also Ramprasad.

My parents had a love marriage and it was not something both my grandparents ever imagined. They both got married without my grandparents permission and since then their parents broke every relationship with my parents.

But many people say that 'it's love marriage they will part away soon' or 'they won't be able to stay happy after making their parents cry', 'they will fight a lot and then this man will leave her' etc etc.... I don't know why people even believe in all this crap. My parents are the best partners I have ever seen. They were always there for each other in every thick and thins of life. They do fight like every other couple does but the thing is they solve their issues before going to sleep together. They are always fun and loving but yeah sometimes maa gets too strict when it comes to family, friends and culture.

Maa thinks that family, friends and our culture are the base of life, they are important, we can't live our life without them. Sooner or later we will need someone to support us in difficult times and I always get scolded by her for not having any friends.

She says that 'we already have no family, and now Apeksha is not even making friends. They are important but this girl never understands'. But someone please go and explain to her that no one ever approached me or tried to be my friend and I'm extremely introverted. I can't go and talk with a stranger all by myself. I think it's impossible for me, making friends is an out of the syllabus question. I don't know why maa even asks such tough questions.

I halt my perfectly fine, well functioning scooter at the stop signal. I saw a dog running and trying to cross the road when suddenly a car from the other side come and .....

My breaths started getting heavy seeing the scene infront of me. Never in my whole life have I seen so much blood. I see vehicles pass by carelessly, ignoring the injured life lying on the road covered in blood. I decided to go there before that little life that can be saved loses hope because of the cruelty of these humans.

I kicked down the stand of my scooter in the middle of that road so that other vehicles stop there and don't hurt the dog. I went towards the dog. Thankfully he was still alive, but just when I was about to touch it someone shouted in a harsh tone making me flinch.

"Hey woman, what are you doing?? Move your scooter from the middle of the road..."

I took a deep breath, it's hard for me to have a conversation with them.... never in my life did someone speak with me in such a harsh and dominating tone.... I don't like his tone at all, he is speaking in a disrespectful way.

"S-sir j-just a few minutes I-I will just take the dog to the hospital then I will take my scooty" I said after gathering some courage.

"What!! You are causing traffic here just because of a dog? Aree stop being an idiot and clear the traffic, it's almost dead anyway. I don't think that he will live till you make it to a hospital so stop wasting yours as well as everyone else's time and remove your vehicle". I looked at him in disbelief. How can he say something like that? For God's sake it's a life, it's a living being not a thing that can be thrown away if broken.

"No sir, let me just take this poor life to the hospital. I will clear the traffic soon" I said and was about to pick up little dog but before that

"Aree, no no beta what are you doing?" I turned around to see a middle aged woman standing there and saying no to me but why?

"Don't touch the dog dear, you may get an infection from it. Do one thing just call animal rescue helpline they will take it"

"They will take time to come and it's important to take it now he is bleeding too much and can't you see him crying in pain?" I said looking at the dog.

"Beta I'm saying for your wellness. You will catch an infection if you touch stray dogs that too injured with your bare hands"

"I don't care if I will get an infection or not, but for now saving a life is more important" I said. I don't know why people never consider them as living beings.... their injury, their life it doesn't matter to them. Animals are also living beings, their lives are important too just like us. People leave them on roads to die, no one even goes near their body. Someone calls animal helpline because they feel like they will get affected or infected from it and the helpline worker will take the body.

The day when humans start treating the other living beings the same as themselves then I guess God will stop this world from moving towards destruction.

Just when I was about to touch the dog someone came and said,

"Here ma'am wear these gloves and then take the dog in that car. Sir prepared that car so that you can easily take the injured dog to the hospital. Hey you help her and remember what sir said to you" That man said and goes away after giving me a small smile. Then we took the dog in the car and went to the hospital.

Me and that man, his name is Rajesh, were standing outside the OT while the dog was getting treated inside. My phone ran and it was from papa, ohh no!! I forget the reason I took that route. I immediately answered the call,

"Beta, where are you? I've been waiting for so long. Are you lost? Tell me where you are, I will guide you"

"No no papa I'm so sorry, actually on the way I saw a cruel car driver hit a stray dog and run away. He didn't even wait for a second, he didn't even care. So I took that poor dog to a hospital.... and in all this I totally forget about picking you. I'm sorry I'm coming in a few minutes don't worry."

"It's alright beta, don't worry, take your time, do not drive in a hurry, got it? Drive slowly and if it's not possible for you to come right now then it's alright don't worry I will wait but don't hurry" He said in a strict tone knowing that when I'm in a hurry I just drive fast like I'm flying an airplane and not a scooter.

"No papa I won't drive carelessly don't worry and I'm coming there wait hmm"

"Okay but remember what I said hmm. And I'm in canteen its nice here i can wait patiently" He said and then we cut the call. How can I be so stupid to forget the main reason.

"Ma'am any problem?" Rajesh bhaiya asked.

"Yeah actually I have to go and pick up my father so can you wait here till I return? Don't worry I'm not running away, I will return in an hour or so. I'll be back as soon as I drop him I will be back here" I explained to him properly and he smiled before shaking his head

"No worries ma'am you can go freely and if something comes up and you are not able to come back then that's alright. This is the duty which my sir assigned me today so you don't have to stay here for so long its totally fine. You can go to your father" He said with a smile which I return and nodded my head but before that I turn around once again

"Btw what is the name of your boss? That person already has my respect" I asked, wanting to know the name of the man who helped me.

"Mr. Raghuvanshi, Veer Singh Raghuvanshi" He said with a proud look and voice filled with respect. I can sense how much they honor that man. But hearing the name a small breeze touches my hair very slowly.

Honestly Mr. King deserves respect, even after being the king he still stays helpful in his own ways that's what matters. I need to thank him for this. I know we can't meet him personally because obviously he is not an ordinary person, not even if my father works in his enterprise. But at least a gratitude letter would be fine right?....

I stand outside the big entrance where 'Raghuvanshi' is written in beautiful letters. A smile makes its way on my face looking at the entrance. It's actually magnificent and charismatic.

I called my father to inform him that I've reached his office and he said he is having samosas so he will come once he finishes it. I swear if maa came to know this then my dear papa is so gone....

I look around admiring the sophisticated surroundings. The area is filled with indoor plants and looks really beautiful and clean. Then my eyes fall on two little boys not too little but around 7-8 maybe who are walking holding hands in hands.

Aww they both are so cute.... The younger one who looked around 5 to 6 years old was walking holding the elder one's hand tightly and the elder brother was also holding his hand in a protective manner. I guess they went to buy candy because both were holding one.

I smile at the sibling bond. I always admire such bonds. Even siblings can be our best friends, our teachers, our crime partner, they can be our mom and dad too, our best supporter and most protective person. Sometimes I feel sad for not having any siblings but what can I do other than this.

Soon papa came and I passed him a helmet.

"If maa comes to know that you had samosas then you know right what will happen to you?" I asked, raising an eyebrow and he just passed me a silly grin.

"Who will tell her? My princess can never do that because she doesn't want her father to get scolded or get sad... then who will expose my secret huh?"

He ask rhetorically and I shook my head.

"Papa, you know it's not good for your health, why don't you understand that?" I ask being helpless he needs to understand

"I know beta but I swear I had something oily after 2 months and 15 days. Trust me" he said sincerely. He likes to have fast food and maa restricted him from having it.

VEER'S POV

"Veer!!" I stop hearing dadi-sa calling me from behind. I turned around silently telling her that she can continue but along with her I saw kaki-sa was also there.

"Beta jii take us with you" dadi-sa said what does this mean? I raised my eyebrow

"Actually me and maa-sa both have some work in the NGO that falls on the same route so why use another car when we can go with you" kaki-sa said with a nervous smile. I'm sure they are cooking something. I looked around and saw maa-sa hiding behind the pillar. What's with these ladies?

"I can't" I said politely.

"See now even my grandson doesn't listen to his old dadi-sa.... Ohh God you have already given me a bad and useless husband and sons. Is that not enough for you?? Now you gave me a bad and useless grandson too. Rohini, I'm telling you when the eldest one is like this then all those four monkeys are gonna be like him too. See we don't even know where the hell they are early morning"

And here my dadi-sa MENAVATI BHUMIK SINGH RAGHUVANSHI started. All the three women no no four, Akshita is no less than this, all the four ladies of our house are such big drama queens God knows how their respective husbands handle them.

"Veer beta my three sons are so useless they can't even take their mother outside, you will too behave like them huh? I didn't expect this from you beta I didn't" Tagging along with dadi-sa, kaki-sa ROHINI MANAV SINGH RAGHUVANSHI started her emotional drama.

"Ok" I said. I don't have time to entertain their drama anymore.

"Yes let's go" Suddenly maa-sa comes out of her hiding place in excitement smiling but stops when she looks at my face. I'm so done with them. I know why they wanted to come with me and also know that my maa-sa the great queen of Rajasthan MEERA DEVANG SINGH RAGHUVANSHI, is the one who give them this idea. We all sat in the car and were off to the road.

Ever since the news about Ekansh going to be a father came out it has become hard for me to take a single breath in this house. If any of these three ladies get to know that I'm home then they will try every possible way to start talking about one topic only "VEER, GET MARRIED". I'm just so done with this topic now. I also know that these three women are coming with me to discuss the same topic only.... but I can't get myself to say 'no' to them 😑.

"Veer you know the elder daughter of your business partner Mr.Rajawat came back after completing her studies. My God she is such a beautiful woman and is well educated and cultural too. Take a look at her photo even after staying in Italy for more than 5 years, she is still very traditional" Dadi-sa finally spoke, after having silent conversation through eyes with kaki-sa and maa-sa. She put her phone in front of my face to make me look at the photo. Closing my eyes I turned my face to the other side and took her phone from her hand.

"Dadi-sa NO. And it's my last warning to all thre-- What the hell!! Bloody drive properly" I told the driver when the car suddenly jerked to a stop. I looked around and was relieved when I knew all the ladies were safe. I glare at him.

"I'm sorry sir but someone parked their scooter in the middle of the road and is arguing I guess." He said.

"Clear it" I ordered him in my usual cold tone and it took him just a second to get down from the car and go towards the crowd.

"Beta I guess they are misbehaving with the girl" Maa-sa said looking out and it took her just a minute to get down from the car going towards the crowd behind her dadi-sa and kaki-sa came out. Before anyone could see them, I stopped all three of them and brought them back in. I feel like I'm their nanny.... fuck this life!

"Maa-sa why are you all going there? You know it can be dangerous an--"

"Veer did you see that girl? God she is so beautiful and kind hearted. She was not arguing there I guess, I saw her helping a dog there" Before I could answer the driver comes and says

"Sir there is a lady on the road trying to help an injured dog and one man is arguing with her". I nodded as I went towards the crowd, I saw a girl on her knees trying to touch the injured dog while that man and women were stopping her and arguing with her. She has long brown curly hair, she is wearing a grey kurti with a dark green dupatta. I'm not able to look at her whole face but from the side I can see her glowing skin. She didn't care about the chances of getting infected and was ready to help that injured dog.

"Call another driver and help that girl to take the dog to a hospital. Also complete all the formality and he is not allow to move from there until the dog is given all the required treatments" I ordered the driver and was about to go from there but turn around remembering something

"Also give her gloves"

During the whole ride, I just heard one thing over and over again and that was the praises of the dog savior. These three ladies seriously just can't stop gossiping or talking....

After dropping them off at their desired destination I was finally able to reach the office.

Walking towards my cabin I settle myself when Shivaay (my assistant) comes informing me about my schedule. After taking necessary notes from me he went away.

I was focused on my new project but gets disturb by a knock

"Come in" I ordered in my all time cold voice.

"How are you doing Veer?" Baba-sa asks as soon as he enters. I sighed knowing well that he is not here for any kind of professional work.... I got that when he asked that question. I knew my father very well. He never asks such silly questions if he wants to start a formal conversation.

"Baba-sa we both met each like 3 hours ago" I stated in a cold voice focusing on reading the files, he chuckled nervously and took a seat in front of me. I looked at him putting my things aside silently asking him the reason behind his arrival.

"Veer I will come straight to the point..... Beta get married. You are already 29 and I don't want you to give up your whole life behind this vast empire..... Beta 'Raghuvanshi' enterprise is already on its peak and you are managing our company very well along with your brothers. So now make space for a new stage in your life....

Beta, get married. Take your time to understand a new person, try to open up to her, to someone who will stand by you, support you, care for you, respect you and love you. Beta you too will need someone by your side, someone you will spend your whole life with, someone with whom you will share your happiness, your sorrows, everything. Someone you will respect and care for, you will support in every ups and downs, whom you will love." He said and I heard him attentively. I know I decided to give all my life to the people and in all of that, I got so busy that the topic of getting married never came into my mind.

Getting up, I walked towards the huge glass window. Looking outside my eyes fell on the same girl. Looks like she is waiting for someone

"She is the same girl who saved the injured dog today?" Baba-sa asked and I hummed absent-mindedly looking at her but again I failed to see her face. Baba-sa put his hand on my shoulder making me divert my gaze from her.

"Remember this beta, her mindset will make you happy and satisfied, not her good looks, money or fame. This girl has both beauty as well as kindness. Be that lucky man who will have her by his side and who will be with her always" He said and went away from there.

His words kept ringing in my ears over and over again and again....

_________________________________________

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