Recap

"Was he adopted?"

Anirudh didn't turn back.

"No... He was kidnapped."

**************

"What does that mean?"
Simran asked overcoming the sudden shock.
"Who is he then?"

Anirudh turned back to face them. It's going to be the worst. Probably the most painful part of their entire lives.

But... It's time to reveal the reality.

"Living a life apart from each other they believed that the curse will not affect their next generation, that is us... But fate brought everyone together once again... We have only two choices in this battle. A battle that started 18 years ago..."

***************

(FLASHBACK)

18 YEARS AGO

At Mumbai, Head Office of Deshmukh industries.

"How do you do, Mr Malhotra?"

Akash faked a smile at that question.
"I need money... Prathap only you can help me now..."

"Our deal is over, already..."
Said Prathap in a cold tone. "So don't expect anything more..."

Akash Malhotra sighed in frustration. The government has taken strict actions against the drug mafia and black money so that he lost most of his deals.

"I know that Malhotra industries are financially stable. Then why should I include you in my business with Rajeev Thakur? He is planning to start a pharmaceutical company. It's not your taste in any way..."

Akash Malhotra smirked at that sentence.

"I know... But I have a plan. If you are ready to co-operate with me then it will be beneficial for both of us..."

"What do you mean by 'a plan' ?"

"I don't know much about biochemistry, but I have heard that there is just a thin line difference between medicines and drugs... So..."

"No..." Prathap Deshmukh shouted hitting on the table.
"Get out of my cabin... Right now..."

Akash Malhotra gulped in fear. He was really afraid of Prathap, who was well known for his short temper and impulsive actions. He was most popular in the business world of Mumbai. His growth from the 'zero' to a millionaire was quite unbelievable. And that made Akash close with him.

Different from others, Prathap Deshmukh had an amazing ability to work out his plans perfectly. No matter if it is legal or illegal, he never gets caught.

Being least aware of his friend's darker side, Rajeev invited him to be a part of his new company. Leaving all other deals behind Prathap accepted that one, it was shocking according to Akash Malhotra.

But Akash realised the reason behind his decision... It was nothing other than ego.

Prathap always wanted to be the best - that is better than Rajeev Thakur. And working together is the best opportunity to prove that.

So Akash has only one thing to do... Just boost Prathap's ego towards his old friend.

"Please... I know you are brave enough to do this. It's nothing compared to our previous contracts. You are better than Rajeev in this field also... He could never detect our plan..."

Prathap clenched his arms. He was confident about the plan. But...

"I gave a promise to Aditi that I had stopped all of my unfair deals. I am trying to keep that..."

"That woman..." Akash murmured in his mind. He hated Aditi Prathap Deshmukh, wife of Prathap. She always warns her husband not to be a part of Akash Malhotra's deals.

But he wasn't ready to give up easily.
"If we succeed in this one, then there is no necessity to do that again. It's too beneficial... Actually, a life settling deal..."

That gained Prathap's attention. Currently, he is the richest one among them. He owns almost three times more property than Malhotra's. It is a chance to make that superiority sure once again.

"Well..." Said Prathap extending his hand for a handshake.
"I don't say that I hate cheating but... If you dare to cheat Prathap Deshmukh, the consequences will be terrible..."

"I know..." Replied Akash with a gasp. "It would be nothing but a complete destruction."

"Good..." Smiled Prathap.

"You will be the fourth and final partner of F4 MEDICARE..."

~~~~~~•~~~~~~

5 months later...

( It has been 2 months since the inauguration of F4 Medicare. Prathap and Akash succeeded in their plan. They produced drugs along with the medicines without the knowledge of Rajeev Thakur and Karan Chaudhary. )

"Where is your mother? Is everything alright?"
Prathap asked his daughter Ahana, rushing into the hospital.

"Dada... Relax..."
She replied while hugging him.

"Dada..."
Neeraj jumped into his father's arms and giggled in his ears.
"Neeru is a big brother now..."

Prathap kissed his cheeks. His happiness was beyond words.

"It's a boy Dada... I told you, didn't I?"
Ahana said with a pretty smile while Prathap couldn't help but laugh.

"You will be my dearest, my Princess... Even though I have 3 princes now..."

"Dada..." Neeraj pouted at that sentence and pulled his didi's hair for revenge.

"Auch... Leave me Neeru..." Ahana hissed in pain. "You are too jealous..."

"Did you meet your baby brother?"
Prathap asked Neeraj while he nodded as yes.

"How is he?"

"Too small but very cute... I touched him while he was sleeping, his body is softer than cotton... He is a pink baby, Dada..."

"Really? Let me see him then, Neeru..."

Prathap told Ahana to take care of Neeraj and entered the room to meet his youngest son for the first time.

He was sleeping on his mother's hold. The most beautiful baby Prathap ever seen. His small eyes, pink lips, chubby cheeks, tiny fingers...

Prathap had tears in his eyes. It was his son. His blood, his flesh, his soul... His Prince...

Aditi smiled at his husband. The way he was looking at their son was adorable.

He sat next to her and slowly touched on the baby's hand.
"I love you, my champ..."

The baby held his father's finger with his little arm.

Aditi couldn't mask her excitement.
"Prathap... He recognised you!"

"I know my boy will... He is Dada's champ..."
He replied kissing her forehead.

"How are you?" Prathap asked Aditi in a very low voice to avoid disturbing the baby's sleep.

"I am fine dear... I am perfectly alright..."

"I was shocked when Ahana called and informed me that you are hospitalised. It's your seventh month... He came out a bit earlier, didn't he?"

"I think he was so excited to meet his Dada and his family..."
She replied smiling.

"He is healthy, right?"

"Of course... He was a little reluctant to take feed first. But now it is ok..."

"Thank God..." Prathap couldn't alter his eyes from the newborn.
"He looks like me, doesn't he?"

"Seriously?" Aditi chuckled softly.
"He is a newborn Mr Deshmukh... How could you confirm his looks this much fast?"

Prathap didn't reply but smiled sheepishly.

"Did you inform Varun that his baby brother has arrived?"

"No..."

"Why did you do this, Prathap?"

Aditi complained. Her eldest son, the elder one among the twins, Varun Prathap Deshmukh was attending a camp far from the home at that time. He wasn't ready to leave his mother at that time but Aditi advised him not to lose that opportunity. She was just 7 months pregnant so that no one expected the delivery would happen this much early. But the baby, the naughty one surprised all of them.

"I won't tell Varun anything before he arrives. I want to surprise him with my champ..."

Aditi agreed but she missed her son.

"What name are you gonna give your son?"

Prathap was about to answer but they heard a knock on the door.

"Akash?"
Prathap shocked when he saw Akash Malhotra there.

"Karan Chaudhary came to know about everything. He will inform Rajeev Thakur, I am sure... We have to do something as soon as possible... Otherwise..."
Akash panicked.

Prathap exhaled deeply to calm his mind. They are in danger now.
"I can remove all the evidence. I will do that. You just follow Rajeev and Karan and don't allow them to inform this news the police and media... Be ready with the weapons... Don't hesitate to use them..."

"You had another son, right?"
Akash whispered glaring at the infant while Prathap groaned in irritation.

"Akash Malhotra, do what I said... I will be there within an hour..."

He closed the door while Aditi raised her eyebrows in suspicion.

"You again started to deal with him, didn't you? How could you avoid my words?"

"Aditi... I..."

"Don't try to convince me Prathap. He is not a good person. He will trap you..."

"Shut up..." Prathap shouted being annoyed.
"No one can trap me..."

The baby who was shocked awake by the sudden yelling started to cry loudly.

Aditi slowly cradled him by her hands and glared at Prathap with tearful eyes.
"We don't want anything that is not ours, Prathap... Please stop this... Not for me then for this little one... I am really afraid..."

Prathap had nothing to say.

"Dada will be back soon..."
He said to the sobbing baby and walked out of the room.

~~~~~~•~~~~~~

"Are you sure about this?"
Karan asked Akash while the latter nodded his head.

Rajeev cursed the moment when he asked Prathap Deshmukh to be a part of his dream project. Now, it left them in big trouble.

"You don't worry, Rajeev... It's not your fault."
Said Karan trying to console his friend.

Since school days, Rajeev was Karan's best friend. Karan was an orphan but Rajeev never minds that. They were like brothers. Even though they were separated at the time of higher studies, that never affected their bonding.

Akash Malhotra smirked at them. He couldn't help but appreciate himself for planing this game. He successfully sent Prathap to the factory of F4 Medicare making him believe that Karan and Rajeev are going to trap him. 

The next step was to inform them about the drugs produced in the factory by Prathap.

Akash played in two sides so that he is safe now. He succeeded in betraying all his friends. His aim was money, as always... It's a golden chance to get the properties of the Deshmukh family so how could he miss that?

"Do you know where he is now?"
Rajeev's question disturbed Akash's chain of thoughts.

"He is in the factory... Actually, in the laboratory section..."

"Then let's inform the police... They could arrest him along with the evidence..."

But Akash protested.
"You guys don't know about him. He is dangerous and I swear we can't defeat him easily..."

"Then what shall we do?"

"Leave it to me, Rajeev..."

Rajeev was about to agree, he was broken inside. He was an honest and loyal person and too good by heart. His friend betrayed him, he couldn't believe that.

"I am not ready to believe you blindly..."
Said Karan intervening. He knew that Rajeev is easily believing so he always has an eye on his best friend.

Akash's confidence level fluctuated for a moment but his evil mind was a master in the case of manipulation.

"Are you trying to leave your best friend and his family in danger and run away, Mr Karan Chaudhary? I know you have no family but Rajeev has two small children... Remember that..."

Rajeev pleaded to Karan through his eyes to agree with Akash.
"I am scared, Karan... I can't even think about any harm happening to my Ani and Aary... Their safety is my first priority..."

"Rajeev nothing will happen to you and your family... I am ready to die for you..."
Said Karan and turned to Akash.

"Ok... What help do you expect from us?"

"Come to F4 Medicare today night... I will be there, waiting for you..."

~~~~~~•~~~~~~

"Anirudh... Didn't you sleep yet?"

Maithili asked her 10 years old son while he looked at her with a pout.

"Where is Papa? Why he is being too late, Mumma?"

"I don't know dear... He would have some important works to do, I guess..."
She answered and sat near Aaryan who was sleeping on the bed.

"Hmm..." Anirudh hummed.

"It's the time to sleep Ani... You have class tomorrow..."

"Yes, Ani... Can't you see that I am sleeping? Be a good boy like me..."
Little Aaryan advised his brother with a naughty smirk and placed his head on his mother's lap.

Anirudh glared at him being annoyed.
"This Aaryan is younger than me but sometimes he acts like an older brother... I don't like that Mumma..."

Maithili couldn't help but laugh at her son's complaint.

"Don't be jealous, Ani... You are 2 years elder than me but I am the mature one among us..."
Said Aaryan and turned towards his mother.
"Mumma you know, my class teacher told me that I am the brightest student she ever met... And..."

"Ohhh..." Anirudh closed his ears dramatically.
"Self-praising... Self-praising... Shut up you bookworm..."

Aaryan stared at his mother with puppy eyes.
"He is calling me a bookworm, Mumma..."

"I will call you again..." Hissed Anirudh who was in the mood to take revenge on his 'good boy' brother.
"Bookworm Aary... Bookworm Aary... Bookworm Aary... Bookworm..."

"Stop it..."
Shouted Aaryan and started to kick his brother.

Maithili sighed looking at their fight and slightly slapped both of them on the head.

"Will you fight like this after growing up too?"

Anirudh gave a mischievous glare to Aaryan while the latter couldn't help but smile.

"Probably yes..." said Anirudh with attitude.

"Ani is my only brother na..."
Giggled Aaryan and jumped into his hands.

"You guys are quite impossible..."
Maithili rolled her eyes while her children kissed her and started to sleep hugging each other.

"Always keep this bond as the same my dears... Love each other more than anything..."
She whispered before turning off the lights and leaving the room.

Anirudh, who was on the verge of sleep smiled at her remark.

"Of curse, Mumma..."

~~~~~~•~~~~~~

Precap:

"Sign in the papers if you want your baby boy alive..."
Akash said in a cold voice.

"Now... He is the only family you have in this world..."

*****

Geetha sighed before turning her head towards her husband. She was silent but that never means that she didn't notice anything.

So she knew what should be the answer.

*****

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Part B of this chapter : after 105 votes.

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