Starting the first chapter. 👍

"Words in double quotes" - Talking

'Words in single quotes' - Thoughts

Chapter 1 - The Hero

Money. Good looks. Fame.

Laksh Maheshwari has everything. He owns the Maheshwari Enterprises. Self-made millionaire at the age of 31, he is one of the most intelligent and efficient programmers in the city. However, he doesn't think that he has achieved his best and continues to learn new things. He continues to push himself harder and harder to reach the top.

Girls go crazy over him. His looks and his smile will easily make any girl fall for him. Everyday, in front of the gate of his company, girls would be standing there just to get a glimpse of him. One smile of his was enough to keep them happy for days to come.

However, he didn't like all the female attention that he got. He believed in true love and refused to have any relation with any girl until he was sure that it was the one for him. Unfortunately, he didn't realize that this made him all the more desirable to the girls.

There are few who do not know about him, considering the fact that his face is in the front page of the newspaper almost everyday. However, never has fame clouded his judgement or morals. He respects each and every employee and associate of his for their work, no matter what their position. He even donates to the orphanages. He had kept this fact hidden, but the media found it. This only shows how little he cares for fame and popularity.

One would think that the parents of such an individual would be so blessed that his son earns so much. They need not lift a finger to do anything. Their son would bring and place everything in front of them.

Right?

Wrong!

"This is ridiculous! Why are you so stubborn, dad?!"

"Laksh beta, try to understand. I don't want to achieve my goals on your money."

"Why!? Its your money as well. I'm your son. I earn for my family! For you, Uttara and Maa! Then why won't you accept my help?!" Laksh shouted, pissed off at his father. He had an enterprise for goodness sake! Yet, his father was drowning in debt from the money that he had taken to produce films.

Films which had flopped terribly. However, his father refused to take Laksh's help.

Ram came and placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "Laksh beta, I understand your concern. But being a director on my own efforts was my childhood dream. I could take your money and make a film. But then I would have to live with the fact that I couldn't achieve my dream on my own efforts. I don't want that beta."

"Own efforts? Own efforts!? You sent me to school, made me the man I am. If you use my money, won't it mean that you are taking back the money that you had spent in raising me? Why can't you think like that?!"

Ram looked at him in shock. "Beta, how could you think like that? What I spent on you, it was my care for you as my child. Do you think I educated you so that I could use you to make money later? How could you say that? You are my child! That is why I raised you with the best resources. It wasn't money but my love for you!"

Laksh came near his father and held his hands. "Then this is my care, my love. Take it as that. Please! I can't see you being looked down upon by others because of your debts. Just take the money from me!"

"I...I can't Laksh. I want to repay the debts on my own. By making a successful film."

"Dad, you already tried five times. But all the films have only been criticized. Because of you, Maa and Uttara have to bear the hate as well. Why don't you just give it up and try something else?"

"One should never give up what they want to do. Great men didn't give up when they failed but tried again. I will too."

"There is a difference between idiocy and trials. What you said is true. Great man don't give up the right thing. The right thing , dad! As for you, filming and directing is just not your thing! Why don't you understand that!?" Laksh shouted. He was beginning to lose his temper.

"You underestimate me, beta. This is the right thing for me an-"

"You're only meant to flop every time you try! Why the hell can't you understand that!?"

Ram's eyes widened on hearing those words from his son. He wouldn't care if the world put him down and insults him. But to know that even his son does not have faith in him, hurt.

Laksh gasped when he realized what he just said in a fit of anger. "Dad I...I didn't...I..."

"Its okay beta." Ram swallowed hard and smiled a sad smile. "I understand why you think that way. After all, its not like I have given you any reason to have faith in me."

"Dad, I'm sorry. It just came out an-" Laksh paused when he saw his father raise a hand, signaling him to stop.

"I've decided. Its high time I did something to change my condition." he came forward. "Son, all I ever wanted is to make a successful film. You know, since your birth, I had hoped to see you as one of the greatest actors the film industry has ever seen! However, I never stopped you from becoming a programmer as I do not want to destroy your dreams. But today...today I want to ask you a favor."

Laksh let out a smile. 'Finally he has agreed to take money from me.' Laksh nodded vigoriously. "Anything for you dad."

"You will act in my next film."

Laksh froze at the spot. "Wh-what?"

"You will be the hero of my film."

"Ahahaha...nice joke." He spoke nervously, hoping he heard wrong.

"I'm not joking. You will act in the next film."

"What in the world father!? I thought you finally decided to give up filming an-"

"Listen carefully Laksh. You think I'm just wasting my time. You think I'm worrying my family by pursuing my dream of becoming a director, aren't you? So I've decided. This will be the last film that I will make. But I want you to star it."

"You know I'm not a good actor Dad."

"You will do great!"

"But...but why me?!"

"Like I said. I always wanted you to be an actor. Since that isn't possible, I want to see you on the big screen just this once. If you do this, I won't make anymore films. If the film is a flop, I'll stop making films and even if it is a hit, I'll stop. That is what you want, isn't it?"

Laksh looked down in thought. It wasn't a bad deal. His father is agreeing to leave his foolish pursuit. The only thing he asks in return is for him to be the hero in the film. 'And besides, this will be his last film. Maybe if I give my best, I will be able to bring success to dad.'

Laksh nodded with determination. "Alright dad. I will."

Ram let out a wide grin. "Great! Now we just need to look for a heroine."

Laksh's eyes widened. Only now did it dawn on him that if he was a hero, he would have to romance a heroine in the film. 'But....but I can't! I will romance only one person in my life. And that is the person who I know is made solely for me. Only she has the right on me and I on her! I won't romance another, be it in reel or real!'

"Father, can't this film be without a heroine?" He asked in worry.

"What are you saying beta? Every film requires a hero and a heroine."

"Well, the one in this film is dead then. Just narrate that she died by falling from a cliff or an animal stomped or her or something. Then the hero finds out that it wasn't an accident, but a planned murder. Then, the hero pursues revenge. It can be a revenge movie!"

"Don't be ridiculous. There will be a heroine and that's final. If its because of your bhahmacharya issues, th-"

"I'm not a brahmachari! Its just that I refuse to get touchy-touchy with just any female. I'm only getting intimate with the one who I know is made for me. What's so wrong in that?"

Ram sighed. 'He even refuses to hold a girl's hand. Is he really from the 21st century?' He glared at Laksh. "Its only on reel life."

"I don't care! All I know is that I'm not filming for romantic scenes with anyone." He huffed out, while crossing his arms over his chest.

Ram ran a hand over his face. "The troubles I take for you. *sigh* Fine! I'll find someone who is ready to do a film, without any romance scene!"

Laksh's face broke out into a smile. "Thank you dad."

"Whatever! Now I need to find a needle in a haystack because of you!"

#Later, Maheshwari Mansion#

Ram sighed for the unkempth time. Don't get him wrong. He loved his son, he really did. But at times like this, he really wanted to punch him for being such a prude.

"Good evening old man!"

"I'm your father, Uttara. Stop calling me old. I can still get the ladies with my looks."

Uttara came and flopped down on the couch. "Oh really? Want me to tell Maa?"

"You can't be my daughter. You're always plotting against me."

Uttara let out a laugh seeing Ram's irritated and frowning face. She came to sit beside him. "Eh?" She saw him writing various names and then crossing them one by one. "Whatchya doing anyway?"

Ram sighed in misery and explained everything to her.

After sometime...

"So basically we need to find another person who hates romance just like Lucky bhai?"

"Exactly. Do you know anyone like that?" Ram asked with hope. Uttara was a model who wanted to turn actress. She recently bagged some commercial advertisements. However, other than that, it could be said that she was a struggling actress.

Laksh might be one of the top dogs in the business world. But his reputation didn't help Uttara to rise to stardom. Acting needs natural skills.

"I don't think they will agree. But lets just give each of them a call." Soon, both father and daughter got busy in their work.

#30 minutes later#

"Ugh! This is impossible!" 😣

"I know. But will your brother understand? Nyyyyoooooo!"

Uttara let out a sigh. "Let me get coffee for us." saying that, she left for the kitchen.

Someone rang the doorbell. The servant went to open it and was shocked to find Laksh's mother, Sujata, in an injured state, with a girl holding on to her.

"Ma'am! What happened? Are you alright?"

"Its okay. She's out of danger. Can you please help me take her inside?" spoke the girl.

"Of course!"

They both supported Sujata and helped her in.

"Sujata!" As soon as Ram saw her, he rushed to her side. "Sujata, what happened? How did you get hurt!? Is it paining? Do you want me to call a doctor? Shall I te-"

"Ram....Ram! Calm down. Calm down. I'm fine now. I'm okay."

"But how did this happen!?"

"It was my fault actually. I was talking on the phone while crossing the road and a car hit me on the leg. It wasn't that fatal, but was enough to knock me out." She turned to look at the girl. "If it wasn't for this girl, I may have been in grave danger."

"Anyone would have done the same Ma'am." spoke the girl modestly.

"Not everyone helps strangers like you did." Sujata turned to look at Ram. "You know, she took me in an auto to the hospital and even paid for my treatment. I wanted to repay her, but she's refusing."

"I don't want your money ma'am. I helped you as a fellow human being. You would have done the same for anyone, wouldn't you?" She spoke with a smile.

Ram got up and looked at her gratefully. "Thank you. Thank you so much. Who are you by the way?"

"I'm Ragini. Ragini Gadodia."

"Thank you for everything Ragini."

"Its alri-"

"Ragini!" shouted a voice from behind them. Ram watched as Uttara pushed past him and pulled Ragini into a tight hug. "Ragini! Its so good to see you again!"

"Uttara? You live here? This...this mansion is yours?!" she asked in wonder.

"Well, not exactly. Its my brother's."

"But if you're so rich, then why are you still being a struggling actress? You could be a star with your brother's connections!"

"I know. But I want to become an actress on my own efforts. Not through my brother."

"Ah...I see. Nice thinking."

"Um...you both know each other?" Ram asked tentatively.

Uttara turned to her parents. "We met in an audition. She is also someone who wants to be an actress."

"Eh? Is that true, Ragini?"

"Yes Sir. Its true. But I don't think I will get a good film soon since I don't have the money or the connections."

"Oh. What do your parents do, if you don't mind me asking?" Sujata questioned. However, she knew she had asked something which she shouldn't have when she saw Ragini look down, while Uttara looked at her with pity.

"I...I and my little sister live in an orphanage. We lost our parents when I was 10."

"I'm so sorry dear. I didn't mean to inte-"

"Its okay. You didn't know." Ragini assured with a soft smile.

She checked her watch. "Oh dear! I must leave immediately. Or my sister might be worried. It was nice meeting you all."

"Thank you again for your help." Ragini nodded towards Sujata and left with a wave. "Such a nice girl. You know Ram, when I got hurt, there were people watching, but no one came forward to help. Only she helped me."

"She managed to lift you alone to the auto?"

"No. Once I told that I'm Laksh Maheshwari's mother, they all readily came forward to help me. I can't believe the world has fallen so low as to help only those who are rich!"

"I agree with you. I'm grateful that people like her still exist in this world."

"She didn't even take a penny from me in return, no matter how much I insisted. She really is a nice soul. Just like someone I would want for my Lucky."

Ram looked at her wide eyed. "Eh?"

"Yes Ram. She is perfect. I...I want her as my daughter-in-law."

Ram sputtered over his words. "W-w-what?!"

"Yes. And that's final!"

"What in the world!? Is she some doll or something that I'm supposed to buy for you? Besides, Lucky might not agree."

"He will. And if he doesn't, you will make him."

Ram looked at her in bewilderment. "What do you mean 'you will'!? Don't you know how stubborn he is?"

"He got it from your genes. So you need to solve it now." She got up with the help of the servant. "Now I'll be leaving for my room. I hope you keep my wish, dear husband. Or else, I won't talk to you from now on."

Ram watched her go in irritation. "On one side, there is her son who is making me miserable. And on the other, she is making me wish I never married such a bossy woman."

"Dad! Come with me!" Before Ram could say anything, Uttara pulled him away. She made him sit at the table and looked at him with excitement. "I've got a solution to both!"

"How?"

"Ragini and me bonded well over the time we spent together. We shared some things about each other and that is how I know that she really needs money. The orphanage is about to be broken down."

"That's terrible!"

"I know. Some businessmen want to establish an industry there. If the orphanage can't give the required amount to the authorities on time, they would get the notice to break it down."

"Should we ask Laksh to help her?"

"If there is no other way, then yes. But for now, I want you to take her in your film. This film is a way for her to earn and so she won't refuse. That way, she will also get closer to bhai and they would become a couple!" 😁

"You forgot one tiny detail. It's your brother's 'no romance' deal." 😑

"Nope. I didn't forget. She told me that she agrees to romantic scenes because the film requires it. If it was up to her, she won't do those. She hates romance as well. Don't know why though."

Ram's face broke into a large grin. "This...this is great news! Why didn't you tell me this before!? Stupid girl."

"Give me a break! I remembered about her just when I saw her, alright?" 😣

"Such a slow brain. You probably got your brain cells from your mother's genes."

Uttata narrowed her eyes into slits and stormed inside. "Maa! Maa! Dad just called you retarded indirectly! Maa!"

Ram looked at her go in horror. "Shut up! Shh! Why would you want your own father to be killed?!" he got up to chase after her. "Uttara, why?!"

Laksh choose that time to enter his home. He could not help but sigh hearing the commotion. 'Home sweet home. More like a zoo or a fish market with these two present.' He sighed and went to his room, not knowing the plan that his sister and father were cooking.

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To be continued...