SOHAM'S POV

I looked at my mom's picture. She was smiling  like a cute child.I badly wanted her with me now. I simply miss her. I knew she will be gone one day but not this soon. If I am feeling this worse, I can't imagine how dad might be balancing himself now. 

"Soham?" dad called out entering my room.

"Are you ready?We have meeting with some publishers,it will be good if they see you" he spoke looking at me. I nodded my head,  kept my mom's photo aside and stood up. 

"She loved you" he said looking at her. I just nodded my head in approval. I didn't want to talk how badly I miss her and spoil my dads mood too.

"She badly wanted a girl you know, not that we were not happy having you. She wanted a girl.  But alas! You were born " he laughed as we walked out of our apartment. People started greeting us while he marched down stairs, he always says being fit and trying to be fit has lot of difference we should be fit to avoid stress and so on.  He is man of steel, with less emotions show casing infront of me. 

"We had still born" he spoke and I paused in my steps. 

Still born???

"It was a girl. No one could save her " he continued  gesturing our driver to start the car as I walked behind him silently.

"That baby was our first child.  She was devastated. I thought she won't recover again. I suggested we build up an orphanage in order to make her normal" he spoke as we sat in our car. Its a long journey as its peak time of the day and we are not VIPs to just avoid this traffic.

"We had you after few years.  By that time, she always prayed for a girl. We actually laughed loudly when doctor announced it's a boy. " he said looking outside in some trance,  it's as if he's reliving his moments again.

"She embraced every child in the orphanage as her own.  She looked after them so well. I really feel bad we all lost such a great soul so early" he said wiping his eyes.

I stayed silent. I distinctly remember mom taking me with her to orphanage and make me help her.I remember playing with children there on weekends. All my childhood I was raised as one of them,  even being her own child she never showed I am important than them. She always let us know everyone is equal in her eyes and she is glad to have me after so many prayers. Mom always said I am boon granted to her because of her vigorous prayers.I smiled looking at my own reflection on window.

'Soham!  If someday you grow up as rich person, do not forget your roots!  If you ever feel you have grown horns of arrogance on your head,  look down,  remember the time when you were down,  the struggles you have gone through to reach the position you are now. Always remember  little help to the needy won't make you a poor person again!  But you should know whom to help and how to identify such person dear '

I made myself strong remembering her words.  I need to be strong,I can't loose my stand. I will be there for Aahana,I can't let her die just like her. 

"Good morning gentlemen,I am very glad to have you all here " my dad started meeting while I looked at everyone silently. 

"Sorry to interfere , I would like to take over this meeting" I said looking at my dad who smiled and sat down beside me. Small whispering started around the room.

"Coming straight to the point, this meeting is arranged as we had small glitches in recent  financial transactions between our publication house and few of the people who work with us" I started gathering everyone's attention. 

"When I looked at few of the transactions, I have noticed,  money has been supplied for certain number of printing and some of the persons who took responsibility of it couldn't deliver their work properly. I would like to make few changes if you all don't mind " I spoke. 

"Who did it?"

" How much money have they not accounted? "

"So that's the reason you are gone these all days? "

"This is what we expected from people like you"

"We are not sure if we have to agree to your new changes,  whats the guarantee if wont repeat again?? "

I listened to everyone quietly. 

"What has happened it's between us and the person responsible for it. I told you because I wanted everyone to know the reason behind the changes I am going to make." I spoke silencing everyone. 

"As we have discussed,  profits we get will be distributed  to the orphanage. Me and dad have decided that 40% of the profit will be diverted to orphanage . 20% will be used towards expenses of printing books for children. Rest will be distributed among writers, other heads who help us make these books.  Since we distribute profit from only children books, I assume it won't be a problem for anyone here." I spoke.

"But sir what about others??  We have so many writers,  academic book writers and many more who approach us daily. What about profits from them? Will there be no change? " one of  the member questioned me.

" Whatever we earn from them, is useful for functioning of this publication house sir.There won't be any change other than this.  And if any one has any kind of problem drop your suggestions and we will think about it. " I spoke closing the meeting as early as possible. 

"Fine"

" We agree "

" Fair deal"

"Glad it's only from children books "

"Thank you gentlemen,  that's it for now? " my dad said as I walked out of the room.

Six days

It's been six days,  I haven't met her or talked with her.  Don't even know what's happening in her life now.  I hurried back to my office which is on different floor from my dad's. As my secretary called informing me I have some important person to meet.

"Who is it??" I questioned my secretary as soon as I walked near my door. 

" Sir,  it's him " he replied making me clutch the handle tightly.

" Fine " I replied with curt nod. 

" Hello my dear oldest friend of mine" he greeted me.

" I am no friend of yours" I replied sitting in my chair facing my childhood friend who now turned into something dark.

" Don't tell me you never played with me on weekends? " he questioned me.

" That person is completely different from the one I am talking now " I replied.

" Ouch!  That hurts!  When was the last time I felt so bad??  Hmm! Let me think! Yeah!  When I heard the news that it's you who killed my brother " he said with serious tone.

"He killed himself.To save you.I was just present there" I said.

"Don't lie!You killed him!  You took your revenge on my brother!  Just because of her?? That little shit?! " he shouted. 

"I stopped him from doing a crime.But he did.I lost it.I have been to prison and I am out of it because it's not my fault .End of discussion " I replied.

" I am warning you.Very clearly. She will die infront of your eyes this time.You won't even have chance to save her." he said

"I clearly remember your warning last time. You have said the same.Why are here now?  What do you want? " I asked him.

" I came here to let you know,  it's not easy to overcome me. Stay out of it.  I have killed someone you love and you have killed someone I love. We are equal. I promised I won't interfere in your business.I don't want you to interfere in mine." he said.

" If it involves her,I will.Tell me she's not included I will try to stay calm." I replied.

" Let's go " he said to his men moving out of my door. 

I looked at closed door and sighed. He must be crazy to involve himself in such dangerous bussinness just because he can earn well.I will not allow anyone to suffer like her. 

Especially my Aahana. 

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