Bade bhaiya = Elder brother/ in a sense of respect
Sahab = Owner

"Rudraksh... " Anusuiya's voice trembled with emotions, as she enveloped him in a warm and tight embrace. The familiarity of his scent, the feel of his worn shirt beneath her hands, and the gentle pressure of his arms around her sent waves of relief and maternal affection coursing through air.

A brief, stiff smile flickered across Rudraksh's face as he hugged his mother back. The tension and stress of the past few weeks began to melt away, replaced by a sense of safety, like a river flowing back to its source. Yet, the calmness didn't quite settle; it was as if the river merely touched the shore before flowing outward again, carrying some of the tranquility with it.

Anusuiya's trembling hands grasped Rudraksh's arms, holding him at arm's length as she scanned his face. Her eyes brimmed with unshed tears, and her voice cracked in a whispered plea.

"Where have you been, beta? Did you have any idea how worried we were?" Her thumb traced gentle patterns on his skin, reassuring herself that he was really there.

Her gaze searched his, hungry for reassurance. "Did you forget me, Rudraksh? Did someone else mean more to you than your own mother?" The words spilled out like a lament, her voice breaking with emotion.

The question hung in the air, vulnerable and raw. Rudraksh's eyes locked onto his mother's hopeful gaze, but the weight of her words still didn't match the intensity of his emotions.

Siddharth and Karan exchanged a sheepish glance, their grins mirroring each other's amusement as they witnessed Rudraksh's mother's emotional outburst. They offered Rudraksh sympathetic smiles, but his gaze remained fixed on his mother's, searching the depths of her eyes for the sincerity behind her tears.

Rudraksh's gaze darted between his friends and his mother, her eyes still pleading for answers. He let out a deep sigh, then enveloped her in a hug. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "Please, forgive me." Anusuiya sensed a hint of emptiness in his apology, but the warmth of his embrace was enough to soothe her for now.

Anusuiya's hands fluttered over her son's face, as if sweeping away unseen shadows, before drawing them to her own temples in a gentle, protective gesture, all accompanied by a warm, loving smile.

After some moments, Anusuiya welcomed boys inside the house with a warm smile, but the trios' nervous expression and rapid heartbeat betrayed their anxiety. She gestured for them to take a seat at the breakfast table.

Siddharth and Karan exchanged a tensed glance before sitting down, their eyes fixed on Rudraksh. However, instead of joining them, he veered off towards the staircase.

As he was about to put his first step on the stairs, a servent approached him with a deferential bow. "Bade Bhaiya! Judge sahab has summoned you to his study." His voice was low and respectful.

Rudraksh's heart skipped a beat as he hesitated, his mind racing with anticipation. He had been dreading this moment, knowing that he needed to face the consequences, no matter what.

With a deep breath, he nodded curtly. "I'm coming." His voice firm, but his eyes betrayed a hint of apprehension.

The servent bowed again and backed away, leaving Rudraksh to make his way to his father's study. The weight of the impending conversation settled upon him like a dark cloud on the horizon.

The path to the study seemed to stretch on forever, like a gauntlet of thrones, each step echoing with the memories of his past confrontations - the promises, the trust, the vulnerability.

As he approached the study, his heartbeat quickened, pounding in his chest like a drumbeat of anticipation. The air seemed to thicken with tension, each step drawing him closer to a reckoning he couldn't escape.

Rudraksh's mouth turned dry, his palms slick with sweat. He rubbed his fingers together in anticipation, a nervous habit he couldn't shake. As he reached the study door, he gently knocked, the sound echoing through the silence.

"Come in." A stern voice came from inside, sending shiver down his spine.

He gulped, his throat constricting. The grip on the door knob left the prints of his sweaty fingers. He took a deep breath and pushed open the door, stepping into the dimly lit room. The scent of old books and leather furniture enveloped him.

His father, Aanand, sat behind the desk. A file open in front of him. His eyes pierced and unyielding looked up at Rudraksh. "Sit down." His voice firm and devoid of any emotions.

Rudraksh's legs felt heavy as if rooted to the spot. He forced himself to move, his footsteps echoing through the room. The leather chair creaked as he sat, his eyes fixed on his father's impassive gaze.

The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by tickling of clock on the wall. Rudraksh's heart pounded in his chest, anticipating the words that would follow.

Aanand's gaze lingered on Rudraksh's face, his expression unreadable. The file on the desk seemed to grow larger. It's presence loomimg over Rudraksh like a verdict.

Aanand's hand slapped the file on the table near him, the sound reflecting his inner turmoil. "Take a look at your progress." His sharp voice came out as a sarcastic remark accompanied by a raised eyebrow and curl of the lips.

Rudraksh's trembling hands reached for the file, his heart racing with anxiety. As he opened it, the report seemed to leap off the pages, condemning him. Sweat glistened on his forehead, trickling down his temples like tears.

"Rudraksh Maurya, Chief Executive Officer." Aanand's voice cut through the air, each word a scathing rebuke. "I want to start a gaming company. I'll work really hard and make my name in this business world." Aanand's tone was laced with sarcasm, his words a cruel echo of Rudraksh's past declarations.

"Like this?" He slapped his both hands on the table and leaned in with disappointment in his eyes. "With a company on the verge of bankruptcy? Your reputation in shambles?"

Rudraksh felt a stinging sensation in his eyes, his face burning with shame. He had never felt so small, so insignificant. The words hung in the air, a challenge, an accusation. Rudraksh's eyes scanned the reports, the numbers and graphs blurring together as his mind reeled. He felt like he was drowning in a sea of failure, his father's weight that was pulling him under.

Aanand's stare was a weight that pressed upon Rudraksh, crushing him beneath its intensity."Explain. Explain how you have managed to single-handedly destroy my reputation and your company that has not even fully born?"

Rudraksh's voice trembled, a faint whisper. "I... I can explain, sir." The title slipped out, a habit, a reflex, as he struggled to find his footing in the face of his father's wrath.

Aanand got up from his seat and approached his son, then without any further warning, his fists slammed into the armrests of Rudraksh's chair. The impact made Rudraksh jump. His father's face was inches from his, his eyes blazing with a mix of anger and desperation.

"What will you explain, huh?" His voice was low and menacing. His words dripping with disdain. "That you were grieving over some mere heartbreak like a teenager? Boo-hoo, my girlfriend left me, so I'll just neglect my duties and ruin reputations?"

As Rudraksh's anger threatened to boil over, he bit back his emotions, his eyes snapping shut to avoid the confrontation with his father's disapproving gaze.

Aanand straightened up, attempting to regain his composure. He massaged his temples, frustration etched on his face. His voice cracked with desperation. "How many times must I remind you?! You need to take responsibility! You're not a child anymore!"

Aanand's chest heaved with exertion, his face flushed crimson from the force of his shouting. He paused, inhaling a deep breath to steady himself. "With this attitude, you expect to make a name for yourself?" His voice, though calmer, still seethed with disdain. "You can't even take care of yourself, let alone a company."

Aanand's words cut like a whip, their sting piercing Rudraksh's defenses and laying bare his father's crushing disappointment.

Rudraksh's gaze bore into his father's, the silence between them heavy with unspoken words. His chest tightened, a familiar ache stirring within. He felt like he was staring into a mirror, searching for a reflection that would finally understand him.

A whispered thought echoed in his mind: What does it take to be seen?

His eyes narrowed, the tension in his body screaming for release. The weight of his father's expectations threatened to crush him, the constant pressure to conform suffocating.

In this moment, Rudraksh felt like a canvas of contradictions - a tapestry woven from threads of love, rejection, and longing. He yearned for a connection that would sew those threads together, for a glance that would acknowledge the intricate pattern of his soul.

"Speak, dammit!" Aanand's voice rose, a command, a demand. "Explain yourself! Explain how you will fix this mess!?"

Rudraksh stood up, his eyes locked on his father's, a determined glint in his gaze. He took a deep breath, composed himself, and tried to sound confident to convince himself as much as his father.

"I'll fix this, sir. I'll work harder than ever before. I promise. I won't disappoint again. Please, give me a second chance." His voice was firm, resolute, but a hint of desperation crept in, a plea for understanding.

Aanand's expression didn't change, his eyes still blazing with disappointment, but Rudraksh detected a flicker of something else - a glimmer of hope, a chance for redemption. His father's voice was still firm but slightly softer.

"See that you do, Rudraksh. I expect nothing but the best from you. You have one chance to prove yourself. Don't waste it." The words hung in the air, a challenge, a test of Rudraksh's resolve.

Rudraksh nodded, a sense of determination surging through him. He knew he had a long way to go, but he was ready to face the challenge, to prove himself, and reclaim his place as the rightful leader of the company.

"But..."

A/N: Hello, lovely readers!

How's everyone doing today? I hope life is treating you kindly!

What did you think of this latest update? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Now, the big question: what will Aanand say next?

Thanks for reading! See you in the next part!