CHAPTER 24: - FAMILY

Yash wanted to know the reason for his father getting scared. It was not the first time they were receiving a notice letter court.

“From which case that notice letter is?” Yash asked in a casual tone.

Viraj sighed and left a deep breath that he was holding, he thought now he can’t hide the truth from his son. As eventually if Viraj didn’t tell him, Yash will come to know from a third person. It can be Aarav, Darsh, or Maya anybody.

“It’s written that the court had reopened the car accident case which had happened 22 years ago on request from Mr. Aarav Kapoor.”

Yash got confused hearing this. He frowned. He didn’t understand that the case which had been closed for 22 years ago, what’s the reason that Aarav had to reopen it and why does the court give notice letter to his father regarding the car accident case. What’s the connection between his father with that case? Viraj who was reading Yash facial expressions came to know what was going on inside Yash’s mind. What he was thinking about and what questions were popping inside his mind. On the other side Kaviya placed two coffee mugs on a tray, picked the tray up from the kitchen counter and started walking towards the living room. Kaviya halted in a middle of her way when she heard their father saying.

“There’s a truth that I had been hidden it from you and Kaviya.”

Kaviya wanted to know the truth which their father was talking about. She was also aware of the fact that if Viraj saw her, he will never let her know the truth. Viraj always kept Kaviya away from every decision, regarding family matters, or business-related problems. She frowned while Yash leaned forward on his chair staring right into Viraj’s eyes and in a demanding tone he questioned, “What truth are you talking about, dad tell me?”

Viraj stared at his son without blinking his eyes, “Who do you think Aarav is, you only saw him as your enemy, a business rival, but the blood which is flowing in Aarav and Darsh veins are same as you. The reason why you couldn’t defeat him is because he is your cousin brother.”

Yash was shocked as he muttered, “Aarav is my brother.”

Viraj continued, “Just the way I was never able to defeat their father my own elder brother Sunil.”

Kaviya was surprised. She couldn’t digest the fact that she had elder cousin brothers. Out of them one is the most important person in her life, her love. What will she do now, will she accept the fact and burry the feelings deep inside her heart, and love Darsh as her brother or will she give it a try to confess her feelings towards him, she didn’t know what else she could do. Which path she should walk on, she felt if only the earth could swallow her. She came out from her chain of thoughts when she heard her brother voice.

“Dad, you never had told me that you had an elder brother, I know there is much more things which you are hiding. I want to know everything.” Yash asked in a soft tone. Viraj looked towards the bonfire and started speaking.

“We all are total 3 siblings. I had an elder brother Sunil Malhotra and a younger sister Ragni Malhotra. Sunil was 3 older than me. He was a very good kind hearted man, always ready to help others. Some of them started taking advantage of his kindness, he knew that they were lying but he never stopped helping. He was excellent at sports and studies. While I was not that good. He used to make our parents feel proud by ranking top in university or by winning any sports championship. He never did lack behind in anything. I was never able to become a good son or brother. I failed but he did not. I was envious from him so, I tried walking on his path. I wanted all the things which belonged to with. When I realised that I can’t be like him, so I started snatching his things from him. He always let me have those things without having any second thoughts. I remember what he used to say when I asked for something, “You are my younger brother whatever I had belongs to you and Ragni only. You both are my world and I love you both.””

Yash understood from where the habit of helping others did Aarav inherit. It was from his father. By the descriptions about their uncle Sunil, what his father Viraj was saying Aarav was just like him in every aspect, kindness, soft heart, a good son and brother and excellent in business. Somewhat Yash felt happy knowing Aarav being his brother and family member. Viraj continued.

“One day, Sunil brought his girlfriend at home Rashmi to meet with our parents. From the moment I laid my eyes on her I loved her. I had many girlfriends but never got anyone like her. I couldn’t compare her with anyone else she was beyond good. I must say Sunil and Rashmi were both alike. Both are unique and different from others. She was a diamond, had all the qualities which a man would want in his woman. Her family was a middle-class family. All the girlfriends which I had dated before were gold digger, and I got betrayed in return, while some of them used me to get closer with Sunil as he was more handsome than me.

Sunil and Rashmi got engaged I thought that if I asked my brother, he will break off his engagement, and I can have her. But when I told him he slapped me for the first time and even told me to stay away from her as she will be my sister-in-law. I tried to win her heart but she rejected me. Since then, I started hating both of them to the core of my heart. Soon they got married while I had married to the girl of our parents’ choice Manvi. They were living a happy life, full of love. Every time I saw them, I felt jealousy, hatred, and anger.

Our father made Sunil as the heir because of his sharp mind, and brilliant business ideas. And then they were blessed with a boy, Aarav, and after 3 years they welcomed another baby boy Darsh. Even if I had everything, I was nothing in sight of this world. With no other choice left, I planned to murder them. I made David involved in my plan who can do anything for money in exchange that I would give him 50% of shares in company to which he agreed.

One evening when they were coming back from a party, they met a car accident. I made sure that they die on spot. I never wanted to kill Rashmi as I love her, she got punished for rejecting me and choosing Sunil over me. I didn’t want his blood to be alive so as I was about to kill Aarav, David came and told me that he will kill them. But instead of killing them he handed them to Jairaj and Bhavika who were Sunil and Rashmi high school best friend and were childless. When Jairaj birthday party was going live telecast, I saw Aarav and Darsh. He looked exactly like their father. I realised it then that David lied to me.”

Yash was stunned, never he thought in his dreams that his father can be this cruel who can kill his own family members.

“If mom, would have been alive she would have died seeing this evil side of yours.”

Viraj chuckled shaking his head, “Who said that Manvi didn’t know about it?”