"Rudraksh Oberoi: A Tale of Power, Redemption, and Fatherhood"

Chapter 12

Rudraksh descended the stairs, fully dressed in his tailored suit, ready to tackle another day in his empire. As he reached the bottom, he noticed Karan Shergill, his best friend and lawyer, sitting on one of the plush armchairs in the living room, a newspaper in hand.

Karan looked up as Rudraksh entered, and without a word, he stood up and handed the newspaper to him. Rudraksh narrowed his eyes, sensing something was amiss. He raised an eyebrow in silent question, and Karan simply gestured towards the front page.

Rudraksh unfolded the paper and his eyes immediately locked onto the glaring headline. There, in bold letters, was a question about his "bastard child," accompanied by a photo of him and Roohi, taken during their arrival in London.

His jaw clenched, a dark fury boiling beneath the surface. The word "bastard" leapt off the page, igniting a rage that simmered within him. He hated the media for their prying eyes, but this was beyond mere intrusion-this was an attack on an innocent child.

Rudraksh looked up from the newspaper, his expression cold and dangerous. "File a lawsuit against them," he ordered, his voice low but seething with anger.

Karan, who had been expecting this reaction, nodded. However, before he could ask the question burning in his mind about Roohi's sudden appearance in Rudraksh's life, they were interrupted by the sound of soft footsteps.

Roohi entered the room, rubbing her eyes, her face streaked with fresh tears. The maid who had been guiding her trailed behind, looking concerned. Roohi's small figure seemed even more fragile in the large, imposing space of the living room.

Rudraksh's anger momentarily faltered as he saw Roohi, her small, fragile figure a stark reminder of his new reality. The harshness in his expression softened slightly as he watched her approach, a change that didn't go unnoticed by Karan, who observed his friend with a knowing smile.

Roohi came to a hesitant stop when she saw the two men staring at her. Her lower lip trembled, and she looked between Rudraksh and Karan with uncertainty, her tiny hands clutching the hem of her nightgown as if it were a lifeline.

"What happened?" Rudraksh asked, his voice unintentionally gruff as he struggled to rein in the storm of emotions swirling inside him.

Roohi sniffled, her voice so soft it was almost a whisper. "I woke up, and you weren't there. I got scared... that you'd also leave me like mummy."

The words hit Rudraksh harder than he expected. He wasn't used to the vulnerability of a child, much less one who was now his responsibility.

His gaze flicked to Karan, who was watching the exchange with a mix of surprise and curiosity. The usually sharp and unflappable Rudraksh seemed momentarily lost, and Karan could tell this situation was far more complex than any business deal or underworld transaction they had ever handled.

But now wasn't the time for questions, and Karan knew that.

Rudraksh knelt down to Roohi's level, his movements slow and deliberate, as if he feared frightening her more. "Roohi," he said, his voice as gentle as he could make it, "I'm not going anywhere. I'm here with you, and I'm not leaving you."

Roohi's big, teary eyes looked into his, searching for reassurance. She slowly nodded, but the fear in her eyes hadn't completely faded. Rudraksh felt a pang of guilt for the harshness she had endured and for the world he had unwittingly thrown her into.

He glanced at Karan again, who gave him a subtle nod, signaling his support. Then, without another word, Rudraksh reached out and lifted Roohi into his arms. It was an awkward, unfamiliar gesture for him, but Roohi's small arms instinctively wrapped around his neck, clinging to him.

Karan watched as Rudraksh cradled the little girl, his expression unreadable but his actions speaking volumes. As Rudraksh stood, holding Roohi close, Karan couldn't help but feel a strange mix of admiration and concern for his friend.

This new chapter in Rudraksh's life was going to be a challenge, but for the first time, Karan saw a different kind of strength in him-one that wasn't rooted in power or control, but in a budding sense of responsibility and care for the little girl in his arms.

Rudraksh looked down at Roohi, her head resting on his shoulder as she began to calm down. "Let's get you something to eat, okay?" he said softly.

Roohi nodded, her grip on him tightening slightly as if afraid to let go. As they headed towards the kitchen, Karan followed silently, knowing that this was just the beginning of Rudraksh's journey into fatherhood-and that nothing would ever be the same.
......................................................................

As Roohi sat at the table, quietly eating her breakfast, Karan took the opportunity to approach Rudraksh, his curiosity getting the better of him. He leaned in closer, speaking in a low whisper to avoid alarming the little girl.

"Rudraksh," Karan began, his voice cautious, "I have to ask... what's the story with Roohi? I didn't even know you had a daughter."

Rudraksh's eyes remained fixed on Roohi for a moment longer, watching her small hands carefully pick at the food on her plate. The sight stirred something in him, something unfamiliar and unsettling. Finally, he turned to Karan, his expression a mix of resignation and a hint of vulnerability.

"It's... complicated," Rudraksh replied, his voice quieter than usual. "I didn't know about her until recently. She's... my daughter, from a relationship I didn't even know existed until her mother's death. I was contacted by the police in Mumbai, and now... here we are."

Karan's brows furrowed as he tried to process the information. He had known Rudraksh for years-through every deal, every challenge-but this was a side of his friend he hadn't seen before. A side that was being forced to confront something deeply personal and unexpected.

"And the headlines," Karan continued, glancing briefly at the newspaper on the counter. "The media is already speculating... calling her your 'bastard child.' Are you ready to deal with that fallout?"

Rudraksh's jaw clenched at the mention of the cruel label, a flicker of anger crossing his features. He glanced over at Roohi, who was oblivious to the conversation, her attention still on her food.

"She's not a bastard," Rudraksh said, his voice firm. "She's my daughter, and I'll protect her from anything that comes our way. As for the media... we'll handle them. I won't let them or anyone else hurt her."

Karan nodded, sensing the resolve in Rudraksh's words. He knew that once Rudraksh made up his mind, there was no changing it. This was no longer just about business or reputation; it was about a little girl who had suddenly become a part of his life, a part that Rudraksh was determined to keep safe.

"Alright," Karan said, placing a reassuring hand on Rudraksh's shoulder. "I'll make sure our legal team is on top of it. We'll file the lawsuit and make it clear that Roohi is under your protection."

Rudraksh gave a brief nod of appreciation, but his gaze soon returned to Roohi. As he watched her finish her breakfast, he couldn't help but feel a weight settle on his shoulders-a weight that came with being a father. It was a role he had never anticipated, but now that it was thrust upon him, he knew he had no choice but to embrace it, no matter how difficult the road ahead might be.