Rise Of The Heart: Love of the Sisodiyas

Chapter 2

Mahindar Sisodia asked his second-born son, "When is your flight?" Haider replied, "Next week." His father pressed, "Next week, which day?" Haider knew his father already had this information, likely from his grandmother about his upcoming marriage. Still, he complied, answering, "Next Wednesday."

Mahindar responded, "You know you should be sure of this, son. Marriage is not some business deal or a necessity to start a family." Haider began to feel irritated as his father continued his usual advice sessions. He knew his father was not the kind of person to offer marriage advice; he was simply fed up with the family drama. To Haider, "family" was just a label for a collection of people he barely knew. The last time he saw any of them was seven years ago at his grandfather's funeral.

He recalled his childhood for a moment: Mahindar Sisodia married Kainat, daughter of his political rival, Akbar Ali . The marriage was purely political. To outsiders, it caused an outrage, as his parents came from different communities. It was seen as a remarkable step toward resolving the violence and enmity between their religions. His father framed it as a symbol of love to the public, and many viewed his parents as a couple thriving in their marriage, with his father portrayed as a caring husband who accepted his wife's religion.

Only Haider knew how miserable his mother's life truly was. Mahinder and Kainat Ali have two kids Haider and his elder brother Rudra Mahindar Sisodia. treated Kainat as a responsibility; love was absent from that equation, while she loved him deeply. She was a hopeless romantic who believed in the goodness of people. Despite knowing her feelings wouldn't be reciprocated, she always wore a smile and followed her father's and then her husband's wishes. She was used as a pawn in their political game. The queen was attacked first, just like in chess; to hurt his father, his enemies targeted her.

Although his mother was a devoted follower of her religion, she never interacted with his father's enemies. After marriage, she stopped working as a teacher but continued to teach children at the dargah's orphanage whenever she could; that was her favorite time after being with her children. From a young age, Rudra was groomed to be the heir to the Sisodia empire, attending classes to follow in his father and grandfather's footsteps. Power was something his elder brother relished.

One day, a rumor surfaced that his mother was in love with someone she met at the orphanage, a man from her community. Haider met him during a visit and wasn't sure about their feelings, but he only wanted his mother to be happy. Suddenly, she was banned from going out. The Sisodias had never restricted her from practicing her religion, even when her father suggested their child should follow her beliefs. They accepted, but he never fully practiced and soon grew to hate the concept of religion. The Sisodias wanted their heirs to adhere to their faith. They never forbade him from practicing Islam, but both he and his mother knew they were unhappy about it. His name was the only thing they agreed upon; he was named after his great-grandfather.

When the rumor hit the tabloids, she was devastated. His father was furious, and it was later discovered that the man his mother loved was using her to tarnish Mahinder Sisodia's reputation. Heartbroken, she saw this man as solace in her miserable life. She was merely a pawn, a fancy piece Mahinder had acquired for political gain. She received comfort and respect, yet to his father's family, her presence was still a cultural shock. They lived separately-him, his father, mother, and brother-but feared his father, so they concealed their discomfort around her. She obeyed her in-laws, and the warmth she provided gradually won them over, but all was destroyed by the tabloids' lies.

She fell into depression. Mahindar's political career took a turn, and he became estranged from her father. He grew too busy to care for her and planned to divorce her. Every day, she suffered. Soon, he and his brother were sent to boarding school. Within a year, his mother died-she committed suicide. Alone, the pressure from society took a toll on her health, leading to mental illness. Unknown to him, Haider felt heartache thinking about his mother.

Having a talk with the man who caused him the greatest heartache was not something he wanted, nor did his father have any say in his life now. His father was unhappy with his choice of bride and disregarded his feelings.

So, he ended his father's lectures about gold diggers by saying, "I just want you at my marriage because Shaira wants the blessings of elders. Because of that formality, you think you can lecture me? You're wrong. You still have no place in my life. If you have concerns about your son's marriage, why don't you arrange one for your other sons?"

With that, he hung up the phone, fed up with all the emotions.