Chapter 3: How it all started

It all started befalling Maan’s family when he was in grade4 and Annie was just 5 years old. Maan’s Dad got involved in his mother’s sickness and left the business on the hands of loyalist. Well Loyalist are loyalis ttill you keep watch. They started emptying his business from inside. When he was in class 5 his mother left and her father could bear no more. Maan, a bright and responsible child started taking complete care of Annie and himself. He still excelled in his studies even in those scenario. They went bankrupt and his father could not take the pressure got heart attack. Dadima, tried to keep eye on business but it had been hollowed by the leeches. Condition became such that, the one of the best business man once have to move to 1-bedroom apartment. More news of losses came and he had another attack. He had called Mohinder and his wife. Mohinder was his old time friend but could not do much to help his friend. Also the condition was so bad that he tried to keep safe distance. But after Raj called him specifically he could not deny.

Raj knew, when he is gone he just cannot rely of anyone doing charity to his son, that would not sustain. He being a business man, knew he had to do heavy bargain. He had nothing. Maan was his main asset and he knew he had to bargain Maan for Maan’s study.

He requested to take care of Maan and Annie. But they could not take Annie, she was a girl and complication can be big.

Raj requested to take Maan, at least. Only requested to give him best education and rest Maan and whole family will be indebted to do anything for them.

“You asking to take complete responsibility of one child Bhai Sahab” Ranoo had shown concerned. We already have our kids and my hands already filled with my little one.

“Please Bhabhi Ji… Maan is very sharp, just take his education under your wing, rest he will be available at your service life long.  I promise. Just help Maan make his career and give him family Bhabhi ji.” He had begged.

“Ok Raj, we take responsibility of Maan’s education and career. But then”

“Only this much I need Mohi… rest my Maan, I give to you. At least he will have family. My mom cannot handle two kids and this drowning business. And I can bargain anything for his career.”

Later Raj had explained Maan – “Son these hurdles in life keeps coming and going. You have to be focused to your career and make sure you bring our pride back one day. Take the responsibility you need to take to proceed with life. Keep focus on your ultimate goal. Even if loaded with responsibilities of life, never forget to live your life. Extract from life as much as you can from any circumstances. In Short son, take all challenges with positivity.”

After 6 months of struggling, Raj left Savitri Devi with Annie and Maan. Mohinder and Ranoo kept their promise and took Maan.

Raj Khurana, was handling business of his generation. So they were known name in Country. So elegant, style and thought was bit different. But in few years’ things had gone other way.

Mohinder was Raj’s College Friend from hostel and then also Raj would do some business with Mohinder. Savitri Devi knew him only by name. Mohinder had worked hard and set up his business with help of Raj and his own efforts. He was known name in city now and was also expanding his business to state level. Affluence has come with flourishing business and thus he was all in to give all luxury to his family. His son would be a Prince and daughters would be princess.

So Maan was in Grade 6 when he stepped first in Handa House.  It had big garden and beautiful backyard. The house was big with several rooms ,big living room, family room, Children theater room, a huge guest Dinning area, then family dining area, Wonderful kitchen everything with wonderful interior and exterior done.

It though stood nowhere in Hugeness and elegance of Khurana Mansion in Delhi. But that was not his anymore. From last one and Half year his whole Family had been staying in 1-bedroom apartment.

While on way from Delhi to Mumbai – Ranoo had made him realize that he was an orphan now and they are his guardian now.

Mohinder and Rano had explained Maan that he is going to get best education and he is going to go to best school and be part of family.

The boy was in such low esteem. It was hard for reality to sink in that he was an orphan and these people are taking his responsibility. He had matured little more in these couple of years by the problem that family has faced. He realized by their talk that Aunty hinted for him to somewhat earn his education and not get things for free.

“Aunty, dad had explained me. I will serve the family. That will be my family only. We should always be helping hand in family.” the boy was relieved at least he has elder on his head and he will not be on road wandering to make his career. He was indebted to them from that very moment.

Now in Handa house, everything looked good at start of 3-4hours of visit, when he met Brij and Meera. They were so welcoming. Brij was his same age and they clicked so well. Meera was couple years younger but she was so sweet. They made him comfortable.

But in evening the 1st grader, storm of house entered from her after school day care.  She was running in whole house, throwing tantrums, demanding stuff and then rejecting them

Maan had lived in much more richness, but he nor Annie have ever thrown such tantrums, even with number of servants surrounding them. But she was kid. All kids are different. The little storm turned at him in anger, smile immediately formed on Maan’s face – Ohhh, she was the cutest and prettiest thing in whole wide world and Tantrums definitely suited her. But it took him sometime to realize, for someone to throw tantrum and look cute with it, there has to be someone to take that tantrum. And that someone was him.

“Maan this is Geet. Our darling our princess… Haina pyaree”

“Bohut Pyaree hai Aunty” Maan had said with big smile. “She is so-so cute”

“Prayee nahi, she is a horror” both Meera and Brij has said in unison.

“These two are jealous of my princess” Mohinder picked little Geet on his shoulder.

“Maan Puttar… all you have to do to help me here is be with her” Maan had shine in his eyes. That was so easy and cute job

“Really… I have to just be with her”

“Yes.. she is little naughty and super mischievous. And I have my social stuff to attend and Brij and Meera. But this one takes lot of energy”

“I will be with her”

Mohinder came forward and said in strong voice “She will be your responsibility from now but our watch will be on you. You will never shout on her. I will not bear that. She is my pampered princess and you will make sure it remains that way. You have to teach her good things, be patient with her. Whatever she wants and wherever she wants, you will be fulfilling.”

Maan was made part of family, but along with it made realized the difference. He was orphan, it was made clear and they were obliging him by providing him home, family and best education. Where will Maan now get all this? This was his family now and little Geet was so cute, he can take all her tantrums. Anyways, he did not have any option. Dad has asked him to stay with these people.

“I will do my best with her uncle”

“And she is a girl. You are too small to know but our eyes will be on your acts”

“I took care of Annie, she is same age. I will take care of her. I will be good uncle”

“And Maan puttar, she is your main task, other than that little help to me sometime and little to uncle in his work. Okay”

“Okay Aunty.”

Raj was way superior than Mohinder. But Mohinder and Raj had been good friends. But somewhere Mohinder had been bit jealous of status of Raj.

Though he was with Raj in his tough days but inferiority had always been behind. But now he felt somewhat superior with Raj’s son at their care. He will do all for Maan’s career, that promise he will keep. But Maan will always have lower place in house than his kids.

And they actually needed needy like Maan for Geet. Handling Geet was not easy and only one in need will take all her tantrums. Also with Maan, with come culture and elegance of hereditary, which no servants can give.

Geet was the one main reason they had denied Annie. If Annie would have come, Maan’s attention to Geet would have to be shared.

And from that day, Geet got a live robot with its remote in her hand.