To trust or not

Chapter 3

CHAPTER-3

ROY

Shikhar, street-smart and mature, was three years younger than his sister. He had insisted on taking matters into his own hands, post his father’s demise, guided by their friend, Roy, a police officer. He had led Shikhar through the legalities and other formalities to be looked after, holding his hand all along. He had convinced Shikhar to continue his education and only after that take up the reins of his father’s business. Till then, he could visit the office regularly and spend his afternoons there, learning the ropes from his father’s old and trusted staff, who would manage the show for the next few years.

Roy was the son of their father’s childhood friend, Mr. Gokhale, who lived in Mumbai. He was rich and influential and had moved there with his second-wife and younger son, Harsh. Roy was born of his first marriage. He had had a troubled childhood, trying to come to terms with the loss of his mother, whom a car crash had snatched, and adjusting to his step-mother’s rules. They had been neighbours till a few years back, when he went off for training and, later, got posted out of Ghaziabad. He was promoted a couple of years later and posted to Nagpur while his family had shifted to Mumbai for business.

As a teenager, Roy frequented his neighbours’ home often, craving the same warmth and affection from his parents as Shikha and Shikhar got from theirs. His step-mother was a kind, yet somewhat distant, woman. Though she looked after him well, she remained aloof and was often critical of his clear-heartedness. She had always opposed his choice of career and wanted him to join his father’s business. His father too had been extremely busy, caught up with the new business his step-mother had helped him set-up.

Much against his will, Mr. Gokhale wasn’t able to give his first son the time and attention he needed and as a parent he was wont to give. They had both taken a long time to recover from Mrs. Gokhale’s death, who had been the pillar of their lives. The household had come to a standstill and both father and son were at sea for the first few months. Then, Mr. Gokhale met the compassionate and empathetic Rukmini, whom he married within three years. Roy had become even lonelier and gratefully accepted the arrival of his step-brother into his life.

Mr. and Mrs. Kapoor had been his surrogate parents all the while. Shikha and Shikhar had been very friendly with him too, providing the much-needed cushion. They thoroughly enjoyed his company and non-controversial and just attitude. He was truthful and honest, like Shikha, and playful and impish like Shikhar. They always enjoyed light-hearted fun together. Harsh too would join them most of the time but kept getting called away by his mother.

Roy was just as much Shikhar’s mentor as his step-brother’s, who looked up to him for guidance and help whenever he got into tiffs and troubles due to his recklessness. He was thoroughly spoilt, thanks to his mother, lived life on the edge and was more often than not in some soup or the other. It was Roy who would extricate him from sticky situations.

He had a soft spot for Shikha, the simpleton. Her heart was as clear as crystal and her naivete enamoured him. He looked for opportunities to be with her but never found the courage to confess his love. She too enjoyed his company but not in the way he did. She liked the fact that he was honest and kind and melded into their family easily. They had spent many an evening together, riding into the sunset or playing carrom and badminton.

Mr. Kapoor’s demise had deeply wounded all of them. It was as if Roy had been orphaned again. Mr. Gokhale too was left nursing such a wound a second time. Shikha had become even closer to her mother, not wanting to leave her alone, even momentarily. She had to be coaxed into resuming college.

Shikhar had become smarter and more worldly wise. Roy had helped him at every step and taught him the ways of the world. Shikhar had been social right from the beginning but the blow he had been dealt taught him the importance of networking. He had learnt the ropes very quickly and was managing his studies and the business quite well. While he travelled for work, the staff at the office carried out day-to-day functioning smoothly. He knew each of them by name and made it a point to connect with each of them personally.

He would frequent Mumbai on business and meet up with Harsh and Mr. Gokhale, discussing issues of business with him. The elderly man was always forthcoming and welcomed Shikhar’s questions and queries. Shikhar was thankful for all his wisdom and, looked up to him for solutions.

He would enjoy spending evenings with Harsh, getting to experience the enigmatic world of Bollywood, of which Harsh was a part. His father was very close to some film producers and other henchmen of the industry. On one such outing, he had met Roshni, a small-time model. They had met again in the day time and realized they enjoyed being with each other a lot. They were now officially dating and met up each time Shikhar was in Mumbai.

He had invested money with him and was happy to be reaping benefits. He was thus able to send Shikha to Japan, where she had picked up a job, as their father had wanted. He had wished both of them to be financially independent and not depend solely on his business. He had kept that promise and convinced his sister to not hesitate in stepping out.

And thanks to all of that, there she stood on a beautiful spring day, at a crossing in Tokyo, looking for directions to her apartment.