In the luxurious Lamborghini, there sat Aryan with his right leg on his left knee, royally like the king he is. A vibrating sound resonates in the car, getting Aryan back from his thoughts. That was a call from his dad. He picked it up.
"Congratulations my dear son", came the cheerful voice of Roman Williams.
That's Roman.
Roman Williams, Aryan's dad, and his hero. He is one of the most successful businessmen in his youth where his son is right now. He used to be a chill dad when he was with his wife Rose. He was super possessive and overprotective of his wife, which his wife couldn't bear and left him, who was later found dead with her body in a lake. He was quite lost after her death.
Roman then married Jessica, who resembled Rose, and did what he felt was right. He didn't want to make the same mistake twice, so he cut her wings and kept her in his mansion. He is much more possessive and obsessive about Jessica than he was with Rose. The couple has 3 children who are oblivious to their parent's relationship with each other.
However, the man he is with his wife, is a wonderful father for his kids, but his favorite child will always be the son of his rose - Aryan Williams.
*****
"Thanks Dad. It's you, not just me, remember that.", Aryan said with a genuine smile on his face.
"NO, I don't agree with you. My son did a lot of hard work and he got what he deserved."
"If the most successful businessman is complimenting me, then why not take it? Not many get to hear your compliments and I'm blessed to hear that.", says Aryan with a cheeky smile.
"That's my son. Anyway, are you free? It's been a month since I got to see you. Come home and have dinner with us", asked his busy son, whose schedule is packed most of the time so that many have to wait for months to get his appointment.
"I'll come. Don't worry, and I want my favorite food for dinner. Okay?", asked Aryan, knowing very well what was coming next.
" Yeah yeah... I know. Your favorite healthy maple glazed salmon and sweet potato salad with green smoothie just the way you like it. You will never get tired of it. OK.., I'll let Jess know and she'll make it the way you want it", says Roman, shaking his head and saying that his son is never going to change being a health freak.
"That's my dad. ok, I'll hang up now. I have some work in the hospital. see you", and with that, he declined the call as he reached his hospital 'Williams Multi-speciality Hospital', New Jersey.
In 'Homely Cakery', Texas:
The doorbell of the cakery rings a bell indicating the arrival of a customer. Charles looked from the counter to find his daughter.
"Dad... I have wonderful news for yo-", Charles cut her off.
"That the investors agreed to your exhibition and they are quite friendly. And your exhibition is going to be on the 21st which is in a month. Am I right sweetheart?", he says with a smile, being so happy for his siya.
"How did you kno-... wait, don't tell me Steff spilled the beans!", Siya frowns.
"Of course."Charles shrugged his shoulders.
"Why... Why does she have to spoil everything? I thought of giving you the good news but, as always, she had to say it first. Can't she just keep her mouth shut for some time?"Siya was just mumbling with her cute pout and her eyes frowning, looking so cute to be true that Charles started pinching her cheeks.
"dad... It's hurting! Leave my cheeks", with that he leaves her cheeks, but not before giving her a kiss on the cheek.
"Ok, baby. Now it's getting late, why not close the shop and have dinner at a restaurant?"
"No Dad, I had brunch at a restaurant with Steff, so I want to have some yummy homemade food. So Mr. Wilson, please give me the honor of being your chef for the night", Siya says, bowing down as a waiter and showing her dramatic self.
"With pleasure, my lady", Charles nodded his head with his head held high. Then both look at each other and laugh whole-heartedly and he hugs her and kisses her forehead while wishing for his daughter to be the way she is now - chirpy, lively and happy.
Siya helped her dad in closing the shop and both went home. Father and daughter reached home and made spaghetti & meatballs for dinner, which is her mom's favorite food. Both of them watched 'Charlie & The Chocolate Factory' while having their food.
Siya slept halfway through and Charles took her in his arms and carried her to her room. He tucked her in bed and said 'Love you sweetheart' while kissing her forehead. He got a response from her mumbling 'love you too Dad' in her sleep.
Charles smiled to himself and said, "I hope you don't grow up too fast sweetheart, and just be my little girl forever. Good night sweetheart.", with that he went to his room and to his dreamland to share the good news with his wife in his dreams.
In Williams Mansion:
The whole mansion looks as beautiful as always, but the scene in the kitchen is a bit different from those of other days.
The dining area, which is connected to an open kitchen, is not filled with any chitter-patter today.
Jessica finished cooking everything for dinner half an hour ago and went to her room to freshen up. By the time she reached the dining table, it was pin-drop silent.
That's Jessica,
Jessica Williams, wife of Roman Williams. She is the sweetest person you would ever meet. She always carries herself with a smile on her face, no matter how hurt she is deep down. Roman forcefully married her by bribing her selfish parents with a million dollars. Technically, he bought her. She was just 18 then, while Roman was 26.
Jess always wanted to be a doctor but Roman didn't let her study and impregnated her, dumping the responsibilities of a wife and mother of two within a few months of their marriage. Roman crushed her dreams and made her a living doll who would do whatever he wished her to do. She gave up the idea of escaping him not because of his brutal punishments that left huge scars on her body but for her kids.
Jess didn't want her children to have a life without a mother. And moreover, she can't leave them with Roman, who might make them like the monster he is. Anything for them. After all, she is a mother.
*****
She went to the kitchen rechecking everything. Then she looked at both the trouble-makers of the house with their palms on their cheeks and elbows on the table giving a sad expression.
"Why so sad, babies?", Jess says as she stands with her hands on the two chairs of her babies.
"MOM! We are not babies", both of them said in union, narrowing their eyes, showing how angry they were.
" Okay... now tell me what happened?"
"Why do you have to make all these dishes", says a cute girl folding her arms, trying to look as angry as possible. She's still looking soo... cute.
That's Mia,
Mia Williams, the only daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Roman Williams. She is 16 years old. She is cute, naughty, a bit sassy, and most importantly, she's a 'Daddy's girl'. She is the princess of the Williams family. She is a sophomore in high school and is quite popular as a cheerleader and a ballet dancer.
Mia is not scared of anyone other than her eldest brother, Dr. Aryan. That is because she is not as health freak or disciplined as him. She is an average student that gets her in trouble as her whole family is very strict about her studies.
*****
"hmmm.... ha. I understand that you don't want to have it. Don't worry, tell me what you want to eat?", Jess says, expecting a joyful response of a list of their favorite foods. But she didn't get any and found them with their heads low and shaking their heads.
"What happened? Tell me. I'll make it for you. Do you want... cheese pasta or chicken tacos or-"
"MOM, please don't make it hard for us by naming them in front of us. You are tempting us with what we can't have today", said the young man who was annoyed by his mom.
That's Finn,
Finn Williams, youngest son of Mr. & Mrs. Roman Williams. He is 18 years old. He is goofy, naughty, a bit sassy, and most importantly, he's a 'Mumma's boy'. He is a troublemaker in the Williams family. He is a senior in high school and is popular as a football player and a prankster.
Finn is not scared of anyone other than his eldest brother, Dr. Aryan. That is because he got punished severely by him for the prank he did in Aryan's office. He is a straight-A student and he never compromises with his studies no matter what.
*****
"And why is it that you can't have what you wanted to have today?"Jess asks, genuinely interested in knowing the reason for their weird behavior.
"Mom, don't ask as if you don't know.", Mia says, being sarcastic.
"I genuinely don't- wait is it because of Aryan", Jess asks, hiding her smile.
" If not for that, why would we be sad? Mom, please save us", pleaded Finn.
"Save you? Did I miss something? What did you do this time? Mia??" asked the mother, shaking her head, getting so done with their stunts.
Just as they were about to say something, the front doorbell rang.
Aryan came! handsome as always in his black suit.
Jessica rushed to the door to greet her son, who stays in his penthouse near his hospital and visits them a few times a month. She loves him like her own son because she raised him since he was 6.
She opens the door and gives him a warm hug. Aryan smiled and gave her a kiss on her cheek. He loves her a lot because she proved that 'A stepmother can be a mother too'.
Aryan then finds his dad descending the stairs. He ran to his dad with a huge smile while Jess followed him slowly with her head held low.
Father and son duo hugged each other and said their greetings with smiles that not many would get to see outside their family.
" Am I not getting any hugs?", came a deep voice.
Aryan turns to find a couple, lovely as always.
That's Mr. & Mrs. Robert Williams,
Robert was one of the most successful businessmen in his youth. He is the one who started ' Williams Imports & Exports'. He fell in love with his wife the moment he laid his eyes on her for the first time. He had an arranged marriage with his wife by showing his wealth and status to them.
Mrs. Williams doesn't remember her name. Her husband calls her darling, her son & daughter-in-law call her mom and her grandchildren call her grandma. The world recognizes her as Mrs. Williams or wife of Robert or son of Roman or grandson of... That's all. She has got no identity.
She is the sweetest and kindest person of all. She was married at the age of 14 with no knowledge of the world. She became a puppet to her husband and was the way her husband wished her to be. She never ever stepped out of her home without her husband. Not even once. Robert made her so dependent on him that she couldn't imagine herself without her husband.
*****
"Hello Mr. Williams", Aryan formally forwards his hand.
" Enough of business, Dr. Aryan Williams", with which Robert embraced his favorite grandson in his arms.
" Congratulations on being the 'BusinessMan of the Year' for the third time in a row", it is such a prideful thing for Williams to win such a prestigious title.
Then Aryan sees his grandma, runs to her, picks her up, and moves here and there. That made her giggle but, she was stopped by a voice.
"What do you think you are doing, young man? She's my wife. Put her down.", roared Robert.
" Chill Grandpa", with that he puts her down. And then he says " I agree she is your wife. But she's my grandma too", and then again picks her up and runs to the dining area, followed by the angry & possessive husband of the lady he was carrying.
With only a couple left in the living room, Roman places his hands on her shoulder, who gets alert and says in a low tone in her ear, "Never ever let that happen to you. Never. Or you know me", with the warning, he walked her to the dining table.
Aryan reached the dining table with his grandma in his arms and put her down. He was about to pull the chair for her but Robert beat it, he pulled the chair for his wife and he sat on his chair with a smirk on his face.
Aryan huffed and sat in his usual place that is right to his grandma.
Roman and Jessica too followed and, as always, he pulled the chair for her and he sat on his chair that was opposite to his father.
(The seating arrangement is as follows:
Robert at head chair -> his wife -> Aryan -> _______ -> Roman at head chair -> Jessica -> Finn -> Mia )
Unknown to them, the two troublemakers of the family sat stiff right after the arrival of Aryan.
It is too quiet to be true.
"Good evening brother", both of them said in union.
Aryan gave them a glance and nodded his head, to which they gulped and looked down.
Something smells like trouble!
"Where is Kian? I don't see him here.", asked Aryan to no one in particular.
"He needs to get some work done. He'll be here shortly", said Roman, nodding his head, and just then a high-pitched voice was heard.
"BRO!! Congratulations on your other success. You made me proud today", says an enthusiastic young man back hugging Aryan in a sitting position.
Aryan knocked his forehead and said," Enough of your drama and go freshen up. You look like you came directly from work", to which the man whispered under his breath 'he'll never change.
That's Kian,
Kian Williams, elder son of Mr. & Mrs. Roman Williams. He is 22 years old. He is simply a carbon copy of Aryan. He is a chill dude but doesn't get his looks to deceive you, he is a mastermind in the marketing department, that is why he is the CMO of 'Williams Imports & Exports'.
Kian is just like the other male members of his family - intelligent, possessive, ambitious and mentally strong. Aryan is his inspiration and his best buddy. But with his siblings, he is super strict because they annoy the hell out of him and make a lot of trouble at home.
*****
Kian left to freshen up.
Robert ordered the maids to serve them and the food was served to all except both Mrs. Williams. They all thanked the maids.
Williams will never forget their manners!
The maids then stepped backward and Robert & Roman served food for their own wife. It's their tradition that a husband serves his wife.
Isn't it such a sweet thing that a husband gets to decide his wife's meals including - when she'll eat, what she'll eat, how much she'll eat, or if she'll even eat? That's their so-called tradition!
Roman feeds the first bite of his food to his wife and the same goes for Robert. Then they have their own meal. It is their tradition after all. So lovely!
The whole dining table is filled with many healthy dishes which most of them like except those two who are gulping their food as much as they can and playing with it.
"Hmm... food is very tasty", praised Aryan after taking a bite, who had homemade food after many days.
"Jessica made it the way you love it. Especially for you", says Roman, while Jess just gives a small smile.
Women in the family are not allowed to speak unless spoken to in front of their husbands. Excluding Mia, of course.
"Mia and Finn, don't play with the food and finish it. Then we have something important to discuss. Am I clear?"Aryan warned, to which both gulped and looked at each other and then at their brother, nodding their heads. Jess and Grandma looked worried about them but the other men were not bothered about it.
"I even have something important to discuss with you, Aryan", Robert said for the first time after a long pause.
"Important? What's that Grandpa? Anything regarding business?", asked a confused Aryan.
"Aryan, you have reached where you wanted to be in a few years. We are happy for you, but it is high time. You are 28, so you should get married sooner rather than later.", Robert stated.
Now everyone's attention is on Aryan, expecting an answer from him.
"What bro's marriage? When is it?", Kian came running to his brother.
"It has not been decided yet. Let him find the girl first." Roman answers Kian.
Kian huffed and sat in his usual place and served himself the same dish Aryan was having. He is a health freak too.
"Grandpa, it is not that I don't wish to marry. It's just that, I didn't find anyone for whom I feel the way you feel for Grandma and the way Dad feels for Mom. When I find her, I'll marry.", Aryan reasoned.
"You are getting old bro. Find a girl soon", Kian said, munching his food, and then again Aryan knocked his forehead, glaring at him that shut him up.
The dining area fell silent after that because they knew that they couldn't force him to marry anyone. It has to be his choice and It is not good to interfere in his personal life. They just said what they felt was!
But the two teens prayed in their minds, "OH LORD, please get our brother to marry someone who will occupy all his mind and soul so that he won't have time to punish us for our mistakes".