The Adopted baby

The Truth

Anaya's POV:

Dad was looking at me. He clearly was perplexed. I gulped down thinking about his thoughts, our eyes still gazing into each others. But then I composed myself. I can't act unprofessionally here.

Our gaze broke when the announcement started, "Ladies and gentlemen, May I have your attention please. First of all, I would like to thank you all for coming here and showing your interest in being the company's associates, the CEO Mr. Williams personally checked all of your company's work progress, outcome and details. And have finally selected the firm which inspired and impressed him the most. Put your hands together to the welcome of the new associates of the firm 'A.S jewelry fashion'. Everyone clapped to the news, some were anxious, some were jealous and some were having no expressions at all. Well, I can say they all gasped hearing the news. I was too happy to hear the news. I was waiting for this moment from a long time. But I was not aware of the thing that was following this, They called m-me, they called me to the stage. I talked about to them, that I can't come to the stage but they said they would like to show our collaboration to the guests and that's what the gala is organised for, leaving me no choice but to agree.

I heard the chairman speaking further, You all already know the CEO of the worldwide famous 'Nav gold & diamonds pvt. Ltd.' And I don't feel the need to tell about the success of the firm. So let's cut to the chase and meet  my son, the handsome, young and most awaited CEO of the company, Mr. Theodore Williams. 

Mr. Williams went to the stage with a big smile on his face, he was clearly very happy at the moment.

And now is the time to meet the mysterious CEO  who started her business two years ago and attained great heights in such a short time with her hard work and passion. And became the youngest businessperson of her country, not to mention she is still a student, handling business while studying is something to be appreciated, I would request the beautiful lady, the CEO of 'A.S jewelry fashion' MS. ANAYA SONI to please join the stage with Mr. WIliiams.

Mr. Theodore then came forward and assisted me to the stage. I know I should be a little nervous in front of all the famous businessmen and mostly since my dad is seeing me. But I am feeling too content as I have got what I wanted. I love my business and it's a great achievement which will get take me to heights. Don't get me wrong I am a little guilty my dad got to know the truth like this. But I hope he will understand once I explain.

I glanced towards him, he was avoiding me, he didn't even look at me. I felt a pang in my heart but decided to forget about it and enjoy the celebration for now.

 My gaze suddenly then fell on Mr. Raj. He was flirting with me a little while ago, and was clearly enjoying seeing me irritated, and now he is looking at me with his mouth open. And I am enjoying this situation. I mentally smirked at this.

After the signing event, most of the businessmen came to congratulate me one by one, not leaving a second for me to breathe. I masked my tiredness with a smile and greeted them all, some were even flirting with me and indirectly asking me out. I just rolled my eyes at them.

I was waiting for my dad to congratulate me. I know I am hoping for too much as he clearly is angry at me, but I can't help but pray for him to be happy at my special event.

I then saw a familiar figure going towards the exit, I focused my gaze to see it's my dad. How can he go without even talking to me.

"You are the one at fault, don't blame him for his obvious reaction." My subconscious mocked me.

She was right. I have a lot of explaining to do.

I was then moving towards the balcony, when someone called my name.

"Ms. Anaya, can I have a talk with you?" Mr. Raj asked in a confused tone, he clearly didn't believe I owned the most successful chain of jewelry industries now and am his biggest business rival.

However, I couldn't find any reason to refuse him, "Yes Mr. Raj, what did you want to talk about?" I asked professionally, which irritated him again, but he should know his place now, I am his business rival and he can't flirt with me now.

But I got confused a little, seeing a smile on his face, a faked smile which soon turned into a smirk, "Don't think so high of you, goldfish. I admit I was a little surprised seeing you here, and talking to those businessmen, but you're still so young and immature so watch your back."

Saying this he walked off the hall towards the entrance and left leaving me with my mouth open, the audacity of this guy. Arghhh,,I so despise him. Narcissistic, arrogant, jerk.

Soon after him, I left too. I sighed at the car and rested my head back on the seat. Reminding myself to talk to dad at home. My subordinated were on the other car, the worked hard too.

We then went to the hotel, but instead of going into the room. I asked them to just follow me. They followed me with a confusion, tired face, but still curious.

I then threw a party for them to congratulate and to show my gratitude. They were very happy, and I was happy seeing them happy. Then we went to our respective rooms and retired for the day.

At Home:

 We left Hongkong early morning and landed at afternoon. And now I am standing in front of the door being nervous and scared of his reaction. After a while of debating myself, I finally collected the courage to horn the bell.

"Hello Anaya, meri bacchi (my daughter)."  My mom opened the door after a while and smilingly hugged me. I hugged her back tightly. Letting go all my stress and nervousness.

"Hello Maa, How are you?, And how is dad?" I asked her trying to appear normal.

"I am good, was just missing you and waiting for you. As for your dad, I don't know what happened he is trying to avoid me since he arrived from his business meeting." She said while letting me in, she thinks I went with my friends on a vacation.

"Maa, I'll go talk to him, you don't worry. You please tell the servants to put back luggage in the room." I said trying to console her.

"Sure, go ahead." She stated.

I knocked at dad's office door and waited for him to call me in. But he didn't I tried a few times more only to be left with the same result. I then just barged in with the determination to get his forgiveness.

"Dad, I need to talk to you."

"Yes, Ms. Anaya soni, How may I help you?" He said professionally, hurt clear evident on his face. Oh My God..Please help me.

"Dad, please..." I was already on the verge of crying. I loved him so much, I can't stand him being angry at me.

"If you have nothing to say then please leave Miss. I am sure you must be very busy, with your business issues" Again he acted professional again.

"Dad, I am sorry."

"Hmm"

"Alright, dad I'll come later. When you will be ready to listen to me. I would tell you everything with mom together."

With that said, I started to leave his office. He didn't said anything. Didn't even asked anything.

 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------At the Dinner table, me and mom were arranging the dishes. I was still sulking over the topic and so was he. It was very difficult to open the topic infront of him, he always gave me a cold shoulder.

We all ate dinner silently, no one said anything, including the ever naughty, whimsical brother who can not shut his mouth for even a minute. A couple of days passed away like this.

I then decided to just barge in his office and blurt out the truth. Atleast I will then be satisfied that I did 50% of my work and will just have to wait till he forgives me.

The next morning he was reading newspaper while sipping his tea. The day was Sunday, a holiday for him and for me. I thought it would be the best day to talk to him as he will be home all day and will be able to think about it.

"Good morning dad."

--No replies ..No reaction..

"Dad, I want to tell you about it all."

Again no replies..he continued ignoring me..eyes still boring into the newspaper.

"I know you wanted me to be an engineer. To be firm on the decision I took in 11th standard. I thought so too.. that I should just continue preparing for engineering. But you know.. I got to know my real passion, my real dream later on. I wanted to stand on my feet on my own but at the same time stay close to you all. I wanted to pursue the family business and give you a surprise once it reaches the heights.

Actually dad, I never planned to hide this. But I never thought that I would see you at the party. It was all going to be a surprise on our birthday. I know I did wrong by doing this all behind your back but please don't ignore me..you can confront me..scold me..punish me but I can't handle you ignoring me.. I am sorry dad. I am really sorry." I found my eyes watery and my voice hoarse after telling all this.

I just stood up and left when he still gave me cold shoulders. I felt like crying..crying it all and letting go.

I was at the garden sitting in the swing, trying to stop myself from crying. After a while I saw Yash coming and sat beside me on the other swing. His eyes fixed on me

"You know you should just cry it all out. You did what you should and now it's time for the results."

I then cried aloud for a minute or two and he came and hugged me letting me cry on his shoulders.

"Thank you."  I said finally letting myself out of his embrace and wiping my tears. It was so unlike of me to cry. I don't usually cry, but the matters including my father always makes me vulnerable. I only used to cry when my dad would be angry on me and was not talking to me. Which was rare of course but still.

"Are you ok now?, Shall we move inside.. the sun is getting above the head." He said and I nodded.

He then held my hands and dragged me inside. We had breakfast while joked around and teased me, trying to enlighten my mood.

"Well, how did you know I was crying and what did you meant when you said 'you did what you should' I asked the question to him after being sober.

"How can I not know when my di is crying?"  He replied back smirking at me, ignoring my second question.

"Tell me now or else be ready for the consequences." I asked rather strictly.

"Woahhh,, the tigress is back after crying like a cat." He mocked me, "Well.. I heard your conversation with dad. So I kind of guess you were going to cry at the garden again."

"Hmm.."

"Well..Di I need your help." He asked with a hope, biting his lips."

"What happened?" I asked back with a frown on my face.

"I need you to accompany me to the mall.. I need to buy a suit for my fresher's party."

"Hmm sure."  I agreed I like selecting clothes buying it for him. I like showering my money on him. After all he is my only little brother.

 Anshuman's POV:

I was talking with one of my business partner in the party when I saw someone familiar dancing on the stage, on the spotlight. I was baffled.

My baby?..At first I didn't believed my eyes thinking how can she be here. She was on a vacation with her college friends.

I tried to deny myself saying it's not her. But when I heard her name from the chairman on the stage, that too as selected for being a 'business associate'. And that she is a owner of my the so famous 'A.S jewelry fashion'. I was shocked was an understatement. I was always trying to find about the CEO of that firm.. and now it came out to be my own daughter??

I mean my little daughter, how can it be her?, moreover how can I not know about this?.

She got the deal and was smiling on the stage, her gaze fell on me too. She looked at me with a little guilt or hope?.

'Hope for what?... to understand her?, to forgive her for lying to me?...or to congratulate her on her achievement.'   My innermind started forming questions.

I just left from there without glancing back at her. I booked the first ticket and flew back to India.

At home, Vandana tried to talk to me about my mood but I wanted to be alone, to think sometime alone. I asked her to leave me alone and she did gave me space which I am thankful for.

Why did she hid this from me?, does Vandana know?, does Yash know?, Did something got wrong on my upbringing?. Did she found out that she is not my real daughter, and is adopted and now feeling distant?,, if so, then for how long she knew about this?, Why didn't she asked anything to me or Vandana?, who helped her in all this.. she could not have done this all alone?...

She was going for an IT career, what made her to change her mind?, maybe she knew about the adoption thing and is now planning a revenge??..Oh My God.. I won't be able to live if she thinks like that?,, I am sorry my daughter, for lying through all your life that you were my own blood, but I never for once thought of you as different from my family.' I was so confused, I was very hurt. I wanted to be mad at her for lying to me but I was blaming myself. What if she leaves us now that she became independent?..The thought alone will kill me.. I know at some point I will need to let her go when she marries someone but I am not prepared to live without her for now?..She is my life, I can do anything for her, but I can't bear her hatred.'

I was so lost in my thoughts that I had lost the track of time.. It's been two days since I talked to anyone. I am just doing my business without speaking anything.

Sure Anaya came to talk to me the next day when she came back from HongKong.

"Dad, I need to talk to you."  She said.

"Yes, Ms. Anaya soni, How may I help you?" I replied back professionally, not nowing what she wants right now. I know I am hurt, but what if she is angry that I hid such a big life secret from her. She must hate me for that.

"Dad, please..."  I didn't know what she wanted to talk about, did she came to tell me she will leave the house now.?

"If you have nothing to say then please leave Miss. I am sure you must be very busy, with your business issues" I wouldn't be able to control back my voice from becoming hoarse if she stayed any longer here. I am afraid I would just go hug her tight and prevent her from going away.

"Dad, I am sorry."  Sorry?, for what?, for lying?, for leaving me finally?

"Hmm" I just said, trying to understand what she wants.

"Alright, dad I'll come later. When you will be ready to listen to me. I would tell you everything with mom together."  I am hell scared, I don't think I will be able to hear it directly from her mouth. I don't want to hear it.

But my doubts got cleared when she finally said what she wanted and why she did it. I was relieved to know that she doesn't hate me, and maybe she doesn't even know that she is adopted. She is not leaving this old man. Thank god...

She said it was going to be a surprise. I am still angry on her for doing such a big thing behind my back, without even taking any suggestions, without sharing any problems which must have been arised while setting up the firm. She could have consulted me, but it's okay, as long as she is with me, it's all fine.

I didn't reacted that time as I was so stunned listening to her. Oh my.. my little baby grew up, she found her passion.. I am so happy for her. I forgave her, but I won't show it to her now. She planned a surprise, now I will plan a surprise back for her.  I will help her and support her with her dreams always.

But I know I'll need to talk about the adoption too. I need to tell her, because if she knows about it from anywhere else then she might be too hurt. I will tell her myself.

I then went to my wife Vandana and told her everything. She was surprised, shocked at first and then laughed.

"Seriously, Anshuman, you thought your daughter will hate you. She will hate you just because you're not her real father?"

"This is not funny okay?,, And she hid such a big thing from me, never for once consulted me I am mad at her."

"Yes, you're right. She could've just informed us. But I am curious to hear how she did it all behind our back and proud that she reached where she wanted to be."

"I am proud of my baby too. I never thought my girl would be into business, that too while pursuing an engineering degree. Life sure tells you things at odd times."

"I am glad she wants to take forward the family business."

"Me too."