11pm, it's midnight and 'Karana' was totally silent, only a few stray dogs were barking. Karana was a small village which was situated in a small city of country D.
A small boy was sitting at the newly made water reserver and staring at the star filled sky, he was a little sad.
I don't understand why dad never listen to me, hmmph! He just don't love me, I'm not important for him anymore.
If not then why did he refused to return home with me? It's my birthday in two days, can't he even return home for two days? He even scolded me for arriving here.
Why? Why do I need his permission always, he never ask for permission before leaving for his business trips, he didn't even informed me about this trip. Humph, you just wait, let me grow more taller & stronger than him once, then he'll also have to listen to me, just like how I'm listening to him.
I'll never let him go anywhere, I'll chain him with me always. We'll talk, travel and do everything together. Yes, just lemme grow up once.
The little boy was talking with the stars, he was sharing his sadness with them. He was a typical father's boy, his father meant everything for him.
He was the son of a famous scientist & also a renowned businessman was the father of the little boy. He was also a social worker, Karana was his birth place where he returned to fulfill his dreams.
After working hard for thirty years and earning unlimited money and fame, he returned there to do some development of the small village which didn't had changed at all.
He has planned so much for the village and villagers, he wanted to build concrete roads, factories, hospitals, school. And for the last three months the work was going on.
He was also researching onto something, some life saving medicines with his team there.
The little boy just returned from his hostel for his birthday, and learnt about his father's arrival to 'Karana,' he was so excited and eager to meet the man, that's why he directly arrived here without informing the man.
Kedaar was surprised to see him, but angry also. The little boy didn't understood the hidden concern in between his father's scolding and felt very sad.
However, when talking with the stars he remembered about the hearty conversation between the junior & senior Bharadwaj.
** Flashback **
The father and son was sitting beside each other at the same place where he was sitting currently, they were gazing towards the stars without saying anything, "Still mad at me?" Kedaar asked his little guy while poking his arm.
The boy who initially wanted to throw a tantrum forgot everything and turned towards his father with eyes filled with tears. Kedaar just hugged his son to his chest.
The father and son stayed in each other's embrace for sometime before Kedaar spoke out quietly, "My son, tonight I want to say something to you which I had never said before."
The little boy looked up at his father with questionable gaze, Kedaar just stroked his head lovingly, "You know, in this world if I've loved anyone so much, then that's your mother. When she left, I lost my reason of living. But then I looked at you, and certainly found the reason to be alive.
You maybe feels that your father doesn't love you, nor likes you. And that's why I sent you to boarding school, but that's not right. I want you to know, after your mother, you're the only one whom I've loved so dearly.
I sent you far away from me because I want to keep you safe, secure & out of everyone's reach. I want you to grow up into the finest person, I want to see you as the emperor of the empire which I'd built for you.
I want you to stand on the highest pick, from where this whole world will look like a matchbox to you. Every person will have to crane their neck to see you, they will admire you, feel envious of you, inspired by you. But nobody will ever be able to touch you!
In the next two days you'll turn twelve years old, tonight I want to ask you something. Every year I gift you, this year, I want a gift from you, a promise from you, will you give it to me?" The little boy who was listening to hid father nod his head immediately, as if he was waiting for his father to say it.
Kedaar smiled noticing the twinkling lights in his eyes and the cute dimples on his cheeks. He held his hand out, "Promise me, you'll never turn weak, you'll never be frightened, you'll never accept defeat. You'll fight, in every condition. You'll face all the obstacles bravely, fight with them and win over them. Always remember you're born to rule!"
The little boy listened to his father's each words with full concentration. Each of the words etched in his mind and heart for forever, determination flashed in his eyes as he put his small hand over the larger one, "I promise you dad, I promise!!"
** Flashback **
He was reminiscing his evening conversation and the promise which he made to his father when he saw the yellowish light from distance.
He looked at it carefully and his eyes widened, it was not any normal yellow light, but fire. The mud houses were burning in fire, the whole village was looking like a large erupting volcano.
He shuddered inside watching the dreadful scene from afar, but then a horrid look flashed in his eyes as he remembered that his father was sleeping in their house.
With that thought he stood up immediately and climbed down from the reserver before running towards the village, the entire village was in chaos. Villagers were running here and there while screaming for their relatives & family members who were trapped inside the burning houses.
Some people were trying to stop the fire with the help of water, but no avail. The fire was so large, it was totally out of control. He looked at their small wooden house which was burning furiously and dread filled in his heart.
But before he could step forward his feet stopped suddenly, his father was standing at the courtyard while four men were standing surrounding him.
But that wasn't the only thing, he stared at the sharp swords in their hands which was covered with blood, his father's blood!
Kedaar was stumbling but his eyes were spotted onto the wall, the little guy stared into his father's eyes which were conveying his relief to see him alive, warning flashed in his eyes as he looked at the little boy who was ready to step inside and ran towards him.
He stopped by the warning, he understood the underlying meaning behind the stares and quickly hid himself from the eyes of the killers.
Tears flowed from his eyes continuously while his body trembled in fear, fear of losing his only family, his lips trembled, but he stayed silent while watching his father's death.
"Aaah!!"
The man smiled as the four swords entered inside his body from each sides. The boy felt his blood turning cold in fear, but he refused to close his eyes for even a moment.
"Kedaar, thank you for your precious invention. We'll take care of it, and also your business. Trust us, we never wanted your son to die, but alas! He died in this fire, we can understand how you're feeling. Let us send you to him & your wife. Good bye!" They threw the man into the burning house while laughing devilishly.
......
Standing onto the deserted land Rajveer stared at the specific place. His beautiful pair of almond shaped eyes filled with dread. His body was filled with numerous bruises, his shirt was covered in blood stains.
Blood was dripping from his eyebrows, corner of lips, his hands. There was no strength left in his body as he fell down on his knees, his half opened eyes filled with tears were flowing out of his eyes continuously as he living the dreadful night in his life once again.
Each of the words were echoing in his ears as he looked at the desert which was a lively village once, today it was a desert. Without even a single trace of life.
The yellow sand had covered all the remnants of the once said village. He closed his eyes and a faint sound reached his ears which turned louder gradually.
He opened his eyes to see the ferocious man eater dogs eying him. He turned behind them to see a large group of men, not just men but trained killers staring at him dreadfully.
"Welcome to Karana, Rajveer!!" A strong, powerful & terrifying voice called him out in a cheerful manner.