The Clock

Mr. Abhimanyu Shourie stood before the Knibb longcase clock in his hall, a tall, dignified sentinel of English oak, its brass dial glowing softly in the afternoon light. For generations it had watched over the Shourie home, its pendulum swinging with the same calm certainty with which it once marked the hours in a townhouse on Holywell Street, Oxford, where Joseph Knibb himself had shaped its heartbeat.

The Shouries were a family of distinction, lawyers, doctors, engineers, scholars, their achievements preserved in archives. Among them was Abhimanyu’s great‑great‑grandfather, Pratipta Shourie, who had studied law at Middle Temple. It was there that his brilliance caught the eye of Richard Cullingham, a revered tutor, who gifted him the Knibb clock saying, “This is more precious than diamonds. Guard it well.”

And so, the clock travelled across continents and centuries, carrying not just Knibb’s craftsmanship but the affection of a mentor who had seen greatness in a young Indian long before the world did.

As a budding IIM‑A graduate, Abhimanyu often thought of the clock as immortal, a being that chose to endure. The fact that it had ticked faithfully for nearly four hundred years without restoration felt miraculous.

He touched the wooden case gently. Tick. Tock. A rhythm older than his family, older than empires that had risen and fallen while this clock simply continued.

He had grown up watching his grandfather and father tend to it like a child, oiling it every few years, brushing away dust, guarding it from humidity, keeping the room cool, never letting sunlight touch its oak skin. The clock had never been moved from its chosen spot, selected with almost ceremonial care.

Sometimes Abhimanyu wondered: so much devotion for a clock. And then the thought struck him, if human beings were cared for with even half this gentleness, the world would be far kinder. Perhaps the Shouries themselves had lessons to learn from the way they guarded this silent keeper of time.

The Shourie Story

The Shourie family’s legacy stretches back to the 1800s, when their name first appeared in archives as that of a wealthy, well‑diversified business clan. Under Prishata Shourie, the family’s fortunes expanded rapidly. He managed their assets with intelligence and foresight, strengthening their influence across North India.

His son, Pratipta Shourie, completed his Barrister of Law in London and returned to India in 1917. By 1918, Prishata, diagnosed with terminal cancer, called his son, and revealed the full extent of the family’s wealth, properties, and business operations. Knowing his time was short, he passed on every nuance of the business to Pratipta.

In 1919, Pratipta married Sunanda, and soon after, their son Shantanu was born. When Shantanu was just six months old, Prishata passed away. With his father gone, Pratipta resolved not only to preserve the family empire but to expand it.

He continued the family’s traditional Indigo and Textile Trading, but added new verticals with strategic vision:

Caravan & Riverine Logistics: He built a logistics network of bullock‑cart caravans, river boats on the Ganga and Yamuna, and warehouses at key trade points. This allowed the Shouries to control not just production, but the entire supply chain.

Legal & Contracting Services: As a trained barrister, Pratipta became a sought‑after legal advisor to zamindars and traders, and a trusted intermediary between Indian merchants and British officers. His mastery of contracts gave the Shouries influence far beyond commerce.

Handloom & Fine Muslin Patronage: Using profits from indigo, he invested in handloom clusters, muslin weavers, and dyeing units. “Shourie‑backed muslin” became renowned in Lucknow, Calcutta, Bombay, and even London through Company auctions.

Through these expansions, Pratipta transformed the Shourie enterprise from a prosperous trading house into a multi‑vertical business empire, one that combined legal acumen, logistical strength, and cultural patronage.

Shantanu’s Story

Shantanu grew up in a thriving business environment and quickly proved himself a bright, capable heir. He completed his B.Com from the London School of Economics (LSE) in 1942 and returned to India to support his father in the now multi‑vertical Shourie enterprise. With a natural strength in finance, he immediately took charge of the financial operations and, through sharp judgment and discipline, strengthened the business even further.

In 1944, he married Gargi, an educated woman from a business family. She became not only his wife but also his trusted advisor and partner in every major decision. Over time, both Shantanu and Gargi earned equal respect within the organisation, and the Shouries’ reputation as leading business tycoons grew steadily.

Pratipta’s Passing & Shantanu’s Family

In 1953, tragedy struck the Shouries. Pratipta slipped on the staircase, suffered a fatal brain haemorrhage, and passed away. The loss shattered the family, especially Sunanda, who never fully recovered. Yet Pratipta had been fortunate, he had lived long enough to enjoy precious years with all four of his grandsons, to whom he was deeply attached.

Following a family tradition begun in Prishata’s time, the Shouries named their descendants after characters from the Mahabharata. Thus, Pratipta and Sunanda’s four grandsons were named: Bhishweshar (Brish), Krishnaneshwar (Krish), Vyasheshwar (Vyas), Vidureshwar (Vidur)

These names carried both legacy and blessing, binding the new generation to the family’s long‑standing heritage.

Shantanu’s Business Expansion & Distribution

As India evolved, Shantanu and Gargi realigned the Shourie enterprise to match the changing economic landscape. By 1963, they had reorganised the business into five strong verticals: Textile Mills – the family’s legacy, Shipping & Logistics – their historical strength, Finance & Trading House – aligned with their barrister‑business roots, Real Estate & Construction – leveraging the post‑independence boom, Steel & Engineering – suited to the industrialisation era.

By then, all four sons were involved in the business, with Vidur being the newest entrant.

After careful discussion, Shantanu and Gargi distributed the verticals based on each son’s education and strengths: Brish – Textile Mills, supported by his textile technology diploma from the University of Leeds. Krish – Shipping & Logistics, aligned with his specialisation in Shipping Management from LSE. Vyas – Real Estate & Construction. Vidur – Finance & Trading House, matching his academic background

The most critical vertical, Steel & Engineering, Shantanu retained under his own leadership.

This structured distribution ensured continuity, clarity, and a smooth generational transition within the Shourie business empire.

Shouries on the Personal Front

Professionally, the Shouries were thriving, but on the personal front, Shantanu and Gargi faced growing concerns. Brish announced he would never marry; a past relationship had failed, and he chose a life of bachelorhood. Krish, meanwhile, came home one day with a life‑changing decision, he wanted to adopt a baby boy he had found abandoned at the docks. The workers told him the child’s parents had died of an undiagnosed illness. Unable to leave the infant behind, Krish brought him home and named him Karn, later choosing not to marry so he could devote himself entirely to raising the boy.

Vyas married Aruna through a simple registered marriage, as her family lacked the means for a grand ceremony. Vidur, however, had a lavish wedding in full Shourie style when he married Parina, who came from a business family, a classic business‑to‑business alliance. This gave Shantanu and Gargi some comfort; at least one marriage aligned with their expectations.

Karn’s Acceptance

Though Karn was not fully accepted by Shantanu for not being of the bloodline, he grew into the most talented and intelligent of the younger generation. Krish, who had adopted him as an abandoned infant at the docks, never demanded formal acceptance from his parents. But one day, he approached them with a quiet request: Karn wished to marry his girlfriend Vrushali, and Krish asked if Shantanu and Gargi could at least come to bless the couple. He reminded them that Karn had no mother and that Gargi’s blessing would mean everything. He wanted no grand wedding, just family.

Shantanu and Gargi gave no immediate answer, and Krish left without protest, as always.

On the wedding day, the ceremony was simple, attended few from Vrushali’s family. Krish had booked a small hall to avoid attention. As the auspicious moment neared, three Rolls Royce arrived. To Krish’s shock, Shantanu, Gargi, Brish, Vyas, Vidur, and their wives stepped out. Overwhelmed, Krish ran to them and fell at their feet. Shantanu lifted him and hugged him tightly.

Inside, Dhrit and Arjun embraced Karn with joy. Vrushali’s family, aware of the Shouries’ stature, respectfully took Shantanu and Gargi’s blessings. Shantanu hugged Vrushali’s father warmly.

Gargi then saw Karn, tall, handsome, and silently emotional. A wave of guilt washed over her. She walked to him, opened her arms, and Karn ran into her embrace. She wept, saying, “I am sorry, dear. I ignored you. The credit for who you are goes to your father and uncles.” Karn bent to touch her feet, leaving her trembling with emotion.

He then turned to Shantanu. “Grandpa…” As he bent, Shantanu lost balance and sat on the floor, pulling Karn into a tight embrace he didn’t want to release.

Vrushali followed, and Gargi told her softly, “Don’t be as heartless as I was. When Krish brought him home, he was just one year old. Any woman would have loved him, except me. Please take care of him. Bloodlines don’t matter above human nature.” Vrushali promised she would, and Shantanu blessed her like his own granddaughter.

Brish arrived late and missed the emotional peak. He and Krish had raised Karn together, shaping his academic, mental, and physical strength. Karn’s many achievements were largely due to them. Yet neither Brish nor Krish had ever questioned Shantanu or Gargi about their early rejection.

For Krish, that day was a dream fulfilled, his parents had come, blessed Karn, shared a meal, and insisted they all return home together.

Vyas’s Revolt & the Breaking Point

Just when peace seemed to return, Vyas and Aruna announced they wanted to step out of the Shourie brand and build their own identity. They demanded one‑fourth of the family fortune, claiming equal rights.

Brish reacted sharply. “The brand carries credibility. The company was built by our parents. You’ve barely begun, Vyas,still borrowing from our companies and now you want the fortune divided? What nonsense!”

He also accused Vyas of involving Dhrit too early, despite everyone knowing Dhrit was the least competent among the cousins. Vyas snapped back, “Since you never married, you won’t understand responsibility. Don’t comment.” He insisted he would speak only to his parents.

Krish and Vidur tried to intervene, but the argument escalated. Even they warned they would go legal if Shantanu accepted Vyas’s demands.

Shocked, Shantanu asked for three days to decide. The others questioned the delay but agreed out of respect.

Meanwhile, Dhrit, influenced by Aruna’s greedy brother Sukanta, pushed Vyas to break away. Aware that his cousins were far more qualified, Dhrit often lashed out to mask his insecurity. Many times, Brish calmed the others, asking them to avoid conflict for peace.

Dhrit even tried to create rifts between Arjun and Karn, but the two remained unshakeable, which only angered him further.

For two days, Shantanu and Gargi discussed the matter. Gargi was firm: “We built this with our blood and sweat. If Vyas wants his share, give it, but he must leave. No separate brand.” Shantanu wanted to persuade Vyas gently, but Gargi reminded him this was no longer just about Vyas - Aruna, Dhrit, and Sukanta were driving the revolt.

The Verdict

On the third day, Vyas gathered everyone, pressing for a decision. Shantanu felt hurt, but Gargi told him, “I will speak. You remain silent.”

When the family assembled, Gargi addressed Vyas directly:

“I stayed silent while you all fought. Our decision is final. You may take your share of the fortune, which we will decide, or you may go legal. But we will not let you use the Shourie brand.”

Her authority stunned everyone, even Brish.

She added, “Your decision is now or never.”

After a long silence, Vyas asked, “Mother, we will take our share. But how will you divide it?”

Gargi replied coldly, “That is none of your business. Your father has authorised me to handle the fortune. Pray he lives long after having to face such an unworthy son. If you don’t trust us, go legal, I’m open to that too.”

Aruna intervened softly, “We leave it to you.”

Gargi concluded, “Fine. You will get your share,provided you pack your belongings and leave the Shouries House main gate. The money will be in your accounts immediately. Never look back.”

She then went to her room and cried inconsolably. She knew Vyas’s mind had been poisoned, and though she had acted firmly, she prayed that one day wisdom would return to him.

Arjun’s Grand Wedding

When it was time for Arjun to marry, the family finally saw a celebration that echoed the old Shourie grandeur. Like his father Vidur, Arjun valued tradition and the prestige of the Shourie name. As was common in affluent families, the marriage was arranged, a classic business‑meets‑business alliance.

He married Yashita, and after more than fifty years, the Shouries witnessed another full‑scale Shourie‑style wedding, rich in tradition, dignity, and pride.

The Breaking of the brothers

As age caught up with them, Shantanu and Gargi called their sons to realign the business. They wanted the remaining three sons to take over the five verticals. Shantanu proposed: Arjun → Steel & Engineering, Karn → Real Estate & Construction and rest no change.

He believed the decision would be simple. It wasn’t.

Karn Objects

Karn spoke calmly but firmly:

“This is not just. Real Estate yields far less than Steel & Engineering. That vertical was mishandled and carries no market weight. We are No. 1 in Steel, what is the justification for giving it to Arjun and not me? We are brothers, yes, but professionally there must be fairness.”

Arjun’s Outburst

Arjun snapped:

“Karn, you are not my real brother. It is Grandpa’s magnanimity that you even have a share of our brand.”

The room froze.

Krish intervened, shocked: “What are you saying? He has been with you since you were born.”

Arjun replied coldly: “Sorry, Krish uncle, we don’t even have official records of his birth year.”

Brish thundered: “Mind your tongue! Apologise now.”

Arjun stayed silent.

Karn smiled faintly: “Thanks for reminding me of my birth uncertainty. The fault is not mine.”

Arjun shot back: “Not your fault, but beggars can’t be choosers.”

The Slap

Krish lost control and slapped Arjun.

Vidur stepped in: “Where is Arjun wrong? We accepted your deed against the family’s wishes by letting you stay in this house.”

Karn could not tolerate his father being insulted.

“Fine,” he said. “Grandpa, Ma, give us our share. We will leave like Vyas uncle. Let Arjun enjoy the companies as the legal heir.”

Arjun added cruelly: “Krish uncle lost legal claims by his deed. He owns nothing.”

Krish’s Heartbreak

Krish’s voice trembled as he spoke:

“Arjun, when you were young, it was Karn who helped you study, taught you to read classics, tied your shoelaces, took you to school, protected you from Dhrit. Even in business, he guided you. What has Dhrit done for you? Nothing.”

He continued:

“None of you know Dhrit once planned to give you excess sleeping pills. Karn fought him and got his wrist cut. I took him to the hospital. We never complained.”

Then he ended:

“You call me and Karn ineligible. Fine. We will leave. We need no fortune, no company. Wishing you all success.”

Another Departure

Shantanu and Gargi begged Krish to reconsider, saying Arjun was young and foolish. But Krish and Karn walked out, another son gone.

Shattered, Brish too decided to leave. He handed over his company with a simple note: “To whomsoever it may concern.” He chose to live alone.

The Empty Mansion

The great Shourie mansion, once filled with generations of laughter, now echoed with silence. Only a few remained within its vast walls, the family was broken.

Two and a half Decades Later — Iravati & Abhimanyu

Two and a half decades had passed since the Shourie family fractured. In the present day, Abhimanyu, son of Arjun and Yashita, stood as the quiet observer of a legacy that had splintered long before he was born. His younger sister, Iravati, remained the closest person in his life, only two years apart, bound by secrets, quarrels, and an unspoken emotional wavelength.

She had just cleared CAT with a 99.2 percentile, securing admission to IIM Calcutta. The house glowed with pride, but beneath the celebration lay a truth: she had barely two months before leaving for Kolkata. She wanted to savour every moment of freedom.

The Conversation That Changed Everything

A knock came on her door.

“Yep, come in,” she said.

“Hi, dear bro! What’s up!” Iravati chirped.

Abhimanyu stepped in, oddly formal. “Iru… how are you?”

She narrowed her eyes. “Abhi, come to the point. You’re never this formal. What’s going on?”

“Iru, just hear me out before you shoot it down.”

She folded her arms. “Fine. But don’t suggest anything that ruins my two months of freedom.”

Abhimanyu took a breath.

“Iru… you know how big our family is, right?”

She blinked. “What’s that supposed to mean? Oh! Got it. You’re in love! Show me her picture right now!”

“Iru, wait! I don’t have a girlfriend. Just listen.”

She sighed. “Fine. But make it interesting.”

Abhimanyu continued quietly:

“Our family is huge… but completely fragmented. We don’t speak. We don’t meet. We don’t even know each other’s faces anymore.”

Then he said it: “Why don’t we try to bring the Shouries together? One big family under one roof?”

Iravati stared at him. “Abhi, you need medical attention. Immediately.”

“I’m serious.”

“And I’m serious too,” she shot back. “I want to enjoy my six or seven weeks. Count me out. You’ll fail anyway.”

Abhimanyu didn’t argue.

“Iru… you’re the only one I can talk to. That’s why I shared it. Go enjoy your holidays. I won’t bring it up again.”

He turned to leave. “See you.”

The Shift — The Moment She Broke

That evening, she found him still at his laptop.

“Abhi,” she said softly.

“Hm?”

“I’m still not joining your mission. My holidays are sacred.”

He smiled. “I know.”

“But… you weren’t wrong. Things have changed. A lot.”

He nodded.

He turned the laptop toward her. “Just look at this once. Fifteen families. Fifty‑four members. Maybe after your holiday, before leaving Kolkata, we can think of a small get‑together.”

She took the laptop and scrolled. Slowly.

Then the scrolling stopped.

Abhimanyu touched her shoulder. “Iru… what happened?”

A tear fell on the keyboard.

“Nothing… just that it’s such a sad state of affairs. We have so many relatives, yet we don’t know a single one by face.”

“Exactly,” he whispered.

She closed the laptop. “Oops… Abhi, you’re making this difficult.”

He tried to ease her mind. “No problem, Iru. Plan your holidays. Maybe time is too short anyway. After IIM, we can see. Let’s drop it.”

She snapped toward him. “Enough, Abhi. You smart idiot, you used every trick to pull me in, and now you’re saying drop it?”

“I just meant….”

She cut him off. “Considering even the relatives abroad, May is ideal. Just before I leave for Kolkata. That’s the window.”

Abhimanyu raised his hands. “As you say…”

That was it.

Iravati lunged at him. “You bloody Chanakya! I want to kill you. Spoiler!”

Abhimanyu sprinted away, laughing, because he knew: She was in.

Chapter: The Journey to Varanasi — Meeting Bhish Grand Pa

A Decision Born in Silence

After their long conversation about reuniting the Shouries, Abhimanyu and Iravati sat quietly, the weight of a fractured family settling between them. With Shantanu and Gargi gone, there was only one elder left who still held the family’s memory with affection, not bitterness, Bhish Grand Pa, now in his eighties and living in Varanasi.

Iru whispered, “We should go to Varanasi. Talk to Bhish Grand Pa. Ask him how to begin.” Abhi nodded. They both knew this wasn’t something to discuss with their parents; this journey needed clarity, not caution.

That evening, they told Arjun and Yashita they were taking a short sibling trip. Their parents, happy to see them bonding, agreed.

Arrival in Varanasi

Their flight touched down as the late‑afternoon sun turned gold. The warm, earthy air of Varanasi - dust, incense, and something ancient, greeted them. As they drove past narrow lanes, old houses, and saffron‑clad sadhus, Iru whispered:

“It feels like we’ve stepped into another time.” Abhi replied, “Maybe that’s why Grand Pa chose this place.”

For both, the journey felt symbolic, as if they were travelling toward the last living thread of a once‑mighty family.

The Meeting

The caretaker opened the door, delighted. “Dadaji will be so happy. He sits in the verandah at this hour.”

They walked through the courtyard and saw him, Bhish Grand Pa, wrapped in a light shawl, silver hair glowing in the fading light.

He looked up, eyes softening. “My children…”

Iru hugged him tightly. Abhi touched his feet, and Bhish held his head with trembling hands.

“You came… after so many years.”

Abhi said quietly, “There was no one else we could speak to.”

They sat together in silence, the kind that heals.

Bhish Speaks of the Past

When Abhi explained the distance, the unknown cousins, the bitterness that had seeped through generations, Bhish listened without interrupting.

Then he said softly:

“Families like ours don’t collapse in a day. They crumble through pride, ego, and wounds no one tended. Your father… your uncles… even I… we all made mistakes.”

He looked at them with gentle firmness.

“But you two carry no grudges. That is your strength.”

Iru asked, “Grand Pa… can this be repaired?”

He nodded. “Yes. But not by reopening wounds. Not by demanding anything. It begins with you, with small steps, with conversations, with showing them that the next generation refuses to inherit the bitterness of the last.”

Abhi asked, “Where do we start?”

Bhish smiled. “One heart at a time.”

Whom to Approach First

Iru hesitated. “Grand Pa… whom should we approach first?”

Bhish leaned back, eyes drifting to the fading light.

“Start with Dhrit Uncle.”

He continued:

“After leaving the family, Vyas, Aruna, and Dhrit tried business after business, all failed. Not because fate was cruel, but because they lacked the discipline your fathers had. Today they live in a flat in Allahabad, struggling with health issues.”

His voice softened.

“But destiny is strange. Their children, Durjay and Dhruti, are brilliant, top MNCs, well settled. I was the only one from our side who attended their weddings.”

He handed Abhi a folded paper.

“Go to Vyas Grand Pa first. They will welcome you. I will not call them, let your arrival be a surprise. After that, visit Krish Grand Pa. One step at a time.”

A Blessing and a Promise

As the sun dipped behind the rooftops, a fragile but real hope entered the Shourie story again.

Before leaving, Abhi and Iru sought Bhish Grand Pa’s blessings. He assured them:

“On the day you plan the event… I will come to the Shourie house. Without fail.”

They left Varanasi with renewed purpose, carrying the first spark of a reunion that time itself had been waiting for.

Chapter: The Visit to Allahabad — Meeting Vyas Grand Pa

Arrival in a Changed City

Two days after leaving Varanasi, Abhimanyu and Iravati flew to Prayagraj. As the aircraft descended, the city unfolded beneath them, heritage blending into modernity. The warm air outside the airport carried a strange familiarity, as if the city sensed they had come to mend something long broken.

Their cab drove through wide, tree‑lined roads and into a posh gated community - landscaped gardens, polished pathways, and quiet elegance. Durjay had bought one flat for his parents, Dhruti another for hers, both close, both symbols of a new generation rebuilding dignity.

Abhi whispered, “Bhish Grand Pa was right… destiny really does turn the table.” Iru nodded. “And maybe today… it turns again.”

The Door Opens

They rang the bell.

An older, thinner, fragile Vyas Grand Pa opened the door. His once‑commanding presence had faded; regret lived in his eyes.

He stared blankly. “Who… who are you?”

Abhi stepped forward gently. “Grand Pa… I am Abhimanyu, son of Arjun and Yashita. This is my sister, Iravati.”

For a moment, nothing.

Then his eyes widened. His hands shook. “My children… my Shourie children…” He collapsed into Abhi’s arms, sobbing like a man who had carried guilt for decades.

Aruna emerged, frail, coughing softly. “Who are they?”

Iru touched her feet. “Aunty… I am Iravati. This is Abhimanyu.”

Aruna covered her face, crying. “Forgive us… we were blind… we were foolish…”

Then Dhrit appeared, bent, weak, leaning on a stick, looking far older than his years.

“Who… are you?” he asked.

Abhi repeated softly, “I am Abhimanyu… and this is Iravati.”

Dhrit froze. Tears filled his eyes. “I never thought… I would see any of you again.”

Bhish Grand Pa’s words echoed in Abhi’s mind: “They are suffering for their deeds in this very life.”

The Next Generation Arrives

The door opened again.

Durjay and Dhruti walked in, confident, polished, returning from work. They stopped abruptly.

Aruna whispered, “These are your cousins from Delhi.”

Durjay’s voice trembled. “We’ve known your names all our lives… but never your faces.”

Dhruti’s eyes filled. “We grew up hearing we had cousins… but we never met even once.”

Iru hugged Dhruti tightly. Durjay embraced Abhi. The room filled with tears, strangers by circumstance, family by blood.

Vyas watched them and broke down again. “This… this is what I destroyed. And this… this is what God has returned to me before I die.”

Abhi held his hand. “No, Grand Pa. This is what we are rebuilding. Together.”

Conversations That Healed

They all sat in the living room, sunlight filtering through the curtains.

Durjay spoke first. “We grew up hearing fragments… fights, fortune, pride. But never the full story.”

Dhruti added, “Whenever we asked, they said, ‘It’s over. Don’t ask.’ So, we stopped asking.”

Abhi said gently, “Everyone made mistakes. Ego, misunderstandings… it all spiralled.”

Iru added, “We didn’t even know we had cousins our age.”

Durjay nodded. “We always felt something was missing.”

Dhruti squeezed Iru’s hand. “If this is the beginning… we’re with you.”

Something shifted, a quiet promise that the next generation would not inherit the bitterness of the last.

A Farewell Filled with Hope

The next morning, they prepared to leave.

Vyas insisted on walking them to the door. “Stay a little longer,” he pleaded.

Abhi held his hand. “We will come again, Grand Pa. This is not the last visit.”

Aruna placed a trembling hand on Iru’s head. “Bless you, child… you brought light into this house after so many years.”

Dhrit whispered, “I don’t deserve your forgiveness… but thank you for coming.”

Abhi touched his feet. “Let the past rest, Uncle. We’re here now.”

Durjay hugged Abhi. “Call me anytime. We’re family now - truly.”

Dhruti embraced Iru. “Next time, you’re staying with me. No arguments.”

As the siblings walked toward the lift, the three elders stood at the doorway - frail, emotional, united in gratitude.

Vyas raised his hand in blessing. “Go, my children… may God guide you. You healed wounds I thought would never close.”

In the lift, Iru whispered, “Abhi… we did the right thing.”

Abhi nodded. “This is just the beginning.”

Outside, the morning sun shone brightly over the posh locality, as if signalling that a new chapter in the Shourie family had finally begun.

Chapter : Visiting Karn Uncle

A Call Filled with Gratitude

As soon as they stepped out of the building, Abhi and Ira called Bhish Grand Pa.

“Grand Pa… you were right,” Abhi said, his voice heavy with emotion. “They welcomed us with open arms.”

“It felt as though they had been waiting for this moment for years,” Ira added softly. “Thank you. None of this would have happened without your guidance.”

After listening quietly, Bhish said,

“My children, the first knot has opened. Now it is time to meet Karn. Remember, approach him with care. Never let him feel he was outside the Shourie fold.”

Those words stayed with them.

Journey to the Man Who Built an Empire

Following Bhish Grand Pa’s advice, Abhi and Ira flew to Bangalore.

When their cab stopped before a towering corporate headquarters bearing the name KK Solutions, both stood stunned.

“Abhi… this is Karn Uncle’s company?”

“Yes,” Abhi replied. “The same KK Solutions that became a global technology giant.”

The scale of his success filled them with pride and nervousness.

Inside the office, they requested a meeting.

“We are his niece and nephew,” Ira told the receptionist.

Moments later, the message arrived:

“Mr. Karn will see you.”

Their hearts began pounding.

The First Meeting

At the top floor, they entered Karn’s office.

Standing near the window was a man whose presence filled the room effortlessly confident, dignified, and commanding.

“May I know who you are?” he asked.

Abhi stepped forward.

“Uncle, I am Abhimanyu, son of Arjun Shourie. This is my sister, Iravati.”

For a moment Karn remained motionless.

Then he walked toward them.

Slowly.

Deliberately.

And suddenly pulled both into a tight embrace.

It was warm.

Protective.

Familiar.

As though years of separation had vanished in an instant.

When they bent to touch his feet, Karn immediately lifted them.

“No, darlings. You belong at my heart, not at my feet.”

He gently wiped Ira’s tears.

“What is your name, sweetheart?”

“Iravati.”

“Sit, my child.”

He sat between them, holding one hand of each.

No one spoke.

The silence itself carried years of longing.

Family Found Again

Unable to contain her emotions, Ira moved to the floor and rested her head on Karn’s lap.

For a moment he froze.

Then his hands gently moved through her hair.

Tears rolled down his face.

Abhi wrapped his arms around him from behind.

The powerful industrialist who had conquered the business world had just rediscovered something infinitely more valuable.

Family.

A Homecoming Begins

Still emotional, Karn called home.

“Vrushali, prepare everything. I’m bringing two beautiful young souls’ home.”

After a pause, he added,

“And call Dad. Tell him to come home immediately. Never before and never again, will such a moment come to us.”

Before leaving, he addressed his staff.

“These two are my precious nephew and niece. No calls. No meetings. Today belongs to them.”

For the first time, employees saw not their Chairman and CEO, but a loving uncle.

A Conversation from the Heart

Driving them home himself, Karn glanced repeatedly at the rear-view mirror.

“Are you comfortable, children?”

Then quietly he asked,

“Do you know... I am an adopted son?”

Ira immediately leaned forward.

“So? Big deal. You are our own uncle. Period.”

Karn tightened his grip on the steering wheel.

Abhi added,

“Let us bury the past. We came to meet you, Aunty, Krish Grand Pa, and our cousins.”

For a long moment, Karn could not speak.

Welcome Home

The gates of a magnificent bungalow opened.

As the car entered, Karn looked at them through the mirror and smiled.

“Welcome home, children.”

For the first time in their lives, Abhi and Ira truly felt what those words meant.

Meeting Vrushali

At the entrance stood Vrushali.

“Karn… who are these two?”

His voice trembled.

“Vrushali… these are Arjun’s children.”

She froze.

“Arjun’s children?”

In a flash she rushed and embraced them both.

“My beautiful children. I have known your names for years, but never your faces. Come inside. This home has waited for you.”

Tears flowed freely.

Yet every tear carried joy.

The Arrival of Krish Grand Pa

Then came a soft melody through the hall.

And with it appeared Krish Grand Pa.

Radiant.

Graceful.

Smiling.

Karn spoke softly.

“Dad… these are Abhimanyu and Iravati.”

Krish Grand Pa walked toward them with open arms.

“The cycle turns,” he said. “Bad days come. Good days follow. Pain arrives. Healing follows. That is life. And today, the good days have returned to the Shouries.”

Abhi and Ira touched his feet.

Krish placed both hands upon their heads.

“My children. My blood. My Shouries. Welcome home.”

The embrace that followed felt like a blessing from destiny itself.

The Feast of Reunion

That evening the dining table became a celebration.

Vrushali served dish after dish.

Karn insisted Abhi and Ira sit beside him.

Krish Grand Pa watched with endless happiness.

At one point Ira laughed.

Karn immediately smiled.

“You laugh exactly like Arjun.”

Krish added,

“And Abhimanyu carries Arjun’s silence, the silence that speaks more than words.”

Abhi’s eyes filled.

“Grand Pa… we missed all of you.”

Krish nodded gently.

“Every family has its winters. But spring always returns. Today, spring has come home.”

The house felt complete once again.

A Difficult Proposal

Later that evening, after dinner, everyone gathered in the hall with bowls of ice cream.

Ira quietly moved to sit on the floor before Karn. Across the room, Abhi did the same before Krish Grand Pa.

The elders exchanged puzzled glances.

Then Ira shared the real purpose of their visit.

When she finished, silence settled over the room.

Karn gently brushed her hair.

“Dear, Arjun’s birthday should never become a day of conflict.”

His voice softened.

“I was used to hearing taunts about my background... insults... and being made to feel different. Except for Bhish Uncle, very few stood beside me.”

He paused.

“I can leave the past behind. I have lived with it for years. But Vrish and Uttara will never be able to take it. They will not tolerate seeing their father insulted again.”

The pain behind those words filled the room.

Sensing the emotion, Abhi gently changed the direction of the conversation.

“Uncle, can we speak to Brother Vrish and Sister Uttara?”

Karn’s face brightened immediately.

“Of course.”

Reaching Across Oceans

Vrushali dialled Vrish first.

“Good morning, Ma,” he said sleepily. “Everything okay?”

“Wait,” Vrushali replied with a smile. “Let me connect Uttara too.”

Moments later, Uttara appeared on screen.

“Good morning, Ma. What happened?”

Vrushali's eyes sparkled.

“Nothing is wrong. In fact, something wonderful has happened.”

She connected the call to the large screen in the hall.

Abhi and Ira came into view.

For a moment, both Vrish and Uttara simply stared.

Then Vrushali announced proudly,

“These are Arjun Uncle’s children - Abhimanyu and Iravati.”

Uttara sprang from her bed.

“Ira and Abhi! Oh my God!”

Vrish sat upright instantly, his face filled with disbelief and joy.

“This is really happening?”

Uttara could barely contain herself.

“You two look so wonderful! Dad, Mom, and Grand Pa have spoken about you for years. We always wondered when we would finally meet.”

Ira whispered softly,

“Didi...”

The single word shattered every remaining barrier.

Uttara’s eyes filled instantly.

“I’m thirty-six years old,” she said through tears, “and this is the first time my own little sister has called me ‘Didi’.”

Tears flowed everywhere, in Bangalore and in America.

Abhi smiled warmly.

“Good morning, Vrish Dada. Good morning, Uttara Didi. We have missed all of you.”

“We have missed you too,” Vrish replied emotionally. “I’m sure Bhish Grand Pa guided you here.”

Both siblings nodded.

When Ira explained their plan, Uttara did not hesitate.

“Yes. Absolutely yes.”

Vrish remained thoughtful for a moment.

Then he nodded.

“We should support this.”

Ira hesitated.

“But Karn Uncle doesn't want to come.”

The smile disappeared from both cousins' faces.

“He still remembers,” Vrish said quietly.

“Because he was the one who suffered,” Uttara added firmly. “But two beautiful souls have come all this way with a noble purpose. We cannot let this opportunity pass.”

Abhi’s voice became strong.

“And if anyone insults our uncle, we will not remain silent.”

The declaration struck every heart present.

Tears flowed freely once again.

Krish Grand Pa rose slowly, his face glowing with hope.

“I can see a bright future for the Shouries.”

Karn looked around the room, overwhelmed by the love surrounding him.

Then, at last, he nodded.

“Yes. Let us go.”

“Hurrah!” everyone shouted together.

Music Beneath the Stars

That night special arrangements were made on the terrace.

Mattresses.

Blankets.

Warm lights.

Open skies.

Krish Grand Pa brought out his beloved flute.

As the melody drifted through the night air, it felt magical.

For Abhi and Ira, it was a moment beyond words.

A memory they would cherish forever.

A Farewell Filled with Laughter

The next morning arrived too quickly.

There were hugs.

Tears.

Promises.

Karn and Vrushali personally drove them to the airport.

As Abhi and Ira walked toward the departure gate, Ira suddenly turned and ran back.

She buried her face against Karn’s chest and whispered,

“Uncle… please find a handsome husband like you for me too.”

For a second Karn stared.

Then he and Vrushali burst into laughter.

A genuine, joyful laughter that echoed through the terminal.

The Journey Continues

Inside the airport, Abhi called Bhish Grand Pa.

“Grand Pa… done. What next?”

Bhish chuckled softly.

“Leave the rest to me. Let us make this an unforgettable event, one that will remain etched in memory forever. At least I will be fortunate enough to witness it.”

Abhi and Ira smiled.

Their hearts were full.

The wounds of the past had begun to heal.

And a new chapter in the Shourie family story had only just begun.

Chapter: The Return — A Quiet Victory

As they walked toward the airport lounge, Abhi suddenly stopped.

“Ira… we need to call Mummy. It’s the seventh day; we haven’t called even once.”

Ira’s eyes widened. “You call! You’re the good boy. If I call, I’ll get the firing first.”

Abhi sighed, shook his head, and dialled home.

When their mother answered, he kept it short, the way only a son who knows he’s in trouble can.

“Mummy, all fine. We’re returning today. We’ll reach home by evening.”

After boarding the plane, they settled into their seats as the engines hummed softly.

Ira turned to him, her voice gentler than usual.

“Abhi… I’m happy you’re as sharp and emotional as me. You listened to my idea… and you made it happen.”

Abhi looked at her, surprised. Ira smiled, closed her eyes, and rested her head on his shoulder.

The aircraft lifted off the runway, climbing toward Delhi, two siblings carrying home the warmth of a family slowly finding its way back to itself.

The Grand Preparation — A Surprise Woven with Love

From the moment they returned to Delhi, Ira and Abhi became a two‑member army. They planned everything with precision:

Coordinating arrival dates

Arranging airport pickups and hotel stays

Managing timings

Ensuring absolute secrecy

Everyone agreed on one rule: “Not a word to Arjun. This must be the biggest surprise of his life.”

They handled everything themselves. “If we involve the staff, the news will leak,” Abhi said. “And Dad will sniff it out instantly,” Ira added.

So, they outsourced the entire food arrangement to internationally acclaimed chefs, curated menus, and designed a feast worthy of a royal celebration.

The extended family began landing in Delhi a day before the event. They were put up in a top international hotel, not the Shourie-owned one, to avoid suspicion.

Bhish Grand Pa arrived two days early, wanting to rest and personally accompany the siblings to receive each family member not known to Abhi and Ira.

Meanwhile, Ira and Abhi kept telling their father: “Dad, don’t plan anything on the 24th. We want to celebrate at home.” Arjun agreed, unaware of the storm of love waiting for him.

The Convocation Hall

The Shourie mansion’s massive convocation hall - stage, lights, seating, parking for 50 cars, was ready.

By 10:30 AM, all guests had arrived, dressed in their finest. Ira whispered, smiling, “Karn Uncle… you killed it.”

Everyone waited in the lounge while the siblings went upstairs to bring their father.

Arjun, dressed in a suit at their request, walked between them - Abhi holding one hand, Ira the other, Vidhur, Parina, and Yashita following behind, confused but smiling.

They entered the hall. Only one chair stood in the centre.

Arjun frowned. “What is this?”

Ira placed a finger on her lips. “Isssh… just sit, Dad.”

They prayed silently: Let this be the best day of his life.

The curtain on the stage remained closed.

Ira messaged Uttara: “Let’s go.”

Uttara’s voice echoed: “Good morning, Arjun Uncle… we love you all.”

The curtain opened.

The Moment That Broke Him

Arjun froze.

On stage stood:

Little children with bouquets

His entire extended family

Brothers

Uncles

Aunties

Cousins

Nephews

Nieces

All singing: “Happy Birthday…”

Arjun stood abruptly, trembling, tears streaming. He ran toward the stage, unable to decide whom to hug first.

“Hey… what am I seeing… Oh God… this is a huge gift…”

Bhish Uncle rushed forward and held him. Krish and Vyas joined, surrounding him in a circle of love.

Then Arjun saw Dhrit and Karn.

He ran to Karn first. “Brother… I am sorry…”

Karn hugged him fiercely, years of pain dissolving in a single embrace.

Dhrit sat in a wheelchair, frail. Arjun knelt, wiped his tears, and hugged him gently. No grudges. Only love.

Everyone then took blessings from Vidur and Parina Grand Pa and Ma.

Karn’s Speech

Ira took the mic. “Karn Uncle… please say a few words.”

Karn walked up, smiling. “Perhaps we are the only two brothers who saw Arjun without clothes in his young days!”

The hall erupted in laughter.

Then he fell silent, his head bowed. In that charged stillness, Ira suddenly shouted, “We love you, Karn Uncle!” And the entire hall echoed her cry.

Karn slowly lifted his head, a soft sparkle in his smile. “This reunion… this miracle… would never have happened without these two beautiful souls. They came to our home with only one intention - to bury the past and unite us again. Arjun… Yashita… full marks to you for raising them so beautifully. And on behalf of every Shourie standing here… I promise you, this bond will never break again.”

Thunderous applause shook the hall.

Krish Grand Pa’s Blessing

Krish stepped forward, serene as ever.

“My dear Shouries… Time is the greatest storyteller. Money, power, property - all rise and fall. But one thing stands above all: a family that says, ‘You are mine.’ That is the only wealth time cannot steal.”

He looked at the reunited brothers.

“Unlike the Mahabharata, which ended on a battlefield, our story has taken the opposite path. Here, the young ones have shown the elders that love is above all.”

His voice deepened.

“Stand up for love. Stand up for unity. Stand up for this family. For this is our dharma.”

The hall erupted in emotional applause.

The Clock That Knew - Time Becomes a Witness

While celebrations continued, Abhimanyu slipped away to the quiet room where the ancient Knibb longcase clock stood, the silent witness to generations of Shouries.

He placed his palm on its wooden frame.

“I’m sure you’re happy today… to see the Shouries back again - stronger, closer, filled with more love than ever.”

As if waiting for those words, the clock stirred.

DING. DING. DING.

Abhi smiled as the chimes continued - twelve times, steady and proud, as if time itself was applauding the reunion.

When the final chime faded, he whispered:

“Thank you… for keeping time until we found our way back to each other.”

The clock stood still again - silent, serene, satisfied.

And as the small hand and big hand met at twelve, it felt as if time itself had shown how the Shouries, too, had finally come together as one.

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