"BEYOND THE FACADE"

CHAPTER LVI

PLOT STORY:

The story revolves around the intricate lives of the characters, exploring themes of love, family, loyalty, and power struggles.

*Main Plot:*

- The story begins with Surya, Jenna, and Dwan returning to India, where they are welcomed by Pratap and Radhika at Taj Palace.

- Aashutosh, who has been taking care of Ava, visits Pratap and meets Ruby, Pratap's daughter.

- Pratap discovers a dark truth about Nikolas, who was responsible for the death of his first daughter.

- Aashutosh struggles with the decision of whether to reveal the truth about Ava's parentage to his father.

- Meanwhile, Suresh, Pratap's son, is being molded by Nikolas, causing concern for Pratap and Aashutosh.

*Subplots:*

- Aashutosh's bond with Ava deepens, and he becomes a loving and caring father figure to her.

- Ava's peculiar habit of calling Ruby "Dwan" is revealed, showcasing her unique personality.

- Johnathan and Emily's love for Ava is highlighted, demonstrating the power of selfless love and acceptance.

- Pratap's fear of Nikolas and his struggle to confront him create tension and suspense.

*Future Directions:*

- The story may explore the consequences of Pratap's discovery about Nikolas and his decision to confront him.

- Aashutosh's dilemma about revealing the truth about Ava's parentage may come to a head, leading to a dramatic confrontation.

- Suresh's character development may take a darker turn, showcasing the negative influence of Nikolas on his life.

- The bond between Ava and Ruby may deepen, leading to a heartwarming and emotional climax.

MAIN STORY:

Surya was well aware that Jenna had given Ava to Aashutosh to alleviate the pain he had endured. Jenna was consumed by guilt, but her love for Surya prevented her from pushing him away. Instead, she set a condition: Surya would never meet Aashutosh again. Surya, however, felt no sorrow, knowing that Aashutosh would be happy with Ava, wherever they were.

Days passed, and Jenna, Surya, and Dwan returned to India. Pratap welcomed them at the airport, and they were greeted by the familiar sight of Taj Palace, restored to its former glory by Radhika. The servants had returned, and the palace was once again bustling with life.

As Surya and Jenna entered the palace, they were taken aback by its splendor. Radhika, cradling Rajeev's child in her arms, smiled warmly at them. Rajesh and the others were overjoyed to see Surya and Jenna. However, Radhika's happiness was tinged with a hint of sadness, for Nikolas had warned her to keep a distance from Rajeev's children.

Surya lifted Rajesh into his arms, and Jenna handed Dwan over to Radhika. As Radhika held Dwan close, memories of Aarushi flooded her mind, and tears welled up in her eyes. Pratap comforted her, saying, "Don't worry, Radhika. We'll have our own daughter soon, and she'll be just as lovely."

Taj Palace was once again filled with laughter and joy. Meanwhile, Aashutosh had begun working from home, dedicating himself to Ava's care. He spent his days playing with her, feeding her, and showering her with love. Ava, too, was happy in Aashutosh's company.

Jenna, on the other hand, devoted herself to Dwan's care, visiting Ava every month and spending a week with her. This arrangement proved challenging for Aashutosh, who struggled to spend quality time with Ava during Jenna's visits.

As time passed, Pratap and Radhika received another joyful surprise: Radhika was expecting again. Aashutosh was overjoyed for his brother, and the entire family was filled with anticipation and excitement.

As time passed, Nikolas's behavior towards Pratap seemed to have improved, but beneath the surface, a dark truth lurked. Pratap was about to uncover a shocking revelation that would shatter his world forever. He discovered that Nikolas was responsible for the death of his first daughter. The memory of that fateful day still haunted Pratap. It was the day Radhika had received the devastating news about Rajeev and his wife's demise. As she was reeling from the shock, Nikolas had intentionally poured oil on the stairs, knowing that Radhika would slip and fall. His sinister plan was to kill Radhika and the child.

Pratap's heart sank as he grasped the magnitude of Nikolas's cruelty. He realized that Nikolas's animosity towards him knew no bounds. The depth of Nikolas's hatred was staggering, and Pratap couldn't help but wonder how he had misjudged him for so long. When Pratap's baby was born, he had fled to England with Radhika, not because he wanted to escape his responsibilities, but because he lacked the courage to confront Nikolas. The fear of Nikolas's wrath had silenced Pratap, forcing him to abandon his home and his family's legacy.

As the truth dawned on Pratap, he felt a mix of emotions: anger, sadness, and regret. He was angry with himself for not seeing through Nikolas's facade, sad for the loss of his first daughter, and regretful for not being brave enough to stand up to Nikolas. The weight of these emotions threatened to crush Pratap, but he knew he had to find the strength to confront Nikolas and bring him to justice. The journey ahead would be arduous, but Pratap was determined to fight for his family's honor and ensure that Nikolas paid for his heinous crimes.

As Pratap settled into his new life in England with his baby, he made sure to rent an apartment close to Aashutosh's place. This way, he could easily meet up with his brother without any hassle. Aashutosh, accompanied by Ava, visited Pratap and was delighted to see Radhika cradling their baby. His eyes sparkled with curiosity as he asked, "What's the name of this little angel?" Radhika smiled, "We've named her Rubina, but we lovingly call her Ruby." Aashutosh's face lit up, "Ruby is a beautiful name!" As he showed Ava the baby, he exclaimed, "Ava, this is Ruby, and she's your friend!"

Pratap couldn't help but ask Aashutosh, "Now that Ava is two years old, don't you think it's time to tell Dad about her?" Aashutosh's expression turned somber, "Dad won't be able to handle the truth, Pratap. Surya's child is with me, and I don't want to burden Dad with this knowledge. I'm sure you won't tell him either." Pratap reassured Aashutosh, "Don't worry, Aashu, your secret is safe with me. I won't breathe a word to Dad."

Aashutosh's curiosity got the better of him, and he asked, "Brother, I only see Rajesh with you. Where's Suresh?" Pratap chimed in, "Dad kept Suresh with him and told us he wouldn't send him with us." Aashutosh's brow furrowed with concern, "I'm scared, Brother. What if Dad molds Suresh in his own image?" Pratap's expression mirrored Aashutosh's worry, "To be honest, Aashu, I'm afraid of the same thing. You know both Suresh and Rajesh are five years old now, but there's a world of difference between them. Rajesh is calm and composed, whereas Suresh misbehaves with everyone. When I scold him, Dad intervenes, saying I have no right to discipline his own grandson." Aashutosh's anxiety deepened, "I'm worried sick about Suresh. I hope he doesn't turn out like Dad."

As Aashutosh stepped into his apartment with Ava, he was greeted by the warm smiles of Johnathan and Emily, who had arrived to visit their beloved Ava. The elderly couple had grown deeply fond of Ava, treating her like their own grandchild, as they had no children of their own. Dena, too, would occasionally visit Ava, and the little girl had grown accustomed to the love and attention showered upon her by these caring individuals.

Aashutosh had successfully taken Pratap's company to new heights, and similarly, Surya's business, managed by Johnathan, was also thriving. As the years passed, Ava and Ruby grew into bright and curious children. Ava, however, had an endearing quirk – she insisted on calling Ruby "Dwan", convinced that "Dwan" was a more beautiful name than "Ava". This peculiar habit stemmed from Ava's belief that her parents had given her to Aashutosh because they preferred the name "Ava" less than "Dwan". Nevertheless, this didn't mean Ava didn't adore Aashutosh; on the contrary, she held him in high esteem, respecting him more than her biological parents.

As Ava grew older, her affection for Aashutosh only deepened. She would often gaze up at him with adoring eyes, grateful for the love and care he had selflessly provided. Aashutosh, in turn, cherished every moment spent with Ava, watching her blossom into a bright and compassionate young girl. The bond between Aashutosh and Ava was a testament to the power of love and acceptance, transcending the boundaries of biology and blood ties.

To be continue...