Chapter 5: A Grandfather's Worry

Mahendra and Haji Kareem continued sitting by the peaceful waters of Sur Sagar Lake, enjoying the homemade kheer and reminiscing about their younger days.

After a while, Mahendra's smile slowly faded.

Haji noticed the change immediately.

Haji Kareem: "What happened, Mahendra? You've gone quiet."

Mahendra sighed deeply.

Mahendra: "I'm worried, Kareem."

Haji Kareem: "About your health?"

Mahendra shook his head.

Mahendra: "No... about my grandson, Veeresh."

Haji listened silently.

Mahendra: "You know Veeresh. Since childhood, he has always carried everyone's responsibilities on his shoulders. Today, he has built a huge business empire, provides employment to thousands of people, and spends his own money for the development of Rajgarh."

He paused before continuing.

Mahendra: "People call him a successful businessman, a generous man, and a responsible leader. But when he returns home every evening, he enters a house filled with silence."

Haji's expression softened.

Haji Kareem: "How are the children?"

Mahendra looked down.

Mahendra: "That's what breaks my heart."

He took a deep breath.

Mahendra: "After the divorce, Radhika and Veeresh went their separate ways. Their children stayed with us, but they have drifted away from their father. Yash barely speaks to him. Aarav ignores him, and little Aadhya... she avoids him whenever she can."

Haji sighed.

Haji Kareem: "That must be painful."

Mahendra: "Painful? Kareem, I've seen Veeresh face business losses without flinching. I've seen him work day and night without complaining. But I have also seen him sit alone in the palace after everyone has gone to sleep."

His voice grew heavy.

Mahendra: "He looks at old family photographs and wonders where everything went wrong."

Haji remained silent, letting his friend speak.

Mahendra: "Every birthday, every school function, every achievement of his children... he is present. He never misses anything. Yet they don't look at him the way children should look at their father."

A tear gathered in Mahendra's eye.

Mahendra: "He never speaks ill of Radhika. He never forces the children to love him. He simply waits... hoping that one day they will understand his heart."

Haji gently placed his hand over Mahendra's.

Haji Kareem: "Allah sees every sincere heart, my friend. Sometimes children take time to understand their parents. Don't lose hope."

Mahendra nodded slowly.

Mahendra: "I pray every day that my grandson finds happiness again. Not because he needs wealth or success—he already has those. I just want him to come home one day and hear his children call him 'Papa' with love."

Haji smiled reassuringly.

Haji Kareem: "Insha'Allah... and with God's grace, that day will come. A man who has such a pure heart will not remain lonely forever."

The two old friends sat in comfortable silence, watching the gentle ripples of the lake, unaware that destiny was already preparing a path that would one day bring two broken families together.