The Half Brother
Ramesh visits simla
Ramesh Verma was Assistant Engineer in an engineering firm, a reputed contractor of all India standing. He was still in his late twenties. Shri Kuldeep Verma, his father was a very wealthy businessman and would often go on business tour to various places.
One day, he casually told his father that he was going to Shimla for sightseeing. He gave him an address at Shimla and said- You need not go to a hotel. This is my friend’s address. You may stay there during your tour to Simla.
Host lady treats Ramesh as a kid
Ramesh went to Simla. To his surprise, a woman aged around thirty came to him and said- “Are you Ramesh Verma?”
Ramesh said- “Yes. But how do you know me?”
She said- “I am Deepti Gupta. Your father is our good family friend. He often talks about you and he even showed us some of your photos. “
Ramesh stayed there for five days. Deepti accompanied him to all tourist places. Her behavior surprised Ramesh. All the time, she behaved as an elder. She addressed Ramesh by first name and she paid for snacks and beverages not allowing Ramesh to spend anything. She insisted- “You are Deep’s son. So, how will you spend here?”
One evening, she and Ramesh were alone in the house. Deepti looked very attractive in red gown. During the last few days, he had become close and got less hesitant. He ventured to hold her hand and was about to kiss her on lips. Suddenly, he got a stunning slap in his face. She rebuked him saying- “You are just a child to me. I am like your mom. Behave yourself. I dislike your addressing me as Deepti or even Deeptiji. You may address me as ‘Auntie’.
Ramesh felt that Deepti was too close to his father and hence she could not be his friend. He bid good bye and came back to Mumbai.
(2)
A young boy, Ashok arrives and gets all care and upbringing
A few years passed. Shri Kuldeep Verma died. Ramesh did not marry. One day, Ashok, a young boy came to Ramesh. Ramesh hugged the boy. He got the boy admitted to a very prestigious school at Mumbai. He treated the boy as his own family member. Years passed. Ashok was very brilliant. He was sent for higher studies to U.S.A. On return, Ramesh appointed Ashok as Assistant engineer. Within a period less than five years, Ashok was elevated to the position of Managing Director. All were surprised at such extraordinary favor to the boy.
Having given all responsibility to Ashok, Ramesh got free from all worries. He married Ashok to a very pretty, intelligent and educated girl belonging to an industrial house.
Ramesh dies and bequeaths all property to Ashok
Ramesh left Mumbai for an indefinite period. One day, Ashok got a message that Ramesh was in Rishikesh and was very sick. Ashok rushed to Rishikesh and brought Ramesh back to Mumbai. Ramesh breathed his last just five days after admission in Hospital.
Many relatives visited the funeral ceremony. As Ramesh was issueless, every relative- far and near expected something. Even after last rites were over, many stayed hoping that something might have been bequeathed to them.
One day, Advocate Sunil Shetty announced that Ramesh Verma had made a will. He was going to read this aloud to them. As he ended reading the will, all were disappointed. Ramesh had bequeathed all movable and immovable assets to Ashok.
All went cursing Ashok, who was not related any way to the family of Ramesh Verma. Nobody knew why Ramesh elevated him to highest position in his industrial enterprises and even more, bequeathed everything to him.
(3)
Mystery of relation
Even Ashok did not know why Ramesh had been so nice to him. His mother died in Shimla. She had given him an address at Mumbai and told him to go there when in any difficulty. He was totally surprised the way he was educated, brought up and given responsibility of such a big industrial group.
One day, Ashok’s wife Meeta said- “Ashok! I feel you have always hidden something from me. “
As usual, Ashok said- “No. I know nothing more than what you know.”
One day, Meeta found a box in corner of a room. The room had been seldom opened. Out of curiosity, she opened the box and found many waste papers. She also came across a letter addressed to Ramesh:
“Dear Ramesh. I am not likely to live long. I am suffering from diseases like heart weakness, Tuberculosis and have become very weak. I do not know whether I shall be alive when you receive this letter. I wish to disclose a secret to you. I hope you will not tell even Ashok. I know that you were surprised on my treating you just as a kid. I was in very intimate relation with your father. So, you are just my son. I leave Ashok to your care.”
She silently handed over this letter to Ashok.
Ashok felt the greatness of his brother Ramesh. He gave so much care to an illegitimate son of his father.
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