Family Characters-
Rajeshwari Sehgal- oldest in the family and grandmother of Mahir
Advitya Sehgal- Mahir's Father
Shivani Sehgal- Mahir's Mother
Abhimanyu Sehgal- Mahir's Chachu
Shalini Sehgal- Mahir's chachi
Youngsters:-
Devansh Sehgal- Younger Brother of Mahir and CEO of Sehgal Hotels and Resorts
Kavya Sehgal- Wife of Devansh
Avya Sehgal and Myra Sehgal- Younger sisters of Mahir and Devansh
Kabir Sehgal- Abhimanyu's eldest son and COO of Sehgal Empire
Shivay Sehgal- Abhimanyu's Younger son and College student
Riya and Divya- younger Daughters of Abhimanyu. Riya is wife of Ekansh Malhotra(siara's brother)
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The Sehgal mansion, one of the biggest and elite properties in India stood as a testament to grandeur and tradition, a sprawling estate where love, discipline, and a strong sense of family prevailed. Inside its walls was a family as diverse in personalities as it was united in spirit.
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The Morning in the Sehgal Mansion
The aroma of freshly brewed chai and parathas wafted through the air as the family gathered in the sunlit dining hall for breakfast. Rajeshwari Sehgal, the matriarch, sat at the head of the table, her presence commanding yet loving. Her silver hair was tied back neatly, and her sharp eyes scanned the room, ensuring everyone was present.
"Where is Shivay? Always late, that boy," she muttered, sipping her tea.
"Dadi, it's 8 a.m. on a Sunday. Let the poor guy sleep," Kabir teased, leaning back in his chair.
"Discipline doesn't take a day off, Kabir," Rajeshwari replied sharply, though her lips twitched with amusement. "Shivani, bring more parathas. These boys eat like they've been starved."
Shivani Sehgal, warm and perpetually smiling, brought another tray of parathas. "Shivay stayed up all night studying, Maa. College projects."
"College projects or Netflix?" Devansh Sehgal, quipped as he scrolled through his phone. His wife, Kavya, rolled her eyes playfully. "You're one to talk, Mr. Workaholic," she said, nudging him.
Laughter rippled through the room as Avya and Myra, the sisters joined the table. "Did you hear about Kabir Bhaiya's latest office drama?" Avya grinned, nudging Myra.
"Oh, not this again," Kabir groaned, covering his face.
"Spill the tea!" Myra laughed.
"You two troublemakers," Abhimanyu Sehgal, Kabir's father, said with mock sternness. "Don't scare off all the eligible girls by spreading stories about your brother."
Kavya smirked. "Don't worry, chachu. Kabir manages that on his own."
"Alright, that's enough," Kabir shot back, his cheeks red as the family burst into laughter.
"Ha bas kro sb, bichare mere bete ko pareshan kr rhe ho" shalini said dramatically.
(Enough, stop it all, you're troubling my poor son)
Just then Divya stormed in, her hair still tied in a messy bun, her face set in an exaggerated pout. The room fell silent for a moment as she dramatically slammed her bag on the table.
"THAT'S IT! I'M DONE WITH THIS FAMILY!" she declared, throwing her hands in the air.
"What now?" Rajeshwari asked, barely lifting her gaze from her tea.
"Everyone hates me!" Divya wailed. "I asked Kabir Bhaiya for help with my college assignment, and he said he's too busy with some 'important COO work.' Then I asked Shivay, and he said, 'Figure it out yourself, Divya.' And don't even get me started on Devansh Bhaiya! He just ignored my texts entirely!"
"Divya, I was in a meeting," Devansh replied calmly.
"You're ALWAYS in a meeting!" Divya shot back, crossing her arms.
Kavya stifled a laugh. "Maybe because he's running a multi-billion-dollar company, Divya?"
"Excuses!" Divya exclaimed, her eyes narrowing. "And you, Dadi! Even YOU forgot to pack my favorite pickles for my hostel last week!"
"That's because you ate the last jar!" Rajeshwari retorted.
Everyone burst into laughter, but Divya wasn't done. She leaned forward, her voice lowering dramatically. "You all better be careful, or I'll tell Mahir Bhai about this. You know how he HATES inefficiency!"
The room froze.
Kabir dropped his toast. "Wait. No. Don't bring him into this."
Shivay paled. "You wouldn't dare."
"Try me!" Divya smirked, reveling in the sudden tension. "I'll text him right now and tell him no one helps me and that shivay didn't finish his project on time."
Kabir's eyes widened. "I finished it yesterday! Don't drag me into this!"
Devansh chuckled. "Mahir bhai doesn't scare me."
"Really?" Divya raised an eyebrow. "Should I tell him you called his schedule 'obsessive' last week?"
Devansh coughed. "Okay, let's not do that."
The entire table erupted in laughter as Divya sat down triumphantly, her mission to create chaos complete.
-------
As if summoned by the mere mention of his name, the heavy oak doors swung open, and Mahir Sehgal entered. The laughter died instantly, replaced by a tense hush.
Dressed in a crisp black suit with a tailored fit, he exuded power and control. His sharp jawline, perfectly styled jet-black hair, and piercing dark eyes were as striking as ever. But what caught the attention of everyone, every time, was the cold indifference etched on his face. His aura was impenetrable-calm, composed, and unbothered.
"Good morning," he said curtly, his tone clipped.
Divya froze mid-bite, her earlier confidence evaporating. "Oh no, I manifested him."
Rajeshwari greeted him warmly, breaking the silence. "Mahir beta, come, have breakfast."
"I've already eaten, Dadi," he replied, his voice devoid of warmth. He walked over to her and bent to touch her feet, a sign of respect, though his movements were mechanical. He then touched the feets of all elders.
"Sarvagunna sampann (Completely virtuous)"- muttered Shivay which caused myra and riya to cough trying to conver their laughs.
"You're back early," Devansh said, trying to lighten the mood.
"I had some meetings in the city," Mahir replied simply, his tone dismissive.
Kabir muttered under his breath to Shivay, "Why does it feel like we're in a board meeting every time he's here?"
Shivay bit back a laugh, whispering, "Because he looks like he's about to fire us all."
Mahir's sharp gaze flicked to them, and they immediately straightened, their smiles vanishing. Divya tried to shrink into her chair, hoping her earlier threats hadn't been overheard.
Rajeshwari sighed, breaking the tension. "Mahir, sit with us for a while. Even Workaholics need family time."
Mahir nodded stiffly, taking a seat at the far end of the table. The family resumed their chatter, though the energy was noticeably more subdued.
As Divya glanced nervously at him, Mahir's cold gaze flickered her way for a moment. "Is there something you'd like to say, Divya?"
Divya shook her head quickly. "No, Bhai! Nothing at all!"
The family laughed again, and even Mahir's lips twitched, though it was gone in an instant.
"By the way riya don't you think you have stayed too long I mean when are you going back to your husband" shivay spoke
"Mr. Monkey face I'll stay as long as I want" riya told him
"She stays as long as she wants," said mahir while glaring at shivay
"Acha sorry sorry I was kidding Bhai," he said while holding his ears
---
Despite his cold demeanor, Mahir Sehgal was still a part of this chaotic, loving family-a man at odds with their warmth but undeniably tied to it.
Rajeshwari watched Mahir, her heart aching for her eldest grandson. "He's achieved so much, yet his eyes are so empty. I wish I could bring back the boy who once laughed freely."
Kavya studied Mahir, her heart softening. "Beneath all that steel, there's a man who feels deeply. He just won't let anyone in."
Kabir smirked but felt a pang of sadness. "The world worships him, but I wonder if he even knows what it feels like to be truly happy."
---
Mahir sat silently as the chatter resumed around him. His eyes flickered to the family dynamics he had grown used to observing from a distance. They loved each other, teased each other, fought for each other-something he had always admired but had never allowed himself to fully be a part of.
"They don't understand. None of them do," he thought, sipping his black coffee. "Love, emotions, they're distractions. Attachments only weaken you."
His mind drifted briefly to the impending marriage his Dadi had mentioned a few days ago-a promise between families. Siara Malhotra. A name he barely remembered, tied to a face he hadn't thought of in years.
The girl who used to stalk him, he only met her thrice but she used to stare at him as if he was a piece in a museum.
His dadi doesn't like her nor the other family members after what she did years ago. Of course no one would want a girl as their daughter in law who killed her own sister in law when she was pregnant and slept with someone the very next day.
Even the youngsters doesn't approve of her. No one in the family was unaware of her love for mahir. Everyone knew that she wanted to be his wife, at that time no one had any problems with her, they would have happily accepted her but now after they get married, her presence would be just like a shadow in this house. Siara will always be the unwanted daughter in law of Sehgals.
Of course the younger siblings don't want that girl as their eldest bhabhi but this was the last wish of their grandfather and the customs and words of Sehgal's are known to be as rigid as a wall, they don't break promises.
"Marriage," mahir mused bitterly. "A duty, nothing more. Love doesn't factor into it, and it never will."
As the family continued to laugh and tease each other, Mahir Sehgal remained an island of calm amidst the storm of life around him-cold, distant, and utterly unreachable.