Track- Redux track. This follows the thoughts after my book Metaphor.

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Shivaay Oberoi has shared a glimpse into his childhood, college days and family life.

Shivaay Singh Oberoi is among the most prominent faces in India, known for his achievements in business and his philanthropic activities. The chairman of Oberoi Industries has now shared snippets of his life’s journey in a post shared on the Human’s of Bombay Facebook and Instagram pages. In the first post of a three-part series, Oberoi has shared a glimpse into his childhood, college days and family life.

He starts by saying he had a happy childhood. However, experienced a tough time when his parents committed suicide."I had a pretty good family and friends. I and my step-sister did constantly face a little fair of ragging due to our (common) father's affair and later for my parent's infamous death. Which was hazardous," He said.

It was his paternal grandmother and family who brought him and his sister up. He also credits his grandmother and aunt for shaping his personality, into who he is today. "My Dadi and badi maa were my enormous support system, then. Dadi always taught me to be humble, and optimistic in life. Badi maa wasn't my mother yet she tried filling the empty spot. She took us, me and my younger cousins, to show the world." He says.

He also hails his grandmother for supporting his career plans when his Uncle had different plans for him.

He goes also delves into the time he was about to get married to his Uncle's business associate's daughter, Tia Kapoor. "It was nothing more than a deal, in promising of something. Preparations were reaching it (his wedding). I was almost 31 when it happen. I met Annika through my sister as my wedding planner.  Awkward. I wasn't supposed to have growing feelings towards her when my then-fiancee stood next to me. Then through some unfortunate series of events, I and Annika got married without anyone's notice at night, and Prinku had a fatal accident. I said many disgusting words to her that stood against my upbringing. It wasn't the right time. To date, I grieve my actions. I don't want to mention it nor remember those memories. Annika stood by me even when she was the victim of my creation of the faults." He bitterly chuckles. He talks about how unfortunate circumstances moulded their tale, into a picture-perfect.

When asked the number of times he has fallen in love, he confessed. "Seriously many times. The first time was looking at my wife's witty and compassionate nature. The second time was when I started my second inning in life, I saw Annika's strongest self-standing for me. I realised that somebody was there for me too. The third time was when I was looking at Avi, my soul brother Khanna's kid. Love can happen in different parts and ways." He says rubbing his tear stricken cheeks.

"I do attend some gatherings or birthday parties but never again couldn't be the same again. Rudra still stays, he has the best relationship with me and my family than others, even when it's not the same as before." Oberoi also spoke about his relationship with his cousins, and how it has strained during the time.

He says that his priorities and decisions were sometimes inappropriate in the past. "It caused a lot of mishaps. She suffered a lot more than people think. In all those things we lost something precious little."

He added that his only regret was not being a good husband and father to his wife and child respectively. "I deserted them. Not many know our lives. I never knew the existence of my unborn until she was no more. Maybe because of my karma or dharma I didn't have a chance of being a father for approximately ten years after my wedding. It's all fate." He sadly smiles shrugging his shoulders.

When asked about his life after the death of his uncle or perhaps his feigning he answered that it was all different. "I never expected that to happen at that point. I was happy. Annika was happy as the rest were. We were in a stage, where a new life was starting. But then it happened. I was self-doubting, having no idea." He shrinks back to the seat recalling the past.

When quizzed about his depressing period, his downfall, his attempt to end his life following his parent's footsteps and his rise, he noted affirmative and spoke. "I owe Khanna a lot. It was him, my wife and her aunt who brought me back to his world. He hated baking or cooking but for me, I attended the classes together with him to divert my attention for 3 months. He was a parent-like figure when I woke up disoriented. Ohh my wife (chuckles in between). She didn't speak to me for days and then it tolled her body heavily. But then I again learned to live, for those who stand by you."

When examining his successor and his decision of passing most of his wealth to charity trusts, he said "There is much time for that. Also, there are processes for finding a suitable person. It can be anyone from anywhere all depends is talent, skills, knowledge and experience. It can be a none, Oberoi, too. I hope the process is justified." He says. "Death is the ultimate destination and we don't carry income over there. I and my wife have earned all of our own without external support and I wish my kids to do the same thing. To stand independently without the interference of wealth. I was targeted by few for my wealth left over by my parents or which I earned. I nearly died with this and with this don't want history to repeat the same. They will earn and learn to be happy with it."

Asked whether he was targeted by his uncle for a larger share he nodded in positive but didn't answer further. "I don't wish to speak."

When Shivaay Oberoi was quizzed about his love life in an interview on CNN International’s Talk Asia programme, he said, "I was probably the most serious and the nonsense guy she (his wife, Annika Trivedi) could have met. We fought but patched up. I blamed her a few times yet she had the strong will to slap me. I cried, she cried. A few months after the case hearing it was hardest for us, both mentally and physically. And then seven years later after consulting many doctors my son Abhimanyu was born. We did want another kid for a perfectly balanced family, which neither of us had. Nonetheless when even after many failed attempts we shifted our eyes to adoption. Then came my daughters Sia and Maithri. At fifty-four I'm all settled with children around the home and my beloved wife. I'm happy."

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Priyanka sighed rubbing her temples and placed her MacBook on the wooden table. It had been many years since she was face to face with her brother. A brother, who didn't share the same womb but tried his best to make up.

Blinking her eyes pushing her tears back she stood up gazing at the snow around the lawn through the window. The weather was chilly in Finland, stroking the skins and bringing about them shiver. Yet this climate couldn't divert her from her thoughts. Her thoughts always fastened around his brother, who was the reason for her survival.

At forty-four, her thoughts and thinking perspective had altered. Years back with young and energetic blood in her vessels she speculated selfishly. Her moves were of fish leaving no traces behind. Back then she preferred her life and her betterment over her brother.

She had met Leo Korhonen, her now-husband eight years ago just after her break up with a guy, definitely not Daksh. He was a lovely, compassionate, fun treasuring energetic guy. Seeing his good personality she jumped into the relationship without having a second thought, which she loathes for. The early wedding period was too good for her liking, it deflected her when she heard that his brother was jailed. She didn't even have the time for him.

When her brother asked her to come back to India for some legal correction her husband was happiest. Who wouldn't be? She was from a well do family and now receiving a part of the shares. Agreeing to his sugarcoated words she came back only to be stupified by the changes.

She was no longer the Princess of the family, her attention share was declined, and her family members were drastically changed. Rudra's wife eyed her as if she was a criminal, her Shivaay was calm and didn't speak much other than a one-word answer, Om's guilty look, Gauri bhabhi's sharp cutting words.

She understood.

She was indeed no longer part of the family.

Aftermath she returned to her husband. Every year she received gifts on Rakshabandan from her Shivaay bhaiya, even if he didn't talk he continued considering her a sister when she didn't. She wouldn't reply or accept it. However, the husband and his family pushed her to reconcile with her family seeing her winning all valuable gifts.

She didn't.

She didn't need him or others when she had her husband and loving family. Regardless of that, one day her husband yelled at her "You are narrowed and self-centred. Looking overpass it. You only think of your well not others. Similar to what you did with your brother." And it broke her completely.

Collecting her shattered heart she followed the path to the park and sat comprehending his thoughts. Remembering her brother who was her support system all her life, she opened multiple websites looking for his one look.

She was too desperate.

"I realised many things. I don't call my kids champ or princess and not pamper because with loving they tend to take wrong decisions. I do love them but I don't overstep myself. I manage to be a strict father when Annika isn't home but when she is, she is a strict mommy. Parenting is a blessing and we are thankful for it. I and Annika share parenting duties even on the busiest day. Most of the time it is me who drops them off to school or helps them in their studies." He says when asked about parenting and life as a father to three kids.

He speaks of his children as a blessing in disguise. "My daughters are true blessings. They came when we were emotionally drained and lightened the atmosphere. Out of all, Maithri is incredibly naughty and somehow always gets stuck in trouble. She is hell clumsy. Sia is nice and good however she can be a terror sometimes and the victim is often Abhi. And coming to Abhi he is a doting elder brother, he loves both equally but our canines more. Our dream of a big family is fulfilled, our six kids (here he is speaking including his three dogs.) A big family of eight members." He answers with a proud smile.

Priyanka inhaled deep reading his interview. By looks and her assumption, he is a doting father who is hell-bent on making sure that his children are safe and sound. He is a great father to his children and also to her.

Unlike Shivaay her husband was irresponsible, which was the only reason for their constant fights and arguments. Leo was not husband material, especially as a father. He did love their daughter but something always lacking in it, maybe she did expect more watching her elder brother.

Their differences in culture, belonging mess, and socioeconomic added to their strained relationship. However, they stayed together only for their daughter Priya Korhonen, seven years.

She truly missed her brother, his support, his immense love towards her which she was deprived of. She wanted now. She envied Annika, their children for getting him as a blessing. She was heartbroken when Annika pointed toward her then-boyfriend, Daksh. Was devastated to hear that Shivaay was married to her wedding planner after she woke up from her comatose.

She could have been in better shape if she had attended to her brother when he was in trouble. He would have forgiven her for thinking worst about his wife but now it was impossible. This version of Shivaay was different from her Shivaay Bhaiya.

She truly missed him by her side.

She regretted being selfish. For thinking of her wellbeing.

If he would have been by her side her marriage wouldn't have been ably drained.

Her brother.