March 15, 1988
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In morning, Raj was in his room and Jyoti was in his hand sleeping.
Raj then started teasing Jyoti then he started his morning 'Bang Bang '.
On other hand,
Priya stepped out of the car in front of her family's modest bungalow in kochi. The once-vibrant compound now echoed with silence—fewer workers, machines gathering dust. Her father, Kishanlal Menon, owned one of Kerla's oldest shoe manufacturing factories, a business that had supplied leather footwear to markets across southern India for decades. But recent years had been harsh: cheap synthetic imports from abroad, rising raw material costs, and outdated machinery had slashed production to barely forty percent capacity. Debts mounted, and Kishanlal's once-energetic demeanor had faded into quiet resignation.
Priya drew a deep breath and entered the house. Her father was in the living room, sipping tea while flipping through an old ledger.
"Appa," she said softly.
Kishanlal looked up, his face lighting up. "Priya! You didn't say you were coming today."
"I had to talk to you about something important." She sat across from him, her hands fidgeting.
He set the ledger aside, noticing her tension. "Tell me, mol. What's on your mind?"
"Appa, I… I've fallen in love with someone. His name is Raj. I want to marry him."
Kishanlal's expression shifted to surprise. "Raj? Who is this man? How did you meet?"
"He's the one who supported me through my tough times in Mumbai. He invested in my movies. He's built an empire— he has companies, banks, media. He's kind and responsible, Appa. He cares deeply for those around him. Do you know famous newspaper TBF he started it also he have many more regional newspapers."
Kishanlal leaned forward. "Success is one thing, but I know nothing of him or his family. How long has this been going on?"
"Nearly two years," Priya confessed.
"Two years?" His tone grew firm. "And you tell me now?. Do you really see me as a father."
"I was afraid you'd say no. But I can't keep it hidden. I love him, and he loves me. He wants to marry me with your approval."
Kishanlal pondered in silence. His daughter's determination was clear, but so was her vulnerability.
"Call him here to kochi," he decided. "I want to meet this Raj at our home. If he's serious, he'll come and face me."
Priya's heart raced. "You'll see him?"
"I'm not approving yet. I'll judge for myself."
Two days later, Raj arrived at the Menon residence in Kochi. He traveled discreetly, in a simple car, dressed in a plain shirt and trousers. No fanfare—just respect.
Kishanlal welcomed him into the living room. Priya waited anxiously nearby.
Their conversation stretched over an hour: business ethics, family ties, future plans. Kishanlal probed Raj's origins, his rapid success, his commitment. Raj responded with calm honesty, sharing only essentials not his secrets.
At last, Kishanlal sighed. "My factory is declining. I have to close my Mumbai factory now i have only a factory in Kochi, Raj. I poured my life into it. My grandfather has started it during my father time it reached it peak hight and Now, I struggle to keep the lights on. If you're as capable as Priya claims, maybe you can help. Not as a bargain—this isn't about money. But if you join this family, its troubles become yours too."
Raj met his gaze steadily. "Uncle, I understand. Let's not just save it—let's transform it. We'll create a new brand: Bata. Modern, affordable footwear for every Indian. I'll invest ₹50 crore upfront—advanced machinery from Europe, sourced through my networks, and marketing muscle via my newspaper. We'll set up Bata Shoes Pvt. Ltd. I'll take 49% ownership to guide the vision, and you retain 51% as the founder. Your experience will lead operations. In six months, we'll turn losses into profits, expand factories, and make Bata a household name."
Kishanlal's eyes widened at the ambition. "Bata… It has a ring to it. But why me? Why not start alone and you are capable of starting new on your own?"
"Because family matters, Uncle. And Priya is my future. This is our shared legacy."
After a pause, Kishanlal nodded. "If you keep your word, you have my blessing. Marry her, and build this with me."
Raj smiled and shook his hand. "Thank you, Uncle. We start tomorrow."
Kishanlal said as for marriage lets watch a good date in coming months and Marry my daughter.
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