Arshad Wasim Siddiqui, better known as AWS, is the Chairman of PSL holdings, but you hardly spot him anywhere near PSL offices accross globe because he pulls the strings of this billion dollar empire remotely. He hardly visits any of it's offices, he has men to run them.
PSL holdings is one of the largest investment firms across globe, it has major investments in energy, oil and gas, natural resources, fintechs but it's dominance is not limited to just that, it has investments in almost all the fortune 500 companies, in some it has even a domineering presence to dictate the direction of the organization. Wealth creation and asset management are it's core strengths.
A few years ago the firm was accused of terror financing and the company hit it's lowest in those years, later the international court ruled out in its favor ruling all the charges and the very same day, the company's then CEO's mysterious death caused many speculations shaking the business world, but then Arshad Wasim Siddiqui, elder brother of the dead CEO took reigns, beginning the restructuring of the empire.
He was never spotted in office, he was never there to assure the investors, to reinstill the lost morale among employees or to stir company's performance, he was a ghost leader, no one knew how he worked or from where or if at all he worked? If he did at all, people even doubted if he had any idea about what their company dealt with but then in just a few months, PSL holdings was back in race and soon reached its top position, much more stronger than before. The company's unexpected performance without a proper representative or face to it rised eyebrows, the mysterious leadership was praised in the media yet none claimed the credit to it's success, some credited the ghost CHAIRMAN & CEO ARSHAD WASIM SIDDIQUI but he was never there to take the credit.
All people know about him was he is a religious leader and handled the welfare of his community throughout the country. But that wasn't enough, everyone wanted to know about the man who controlled PSL Holdings without even being anywhere near the business.
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"Arshad... Breakfast", his mother called from behind...
"Khuda hafiz Ammi Jan...(Bye mom)", Arshad said in a respectful tone before walking away leaving his mother in distress.
"Feels like I have lost both my sons", Nadia Wasim Siddiqui said with tears in her eyes... "From the day we lost Akram, Arshad was lost too... It's as if he was just living for our sake", she added looking at her son's retreating figure.
"He was still searching for Akram's killer, bhabhi... He will not stop neither will he be fine until he punishes his brother's culprits", Sajida said... "Don't worry, things will settle soon", she assured.
"I don't know Sajida... It's like he forgot how to converse with his mother... All he does now is respond to me formally... Did you see how he addressed me Ammi Jan and not Ammi...", Nadia said wiping her tears... "I was his first friend, he used to share everything with me, then he suddenly had to grow up due to his father's untimely demise, but we still had our time though the frequency reduced, but now... It feels like I am talking to a stranger, not my son", she added
"Allah will protect our children Bhabhi... Please be strong", Sajida said... "Don't spoil your health worrying about all these", she said making Nadia sit at the dining table.
"When did you sleep last night?", Sajida asked, she knew Nadia was, awake till early hours...
"I was waiting for Arshad to come and talk to me, I knew he came home last night", Nadia said with hope.
"What would happen to your health if you stay awake till late bhabhi? If Arshad wants to talk to you, he will do during daytime, if he doesn't, you go and talk to him...", Sajida spoke serving breakfast to Nadia.
"I would if he is home, but he hardly stays here, how do you think I should talk to him?", Nadia expressed her disappointment...
"We should do something that could keep Arshad at home", Sajida said, Nadia frowned... "It's high time we get Arshad married Bhabhi...", Sajida adviced and Nadia instantly nodded.
"You are right Sajida... Zeenat completed her studies too, it's high time we get these two married... I'll talk to Arshad soon", Nadia spoke with determination and Sajida got happy... Finally her daughter would get married to Arshad... She will have the brightest fate than any other girl.
Arshad is the best man for any girl and Zeenat, her Zeenat would be the lucky one he marries.
"Thank you bhabhi... You made me so happy... I'll talk to Abbas saab right away", Sajida said and left to her husband's study.
Abbas Siddiqui suffered major heart stroke when his elder brother, Wasim Siddiqui was killed, and after the surgery he was adviced to stay away from any kind of stress so he mostly worked from home while Akram and Arshad handled business and community respectively buy since Akram Siddiqui's suspicious death few years ago, Arshad has been handling things on both ends.
Nadia dialed her son after breakfast. Arshad greeted his mother respectfully and waited for her to tell the purpose of her call.
"Meet me in your father's study, Arshad, tonight... I have something important to talk", Nadia said.
"Yes Ammi Jan... Might get late, please don't wait for me if that's the case, we can talk tomorrow", Arshad said
"We are having this talk today... I'll wait for you", She said and hung up making Arshad sigh.
"Ali... Schedule things only till 8:00 PM... Leave rest of the time free", Arshad informed his right hand.
"Done bhai...", Ali said already making the changes in Arshad's schedule in the ipad.
"How is your mother doing Ali? When have you last visited her?", Arshad asked seriously
"She is fine bhai, Shabana(Ali's sister) is with her, my presence is required here", Ali spoke.
For him, Arshad came first, he addressed him 'bhai' not for namesake, he meant it and Arshad reciprocated his loyalty and affection with the same intensity.
"You are dismissed after 8 today, I'll drop you at the airport, go see your mother and come tomorrow", Arshad ordered and Ali wouldn't go against Arshad ever.
"Okay bhai", Ali said and both of them started with their work.
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"Dadu... Aaaa", Arya said and Narayan slowly opened his mouth and she fed the last spoon of porridge to him and after his meal, gave him his medicines.
"Now... Get some sleep... Your physiotherapist would be here in an hour", Arya said helping her grandfather to lay down on the bed.
"Jaanu... Now have your meal", Narayan said slowly.
"I will, once you sleep, I will go", Arya said, slowly patting her grandfather's chest.
"Beta I promise, I won't try to get up on my own again", Narayan said but Arya was in no mood to leave her grandfather alone.
After he collapsed a few years ago, his condition got stable but he was partially paralyzed and couldn't walk. So, Arya left her job to take care of her grandfather as she didn't trust caretakers with him. She was scared what if the caretakers treated her grandfather badly or got frustrated at him or worse didn't take care of him well... She knew him, he wouldn't complain for her sake, so she gave up her career and started looking after Narayan herself.
"You said the same thing that day, but what did you do? You would have fallen down if I didn't save you in the right time so yes, I will be with you every minute when you are awake", Arya said, she still couldn't recover from the mishap that happened a few days ago.
There was a delivery of medicines and Arya had to go downstairs to receive them, she warned Narayan not to try getting up or move his wheel chair but he is stubborn, he tried and was about to fall when Arya caught him at the right time. From then, she was afraid to leave him alone even for a minute when he is awake.
"Don't stare at me, try to sleep now", Arya said
"At least ask Rajini to send your food here", Narayan argued, his grandchild didn't have lunch till now.
"I like to eat at in the dining hall only... There's a purpose of dining table, no?", Arya taunted making him sigh at his stubborn grandchild and due to the medicines, he fell asleep and that's when she went down to have her lunch taking baby monitor with her. Yes she actually got it installed in her grandfather's room, he needed one considering his record.
After lunch, she worked on her freelance projects for a while. Arya didn't want to feel useless by not doing any job, she wanted to feel productive, at the same time she didn't have much time to dedicate to a full time job though it offered remote work option. Her top priority is her grandfather, so she started accepting small projects instead, which she complete at her own pace. She didn't get paid much by these mini projects as most of them have very limited budgets, but she didn't mind. Money is not a problem for her as they are well off, their company is doing well too.
The physiotherapist arrived and she had to pause her work to accompany her to her grandfather's room, as he only listened to her.
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Arshad walked inside the mansion at ten past 8 in the night shocking everyone. He was hardly home at that time.
"Wow... This isn't less than any miracle", his paternal aunt's husband, Mr. Faisal Khan said with a smile.
Arshad greeted him politely, then other elders before settling in the hall.
Zeenat offered water to Arshad and he accepted with a 'thanks' and she blushed. His brain started working instantly, he already had an idea of what his mother wanted to talk about and seeing his cousin's shy smile, he got the clarity.
"How are things Arshad?", his paternal uncle, Abbas Siddiqui asked.
"Fine Chacha Saab...", Arshad answered politely yet crisp.
"Let me know if you need any assistance... And yes, I suggest take Zubair(Abbas's son) and Naveed (Faisal and Salima Khan's son) to office and make them work, how long will you handle so many responsibilities?", Abbas said, he was always in guilt that he let his elder brother's sons take all the responsibility of business and community despite his presence.
"It's fine Chachasaab, let them enjoy their college life, they will work when they want to and have to", Arshad said and his cousins hooted with joy.
Inaaya (Faisal and Salima's daughter) came there from her room and seeing Arshad, she ran and sat beside him.
"Bhai... When did you come? I missed you so much... Where were you bhai, why did you have to go always?", Inaaya asked getting upset at Arshad's frequent travel. She is the only one in the family that could sit beside Arshad Or question him rightfully. Everyone else, though aren't afraid of him, maintained their distance due to the aura he carried.
"Relax meri jaan(my jaan), relax... I am sorry that you couldn't see me daily but work is important na... But I promise, I'll be home whenever you want me to, and I'm hoping my little sister will use this power responsibly", Arshad said and Inaaya nodded frantically with a wide smile, Arshad patted her head affectionately.
"Since you are here today, let us all have dinner together", His paternal aunt, Salima Khan said
"I'll have it in my room phuppo... I have an important call to attend... You guys carry on", Arshad said and walked to his room...
"Arshad... You said we'll talk", His mother stopped him.
"And that's why I'm here Ma Begum... We'll talk whenever you say", Arshad responded.
"Okay then, we'll talk right away", Nadia said and walked towards her husband's study and Arshad followed her. "Sajida, have dinner, don't wait for us", Nadia said and left, followed by Arshad.
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In Wasim Siddiqui's study
"I want you to get married, to Zeenat... As early as possible", Nadia said in her soft yet confident tone
"You said you need to talk, while this is an order and seems like you aren't expecting a reply", Arshad replied in his sharp yet respectful tone.
"Arshad... It's high time you get married, you are holding a respectful position, and marriage and starting a family to carry forward our lineage is one of the major responsibilities of the chair", Nadia said
"Agreed...", Arshad said making Nadia smile.
"So, when shall I call Maulvi Saab... We'll go with the Nikah(marriage) in family's presence while Walima(reception) can be grand", Nadia said with joy.
"I agreed for marriage, but you are missing an important point here, bride...", Arshad said shocking Nadia.
"Arshad... What are you talking about... It's always decided that you will marry Zeenat... It was decided when your father was alive", Nadia said, she knew her son never showed willingness to marry Zeenat, or provided his acceptance but she thought that's because he was not yet okay with the idea of marriage.
"Decided? I don't remember saying 'Yes' to marry Zeenat neither anyone asked me... And as far as I know, Abbu jan never promised Chacha saab of something like this", Arshad said
"What are you saying Arshad... This is what is decided between your father and Uncle... Now that your father is no more, it's your responsibility to fulfill his word", Nadia said
"I would fulfill my father's word at any cost, but only if he gave his word...", Arshad said... "Let me confirm from Chacha saab myself", He added and stormed out of his father's study without hearing his mother's pleas to stop.
The family finished their dinner and were sitting in the hall having some casual discussions when Arshad stormed there, his calm demeanor is replaced with something unexplainable, it's not anger, he never got angry, there are only two personalities within him, a calm and peaceful man which he is in front of the family and people, other one is dangerously silent personality which is beyond anyone's imagination, his this personality is limited to a very few people.
"Arshad, what hap...", Abbas's question was interrupted by Arshad's scaringly calm tone.
"Chacha saab, I want you to answer my questions in Yes Or No... Not a word more than that... Can you do that for me?", he asked, everyone looked on, while Abbas nodded his head. Naveed got cough but Zubair cupped his mouth stopping him from creating any noise. Everyone was that scared of Arshad's probable anger which luckily they never witnessed till date.
"Did my father ever spoke about getting Zeenat married to me?", Arshad asked
"Yes", Abbas answered in yes or no as Arshad wanted.
"Did he promise you that I will be marrying Zeenat?", Arshad asked again
"No", Abbas answered again.
"Did he say that if only I agree to marry Zeenat will he go forward with this marriage?", Arshad asked again
"Yes", Abbas answered again
"Where do you find 'decision' in this Ma Begum? It was just an idea which my father discussed with his brother", Arshad questioned his mother sternly.
"Arshad... I have decided... It's my decision", Nadia said
"Unfortunately it's not your life, it's mine and only my decision will matter in this case... And I have decided, I won't marry Zeenat, do not try to change my decision, take it as my warning, everyone", Arshad declared and walked away leaving everyone stunned.
Though he never expressed his opinion, everyone in the family thought Zeenat will be Arshad's wife, it's like an unsaid fact. Tears flew from Zeenat's eyes, Zubair looked at his sister and took a step to console her but she rushed to her room without a word. Sajida looked at Nadia with disappointment and walked away.
Everyone in the family now knew Arshad would never marry Zeenat. He didn't declare or decided anything with conviction usually, he kept options open and maintains flexibility to choose Or change based on situations but when he decides something, he made sure to stick to it no matter the circumstances.
"Abbas... I am sorry for Arshad's...", Nadia trailed but Abbas shook his head.
"No bhabhi... Please don't do this... Arshad is completely right at his place, he has handled things all alone right from Bhai's death... He very capably and maturely handled the whole family and the community, never let us face any hardships, he made sure our life wasn't affected in anyway despite Wasim bhai's demise, he saw to it that we have all the comforts and everything we needed and desired, but we can't even imagine what hardships he faced to give all that to us... Even now he was ready to marry Zeenat if at all Wasim Bhaijaan gave his word. Arshad gave everything to our family and the community bhabhi, expecting more from him would be very selfish, I am already ashamed that I never helped Arshad Or Akram much, please don't make me more ashamed. I am glad Arshad decided to follow his heart, if he would have married my daughter going against his will, I can never look him in the eye... Arshad is also like my son Bhabhi, I don't want this marriage if either of my children doesn't want it", Abbas said and Nadia sighed with a nod.
"But I wanted this marriage Abbas, because I know Zeenat is the right match for Arshad", Nadia said
"If they both are right for each other, Allah would never have decided this in the first place, believe in him bhabhi, he has better plans", Abbas said and Nadia nodded.
Gradually everyone left to their rooms, Nadia was left alone. Inaaya came there.
"Inaaya... Bachi... You haven't slept yet?", Nadia asked forwarding her arms, Inaaya sat beside Nadia hugging her.
"Badi Mami... Don't be upset with Arshad bhai... He is so good... He won't say but he doesn't like when you get angry with him", Inaaya said wiping her tears.
"My bachi... Stop crying... I am not angry or upset with your Arshad bhai... Just disappointed, but I will be fine soon", Nadia assured Inaaya. She and her elder son are the only people that pamper Inaaya so much because of which everyone in the family thinks before saying anything harsh to Inaaya, including even her own parents.
"Arshad bhai is always right, Zeenat baaji is not right for my bhai, he is so good, he deserves the best", Inaaya said and Nadia chuckled thinking it to be Inaaya's love towards Arshad that's making her reject Zeenat but soon she will learn true colors of everyone.
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"Ali... We need to talk to him soon... This can help us reach the desired employment percentage... Schedule a meeting soon", Arshad said into the phone...
"Okay bhai... I can come back till morning...", Ali proposed
"Not necessary, at least have one proper meal with your mother, she will feel good, we can go, meet him in the evening after you return, or else I'll go alone", Arshad said
"No bhai... I won't let you go alone, we'll go in the evening", Ali said and Arshad agreed. Ali is stubborn when it came to his security so he too obliged.
After a brief discussion, he hung up and found Inaaya at the door step.
"Bacha... You didn't sleep till now?", Arshad asked looking at his baby sister.
"Can I come inside bhai?", Inaaya asked and Arshad nodded.
Inaaya settled on the sofa beside Arshad.
"Are you upset bhai?", She asked and Arshad shook his head with a smile... "I know you are, but don't worry I asked Badi mami not to be angry with you, she will smile at you tomorrow...", She said, bringing a smile to his eyes.
"Thank you", Arshad said and Inaaya nodded
"Anything for you bhai... And you know what, I am so happy, thanks for not marrying Zeenat Baaji, I don't like her, I mean I like her but I don't want her as my bhabhi... She is not good enough... I wanted to jump in happiness when you said No, but badi mami is sad so I didn't", Inaaya said making Arshad's eyes sparkle in bliss.
"You know Inaaya... Everyone in the family's happiness brings a smile to my lips, but your happiness makes my eyes smile... My real smile, only your happiness can cause it, stay happy like this", Arshad said and his sister got so happy, but suddenly Arshad's smile disappeared, did he just lie to his baby sister? Not just Inaaya, there's another girl who made his eyes smile, years ago... Arya Awasthi.
Precap - They meet again, but in unforeseen circumstances.
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