Nagraju spent the next hour reviewing every account, investment file, and savings record.
He checked the family's bank balances, fixed deposits, business reserves, and the money he had set aside over the years.
After writing down the figures, he sat back quietly.
Originally, he had planned to use a large portion of those savings to purchase a family home.
It had been one of his biggest goals.
But after listening to Akshata and carefully reviewing their finances, another idea came to his mind.
He called out,
"Bhaghy... Akshata... Manu... can all of you come here for a few minutes?"
Within moments, the four of them were seated together.
Nagraju looked at his wife and children before speaking.
"I've been thinking."
"My original plan was to save this money for a house. But a house can wait if necessary."
He looked at his children.
"I would rather invest part of these savings in both of your names while you're still young."
Akshata smiled but remained silent.
Nagraju continued.
"As for the gold bars we purchased earlier..."
He paused.
"They may have been bought using Akshata's earnings, but I don't think they should belong to only one person."
"I would like those gold bars to become a family asset."
He explained his reasoning.
"They will remain safely stored."
"They will serve as emergency savings for the family."
"If ever our business faces a difficult period, they can provide financial security."
"And if they are never needed, they will remain an asset for both of you in the future."
The room became quiet.
Nagraju looked at his daughter.
"Akshata... are you comfortable with that?"
Without a moment's hesitation, she smiled.
"I agree, Father."
"We earned everything as a family."
"If the gold can protect our family in difficult times and later become a shared blessing for all of us, I would be happier with that than keeping it only in my name."
Bhaghy looked proudly at her daughter.
Nagraju nodded with satisfaction.
"Then it's settled."
"We will begin building investments for both of you, and the gold will remain a family reserve—something we use only if absolutely necessary."
Manu, still young enough to understand only part of the discussion, looked around the room and grinned.
"So... we're all saving together?"
Everyone laughed.
"Yes," Nagraju replied.
"We're building our future together."
The discussion came to an end, but before everyone stood up, Akshata looked at her younger brother.
"Manu," she said gently, "this stays within our family."
He looked at her curiously.
"Don't tell anyone—not even our elder cousins."
Manu nodded immediately.
"I won't, Akka."
Nagraju quietly watched the exchange.
He understood exactly why she had said it.
For a long moment, he remained silent.
Deep inside, he wished he could guide his brothers toward the same opportunities. They had once built dreams together, and a part of him still wanted to see them prosper.
But life had changed.
After the businesses were divided, they had chosen different paths. The distance between them was no longer about work alone—it had become emotional as well.
Nagraju sighed softly.
"What more can a brother do?" he thought.
"I have already done everything I could."
He looked at Akshata.
If news spread that such large investments were being made in the children's names, people would naturally begin asking questions.
How had they decided to invest so early?
Why those particular companies?
Curiosity could slowly turn into suspicion.
More importantly, it might draw unwanted attention toward his daughter.
Nagraju knew Akshata had remarkable foresight and an unusual ability to recognize long-term opportunities. Whether others understood her reasoning or not, he felt it was his responsibility as a father to protect her from unnecessary scrutiny.
He made a quiet decision.
Their family's investments would remain private.
He would not persuade his brothers to buy the same shares.
Even if he mentioned that the market seemed attractive at that moment, they might misunderstand his intentions. If prices fell in the short term, they could believe he had given poor advice, damaging their relationship further.
"It is better," he said calmly, "that every family makes its own financial decisions."
Akshata nodded in agreement.
"We don't need anyone's approval," she said. "We'll simply stay patient and let time do its work."
Nagraju smiled.
Some opportunities were best protected not by speaking about them—
but by working quietly, allowing the results to speak years later.
The very next morning, Nagraju left home carrying a folder filled with documents.
Inside were identity proofs, bank papers, guardian declarations, and the forms required to open investment accounts for his children.
Since both Akshata and Manu were still minors, the investments would be held in their names with Nagraju acting as their legal guardian.
He completed the formalities carefully.
Then came the final step.
He instructed the broker to purchase ₹1 crore worth of Microsoft shares for Akshata.
Immediately after, he placed another order.
₹1 crore worth of Microsoft shares for Manu.
As the confirmations were printed, Nagraju quietly looked at them for a few moments.
Most parents saved for their children's future one step at a time.
He had chosen a different path.
Because of the memories he carried from another life, he believed this decision would secure their future in a way that ordinary savings never could.
As he walked out of the office, he smiled to himself.
"At least now..." he thought,
"I don't have to worry so much about their future."
"Whatever happens to me, these investments should give both of them a strong foundation."
He wasn't investing to become famous.
He wasn't investing to impress anyone.
He was investing because he wanted his children to have freedom—the freedom to choose their own careers, to follow their dreams, and to never be forced into decisions because of financial hardship.
When he reached home that evening, Akshata looked at him expectantly.
He smiled and placed the acknowledgement papers on the table.
"It's done."
She picked them up and looked at the figures.
"Both accounts?"
Nagraju nodded.
"One crore each."
Akshata looked at her father with gratitude.
"Thank you, Father."
He shook his head.
"No."
"You've already done enough for this family."
"This is my responsibility."
He looked at both his children playing in the hall.
"As a father, I can leave behind many things."
"But if I can leave behind security..."
"...then I have fulfilled one of my greatest duties."
For the first time in many years, Nagraju felt completely at peace.
The future was still uncertain for the world.
But for his children, he had done everything he believed he could.