3. DASTAAN KI RAAZ

⚠️ Warning: This story contents foul language, violence, and mature content. Please read at your own discretion.

The Thakur family sat at the dining table for breakfast. Arvind Thakur, the head of the family and a powerful police officer, sipped his tea while scanning the morning newspaper. Known for his no-nonsense attitude, Arvind's name sent chills down the spines of criminals.

On the other hand, Vikranth Thakur, the elder son, lounged in chair lazily, scrolling through his phone. Vikranth was the exact opposite of his father, spoiled, and living off his father's hard-earned money. His parents often scolded him, but their words never seemed to sink in.

Vihaan Thakur, the youngest son, sat quietly, eating his breakfast. Unlike Vikranth, Vihaan was disciplined and focused. He is a university professor. Arvind had always dreamed of Vihaan following in his footsteps and joining the police force, but Vihaan had no interest in such a career.

Their mother, Meera Thakur, was busy serving breakfast, occasionally throwing sharp glances at Vikranth for his acts.

Suddenly, Arvind's phone rang. He glanced at the screen and picked up the call. As he listened, his expression darkened, his brows furrowing with anger.

"Whatever happens, I want Siddharth Khanna's location by tomorrow," he barked into the phone and hung up.

The room went silent for a moment. Vihaan, sensing the tension, spoke up.

"Is everything alright, Dad?"

Arvind let out a sigh, softening his tone slightly. "Yeah, just work stress," he said, trying to brush it off.

Vikranth, sensing an opportunity, suddenly stood up. "I'll be back. I'm getting a phone call," he said, excusing himself. He walked out, pulling out his phone.

Dialing a number quickly, he whispered into the phone as soon as it connected.

"Siddharth, where are you?"

On the other end, Siddharth Khanna's voice was calm but sharp.

"Why? What's wrong?"

"The police are tracking you again. I overheard Dad talking about it. I think they're getting closer. You need to change your location immediately," Vikranth said urgently.

There was a brief pause before siddharth replied.

"Got it. I'll take care of it."

Without another word, Siddharth hung up.

Vikranth leaned against the wall, running a hand through his hair. He knew the danger of what he was doing, but the thrill of working with Siddharth Khanna, the most infamous mafia boss, was too enticing to resist.

Siddharth Khanna had been a headache for the police for years. He killed people, did many other crimes without hesitation and disappeared before anyone could catch him. No one knew where he went or how he managed to stay hidden so well.

What Arvind didn't know was that the reason Siddharth was so hard to track was standing under his own roof, his son Vikranth.

It all began during Vikranth's college days when he first heard his father speak about Siddharth Khanna. Fascinated by the stories, Vikranth tracked down Siddharth's location and approached him with a deal.

"Your name is on every cop's hit list, but I can help you stay one step ahead," Vikranth had told Siddharth.

Siddharth, intrigued by the idea of having a police officer's son on his side, agreed to the deal. In exchange for money, Vikranth would provide inside information from his father's investigations.

Since then, Vikranth had been living a double life, feeding Siddharth crucial details and ensuring the mafia boss always stayed out of reach.

Meanwhile, Vikranth returned to the table, acting as though nothing had happened. He sat down, grabbing his cup of coffee. "Everything okay?" Vihaan asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, just some random call," Vikranth said casually, hiding the truth effortlessly.

Vihaan quickly finished his breakfast, glancing at the time. "I am going to be late for university, bye all!" he called out to his family before rushing out the door.

He hurried to his car, his mind already racing through the day's schedule as he drove to the university. He was already five minutes behind, but he couldn't afford to be any later.

As he walked through the university hallways, he heard the usual bustle of students heading to their classes. Vihaan quickened his pace, hoping to get there before the class had completely started. He pushed open the door to his lecture hall, expecting to see the entire class waiting quietly, perhaps with a few side conversations that would stop once he entered. But to his surprise, the room was filled with laughter and loud chatter.

A group of boys stood near the center of the room, circling around a girl, teasing her. Vihaan stopped in his tracks, his expression hardening. His eyes narrowed as he recognized the new student in the middle of the group.

Without hesitation, he strode into the room, his voice cutting through the noise. "Boys, don't you have manners? Is this how you talk to a girl?" His tone was sharp, commanding, and instantly, the laughter stopped.

The boys froze, a collective tension in the air. "We're sorry, Mr. Thakur," they mumbled in unison, some of them lowering their heads in embarrassment. They quickly moved to their seats, avoiding eye contact.

Vihaan turned his attention to the girl. She was visibly upset, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She looked around, embarrassed, and quickly wiped her face. Vihaan's gaze softened, though his stern demeanor remained. He walked closer to her, his voice more gentle now. "Are you okay?" he asked, his concern clear.

The girl nodded quickly, still trying to compose herself.

Vihaan studied her for a moment. She is new to the university, he realized. He had seen a few new faces recently, but hers stood out. She had a quiet, reserved energy about her, something that was clearly being targeted by the boys earlier.

He turned his gaze back to the group of boys, his anger simmering beneath the surface. "I won't tolerate this kind of behavior in my class again," he said, his tone calm but firm. The boys shifted uncomfortably in their seats, keeping their heads down and avoiding his stare.

Vihaan then turned back to the girl, trying to ease the tension. "It seems like you're new here," he said with a small smile. "Why don't you take a seat in the front row? It might help you get more comfortable."

She hesitated for a moment, then nodded, her face brightening a little. She gathered her things and made her way to the front bench, sitting down with a small sigh of relief.

Vihaan watched her for a moment before turning to address the class. "Alright, let's get started. But remember, this is a place of respect. Keep that in mind." He paused briefly, then glanced back at the girl. "What's your name?" he asked, genuinely curious.

The girl looked up at him, her expression still a little shy. "I'm Tulika," she said softly, her voice a bit more steady now.

Vihaan smiled warmly. "Nice to meet you, Tulika. I'm Vihaan Thakur, your professor," he said, offering her a friendly hand.

Tulika hesitated for a moment before standing and shaking his hand, her grip a little uncertain but grateful. "Nice to meet you too," she replied, her voice gaining strength.

Vihaan nodded and gestured to the rest of the class. "Alright, let's focus now," he said, his tone shifting back to professional as he moved to the board to start the lesson.

Tulika settled into her seat, her attention now fully on the lecture. Vihaan couldn't help but glance at her every now and then. There was something about her, a quiet resilience, that intrigued him. Despite the earlier teasing, she held herself with a certain grace.

As the class continued, Vihaan found himself thinking about the kind of student Tulika would be. The incident had already set the tone for her in the class she had shown she could handle herself, even in the face of bullying. Vihaan respected that.

After the lecture ended, students began filing out, some chatting excitedly about the lesson while others packed their bags in silence. Vihaan waited for the room to clear, then approached Tulika.

"Hey, Tulika," he called softly. She looked up, surprised, but smiled slightly.

"If you ever need any help, whether it's with the class or anything else, don't hesitate to ask," Vihaan said, his voice kind. "I know things can be tough when you're new."

Tulika smiled more brightly now, her nerves easing. "Thank you, Professor Thakur," she said, her voice steady.

Vihaan gave her a reassuring nod. "Take care of yourself," he said, turning to leave the classroom.

■

Vihaan got into his car after leaving the university, his mind still focused on the class he had just taught. He drove through the empty streets, the steady sound of rain tapping against his windshield. The road was deserted, and the dim streetlights flickered in the heavy downpour.

As he slowed near an intersection, his eyes caught a familiar figure standing on the sidewalk, her silhouette barely visible in the rain. It was Tulika. She stood there, holding her bag tightly against her, looking down the road as if waiting for something. Vihaan's heart skipped a beat.

"Tulika, what are you doing out here in the rain?" he called out, rolling down his window.

She looked up, startled, and her hair was drenched, sticking to her face. "I'm waiting for the bus," she replied, her voice soft but resigned.

Vihaan frowned, glancing around. There was no bus in sight, and the rain was only getting heavier. "But it's raining. Come on, I'll drop you," he insisted.

Tulika hesitated for a moment, her eyes flickering between him and the empty road. She was already soaked through, and the thought of standing out in the rain any longer made her shiver. Without saying anything else, she nodded and got into his car, her damp clothes leaving a trail of water on the seat as she settled in.

The car was warm, and Vihaan turned up the heater slightly, but neither of them spoke. The only sound was the rain pounding against the car and the soft hum of the engine. Tulika sat quietly, staring out the window, her body shivering from the cold.

Vihaan glanced at her, noticing the way her shoulders trembled. "Are you okay?" he asked quietly, his concern evident.

Tulika gave a small, barely perceptible nod, though her teeth were chattering slightly. She was trying to hold it together, but the cold from the rain had seeped into her bones.

Vihaan couldn't stand to see her this way. He turned the wheel, making a quick decision. "Let's stop for a bit. I know a place nearby. Come on, let's get you something warm."

He drove for a few more minutes until they reached a small, cozy café nestled in a corner of the street. It was quiet, the warm glow from the lights inviting them in from the cold. Vihaan parked the car, then turned to Tulika. "Come on, let's have coffee. It'll help you feel better," he said gently.

Tulika glanced at him, her eyes softening with gratitude. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice still faint but warmer than before.

Vihaan and Tulika stepped out of the car, the crisp night air brushing against their faces. The warmth of the coffee cup in Vihaan's hand didn't stop him from noticing Tulika's shivering frame. Her arms were wrapped tightly around herself, trying to fight off the cold. Without a second thought, Vihaan shrugged off his coat and draped it over her shoulders.

"Here, wear this. You'll catch a cold," he said softly.

Tulika looked up at him, her eyes wide with surprise. But instead of gratitude, Vihaan saw tears forming.

"Tulika? Are you okay?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.

She hesitated, looking down at the steaming cup of coffee in her hands. Finally, she whispered, "It's been such a long time since someone cared for me like this."

Her words hit him like a punch to the gut. There was a vulnerability in her tone that tugged at something deep inside him.

"What do you mean?" he asked gently, lowering his voice. "Don't you have anyone? Parents?"

She gave him a sad smile, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "They left me when I was a kid. I grew up in an orphanage."

Vihaan felt his heart clench. He'd never imagined that behind her composed exterior was a story of loneliness and pain. Looking at her now, her innocent face clouded with sorrow, he felt an ache he couldn't quite explain.

After a few moments of silence, they finished their coffee and got back into the car. The drive to Tulika's house was quiet, but Vihaan kept glancing at her from the corner of his eye. She was looking out the window, lost in her thoughts, the sadness still lingering on her face.

When they arrived, Tulika unbuckled her seatbelt and stepped out. She turned to him, clutching his coat tightly around her. "Thank you for tonight, Vihaan. For everything."

Before she could leave, he got out of the car and pulled her into a hug. The gesture surprised both of them, but he didn't let go.

"You're not alone, Tulika," he said firmly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Don't ever think that. Consider me your friend, okay?"

She stood frozen for a moment before slowly returning the hug. It wasn't long, but it was enough to convey the warmth and reassurance she hadn't felt in years.

Vihaan didn't know what had come over him. Ever since his breakup with Kriti, his ex-girlfriend, he'd avoided opening up to anyone, especially girls. But something about Tulika made him want to protect her, to be there for her.

When Tulika finally stepped back, she wiped her eyes and gave him a faint smile. "Goodnight, Mr. Thakur, thank you again."

"Goodnight, Tulika. And hey," he added, "keep the coat for now. It suits you."

She laughed softly and nodded before heading to her door. Vihaan watched her until she disappeared inside. Then he got back into his car, his mind swirling with thoughts he couldn't quite place.

Something about Tulika had stirred something in him. Something he hadn't felt in a very long time.

■

I

t was a quiet evening at the Thakur house, with everyone gathered at the dining table. The clinking of plates and muffled conversation filled the air. Vikranth, as usual, was absent from dinner. He had made it a habit to avoid family meals, and no one questioned it anymore.

Just as Arvind, the family patriarch, reached for a second helping of dal, a sharp knock echoed through the house. The sound interrupted the flow of the evening. Everyone paused, exchanging puzzled glances.

"Who could it be at this hour?" Arvind's wife murmured, her tone laced with curiosity.

"I'll check," Vihaan, the youngest in the family, said as he stood and walked toward the door.

As he opened it, he froze, his eyes widening in shock. Standing before him was Vikranth, his face battered with bruises. A faint cut on his lip and a swollen cheek made it clear he'd been in some kind of trouble.

"Vikranth!" Vihaan exclaimed, his voice full of concern. "What happened? How did you get hurt?" He reached out instinctively to touch his brother's bruises, but Vikranth stepped back.

"I fell from my bike," Vikranth muttered, his voice barely audible. Without meeting Vihaan's eyes, he brushed past him and headed straight to his room.

Vihaan stood by the door for a moment, watching his brother's retreating figure. His gut told him there was more to the story, but he knew better than to press Vikranth for answers.

When he returned to the dining table, everyone looked at him expectantly.

"What happened to him?" Arvind asked, setting his spoon down.

Vihaan hesitated, glancing in the direction of Vikranth's room. "He said he fell from his bike," he replied with a shrug, trying to mask his doubt.

Arvind sighed heavily, exchanging a weary look with his wife. "That boy... always so secretive. I don't know what's going on with him these days," he muttered before resuming his meal.

Vihaan sat down and picked up his fork, but he couldn't let it go. His mind was racing. After a moment, he blurted out, "He went out in the car, not on a bike. He left this morning in the car. I don't know what kind of trouble he's getting into, but something's not right."

To be continued

Hey guys I am back with new short story which will definitely be your favourite soon because I thought to write it as a long book 3 to 4 years back but I am writing it as short story now, so do read it.

Alot of secrets and mysteries ahead so be ready. (Wink)

You won't regret reading this.

Vote. Comment. And let me know your review so that I can update next chapter.

Target for next chapter: 250+ likes, 15+ comments