chapter 41

It was nearly 11 PM when Prena unlocked the penthouse door and stepped inside, the faint click of her heels the only sound in the opulent silence. The soft glow of ambient lights lit up the hallway, but she didn't dare turn on the main lights. Her grip tightened slightly on her handbag, specifically on the warm box tucked neatly inside, wrapped with a cloth. Dinner. Cooked by the woman she longed to call Ma, though society denied her that right.She tiptoed forward, hoping to reach her room unnoticed, but the illusion shattered." Prena."Her spine stiffened.There, standing at the top of the stairs like a queen guarding her castle, was Rajeshwari or Ishwari, as the world adored her. A legend of the glamour world, always draped in silk and subtle cruelty. Tonight was no different. Her eyes were lined with kohl, her robe a deep wine red, her lips pursed in restrained fury.Prena turned slowly, schooling her features into a neutral mask. " I didn't know you'd still be awake."Rajeshwari descended the stairs, each step deliberate. "What I can't understand is what business kept you out until now. Don't say a friend."" Well, it was friend only," Prena replied nonchalantly." I had you follow, Prena," Rajeshwari said.Prena clenched her jaw. Of course. The spies."You sent them again?" she asked dryly, feigning surprise.Rajeshwari's eyes narrowed. "So it's true, you went to that house. To the Agnihotris."Prena remained silent and Rajeshwari started climbing the stairs down." How many times do I have to tell you, Prena? Do you want me to isolate you again?"Prena's expression stiffened.Prena's hand curled tightly around the strap of her handbag, the unspoken threat echoing in her ears like a slap. Isolate her again. The words hit like déjà vu, memories of cold rooms, locked doors, and a silence so deafening it swallowed even her own thoughts.She swallowed hard and raised her eyes to meet Rajeshwari's as the woman stopped right in front of her, poised and venomous."I just went to meet my friend," Prena said evenly."Everything with you reeks of rebellion lately," Rajeshwari snapped, voice sharp enough to cut steel. "You think I don't know what you're doing? Creeping into that woman's world, thinking you'll belong there someday. You won't, Prena. You never will. They'll never accept you. I have told you the truth, right baby?"Prena again. Manipulation. Rajeshwari knows it well but she didn't know the truth Prena was aware of.Rajeshwari came closer to her and raised her left hand to cup her cheek. Her touch burned Prena's skin but she composed herself." That woman. She hated you, a girl child, baby. Why don't you just forget them?"Prena slowly moved Rajeshwari's hand down from her cheek and dropped her eyelashes, " oh."She walked past her and Rajeshwari turned around." Did you think about the proposal?"Prena stopped on her track. Proposal? Proposal of standing at the top of glamour World, become a model and soon an actress.Prena's breath hitched at the word proposal. She turned her head slightly, her fingers curling around the strap of her bag tighter than before."You've got the face, the elegance," she began smoothly, her voice turning honey-sweet with the same dangerous sugar that once lured producers and tycoons to her feet. "One Friday, baby. That's all it takes. You walk in, dazzle them, and I promise, they'll write your future in gold. No one will remember you were ever in the shadows of that woman's mansion."Prena stayed still, her profile unreadable."I said no more isolation, Prena," Rajeshwari added softly. "But there are other kinds of punishment, you know. Being ordinary, forgotten, shoved into backrooms and ledgers, that's a kind of death too. Do you want that?"Prena turned, slowly, her face composed. Her voice held a carefully crafted note of surrender."One week," she said. "I'll meet them this Friday."Rajeshwari smiled, triumphant. "That's my girl."But Prena wasn't done."What about the business?" she asked, her tone steady. "Dad always wanted me to take over his import-export company. I've been training for it."Rajeshwari's smile soured at the corners. She waved a dismissive hand."But Vikrant doesn't. That greedy man won't give you even an inch of his empire. You think he'll welcome you into boardrooms? Baby, he'll slam the doors shut before you even reach the hallway."Prena looked down, letting the silence stretch long. In truth, she didn't want the glamour, nor the glittering cages Rajeshwari built with sweet poison. She only wanted her place—rightful, earned or otherwise, beside them. Her brothers. Her mother.And she knew her time was close.One week, she told herself.That's all Vikrant needed to find the truth she had been quietly scattering through his world like breadcrumbs. And when that happened, Rajeshwari's web would snap under its own weight.Until then... she'd wear the mask....Pari startled feeling her husband nuzzle the side of her neck, his warm breath fanning her skin. She instinctively tilted her head, giving him more access as his arms slid from her shoulders down to her wrists, fingers brushing against the fabric she held.Before she could react, he plucked the nightdress from her hands."What... are you doing?" she asked, her voice soft, barely managing to keep the flurry of butterflies in her stomach at bay.Vikrant only hummed in response, brushing his nose against her skin, sending an involuntary shiver down her spine. She flinched slightly from the overload of sensations, her eyelashes fluttering as he pressed a featherlight kiss to her neck and then slowly pulled away.Turning toward him, she reached out her palm, trying to keep her composure. " Give it back."But instead of obeying, he tossed the nightdress casually across the room.She gasped.He took a slow step forward, mischief dancing in his eyes as he wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her close. She frowned, her expression torn between confusion and amusement." I have to wear that." She said.The corner of his lips curved into a mischievous smirk."Kuch mat pehan-" he began.( Don't wear anyth-)Before he could say another word, she slapped her palm playfully over his mouth. A soft scoff escaped her lips. She wriggled free from his arms, stepping back quickly, cheeks burning crimson."Aap aadhe bhi nahi, bilkul hi pagal ho gaye hain," she muttered, trying to hide her smile as she walked past him to retrieve her nightdress, now perched awkwardly on the bed's headboard.( You have gone totally mad.)"And for the record," he added while reaching for it, "hum aadhe kapde pehne ka nahi, kuch bhi pehne ko mana kar rahe the-"( I was taking of not wearing anything at all-)"Vikrant!" she shrieked mid-sentence when he winked at her.She threw a pillow at him and he ducked just in time, laughing openly as the pillow sailed past him." Acha suno," his tone now changed into serious as he reached for his jacket in the almirah.( Well, listen.)" Hn?"She grabbed her nightdress and got down from the bed before facing him. He slipped his arms into sleeves one by one while saying," Going for urgent work. Do not wait for me. I will take time."She frowned and glanced at the clock before turning her gaze back at him." At this time? It's 10."Vikrant nodded and put his phone in his pants pocket." What work are you going for?"She took a step closer to him. He looked at her to answer the question but sealed his mouth seeing concern all over her face." Just.. some business related."She took more steps toward him, " and what is it-"" Don't wait for me, hn. Just sleep. You have university tomorrow morning," he interrupted her.She parted her mouth but sighed and nodded." Take care."He smiled and cupped her cheeks. His face leaned closer to her and before she could react, he left a long peck on her lips." Okay."She forced a smile, even though she freaked out for sending him away at this time.He moved back and turned his back at her to leave the room. She watched him leave the room, her eyes following the broad set of his back until he disappeared beyond the doorway. The silence that followed felt heavier than usual. Her grip on the soft fabric of her nightdress tightened, and she chewed the corner of her lip, gaze drifting down as she stared blankly at the piece of clothing clutched in her hand.Sometimes, no matter how deeply she looked into his eyes or how long she stayed wrapped in his arms, she found herself unable to fully understand him. Vikrant Agnihotri was like a storm wrapped in silk, gentle when he wanted to be, but capable of stirring up darkness that terrified her.There were moments when she felt like she had known him for lifetimes, could predict his words before he spoke them, and feel his presence without turning around. But then there were nights like this, where his silence screamed louder than any words, where he walked away with shadows trailing behind him and gave her no answers, only half-truths masked as reassurances.She didn't know what part of his world he kept hidden, what weight he carried on his shoulders that he never let her touch. And yet, despite the confusion, despite the unanswered questions swirling within her, one truth remained clear—she trusted him. Blindly. Deeply. As if her soul knew something her mind hadn't grasped yet.He could say anything, and she would believe it. He could walk into fire, and she would still stand by the embers, waiting.Still, as she stood there in the dim light of their room, heart caught between worry and faith, she couldn't help but wonder- who was Vikrant Agnihotri, really?Ranvijay frowned, picking up pieces of paper from his brother's study desk. He read each and every paper until his eyes landed on a particular name.Akansha AgnihotriChild: FemaleStatus: DeadThen there's another report, similar to the previous one. The only change was the status which depicted that the child was alive.He blinked, reading the document again, eyes scanning the adjacent notes and records scattered around it. Old certificates. A childhood photo. A faded hospital slip. Some were torn, others marked with Angad's signature in red.He tilted his head, reading an unfamiliar name, yet screamed dominance with the surname.Prena... Agnihotri, daughter of Akansha and Angad Agnihotri.....The car came to a slow halt, its tires crunching softly over the dirt road. The driver glanced into the rearview mirror and called out gently."Saab?"No response.He turned slightly and called again, a little louder this time. "Saab?"Still nothing.One last time, a little louder, he tried again. "Saab?"Vikrant stirred with a light groan, his eyes fluttering open. He blinked slowly, trying to shake off the heaviness of sleep."We've reached," the driver informed him softly.Vikrant sat up straighter, rubbing his eyes as he turned his head toward the window. The early morning sunlight filtered through the trees, casting golden rays over the dusty path and distant rooftops.Mehargarh.The name echoed in his mind.He exhaled, a long, slow breath escaping his lips, and reached into his coat pocket to retrieve his phone.5:30 AM.The screen's glow was the only cold thing in the warmth of this quiet village dawn.Vikrant slipped his phone back into his coat pocket." Let's go," he muttered to the driver, nodding once." Where to, Saab?"The driver asked, starting the engine." To the chief's haveli."The driver nodded as he drove them away from there.The car rolled forward, weaving through the narrow village lanes, the silence of Mehargarh slowly fading as more people began their morning routines.The sky was now a gentle blue, birds chirping in the distance, but Vikrant's eyes stayed locked on the road ahead, his thoughts elsewhere, knotted and restless.By 6:30 AM, his phone buzzed softly in his coat pocket.Pari.He glanced at the screen, before accepting the call and placing the phone to his ear without saying a word."Vikrant!" her voice came sharp and tired, threaded with concern and irritation. "You said you'll be late, not that you won't come back at all! It's already morning-"He remained silent, letting her words flow, his expression unreadable."I waited... I actually stayed up for a long time."" Maaf kar dena, Pari. Thoda bahar aa gaye the hum kaam ke liye," he replied.( Forgive me, Pari. I came out for some work.)Pari huffed from the other side, " jao, nahi karte maaf."( Go, I won't forgive you.)" Pari-"She scoffed and disconnected the call before he could say anything. Vikrant smiled softly, knowing he could pacify her later.Upon reaching his destination, Vikrant opened the car door. The early morning breeze greeted him with a slight chill, ruffling his neatly combed hair. Dust clung lightly to his polished shoes as he stepped out." Vikrant babu?"He smiled at the familiar voice and face. He adjoined his hands when the wife of chief first informed the whole haveli before coming towards him while fixing pallu over her head." We were waiting for you," Kiran Thakur said.Vikrant smiled and crouched down to touch her feet. Kiran blessed him and gestured to him to come inside the haveli.Vikrant glanced at his driver as Kiran invited him as well. Driver hesitated but at Vikrant's gesture he agreed to come inside.As they all moved inside the haveli, the whole family had already come to the main hall.Vikrant smiled, spotting the chief of the village, Prakash Thakur. His weathered face broke into a warm smile beneath his grey moustache, and his tall, commanding frame seemed to soften in respect."Vikrant beta," he said heartily, opening his arms.Vikrant stepped forward, a respectful smile tugging his lips, and bent slightly to touch the elder man's feet."Bless you, son. It's good to see you back in Mehargarh.""And it's good to be back, Thakur saab," Vikrant replied, straightening."Come, come sit," Kiran gestured as she led him toward the middle of the hall where fresh mats and cushions had been arranged. The aroma of morning incense and boiled milk filled the air, and the walls echoed with hushed chatter as the family looked on curiously.Jaya, the white-haired matriarch with sharp eyes that missed nothing, sat slightly elevated on a cushioned platform."Vikrant," she said with a nod, acknowledging his presence. "You've grown thinner. Work is eating you up."Vikrant chuckled, " you always say this."Her eyes crinkled, amused, and she beckoned him to sit near her.As he lowered himself onto a cushion, his eyes skimmed the room, pausing briefly on the others gathered.Prakash Thakur clapped once, breaking the moment. " You must be tired. You came all night from the city, no? First, have something. Then we'll talk."Vikrant nodded graciously, adjusting his wristwatch. "Yes, of course."Prakash's younger brother Bhairav ordered maids to bring something for the guests." Uhm, I'd like to freshen up first," Vikrant said." Yes, of course. Come with me."Deepak, the youngest son of Chandr, said and asked him to follow him. Vikrant did exactly the same. The driver, too, went with him.Vikrant's bond with the Thakur family ran deeper than mere courtesy. Years ago, his mother, Akansha, had shared a profound friendship with Kiran Thakur. Through Akansha, Vikrant had been introduced to Mehargarh as a teenager. He visited often with her and over time, the warmth of the Thakur household became a rare comfort in his otherwise guarded world.With Prakash Thakur's support, Vikrant gradually set up textile and manufacturing units around the village, providing employment to the locals and developing the region's infrastructure. His company built roads, schools, and helped bring modern facilities to the rural town, turning Mehargarh into one of the most progressive villages in the state. But beyond business, this haveli remained a quiet space where he was never Vikrant Agnihotri the tycoon, just Vikrant, the boy Kiran once fed with her own hands....Vikrant laughed at some funny talk of Jaya." What? You should not have done it. I had found many girls for you. But look at you. Who marries like that? No function. No pomp and show? Is that how you bring a bride? I even scolded Akansha."Suddenly, a sweet voice echoed from the stairs." Aate huye ek ghante bhi nahi aur tumne apne parvachan shuru kar diye, dadi?"( It's not even one hour since he came and you started your lecture, dadi?)All eyes turned toward the staircase where Durga stood in a simple suit, her hair braided loosely over her shoulder, eyes sparkling with mischief. Her steps were light as she hopped down the stairs, clearly delighted by the familiar presence in the hall." Vikrant bhaiya!" she squealed, rushing toward him with unfiltered joy.Vikrant turned fully, his smile growing warmer at the sight of her. Durga greeted him."You've grown up," he said with a soft chuckle, noticing how different she looked from the last time.Durga stood straight with her chin lifted, her hands proudly placed on her hips."I am twenty years old now. Now count me among the grown-ups!" she announced grandly.Vikrant chuckled, nodding his head.The entire hall erupted in warm laughter at Durga's remark.She hurriedly came and sat opposite to him." Com'on, show me the photo?"She forwarded her palm at him." Photo?" Vikrant frowned." Yes? Bhabhi's photo."Vikrant nodded in understanding and grabbed his mobile beside him. He unlocked it and clicked on any one picture of Pari from his photo gallery before handing the device to Durga. Everyone gathered around to have a look at the picture.Durga gasped." Where did you find such a beautiful girl?"Vikrant smiled and leaned comfortably against the pillow behind him." You should have brought her as well, Vikrant," Kiran said." Next time. Promise," Vikrant replied.Durga frowned and lifted her gaze to stare at him." Did you bring something for me?"Vikrant parted his mouth, " uh..."But felt out of words. Durga pretended to be angry." You are so bad. You came after 2 years and did not even bring anything for me?"Jaya slapped her shoulder lightly." You are so shameless. Always asking for things."Vikrant chuckled and raised his hands in mock surrender."Okay, okay! That's my mistake. But I'll make it up to you, promise.""How?" Durga squinted suspiciously."Next time, I'll bring a gift bigger than your tantrums."The whole family laughed again as Durga stuck out her tongue childishly."You better. I want a dress. And matching bangles. And matching earrings. Anklets-"" Okay okay. I got it!"Vikrant interrupted her and she just smiled proudly, scrolling Pari's pictures in his mobile. She got up and went to her sister-in-laws, whispering about her beauty with them.Prakash Thakur cleared his throat, drawing Vikrant's attention. He reached for the folder beside him and slid it across the low wooden table toward Vikrant.Vikrant straightened, adjusting his posture. His fingers paused briefly over the folder before opening it. His eyes scanned the property documents inside."Why did you even need this land, Vikrant?" Prakash asked, his tone neither accusatory nor soft, but inquisitive with an undercurrent of concern."You could have gotten land anywhere. This... this belonged to the daughter of the family. It was given to her for her wedding."Vikrant didn't look up at once. He gently pulled the papers out, lining them properly before he spoke."Let's just say this piece of land means a lot to someone," he said quietly, yet firmly.Prakash studied him for a long moment, sensing the layers behind that answer but choosing not to press further. Instead, he gave a small nod and poured himself a cup of tea.Jaya, who had remained quiet all this while, finally spoke up, her tone softer than before."And how is Ranvijay?" she asked, peering curiously over her glasses. "The last time I saw him, he was what- ten years old? After that... he never came back."Vikrant inhaled slowly, nodding."Yes. He was ten."He looked up at the elders.He stayed mostly with Angad, while he was with Akansha . That's how he kept visiting Mehargarh often. But Ranvijay didn't get the same opportunity. Moreover, Angad always had some deep hatred for this family. It's not like Akansha and him cared." And Akansha?"Kiran asked with a sorrow filled gaze. Vikrant took a deep breath, " maa's doing good, for now."They all studied his expression, trying hard to hide his pain and he even succeeded. Jaya eventually changed the topic to lighten the atmosphere. Vikrant wanted to leave but they all stopped him for lunch." Next time you come, please bring bhabhi," Durga said or more like ordered.Vikrant smiled and nodded before crouching down and touching the feet of the elders. Despite his continuous denial, they all gifted him many handmade things and even sweets and all. Kiran handed a heavy saree along with vermillion and all the bridal related things to him." Bring Akansha someday."Vikrant smiled, " I will. Soon."The driver put all the stuff in the diggy of the car before opening the back seat door for him. Vikrant sat inside and the driver took his seat before driving them away. Vikrant sighed.3:00 PM.Vikrant leaned his head against the glass window, watching the vast fields blur past under the golden hue of the afternoon sun. The road ahead was long, but his mind had already drifted to a certain pair of eyes waiting impatiently for him back home.He smiled faintly to himself."She's going to kill me."His voice was barely a murmur, drowned by the hum of the car engine.The car sped up subtly, slicing through the rural paths as day dipped slowly toward dusk. He leaned back, resting one hand over the heavy gift-wrapped box beside him, the one Kiran had insisted he take for his dulhan.He smiled again, imagining Pari's eyes lighting up after, of course, the storm of her anger passed."Brace yourself, Vikrant," he muttered with a smirk. "Tonight's going to be war and peace in one room."And so, the car rolled on, carrying gifts, guilt, and a man in love toward a long night waiting to unfold.The clock struck 9:00 PM as Vikrant stepped into the grand living room of his home. His shoes clicked softly against the marble floor, echoing into the quiet stillness of the night. He unbuttoned the top of his shirt, shoulders heavy from the long drive, his arms full with one of the boxes he insisted on carrying himself.Before he could take another step, a sharp voice halted him."Where did you go, Vikrant?"Akansha was standing near the archway, arms crossed, eyes narrowed, not with anger, but with quiet disapproval.Vikrant opened his mouth to respond, but was cut off as her gaze darted past him, towards the maids now trailing in, carrying the rest of the gifts behind him: a steel box brimming with sweets, hand-wrapped bundles in colorful but rustic cloth, and the heavy saree neatly draped in an old-school gift basket.Akansha's eyes widened in recognition."You went to Mehargarh?"Vikrant nodded with a quiet smile. "Yes."She sighed, somewhere between nostalgia and concern."You could've told me. Kiran must've been so happy to see you...""Pari," he said immediately, eyes glancing toward the staircase. "Where is she?"Akansha shook her head."Upar hai. Bahut naraaz hai tumse."( Upstairs. She's very angry with you.)Vikrant bit down on his lower lip, the way he always did when he was genuinely nervous.He had faced boardroom clashes, rivals, even courtrooms with more confidence than he felt at the thought of walking into that room upstairs.⋆༺✷༻⋆To be continued.