Two sworn enemies! When they meet face-to-face with the same purpose! Then a flower will bloom on stone: Love Forever.<br />
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Moonlight Club, New York
A twenty-six-year-old handsome Indian young man was comfortably sipping beer at the beer counter of this nightclub. His height would have been around six feet one or two inches. He was wearing a light blue printed jersey over black jeans. Perfectly fair complexion with a broad forehead, and perfectly set hair with gel. His beard was clean-shaven, but a beautifully trimmed mustache made his face even more attractive.
Every now and then, his gaze would drift towards the door, and the next moment he would be checking the time on his watch. He had a precious limited edition Rado watch on his wrist, studded with diamonds, which displayed his wealth. The expression on his face clearly indicated that he was waiting for someone at this nightclub.
This was Samrat Singh Ranawat!! The CEO of Ranawat Empire!! At just twenty-six years of age, he was counted among Asia's top businessmen!!
Not far from the bar counter, deafening music was playing, and on the dance floor in front, groups of boys and girls were dancing wildly to this music, intoxicated. Being a Saturday night, the club was crowded. Samrat was feeling quite restless seeing all this. He didn't like this kind of madness at all, but he had to tolerate it. He could book the entire club if he wished, but this club belonged to the very person he had to meet. His father's words echoed in his ears, "Samrat!! Don't go in front of him with your pomp and show. He doesn't like people who flaunt their strength. And I don't want this time, even a single mistake of yours, to crown Rathore with the victory we've won. I need Rajveer Singh Chauhan's vote in my favor by any means. I don't know how you'll do it." Samrat closed his eyes in worry.
"Oh Dad!! Where have you gotten me into!!"
It had been three days since he arrived in New York. With great difficulty, he had found the address of this club, where he hoped his search would be completed.
He was searching for the underworld mafia!! Whose name was Rajveer Singh Chauhan.
Who, apart from owning many day and night clubs in New York, also held considerable sway in the underworld business. His vote also mattered greatly in Indian politics.
Samrat checked his watch; it was nine in the night, meaning his meeting time was still some way off.
"Where has Dad landed me?? I'm going to go mad just sitting here!! I'll go out for some fresh air." Thinking this, Samrat placed his empty glass on the table and was about to move when he collided with a girl coming at full speed.
"I am so sorry...." As he said this, Samrat stopped for a moment. In front of him stood a girl, wearing black jeans and a black t-shirt, looking like an Englishwoman.
This girl was Aanchal Singh Rathore!! The daughter of Ranawat's arch-enemy.
"What a pleasant surprise!!" Samrat's lips uttered. Seeing Aanchal, Samrat's bad mood became much more pleasant, but Aanchal made a face upon seeing Samrat, took a deep breath, and said, "Oh no!! Not again man."
"But I'm very happy to see you, by the way, what are you doing here??"
"What's it to you??" Aanchal retorted irritably.
"Don't tell me!" Samrat shrugged his shoulders.
Seeing Samrat here, she understood why Samrat had come here. On the other hand, Samrat didn't know much about Aanchal. While Aanchal, on behalf of Rathore, had also come for the same purpose.
Rathore and Ranawat had a fierce enmity; both were bitter enemies of each other.
"It seems Ranawat's contacts have weakened considerably, which is why he has more free time. He's gotten into finding everything himself. First, find out your list of friends and enemies. After that, you won't need to ask anything!!"
Saying this, she lightly pushed Samrat and walked away.
Seeing Aanchal here, Samrat abandoned his intention to go out and returned to sit on the same chair where he was sitting before.
"Hey you!! How do you know so much about me??" Aanchal was just placing her order when Samrat's voice reached her ears. Seeing Samrat back at the beer counter, Aanchal closed her eyes in anger.
"Oh my God!! The more I don't want to get involved with this guy!! The more he stands in my way."
"Yes ma'am!!" asked the boy standing at the counter.
"One can beer!!" After placing her order, Aanchal took out her phone and placed it on the counter.
"And you sir!!" After taking Aanchal's order, the boy at the counter looked towards Samrat.
"Get him poison!! Let him drink and die." Aanchal said angrily. The boy at the counter didn't understand Aanchal's words, but Samrat smiled slightly, lowering his head. The boy at the counter also smiled slightly. He understood that Samrat also wanted beer.
Aanchal shook her head with regret.
"Ahh, this imitation Ranawat!!" Just then, her phone's message tone rang. Aanchal immediately picked up her phone and looked. There was a message on her phone, she was called to the lobby. She read the message and rushed to the second floor with her phone.
By the time the boy at the counter returned with both their orders, neither of them was there to collect their order.
Where had they both gone?
"Where did these two go?" Shrugging his shoulders, the waiter got back to his work where the queue of orders was quite long.
When Aanchal opened the lobby door, Samrat was already there.
"Today is a bad day!!" Seeing Samrat, Aanchal said with great regret and came inside. The men present searched her and took her phone and gun, keeping them aside. On one side lay another phone and gun, which perhaps belonged to Samrat. Aanchal was asked to sit on one side. She sat quietly. At this time, Samrat was also sitting like a perfect gentleman. After some time, those people opened the lobby door and asked both of them to go inside.
Both were walking inside the lobby.
"So you have come to ask for support from Rajveer Singh Chauhan??" Samrat asked, looking at Aanchal. But Aanchal did not reply.
"Are you from Rathore's side??" At Samrat's next question, Aanchal looked at Samrat with fire-spewing eyes.
Samrat let out a deep sigh as if he understood a lot.
"Rajveer!! Will support our candidate only. There is still time, you can step back!! I promise, I will save you from every problem. I am Samrat Singh Ranawat, a friend forever!!"
"And there is still time!! Stop dreaming dreams that cannot come true. I myself, Aanchal Singh Rathore. An enemy forever." Aanchal said without looking at him.
"What??" For a moment, Samrat's eyes widened upon hearing Aanchal's introduction. But the very next moment, he composed himself.
"What happened?? Did your birds fly away upon hearing the name?" Aanchal mocked Samrat, puckering her lips.
"You should stop dreaming dreams that will never come true." Aanchal said with full confidence.
"One should never stop dreaming!! Because who knows which dream will become a reality when!! No one knows. And nothing can be said." Samrat said with a slight smile.
"Why do you Indians always distribute knowledge for free??" Aanchal said with some irritation, then looked at Samrat.
"Because we Indians have more than enough knowledge!!" Samrat replied casually.
"And my gun has more than enough bullets!! Shut your mouth!! Otherwise, I won't even need a gun to shut your mouth!" Aanchal said, closing her eyes in anger.
Samrat smiled slightly.
"I also wish that you don't need a gun's bullet to shut my mouth!!"
Aanchal narrowed her eyes and looked at Samrat. "What?? How??"
"Like this!!" Before she could understand anything, Samrat placed his lips on hers.
"Love forever!!" 💞
It was around ten at night. The city was always ablaze with colorful lights at night and slept late into the day, but a corner of the city was shrouded in darkness. There was no moon in the sky, and the vast empire of stars stretched far and wide, making everything clear but not entirely visible. It seemed like a construction site. The site was silent, and the incomplete buildings made it clear that work had been halted for days, which is why the temporary worker huts were not visible.
The main city was far away, so there were no residents nearby. It was impossible for anyone to come here. Temporary lighting was arranged with bulbs on poles, but more than half of them had blown fuses due to lack of maintenance for a long time. Perhaps the security guard stationed here was also sleeping. Occasionally, the sound of dogs barking could be heard, and overall, the atmosphere was eerie.
Suddenly, breaking the silence, three armed vehicles glided onto the raw roads of the semi-finished colony and stopped in front of an incomplete building. As soon as the vehicles stopped, activity began in the semi-finished building. About twenty armed guards emerged from somewhere, and sufficient light spread throughout the building. All the guards wore black clothes and had modern weapons.
At the same time, the back door of the middle vehicle opened, and a young man who looked like an Englishman, dressed in a black suit, around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, stepped out. He opened the other back door of the vehicle, and a girl dressed in black jeans, a black cap, a black jacket, and wearing black sunglasses emerged. Half of her face was covered with a black mask.
The girl had tied her hair into a high ponytail with a rubber band, making it clear that she was a girl; otherwise, her clothing and physique would have made her seem like a boy from a distance.
As the girl emerged, guards from the front and back vehicles also came out and stood like statues in their respective places.
"Boss," the boy who had opened the door said to the girl.
The girl nodded in affirmation.
"You all stay here," she told her accompanying guards. "You, come with me," she said to the guards present in the building.
The girl then walked quickly into the building, followed by the boy. It was clear that the boy was following the girl's orders.
On the top floor of the building, a man around forty-five years old was found tied up. His face showed clear signs of being beaten.
"This is the man who tried to cheat us," the boy informed the girl.
The girl looked at the man carefully, and her eyes sparkled behind her sunglasses. But what kind of sparkle was it? It was hard to tell. The black sunglasses hid her expression, but her eyes seemed dangerous, like a hunter's eyes when they spot their prey.
"Has he said anything? Has he confessed?" the boy asked the guard standing nearby, dressed in a black suit.
The guard shook his head.
"He says he doesn't know these people at all," he replied.
Before the guard could say anything else, the girl raised her hand, stopping the man from speaking further.
"No need; after today, no one will be able to identify him," the boy said sarcastically.
The girl walked up to the man herself.
"So, you mean you gave away your crores worth of land to this man without knowing him?" she asked, her voice cold and composed.
The tied-up man sensed his impending doom in the girl's voice.
"Please, ma'am..."
The girl's face seemed to reveal that she knew him not just by name but also by his actions.
"That's good," a sharp smile spread across her face.
"How did you dare to do this?" she asked, removing her glasses and staring into the eyes of the tied-up man. Her voice was cold, though not loud, and it cut through like a knife.
Aanchal Singh Rathore, just twenty-two years old, with a complexion like milk mixed with a pinch of vermilion. Her height was five feet six inches, with thick, long, and black hair that cascaded down to her waist. Her eyes were big and blue, protected by long eyelashes. Her lips were as red as rose petals.
She looked like a living glass doll, with a face full of innocence that could captivate anyone at first glance.
But those who knew her knew who was hiding behind this innocent face: a dangerous gangster! One who wouldn't hesitate for a moment to take anyone's life. Assault, robbery, even arms smuggling and murder – how many cases were registered in her name. But no one even knew her real name. This name, "Aanch," was given to her by her enemies because they couldn't even bear her heat.
Though she was gangster Alfred's granddaughter, after Alfred's death, she had not only stepped into this dark world but had also firmly established herself. As a result, in less than two years, Aanch's name was echoing throughout London. The 27-28 year old, English-looking boy with Aanch at this time was Alfonso; Aanch's most trusted man.
The man was terrified by Aanch's question.
"I swear, I don't know who they work for or who they are! They offered me good money for my land! That's why I agreed to give them my land. I had no idea you were also interested in my land! Otherwise, I would never have made such a mistake!" the man mumbled, joining his hands.
"Agreed?? What does that mean?? Haven't you given them your land yet??" Aanch asked.
The man shook his head in denial.
"No! I haven't signed any papers with them yet!"
"Then where did so much money come from in your house??" Alfonso asked, coming forward this time.
"They gave it as an advance in the agreement!" the man said quickly.
"Such a large sum as an advance??" Aanch's lips spread into a sharp smile.
The man nodded yes with a dry throat.
"Who was that man??" Aanch asked, roaring.
"I don't know, he was an Indian! Perhaps he was an associate of an investor!" the man replied thoughtfully.
"Indian? Does some investor want to invest in our area?" Aanch's brow furrowed in thought.
"Could this be the one the seniors were talking about??" Aanch looked at Alfonso.
"We will find out about that man by tomorrow. Perhaps Senior Master will have some information about this," Alfonso said.
"As soon as possible!" Aanch said.
Aanch gestured to Alfonso. Alfonso opened a file and placed it in front of the man. "Sign it."
"But I've taken an advance from him. He won't let me go!" the man said, picking up the pen with trembling hands.
"Don't worry about him, we won't let him go either, and if you don't sign, we won't let you go," Alfonso said, looking at Aanch.
"Whatever Aanch likes, that thing becomes Aanch's. Otherwise, no one survives Aanch's heat!" Aanch said in a silent voice, looking at the man. The man, with trembling hands, nervously signed the file. It was as if he was signing his own death warrant.
Alfonso took the file from in front of the man and handed it to Aanch. Aanch glanced at the file, handed it back to Alfonso, and casually walked ahead, putting both hands in her jeans pockets.
"What should we do with this man??" Alfonso asked.
"Chop him into as many pieces as the advance he took and send them to that man. He tried to cast a shadow on something Aanch had chosen. It's only fitting for a feud, and a gift for an enemy too! After all, even the enemy should know why people call Aanch 'Aanch'! They call her 'Enemy Forever'!"
Aanch said carelessly and walked ahead. It was as if she was sending someone their favorite gift. And that too, free of cost.
Alfonso signaled his men. As the two left, the men got to work.
By the time Aanch reached her car below, the man's heart-wrenching screams had echoed and fallen silent, and then a deafening silence spread through the atmosphere.
"The silence of death!"
A short while later, cutting through this silence, the cars returned to the place they had come from.
London
U. K.
Deep darkness filled a meeting room in a twenty-story building, and it was absolutely pin-drop silent! In front of them, on the screen via a projector, pictures of a building were being shown, along with some videos related to information technology. Watching these videos, it seemed like a new product was about to be launched in the market. From design to graphics, everything was amazing. As the projector stopped, all the lights in the meeting hall turned on. It was then apparent that about six people were sitting there. Everyone was wearing expensive business suits, which clearly testified that these six people were well-known names in the corporate sector.
Among these six, one was between 40 and 50 years old, and there was a very young boy, barely 25 years old. The five older men looked foreign and had expressions of serious confusion on their faces. On the other hand, this 25-year-old young man was completely confident and was an Indian.
Who was he?
"What happened?? Why aren't you people saying anything?" "It seems you all didn't like my project!!" The young man glanced at all the businessmen sitting in front of him, who were conferring with each other with just their eyes. A sense of fear was also spread across everyone's faces, as if they were thinking before saying yes and didn't have the courage to say no.
"First of all, please relax. I had already said that there is no compulsion on you. If you want to work together, you are most welcome!! And if you are not interested, you can get up and leave without hesitation; no one will stop you."
Saying this, the young man extended his hand to close the file placed in front of him. Just then, one of the five placed his hand on the file. The young man looked up at him in surprise.
"Like!! We don't just like your project, Mr. Samrat! We absolutely love it. We are all ready to work with you on this project." The person sitting opposite said in English.
"So, can I consider this deal final??" the Indian young man, whose name was Samrat, asked with a smile.
"Yes! The deal is absolutely final from our side. Considering how your company has made a name for itself in this field in just the past week, leaving all its competitive companies behind, we all wanted to work with you anyway. But you have offered the deal right in front of us. How could we miss such an opportunity??" the third Englishman said, smiling.
"Everyone bows to the rising sun; similarly, no one ever says no to Samrat's offer." Hearing this, Samrat smiled, as if he already knew this.
"There is no doubt that when your product hits the market, it will be a sensation!! Without doing much, you will already surpass many companies operating in this sector. But one thing we don't understand!!" the fourth one said, thinking.
"Until the doubts are cleared, there should be no agreement to work together. You can ask your doubts without hesitation, Mr. Wilson!"
"The land where you plan to build your head office?? Have you acquired that land?" Mr. Wilson asked.
"Don't worry about that, Mr. Wilson!! I am an Indian Rajput!! That's why we use the surname Singh. And my name itself is Samrat Singh Ranawat. Samrat means king of the entire country, and Singh means lion!! which is the king of the jungle. Wherever a lion sets its foot, that jungle becomes its own! It doesn't matter whose rule existed in that jungle before. Similarly, whatever land Samrat Singh Ranawat's eyes fall upon, it becomes his! It's an old story who the owner of that land was before!" Samrat said in a dangerous tone.
"Nice attitude! I liked it!" Mr. Wilson nodded in understanding. For some reason, Samrat's attitude reminded him of someone else, and because of this, only Mr. Wilson among these five Englishmen retained a small amount of his self-confidence.
"Mr. Samrat!! If we consider your records, you have enough capacity to build and launch this product on your own. You have no problems from manufacturing to marketing, nor would anyone dare to stand in your way. But still, you want to work with us. Why??" Mr. Wilson asked, leaning forward.
"Yes, Mr. Samrat!! That's what I meant too. If you produce and launch this product alone, all the profit will be yours. But you want to give us a share of your profit. Why??" the fifth Englishman said this time.
Hearing everyone, Samrat let out a deep sigh and closed the file in front of him. The next moment, he got up from his seat and went in front of the projector. Seeing Samrat's demeanor, the five were stunned. They felt as if they had made a mistake by asking this question, as they had heard a lot about Samrat.
"You are right!! I have enough capacity to build and launch this product alone. I can run the product and be the owner of all the profits. But I have chosen you all to work with me. Why?? You people don't understand this!! Ahhh!! Oh man, this 'why' is the root of all trouble. Why don't you people understand this??" Samrat emphasized the word 'why' and ran his fingers through his hair behind his ears. It was clear from his face that such questions were irritating him. Everyone was scared by Samrat's reaction. It seemed as if Samrat was getting angry. But they couldn't leave their seats either.
"If you don't want to tell, it's fine!! We will work." Seeing Samrat doing this, one of them quickly got up and said nervously.
Samrat's anger is very dangerous; everyone knew this within a few days. But Samrat waved his hands and gestured for him to sit down. By now, he had composed himself.
Everyone had soon learned that the Emperor's anger was very dangerous. However, the Emperor waved his hands and gestured for him to sit. By now, he had regained his composure.
"You all must have seen the ocean. The one above created the ocean for all aquatic plants and animals. In a way, it is their home. Everything they need is fulfilled from there. Big fish live in the ocean, and small fish too!! Big fish have the first right to the sea prey, but if there is anything left after the big fish has eaten its fill, or if the small fish can eat the scraps stuck in the big fish's teeth, then I think the big fish should open its mouth.
This will have two benefits. It will also keep the teeth clean, and the small fish around will be happy and well-fed without doing anything. I hope you all understand what I mean." The Emperor said, looking at them with a sharp gaze.
"But!! The small fish should always remember this: if any fish causes pain in its teeth, the big fish will not spare it even to chew!! So, make your decisions wisely. Once a step forward is taken, there is no going back." There was a warning in the Emperor's tone, which everyone understood.
"We will not give you any such opportunity!!" Everyone said quickly in unison.
"You shouldn't give one either! Otherwise, I won't even give you a chance to breathe! Emperor SinghRanawat!! If he is very dangerous to his enemies, he is also an incomparable friend to his friends."
"Friends Forever."
"It depends on the chooser, in what form he chooses me!!"
The Emperor rang the bell to call his assistant. As the assistant arrived, he placed the papers in front of everyone. Everyone signed and shook hands with the Emperor as they began to leave the meeting room. Just then, Mr. Wilson stopped.
"What happened, Mr. Wilson? Is there a problem??" the Emperor asked.
Mr. Wilson shook his head in denial, thinking, but his confusion was clearly visible on his face. Before the Emperor could step forward to ask something, a guard came from outside and whispered something in the assistant's ear. The Emperor's attention was drawn to him.
"Sir! Someone outside has sent a special parcel gift for you!!"
"A special parcel gift!! And for me??" the Emperor was surprised.
"Yes, sir." Before the guard could say anything further, a scream was heard from someone in the office building.
"What is happening??" the Emperor asked the assistant.
The assistant looked at the guard, and the guard lowered his head without saying anything.
The Emperor quickly opened the meeting room door and went out, followed by Mr. Wilson and the assistant. There was a commotion outside.
"What's happening over there??" the Emperor asked, stopping an employee.
"I don't know, sir!! But Miss Jasmine screamed loudly. It seems like something has happened to her." the employee said.
The Emperor frowned, not understanding, and walked towards where Jasmine's scream had come from. A considerable crowd had gathered near the reception.
"What is happening here??" the Emperor asked in a loud voice. Hearing the Emperor's voice, the crowd dispersed. As the crowd cleared, Miss Jasmine was seen holding her head. Her condition was very bad, and next to her lay a half-opened box.
"What happened, Miss Jasmine? Are you alright?" the Emperor asked, glancing at Jasmine's condition. She was trembling badly. With trembling hands, she pointed towards the parcel gift.
"Sir, this came for you. In your absence, Madam opened it to see, but..." another employee quickly said, closing the lid of the parcel.
"What's in it???" the Emperor asked.
"Nothing, sir!!" the employee replied, flustered, while Jasmine couldn't even utter a sound.
"Open it!!" the Emperor said, almost ordering.
"Sir!! Please!!" the employee was about to speak when the Emperor, angered, stepped forward himself and opened the lid of the parcel. The sight inside made the Emperor's mind reel for a moment. It looked as if a butcher had slaughtered a goat and cut its body into small pieces and placed them in this box.
"Who sent this?? Who brought it??" the Emperor shouted in anger.
"Sir, it was kept in the elevator, and this paper was attached to it." Jasmine said, extending a paper towards the Emperor with trembling hands.
"Mr. XYZ,
Whatever it may be!!
You cast your gaze upon something I had chosen. Generally, everyone likes what I choose, so it's not your fault, and I forgive you!! But you dared to try and acquire it.
The same amount you paid as an advance to acquire that land is being sent to you as gift pieces of the former owner's body. I hope you like this gift. From now on, do not dare to come in our way!! Otherwise, the next body in the box could be yours.
With all warnings,
Enemy Forever!!"
The Emperor read the letter in a somewhat loud voice, but the next moment he shouted, "What is happening!! Who killed this man?? Who is this Enemy Forever??"
"Enemy Forever!!" several lips repeated the name in unison. But before they could utter the full name, their lips were sealed. Silence reigned in the entire hall.
"Will someone tell me who this Enemy Forever is?? Looking at all your faces, it's clear that you all know this name very well!!" Seeing everyone looking at each other, the Emperor asked with a mix of anger and slight irritation.
"Will someone tell me who this Enemy Forever is?? Looking at all your faces, it's clear you all know this name well!!" the Emperor asked, a mix of anger and slight irritation in his voice, as everyone looked at each other.
Seeing that no one was speaking, Mr. Wilson stepped forward. He placed a hand on the Emperor's shoulder and gestured for him to remain silent with his eyes. Understanding his gesture, the Emperor seethed inwardly.
"You want me to remain silent when someone murders an innocent person, dismembers their body, and sends it to me as a gift??" the Emperor asked Mr. Wilson, his expression a mixture of anger and surprise.
"Be grateful, Mr. Emperor! The pieces in this box belong to the man who took advance payment for his land from you. The pieces are in proportion to the advance payment! But you are still alive! Otherwise, those you are trying to make enemies with could have had you dismembered into pieces as well. No one here would dare to speak against them, let alone about them, because for every word they utter, they could be dismembered. As a friend, my advice to you is to forget this matter. If you want to live, you can choose another location for your office building!!" Mr. Wilson said in a persuasive tone.
"What??" The Emperor was reeling from the shock. But from the name and the deed, he understood that this Enemy Forever was someone of great significance, as he himself was no ordinary gentleman.
"No one wants to make an enemy of Enemy Forever because if they consider someone an enemy once, they remain so for life. An enemy until the last breath! Until they stop their enemy's breaths, they keep account of every single breath their enemy takes. That's why they are called Enemy Forever," Mr. Wilson explained.
"Wow!! Their style is quite interesting!!" Hearing Mr. Wilson's words, a sharp smile touched the Emperor's lips.
"Enemy Forever!! A good name!! And their work is tremendous. I like their style!! But my name is also Samrat Singh Ranawat. If someone has sent such a special parcel gift for me, then a return gift of equal specialty is warranted. They should know too!! Samrat Singh Ranawat never leaves a debt unpaid. He is an enemy to enemies, but an excellent friend to friends."
"Friend Forever!!" Samrat said with a captivating smile, as if he was unaffected by this introduction of Enemy Forever.
"Mahir!! Find out about this person's family and give them the full price for their land because now this land will be acquired by Samrat Singh Ranawat. And ensure this man's body is respectfully taken for his final rites," Samrat said to his assistant.
"Okay, sir!!" Mahir nodded in understanding. He signaled two guards to take the parcel-gift outside.
"If you are not feeling well, you can go home and rest today, Miss Jasmine!!" Samrat said, offering Jasmine a glass of water.
"Thank you, sir!!" Jasmine drank the water and stood up. Samrat signaled his driver.
"Drop Miss Jasmine home safely," Samrat said very casually. His demeanor showed no sign of distress or that the unique gift had affected him in any way. Mr. Wilson was contemplating his composure. Was this man as composed as he appeared, or had he underestimated Enemy Forever too much?
Mr. Wilson's lips curved into a smile.
Perhaps some devilish plan was brewing in his mind, which was only visible on his face for a few moments before he concealed it the very next instant.
"Friends Forever and Enemy Forever!! If both get entangled, this fight will be quite enjoyable!! One is a lion, the other is a formidable opponent. Whatever the case may be!! My principle is simple. Frenemy Forever!!" Wilson smiled shrewdly, thinking to himself.
5 Mumbai (India)
A convoy of cars was proceeding on a deserted road around 8:00 PM. They had left the city, glittering with colorful lights, far behind. Streetlights were placed at intervals, indicating that this was a convoy of five cars, with two cars of security in the front and two in the back. The middle car was quite large, and from a distance, its structure and shine were proof of its luxury, meaning it was the master car, with security vehicles leading and trailing it.
Inside the middle car, besides the driver, sat three people. All three were wearing expensive dinner suits and had precious Rado watches on their wrists, which were adorned with almost identical diamond studs. All three had expensive brooches on their suits, whose designs might have been different, but all had the letter 'R' inscribed with diamond studs in the same design. Seeing these three, it was clear they were heading to a dinner party. Two were between 50 and 55 years old, while the third young man was barely 25 years old.
Who were they?
It was around eleven in the night. There was a lot of noise inside a tunnel. A ring fight was going on. There were only two fighters, but hundreds of people were present to watch and bet.
"It's so boring!!" Aanchal said, making a face.
"But why??" Alphonso looked at Aanchal in surprise.
"Because both are useless. Neither of them is of any use to us," Aanchal said, shrugging her shoulders. She put her hands in her pant pockets and moved away from the crowd.
Alphonso stared at the two bodybuilders fighting in the ring, and then followed Aanchal.
"Hey Aanchal!! Wait, listen to me. But he is the best fighter of this time!!" Alphonso tried to explain to Aanchal.
"Not best, waste fighter. Useless!!" Aanchal said. Alphonso thought for a moment and asked,
"What kind of fighter do you want?? What was lacking in them? They are ready to risk their lives for a little money. Just think for once!! If they get more money than this, what will they be able to do?"
"Really!! What will they be able to do?? They won't be able to do anything!! Rather, they will fall to the ground at the first blow from the opponent and lick the dust," Aanchal said calmly.
"You saw that!! Both were fighting each other, wanting to hurt each other, but neither of them had any control over their bodies. If it were a well-trained person, they would hit their legs with the first blow, and in the next moment, both would fall to the ground together. Their fighting skills!! I didn't like it."
Aanchal's words had weight. Alphonso nodded in agreement.
"We need someone who has flexibility in their body. Who is as flexible as rubber. I can't keep such a person in your security!! You should be able to identify their weakness before the opponent does and make them lick the dust," Alphonso smiled at Aanchal.
"But why do I need security, Alfred!! I myself am a black belt in martial arts. You are with me. In such a situation, no one can dare to lay a hand on me," Aanchal asked worriedly. Taking a security guard with her seemed like the most boring task. For this reason, Alphonso now wanted to find her a bodyguard who could take on an entire army.
"I know that you are a very good fighter and I am also with you! But I can't be with you all the time. Ever since you took charge, you have broken protocol several times. You can't even control your anger. I have to keep an eye on you. And you slip out of my sight without me even knowing!! Even today, you were coming alone to watch the fight. Forget taking a security guard!! You didn't even think it was important to tell me!! Why??" Alphonso said in a loud voice.
"Uhhh!! Speak slowly!! I can hear you!!" Aanchal put her hands on her ears.
"But in this noise, I can't even hear my own voice," Alphonso said, looking around. For some reason, he felt like someone was listening to them or recognizing them! He was more concerned about Aanchal's safety! Although both had masks on their faces. Aanchal was wearing loose pants and a hoodie. The cap of which covered half her face, and the rest was completely covered by the mask. Only her bright blue eyes were visible throughout her body.
"You are right. There is more noise than fighting here, and the crowd is too much!! Let's go outside. We'll sit and talk comfortably. By the way, tell me!! Did the senior give you too much of a dose this time??" Aanchal asked, leaning close to Alphonso's ears. Alphonso looked at Aanchal in surprise, there was a mischievous glint in her eyes, but he understood that Aanchal had become suspicious of him.
"You can tell me, I won't tell anyone!? And I promise I won't argue with the senior about this. Otherwise, their anger will fall on you." Aanchal's lips smiled from behind the mask, but the sparkle was visible in her eyes.
"They are worried about you, Aanchal!!" Alphonso wanted to explain to Aanchal with great regret.
"I don't think so!!" Aanchal said, shrugging her shoulders. "If they were worried about me!! They would have come to me, tried to understand my problem. But no!! They are more concerned about their work than me." Aanchal said this time with a little anger.
"You don't know everything yet, Aanchal, why the senior kept you away from them from the beginning?? But I think now you should talk to the senior about this matter, or the senior should tell you everything themselves." Alphonso wanted to explain to Aanchal.
"For them to ask and tell, they will have to come here!! Or I will have to go to them. But they neither want to come here themselves nor do they want to call me to them. They just need an excuse to keep me away from them," Aanchal said with mild anger.
As they were both exiting the tunnel, someone called out to Alphonso.
"Hey Alphonso!!" Aanchal and Alphonso turned around. It was a Russian girl, about a year old.
Hey Alfonso!
"Hey Helen!! You are here??" Alfonso expressed a pleasant surprise in his voice, standing near Aanchal.
"You could have done this work by going to her!! She would have liked it even more."
"I don't know! How did she get here?? She had already gone back to Sydney," Alfonso explained, looking at Aanchal.
Aanchal closed her eyes with annoyance.
"She cannot go anywhere from here, because she loves you. And I very well know that you love her too. Leave my worry and go meet her. Otherwise, you'll hear the breakup tone ringing in your ears, and if this time your breakup happens with a girl because of me, then before the breakup tone, you will hear the sound of your bones cracking in your ears."
"But you!!" Alfonso looked at Aanchal.
"Don't worry about me!! I'm not running away anywhere, and where would I go if I ran away?? Home, right!! For now, I will wait in your car. I also want to know why the seniors don't want to keep me with them??"
Alfonso wanted to say something, but before that, Helen had come very close to them.
"Hello Aanchal!! How are you??" Helen asked in Russian English.
"I'm fine!! You two talk amongst yourselves. I'll be back in a while," Aanchal said, shaking Helen's hand warmly.
After that, she leaned towards Alfonso.
"Tell her what's in your heart today! Otherwise, before your breakup, you'll hear the sound of your bones cracking in your ears."
"Man, who threatens like this even to express love??" Alfonso asked Aanchal in surprise.
"I!!" Aanchal straightened her collar with full confidence.
Alfonso closed his eyes with regret.
"What happened to her??" Helen asked Alfonso as she saw Aanchal leaving.
"Nothing!! Come with me." Holding Helen's hand, he moved slightly aside. Soon, both of them started talking amongst themselves.
Chewing bubblegum, Aanchal, instead of going towards her car parked in the parking lot, headed towards a deserted road. She was casually strolling on the wide road with her hands in her pant pockets. Unaware that she had walked quite far from the parking lot. Street lamps were placed at intervals, casting a dim light on the road. Since this road was outside the city, not only people but even a few vehicles were rarely seen.
"Ahhh!! It feels so good to feel nature so close to me!!" Seeing the deserted road, Aanchal spread her arms wide. Just then, she suddenly felt like someone was standing behind her.
Aanchal fumbled in her pant pocket.
She had the gun with her, but she didn't want to use it yet.
Just then, she saw some men approaching from the front. Aanchal had realized by the sound of footsteps that some people were also behind her.
"Oh sheet! They had to bring the wedding procession now! If I make any noise now, Alfonso!! Will make arrangements for my farewell with the seniors! They are already ready to give me away in marriage." Aanchal said with a grimace.
She squinted her eyes and looked at the clothes of the people coming from the front. They all appeared to be agents of some security company in black clothes. But even in the darkness, the company logo on their chests was shining, which made it clear to her that they were agents of some private security company.
"But what have I done that they are after me??"
Aanchal's eyes and lips narrowed in a thoughtful manner, and she mentally reviewed her recent actions.
"Currently, I haven't done anything major that would lead to hiring goons from a private company for me. So, who could these people be?? Don't worry!! I've recognized their logo. Alfonso will handle the rest, but for now, I need to escape from these people." Aanchal was still planning when these people were advancing towards her with sinister intentions.
"No way Aanchal!! You can't give up so easily. If you get caught by these people, even if the seniors and Alfonso arrange their wedding procession!! They will surely seat you in the palanquin too, and I don't want to be seated in a palanquin yet." Aanchal encouraged herself.
"They are in front!! They are behind!! There are two ways to escape!! Right and Left!? Left is always useless for me!! I should run to the right." And without thinking, she ran to the right. Seeing Aanchal running off the road into the darkness like this, one of the men shouted.
"Catch her!! Get her. Don't let her escape. Don't shoot!! We need to catch her alive and unharmed at any cost."
But Aanchal had disappeared into the darkness with the speed of the wind. However, then a wall appeared in front of her. The sound of their boots made it clear that they were coming towards her in search of her. Aanchal looked at the wall blocking her path. The wall was about 12 feet high. No matter how high she jumped, she couldn't clear this wall. She glanced around. A dustbin was visible in front. She placed one foot on the dustbin, jumped, and climbed straight onto the wall.
Har Har Mahadev 🙏🏼
Anchal looked at the wall in front of her, blocking her path. The wall was about twelve feet high. She couldn't jump over it. She looked around. In front of her, she saw a tire. She stepped on it, jumped, and climbed over the wall.
By then, the people who were looking for her had reached the wall. Standing on the wall, Anchal stuck out her tongue at them.
"Oh, what happened? The prey slipped away!" Anchal clapped her hands joyfully, mocking them. She deliberately leaned inward, making them think she was about to fall towards them. Just as they stepped forward to catch her, she was on the other side of the wall the next moment.
Her knees were scraped from the fall, but Anchal quickly got up and, brushing off her pants, looked back at the wall.
By then, the men behind her had also climbed the wall. Anchal stuck out her tongue to tease them and then started running. The men were quite irritated by Anchal's repeated actions.
"This little girl can't get away by teasing us like this! I will kill her!" one of them said in British English and pulled out his gun, aiming it at Anchal. Just then, another man placed his hand on his gun and pushed it down.
"Are you crazy?? Catch her at all costs!! Just don't shoot. Otherwise, the master will roast us with bullets."
Anchal was running along the side of the road, looking back, when she collided head-on with a person coming from the front. Anchal's feet spun. She was about to fall on the road when the person caught her and pulled her towards him. She ended up against his chest. The next moment, Anchal looked up. A good-looking, handsome young man, who looked Indian and was over six feet tall, was in front of her, gazing intently at Anchal without blinking. The distance between their faces was barely six inches.
Due to continuous running and escaping, Anchal's heart was beating fast, which he could clearly hear. But for some unknown reason, his heart also started beating faster.
Anchal snapped back to reality. She tried to push him away, but the young man's grip was strong. He didn't let go of Anchal, but Anchal's push brought him back to his senses.
Lost in the moment, he uttered from his lips,
"Hey beautiful!! Who are you??"
A boy was running fast through the streets in the dark night. His speed was as if death was chasing him. Without looking back, he ran through narrow alleys and came onto the road. The road was completely deserted. As he ran, he started to get out of breath. Then suddenly, someone tripped him, and he fell face-first.
"Oh no!!" escaped the boy's lips. Then he felt something wet near his lips. He touched it and found blood. Perhaps his lips had been cut from falling face-first. He tried to wipe them with the sleeve of his shirt. Then, suddenly, a white handkerchief waved before his eyes, offered as help.
The boy looked up. In front of him stood an Indian-looking boy of his age.
"Who are you?" asked the fallen English boy.
"A friend of friends!! Friends Forever." came the reply from the other side. Samrat stood there, but perhaps the English boy didn't recognize him. However, hearing "Friends Forever," something clicked in his mind.
"Forever!!" the boy repeated.
"What do you want from me??" the English boy asked.
"You have fallen, I mean, you are lying on the ground. Blood is coming from your lips. I have extended my hand with a handkerchief to wipe the blood from your lips. It is clearly visible that I want to help you," Samrat said calmly.
"Oh, really!!" the English boy's lips curled into a mocking smile.
"As far as I know, you are the one who tripped me," the English boy said.
"That's your misunderstanding. It wasn't me, but your attitude that tripped you. I just wanted to be friends with you, talk to you, but you liked the game of hide-and-seek, so I let you play. What's my fault in this? After all, what are friends for?? To help friends!! To tease friends!! To pull friends' legs!! Right?" Samrat said calmly, directing the English boy's attention with his eyes towards his hand.
"You are right!!" the English boy smiled mockingly. He stepped forward, took Samrat's outstretched hand, and the next moment, he yanked it towards him, pulling him. The next moment, Samrat fell to the ground, and the English boy was about to run away, but he had only run a few steps when Samrat made a powerful leap, grabbed the English boy by the collar from behind, and held him tightly.
The English boy struggled to break free from Samrat's grip, but Samrat, without giving him any chance, landed a powerful punch on his face.
Samrat's one hand was so strong that it made the English boy see stars in broad daylight.
The English boy was struggling to escape the Emperor's grip, but the Emperor landed a powerful punch on his face without giving him any chance. The Emperor’s fist was so strong that stars appeared before the English boy’s eyes.
"Remember one thing!! Samrat SinghRanaawat can tolerate everything, but not betrayal!! I offered you a hand of friendship. If you didn’t want friendship, you didn’t need to take my hand, but once you took it, you had to uphold it for a lifetime. 'Forever', otherwise Samrat won't let the hands that leave midway stay in their place." Saying this, Samrat grabbed the boy's right hand and twisted it forcefully. With a crackling sound, the bones of his hand broke in countless places. The boy writhed in pain.
By then, Samrat's bodyguards and his team had also arrived running.
"Take him away," Samrat said angrily, pushing the English boy towards his men. Putting his hands in his jeans pockets, he said casually,
"Sir!! Are you alright?" Mahir ran over and asked Samrat.
Samrat nodded in affirmation.
"You shouldn't have taken the risk of coming alone!!" Mahir said and lowered his head, as Samrat was now looking at him with dangerous intensity. In fact, Samrat had received information under the name 'Enemy Forever' that men from 'Enemy Forever' would also be among those coming to watch the ring fighting today. Samrat wanted to reach the boss through those men. Samrat had come here precisely behind them, but for some reason, this boy started running as soon as he saw Samrat? This made Samrat suspicious, and he apprehended him.
"Take him away, and if he’s willing to tell us easily, then fine!!! But if he hesitates even a little, give him a good welcome first, because our India is famous for serving its guests." Samrat said, casting a poisonous glance at the English boy's face.
There was such fear in Samrat's eyes that not only the boy, but Mahir too, trembled completely. Mahir, along with his men, took the English boy and moved forward.
Samrat's mood was completely ruined. Perhaps he had spoken to Mahir after that. To improve his mood, Samrat glanced around. The road was completely deserted at this time. A light, cool breeze was blowing, and the light on the road was also not very strong. Because of this, Samrat felt somewhat lighter. He exhaled deeply and ran his fingers through his hair. Just then, his phone in his pocket started ringing. Annoyed, Samrat took his phone out of his pant pocket.
The screen showed 'Brother Calling'.
"Arghhh!! Virat bhai!! What should I do with them?? Why is their timing always wrong?" Samrat said, fumbling with the phone with his fingers. His mood was bad, and he didn't want to pick up Virat's call because of it. He knew Virat would know from his voice that Samrat had had a fight with someone. He was still thinking whether to pick up the phone or not, when suddenly Aanchal, running, collided directly with his back. Samrat's phone, which was in his fingers, fell to the ground and shattered into countless pieces. But Samrat managed to save himself from falling by regaining his balance. The next moment, Aanchal would have fallen to the ground too, if Samrat hadn't caught her in his arms. Aanchal was pressed tightly against Samrat's chest.
Due to continuous running and fleeing, Aanchal’s heart was beating fast, which Samrat could clearly hear. It wasn’t that Samrat hadn’t seen girls before. Girls fluttered around him like butterflies, but the girl in his arms at this moment seemed like she wasn't from this world at all. As soon as his gaze fell on Aanchal’s face, her eyelids refused to blink. For some unknown feeling, his heartbeats also started racing like a bullet train.
Aanchal suddenly came to her senses. She tried to push him away, but Samrat’s grip was strong. He didn't let go of Aanchal, but her push definitely brought him back to his senses.
"Hey beautiful!! Who are you?" he blurted out unconsciously.
"Leave me!! Let me go!!" Aanchal screamed.
But Samrat smiled from his heart.
Seeing Samrat smiling, Aanchal shrugged her shoulders carelessly and, raising both her hands, said, "Sorry."
Samrat nodded with a smile, accepting Aanchal’s apology. But the very next moment, as his gaze fell on his phone lying on the ground, Samrat shouted in anger, "My phone!!"
Following Samrat's gaze, Aanchal looked down. Samrat's phone lay in pieces on the road below. Seeing the damage, Aanchal slowly bit her tongue between her teeth and tried to slip away quietly, but Samrat quickly grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
"What is it??" Aanchal said in British English, raising her eyebrows as if she hadn't understood anything.
"You should pay for this!" Samrat said, gesturing with his eyes towards his fallen phone on the ground.
"What??" Aanchal was extremely surprised.
"What is it?" Anchal asked in British English, raising her eyebrows as if she hadn't understood anything.
"You have to pay for this!" Samrat said, showing his phone, which had fallen on the ground, with his eyes.
"WHAT?" Anchal was stunned. It wasn't that she didn't have a card or couldn't pay, but she didn't want to use her card right then. There were many reasons. Using the card might alert more people to her presence, which was forbidden.
And there wasn't enough time to settle the matter by paying Samrat. Who knew who was after her, closing in on her every moment. She looked closely at Samrat.
"What happened? What are you looking at?" Samrat found Anchal's intense gaze awkward.
"You don't look like you come from a family of beggars, so then..."
"WHAT? From a family of beggars??" Samrat was surprised by Anchal's answer.
"What else?? If you don't come from a family of beggars, then why are you crying over this small loss?" Anchal replied in the same tone.
"Is your mind in its senses?? Who are you and what are you saying?? Do you even know who I am?" Samrat said haughtily.
"My mind is perfectly in its senses, but perhaps yours is not. Come to your senses, mister, whoever you are! I have no interest in knowing about you, and if you learn about me, you'll lose interest in living. The pieces of your phone are on the ground. Pick them up, gather them, and leave, or you'll find pieces of yourself scattered in a gutter." Anchal said in a warning tone.
"Really??" Anchal's attitude and frankness forced Samrat to think. But the next moment, grabbing Anchal's arms tightly with both hands, he said, "Then I'll see how you leave here without paying, and as for finding pieces in a gutter, if you don't pay with courtesy, perhaps I'll find so many pieces..." Samrat was about to speak further, but the mention of pieces sparked something in his mind. This morning, in the parcel he received as a gift at the office, he had found several pieces of a dead man's body.
"Is this girl from the Enemy Forever group??" The right thought came to Samrat's mind at the right time.
But Anchal had understood Samrat. She narrowed her eyes in anger.
"Listen, mister!! I do not do it intentionally. I am not able to pay for this. And if you still want payment for your phone, wait until morning... because at this time, I am in a great hurry." Saying this, Anchal looked back. The people who were coming to catch her had come quite close. Samrat was lost in his thoughts, wanting to take Anchal with him in any way possible. Meanwhile, Anchal wanted to escape from here at any cost, but Samrat's grip on her arms was so tight that escaping was becoming difficult.
"Man, what a hassle!!" Anchal said irritably, for the first time in Hindi. Samrat's eyes widened in surprise.
"YOU ARE INDIAN??"
"Yes!! And are you also Indian??" Anchal asked, showing false happiness. Samrat nodded affirmatively.
"Look, man!! In this foreign land, one Indian should help another Indian!! You broke my phone, and at this time, you are in a great hurry, so please... help me. You don't know how important the call was?" Samrat said, making a face. Anchal was surprised by Samrat's sudden change in tone.
"I don't even know where I'll get a phone from?? Where will I get it repaired?? You broke it, so please, forget about the payment, just get it repaired." Samrat wanted to take Anchal with him in any way possible to get information from her. In other words, Anchal's spell had worked on Samrat's heart and mind, and now, hearing that she was Indian, Samrat had lost his senses.
Anchal was getting irritated by Samrat's behavior. The people who were searching for her had slowed down upon seeing her talking with Samrat, but they were still coming. Just then, Anchal saw some more boys approaching. Their demeanor suggested they were thugs from the Ring Fight. An idea struck her. She tripped one of the thugs with her foot, and the man fell face-first. All the boys with him turned towards Anchal.
"WHY YOU DO THIS?? Why did you do this??" One of them, with a dangerous expression, moved towards Anchal.
Mumbai, India
A convoy of cars was moving along a deserted road around eight in the night. The city, aglow with colorful lights, was far behind. Streetlights, placed here and there, illuminated their path. It was a convoy of five cars, with two cars each at the front and back for security. The car in the middle was larger and, from a distance, appeared luxurious with its design and shine – the master car.
In the middle car, besides the driver, sat three people. All three were wearing expensive dinner suits and had precious Rado watches on their wrists, adorned with nearly identical diamonds. All three had precious brooches on their suits; though the designs varied, the letters ‘R’ were fashioned from precious stones on all of them. Their attire clearly indicated they were on their way to a dinner party. Two were between 50 and 55 years old, while the third, a young man, would barely be 25.
These three were from the Ranawat family: the eldest, Ashutosh Singh Ranawat, his younger brother, Aditya Singh Ranawat, and Ashutosh ji’s elder son, Virat Singh Ranawat, seated in the front seat with the driver. There were other members in their family, but they would be introduced later.
"I don't understand, brother, why are we even going to meet Rana Sahib? When we have so many ways to eliminate that Rathore's brother-in-law," Aditya Singh Ranawat asked his elder brother, Ashutosh Singh Ranawat.
"And what are those ways, Aditya?" Ashutosh Singh Ranawat asked in a calm voice, his gaze falling on his younger brother Aditya’s face.
"I wouldn't leave him alive! No matter what!" Aditya said, enunciating each word.
"Yes, just like you picked up your gun 22 years ago. And after that, your 'no matter what!' made it happen," Ashutosh Singh Ranawat taunted Aditya.
Aditya couldn’t say anything.
"You’re past your prime, but you still lack half your wits. If you yourself think of doing all this, what will the children do? You'd shoot Shivansh Singh! But what will happen after that? Have you even thought about it? He is no ordinary man or MLA. He is the brother-in-law of Prarabh Singh Rathore.
And you too know very well that Prarabh Singh Rathore won’t sit quietly after that. Then you’ll make it happen again, 'what shouldn't happen!' That havoc will be unleashed, the same havoc that was unleashed 22 years ago. So, this time, sit quietly. I don’t want us to even get a chance to regret our defeat!"
"That’s precisely what’s regrettable, brother! If Rana Sahib hadn’t intervened at that time, the name of this Prarabh Singh Rathore would have been erased," Aditya Singh said softly, his voice filled with anger.
"Who knows if Prarabh Singh Rathore’s name would have been erased, or if our very existence would have been wiped out?" Ashutosh Singh Ranawat asked.
"Have you forgotten what happened then? It would be best if you control your emotions in this matter! I already have too many tensions on my head, I don’t want any other headache at this time." There was a warning in Ashutosh Singh Ranawat’s tone.
Aditya ji sat down quietly.
"If Rana brother has invited us for dinner, it means he wants to have a serious talk with us about this matter, and you know very well that I cannot refuse his request. And I expect the same from you, that you will sit there quietly and peacefully," Ashutosh Singh Ranawat concluded the conversation.
Aditya ji sat up straight in his seat, and Ashutosh ji also looked forward. Silence returned to the car.
"Yes!" Virat, sitting in the front seat, suddenly jumped with joy. Ashutosh ji and Aditya ji looked at Virat.
"What happened, Virat?" Ashutosh ji asked. Removing the Bluetooth from his ears, Virat turned around; he had certainly not heard the conversation between the two brothers.
"Good news, Dad! Our company has overtaken London's Telecom Info. We will reach our destination soon," Virat announced happily.
"This was bound to happen!" Aditya ji exclaimed with joy. Ashutosh ji nodded in understanding.
"Any news about Samrat?" In the next moment, Ashutosh ji fixed his gaze on Virat’s face.
"He! He is in London!" Virat replied softly.
"Now what is he doing there?" Aditya ji asked in surprise. Ashutosh ji was also looking at Virat with questioning eyes.
"Little Uncle, he is looking after this company's deal. He cracked this Telecom Info deal as well," Virat explained.
"Is he really there just to look after the company deals?" This time Ashutosh ji narrowed his eyes at Virat.
Virat couldn't say anything.
But Ashutosh ji, looking alternately at Virat and then Aditya ji in anger, closed his eyes. Ashutosh ji’s anger was reaching its peak, seeing which Virat and Aditya ji were momentarily stunned.
I'm telling the truth, brother! I don't know anything about this matter!! For the last three or four days, when I didn't see him at home, I thought he had gone somewhere to have fun with his friends. I even asked about it at home. You can ask your sister-in-law if you want. Sister-in-law and Diksha had no information about this." Aditya first gave his explanation to Ashutosh and then turned towards Virat.
"Why didn't you stop him?? You know, every step in London is a trap for Samrat!!" Aditya said with some concern this time.
"How was I supposed to know he was going to London? When I asked about the head office of Telecom Information, he said it was in Sydney. And after telling me he was going to Sydney, he left for London. This morning, he called me from London and told me that the owner of this company lives there and he is going for a meeting now."
Hearing Virat's words, Aditya restlessly shifted his position, while Ashutosh somehow managed to control himself. It seemed like the volcano of his anger could erupt at any moment.
"You know, Papa!! He doesn't listen to me at all," Virat quickly explained.
"Ahhh!! Your younger brother doesn't listen to you, and my younger brother doesn't listen to me." Ashutosh looked at Aditya this time. Aditya didn't know what to say.
"These two crazy youngsters!! They will drive me crazy." Ashutosh rubbed his head in anger.
"And I don't understand why you both are reacting like this to the mention of London?? Who is bringing trouble for Samrat in London??" Virat looked at both of them this time.
His sixth sense was telling him that there was definitely something that these two elders knew and he didn't!! And did Samrat know about this?? This was also a question for Virat.
"It's better if you don't know all these things right now. This place is not safe for such discussions. We will talk about it later. For now, quickly call Samrat!! I need to find out if he has done something that caused Rana Bhaiyyasaab to call us?" Aditya's face had turned pale.
"If that happens, everything will be over!! Once again, due to the mistake of our own people, Praradh Singh Rathore will win this battle without doing anything," Ashutosh said to Aditya in anger.
Understanding his father's words, Virat called Samrat, but after a few rings, his phone showed it was switched off. Shaking his head negatively, Virat looked at his father in distress.
"Try again!!" Ashutosh said.
Virat tried again. But this time too, the situation was the same.
"What happened??" Aditya asked anxiously.
Before Virat could reply, the driver stopped the car.
"Sir, we have arrived."
Ashutosh exhaled a deep breath and looked at Virat and Aditya.
"Whatever Samrat has done!! But the expectation from both of you is that you will not say anything! That you have any information about Samrat." Ashutosh warned Virat and Aditya before opening the car doors.
Virat and Aditya nodded in affirmation. Both of them were now worried about Samrat, while Ashutosh's face remained expressionless.
Meanwhile, Samrat was engrossed in his work. What was the work for which Samrat had gone to London? But where had he disappeared now? Who is this Rana Saab!! Whom were these people meeting, and what was about to happen here now??
"Why did you do this??" One of them advanced towards Aanchal with dangerous intent.
"No, no, I didn't do it." After replying to those goons, Aanchal looked at Samrat and winked. Samrat's mouth fell open in surprise at Aanchal's action.
But the very next moment, Aanchal put on an innocent face in front of the boys. With her eyes, she gestured towards Samrat, as if Samrat had done this work. Before Samrat could understand anything, these boys had clashed with Samrat.
"How dare you??" One of the boys asked, pushing Samrat hard in the chest. Samrat wasn't expecting such a shove. He was carelessly holding Aanchal, so Samrat took a step back from the push, and Aanchal slipped out of his grip. Before Samrat could say anything, Aanchal waved from a distance in a "hello" fashion and started running.
"You will get your phone back by tomorrow morning. But I am going because my friends are coming." Aanchal said calmly and left, but these boys were now entangled with Samrat.
A loud argument and fight broke out there. Just then, a police car with sirens blaring also arrived.
Samrat was trying to explain to these boys that he hadn't done it. But these boys were bent on fighting. He couldn't get into a public brawl in a foreign country like this, and now that the police had arrived, they ordered everyone to be taken to the police station without listening to anything. This was because these boys were always getting into trouble every day.
And the police were not ready to listen to anything Samrat was saying.
The emperor looked Indian just by looking at him. The police asked him for papers which were not in his pocket at that time, and his phone had already broken.
"Whatever you are, girl!! I won't let you go!! Pray to God that we don't meet again, and if we do meet again, then you'll see." Samrat looked with great regret in the direction where Aanchal had fled and quietly sat in the police car.
He put his hand in his pocket to call Mahir, but the phone had already fallen and broken. But there was a slip of paper in Samrat's pocket, on which 'Sorry' was written in big letters with a smiley face. Samrat understood that this must be the work of that girl. Even in this trouble, an interesting smile appeared on Samrat's lips.
"Our next meeting will be soon, dear."
Mumbai (India)
Rana Palace
Centuries had passed, but the grandeur and splendor of this palace had never diminished. Even today, this palace had a prestige, and so did the people living in it!
And people said that as long as Rana Sahib is there, this prestige will never diminish. And this Rana Sahib is Amar Kant Singh Rana, the owner of this beautiful, magnificent palace.
Amar Kant Singh Rana, about 60 years old, possessed a powerful personality. Even at this age, his energy surpassed that of many young men.
His party, with 165 MLAs and 30 MPs, had the power to shake even the central government, and the state government ran at his fingertips. In a way, he had a parallel government running all over Mumbai, because neither the state government nor the central government had the power to contradict him.
Although Rana Sahib was considered a very respectable person, no one knew that he was two steps ahead of the uncrowned king of the underworld. Because if one dreams of ruling Mumbai, one must have a strong hold on the underworld. The underworld could not be separated from Mumbai's politics.
Currently, in the Mumbai underworld, there were only two people who ruled, and they were sworn enemies.
Ashutosh Singh Ranawat and Prarabdh Singh Rathore!
Who held sway over all of Mumbai.
But the one who could rule over both of them was:
Amar Kant Singh Rana, alias Rana Sahib.
This palace, located on the coast a little away from Mumbai city, had a unique charm. Today, Rana Palace was decorated in such a way that it seemed like a dinner party was about to be held here.
And arrangements for this dinner party were also made accordingly. Guests from home and abroad had gathered for this dinner party. The arrangements for their party extended far along the coast.
Rana Sahib himself was absent from this party. He had not yet left his palace.
Big people, big talk!!!
But all the guests were heartily praising Rana Sahib's hospitality.
Such parties were often organized at Rana Palace.
Just then, a large black car stopped at the gate of Rana Palace. Three more cars stopped right behind it. Bodyguards alighted from them and stood in front with their hands folded.
As soon as the cars stopped, the guards opened the large gate of Rana Palace. Then a boy of about 25 years alighted from the middle car, and another boy of his age emerged from the other side. When the rear door of the first car was opened, a dignified man of about fifty years stepped out. As the man, buttoning the front of his coat, walked towards the palace gate—
This is Mr. Prarabdh Singh Rathore!!
Currently, he had captured more than half of Mumbai, and the two boys with him were his son Amogh Singh Rathore and his nephew Arjun Singh! Both of them stayed by his side like his right and left hands.
Because of this, at that moment, there was no one in all of Mumbai who could shake hands with Prarabdh Singh Rathore.
Just then, a black car also stopped from the other side.
Everyone turned to look in that direction.
About five cars had also stopped from there, and from the middle car, Virat Singh Ranawat alighted first, followed by Samarth Singh Ranawat and Ashutosh Singh Ranawat. All walked towards the gate of Rana Palace together.
At the main gate, Ashutosh Singh Ranawat and Prarabdh Singh Rathore stood face to face.
Ashutosh Singh Ranawat and Prarabdh Singh Rathore glared at each other with fiery eyes and quietly entered through the gate, starting to climb the garden stairs. Both were climbing the stairs from different sides, and behind them followed their family members and then their loyalists.
Just then, Amar Kant Singh Rana himself came out from inside the palace. As if he was waiting for these people.
"You both have arrived!!"
"Yes, brother!!" Prarabdh Singh Rathore and Ashutosh Singh Ranawat said in unison. Rana Sahib smiled. He hugged both of them and then said, "Let's go inside. We'll talk inside."
Both nodded in unison and signaled their men. All the loyalists who had come with them went towards the party on the beach. Only the family members remained.
Three on this side, three on that side.
As Amar Kant Singh Rana went inside, everyone followed him, and the other loyalists of Rana Sahib closed the palace gate.
Inside the Rana palace, Amar Kant Singh Rana sat in a large chair in the hall. Two men stood around him: the city's DGP and the Mayor. On the chairs opposite sat the Ranawat and Rathore families.
Ashutosh Singh Ranawat and Prarabh Singh Rathore were staring intensely at each other.
Rana Sahib looked at both of them with sadness and said, "Stop it, my dears!! How many times have I told you to be calm at least in front of me, but now it seems you don't want to listen to me!!"
Both immediately turned their gaze towards Rana Sahib and lowered their eyes.
"There's nothing like that, brother. Tell me, why have you called us?" Prarabh Singh Rathore said softly.
"I'll tell you, but after such a long time, my children have come to my house today. Let me ask how they are. Tell me, Amogh and Arjun, how are you?"
Both nodded slightly with a smile.
"I must admit, you guys!! At such a young age, the way you've managed the business with such maturity, even your father didn't have that at this age," Rana Sahib said smilingly to Amogh and Arjun, but his eyes were on Prarabh.
"Yes!! In your eyes, I was a great failure, and perhaps I will remain a failure my whole life," Prarabh Singh Ranawat said with a slight smile.
Hearing Prarabh, Rana Sahib burst out laughing.
"Perhaps you don't know, Prarabh!! But in old age, the most capable ones often turn out to be the failures."
"Fortunate indeed!!" Prarabh Singh Rathore bowed his head slightly. "It will be my good fortune if I can prove worthy for you someday."
"And you tell me!! Virat, how are you??" After inquiring about the well-being of the Rathore family, Rana Sahib turned towards the Ranawat family.
Virat nodded slightly with a smile.
"And where is Samrat?" Rana Sahib asked, looking around, with some stern words.
For a moment, no one answered. Virat was looking at Ashutosh Ji, and Prarabh Singh Rathore, even if he wasn't showing it, it was clear he also wanted to know the answer to this question.
"Perhaps my suspicion will turn into certainty that this meeting has been convened because of Samrat!!" Ashutosh Singh Ranawat closed his eyes. The question he had been trying to avoid had arrived.
Absolute silence fell upon the entire hall. Suddenly, the temperature in the room began to drop. The sound of heartbeats was so loud that everyone could hear each other's heartbeats, faster than the ticking of a clock.
"Why aren't you telling me?? Where is Samrat?" Rana Sahib asked, this time a bit louder.
Meanwhile, at the police station,
"What is your name?" the police officer asked at the police station.
"Samrat Singh Ranawat," Samrat replied in a single line.
"Ranawat!!!" Hearing the surname, the police officer looked him up and down as if he couldn't believe his eyes.
Samrat got flustered by his stare. "It seems he has had an encounter with a Ranawat and is troubled by his actions. What if I get stuck in another mess??" He didn't want any trouble right now as he had too many pending tasks.
"Sir, please check my documents," Samrat said quickly. Although he didn't have any documents at the moment. He knew this, but if the police officer listened to him, he might try to contact Mahir.
"Sorry, sir!! But no need for any documents. Our officers have made a mistake. I hope you will forgive us for this mistake." The police officer abruptly got up from his chair and joined his hands in a greeting gesture. Samrat was surprised.
"Huh!! Do you know me?"
"Who doesn't know you, sir?? We even know your father. Really sorry about this!! Please don't say anything to him. I apologize to you on behalf of my entire staff," the police officer said with extreme nervousness and politeness. Even in the cold, beads of sweat were visible on his forehead. It seemed like seeing Samrat there had put his job in jeopardy.
"He knows Dad?? But how is that possible??" Samrat was thinking to himself.
"Dad has never been here, so then?? Well, whatever it is. I need to get out of here somehow." Samrat dismissed his thoughts and then asked the policeman.
"Can I make a phone call?"
"Why do you need to ask, sir?? This police station is yours. You can do whatever you want." The policeman quickly offered both his phone and the telephone in front of him to Samrat, and then called a constable to order a cold drink for Samrat, which Samrat refused with a thank you. Samrat was immensely surprised. The policemen who were not ready to listen to him earlier were now treating him like a VIP.
He shook his head. Samrat wracked his brain and found Mahir's number and called him.
Mahir picked up the phone on the second or third ring.
"Where are you?"
Mahir picked up the phone as soon as it was two or three o'clock.
"Where are you?"
"I am in the apartment, sir! Where are you?" Mahir asked after recognizing Samrat's voice.
"I am here at the police station! Come here as soon as possible."
Mahir got scared upon hearing the name of the police station. He drove there at the speed of the wind, taking the lawyer with him, but his help was not needed. The policemen had already released Samrat, apologizing.
"I don't understand one thing, how do the police know my dad?" As soon as he sat in the car, the confusion in Samrat's heart came out of his lips.
"Who doesn't know your father, sir? His name is famous all over London," the lawyer said with a smile.
"My dad?" Samrat said, pointing to himself.
"Yes sir!"
"But who told the police that I am my dad's son? They didn't even ask my dad's name or find out my address. Then?" Samrat was extremely surprised.
His father was a renowned businessman, on his way to enter politics. But he didn't know he would have such a strong hold in this foreign country.
"What's the need for that, sir? Your gestures, your way of walking, your way of speaking, your attitude, everything says that you are his son!" the lawyer said.
"Amazing! My dad considers me separate from the whole family, and I feel like a carbon copy of my dad," Samrat said softly.
"But sir, how did you end up with the police? Did you lose your way?" Mahir asked. In response, Samrat glared at him. Mahir put his finger to his lips. The next moment they were all in Samrat Singh's apartment, where Samrat Singh had the boy he met on the ring-fighting path captured.
"Did that boy open his mouth? Did he say anything about 'Enemy Forever'?" Samrat asked, pressing the lift button.
Mahir shook his head in denial.
"Sir, we tried a lot, but he is not ready to tell anything."
"He wasn't ready! Now he will be ready!" Samrat said in a cold voice as he got out of the lift. Mahir trembled upon hearing this. Samrat's intentions seemed very dangerous.
"For now, arrange a phone for me and bring it with a SIM card for that number. Until then, I'll get the information out of his mouth, and make sure no one disturbs me," Samrat said, opening the apartment door.
Mahir nodded and quickly ran away. The lawyer had already left. Now only two people were left in the apartment: the boy and Samrat.
The boy was tied up in the middle of the hall. His condition suggested that he had been beaten up badly to make him speak. Samrat stepped forward and untied the boy.
"You can go now!" Samrat said casually.
"What?" the English boy was surprised.
"Yes! But I need information about this," Samrat said, placing a logo in front of the boy. The boy looked at Samrat intently for a moment and then asked, "Sir, you can get information about anyone, so why are you asking me?" the boy asked, bowing his head respectfully.
Samrat was surprised by the boy's changed demeanor, but he did not let his surprise show on his face.
"I asked you, will I get the information or not?"
"You will get it, sir."
Samrat nodded. There was definitely a big mess, as these people were mistaking him for someone else. But who? And what were they mistaking him for? Samrat was confused trying to understand. But whatever it was, he had to solve this puzzle.
Meanwhile, Ashutosh Singh Ranawat was getting entangled in responding to Rana sahib. But his confusion was not resolving because Rana sahib was now looking at him for the answer to his question.
"Tell me, Virat! Where is Samrat?" Rana sahib asked Virat again. Virat closed his eyes in panic because Ashutosh ji had warned Virat in the car not to say anything about Samrat to anyone.
Silence fell over the entire hall. Suddenly, the temperature of the room began to drop. The sound of heartbeats was so loud that everyone could hear each other's heartbeats, faster than the hands of a clock.
"Why don't you tell me? Where is Samrat?" Rana sahib asked this time in a slightly louder voice.
"It would be better not to say anything about him, brother. Who knows where he wanders with his wayward friends. If he stays at home, then someone can take him somewhere or assign him some work. He never finishes his own work!" The answer came from Ashutosh Singh Ranawat. Upon hearing Ashutosh's words, Rana sahib cast a sharp glance at Samarth and smiled.
"Sometimes the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing, Ashutosh!"
"What do you mean, brother?" Ashutosh Singh Ranawat asked. In response, Rana sahib laughed heartily.
"Both hands are yours, Ashutosh! Keep an eye on both your hands. Who knows, you might think your left hand does nothing, but it might be doing much more than your right hand. The one you call useless and fond of having fun with, who knows, he might be the one managing your household. Foundation stones are never visible to anyone! But the truth is that they bear the entire burden of the house.
Anyway, let's forget all this! I'll come to the matter for which I invited you to this dinner party," Amar Kant Singh Rana said, looking in both directions.
Prarabhd Singh Rathore and Ashutosh Singh Ranawat sat up straight, and both their ears were attuned to hear Amar Kant Singh Rana's next words.
"You both know that the legislative elections are due. Whichever party forms the government in the state, its command always remains at Rana Palace."
"Yes, Brother! There is no doubt about that," said Ashutosh Singh Ranawat.
"But I feel that due to the internal conflicts in our family this time, the government in the state will be formed by another party, and its command will also go elsewhere. In the fight of monkeys, the cat eats the bread. Why?" Amarkant Singh Rana fixed his gaze on the faces of Prarabdh Singh Rathore and Ashutosh Singh Ranawat. Both were unable to say anything.
"I have always stayed away from the Chief Minister's post; you both can put anyone you wish in that position. But that person must be one of our own. If he is not one of ours, we won't be able to do anything. You both know and understand this. So why is this happening?" Amarkant Singh Rana asked in a slightly raised voice.
Neither of them had an answer. Samarth Ji wanted to say something, but Ashutosh Singh Ranawat held his hand and gestured him to remain silent with his eyes.
"I have received information that you both are supporting different candidates in this election. From Rathore's side, our brother-in-law Shivansh Singh wants to contest, who is already an MLA, and from Ranawat's side, Ashutosh himself wants to contest the election this time," Rana Saheb said, his eyes fixed on both of them. Both bowed their heads.
"There is no need to bow your heads for this. There is one seat, and only one person will occupy it. You both are my own, and both my hands are equally important to me. Therefore, I will not support anyone.
But do you both know about the biggest supporter?" Amarkant Ji asked. Ashutosh Ji looked at Samarth and Virat, as if asking them about him with his eyes. But both shook their heads in denial. The same was true for Prarabdh Singh Rathore. He looked at Arjun and Amogh. Both of them also shook their heads in denial. Then, both looked at Amarkant Singh Rana together.
"It's very surprising! You people don't even know this?" Amarkant Ji seemed to mock them as if laughing.
"Dreaming is good, but one must also know what needs to be achieved to fulfill those dreams. Shooting arrows in the dark will be of no use!! This is how you both keep fighting amongst yourselves. It won't take long for a third party to snatch the bread from between you.
If you both desire to capture this Chief Minister's seat, then you should definitely know who is the biggest game-changer for the state government."
"Why are you speaking in riddles, Brother? Please tell us who it is!" Prarabdh Singh Rathore said quickly.
"Rajveer Singh Chauhan!!" Amarkant Ji took his name in one word. Hearing the name Rajveer Singh Chauhan, both Ashutosh Ji and Prarabdh Ji almost jumped out of their seats.
"Yes, Rajveer Singh Chauhan!! He is the biggest game-changer for the state government, and the most important thing is that all candidates from parties other than ours, or all the MLAs who will be elected, will support him!! Whoever Rajveer Singh Chauhan wants. You understand what I mean, right!!" Amarkant Ji asked both of them after explaining.
Both slowly nodded in agreement.
"You both know very well what a stubborn person Rajveer Singh Chauhan is! He has not yet decided whom he will support in the upcoming elections. Therefore, if any of you want victory, you must win over Rajveer Singh Chauhan, and whoever has Rajveer Singh Chauhan's support, my vote will also go there. This means he will be the face for the Chief Minister's post for our party. Whether it is Shivkant Ji or Ashutosh!! Both are equal to me," Amarkant Singh Rana said, revealing his cards.
"All the Chief Ministers in this state before today were suggested by Rajveer, and I had no choice but to accept his word," Amarkant Ji said with regret.
Hearing Amarkant Singh's words, a line of anger and tension appeared on the faces of Rathore and Ranawat.
"But now that my two brothers have come forward as my two hands, supporting me, and both wish to choose and become the Chief Minister of this state, I would like you both to work together to achieve this so that the thorn that has been pricking my heart can be removed. Tell me!! Can you do this?" Amarkant Ji asked them, but neither of them had answered yet; instead, they were staring at each other.
"I don't know how you people will win over Rajveer Singh Chauhan!! But keep one thing in mind! There is no need to attack each other to convince Rajveer Singh. Do not get entangled with each other at all, and definitely not until the elections!! If you consider me your elder brother, please remain calm.
It's okay if I lose the election!! It's okay if our party loses!! But my family should not break, and whether you both accept it or not, you both are an integral part of my family."
"Don't say that, Brother!" Prarabdh Singh and Ashutosh Singh said in unison.
Amarkant Ji smiled.
Seeing the Rathore and Ranawat speaking together, Amarkant Singh Rana smiled.
"That's exactly why I called both of you together and spoke my heart out here, because you see that the mayor and the IG of this city have both come to me with the same plea," Ashutosh Singh Rana said, looking towards the Mayor and IG standing to his left and right.
"Sons of bitches, they've come with a plea?? Why don't they just say it directly, these two bastards have come to you with our complaints," Prarabdh Singh muttered softly. Amarkant Singh Rana, as well as Ashutosh Singh Ranawat's lips involuntarily curved into a smile, but before anyone else could notice, he suppressed his smile within his lips.
"Alright!! Now you all go and do your respective jobs." Amarkant ji, with a slight smile, got up from his chair, but the Mayor and IG standing behind him trembled because Prarabdh Singh Rathore was looking at them.
"Oh, leave them, Prarabdh!! You won't kill them with your eyes now, will you?" Amarkant ji placed his hand on Prarabdh Singh's shoulder.
Prarabdh Singh lowered his gaze slightly.
"I've arranged dinner for you all tonight at my place. I hope you won't disappoint me."
"What are you saying, brother!!" Prarabdh and Ashutosh stood up together.
"Bachchan, tell Mahi to set the dinner table. We are all coming," Rana sahib said to his special man, Bachchan. Hearing Mahi's name, Virat and Amogh exchanged a stunned look, while Arjun's face broke into a smile.
Rana sahib sat in the center of a large table, with the Rathores on one side and the Ranawat family on the other. There was complete silence until dinner was served.
Rana sahib spoke intermittently, and both nodded in response. Rana sahib mostly spoke to Amogh, Arjun, and Virat. However, his discerning eyes did not miss Amogh and Virat stealing glances at each other while talking. Both would sometimes smile and sometimes glare at each other. Rana sahib noticed this, but the rest were unaware of it, including Ashutosh ji and Prarabdh ji.
"What is going on between these two boys? Are they thinking of escalating their family feud, or is everything normal between them?" A seed of doubt was sprouting in Amarkant ji's mind.
The food was exceptionally delicious.
"What happened, Virat?? What are you thinking?" Rana sahib asked with a smile, seeing Virat staring at the empty bowl of vegetables. Virat was holding the empty vegetable bowl and staring at it, lost in thought. Hearing Rana sahib's voice, Virat snapped back to reality and looked at Rana sahib with questioning eyes.
"Do you want more??" Rana sahib asked with a smile, seeing him holding the empty bowl. Meanwhile, Ashutosh ji was looking at Virat with stern eyes. It was completely against table manners for Virat to be holding an empty bowl, and he strongly disliked it.
"He will always be the same useless fellow," Amogh cursed Virat in his mind countless times.
"The vegetable dish is very good," Virat tried to overcome his embarrassment with a smile.
"Then what is there to think so much about?? It's your own home. Eat your fill. Do you think this much when eating at your own home??" Rana sahib asked, serving himself and extending the vegetable bowl towards Virat.
Virat smiled, but before saying anything, he glanced around. However, upon seeing Ashutosh ji, he neatly placed the bowl back beside him and shook his head in refusal.
"This darling of his mother!! Always ruins his father's reputation. Even that younger one has influenced him," Ashutosh ji said softly to Aditya ji.
Almost everyone had finished their meal. Because of this, Virat had to suppress his desire. Otherwise, he would have taken another bowl, but it was due to Ashutosh ji's stern gaze and the matter of his own reputation. He thanked Rana sahib and refused the vegetables.
Glancing away, he looked at Amogh, who was staring intently at him.
"Does only I find the taste of this vegetable familiar, or will Amogh also find it? And if he does, why is he sitting so quietly? Moreover, Uncle Rana mentioned Mahi. The taste of the vegetable is also the same. It was in Jogi Mahi's hands; I feel like Mahi must have made this vegetable! Could this be Mahi, my Mahi? But what is she doing at Uncle Rana's place??" Hundreds of questions swirled in Virat's mind, but he had no answers. In search of answers, Virat, avoiding everyone's gaze, looked at Amogh.
"Glutton!! Wherever he goes, when it comes to food, it's as if he has sold all his shame and modesty beforehand," Amogh thought, trying to shame Virat with his eyes.
Something was definitely going on between these two boys.
"Glutton! Wherever he goes, it's like he sold all his shame and modesty before eating," Amogh thought, trying to shame Virat with just his eyes.
"If a person is shy about eating, they have to remain hungry. And today, because of your attempt to shame me, I have to remain hungry. Neither my tongue is satisfied nor my soul! Another sin of keeping a good soul of the Almighty hungry has been written in your account, Amogh Singh Rathore," Virat retorted, settling the score with his eyes as well.
"First, settle your own sins, Virat Singh Ranawat!! Then register sins in my account. It might be that the sins incurred due to your gluttony take you to the grave along with your tongue."
Both were staring at each other so intently, as if they could swallow each other whole. Just then, a sweet voice was heard.
"Papa! Have some kheer."
Hearing the voice, Amogh sharply looked towards the girl. But upon seeing her, Amogh's face showed surprise along with some other emotions, which he quickly hid by diverting his gaze to his own plate. As soon as Virat heard the word 'kheer', his eyes also went in that direction. But when his gaze fell upon the girl holding the tray of kheer, his mouth dropped open in astonishment.
Unaware of this, the saliva about to drip from his lips was about to fall.
"So my suspicion was correct. Mahi made all this food, especially the vegetables!! But what is she doing here?? How did she even come here??" Virat tried to ask Amogh with his eyes, but Amogh shrugged his shoulders, signaling "How would I know?" He lightly picked up his napkin and pointed towards the drooling saliva at the corner of Virat's mouth.
Virat quickly shut his mouth. Meanwhile, Amogh, with his usual emotionless face, started wiping his hands with the napkin.
"Oh Mahi, my child!! Come here," Rana Saheb said happily upon seeing Mahi.
Hearing Rana Saheb's voice, everyone turned towards him. Ashutosh Ji and Aditya Ji had question marks on their faces upon seeing Mahi, while Prarabh Singh Rathore felt this face seemed familiar for some reason.
After looking at Mahi, he glanced at Amogh and Arjun, who were now wiping their hands with napkins. Arjun had a slight smile on his face, while Amogh seemed unfazed by anyone's arrival.
"Who is this girl?? And why do I feel like I've seen her somewhere before??" Prarabh Singh Rathore thought to himself, then turned towards Rana Saheb, who was about to introduce the girl.
"This is my daughter, Mahi!!" Rana Saheb introduced Mahi to everyone, understanding the questions in their eyes.
A girl of about twenty-four stood before them. Fair skin like flour, completely black big eyes, about five feet six inches tall with long hair reaching her waist, which she had neatly left open with a clip. She looked like a living doll, wearing a long, red-wine colored kurti with jeans.
"This is your doll?" Ashutosh Ji's voice held surprise along with happiness, and he looked towards Aditya Ji, expressing his joy.
A smile appeared on Aditya Ji's face. Rana Saheb nodded in agreement.
"Where is Bhabhi Ji?"
Mahi joined her hands and greeted everyone.
"Be happy, my child!!" everyone replied together to Mahi's greeting.
"She was so small when she used to come to play with Ruchi-Shuchi at our house," Aditya Ji said happily and with surprise to Ashutosh Ji.
"Ruchi-Shuchi are no longer small now either, Aditya," Rana Saheb said with a laugh.
"You never know when daughters grow up. As far as I can guess, Ruchi-Shuchi must have reached college by now," Rana Saheb said, looking at Aditya Ji.
"Yes, brother. Both of them have not only finished college, but university. This year, both are appearing for their post-graduation final papers, after which their careers will take flight," Aditya Ji said with a smile.
"That's good!! Mahi has also finished her post-graduation. It feels like just yesterday when she used to run all over the Rana Palace on her tiny feet. I had to chase her to make sure she didn't fall or hurt herself, but look now!! Now she manages the entire house; ever since she's been here, she's managed me along with the house," Rana Saheb said with a smiling glance at Mahi.
"Twenty years is not a small amount of time, brother!!" Ashutosh Ji joined the conversation, exhaling deeply.
"You are absolutely right. Only I know how I spent these days without my daughter!!" a line of sadness appeared on Rana Saheb's face. Mahi placed her hand on Rana Saheb's hands.
"It's alright, brother!! When happiness knocks on the door, one should open both the doors of their house and heart and welcome them in," Prarabh Singh Rathore wanted to end the topic, but Aditya Ji seemed annoyed.
"Sometimes one must hide their happiness from others, otherwise, it doesn't take long for the evil eye to fall," said Aditya ji, casting a fleeting glance at Prarabdh Singh.
"Let's go. We are just happy that happiness has finally knocked on the doors of Rana Palace. Otherwise, due to someone's deeds, happiness seemed to have forgotten the way to this street altogether," Prarabdh Singh also said, conveying something to Aditya Singh Ranawat with just a look.
"Speak with your senses, Prarabdh Singh Rathore! It wasn't my fault," Aditya Singh Ranawat said in a low, growling voice.
"No!! Where is your fault?? How could you possibly be at fault?? It was my fault. I was the one who rushed out with a gun without thinking," Prarabdh Singh taunted Aditya ji in anger.
Prarabdh ji was being considerate of being at Rana sahib's place, but Aditya Singh seemed to have forgotten everything in his anger. Prarabdh Singh Rathore had not only scratched his old wound but had also rubbed a lot of salt into it. Aditya ji was seething with anger.
"Speak with your senses, Prarabdh!! If I picked up a gun, I haven't put it down yet!" Aditya ji stood up from his chair and said in a warning tone, pointing a finger at Prarabdh Singh Rathore.
"You're not the only one who knows how to handle a gun!! I do too!! Take this threat of a gun elsewhere. I'm not afraid of you!! My hands have much more strength than yours." Angrily, Prarabdh Singh also stood up from his chair. It seemed as if the two would clash right then and perhaps if they still had their guns, they wouldn't hesitate to shoot, but Rana sahib stopped them both.
"Oh, enough of both of you!! Sit down, Aditya!! And you too, Prarabdh, calm down. I have told you all repeatedly to leave your quarrels and enmities outside the door of this house, but you people never listen, do you?? You are not even ready to hear." Rana sahib said with a slight anger.
Seeing Rana sahib angry, both sat down quietly in their respective places, but Aditya ji's gaze was still fixed on Prarabdh ji's face, filled with anger.
"After so many days, your daughter has come home, and instead of welcoming her with joy, you two are fighting amongst yourselves, showing that you still haven't changed," Amarkant ji chided them both.
Ashutosh ji shook his head in regret and, with a look, gestured to Aditya to remain calm.
"Leave all these things aside, son!! Tell me, how is Bhabhi Sahiba?? I don't see her, did she not come with you?" Ashutosh ji had now turned the conversation towards Mahi.
"No Uncle, Mother hasn't come," Mahi shook her head in denial.
"But why?"
This question was in everyone's mind. Everyone wanted to ask, but instead of their lips, their eyes were looking towards Rana sahib for the answer to this question, but Rana sahib's gaze was fixed on the bowl of kheer. It was as if he did not want to answer this question.
"What happened, brother?" Prarabdh Singh asked softly, placing his hand on Rana sahib's hands.
"What is there to happen, Prarabdh?? What was meant to happen, happened twenty years ago. Now, the wounds of that destruction lie as a burden within our hearts, and perhaps, carrying this burden, we will leave this world too. But still, your Bhabhi Sahiba will not forgive us!!" Rana sahib said with a sad smile.
Hearing Rana sahib's words, a line of sadness and regret appeared on everyone's faces.
"Come!! There's no need to be so sad. To celebrate the arrival of our daughter, all of you sweeten your mouths with the kheer made by our daughter's hands. The rest of the talks can happen later," Rana sahib suddenly tried to ease the tension that had entered the atmosphere.
"It seems the food today was made by our daughter's hands," Ashutosh ji asked, looking at Mahi.
Mahi nodded in affirmation with a smile.
"The food was very good. I understood from the taste that it was made by someone close. No cook can make such delicious food," Ashutosh ji said with a smile.
"Glutton!! Besides food, what else does he see??" Prarabdh Singh Rathore thought to himself, looking at Ashutosh ji, but as if Ashutosh ji understood his thoughts, he shook his head.
Mahi, with a slight smile, slowly started placing bowls of kheer in front of everyone.
"I want two bowls!!" Virat said quickly, as Mahi placed a bowl in front of him.
"Take one bowl first, and if it's not enough, you can take more later," Aditya ji gently explained to Virat before Ashutosh ji could say anything.
"No!! I want two bowls," Virat insisted.
At Virat's voice, Rana sahib smiled. But Mahi stared at him, looking him up and down.
"But you are alone!! Will you eat from both bowls at once?"
At Mahi's words, Virat flashed his teeth.
"It's just that my companion is at home, I'll take it for him," Virat tried to give a solid reason for taking two bowls of kheer. Mahi shook her head with regret and had just reached out to take the second bowl from the tray to place it in front of Virat when...
"Absolutely not!" Suddenly, Amogh Singh Rathore's deep, serious voice was heard. Upon hearing it, a silence spread throughout the dining hall, and Mahi and Virat simultaneously turned to Amogh with a jolt, who was staring furiously at Virat Singh Ranawat.
Everyone's eyes were now on Amogh.
