"Is breakfast ready...?" Anay asked as he entered the kitchen, and all the servants turned to look at him. It was quite a surprise — Anay himself walking into the kitchen. Until today, this kitchen had only heard his orders from inside his room.
"What happened...?" Anay raised his eyebrows. "Did you see a ghost or what...?"
One of the maids lowered her head and asked, "chote malik, you... here?"
Anay replied with full attitude, "It's my house. I'll go wherever I want…"
"If breakfast is ready, send it to my room," he said, sneaking a glance at Advika.
The elder Thakurain's voice rang out, "Yes, son, why not... If the sun rises overhead, only then will you wake up and demand breakfast, right...?"
"Amma…" Anay said softly.
"Amma, huh... You roam around half the night... do you even know how worried I get?"
The elder Thakur thundered, "He's young blood, so of course, he'll roam around. Should I get him bangles if you want him to sit at home like a woman?"
Anay responded, "Sarpanch ji, Amma was just talking to me, no need to make a scene about it..."
The elder Thakurain said, "Son, tell your Amma you're a Thakur's blood — you'll roar like a lion, not sit in the kitchen doing chores."
Anay was about to say something when the Thakurain caught his hand.
"You're going to the city...?"
Anay said flatly, "Yes."
"Hmm... focus on your work... and stay away from women... they're good for nothing, just graze all day like cows and then come with their endless demands..."
Anay was about to speak, but the Thakurain gestured him to stay quiet and leave.
Advika, standing in the kitchen, had witnessed it all.
Inside the room, the Thakurain said, "Let him go, child... Forget it, he is your father after all..."
Advika replied sadly, "That's exactly what hurts, Amma... What does he think of himself... As if life would even exist without women. I just want to ask him — would he even be here if his mother hadn't endured pain and suffering to give birth to him? Instead of respecting her, he compares her to cattle..."
Suddenly there was a knock at the door.
Anay, irritated, said, "I'm not hungry, take it back..." as he continued putting on his tie.
The Thakurain said, "Son, if you go without eating, you won't be able to concentrate on work..."
Anay replied, "And now I won't be able to swallow a bite... Bless me, I'm leaving..." He bent down to touch her feet.
The Thakurain said, "Stay blessed… Achieve great heights…" and caressed his head.
As Anay stepped out of the room, he turned and said, "Amma, Shrey and that Rajvansh guy are at the guest house. Don't let Sarpanch ji find out..."
"Alright, son..." the Thakurain replied.
Anay glanced at Advika and started walking out.
Advika asked, "You're leaving without eating...?"
Anay said nothing, just continued tying his shoelaces.
She asked again, "I'm asking you something…"
Still, no response.
"Thakur saheb..." she said.
Anay looked up and said, "Last night, I said something to you — didn't you think it was necessary to answer? So now it's my choice — you'll get your answer when I feel like giving it."
Advika quickly said, "You didn't ask... you just stated it..."
Anay said, "Alright, then I'll ask now — I've fallen in love with you. Would you want to spend your life with me?"
Advika stammered, "Thakur saheb, you…"
Anay asked, "Yes or no...?"
Again she hesitated, "Thakur saheb…"
He said, "I'll come in the evening. Think it through. No pressure, no force..." and he walked away.
"Advika…" someone called her, and she jumped.
Rudransh was standing behind her. Advika's eyes widened. How much had he heard of the conversation between her and Anay? Did he now know that Anay loved her?
Rudransh asked, "What happened? Why are you standing like a statue...?"
Advika nervously asked, "When did you come...?"
Rudransh calmly said, "Just now... I heard Anay's going out today. It's a good opportunity for you..."
Advika replied softly, "I'll try..."
Rudransh's eyes glinted sharply. "Not try, Advika — I want results. These Thakurs must be made to bow before us. Don't forget what they took from you…"
Advika quickly said, "Yes, now go... If someone sees you…"
Rudransh smiled mysteriously. "I know what I'm doing, Advika. You just focus on your part. And yes… stay away from Anay."
Advika's eyes widened. Had he heard everything...?
Rudransh walked away, muttering to himself, "Anay is not at fault, Advika… and I don't want him to pay for others' crimes. From what I've seen, he's a good person… yes, arrogant and full of attitude, but a good man nonetheless."
Shrey woke up to find Rudransh sitting on the couch, typing away on his laptop. Daylight had filled the room.
Rudransh looked up and said, "You're awake... Good morning... or should I say good afternoon?" A mischievous tone in his voice.
Shrey rubbed his eyes and asked, "Where's Anay...?"
Rudransh shrugged, "He's probably gone to the city for work..."
Shrey frowned, "Without taking me along?"
Rudransh casually said, "Well, you were sleeping like the dead. He had asked me to come, but I declined."
Shrey didn't buy it. "Anay would never do that... He's my friend, got it?"
Rudransh smirked sarcastically, "So much jealousy in friendship...?"
Shrey shouted angrily, "You dog, what are you trying to say...?" and lunged at him.
Rudransh raised his hand to calm him. "Relax, oh mighty warrior… I wonder how Thakur has tolerated you for so many years. If it were me, I'd have sent you to the asylum long ago."
Shrey jumped on him. "I'll kill you...!" and landed straight on Rudransh.
Rudransh groaned, "Ow... You broke my back... Get off me, you Bull, how much do you eat?"
Shrey got off and kicked him on his backside.
Rudransh yelled, "You scoundrel! Have you forgotten all manners?"
Shrey growled, "I'm still being polite... Otherwise I would've thrown you out of this mansion... That's what you get for trying to steal my friend."
"Shrey…" the elder Thakurain called out, who had been watching their scuffle in surprise.
Shrey turned around.
She asked sternly, "What's going on here?"
Shrey was startled, "Thakurain... you here...?"
She said, "First, tell me what kind of chaos this is... Why were you beating him? He's our guest — is this how we treat guests?"
Rudransh stood up and said, "No aunty ji, we were just goofing around… We're close friends, after all." He placed a hand on Shrey's shoulder.
Shrey pouted, "Friends…?" and punched him again. Rudransh pinched him in return.
Thakurain asked, "So, did you drink the lemonade I sent you both?"
Shrey glared at Rudransh.
Rudransh grinned widely and said, "I drank both glasses…"
Shrey muttered, "I'm going to kill you today…"
"What are you two whispering about now? You'll get it, Shrey... Anay's not here, he's gone to the city. Go get ready now," the Thakurain scolded.
"Yes, Thakurain…" Shrey said, glaring at Rudransh as he walked away.
To be continued.....