Advika quickly glanced around to ensure no one was watching her. The mansion's walls seemed to carry a thousand eyes. Without a second thought, she jumped in through Anay's room window, her heartbeat racing.
She flung open the wardrobe doors with a loud thud, yanked each drawer open rapidly. Clothes were scattered, things lay all over the floor, but her eyes searched every corner. She looked everywhere – within the folded clothes, amidst the piles of books, even under the bed. But found nothing.
"If it's not here, then where is it...?" she muttered in frustration. "I've already checked in the elder Thakur's room. It wasn't there either. And the only person he trusts the most is his son... so where could it be?" She began pacing the room, the storm of thoughts evident on her face. Suddenly, her eyes landed on a large photograph of Anay hanging on the wall. That same familiar, confident face of his...
She stared at it for a few seconds,
then slowly moved the picture aside. Behind it was a hidden door! A crooked smile spread across Advika's face – a victorious smile. She tried opening the door, but it was locked.
"The key...?" she muttered. "Could Thakur saheb have it? But how will I get it...?" She bit her lip, thinking. "Thakur saheb isn't home today – I can't let this opportunity slip..." She tried every key in the room, one by one, but the door didn't budge. Her hope began to fade again. This door wasn't one that would open with an ordinary key.
Advika quickly cleaned up the scattered mess. She shoved the clothes back into the wardrobe, closed the drawers, and put everything back in its place. She even carefully repositioned the photo frame so no one would notice.
Now, her eyes fell on the bookshelf in the room. She began flipping through the books one by one. Some were about trade and business, others about politics and economics. There were a few on psychology as well, but nothing that was of any use to her.
She was still checking the books when she heard footsteps approaching. Instantly, Advika hid behind the thick curtain near the large window. Her heart pounded. Just then, Shrey entered the room.
Phone in hand, Shrey entered mumbling, "Yeah, where did you keep the file…"
Anay was on the other end of the call, evident from his voice. Shrey said, "Okay… right side, yeah…" and opened a drawer, pulling out a file. "Got it."
"Yes yes, I'll hand it over to the lawyer… and why didn't you take me to the city…?" Shrey's voice held a mild complaint. "I know everything – you've started liking that Rajvansh, haven't you?"
Anay's voice wasn't audible, but Shrey replied in irritation, "Don't make excuses…"
As Shrey left the room, Advika emerged from behind the curtain. She quickly looked around and slipped out the same window she had entered from.
"Sister…" someone called out, and Advika turned around startled.
Moli was standing there with a questioning expression. "Yes…?" Advika asked hastily.
Approaching, Moli asked, "What were you doing here? We need to clean the rice… you went to fetch the soup, right? Where is it?"
Hiding her panic, Advika replied, "I couldn't find it… could you tell me where it is…?"
With innocent curiosity, Moli said, "Sister, you won't find the soup on young Thakur's window – it's in the kitchen…"
Moli handed her the soup, and the two sat in a corner of the courtyard to clean rice. The sun was casting a soft glow, and birds chirped all around.
Advika asked softly, "Moli… does Thakur saheb have only one son?" Her voice carried an odd curiosity, like she wanted to know more. "Does he have another son…?"
Without looking up, Moli replied, "We've only ever seen the young Thakur, sister, since childhood… we've never seen anyone else."
"I see…" Advika continued working.
Rudransh, as he was leaving, glanced at Advika working and left without saying a word.
Later, after finishing her work, Advika went to the back garden as she did every day. The rest of the mansion was busy watching television, including Moli. This was her brief moment of peace and solitude.
Advika took out a hidden phone from her clothes and began typing a message to someone – "There's a secret door in Anay's room but the key isn't anywhere inside… I think what we're looking for is behind that door…" She sent the message, but there was no reply.
Evening gradually fell, and Advika returned to the kitchen. While cooking, her eyes kept drifting toward the door, but there was no sign of Anay.
One maid said, "The elder Thakur wants kheer…" Advika nodded and got busy preparing it. The aroma of milk and cardamom spread through the kitchen. After a while, she handed over the kheer to the maid.
After 8 PM, Moli came to her and said, "Sister, we should leave… it's getting dark."
Without looking at her, Advika replied, "You go ahead, Moli… I have some unfinished work, I'll come after that…"
Surprised, Moli asked, "But sister, you've finished all the work…"
Embarrassed, Advika said, "Oh… the clothes of Thakur saheb… they're on the roof. I had to collect them… if he doesn't find them tomorrow, he'll be angry…"
Moli asked, "Thakur saheb…?"
Avoiding eye contact, Advika answered, "Young Thakur…"
"I see…" Moli replied.
"But sister…" Moli hesitated, "How will you come alone? Yesterday, Thakur saheb dropped us home…"
Advika quickly interrupted, "I'll come… you go, Kaka needs his medicine too…"
Moli nodded, "Take care of yourself…" and left. Watching her go, Advika headed toward the rooftop.
She sat on the terrace wall, waiting for Anay. A cool breeze was blowing and stars sparkled above. An hour passed – no sign of Anay. Two hours passed – still nothing. The mansion's lights were now all turned off. Only the moonlight dimly lit the surroundings.
Advika quietly climbed down and went into Anay's room. The room was dark, but faint moonlight from the balcony guided her. She sat on the balcony, eyes fixed on the road where Anay would come from.
Eventually, she fell asleep, curled up in a corner of the balcony, worn out by the wait and the cold night breeze.
Late that night, Anay returned home. Exhausted from the day and the hustle of the city, he longed for peace. After washing up, he lit a cigarette and walked toward the balcony. Familiar with every corner of his house, he walked comfortably despite the darkness.
As he opened the balcony door, a gust of cool air hit him. He stepped outside casually, but suddenly bumped into something.
"Now what's been kept here…" he muttered irritably, then went back inside to turn on the lights. As he turned around, his eyes widened at the sight of Advika, curled up in the cold, fast asleep.
"Hey… wake up… Advika…" Anay gently shook her.
Stirring slightly, she opened her eyes, still drowsy. Looking at Anay, she mumbled confusedly, "What are you doing in my house…?"
Annoyed, Anay said, "Come to your senses, foolish girl – you're in my room… it's the middle of the night… you didn't go home?"
Realizing she was indeed in Anay's room, Advika got up and went inside, placing her hand on her head.
Anay asked, "What happened… why didn't you go home?"
Softly, Advika said, "You… dinner…"
Surprised, Anay asked, "Wait, you were waiting just for that? I asked you to cook one day and now you're sitting here waiting for life? Crazy girl…"
Angrily, Advika replied, "Talk respectfully!"
With a warning tone, Anay said, "Behave yourself… someone sees you in my room at this hour – what will they think?"
As she began to leave, he asked, "Where are you going now?"
Advika replied, "Home… since my presence here apparently stains your honour…"
Anay sighed, frustrated. No matter what he tried to explain, this girl always misunderstood him.
"Wait, I'll drop you…" Anay said.
"No need, I'll go myself…" Advika replied.
"I said I'll come – but before that, finish what you stayed back for."
Advika looked at him, startled.
"What?" Anay asked, "You stayed to serve dinner, right?"
She said nothing and turned toward the kitchen.
Looking up at the sky, Anay muttered, "Mahadev, this girl is crazy… and on top of that, a wildcat… and I had to fall for her."
Fuming, Advika brought him cold food and set it down with a soft clatter that reflected her annoyance. Anay said nothing. He quietly served himself and started eating, his face blank, unaffected by either the cold food or her anger.
Advika kept watching him, hoping he'd ask something, but he remained silent.
After finishing, he washed his hands and said while leaving, "Come on…"
Muttering under her breath, Advika said, "Heartless man… I waited all this time, and he didn't even ask once…"
Anay silently started the jeep. Instead of sitting in front, Advika sat in the back seat in protest. He didn't react. The jeep stopped near a Chinese food stall. Anay bought some food, got back in, and started driving again, his expression still unreadable.
Outside her house, the jeep stopped. As Advika got down angrily, Anay called out, "Listen…"
"What?" she asked sharply.
Smiling faintly, Anay said, "Speak nicely… you're always ready to fight. Here, I got this for you…" He extended a packet toward her.
With raised eyebrows, she asked, "Why, didn't you get scolded at home for this?"
Calmly, Anay replied, "Yeah, the food was cold… I know you don't like that… this is hot, eat it… I'm leaving now." He handed her the packet and got into the jeep.
Advika stared at him, surprised, holding the warm packet in her hand.
Anay said again, "What's wrong, go on inside…"
Stammering, she said, "You go…"
"No, you go…" Anay insisted.
"I said, you go…" she stood firm.
Anay sighed deeply, "Look, I won't have peace until I see you safely inside… now go, I need to leave too."
Advika looked at his face closely. The exhaustion from the day was clearly visible. His eyes were slightly red. Without another word, she turned and walked toward her house.
Once she was inside, Anay started the jeep. Advika turned to see him driving away, his jeep slowly fading into the dark. She looked at the packet in her hands – still warm. Shame washed over her. She had angrily served him cold food, but he didn't complain. Instead, he had silently eaten it and then brought her hot food. An odd turmoil stirred inside her heart.
To be continued…..