Chapter 25 The Next Move
Monday morning...
The peaceful atmosphere from the family picnic still lingered inside Rathore Mansion.
After breakfast...
The elders left for their respective offices.
Vivaan hurried to school after nearly forgetting his lunchbox.
Karan claimed he was "working from home."
No one believed him.
Within minutes...
The mansion became unusually quiet.
---
Aadhira slowly walked into the main sitting hall.
Near the large window...
Rajveer sat alone before an old wooden chessboard.
He studied the pieces with complete concentration.
Aadhira paused.
"You play chess, Dadaji?"
Rajveer looked up and smiled.
"For nearly fifty years."
He looked at the empty chair opposite him.
"Would you like to play?"
Aadhira hesitated.
"I haven't played in a long time."
"Neither have I."
His eyes twinkled with amusement.
"Come."
She quietly took the seat across from him.
---
The game began.
Neither spoke.
Only the soft sound of chess pieces echoed through the hall.
After a few moves...
Rajveer looked up.
"You protect your queen very carefully."
Aadhira smiled faintly.
"She's the strongest piece on the board."
Rajveer nodded.
"But sometimes..."
"...protecting everyone leaves the king vulnerable."
Aadhira calmly moved another piece.
"Then the king should learn to protect himself too."
Rajveer chuckled.
"Interesting."
From the staircase...
Arjun had stopped midway.
He hadn't intended to eavesdrop.
But hearing Dadaji laugh had caught his attention.
He quietly watched the game from a distance.
Neither player looked competitive.
Yet...
Neither was making careless moves.
Nearly forty minutes passed.
Finally...
Rajveer leaned back in his chair.
"I surrender."
Aadhira looked surprised.
"I only have a slight advantage."
Rajveer smiled knowingly.
"No."
"You've been planning five moves ahead since the beginning."
Aadhira lowered her eyes modestly.
"I was only trying my best."
Rajveer laughed warmly.
"I've spent decades negotiating business deals."
"I know strategic thinking when I see it."
Before she could reply...
Savitri entered the hall.
"Oh?"
"Who won?"
Rajveer answered proudly.
"Our bahu."
Savitri looked pleasantly surprised.
"Really?"
Rajveer nodded.
"And she defeated me very gracefully."
Aadhira immediately shook her head.
"It was only a game."
Rajveer smiled.
"Sometimes..."
"...a game reveals more about a person than words ever can."
Arjun silently walked away before anyone noticed him.
For some reason...
That sentence stayed with him.
---
Meanwhile...
At Devraj Mansion...
Vedha stood inside her design studio reviewing fabric samples.
A knock sounded on the door.
"Come in."
Kavya entered carrying two shopping bags.
"I thought you'd like these."
Vedha looked at them.
"You didn't have to."
Kavya smiled.
"We're friends."
She casually placed the bags on the sofa before sitting down.
"I heard your sister has become quite popular in the Rathore family."
Vedha's expression immediately cooled.
"So I've heard."
Kavya sighed dramatically.
"I just don't want history to repeat itself."
Vedha looked confused.
"What do you mean?"
Kavya lowered her voice.
"People like Aadhira..."
"...know how to win everyone's trust."
"They forget the past."
"They forgive too easily."
"But you..."
"...don't forget."
Vedha remained silent.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the measuring tape she was holding.
Finally...
She spoke quietly.
"I remember everything."
Kavya smiled with satisfaction.
"I knew you would."
As she left the room...
Vedha stood completely still.
Her gaze slowly shifted toward an old family photograph on the table.
It showed two smiling girls.
She quietly turned the frame face down.
Then returned to her work without another word.
---
Evening...
Rathore Mansion.
A cool breeze flowed through the garden.
Aadhira quietly watered the white roses near the pathway.
She carefully removed a few dried leaves before placing the watering can aside.
Her phone vibrated.
Unknown Number.
She looked around once.
No one was nearby.
She answered.
"...Hello."
A distorted voice spoke from the other side.
"The situation is changing."
Aadhira remained silent.
"The girl has become impatient."
"I expected that."
"Should we interfere?"
A brief silence followed.
Then Aadhira replied calmly...
"Not yet."
"Observe only."
"As you wish."
The call disconnected.
She slipped the phone back into her pocket.
Just as she turned...
She found Arjun standing a few steps away.
For a brief second...
Neither of them spoke.
"I didn't know you were here," Aadhira said calmly.
"I just came outside."
His eyes briefly fell toward the phone in her hand.
"Everything alright?"
"Yes."
"A business call?"
She gave a small nod.
"Something like that."
Arjun didn't ask another question.
But as they walked back toward the mansion together...
One thought refused to leave his mind.
Who was she talking to?
And why did every answer she gave...
Feel incomplete?
Far away...
Inside her room...
Kavya looked at a recent photograph from the Rathore family picnic.
Everyone was smiling.
Including Aadhira.
Kavya's expression darkened.
She slowly smiled.
"If kindness won't push you out..."
"...then I'll use something else."
She picked up her phone.
"It's time for the next move."
The call connected.
The person on the other side answered immediately.
Kavya's smile widened.
"Let's begin."
End of Chapter 25