7.
The rich scent of cologne spreads through Zayran’s closet as he gets ready for his grandparents’ anniversary party.
He adjusts his suit carefully, the fabric fitting him perfectly, as if it is made just for him. Once he is ready, he turns around, giving himself one last look and steps out of the closet.
He stops mid-step. His movement freezes when his eyes fall on the flower pot kept on the table in the corner of the room. His gaze fixes on the flowers inside it.
The pot used to be empty but for the last three days, different kinds of flowers have been placed in it every day. His eyes linger there longer than necessary, his expression unreadable, his mind clearly drifting somewhere else.
He finally walks out of the room. The moment he reaches the corridor, the chaos coming from downstairs hits him. He closes his eyes for a brief second, taking a slow breath, as if preparing himself.
He turns to go downstairs but stops again when he notices his best friend walking behind Ishita. Laksh's face looks scared, almost nervous. Zayran shows no reaction at all. Without saying anything or even acknowledging them, he simply walks downstairs.
On the other hand
“I didn’t wear this to impress others” Laksh says, walking behind Ishita with slow steps. His voice is low.
Ishita stops abruptly and turns towards him. The sudden movement makes Laksh halt as well. “Did I ask you?” she says sharply. Her tone makes him close his eyes for a moment as he rubs his temple.
“But you looked at me like that when she praised me, that’s why I’m telling you” he says, taking a step towards her. The moment she glares at him, he immediately steps back, his confidence shaking.
“I didn’t look at you. I was looking at someone else. And your clothes are your choice, your praise, then who am I?” Ishita says, raising her shoulders slightly. Her words come out controlled but her eyes give away the storm inside her.
Laksh looks deep into her eyes, trying to read her emotions. There is a strange tension between them, tight, heavy and impossible to ignore. At the same time, that very tension brings an odd sense of peace, making both of them uncomfortable yet unwilling to walk away.
They haven’t confessed what they feel for each other. Not even once. Yet, just one glance is enough for them to understand what their partner means.
Their eyes speak where their lips stay silent. They know the feelings are there but fear holds them back. Fear of ruining what they already have. Fear of hearing a rejection they aren’t ready for.
“Boss, the CM wants to meet you” Grover says, standing beside his boss.
Zayran is drinking, his posture relaxed. He doesn’t look up. He simply nods his head once, giving permission without a word.
The CM walks in and comes to a stop right in front of Zayran. He joins his hands briefly in greeting, bending his head slightly in respect and then moves to sit on the sofa beside him.
Zayran doesn’t even bother to look at him. His attention remains on his glass, his fingers loosely holding it, his calm almost intimidating.
“Let’s not beat around the bush and come to the real topic. I want you to join hands with me” the CM says directly. His words finally make Zayran turn his head towards him, his sharp eyes settling on the man beside him.
“If we join hands, you can continue all your illegal business and I’ll help you” the CM adds, his voice confident. A slow smirk appears on Zayran’s lips, lazy yet dangerous.
“The police want to catch me for doing illegal work” Zayran says calmly. He takes a slow sip of his drink before continuing, “But what about those who sit inside the system and run the same crimes in silence?”
The CM shifts uncomfortably on his seat, his body stiffening. The confidence on his face cracks slightly.
“If you join me, I’ll give you shares in my business” the CM says again, clearly believing this will change Zayran’s mind.
Zayran doesn’t reply immediately. He simply takes another sip of his drink.
“Joining you doesn’t benefit me” Zayran says “It benefits you, more than you can imagine”
The CM’s hand curls into a tight fist, anger flashing in his eyes. Still, he says nothing. Without another word, he stands up and walks away from there.
“Zayran” Liyara calls out, walking towards him. She lifts her dress slightly as she moves closer.
“We are twinning” she says, stopping right in front of him, clearly expecting his attention. She waits for his eyes to lift, for even a small reaction.
But his gaze isn’t on her at all. His eyes are fixed on his phone, his face blank, his fingers scrolling slowly.
“Let’s go to the others” she says again, trying once more. Her voice is softer this time, almost pleading.
He only shakes his head slightly not even looking up. “Liyara, mom is calling you” Laksh says, coming from behind. He walks straight past her and sits beside his best friend, casually settling into the seat next to him.
“Liyara was telling me that you assigned a new maid for your room” Laksh says, picking up a glass from the table and taking a sip.
“Any problem?” Zayran asks, taking a drink himself. His tone is flat, uninterested, as if the topic barely matters to him.
“Why would I have a problem? Come on, they’re about to cut the cake” Laksh says lightly.
He moves to hold Zayran’s hand, intending to pull him along but stops the moment he looks into his eyes. Laksh scoffs under his breath and leans back into his seat instead.
“Tu jaa aur free ka cake kha aur jo thaili laya hai usme bhi bhar ke le ja” Zayran says dryly.
(You go and eat the free cake and fill it in the bag you brought too)
Laksh looks away immediately, as if he actually came with a bag.
Bhairav and Gauri Kaalver stand in the center of the hall and cut the cake together. The entire Kaalver family gathers around them, everyone except him. As the cake is cut, they begin feeding each other.
No one remembers him. No one seems to care that he isn’t there. Everyone is busy congratulating Bhairav and Gauri, handing them gifts, wishing them happiness and long life.
But Zayran notices something others don’t. His brother and cousins. None of them even taste the cake, let alone eat it. That small detail doesn’t escape his eyes.
“Bhai, he....” Ishita starts, walking towards him with a soft drink in her hand. But she stops the very moment her eyes fall on Laksh. Her face tightens slightly, the softness disappearing.
Zayran leans back on the couch, placing one foot over the other. There is a faint, knowing look on his face, as if he is clearly enjoying the drama unfolding in front of him.
Ishita doesn’t say anything. Without a word, she places the drink in front of Zayran. She turns around and walks away, her face clearly showing frustration and irritation.
Before Zayran can even reach for the glass, Laksh extends his hand towards it. But before Laksh’s fingers can grab it, Shaurya suddenly lifts the glass and drinks the juice in one go.
“I was really thirsty. Sorry, bro” Shaurya says, looking at Laksh with innocent eyes. His expression is so sincere that it’s hard to stay annoyed. Laksh only smiles and shakes his head slightly.
“Saalon ko jhelna padta hai” Laksh mutters to himself, his voice low and tired.
“Aapki behen Liyara ka para high kyun hai?” Yuv and Om ask together as they come and sit beside Laksh and Shaurya.
(Why is your sister Liyara so angry?)
“Not meri behen but your bhabhi, guys” Laksh says, leaning back against the counter. He places one leg over the other and takes a slow sip of his drink. “Aur uska para isliye high hai kyunki uske hone wale husband ne use ignore kar diya”
(Not my sister but your sister-in-law, guys. And she is angry because her future husband ignored her)
“Main jo bolne ja raha hoon, agar woh sunkar aapko bura lage to mujhe farak nahi padta” Yuv says seriously, looking straight at Laksh.
(What I’m about to say, whether you feel bad hearing it or not, doesn’t matter to me)
“Aapki behen… I mean, Zayran bhai ki hone wali biwi bahut ghamandi hai” Yuv continues.
(Your sister… I mean, Zayran bhai’s future wife is very arrogant)
Everyone turns to look at Zayran at once, everyone except Yuv.
“Yuv” Zayran says slowly, his voice calm, as he pulls out his gun from behind him. The metal glints under the lights.
Yuv immediately leans back in his seat, raising his hands slightly, pretending like he never said anything at all. His face turns stiff, his mouth shutting tightly.
“Bhai ko bura lag gaya. Yuv, unki hone wali biwi ke baare mein aisa nahi bolna chahiye tha tujhe” Shaurya says innocently. His words make Om and Laksh place their hands on their heads.
(Brother got offended. Yuv, you shouldn’t have said such things about his future wife)
“Arey bhai, aapka network 2G hai kya?” Om says with a completely serious face.
“Bhai ne gun isliye nikali hai kyunki aap dono ne kaha ‘Zayran ki hone wali biwi’” Om continues, explaining calmly.
(Brother took out the gun because you guys said ‘Zayran’s future wife’)
Zayran closes his eyes slowly, taking a deep breath as if controlling his patience.
“Grover” he calls out. Grover is sitting just behind his boss.
“Yes, boss” Grover replies immediately, straightening up.
“I want poison” Zayran says calmly, tapping his finger slowly on the side of the couch.
“Boss, I’ll give poison to the entire world but not you” Grover says seriously. “Because you are the only one piece and if you die the world will end, and I don’t want that”
He then looks at the four men sitting beside Zayran. “I’ll bring poison and give it to the four of them” Grover adds.
All four of them glare hard at Grover, their expressions sharp and offended. But it doesn’t affect him at all. Not even a little. The only thing that matters to him is his boss.
“Boss ka chamcha” Laksh mumbles to himself under his breath.
(Boss’s bootlicker.)
They all start talking to each other, their voices overlapping, laughter and arguments mixing together. He listens quietly, speaking only when it is necessary.
His eyes move around the hall casually, observing people and movement. Suddenly, his gaze stops on her.
The hand that is tapping slowly on the side of the couch comes to a halt. His fingers go still. He just stares at her. There is no emotion on his face, no expression in his eyes. He doesn’t care about anything else around him anymore.
His eyes don’t even blink. Somewhere deep inside, he starts hating himself for this habit.
Sita is serving the guests with a polite smile on her face. Her movements are gentle and careful. She is completely unaware that someone is watching her without blinking.
But the moment she feels someone’s gaze on her, her steps slow down. She looks around, here and there, trying to find the source. Her eyes suddenly fall on him. He is looking straight at her not moving his eyes even after being caught.
Her heart skips. She immediately turns and walks away from there, moving to the other side of the hall.
He keeps looking at her until her figure disappears from his sight.
The moment she vanishes, he lifts the glass in his hand and drinks it completely in one go. He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes.
But he doesn’t keep them closed for long. With those five men around him, he knows he can’t even have a breath of peace.
“Saans ko dheere dheere bahar aane de” Tara says softly, placing a hand on my arm. I do exactly as she says, breathing out slowly, again and again, until my racing heart finally starts to calm down.
(Let your breath out slowly)
“Now tell me fast, kya hua, jo aise chor ki tarah bhaag kar aayi tu?” she asks, her eyes sharp with concern. Her words make me sigh heavily.
(Now tell me quickly, what happened that you ran here like a thief?)
“Woh darinda mujhe aise ghoor raha tha jaise main drink chura kar pi rahi hoon” I say, the memory of his stare flashing in my mind.
(That beast was staring at me as if I had stolen a drink and was drinking it)
Just remembering the way he was looking at me a few minutes ago makes my body shiver.
“Sita, tu apni galtiyon se kab seekhegi, pata hai?” she asks suddenly. Her tone turns serious, making me look at her in confusion.
(Sita, do you know when you’ll learn from your mistakes?)
“Kab?” I ask softly, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Jab Zayran sudhar jaayega” she says casually. I nod my head at first but then I stop and look at her with “chappal se maarungi” eyes.
She bursts out laughing at my expression. Still smiling, she hands me another tray of snacks and takes one piece in her own hand.
“Sita, meri Ali Baba ki gufa se bhaagi hui chor, sun meri baat” she says seriously now.
(Sita, listen to me)
“Jab jab woh tujhe dekhe, tab bas ek hi baat kehna usse aur wahan se chali jaana” she continues firmly.
(Whenever he looks at you, just say one thing to him and then walk away from there)
I nod my head, listening to her carefully and start walking inside the mansion with the tray in my hands.
“Ghoorna band karo, Noor. It’s bad manners” she says.
(Stop staring, Noor. It’s bad manners)
I stop and look at her with “ab toh tu gaya beta, ruk, ab toh tu gaya” eyes.
She only giggles and walks away, leaving me standing there. A slow smile appears on my face because her words make me forget that I was in my sasta depression just a few seconds ago. She truly is the purest soul here.
I hold the tray firmly and start walking around the party with a polite smile on my face. I am extremely tired. Not just me, every worker in the mansion looks completely exhausted.
As I serve the guests, my eyes catch him again. He is sitting on the corner couch with his friends and brothers, exactly where he has been since the party started. He stays far away from his family.
He looks different today. His half man bun is perfectly set today. A small strand of hair falls over his face, making him look even more dangerous.
“Ouch… sorry, Kanha, par bansuri phenk kar maarni kya baat thi ismein?” I think to myself. Kanha hits me again with his bansuri because mai apni ankhen seek rahi thi.
(…because I was staring)
Aankhen sek rahi thi… hey Kanha, kaise kaise baatein karne lagi hoon main, I scold myself in my head. Par mujhe yeh sab Tara ne sikhaya hai, sacchi.
“Ouch… sorry, sorry. I mean… maine use sikhaya” I whisper quickly. Kanha hits my head again and again with his bansuri, first for staring at him like that and then for lying.
“Behen, bas kar. Itna sochti hai tu ki main thak jaata hoon, aur jab kaam karne ki baari aati hai tab kaam karna band kar deta hoon main” my subconscious cries dramatically.
(Stop it. You think so much that I get tired and when it’s time to work, I stop working)
I roll my eyes at myself.
Suddenly, the head maid comes and stands right in front of me. Her sharp eyes bore into me, making me look down immediately. She has been angry with me ever since he asked me to work in his room.
Without saying much, she grabs the tray from my hands and signals me to walk outside.
“Go and help others outside in setting the dishes” she says in an irritated tone.
I nod my head slowly and walk outside without saying a word.
“Kanha, saare log nafrat karte hain mujhse, jabki maine kisi ka kuch bigaada bhi nahi” I say to him silently in my mind.
(Kanha, everyone hates me, even though I’ve never harmed anyone)
“Aapko itna hairaan karti hoon, par aap kabhi mujhse gussa nahi hote. Nafrat toh door ki baat hai” I continue, my steps slowing down.
(I trouble you so much, yet you never get angry with me. Hatred is far from it)
“Par meri harkaton ki wajah se agar ek din aap bhi mujhse naraaz ho gaye toh?” I ask him softly inside my heart.
(But what if one day because of my actions, even you get upset with me?)
A sharp pang hits my chest. My throat tightens. I gulp hard, trying my best not to cry as I keep walking.
“Tham ja meri maa, mujhe rona aa raha hai” my subconscious says, making me let out a frustrated aaghh.
(Stop it, I’m about to cry)
“Sukoon se emotional bhi nahi hone deta koi yahan” I mutter to myself and start walking towards the table, helping the others in placing everything properly.
(No one even lets me get emotional peacefully here)
There are so many people and even more dishes. The tables are loaded. From Indian to continental, every kind of dish is here. I look around in disbelief. Matlab itna kharcha kaun karta hai? Sab fuzool kharchi hai bas, I think, shaking my head slightly.
(Who spends this much money?This is all unnecessary spending)
“Tere paas nahi hai na, isliye itni baatein aa rahi hain” my subconscious says again.
(You don’t have it, that’s why you’re saying all this)
I swear, Kanha, I swear, main is duniya walon ka soch kar ruk jaati hoon, otherwise I would have already hit my own head against the wall and broken it.
(I stop myself only because I think about the people of this world)
“Duniya walon ka kya sochti ho aap, Kanha ki sakhi?” my subconscious asks again.
(What do you think about the world, O Kanha’s friend?)
I sigh deeply while setting the plates in a straight line.
“Agar main mar gayi toh duniya mein jo aakhri achhi insaan bachi hai, woh khatam ho jaayegi” I start explaining seriously in my head.
(If I die, the last good person left in this world will be gone)
“Agar main mar gayi toh khoobsurti hi nahi bachegi is duniya mein. Agar main mar gayi toh logon ki zindagi se sukoon khatam ho jaayega. Agar main mar gayi toh mere fans apni jaan dene lagenge, kyunki main hi nahi rahungi. Agar main mar gayi toh...” I am in the middle of explaining the most important things when a voice suddenly pulls me out of my lecture.
(If I die, there will be no beauty left in this world. If I die, people will lose all peace from life. If I die, my fans will start giving up their lives because I won’t be there. If I die then...)
I turn around, only to see the same girl from yesterday standing right in front of me. His fiancée… right? I look at her quietly, waiting for her to speak. Jaldi bol behen, kal subah Panvel nikalna hai.
“Stay away from him” she says sharply. Her words make me blink in confusion. Him? Who him?
“I know how you cheap people try to attract rich men for money” she continues, her voice cold and full of pride.
“But this trick won’t work here. He is mine and we are going to marry soon.
And if I ever see you close to him, remember, you’ll see the worst” She says everything in one breath and then walks away.
It takes me a second but slowly my mind starts understanding what she actually means. Di… did she think that I want him???
I freeze for a moment and then burst out laughing in my head. OMG Kanha, did you hear that? Bwahahaha! Mujhe lagta tha main hi sabse badi bewakoof hoon, par aaj pata chal gaya ki mujhse zyada bade bewakoof bhi hote hain is duniya mein.
(I thought I was the biggest fool but today I found out there are even bigger fools in this world)
Huh, Sita naam hai mera. Main us jaise aadmi ko ghaas bhi nahi daalti, I think proudly, flipping my hair dramatically in my mind, of course.
“Tere paas toh ghode ko ghaas daalne ke paise bhi nahi hain, Zayran Kaalver ki kya baat karti hai” my subconscious says again, completely ruining my moment.
Soon, dinner starts. One by one, everyone begins coming to eat. Some guests leave after dinner, some stay back. Slowly, the crowd thins out and only about fifty percent of the guests are left.
I am standing at a corner, passing dishes to the guests and arranging chairs wherever needed. My body feels tired but my hands keep moving on their own.
Suddenly, I see Tara calling me towards her from a distance. I don’t wait even for a second and start walking towards her.
“Take this tray and come with me, please” she says urgently. Her tone makes me alert. I take the tray without asking anything and start walking with her immediately.
There is a group of old couples sitting together, sipping juices and laughing among themselves. I place the tray carefully on the table in front of them.
Tara takes the tray from my hands and gives me empty one. I start taking steps back towards the kitchen but I stop suddenly.
At a distance, I see Subh and the head maid standing together. Both of them are looking straight at me. Their eyes make my stomach tighten.
I immediately turn around not wanting to ruin my already fragile mood by talking to them.
The moment I turn, I bump into Mount Everest. The impact is hard enough to make me lose my balance. I stumble forward and I am about to fall but Mount Everest catches me in time. His hand grips my wrist firmly, steadying me.
Before any la la laa lalaa moment can even happen, the tray in my hand slips and falls hard on the ground.
There is a loud sound and I see a hole right in the middle of it. I stare at the broken tray in confusion, my mind going blank.
Before I can even think properly, he pulls me sharply to the side. His movements are fast. He grabs the tray and throws it towards someone with full force.
My eyes widen in shock as I watch the tray move perfectly through the air. It flies straight towards a man and its edge hits him directly. The man falls back immediately.
I don’t understand what is happening. Everything feels sudden and unreal. Within seconds, guards rush in from different directions and point their guns at two men.
What is happening here? I ask myself, my mind spinning. But he suddenly turns his head towards me and looks at me as if I am the one responsible for whatever is happening here. His sharp eyes make my heart skip a beat.
“Take them away” he says coldly to his secretary. Guards immediately grab those two men and drag them away. I stay rooted to the spot, completely dumbfounded, my hands slightly shaking.
Wait. There was a hole in the tray.
Ohhhh… someone was here to kill him. And because I collided with him, the tray comes in between and the bullet hits the tray instead of him.
“Dekha, maine kaha tha na, aise time ke liye bacha kar rakha kar meri energy” my subconscious mocks.
(See, I told you. Saved my energy for moments like this)
His family runs towards him, panic clearly visible on their faces. Their eyes scan him from head to toe, checking if he is hurt. I just stand there blinking, still trying to digest everything.
What if… what if the bullet had hit me?
“Kanha, marna hai toh saaf saaf bata do. Yeh sab drama karne ki zarurat nahi hai. Main seedha namak chaat kar mar jaungi” I complain silently.
(Kanha, if you want me dead, just say it clearly. No need for all this drama. I’ll just lick salt and die)
“Thank you so much” his mother says softly, holding my hands for a moment.
I just stare at her like an idiot, my mouth slightly open not knowing what to say. One by one, they all walk away from there. The last person to leave is him. He looks at me for just a second but his eyes are strange, unreadable, heavy with something I don’t understand.
“You saved him, Sita” Tara says, appearing out of nowhere beside me.
“It was just a mistake” I reply immediately. She looks at me with wide eyes, clearly shocked and that makes me grin a little.
“Main girne wali thi. Unhone mujhe bacha liya aur isi wajah se tray beech mein aa gayi aur goli tray ko lag gayi” I explain slowly.
(I was about to fall. He saved me and because of that the tray came in between and the bullet hit the tray)
Tara makes an oooh face, finally understanding what I mean.
I stare at my plate while eating my food, pushing it around more than actually eating. The entire family and our close ones are sitting together, enjoying the dinner but not me.
I am irritated as hell right now because Laksh is holding my hand under the, convinced that someone will try to kill me again if he lets go.
I already know one thing clearly. Whoever tried to kill me is inside this mansion. No outsider has the audacity to attempt something like this inside my house. Which means one thing, someone from inside is involved.
“Zayran, take this” Liyara says, leaning forward to serve me something.
Before she can place it on my plate, I lift my hand slightly, stopping her. She freezes for a second and then slowly takes her hand back without saying anything.
My eyes finally lift from my plate. And then I see her.
She is standing at the corner, getting scolded by the head maid again. Just like last time. And just like last time, she is crying today as well. My gaze moves from her teary eyes to her trembling hands. Her shoulders shake slightly as she tries to control herself.
The head maid pushes her a little to make her stumble. She says something and then walks away from there. She stays rooted to the spot, tears falling freely now.
I lean back on my chair, my eyes fixed on her without realizing it.
Suddenly, she lifts her head. Her tear-filled eyes meet my blank ones. She looks hurt.
She looks away immediately and turns towards the maid quarters, walking away with hurried steps. My eyes don’t leave her until she disappears from my sight.