The Sinister

10.

“Dad, I can’t even think like this, let alone doing this” Shaurya says angrily to Dhanraj. Dhanraj’s eyes widen in shock because the son who has always stayed calm, who has listened to him like a puppet, is refusing to follow his order today.

“Shaurya, we are only thinking about your future” Neelam says softly, holding Shaurya’s hand tightly, as if trying to calm him down and pull him back into control.

“You guys are thinking about my future?!” Shaurya asks in disbelief, his voice rising as he pulls his hand away. “Ek aysa future jaha mai uchai chune ke liye khud ke bhai ko dhoka du?”

(A future where, to reach success, I betray my own brother?)

He looks at his parents with hurt and anger mixed in his eyes. Dhanraj and Neelam glare at him, their expressions hard. From childhood till now, they have only made him dance on their fingers.

“Saga Bhai Nahi Hai Wo, Yaad Rakhna” Dhanraj shouts, his voice echoing in the room. “Aur jab wo apne maa-baap ka nahi hua to tera kaha se hoga?”

(He is not your real brother, remember that. And if he was never loyal to his own parents, how will he ever be yours?)

“Sage bhai se badh kar hai wo mere liye” Shaurya shouts back, his chest rising and falling fast. His eyes burn with emotion. “Aur shayad ye baat aap log bhool rahe hain ki hum log jis chhat ke neeche khade hain wo kiski hai aur jo roti kha rahe hain wo kisne di hai”

(He is more than a real brother to me. And maybe you are forgetting whose roof we are standing under and who gave us the food we eat)

With that, Shaurya turns around sharply and walks out of the room without looking back.

“Mujhe is ladke se koi umeed nahi hai” Dhanraj says angrily, his face dark with rage.

(I have no expectations left from this boy)

On the other side

“What happened, Shaurya?” Pallavi asks slowly, her voice gentle and full of concern. She softly caresses his head, her fingers moving through his hair.

Shaurya rests his head on her lap, his eyes closed. His face looks tired, tense and broken, as if he is holding too much inside and has no strength left to speak.

“Nothing, maa” he says softly. As soon as the word leaves his lips, Pallavi leans down and presses a gentle kiss on his head, filling it with pure motherly love.

“Am I a bad son, maa?” he asks quietly, his voice cracking just a little. The question pierces Pallavi’s heart because it is the same question.

“No, mera baccha. Tu heera hai, heera” she says, her eyes turning moist as she cups his face lovingly.

(No, my child. You are precious)

Both of them fall silent after that. No words are spoken. The silence between them is heavy but comforting and a bond that doesn’t need explanations.

“Zayran, don’t try to mess with me. And don’t forget, I’m Fernandes, the right hand of Ethan” Fernandes shouts loudly, glaring at Zayran. His voice echoes through the forest.

Zayran sits calmly on a chair, while Grover stands behind him like a shadow.

“Bas tu yahi bhonkta reh ki tu Ethan ka right hand hai” Zayran says, taking a slow puff of his cigarette.

(Just keep barking that you are Ethan’s right hand)

Fernandes grits his teeth in anger, his fists clenching as humiliation burns inside him.

“I’m asking for the last time, where are my trucks?” Fernandes asks again, his tone sharp and threatening.

Zayran tilts his head slightly, a dark smile playing on his lips, as if he is amused.

“Not your trucks. Those trucks belong to my boss, not you” Grover says. His voice sends a shiver down the spines of Fernandes’s guards. “And thank him that instead of doing something terrible to you, he let you go”

“But he also robbed them from someone else!” Fernandes shouts furiously.

Zayran throws his cigarette away, crushing it under his shoe and slowly stands up from the chair.

The night sky above them grows darker, the air turns colder and an unsettling silence spreads through the forest, making every breath feel heavier.

“You call me to ruin my time when you clearly know that I will not return anything” Zayran says. This time, Fernandes smirks, clearly enjoying the moment.

“No, I called you to see your destruction” Fernandes says confidently.

He straightens his posture and looks at Zayran with pride.

“You think too highly of yourself, right? And don’t forget, there is always someone stronger than you” Saying this, he takes out a remote from his pocket and sits down on his chair like a king enjoying a show.

Zayran looks at him without any reaction and slowly folds his arms across his chest, his expression unreadable.

“You know, I have planted a bomb in your warehouse” Fernandes says with a cruel smile. “The one where you have kept your most expensive and unique weapons”

Grover’s eyes widen in shock as he hears this. His face turns tense and he immediately looks at his boss, fear clearly visible in his eyes.

“Grover, are you scared, boy?” Fernandes says mockingly and laughs loudly. His laughter echoes in the forest.

Zayran remains silent and completely unbothered. Without saying a word, he takes out another cigarette and lights it slowly, the flame reflecting in his dark eyes.

“Smoke it because in a few seconds, the smoke of your destruction will reach till here” Fernandes says, laughing loudly along with his men.

“Are you ready, Zayran?” Fernandes asks dramatically. “Three… two… one” He presses the button on the remote.

Grover looks here and there, clearly scared, his breathing uneven.

“Tick… tick… tick” Zayran says calmly, tapping his foot slowly on the ground. Fernandes’s smile instantly vanishes. The air itself seems to stop and everyone’s breathing grows heavy.

“Tick… tick… tick… boom” Zayran says with a slight smirk on his face.

A blast happens nearby, loud and violent. The ground trembles and the sound rips through the silence of the forest. Every head turns sharply toward the explosion, except Zayran’s.

“Boss… that is our warehouse” one of Fernandes’s men says, scared to death.

Fernandes’s head turns abruptly toward Zayran, shock and fear replacing his confidence.

“You…” Fernandes says, his voice shaking, standing on the verge of crying but Zayran cuts him off before he can say anything more.

“You’re right. There is always someone above” Zayran says “And his name is Zayran Kaalver”

Fernandes grits his teeth in rage “Kill that bastard!” he shouts furiously.

All the men around him rush toward Zayran at once. Some of them start firing at him. Zayran does not take out his gun or any weapon. He just stands there, while Grover moves instantly, shooting down the attackers with deadly accuracy.

One man tries to attack Zayran from behind, raising his hand to strike but before he can even touch him, Zayran turns and punches him straight on the nose.

A loud crack echoes in the forest as the bone breaks and the man falls to the ground, screaming in pain.

There is no rush, no worry and no fear on Zayran’s face. A bullet hits his leg but before anyone can react, the man who fired it drops dead on the spot, shot cleanly by Grover.

Zayran does not kill anyone. He hits each person with precise force, striking them in a way that makes them fall and never even try to get up again. His movements are ruthless and effortless.

As the situation starts going out of control, Zayran turns his head slightly toward Grover and nods once.

He touches his half man bun casually and before anyone can understand what he is doing, he throws a small capsule on the ground.

Within seconds, the entire place fills with thick, choking smoke. Fernandes and his men start losing their balance, coughing and stumbling blindly.

“Find him!” Fernandes shouts desperately, unaware that Zayran is already far away.

They also do not know one simple truth, he never enters a place without an exit.

“Call her” Zayran says while lying on the bed. His voice is low and tired. Grover has already removed the bullet and treated his wounds carefully.

“Okay, boss” Grover says. He gets up from his place and walks out of the room. His steps are fast as he moves toward the maids’ quarters, his heart thumping loudly in his chest.

He stops in front of the door and knocks once.

“Who is there?” Tara says irritably as she gets up from the bed and walks toward the door. She opens it and the moment she does, her sleep disappears completely.

“B… boss is calling her” he says, looking down at the ground not daring to look directly at Tara.

Tara stares at him for a moment, noticing his nervous state. Then she sighs and turns her head toward Sita.

“Sita, Zayran sir is calling you” Tara says.

The very next moment, Sita jumps out of her bed, fully awake. “What happened to him now?” she asks irritably but she stops mid-sentence when she sees Grover standing outside with his eyes fixed on the ground.

“I’m coming, Tara” Sita says and runs out of the room. She does not run because he called her but because she wants her friend to get even a little time to talk with her love.

Grover slowly lifts his gaze from the ground. He is barely breathing and the hand he keeps behind his back is trembling slightly.

“Good night” Tara says and closes the door on Grover’s face. The sudden shut makes him finally take a deep breath.

“Agar mujhe extra payment nahi mili na, to bata rahi hoon, case kar dungi inke upar” Sita says while walking toward his room.

(If I don’t get extra payment, I’m telling you all, I’ll file a case against all of them)

She is still sleepy, her steps slightly slow but she forces her eyes to stay open as she walks.

A knocking sound comes and Zayran opens his eyes just in time to see her entering the room. She looks at him for a second and immediately understands why he has called her.

Without saying anything, she walks straight toward the closet to take the first-aid kit.

“Agar mujhe nursing ki payment alag se nahi mili na, to bas dekh lena” she mutters to herself while opening the cabinet.

(If I don’t get separate payment for nursing, just watch what I’ll do)

Meanwhile, Zayran pokes his cheek with his tongue and keeps his eyes fixed on the closet door, watching her every movement.

She walks back to him and he shifts slightly to the side to give her space. She sits down beside him. The goosebumps rising on her skin do not go unnoticed by his sharp eyes.

She tries to calm her racing heart. Taking cotton, she gently moves her hand toward his face.

Today, instead of closing his eyes like before, he keeps staring at her, making it difficult for her to focus on her work.

Seeing her nervous state, he slowly closes his eyes.

“Who is Kanha to you?” he asks suddenly, out of nowhere.

She freezes on the spot. Her hand stops mid-air. She blinks her eyes, trying to understand if she heard him right or not.

“Tell me” he says again, his voice firm, sending another shock through her.

“He is my everything” she says truthfully without hesitation. Hearing this, he opens his eyes and looks at her.

“Do you trust him?” he asks again.

“More than anything” she replies softly. Her shock is gone now. She feels calm because the topic is Kanha.

“What does he teach you?” he asks again.

She replies while gently wiping the cut on his bicep. “He teaches me how to live life” she says calmly. “How to face the hardships of life. To not harm others. To stay loyal. To speak the truth. To not betray anyone. To treat everyone nicely” She speaks each word honestly.

He looks deep into her eyes while listening. Her words make her pause for a second. Her heart skips and she quickly looks away and starts working again, focusing on his wound.

She is answering his questions truthfully, even though she is still shocked by the kind of questions he is asking.

“What do you get by worshipping him?” he asks, extending his other hand toward her.

“I get peace” she replies softly while applying ointment on his marks. “Even when everything is messy, my heart and mind still find peace”

“I don’t believe in God” he says quietly. “So what should I do to find peace?”

Her hands stop again. She looks up at him slowly. Their eyes meet. Both of them stare at each other, unknown and forbidden emotions swirling silently between them.

“Jab bhi dil ko sukoon chahiye ho na, to bas apni aankhen band kar lena” she says gently.

“Aur us waqt jo bhi cheez pareshan kar rahi ho ya jo bhi takleef ho, sab unse keh dena. Aur jab dil ko sukoon na mile aur ye bhi samajh na aaye ki aisa kyun ho raha hai, to bas unse har ek baat keh dena jo zubaan par aaye. Woh sab samajh jaate hain. Agar aap kuch bhi na kahen, bas unko dil se yaad karen, tab bhi aapko sukoon milega. Aur aap un par bharosa karte hain ya nahi, ye bilkul matter nahi karta. Bas aap unko dil se yaad karna. Woh aapko kabhi maayoos nahi karenge” she says honestly and looks back into his eyes.

(Whenever your heart needs peace, just close your eyes.

And at that moment, whatever is troubling you or hurting you, tell Him everything.

And when your heart doesn’t find peace and you don’t even understand why, then just tell Him every single thing that comes to your mind.

He understands everything. Even if you don’t say anything, just remember Him from your heart, you will still find peace.

And whether you believe in Him or not, that doesn’t matter at all.

Just remember Him from your heart. He will never disappoint you)

There is something in her eyes that he cannot read. And there is something in him that he wants to say but he cannot speak it out loud.

The conversation between them is not something that should have happened, yet it does happen because there is a reason behind everything. Sometimes, we know the reason and sometimes we remain completely unaware of it.

His eyes close on their own and he falls asleep peacefully. His breathing evens out, slow and calm. She carefully clean each and every wound.

Once she is done, she looks at him. Her eyes stay fixed on his face, too long. There is something in her gaze, something she should not feel for him. A strange heaviness settles in her chest. Without any clear reason, her eyes start turning moist. She blinks repeatedly.

She finally stands up, places the first aid kit back in its place and moves toward the door. Before stepping out of the room, she stops. She looks back at his calm, peacefully sleeping face and then quietly leaves.

“College jana to bas bahana hai, tumhe to bas ladkon ko tadna hai” I say, giving Ishi a side-eye.

(Going to college is just an excuse, you only want to stare at boys)

She grins. Yes, Ishi. She has become my friend. It has almost been one month in this mansion and do you really think I wouldn’t make at least one more new friend here?

“Aisa nahi hai, Sita. Aur waise bhi, maine tum dono ko pehle hi bataya hai ki mujhe kisi se already lobe hai” Ishi says, a shy smile spreading across her face.

(That’s not true, Sita. And anyway, I already told both of you that I’m already in love with someone)

Her shy expression makes Tara and me roll our eyes at the same time.

“Sita, help me cleaning this part” Tara says while dusting the decorative pieces.

I walk over to her and start helping without saying a word. Ishi looks at us with disbelief, her eyebrows raised as if she can’t understand us at all.

“Why do you guys ignore this topic?” she asks, clearly frustrated, making me turn toward her with a done expression on my face.

“Is topic ko hum aage badhana chahte hain, to tum har baar kehti ho ‘jaane do na guys’ isliye hum khud hi ignore kar dete hain” I say.

(Whenever we try to take this topic forward, you always say ‘leave it, guys’ so we are ignoring it ourselves)

She takes a deep breath, as if she wants to say something important. Just before she can speak, her mother calls her name.

“Coming, Mom” she says and turns around, walking toward her room.

“Why are you here today instead of his room?” Tara asks while continuing her work.

“He is having some confidential conversation with his best friend, that’s why he tells me to wait outside” I say, still helping her.

“Boss is calling you” Grover says. I turn around and look at him, then glance at Tara. Grover looks at her just once and then moves back toward the room without saying anything more.

“Kuch to hua hai, kuch ho gaya hai” I sing playfully, bumping my shoulder against Tara’s as I walk toward his room, almost skipping with excitement.

(Something has happened, something is definitely going on)

“Zyada uchhal mat, warna gir jaayegi” my subconscious warns me and I flip my hair dramatically, unfazed.

(Don’t jump too much or you’ll fall)

“Hume koi gira de, kisi mein itna dum nahi. Aur hum khud gir jaayein, yeh mumkin nahi” I say confidently and step inside the room after knocking.

(No one has the strength to make me fall. And me falling on my own is impossible)

My eyes immediately fall on three men standing on the balcony, talking seriously.

“Make coffee” he says without turning around.

I nod my head. The tray is already there. I start making coffee.

“But you should have been c....” his friend Laksh is saying when he suddenly cuts him off.

“I’m fit and fine now and it’s already been one week, so don’t act like a sanskari agyakari biwi” he says, irritation clear in his tone.

(Don’t act like a traditional, obedient wife)

I bite my lip and struggle to control my laughter. Watching him irritated like this is entertaining.

“Zyada maze mat le, warna…” my subconscious warns me, making me roll my eyes.

(Don’t enjoy too much or else…)

“Kanha, kya main bina sar phode sar ko phod sakti hoon?” I ask Kanha in my mind.

(Kanha, can I hit my head without actually hurting my head?)

“Sakhi, abhi mera sar mat khao. Mujhe makhan khane do” he replies, making me huff.

(Friend, don’t eat my head right now. Let me enjoy my butter)

I pick up the tray and walk toward the table, placing it carefully in front of them. Then I turn back, take the plate of cookies and walk toward them again.

Suddenly, my foot slips a little. The plate slips from my hand. My eyes widen in shock. Everyone’s gaze snaps toward the falling plate, as if time slows down around it, like some dramatic slow-motion scene.

Dhum tana na na dum na dhum na hey Dhum tana na na dum na dhum na hey.

But before the plate can hit the ground, a hand shoots forward and catches it mid-air, along with all the cookies, safe and sound. My eyes widen even more.

“Wow, sir” I say, looking at his friend in complete amazement. “You are amazing” I add, carried away by the moment.

He smiles proudly, clearly enjoying the praise and places the plate on the table while fixing his collar confidently.

I turn my head and my smile fades. His eyes are stuck on me. Arey, bach gayi aapki cookies. Aise ghoorna band karo.

(Hey, your cookies are safe. Stop staring like that)

“Ghoorna band karo, Noor. It’s bad manners. Waise yeh Noor aur Hoor dono hai” my subconscious says, making me give him a are-you-out-of-your-mind look.

(Stop staring, Noor. It’s bad manners. Though honestly, he’s both light and a heavenly beauty)

Hoor nahi Hoora. I turn to move inside the room but he stops me with his voice.

“Make another coffee for me” he says.

I look at him, confused, my brows knitting together. But apart from being confused, there is nothing else I can really do.

I nod, take his cup and move back to prepare another one.

“By the way, did you come to know that India’s most handsome man award is won by your enemy’s son?” Laksh sir says casually.

I keep quiet, pretending to focus on the coffee. Ohhh, so he has handsome enemies, unlike him, I think silently.

I take the cup and move toward the table, placing it neatly in front of him.

“No one has seen my boss till now, that’s why he won the award” Grover says confidently.

A laugh escapes my mouth before I can stop it. I immediately shut my lips, eyes widening in horror at my own mistake.

He looks at me with his head tilted, his gaze sharp and questioning. I pretend he doesn’t exist.

“Hahaha, Grover, boss ke chamche” Laksh says, laughing. Mere hisse ka bhi yahi has le rahe hai.

“You tell me, is he handsome?” Laksh sir asks me.

I control my laughter and am about to shake my head but I stop mid-movement. His eyes drill straight into my soul, freezing me in place.

“Don’t be scared of him” Laksh says, still laughing.

Sir, aap zinda bach jaoge sach bolne ke baad, par main nahi. Aur meri to ab tak shaadi bhi nahi hui hai. Abhi shaadi karungi, honeymoon manaungi, career banaungi aur phir bacche bhi, I think to myself in panic.

(Sir, you’ll survive after speaking the truth but I won’t. I’m not even married yet. First I’ll get married, then go on a honeymoon, build my career and then have kids)

When I come out of my thoughts, I see everyone staring at me, waiting for an answer.

“I’m coming” I say quickly, my voice rushed. I turn and walk out of the balcony, then move inside his room, my heart still racing.

Jaan boojh kar aise sawaal pooch rahe hain sab mujhse, taaki main kuch galat jawab doon aur woh darinda mujhe maar de aur yeh log mujhse aage chale jaayein. Kyunki jab tak main zinda hoon na, to na khoobsurati mein, na akal mein, na kisi aur cheez mein koi mujhse aage jaa hi nahi sakta.

(Everyone is deliberately asking me such questions so that I give a wrong answer and that beast kills me and these people move ahead of me. Because as long as I’m alive no one can get ahead of me, in beauty, intelligence, or anything else)

“Haan, sahi kaha tumne, Sita. Kyunki jis race mein tum bhaag rahi ho, usmein koi bhage ga hi nahi. Kyunki yeh race zindagi mein aage jaane ki nahi, peeche jaane ki race hai” my subconscious replies.

(Yes, you’re absolutely right, Sita. Because in the race you’re running, no one will run, since this race isn’t about moving forward in life but about moving backward)

I hit my head lightly in frustration.

I turn around to leave but stop suddenly when I see Gauri Kaalver standing in front of me. His dadi.

She stands there, her posture straight, her expression cold. “Come here” she says in a cold tone and starts walking toward her room.

Why is she calling me to her room? I wonder nervously.

I walk slowly behind her, my steps hesitant. As I enter the room, I see her opening the cupboard and taking something out.

“This is your one month’s salary” she says, handing me bundle of money. I look at her, confused and shocked because she is not the one who gives the workers their salary here.

“B… but...” I try to speak. She shuts me up instantly, her look sharp.

“Just seal your mouth. Tomorrow morning, the driver will be waiting for you. Go with him back from where you have come and don’t you dare say this to anyone or else” she says, threatening me openly.

I gulp hard, fear tightening my throat. She forcefully places the money into my hand, then wipes her own hand as if touching me has dirtied her. The gesture stings more than the words.

I don’t wait even a second. I turn around and walk out of the room. Why is she kicking me out? And it’s just been one month. I can’t go from here. B…but I can’t even stay now because she has warned me.

Jitna maine socha tha yahan aane se pehle ki bas sukoon se kaam karungi, kisi se koi panga nahi loongi, utna hi museebat mein pad jaati hoon aaye din main. Aur har kisi ko yahan dushman bana liya hai maine, jo ki meri sabse badi galti hai, I think helplessly.

(The more I thought that I’d just work peacefully here and not mess with anyone, the more I keep landing in trouble every day. And I’ve made everyone my enemy here, which is my biggest mistake)

I stop suddenly when I see him coming out of his room, talking to someone on a call. My eyes fix on his face. I don’t want to leave.

He looks up, sensing my gaze. Our eyes meet. He doesn’t look away. Neither do I. Maybe… maybe this is the last eye contact we are ever going to have.