The Sinister

26.

“Mere jaisi acchi aur masum biwi mili hai is liye aysi harkatein karte hai. Agar koi ulti sidhi milti na, tab akal thikane aati” I say in frustration, my lips pressing into a thin line as anger burns inside my chest.

(He behaves like this because he gets a good and innocent wife like me. If he had gotten someone difficult, he would have come to his senses)

I'm angry maybe at him or maybe at myself. Because the way he behaves last night is not something I ever expect from him not even in my wildest dreams.

I look at myself in the mirror, my fingers trembling slightly as I apply sindoor in the parting of my hair. The bright red color stares back at me, reminding me of the bond that now feels so confusing.

I quietly place the necessary things in my bag.

“Wahi na, itni acchi biwi ki couch par sulati hai pati ko. Room se dhakka to nahi mara na aur aap apne wildest dream me to zay....” my subconscious starts speaking.

(Right, such a good wife you are. You make your husband sleep on the couch. At least you didn’t push him out of the room… and in your wildest dreams, you were about to make Zay…)

“Shut the hell up” I snap loudly, my eyes widening in shock at my own thoughts. I quickly shake my head.

My fingers curl tightly around the strap of my bag as I force myself to breathe normally.

He goes to work early in the morning without informing me. Fine. From now on, I will not inform him about my whereabouts either, I think bitterly, lifting my chin slightly.

I walk out of the room, my steps firm but my heart still restless. I stop near Kanha’s idol and fold my hands, lowering my gaze respectfully. I close my eyes and whisper a silent prayer, seeking strength, seeking peace, seeking answers I don’t have.

I take Kanha’s blessings and open the door, stepping outside. But suddenly, I freeze in my tracks when I hear loud voices coming from downstairs. My brows pull together in confusion and I tilt my head slightly, trying to understand what is happening.

“Kahi bhukamp to nahi aaya na” I whisper to myself, gripping my bag strap tightly.

(Did an earthquake happen or something?

“But mai soti hu, mar thodi na jati hu ki bhukamp aaye ga aur mujhe pata bhi nahi chale ga” I mumble under my breath, frowning slightly at my own ridiculous thought.

(But I was sleeping not dead, that an earthquake would come and I wouldn’t even know)

“Om, Yuv” I call out, my voice echoing softly as I see them walking downstairs casually, completely relaxed, as if nothing unusual is happening.

“Yes, bhabhi” they both reply instantly, their faces lighting up with mischief as they rush toward me like excited monkeys.

“What is happening downstairs?” I ask, my voice filled with confusion as my brows pull together tightly.

They both suddenly stop and look at me with wide, stunned eyes, as if they are seeing something unbelievable. Their mouths part slightly and for a moment, they just stare at me like I am Miss Universe. Ab manti hu khubsurat hu, par itni bhi nahi… balki is se jada hu, huh.

(I accept that I am beautiful, but not this much… actually, even more than this)

“Bhabhi, aapko pata nahi hai aapke pati ne subha subha konsa bomb phoda” Yuv says dramatically, his eyes shining with excitement.

(Bhabhi, you don’t know what kind of bomb your husband has dropped early in the morning)

My eyes narrow instantly, and suspicion fills my mind. To jaldi subha is liye uthe the ye taki bomb phod sake, par Diwali me to time hai abhi.

(So he wakes up early just to drop bombs but Diwali is still far away)

“He gives police proof that Bade Papa is running illegal business in different parts of the city. He also gives proof against the Kaalver Empire to the police and now everything is a mess” Om explains seriously, his voice calm but firm.

I stand there frozen, my eyes widening slowly as I absorb his words. I hear everything with my khargosh jaise kaan, my senses suddenly sharp and alert.

“B… but why does he do all this? And you guys are so chill… like how?” I ask, my voice trembling slightly as confusion and disbelief mix inside me.

They both suddenly grin shyly, lowering their gazes like new brides or maybe even shyer than new brides. Yuv hides his face in Om’s shoulder, his ears turning slightly red.

“Ab bhabhi, hame ye sab baate batane me sharm aati hai” Yug says shyly, his voice muffled as he presses his face deeper into Om’s shoulder.

(Bhabhi, we feel shy to tell you all this)

I stare at him with narrowed eyes, giving him a clear “ye meri harkate kaise sikhi tumne” look.

(How did you learn my habits?)

“Bhabhi, aap apne husband se hi puch lo kiun kia unhone aysa” Om says teasingly, watching my reaction carefully.

(Bhabhi, you should ask your husband why he does this)

“Never” I snap instantly, shaking my head hard as anger flashes in my eyes.

“I’ll not ask him anything nor will I talk to him because he is darinda… a real darindaaaaaa” I say through clenched teeth, my hands curling into fists as rage.

(He is a monster… a real monster)

Without waiting for their reply, I turn sharply and start walking downstairs, my steps fast. My heart pounding loudly in my chest as anger completely takes over me.

“Angry at him because he goes to work without informing you” my subconscious says. I inhale deeply, filling my lungs with air as I try to calm the storm rising inside my chest.

“Jhute admi ki jhuti aurat” I hear Om and Yuv’s teasing voices behind me as they walk downstairs after me.

(Wife of a liar is a liar too)

I stop mid-step and turn my head slowly, giving them a sharp don’t mess with me look, my eyes narrowing into dangerous slits. They immediately grin innocently, their faces pretending purity but the mischief still dances clearly in their eyes.

As I reach downstairs, my steps slow down on their own. My eyes fall on everyone present there. Papers and files are scattered everywhere, some held tightly in nervous hands, some lying open on the table. Workers move around restlessly.

The entire Kaalver family is present… except him. They all look tense, their faces pale, their brows tight, as if someone has completely snatched away their peace and left them drowning in chaos.

I ignore them all without sparing a second glance and walk straight outside. The fresh air hits my face. I open the car door and sit inside.

“Where is your boss?” I ask grover. He looks at me through the rearview mirror for a second, then silently looks back at the road, continuing to drive as if he hears nothing.

“Lagta hai Tara ne kal chata mara hai, bechare ka kaan kaam nahi kar raha hai” I mumble under my breath, my lips twisting slightly.

(Looks like Tara slapped him yesterday, the poor man’s ears are not working)

Before I can open my mouth to say something again, he suddenly hands me his phone.

I blink in confusion, my brows furrowing slightly but I still take the phone from his hand.

Maybe Elon Musk wants to talk to me. Uff, I am busy right now but let me give him my time, rolling my eyes at my own thoughts.

I place the phone against my ear. But before I can say anything, his voice comes from the other side. My fingers tighten slightly around the phone.

“Grover” he says in his rough morning voice, deep and heavy, sending a strange shiver down my spine.

I gulp slowly, my throat suddenly feeling dry. My toes curl slightly inside my sandals without my control. He goes silent for a moment… just like me.

“Madam ji” he says. And this time, I can feel it. He is smiling. My stomach twists suddenly, exploding with an unknown sensation I cannot name, something warm and dangerous spreading inside me.

Panicking, overwhelmed and completely unable to handle this so early in the morning, I immediately cut the call, my thumb pressing the screen quickly as my heart continues to beat wildly inside my chest.

“Grover, what is this behaviour?” I say sharply, handing him the phone, my brows pulled together and my lips pressed tightly in irritation. He quietly takes the phone from my hand, his fingers careful and respectful.

“Ma’am, you were missing boss, that’s why I call him” he says innocently.

I glare at him immediately, my eyes narrowing dangerously. My glare, the one no one ever takes seriously.

“Tara ko tumhare khilaf bhadkati hu mai, ruko” I say threateningly, lifting my chin slightly.

(I will provoke Tara against you, just wait)

His eyes widen instantly in pure horror and he shakes his head quickly like a scared child.

“Ma’am, please don’ttttt” he says, making a dramatic crying face, his lips trembling and brows lifting helplessly. My eyes widen in surprise. Grover turns out to be human. I thought he was a robot.

“She is already angry with me because boss called me last night and gave me work and we were not able to spend time” he says sadly, his shoulders dropping slightly as disappointment fills his voice. Oh… poor people.

“Khud to unromantic hai aur dusre ke romance me bhi tang ada dete hai” I mumble under my breath, my nose scrunching in anger.

(He himself is unromantic and also interferes in others’ romance)

“Or maybe you are angry because he doesn’t do “aji sunte ho” “Ha ji sunte hai” with you” my subconscious whispers mockingly.

(“Listen, dear” “Yes, dear, I am listening”)

I take a deep breath and close my eyes for a second. Control, Sita. Control.

“By the way, what does your boss do with his family?” I ask seriously, my voice calmer now but my curiosity sharp.

“Ma’am, we are here” he says instead, stopping the car gently. I blink and look outside the window. Oh… we are already here.

Before I can say anything or ask him anything, he quickly runs out of the car and opens the door on my side.

“Ye Tara ka lohe ka khamba mujhe nahi bataye ga. Boss ka chamcha jo thahra” I mumble under my breath, narrowing my eyes at him.

(This iron pole of Tara will not tell me anything. After all, he is boss’s loyal servant)

I step out of the car and walk inside the school, a small smile appearing on my face as I look around.

“I’ll come to pick you up, ma’am” he says from behind respectfully. I shake my head immediately.

“No, baba will come because we are going to the mandir. And don’t tell this to your boss” I say, raising my index finger and pointing it at him warningly, my eyes narrowing slightly.

(No, father will come because we are going to the temple. And don’t tell this to your boss)

He just stands there silently, his face blank, giving no reaction and no answer, like a statue.

I turn away and enter inside the school building, walking straight toward the staff room.

As I enter, my eyes scan the room. There are many talented teachers here, I must say. They all look professional and confident. But no one talks to me. No one smiles at me. Because I am his wife. Everyone knows it. And everyone keeps their distance from me.

I quietly walk to my table and sit down, placing my bag beside me. I look at my schedule, trying to focus on my work, trying to ignore the invisible wall they all build around me. But suddenly, someone taps lightly on my table.

“Miss Sita” I hear a male voice. I look up and see a man around twenty eight or twenty nine standing in front of me. He is wearing glasses and his face looks calm and polite.

“I am Manas, your colleague” he says gently. A small genuine smile appears on my face. I immediately stand up from my chair.

“Hello, nice to meet you” I say politely, though I can feel the eyes of others on both of us, watching silently, judging silently.

“If you need any help here, feel free to ask” he says kindly before walking back toward his table. I nod my head happily, feeling a small warmth in my chest.

“Thank you” I say softly.

I pick up my things and walk out of the staff room to attend my class, my steps lighter than before. Maybe… not everyone is bad here.

Zayran leans against his car casually, his tall frame relaxed as he twists and turns his lighter between his fingers again and again. His gaze stays fixed on the ground and the tiniest smile rests on his lips.

A man lies dead in front of him on the rough road. His blood spreads everywhere, dark and thick, staining the ground beneath him. A gun rests loosely in his lifeless hand. And bullets pierce through both of his eyes, leaving behind a horrifying silence.

“Why does he kill himself?” Zayran asks slowly, his voice calm and almost curious. He lights his cigarette and brings it to his lips, taking a slow, deep puff. The road stays silent. Because he is here.

“Because he looks at a woman with dirty eyes, so he beats himself for that and shoots his own eyes” Grover says, walking toward Zayran with steady steps.

“Tch… tch… tch…” Zayran murmurs, shaking his head slightly. He takes another slow puff of his cigarette, the smoke escaping his lips smoothly into the air.

“You are right, boss. He was not Raze. He was just playing with you. Raze is someone else” Grover says carefully. Zayran says nothing.

He just stares at the dead body in front of him, his eyes dark and deep, his mind thinking something far beyond what anyone can understand.

“Boss, the Kaalver Empire is everywhere on the news” Grover adds again. A slow smile appears on Zayran’s lips. He turns around calmly and sits inside the car.

“Poor people are facing so many things in their life” he says innocently. Grover immediately starts the car.

“Where is Laksh?” Zayran asks, taking out his phone and glancing at the blank screen.

“He is out of the country, boss, for some urgent work” Grover replies.

Zayran nods his head slightly.

“Madam is going to the temple today with her family because her father arranges langar for poor and homeless people” Grover says.

Zayran’s movements stop. His fingers freeze around his phone. Slowly, he turns his head and looks outside the window, his eyes turning thoughtful, darker than before.

“Let’s go there” he orders. Grover nods his head obediently. He wants to say that they have an important meeting. But he chooses to stay quiet.

His cars stop outside the parking area and people immediately start moving away, already knowing who is here. Fear spreads silently in the air. Some people whisper in fear, their eyes lowering, while some whisper in anger, their faces filled with hatred.

“Is jaise papi ko mandir me ghusne hi nahi dena chahiye” a man says quietly to his family as they walk farther away from his car, protecting his loved ones from even his shadow.

(A sinner like him should not even be allowed to enter the temple)

Zayran steps out of the car. His face stays expressionless as he wears his shades, hiding his dark eyes behind the cold glass. His presence alone makes the air heavier.

He starts walking toward the temple stairs with slow steps. Grover walks behind him and his other guards stay alert behind them.

As Zayran walks upstairs, he suddenly places his right palm on the hard concrete railing. His fingers press tightly against the rough surface.

Then he slowly drags his palm along the railing. Hard. The concrete cuts into his skin mercilessly.

Grover looks at his boss in confusion, his brows furrowing slightly as he tries to understand what he is doing. But no one can understand him. No one ever can.

By the time Zayran reaches the top of the stairs, his palm is already slightly bleeding. Small scratches cover his skin and thin lines of blood appear.

But his face stays calm. He feels nothing. His eyes slowly scan the temple, searching, looking for the woman for whom he enters the temple for the first time in his life.

And then…His eyes find her. She stands there among the children, serving them food with her own hands. Her face looks serious as she talks to them, her brows slightly pulled together, her eyes soft yet firm. His gaze freezes on her.

At the same moment, Anu and Adi notice him standing there. Their eyes widen in surprise and excitement. They immediately run toward Sita, while their jiju stands there silently, watching their dii. But she is too busy to notice him.

“Aur jab mai masti karti hu, to mere baba mujhe jail me band kar dete hai” Sita tells the kids, making a sad face as she lowers her shoulders dramatically.

(And when I do mischief, my father locks me in jail)

The kids listen to her with their full attention, their small faces turning sad instantly. Some of them gasp softly, feeling bad for her and some look scared of her baba without even knowing him.

“Jiju is here” Anu and Adi say together excitedly. Sita looks up at them in confusion, her brows pulling together slightly.

They grin teasingly and point toward a direction behind her. Her heart skips a beat. Slowly, she turns her head and looks toward where they are pointing. Her breath hitches.

He stands there. Right there. His eyes lock directly into hers. Her fingers freeze around the serving spoon as she stares at him, her mind going blank, trying to understand why he is here.

He starts walking toward her with slow, calm steps and sits down on the floor at the end, beside a small kid, his presence silent but powerful. Her eyes do not leave him for even a second.

She forces herself to move and starts serving the kids again but her hands tremble slightly now. Who tells him I am here, she thinks anxiously. Her eyes immediately move toward Grover, who stands at the side, pretending to look everywhere but her.

She glares at him sharply. He avoids her gaze completely. She looks away and moves ahead, her heart beating faster. Fear creeps inside her chest. She is scared that if her baba sees him here, he will get angry.

Zayran’s eyes never leave her face. And her trembling hands do not go unnoticed by him.

“Bhuk lagi hai hame” he says when she reaches near him, his voice deep.

(I am hungry)

She looks up at him for a moment, her eyes meeting his. Then silently, she places a plate in front of him. She serves him everything slowly, waiting for him to start eating. But he does not. He just keeps looking at her.

“Chot lagi hai hamare hath me” he says and shows her his palm.

(My hand is injured)

She looks at his palm. Her eyes blink in confusion. “To ham kya kare” she says blankly as she places the serving pots back in their place.

(So what should I do?)

Then she walks toward him again. She sits down beside him slowly. A faint smile forms on his lips as he watches her. She grabs the plate with slightly trembling fingers and makes a small bite with her hand. Her heart races wildly inside her chest. She does not want to do this. Yet she is doing it.

She slowly forwards her hand toward him. He leans slightly forward and eats from her hand, his eyes never leaving her face. She cannot bear his gaze. She keeps her eyes lowered, staring only at the plate.

He turns his body completely toward her now, sitting more comfortably beside her, his entire attention focused only on her.

She feeds him another bite and only she knows how much she is controlling herself from losing her consciousness. Because the way his soft lips brush against her fingers feels out of the world for her.

His eyes never move away from her face and that constant gaze makes her heart beat faster and louder inside her chest.

“Aap yaha kaise aaye?” she finally asks, her voice almost a whisper, as she feeds him another bite.

(How did you come here?)

He chews his food slowly, his eyes still locked on her. “Jaha hamari biwi, waha ham” he says calmly.

(Where my wife is, there I am)

She immediately shakes her head at his words, her brows pulling together slightly, trying to ignore the effect his words have on her.

“Aap sab ke samne ayse baate karte hai jaise ki…” she starts speaking, her voice trembling slightly but she stops in the middle, unable to complete her sentence.

(You talk like this in front of everyone as if…)

“Jaise ki?” he asks quietly, leaning slightly closer and taking another bite from her hand.

(As if what?)

“Nothing” she says slowly, lowering her gaze.

Neither of them realizes how close they are sitting. Their presence fits together so naturally, so perfectly, like they belong beside each other.

“Aap nahi khai gi?” he asks.

(Won’t you eat?)

She looks at him, her eyes filled with unknown emotions she cannot name, emotions she does not want to accept.

“Please stop pretending like you care for me” she says quietly, feeding him another bite.

She says this because somewhere deep inside, she wants him to deny it. She wants him to tell her he is not pretending. But he is Zayran Kaalver.

He just keeps staring at her silently.

At that same moment, her parents walk out after completing the pooja. As they walk toward the backside where everyone is sitting, their steps suddenly stop. Her father’s eyes fall on them. On his daughter. Feeding him. Sitting so close to him.

His hands slowly turn into fists, his jaw tightening in anger as rage begins to burn inside his eyes.

“I’ll t...” Anil says in anger, his voice rising as he steps forward, ready to move toward them. But his wife quickly holds his arm, stopping him firmly.

“You can’t interfere in their life” she says, her grip tight yet gentle. Anil turns to look at her in disbelief, his brows furrowing deeply.

“She is my daughter and he is playing with her emotions… her innocence” he says, his voice filled with pain and helpless anger. She shakes her head slowly, her eyes soft but firm.

“She is his wife now. And he is not playing with her innocence or emotions. She herself is feeding him. And look at her… she looks calm not uncomfortable. And I am telling you again not everyone is the same, Anil” she says patiently, trying to make her husband see the truth he refuses to accept.

“Don’t see him as Zayran Kaalver… or the sinister of Velqar. Look at him as a normal human being. As your daughter’s husband” she says softly.

Anil looks at his wife silently, his eyes filled with conflict. He cannot understand how she trusts the man he hates the most. But he does not argue. He does not say anything. He just stays silent.

Meanwhile, Sita slowly stands up from the floor after feeding him. Her fingers still feel the warmth of his touch. She avoids looking at him and turns to leave.

He just sits there, watching her. He feels like he just eats the best food of his life.

“Wo apse pyar karti hai” a kid sitting beside him suddenly says innocently.

(She loves you)

Zayran turns his head and looks at the kid beside him.

“No,” Zayran says. The kid nods his head confidently.

“Wo karti hai apse pyar. Kyunki unhone aapko apne hath se khana khilaya” the kid says again while eating his kheer happily.

(She loves you. Because she fed you with her own hands)

Zayran’s eyes slowly move toward Sita. She can’t love me. No one can. He thinks silently, his chest feeling strangely heavy. Just then, his thoughts break.

“Prasad” her mother says softly, standing in front of him. She forwards a laddo toward him, a gentle smile resting on her face.

He looks at her quietly, his eyes filled with emotions he does not show. “I don’t eat it” he says and slowly stands up from the floor. She smiles gently and nods her head, not forcing him.

“Sita was telling me how you protect her from everything” her mother says softly. He looks at her with a blank face, his eyes emotionless.

“I don’t protect her” he says simply.

She chuckles softly, her eyes filled with warmth. She lifts her hand and places it gently on his face, her fingers creasing his cheek lovingly, like a mother who understands without needing words.

Maybe because she knows his pain. Maybe because she recognizes the loneliness hidden behind his silence.

“Hamesha khush raho mere bacche” she says with pure motherly love.

(Always stay happy, my child)

His eyes change slightly. He stares at her. She walks away slowly, leaving him standing there alone. This is the first time someone gives him blessings instead of curses. And he feels strange.

“Hmmm… I see you really make my entire family fool” Anil says coldly as he comes and stands in front of him. Zayran looks at him calmly.

“But not for too long. Just one week. And she will divorce you and come back to me. And you can’t stop her” Anil says firmly, his voice filled with confidence and anger.

Zayran tilts his head slightly. A slow smile automatically appears on his lips.

“She deserves someone better. And I already found that person” Anil says again. This time, Zayran’s eyes turn dark.

“Sasur ji, how cruel you are” he says, his voice soft but sharp like a hidden blade. “What if I tell you that your wife will look good with another man, not with you? Will you like it?” His words hit Anil hard. Anil glares at him with burning anger, his fists clenching tightly beside him.

“I will not stop her. I will not force her. I will not say a single word to her. And still… she will not leave me. Mark Zayran Kaalver’s words” he says confidently, a slow smirk forming on his lips at the end. His eyes shine with dangerous certainty.

“Let’s see” Anil replies coldly. Zayran says nothing more. He simply turns away and starts walking toward her, leaving Anil standing there alone with his anger.

Sorryyyyy I'm supperrrr late I'm so sorry.

Love you??