Inside the Mukhiya Bhavan, Anay was seated on the grand, intricately carved chair of the village head. A deep thought lingered in his eyes, while Rudransh Rajvansh, brimming with confidence, laid out the blueprint of his ambitious project before him. Behind Rudransh stood his assistant, whose eyes sparkled with business-like sharpness.
"You must understand by now, Mukhiya ji," Rudransh concluded with firm conviction, "we want to build a dam in the village that will not only solve water and electricity problems but will also ensure no harm to the environment. It will be a harmony of development and nature."
Shrey, who had been casually blowing smoke rings, suddenly grew serious. His brows furrowed as he looked at Anay and said, "But for us, it's nothing but a loss." He took a drag from his cigarette and slowly exhaled the smoke.
Rudransh was taken aback. "I'm sorry, I don't follow. I'm willing to pay the full price for the land—whatever you ask. Then how is it a loss?"
Shrey took another drag and glanced at Anay as if waiting for his cue. "We can get a price from anyone," he reasoned. "Then why give it to you specifically?"
Rudransh fell silent for a moment, peering into Shrey's eyes, trying to gauge his intentions.
Just then, Rudransh's assistant stepped forward with a slick smile. "Sir, if you wish, we can please you with both wine and women…"
The temperature in the room seemed to drop suddenly, a chill settling in.
Anay Thakur didn't even look at the man. His voice was cold and sharp. "Anay Thakur doesn't deal in women. I'm not that kind of man."
Rudransh clenched his fists. He was angry but kept himself in check. Taking a deep breath, he smiled and said, "I don't trade women either..." Then he shot a piercing glance at Virat, who looked startled and quickly dropped his gaze.
Shrey blew another smoke ring, his eyes fixed on Rudransh. "We don't believe in beating around the bush," he said bluntly. "If you want to build that dam, we want 50% of your company's shares... and the dam will be named after Anay Thakur. That's our demand."
Rudransh's fists tightened further. This was a massive ask. His dream, his project—now at risk of becoming a puppet in Anay Thakur's hands. But he needed the project no matter what. He thought for a while, conflict clear on his face. Finally, he took a deep breath and said, "I agree."
Anay studied him carefully, trying to read something in his expression. Then without showing any emotion, he nodded and signed the papers. Rudransh looked momentarily relieved, as though he had just overcome a major hurdle.
As soon as he stepped outside, Rudransh pulled out his phone to call Advika. She was the first person he wanted to share the news with. But no one picked up.
"I wanted to share this joy with you first…" he muttered to himself, lowering the phone. "We're very close to our goal… and I know exactly who I need now…" A mysterious smile spread across his face as he turned back toward the Mukhiya Bhavan.
Anay Thakur, still thinking about how easily Rudransh had agreed, was surprised to see him walk back in. His brows rose, and his eyes were full of questions.
"Second thoughts, Mr. Rajvansh? Want to back out?" Shrey asked sarcastically.
Rudransh replied calmly, "Rudransh Rajvansh never backs out of a decision. Actually… my car broke down, and I'm not familiar with the area. Can you give me the number of a mechanic?"
Anay stared at him for a moment, then asked, "Where are you staying?"
"Hotel Sunshine," Rudransh replied.
"But that's quite far from here…" Anay said.
"Yes, it is… but your Thakurpur has a severe hotel shortage," Rudransh joked lightly.
"Well, we're Thakurs… and we know how to treat our guests. Since we're business partners now, you'll stay with us at our haveli," Anay said.
"There's no need for such a favor, Anay Thakur…" Rudransh said firmly. "Rudransh Rajvansh doesn't accept favors."
Anay stared deeper at him and asked, "Then what will you give us in return?"
"I'll pay rent for the time I stay at the haveli… If that's acceptable, I'm ready to come," Rudransh answered.
Anay thought for a moment and then said to Shrey, "Shrey, have his stuff sent to the haveli…" and walked out without looking back at Rudransh. Rudransh quietly followed him.
Anay sent a car with Rudransh to the haveli and went to his rice mill, which he had been managing on his own.
Meanwhile, Advika, after finishing her daily chores, stepped outside to get some air. The golden rays of the sun were fading, and the breeze was gently cooling. As soon as she stepped out the door, someone suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her into a secluded corner. She was startled and raised her other hand to strike the stranger when a familiar voice said anxiously, "Advika… it's me, Rudransh…"
Her eyes turned red with anger. "Is this how you grab someone's hand?" she growled.
Rudransh quickly let go. "Sorry… I shouldn't have done that. I just didn't want anyone to see us, that's all…" he explained. "Anyway, I came to give you some good news."
Advika glanced around. "Wait a minute… you're in the Thakur haveli? What are you doing here? If someone sees—"
Rudransh shrugged nonchalantly. "Doesn't matter. Anay Thakur brought me here."
"Thakur sahib…?" Advika muttered in disbelief.
"What?" Rudransh asked. He hadn't heard her whisper.
"Nothing…" she said quickly. "Tell me, did the deal go through?"
"Yes, it did," Rudransh said with a victorious smile. "But he took 50% of the shares and the project will be in his name…" His smile faded slightly.
Advika raised an eyebrow and said with sarcasm, "These Thakurs never change, do they?" A trace of bitterness in her voice.
"What difference does it make…" Rudransh said, a hint of detachment on his face. "We only care about the dam, not whose name is on it. Anyway, I should go now. If anyone sees us, it'll be trouble…" With that, he turned quickly and went back inside.
Advika shook her head and wandered off to the garden behind the haveli. She didn't have any more chores left, but it wasn't time to go home yet. A while later, Moli joined her after finishing her tasks. The two sat, pulling weeds and chatting, finding a little peace after the day's exhaustion.
By 9 PM, Advika's work hours were over. She went to look for Moli to go home. She had last seen her in the garden taking tea to the elder mistress. Just as she stepped past the haveli threshold, she saw Anay Thakur's jeep approaching quickly. She tried to avoid him and hurried outside.
But Anay spotted her. He stopped the car and called out, "Hey, listen…"
Reluctantly, Advika turned around.
"Did you finish what I asked this morning?" Anay asked, a playful glint in his eyes.
"Yes, I cooked for you…" she replied curtly.
"So that's it? Just cooking? Not serving?" Anay raised his eyebrows.
"But my shift is over now…" she pointed to her watch.
Anay checked his own and said, "Stay for half an hour… serve me dinner and then go. I'll pay extra."
"I don't want it…" she replied instantly.
"But I want to give it…" Anay suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her inside.
"What are you doing…?" she protested, trying to free herself. "I said I need to go home… You can't do this…"
Anay said nothing and led her straight to the kitchen. "Go, serve the food in my room… and don't try to run… or we'll drag you from your home too."
Advika gritted her teeth in anger but knew arguing was pointless.
Anay went to his room, washed up, and sat on the sofa scrolling through his phone.
Advika brought the food and placed the plate in front of him, but Anay didn't budge. He remained glued to his phone.
Irritated, Advika muttered to herself, "What kind of person is this… do I have to spoon-feed him now?" Then louder, "Excuse me, please eat your dinner…"
Anay ignored her, eyes still fixed on his screen.
"Can't you hear? I said eat your food…" she raised her voice a little.
Anay looked at her for a second, then returned to his phone.
She was about to say something else but held back. Maybe he wanted something else... After a pause, she spoke softly, "Thakur sahib…"
Anay smiled mischievously. "Yes, go ahead…"
"Please eat… I need to go home…" she said gently.
"There's more than enough food. You eat too…" he gestured toward the plate.
"No, I'll eat at home…" she refused, her eyes still on the door.
"I can't eat alone…" Anay said casually, still glued to his phone. "So either eat, or stay standing all night…"
"Now you're being forceful…" she protested.
Anay shrugged indifferently, as if he didn't care.
Fuming, she sat down on the sofa across from him, removed her dupatta, and quietly began eating. But her sharp eyes were fixed on Anay. She couldn't figure out what this man wanted. She thought maybe he just wanted an excuse to look at her face. But Anay never once lifted his eyes to her.
She watched him in confusion. What kind of man is this? she wondered. She had assumed he wanted to see her up close, but he didn't even glance her way once.
After finishing, Anay washed up and went back to his phone.
Advika also washed her hands, covered her face, and picked up the plate to leave. As she was about to step out, Anay said— "Listen…"
She turned around.
"They're waiting outside. Come on… I'll have you dropped home."
Advika stared at him, stunned. One moment he was forcing her to stay, and the next he hadn't even looked at her once… and now he was offering to escort her home?
To be continued…..