Mumbai
Jannat Villa
The continuous ringing of the phone startled Arina, who was gently stroking Haya's head. She was taken aback, quickly picking up the phone in frustration. "What's going on???" she snapped. "I've never met such a selfish person in my life! Rudraksh, I know very well that you hurt that poor girl the whole night, and now you've left her? Really disgusting!"
Rudraksh, ignoring Arina's words, calmly replied, "So, would you like to tell me if your dear Haya is alive or not?"
Taking a deep breath, Arina responded, "Whatever she is, don't worry about her," and abruptly hung up the call.
Meanwhile, Rudraksh, in his car, threw the phone aside in anger. "Maybe my family has completely lost their minds. That girl from yesterday... she's done some strange magic on everyone," he muttered, leaning his head back against the seat.
A short while later, Rudraksh's car stopped in front of a glass building. His security guard opened the door as soon as he spotted him. Rudraksh stepped out and walked straight into the building. The staff, all standing with their heads bowed, greeted him with a "Good morning," but Rudraksh didn't respond. Without a word, he walked straight to the elevator.
Rudraksh's mind was in an even worse state today than usual. Max quickly approached him and said, "Sir, the Birla Group of Industries wants to collaborate with us. I mean, they're coming here soon, and along with them, some of their associates who have solid connections in the underworld. I believe this deal could be quite profitable for us. If you approve, should I go ahead and say yes to them?"
Rudraksh, still staring at the glass window, responded coldly, "Where there's profit, Rudraksh doesn't hesitate. Arrange the meeting room." After saying that, Rudraksh made a quick phone call, "Be at Hotel Moonlight by 8 PM sharp. Don't be late." He ended the call without any further words.
A little while later, Rudraksh was sitting in the meeting room. His aura was menacing, almost palpable. His piercing blue eyes scanned every person in the room, one by one. The two women from the Birla Group were eyeing him in an almost seductive manner, and Rudraksh knew exactly what they were up to. Smiling slyly, he broke the silence, "Mr. Roop, are you here to give your presentation, or did you bring your employees just to ogle me?"
The two women froze, caught off guard by Rudraksh's directness. But just then, Roop spoke softly, "Of course, sir. Let me get straight to the point. Mr. Rudraksh, let's skip the formalities. We want you to handle this deal for us. Tonight, we have American clients coming, and we want to secure a drug deal. If you handle this for us, we will give you whatever you want in return."
Rudraksh, thinking for a moment, smiled and rubbed his forehead with his finger. "So, you want me to work for you?" he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Roop nodded in agreement.
Rudraksh let out a devilish laugh. "Rudraksh Shekhawat is my name. People work for me, not the other way around. And as for this dealâwhy are you even involved in it? Tonight's deal will be handled by one person only, and that person is Rudraksh Shekhawat. So, why waste your time?"
Everyone in the room was taken aback by his bluntness, while Max, standing nearby, smiled in approval. Roop, however, was growing angrier. He snapped, "Then why did you call us here?"
Rudraksh, still staring at the screen in front of him, responded, "Nice question, Mr. Roop, but I don't feel the need to answer every little thing. Let me make this clear: tonight's drug deal is mine. I've already figured you out, and you'll get nothing from me."
Roop, unable to hide his irritation, gritted his teeth and said, "Rudraksh Shekhawat, this insult could cost you dearly. I hear you've recently gotten married. What if your wife and family find out your dark secret?"
At that moment, Rudraksh's gaze darkened. His eyes lifted to meet Roop's, and an eerie silence filled the room. Roop, sensing something ominous, suddenly felt a chill down his spine.
Roop, trying to regain his composure, smirked and said, "Wife? I don't have a wife. I only have a girlfriend. But now that you've brought up family, I certainly don't want you walking out of here on your own two feet."
Max, sensing the growing tension, stepped forward. "Sir, we have solid relationships with the Birla Group. Making enemies with them could be costly for us. Please reconsider."
But Rudraksh wasn't having it. He casually swatted Max aside with his gun, saying, "I don't need anyone's advice. I build relationships based on my own needs. And this relationship has reached its expiration date, so it's better if it ends now."
Just as Roop was about to say something in anger, Rudraksh, without hesitation, calmly filled his head with bullets.
Suddenly, the entire room fell silent. Max knew exactly what Rudraksh would do because now the matter had touched his family, and he couldn't tolerate anything when it came to them. But when it came to his family, Rudraksh wouldn't take a single word from anyone. The two women who had been watching the scene unfold stood frozen, unable to utter a single word. They were stunned by what had just happened.
Then, without any warning, Rudraksh stepped closer to them and said, "I know I'm very hot, but sadly, you won't be able to see this hotness much longer." His presence alone was enough to make the girls lose their breath, and as he moved closer, they couldn't even manage to take in a proper breath. Rudraksh glanced at both of them one by one, and in the next moment, he emptied half of his gun's bullets into them.
Max, standing nearby, couldn't help but mutter, "Sir, this wasn't right."
Rudraksh, remaining completely calm, turned to Max and said, "I know exactly what's right and what's wrong. Don't try to teach me. These women called death upon themselves the moment they stepped into this place. Clean up this mess, and prepare for tonight. The deal must be ours no matter what."
Without even sparing Max a second glance, Rudraksh walked out, leaving everyone in stunned silence.
Jannat Villa
Everyone was sitting in Jannat Villa, and Haya had found some peace. She was happy, surrounded by everyone, when suddenly Rudraksh entered the house. He went straight to his room, and after a while, he came out ready. Mannat Ji stopped him, saying, "Wherever you're going, take Haya with you."
At Mannat Ji's words, Rudraksh paused for a moment. Then, he walked towards her and said, "Looks like my whole family needs a mental asylum. How about I get you treated at the best mental hospital in Mumbai?"
Mannat Ji, unfazed by his sarcasm, calmly replied, "It's quite clear who needs whom." She paused for a moment and then added, "Anyway, I'm not in the mood to argue. Wherever you're going, Haya will go with you."
Rudraksh casually responded, "I'm not going on a honeymoon. I'm going for a business meeting."
To this, Shivay, without raising his voice, said, "Who said wives don't accompany for business meetings?"
Rudraksh, in a relaxed tone, replied, "There's no respect for me there, and I'd prefer taking a good business partner instead of your dear daughter-in-law."
Haya glared at him sharply, but then, Rudraksh's mind seemed to change. With a calm expression, he said, "So, you all want me to take her with me?"
Mannat Ji, without hesitation, said, "Yes, you heard it right."
Rudraksh sat down and, after a pause, said, "Okay, you've got five minutes. Get ready and come downstairs."
Everyone was shocked by his sudden consent, but for now, it was a reliefâhe was willing to take Haya along. Rudraksh casually added, "It's a business meeting, so don't wear a sari. Wear something decent because, anyway, my dignity will be ruined there, and you'll only make it worse."
Haya heard his words but remained silent. At that moment, Falak quickly grabbed Haya's arm and said, "Come on, Bhabi, I'll get you ready."
And with that, Falak led Haya away to prepare. After about twenty minutes, Haya returned, and everyone's eyes froze upon her. Even Rudraksh couldn't help but stare. In a black trumpet gown, Haya looked absolutely stunning. Falak had done her dark makeup, which complemented her perfectly. Meanwhile, Haya's long curly hair cascaded down to her waist. Rudraksh let out a deep breath and said, "Haya, darling, your game is over. The innocent act you've been playing will soon be exposed for everyone to see." With a sarcastic smile, he added, "Now you'll know the name of the devil, Rudraksh Shekhawat. Saying yes to this party was a huge mistake on your part."
Seeing Rudraksh lost in thought, Mannat Ji smiled and said, "Falak, go tell Kaki to do the 'nazar utarna' (remove the evil eye) because we can confidently say that no one in all of Mumbai has the beauty of our daughter-in-law."
To this, Haya softly replied, "No, Mom, beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder."
When Haya said this, Rudraksh, not missing a beat, calmly said, "Well, now that the sermon is over, I'm running late." At his words, Haya quietly followed him without saying anything.
What will Rudraksh do next with Haya? What will happen at the party? To find out, read "The Devil's Sweet Sin."