Ekansh gazed out of the car window, taking in the long road that had finally brought him here. It had been quite the journey, and it was no wonder he hadn't wanted to come. But this work was crucial. He sighed, pushing aside the fatigue that clung to him.
Advik, his personal assistant for the last four and a half years, opened the car door. As someone who had endured Ekansh's temper on numerous occasions, Advik knew well how close he had come to being fired more than once. Ekansh's anger was unpredictable, but Advik had learned to navigate it with a mix of caution and prayer. His fear of his boss was a constant motivator to perform his duties with precision.
Ekansh stepped out of the car and glanced at the house where he'd be staying for the day. He stood for a moment, taking in its appearance as Advik joined him.
"Sir, this is where you'll be staying," Advik said, his voice polite and measured.
Ekansh gave the house a quick glance. "You found a decent place. Impressive," he said in his usual cold tone. For someone so hard to please, this was high praise. Advik let out a quiet sigh of relief. Getting Ekansh's approval was never easy; his boss was emotionally detached, rarely impressed by anyone or anything.
"You told me to find something different, something you'd prefer," Advik explained, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I really worked overtime to find this place. It's not easy to find a mansion that fits your taste in this area."
Ekansh nodded, dismissing the praise with a sigh. He had instructed Advik to ensure his accommodation was both luxurious and comfortable, as he didn't want any inconvenience. Advik had done his job well, and that's why he was still employed, despite his occasionally annoying demeanor.
"You did well. I'll head inside," Ekansh said, walking toward the entrance of the mansion. It was an impressive estate, a bit removed from the main village but conveniently close to the city, perfect for their business needs.
Advik watched him, astonished that after all the trouble it took to find this place, all Ekansh had to say was, "You did well." He sighed, thinking he should really get a raise for the effort. But knowing his boss, that was unlikely, even if he worked himself to the bone.
Once inside, Ekansh surveyed the interior while Advik lingered in the doorway.
"You bought it, right?" Ekansh asked, his voice cold and demanding. "You know I don't like staying anywhere that isn't mine. If you haven't bought it yet, then do it. This mansion will do just fine."
Advik nodded. "Sir, I'll be visiting Mr. Raichand to discuss the project further, and also about the site."
Ekansh gave a brief nod of approval.
"I'll also prepare everything for your meeting with Mr. Raichand," Advik added, his tone as polite as ever.
"Advik," Ekansh said sharply, his expression turning serious, "I don't want any mistakes in this deal. This project is crucial for us. I expect everything to be perfect."
"Yes, sir. I'll gather all the details before your meeting. I'll make sure nothing is overlooked," Advik assured him before heading out to meet Mr. Raichand, who lived just outside the city.
Alone in the mansion, Ekansh took a moment to observe the surroundings with his usual detached expression. He turned and made his way to a room, ready to freshen up. The journey had worn him down, and the workload ahead promised to be even more exhausting.
Roohi looked at herself in the mirror with a satisfied smile, ready for their outing. Though it was nearing evening, the sun still cast a warm glow over the mid-afternoon.
"Roohi, beta, are you and Meera ready yet?" Harish called out, stepping outside with a touch of impatience. He had been waiting for what felt like an hour, but it seemed no one was ready.
"I'm ready, Chachu!" Roohi responded cheerfully, appearing with a bright smile. Harish's face softened at the sight of her.
"I'm ready too," Meera announced, joining them with a gentle smile. She looked elegant in her simple attire. She approached Roohi, who was wearing a new dress they had recently bought.
"My daughter looks beautiful," Meera said warmly, placing a kiss on Roohi's forehead. Roohi chuckled at her Aunty who just have the mother's affection.
"Of course, she does. After all, she's my niece," Harish said proudly. Meera shot him a glare, causing him to look away nervously. Roohi giggled at the familiar dynamic between her uncle and aunt.
"Shall we go now?" Harish asked politely, eager to get on with their plans. Meera nodded, and they set out together.
The purpose of their outing was a visit to a temple located just outside the village, near the city. Meera wanted to take Roohi there, and Harish had some errands to run in the area. It was the perfect opportunity for them to spend time together.
Ekansh walked into his room, having just freshened up. He sank into a sofa with a view of the outdoors, lighting a cigarette to unwind. Dressed only in trousers, with droplets of water still glistening on his skin, he exuded a strikingly handsome aura.
He soon stood, put on his shirt, and headed outside. Settling onto the lawn, he let the breeze mix with the smoke from his cigarette. He stared into the distance, his expression neutral. His thoughts were consumed with the tasks at hand and the need to complete his work quickly so he could leave this place.
Roohi and Meera had just completed their puja at the temple. As they stepped outside, Roohi's eyes sparkled with excitement as she took in the surroundings. Meera, smiling fondly at her, was ready to head home. Harish had stayed behind to finish some errands nearby.
Meera turned to Roohi and said gently, "Roohi beta, let's head home."
Roohi's excitement was palpable, but she hesitated. "Chachi, I want to stay here with Chachu."
Meera's smile remained warm but firm. "Chachu has gone to buy a few things and will be late. We need to go now."
Roohi's determination was clear. "I'll return with Chachu. I promise I'll be home before nightfall."
Meera sighed but saw the earnest look on Roohi's face. After a moment, she agreed. "Alright, but you must stay with Chachu and not wander off. Promise?"
Roohi nodded eagerly. "I promise."
Meera pointed towards Harish, who was engaged in conversation with someone. "Stay close to Chachu and make sure you return before dark."
Roohi beta your Chachu is there, go there don't go anywhere else Meera said with a warm smile and gestured towards where Harish talking to a person and told Roohi to go and Roohi nodded.
Roohi nodded again, her face bright with relief. As Meera headed home, Roohi made her way towards Harish, ready to accompany him.
Roohi followed her Chachu, who was heading further down the street to run an errand. As she trailed behind him, she spotted an enormous mansion, far grander than the house she had seen in her village. As dusk began to settle, the mansion's grandeur seemed even more enchanting.
Captivated, Roohi glanced around for her Chachu but noticed he was no longer in sight. She recalled his warning not to wander, but her fascination with the mansion was too strong to ignore. Determined to explore, she reassured herself that she would be quick and return before dark.
Roohi approached the mansion, her eyes wide with wonder. The garden was beautifully manicured, and the door stood invitingly open. Excitement bubbled inside her as she stepped through the entrance.
Roohi looked inside that mansion and hesitated to step in and she stepped in walking fruthure little and The marble floors gleamed under the soft light, and she marveled at the elegant furnishings. She ran her fingers over the luxurious sofa, her eyes sparkling with delight.
As Roohi continued exploring, she looked up at the magnificent chandelier, its crystals catching the light in a dazzling display and Roohi eye's sperkled at the light.
"I've never seen anything like this," she murmured, awestruck by the beauty around her. She admired the artwork on the walls, her fingers tracing the intricate designs.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed through the house. Roohi's heart raced in panic. She realized she might be caught and feared being scolded or punished for intruding. Her anxiety grew as she heard the footsteps getting closer.
In a rush of fear, Roohi darted behind a large pillar near a massive sofa, crouching low to hide. Her breath came in quick, shallow gasps as she tried to stay as silent as possible, hoping not to be discovered.
Ekansh descended the stairs with a resolute expression and sank into the sofa and looked at his file but he looked up from the file. A change in the atmosphere caught his attention-a refreshing, new fragrance filled the room, creating a calming effect. He inhaled deeply, letting the scent wash over him. It was a pure, invigorating sensation, far more relaxing than any cigarette he had ever smoked, what is he doing, comparing this, which is fragrance of pure wind to a cigarette, it's not great. He leaned back, a faint smile tugging at his lips. This feeling was new and incomparable, a sensation he could scarcely believe. Shaking his head in mild disbelief, he refocused on the file in his hands.
From her hiding place behind the sofa, Roohi watched as a man came down the stairs and took a seat. For a moment, she was captivated by his handsome features. However, when he looked up from his file, her heart raced with fear. Was it possible he had seen her? She quickly ducked further behind the sofa, her heartbeat pounding in her ears. As he glanced around briefly and then returned to his file, Roohi let out a quiet sigh of relief. She scolded herself softly for the noise she had made, hoping he hadn't heard.
She remained hidden, waiting for the man to leave so she could slip out unnoticed. The shadows of night were beginning to creep into the mansion, and Roohi knew she needed to leave soon.
Ekansh glanced at the file one last time before closing it. He took in the fresh fragrance that filled the room and looked outside, noting the dusky sky and the approaching rain. Rising from his seat, he headed toward his room but halted when he noticed the door was ajar.
"Idiot left the door open. Why haven't I fired him yet?" Ekansh muttered coldly, reprimanding Advik in his mind. He walked over to the door, closed it, and locked it securely before continuing to his room.
From her hiding spot behind the sofa, Roohi watched anxiously as the man closed his file and glanced outside. She felt a wave of relief as he seemed to leave. However, her relief turned to panic when he suddenly stopped, turned back, and locked the door. Her eyes widened in fear, tears welling up as she realized she was trapped.
Roohi approached the door quietly, her hands trembling as she tried to turn the handle. When the door refused to budge, her fear grew, and she began to panic, thinking she might be trapped. She tugged at the handle repeatedly, but it remained locked. Tears welled up in her eyes, and her sobs grew louder with each failed attempt. Her hands shook uncontrollably as she continued to try, and her fear turned into desperate cries.
The sky outside lit up with flashes of lightning, and Roohi flinched, retreating from the door. Thunder rumbled in the distance, making her cry out in fright. She quickly stifled her cries, worried that the noise might attract attention.
In a state of panic, Roohi backed away from the door and ran behind the sofa in the nearby room. She huddled there, tears streaming down her face, as she silently regretted her decision to explore the mansion. As the storm outside intensified, she wrapped her arms around herself for comfort, trying to suppress her sobs amid the howling wind and pouring rain.
Eventually, exhaustion overwhelmed her, and despite her fear, Roohi fell into a restless sleep, her cries fading away as the storm continued to rage outside.
Meera sat anxiously by the window, her heart heavy with worry. It was getting darker, and Roohi still hadn't returned. The shadows of the night only deepened her fear as she sat on the sofa, her mind spinning with dread.
When Harish entered the house with a sigh, he immediately noticed the tense atmosphere. Spotting Meera's troubled expression, he frowned and approached her.
"Meera, what's wrong?" he asked, his tone filled with concern.
Meera glanced up at him, her eyes filled with worry. She quickly scanned the room, expecting to see Roohi with him, but her heart sank further when she realized Roohi wasn't there.
"Harish... where's Roohi?" she asked, her voice trembling with fear. Harish looked confused.
"What do you mean? Wasn't she with you?" he replied, his own worry beginning to surface.
Meera's face paled. "I left her there... I thought she would come back with you," she stammered, tears welling up in her eyes. Her mind struggled to process the situation, panic slowly setting in. Harish's frown deepened, now mirroring her alarm.
"Meera, why would Roohi be with me? I thought she was with you this whole time!" Harish's voice grew more anxious as the realization hit him.
Tears began to stream down Meera's face. "I told her to stay with you while I handled something. I saw you talking with someone and assumed she'd be safe with you. I told her not to go anywhere... I thought she was with you," she explained, her voice breaking as guilt consumed her.
Harish stepped back, shaken. "She never came to me, Meera. I had no idea she was left behind," he said, fear now clear in his voice. "Where could she be?"
Meera's sobs intensified. "Oh God, Harish, what have I done? I left my child behind. She must be so scared," she cried, her voice filled with despair.
Harish pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly as she wept. "Meera, listen to me. We'll find her, okay? We can't lose hope now," he reassured her, though the fear in his own voice was unmistakable.
"I'm going to search for her right now," Harish said, his expression hardening with determination as he moved toward the door.
"I'm coming with you. This is my fault. I can't just sit here and do nothing," Meera insisted, wiping her tears and straightening her posture. Her voice trembled, but her resolve was clear.
Harish nodded, grabbing his coat as they prepared to leave. Just as they reached the door, the sky cracked with lightning, followed by the heavy downpour of rain. Thunder rumbled ominously, and they paused at the entrance, watching as the storm grew fiercer.
"We'll have to wait for the rain to ease," Harish said, frustration evident in his voice as they stood there helpless, both filled with fear and desperation, praying the storm would subside soon so they could go out and find Roohi.
Ekansh sat on the edge of the bed, listening to the steady rhythm of rain pattering against the windows. He sighed deeply, his mind briefly wandering to the unfinished work that awaited him. The thought of having to complete it and return weighed heavily on him. Pushing it aside for now, he leaned back onto the bed, allowing the soothing sound of the rain to ease his tension. Within moments, the steady downpour lulled him into a deep, much-needed sleep with outside rain pouring.