THE RULERS OF KHANSAAR ( PART 1 COMPLETED, PART 2 IS LOADING )

71

Dealer : Varadha ! My brother  ! 

Varadha : How are you ? 

Dealer : I'm good and how are you ? 

Without hesitation, Varadha embraced him, the years between them melting away. They sat down, their conversation flowing effortlessly as they reminisced about old times, business deals, and the bond they had once shared.

After a while, the dealer leaned back and asked, 

Dealer : And how's bhabhi and beti ? 

Varadha's expression softened. 

Varadha : They are fine.

He replied. Then, turning to a nearby worker, he instructed, 

Varadha : Go and call Aarathrika. Tell her to bring Shivadha too.

The worker nodded politely and left. He made his way to the garden, where Aarathrika was engaged in a serious discussion. Several women stood before her, their faces tense with worry and sadness.

Woman 1 : He hit me again last night, Amma.

 one of them spoke hesitantly. 

Woman 1 : I tried to stop him, but he was too drunk. I don't know what to do.

Another woman added, 

Woman 2 : My husband, he works under Kartha. He doesn't respect me. We all came to you because we know your word matters. You are our bhabhi. If you tell them, they will listen.

Aarathrika listened intently, her expression unreadable. Finally, she spoke with quiet authority. 

Aarathrika : You are right. They will listen. I will make sure they do. No woman should suffer like this. Trust me, I will do something.

The women nodded, relief evident on their faces. Just then, the worker approached her and respectfully relayed Varadha's message.

Aarathrika gave a nod and turned to the women. 

Aarathrika : We will speak again soon. Don't lose hope.

She took Shivadha's hand and walked towards the meeting hall. As soon as they entered, the dealer stood up and greeted her. 

Dealer :Namasthey, bhabhi.

Aarathrika returned the gesture with a slight smile. 

Aarathrika : Namasthey.

The dealer then turned his attention to Shivadha. 

Dealer : And what about you, little princess ? Do you know who I am ? 

Shivadha tilted her head curiously before replying in her small, confident voice, 

Shivadha : Nanna's friend ? 

The men laughed, and Varadha pulled his daughter onto his lap. 

Varadha : Smart girl.

After a few minutes, Aarathrika excused herself and left the room. She walked away but soon paused near the entrance, her footsteps slowing when she overheard their conversation.

Shivadha soon ran back to her, as she always did, wrapping her small arms around Aarathrika's legs. Aarathrika absentmindedly stroked her daughter's hair while her ears caught a name that sent a shiver down her spine.

"Deva."

The dealer's tone was cautious. 

Dealer : Varadha, you know what I mean. Can you really afford to do nothing about this ? 

Varadha exhaled deeply. 

Varadha : I can't do that. But I know exactly what I'm supposed to do.

His voice darkened. 

Varadha : I know very well how to tackle such people.

The dealer nodded before adding, 

Dealer : Krishnakanth's daughter is coming to India.

Aarathrika stiffened.

She clutched Shivadha closer, her mind racing with possibilities. Who was she ? And what did her arrival mean for Khansaar ? 

As the evening deepened, Varadha insisted that the dealer stay for dinner. The old man hesitated for a moment before nodding, accepting the hospitality of the palace. The grand dining hall was lit with golden lamps, casting long shadows across the regal space. The meal was filled with laughter, nostalgia, and shared memories, yet an undercurrent of something darker lingered beneath Varadha's measured words.

After dinner, the dealer bid his final farewell. 

Dealer : It was good seeing you again, Varadha. Stay strong.

Varadha nodded, his expression unreadable. 

Varadha : Safe travelling.

The dealer exited the palace and walked towards the massive iron gates of Khansaar. The air was thick with silence, the only sound being his steady footsteps crunching against the gravel. Just as he was about to step beyond the threshold, a shadow emerged from the darkness.

A flash of silver.

A swift, ruthless strike.

The dealer gasped, his body jerking as blood splattered onto the ground. He barely had time to register the betrayal before his knees buckled and he collapsed lifelessly onto the cold earth. The silence of Khansaar swallowed his final breath.

................

Back in the palace, Varadha sat on his grand chair, his hand gently resting on his sleeping daughter's back. The phone on the table buzzed, cutting through the stillness of the night. He answered it, bringing it lazily to his ear.

Unknown : Job done, Kartha.

.............

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