Chapter 5 - Secrets Unveiled

Anushkaa

@nushhkiee

Chapter 5 - Secrets Unveiled

The elderly woman’s eyes, a rich shade of grey, observed Khushi and Arnav with a shrewdness that belied her age. There was a quiet, almost haunting wisdom in the way she sized them up before giving a small, measured smile.

“Please, sit,” she said, gesturing to the empty chairs beside her. “I haven’t had much company tonight.” Her voice was soft, with an accent that spoke of years spent in the company of high society, and yet there was a hint of something more - something deeper.

Khushi and Arnav exchanged a glance, silently agreeing to approach with caution. They lowered themselves into the chairs, their curiosity piqued by the woman’s composed yet knowing demeanor.

“I’m Khushi,” she began, breaking the silence with a polite smile. “This is Arnav. We’re new to the area, and I couldn’t help but notice you sitting here alone.”

The woman chuckled lightly, her fingers delicately tapping the rim of her glass. “A lot of people here tonight prefer to mingle in groups, but I’ve never been fond of large crowds. Too many faces and not enough substance.” Her eyes flickered with a knowing glance. “I prefer the company of those who understand that some things in life are best left unsaid.”

The words hung in the air, thick with meaning. Khushi leaned in, her instincts telling her that this woman held more knowledge than she appeared to. Arnav remained poised, his usual guarded expression softening only slightly in the presence of the older woman’s calm demeanor.

“We’re actually looking into a bit of family history,” Arnav said, his voice steady yet laced with a subtle hint of intrigue. “There’s a rivalry between the Raizadas and the Malhotras that dates back generations. We believe there’s something more to it than just business competition.”

The woman’s eyes flickered, her gaze sharp as she studied Arnav, then Khushi. The years seemed to fall away from her face for a moment, and in that brief instant, she looked more like a woman who had witnessed the unraveling of many stories, seen the faces behind the masks, and understood the cost of secrets.

“The Malhotras...” she began slowly, her voice lowering to a whisper. “That name is synonymous with ambition, but also with something darker. There are things in this family that even time can’t erase. I’m surprised the two of you are willing to go digging into such murky waters. It’s dangerous work, you know."

Khushi’s heart raced at the cryptic words. “We don’t want to back down,” she said, her voice firm. “If there’s something we need to know, it’s better to know now than later.”

The woman regarded Khushi for a long moment, her gaze flickering to the swirling crowd, as if she were weighing the decision to speak. Finally, she sighed, a wistful expression crossing her features.

“Very well,” she said, lowering her voice further. “You want the truth? The Malhotras have a history, yes. But it’s not just business. There was a betrayal - an affair, a broken trust - many years ago. Your family, the Raizadas, were at the heart of it.”

Khushi’s breath caught. Her mind raced. An affair? Her gaze turned to Arnav, who looked equally intrigued but careful.

“An affair?” Arnav repeated, his voice barely a whisper. “Between whom?”

The woman’s lips curled into a faint smile, but there was no warmth in it. “I can’t say. But I do know this: the Raizadas and the Malhotras have been locked in a silent war ever since. The rivalry didn’t begin with business deals or property; it began with something far more personal.”

Khushi’s mind swirled with questions. She leaned forward, her curiosity now consuming her. “What happened? What was it?”

The woman placed her glass down with a soft clink, her fingers resting on the rim as she studied the two of them. “I wish I could tell you everything, child. But some things are locked away, sealed by pride and years of denial. However…” She paused, her gaze shifting between Arnav and Khushi. “…I’ll tell you this: your families may think they are at odds over business, but the real reason for their animosity is far more intimate than that.”

A silence fell between them, heavy with unspoken words. Khushi and Arnav exchanged a look. This was the first real lead they had. The question now was: how much were they willing to risk to uncover the truth?

“Where can we find more information?” Khushi asked, her voice firm but laced with urgency. “Is there anyone else who knows about this?”

The elderly woman glanced over her shoulder as if making sure no one was eavesdropping. “You must speak to Rajeev Malhotra. He’s the eldest son, and despite his cold exterior, he’s the one who remembers the past most clearly. But beware, my dear,” she added, her voice suddenly grave. “Rajeev is not someone who welcomes questions. And there are eyes on you already. If you choose to dig deeper, be prepared for the consequences. The Malhotras won’t forgive easily.”

Khushi’s heart pounded. Rajeev Malhotra. That name rang a bell - he was known in high society for his ruthless yet magnetic presence. And if he was the key to unlocking the mystery of their families' past, then they had to find him.

“We’ll be careful,” Arnav said, his voice calm but determined. “Thank you for your help. But how do we find him?”

The woman smiled faintly, a knowing gleam in her eyes. “Rajeev frequents the club on the outskirts of the city. It's an old haunt where business deals and personal matters alike are sealed. Go there tomorrow evening. You may find him, or you may not. But if you do, tread carefully. The Malhotras are always watching.”

With that, she stood up, leaving a few bills on the table for the drinks. “Good luck,” she said softly, then turned to leave, her figure fading into the crowd.

As she disappeared into the crowd, Khushi and Arnav exchanged a look that was a mixture of excitement, curiosity, and a touch of apprehension.

“The club,” Khushi said quietly. “It’s risky. But we have to go.”

Arnav’s hand found hers, his grip firm. “We’re in this together, Khushi. Whatever happens, we’ll face it.”

With that, they left the table, the weight of the woman’s words hanging over them like a dark cloud. They had a new lead, but they also had a dangerous path ahead. The more they uncovered, the more they realized that the truth about their families was far more tangled than they had ever imagined.

The night after their conversation with the elderly woman, Arnav and Khushi couldn’t shake the weight of what they’d learned. They had spent hours discussing their next move, both of them equally determined to uncover the truth, but also mindful of the danger that lurked in every corner of their investigation.

As promised, they headed to the club on the outskirts of the city the following evening. The building was an old, luxurious mansion turned into a private members’ club, with the kind of ambiance that screamed wealth and secrecy. Arnav led the way, his demeanor as poised as ever, though Khushi could tell that he was as tense as she was. There was an unspoken understanding between them that they had reached the point of no return.

“This place looks like something out of a noir film,” Khushi remarked, trying to ease the tension in the air with her usual banter. But her voice was laced with nervousness. The atmosphere felt heavy, almost suffocating.

“Stay sharp,” Arnav murmured, his eyes scanning the crowd. “We don’t know who we’re dealing with here.”

Inside, the club was dimly lit, with plush velvet seating and chandeliers casting a soft, romantic glow over the room. The air was thick with the buzz of quiet conversations, clinking glasses, and the occasional low laughter. Khushi felt out of place in her elegant yet simple outfit - her red printed kurta with matching pants, though beautiful, felt like it screamed “outsider” amidst the high society crowd.

As they moved deeper into the club, Arnav’s hand subtly brushed against hers, a silent reminder that they were in this together, no matter how risky it got. Khushi’s pulse quickened at the touch, though she quickly pushed the fluttering feeling aside. There was no time for distractions.

“I’m going to talk to the bartender,” Arnav said, his eyes still scanning the room. “You stay here, try to blend in, and keep an eye out.”

Khushi nodded, though her unease didn’t dissipate. She stood by the entrance, feeling the sharp gaze of several people as they glanced her way. She was beginning to think that the only thing more obvious than her discomfort was Arnav’s commanding presence. He always had a way of moving through a room that made people take notice.

As Khushi scanned the crowd, she caught sight of a tall, well-built man sitting in the far corner of the room. His face was sharp, his eyes dark and calculating. She knew immediately who it was - Rajeev Malhotra. His reputation preceded him, and she could sense the weight of his presence even from this distance.

Her heart raced. This was it. The man they had to speak to in order to untangle the truth.

“Are you lost, Khushi?” Arnav’s voice brought her back to reality, his tone teasing, though there was a hint of concern in it. “What are you staring at?”

Khushi snapped her gaze back to Arnav, her cheeks flushing slightly. “I... I think I just spotted Rajeev Malhotra.”

Arnav’s eyes followed her gaze, and a moment of silent understanding passed between them. “You stay here,” he ordered. “I’ll go talk to him. Stay alert.”

Before Khushi could protest, Arnav was already moving toward the corner of the room where Rajeev sat. Khushi watched as Arnav approached the man, his movements purposeful and confident. There was no mistaking the tension in the air - the way Rajeev’s eyes narrowed as he recognized Arnav Singh Raizada.

She could barely hear their conversation, but she knew it was happening. The stakes were high now. She had to trust Arnav to handle this. She couldn’t help but wonder, though - was she prepared for what came next?

A few minutes later...

Arnav returned, his face unusually pale, his jaw tense. Khushi couldn’t help but ask, “What did he say?”

Arnav looked over at her, his expression grim. “It’s worse than I thought, Khushi. The Malhotras were directly involved in the betrayal... but not just with my grandparents. It was between them and someone else in our family - someone we never expected.”

Khushi felt a chill run down her spine. “Who?”

Arnav’s lips tightened, but he didn’t answer immediately. He looked around to make sure no one was paying attention to them. Then, in a low voice, he added, “It was my mother, Khushi. My mother was involved with Rajeev’s father. That’s the secret they’ve been hiding all these years.”

The weight of the revelation hit her like a tidal wave. “Your mother?” Khushi whispered, her mind racing to comprehend what he had just said. “But... I thought she was…”

“I know. I know what you thought,” Arnav interrupted, his voice harsh. “But it’s true. And it’s the reason our families have been at odds for so long. The betrayal, the rivalry - it all started with her. And it’s been buried so deep that even I didn’t know the full extent until now.”

Khushi reached for his arm, her heart aching at the pain in his eyes. “Arnav… I’m so sorry.”

He shook his head, the ghost of a bitter smile on his lips. “There’s nothing to be sorry for, Khushi. You didn’t know.” He paused, his eyes hardening. “But we need to put an end to this. This feud - it’s been dragging on for too long, and it’s about time we finish what my grandparents started.”

Two days later…

The Malhotra mystery was finally solved, the truth out in the open, but now, Arnav and Khushi had something even more daunting to face: their wedding.

Despite everything that had happened, the atmosphere at the Raizada house was strangely quiet. The engagement had been formalized, but now the time had come to plan the wedding. Arnav and Khushi were still in the thick of their “hate-to-love” phase, and the constant bickering between them had become a familiar routine.

As they sat down to finalize the wedding arrangements, Khushi glared at Arnav, who was leaning back in his chair, his arms folded across his chest in that infuriating way that made her blood boil.

“What is it now?” Arnav asked, his voice laced with irritation as she stared at the wedding guest list for the hundredth time.

“Why do we have to invite her?” Khushi snapped, pointing to a name on the list. “She barely knows us! And every time I’m around her, she acts like I’m invisible.”

Arnav raised an eyebrow. “It’s a family wedding, Khushi. We don’t get to pick and choose who attends.”

“Well, I’m not the one who wants this wedding in the first place!” Khushi shot back, her eyes flashing.

Arnav smirked, leaning in closer. “You don’t like that, do you? The idea that I’m stuck with you just as much as you’re stuck with me?”

Khushi’s breath caught, but she refused to back down. “It’s not like I enjoy it either, Raizada.”

The tension between them crackled, but beneath the surface, there was something unspoken - something growing. It was hard to ignore the way their eyes lingered just a moment longer than necessary, the way their voices softened ever so slightly when they argued.