Chapter 3

Chapter 2 | Flashback

At Sheesh Mahal, Lucknow

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Fifteen years ago.....

"Chhote?.........CHHOTE....CHHOTEEEEEEE!" shrieked Arnav's sister Anjali Singh Malik - now Anjali Manohar Jha, her scream echoed across their parent's sleeping chamber.

She stayed rooted at the arched doorway to the room as she spotted her little brother kneeling......in front of their parent's.....bodies.

To the right of the monsterous four poster bed, they laid on top of the other.

Their eyes wide open, staring into nothing. The curtains hung on the bed frame were sprayed with tiny droplets of blood.

She couldn’t think straight. It was hard to believe what she was seeing in front her. Her mind scrambled to find a footing in the madness of this horror that appeared to have ensued in front of her. To find a way to figure out what to make of this scene across the room.

To make sense of it.

Anjali desperately hoped she was dreaming. Otherwise to think of what she was witnessing was real, all that….gore…..and her sweet brother being exposed to its ugliness.

Earlier, when the wedding pheras had finished and her husband was performing the sacred Indian wedding ritual of filling sindoor in her hair partition, she noticed her parents were absent from the mandap. And few moments later, at the end of the wedding nuptials, she had caught her younger brother leaving in a hurry, as if running after someone. And a minute after that, once the wedding was over Anjali too rushed in the direction her brother took off as she and her husband were scheduled to take a half an hour break before they had to change for the reception.

And still dressed in her wedding lehenga she had followed him to their parents' room to reprimand him for his sudden dissappearnace at his own sister’s wedding and to ask him to check where their parents were.

No no no no no, this couldn’t be happening. This isn’t real.

This CAN NOT be happening.

These things don’t happen on a wedding..right? Isn't it supposed to be the happiest day of your life. Not on the day you are supposed to start a new phase with the love of your life.

Arey not everything can be perfect but surely things can't go this much sideways.

Perhaps this is only a figment of my imagination. Must have been triggered by all the stress of this wedding. Shyam was right. I should have rested more.

Yes, that’s it. That’s what it is. It HAS TO BE IT, she fervently thought to herself.

She stood immobile at the entrance; unable to breath or move, for fear of bringing this nightmare she seemed to be stuck in, to reality. Her mind rejected this reality....of what her parents lying askew on the floor with an object - a gun, lying too close to her father’s hand, suggested. That there might be something vile that had preceded - caused their parents’ death.

Hey Devi Mayya, yeh kya dekh rahi hoon she thought, grappling for some sense desperately.

“Rani Saheba”, someone called from far distance.

That jolted her awake, as if a bucket of cold ice water had been dumped on her. A large gush of the long held breath rushed out of her. She breathed heavily, trying to catch breath, as her eyes roamed across the room once again.

With a different perspective. This time, other than despair there was grief and……questions.

What is Chhote doing here?

And what exactly happened here?

What caused her parents….death? A knot formed in her throat at that thought.

Who did or what caused this?

A lot of other thoughts rattled within her. She couldn't decide what to focus on. The frustration made her feel a bit lightheaded yet she slowly pushed herself out of this haze of overwhelm to move forward. She had to pull herself through it. To be there for her littler brother. He was a sweet and kind-hearted boy who was reticent enough already. And definitely not a person with a stomach for violence. She hated the thought of him being exposed to this nastiness.

Anjali shrugged the shock off herself. Took a deep staggering breath centering herself, letting her intuition guide her. She had to stay strong….she had to push through this.....try at least…..at least for her Chhote’s sake if not her own.

Arnav was still kneeling in front of their parents, with his back half towards her - angled so that she could still see how his face was frozen with shock and despair. His entire being immobile and eyes glazed with tears, staring in a distance. He loved his Ma more than anything, perhaps even more than his Di. The trauma he will have to overcome. Anjali couldn't imagine what all this will do to him - scared to imagine what this must be doing to him at the moment.

She finally managed to find her voice and remembered how to move again. Slowly and deliberately she moved towards her little brother.

She couldn't help but think of how much she hated that her brother had to see their parents like this….in this…in this state. He was still 17 for god’s sake! Still a child! She was young herself but at least she had four more formative years on him, at 21 now. And Arnav’s life had barely begun. He had a year of his boarding school left. He was supposed to be leaving for Harvard the year after. Anjali grieved for her brother’s innocence, for his well being, for her parents, for herself, for the dream wedding she was going to have….for their family!

It felt like forever until she finally reached him crossing the chambers.

Carefully, she placed her hand on his shoulder to avoid startling him and slowly lowered herself to the ground behind him.

She didn't know where and how to begin so gently she asked “Chhote?" and lightly cupped his chin as she continued "Kya kar rahe ho tum yahan?”

No answer.

She tried again, turning his face away from their parents and towards her to look at him properly, still cupping his chin.

Pale stricken face with dried tears and empty eyes greeted her.

Worry laced her tone as she asked “Chhote…..tum theek ho na?” that seemed to have pulled him out of his stupor.

He replied “Di?” as if just realizing he has company.

“Di” he said again.

She cupped his face in her hands and assured him that she was there for him. She coaxed him what happened.

“D-Di…."

"W-Woh…."

"B-Baba….."

"M-Ma…."

"F-Fighting” he struggled, his voice quivered with each word from forcing to get them out. As if it was an effort to speak. He was also trying hard to not cry in between. But when Anjali cajoled him that it was okay to cry if that’s what he needed, he sat up straight facing fully towards Anjali, steeled himself and continued in a more steady tone.

“Main…..." he swallowed before continuing "...jab kamre mein aaya, I found Ma and Baba quarreling. She constantly kept saying" he quoted his mother in the same haunted robotic tone "Hum jaanthe the, aapne humare saath dhoka kiya hai, aapne humare saath dhoka kiya hai...”

Anjali’s heartrate sped up at that revelation. She was taken aback to hear her Ma's accusation. She could feel herself drifting away from this conversation as a coping mechanism - not sure anymore if she wants to hear the next part. But she managed to shake herself out of it and encouraged her brother to go on.

Arnav’s breath turned fast now, each intake trembling yet he continued “She was saying - screaming actually…..so loudly Di....it was so scary! But Ma chilla rahi thi ki she knew that Baba got bored of her so he cheated on her with his secretary. Baba looked devastated. He said that it killed him to hear she thinks so low of him. That she doubted his loyalty for her. He insisted that she was being manipulated by Chacha Ji. And that he was filling her head with this false non-sense. She got so angry when he said that. She marched towards the side table with Baba following behind her. So swiftly, she then took out Baba’s gun for self-defense and……....shot him…..just like that….straight in the head…..in the head Di! It happened so fast…..I didn’t think she would follow through her threats. Ma was shocked at first, then filled with grief at what she had done. She pointed the gun towards her own head, right where she shot Baba. I ran to stop her but long before I could reach she had pulled the trigger!” Anjali pulled Arnav into a tight embrace.

It wasn’t until he was held by his Di that Arnav broke down and sobbed. Being out of shock now paved way for grief and bitter regret. “It was my fault Di, it was all my fault. I tried saving them. I tried stopping it. Lekin yeh achanak itni jaldi hogaya. I couldn't do anything” Arnav sobbed. Anjali held him tight while he let it out.

“Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh” she consoled, trying to soothe him until his sobs slowed down a little.

Then fiercely held him by his shaking shoulders as she urgently said “Chhote, I need you to listen to me very carefully, whatever you feel and jaise bhi you choose to react. You MUST remember one thing. What happened was not your fault? Baba ke saath.... jo bhi hua....Ma ne joh kiya......woh bas ek bura haadsa tha aur usme tumhari koi ghalati nahin thi. It was NOT your fault. NONE OF THIS was your fault. Jhagda Ma aur Baba ke beech ki baath thi chhote. Unhe aapas mein suljhane nahin aaya toh it was not your fault. Samjhe? Samjhe!???” she asked till he nodded yes.

Cupping his face again, she tried to hammer it in him before his guilt had a chance to creep in again "Bas yeh ek baath yaad rakhna, theek hai. Baaki sab jo hua usme Devi Mayya ki marzi samajh ke bhoolne ki koshish karna, theek hai. Karoge na? Karoge na Chhote?….Apni Di ke liye?” Arnav nodded, too reluctantly for Anjali to be convinced but she decided to take it as him being too tired to say much. She engulfed him back in a tight hug. This time she let herself cry along with him.

Nothing needed to be said. Silence was their comfort as they grieved for their parents together. Anjali’s glance fell on her mother's face, she quickly shut her eyes and hugged her brother even tighter, trying to shake the image off her mind, of the misery etched in her expression.

She hoped that it won't become part of her core memory she will come to remember them by. She wished she would live to see a day out of the shadow of this incident and that she and Chhote manage to reach the other side unscathed or however less scathed was possible after this tragedy. As a family, together, they have had better days some more wholesome than others - both with her Ma and Baba. So she was determined to not let this day tarnish those memories for her.

“Rani Saheba? Chaliye reception ke liye sab wait kar rahe hai neeche hall mein. Hum jaante hain...” called Shyam Jha after catching up to his newly wedded wife he had been following from all corners of Sheesh Mahal before he stopped short in his tracks once he reached his Saas Sasur’s bedroom. He was planning to teasingly complain to them about their daughter’s lack of attention for him now that they are married. But he wasn’t prepared for what he was witnessing.

Blood, bodies, unseeeing stares and A GUN? What is happening???? Shyam wondered frantically.

Anjali was balled over on the floor with her eyes of shut tight.

Was she in pain??

No no no no

He wasn’t sure how to react to what he was seeing, but fear for his Rani Saheba's safety utlimately won over the shock. There was blood on the floor! He prayed hard mentally “Rani Saheba! Yeh Kya hua…Aap yahan kya.....? Yeh kya….Aap theek toh hai na?" he crossed the room in swift long steps and kneeled on the floor to check on Anjali. "Look at me! Look at me! What happened? Kuchh boliye Rani Saheba, please!” his voice wobbled, begging.

Devi Mayya kuchh bhi hojaye meri Rani Saheba ko sahi salaamat rakhna, please! Shyam internally prayed with desperation.

Anjali opened her eyes and wiped tears from her face. She nodded fiercely to assure her husband who looked scared out of his mind and placated him saying “Hum theek hain, don’t worry.” She let out a long staggering breath, took in a deep breath and unwrapped her arms from Arnav.

Shyam released a heavy sigh of relief after hearing that but another worry took its place when he got a look at his Chhote Saale Sahab, he was wheezing uncontrollably.

“Aur Saale Sahab?” he asked.

Anjali shaked her head no, her brow furrowing with worry too as she observed Arnav frantically trying to control his breathing. She rubbed his back trying to soothe him with a shushing sound.

“He is still in shock” she whispered to him growing worry in her tone. "Ma....had another episode of…" she trailed off realising that Arnav was in their presence. So she gave him a look hoping for him to catch her drift. Shyam caught on and knowingly nodded in reply. Glad for his support, she was able to focus on getting Chhote out of her room. He always understood her like that. Always so attuned to her thoughts and feelings that sometimes she feels like no words were needed. They silently agreed that they were going to speak about it later.

Shyam was still scared out of his wits but little of what he could gather urged him that he had to get moving if they were to get a handle of this catastrophic situation.

He may be just a Corporate Attorney but marrying into a Nawaabi khandaan came with an inherent responsibility of its own; he had come to learn that long back. There was a family reputation to uphold. He grew up under the mentorship of Nawaab Sahab who was a reknowned barrister himself and excellent businessman. Malik Sahab and his father were close friends from their law college days. Shyam was 8 when his widower father had passed away. Malik Sahab stepped in and brought him up like his own. Through him, Shyam had first-hand witnessed what it's like and how much it takes to run the Nawaabi household and the Malik Industries. Not that he ever fancied or desired to run it or even take over. If anything he had strived to be able to make a career for himself by the merit of his own capability and not by the handouts of an influential family. Even under Malik Sahab's mentorship, he would only accept his advice and guidance but never favours. Not that anyone ever made him feel like an outsider. Especially Chhote.

Chhote Nawaab as he was known to everyone or Chhote as he was known to his family and friends, had always made him feel like he had an actual younger brother. He couldn't think of anyone being more accepting of him as a family, second to Malik Sahab ofcourse. Sometimes Shyam felt like Chhote looked up to him like he was his role model. He had looked betrayed when Shyam and his Di broke it to him that they were romantically involved after Shyam had proposed to Anjali. Arnav had accused Anjali of stealing his brother. Probably one of the few rare times he was really mad at his sister. But it didn't take too long for him to get over it because then he realized that this will now mean that Shyam will become his Jeeja Ji aka brother-in-law, which he had apparently decided was way better than just muh bola bhai. That's how he reasoned at least while accepting his sister's request for truce on this subject.

The Malik family, due to their their royal lineage and high society connections, had always been the talk of Lucknow. So, incidents of this magnitude don't unfortunately allow you the diginity to mourn without being subjected to nasty speculations and judgement. Knowing what he knows about Rani Saheba's Ma; of her schizophrenic condition, Shyam knew that it would not bode well for the family if the media were to find out about the nature of his parent-in-laws' deaths. So, judging by what Anjali had told him so far, in conjencture with what he knew about this world of high society, influence, wealth and the kind of scrutiny they are subjected to by the general public, Shyam concluded that they had to navigate this situation with extreme care.

His first instinct was to protect Anjali and then Arnav - both by extension and genuine brotherly concern.

Thirty minutes later, his Saale Sahab's panic attack had subsided significantly. The family doctor of the Maliks, who was invited to their wedding, was discretely brought into the family quarters of the Mahal. He prescribed some sedatives and gave stern orders of bed rest after a diligent cross-consultation with a colleague phsyciatrist of his. Arnav was supposed to be under a strictly monitored rest for signs of PTSD for the next 24 hours.

Half an hour later, Anjali had filled Shyam in, about what Arnav narrated to her and shared her own theories regarding Ma. She also shared how she believed her dad was innocent. Anjali was even closer to their dad than Arnav was close to their Ma. Though she will have to admit that she had a momentary lapse of trust when she spotted that gun lying close to her father's hand, she now firmly believed that her father was innocent. If there was anything akin to strength, loyalty and bravery in her, she had gotten it all from her Baba.

Shyam agreed with this opinion, having technically been brought up by Malik Sahab himself. Seeing the way he treated his staff and earned their loyalty and trust was enough to convince him. Not to mention the way his eyes crinkled with subtle adoration at the mention of Padmini Ji in any conversation. The way he would be constantly reaching for her presence in the middle of a party. One had to be blind and a fool to believe the man was capable of cheating on his wife, forget about murdering her.

Soon after they had put Arnav under sedation, they rushed to the guest quarters and cancelled their wedding reception.

They did it citing that Anjali had taken ill due to an allergy she got from peanut butter sandwich she had after wedding. The guests were mostly confused, a little annoyed as well but none fussed too much for the hosts to handle the sitution. The immediate family members of Malik Sahab and Padmini Ji were informed to gather in their hundered seater dining room of Sheesh Mahal's guest quarters.

Anjali, now with Shyam beside her, worked to figure out the next steps for this. Sure, they needed space and time to grieve but given their family's reputation they had to approach this in a calculative manner and pacing.

Shyam had called in for a personal favour from the police - a commissioner who was a friend of Malik Sahab's and discussed the situation with him. He also reached out to the corporate advisory of the Malik industries, to update them on the situation. It was suggested to him to keep the exact nature and events of the incident under wraps as the situation of murder and suicide can hugely impact on the stocks of Malik industries.

The commissioner gave another contact to him, of an elite investigation agency just to rule out any foul play as no one except Arnav was present at the site of incident. Shyam offered to pay off whoever was a potential source of leaking this news with a request to keep Arnav out of this.

Shyam knew the kid all his 17 years of life and given the way he worshipped his parents, he didn't deserve to be dragged into the chaos of this mess on top of the trauma he will have to endure because of the horror he witnessed happened to them. He didn't want the kid's career to be affected by any rumours, especially not when there's still a chance his admit to Harvard might be rescinded upon a word of any hint of his involvement.

So next, without wasting any time he moved to the media and got in touch with the PR team of the Malik Industries, who knew him well enough to trust him like they would Malik Sahab. A statement was released that Nawab Sahab Ahraan Singh Malik and his wife Padmini Singh Malik had died in a medically unpreventable incident. Ahraan Malik had suffered from cardiac arrest and from the distress of this news, his wife suddenly took ill which made worse by her pre-existing sensitive medical condition, took her life in the same night. He kept reiterating in the statement enough times for it to stick that the Malik family is seeking privacy to mourn this inconsolable loss. The deceased's children are seeking to grieve their parents in privacy which they rightfully deserve.

With the help of the team, he had cleverly framed this statement so it leaves no room for any immediate suspicion/judgement or to draw too much curosity to the nature of their deaths, but not before he had made them all sign the NDA papers, ensuring this news didn't unncessarily travelled internally.

All this took him another hour.

Finally, after updating Anjali on the progress so far, together they broke the news to the rest of the Malik and Raizada khandaans - comprising Malik Sahab's younger brother known as Chacha Sahab, his wife, children (2 kids aged 5 and 7 - both girls) and Padmini Ji's Raizada Khandaan - including his Rani Saheba and Saale Sahab's Nani Ji, Mama Ji, Mami Ji and their cousins Akash and NK.

He was supposed to be attending a reception with them now to share, indulge and celeberate their wedding. And yet here they were announcing the harrowing news of his in-laws' passing. The irony wasn't lost on him. An investigation was already ongoing as they were making this announcement to the family.

At first, everyone was only concerned since they thought Anjali was ill. They had surrounded her inquiring about how she was faring with the allergies.As they informed them, the feelings of concern turned to shock to horror then to grief. There was a collective sense of disbelief and grief. Nani Ji was lost for words. Mama Ji was a sobbing inconsolable mess with Mami Ji by his side, trying to console him. Akash only asked for Arnav. Anjali informed them that he was put under sedation on doctor's orders. Nani Ji nodded, telling her that she did right.

A young man in his early twenties, who used to closely work under Malik Sahab, entered the expansive dining hall where the whole family was assembled and whispered into Chacha Sahab's ear. Shyam thought it was odd the way whatever was whispered, made Chacha Sahab sit straight and jittery. Especially after what Anjali told him. His reaction to his brother's death was strange as well. He didn't look too horrified or shocked or sad or even much affected. The only emotion he showed was something resembling to dissaproval on his face when they had shared how Arnav had the misfortune of witnessing his parents' death.

From what he knew about the incident, Padmini Ji's behaviour - though understandable due to her condition - was still uncharacterstic of her. Episodes of psychosis, though a common symptom of Schizophrenia, very rarely lead to violence - not to this degree atleast, from what he had been told. He learned all about it when Anjali had disclosed him when they were dating. It was a major misconception that people have about the mental health condition.

But what if....what really happened was that she was manipulated into believing that her husband was cheating on her, just like Chhote had said Malik Sahab claimed to his wife. Shyam wondered if Padmini Ji had been taking her medicines per usual - or at all, given the intensity of her reaction to Malik Sahab's words. Come to think of it, he couldn't remember a single instance of her previous episodes when she had reacted with any form of a violent impulse let alone a murderous one like tonight's.

What could have really lead to this? Shyam further mulled on this line of thought.

The more he thought about it, the more he was convinced that this was turning into a plausible theory. Something lot bigger was into play to warrant this incident. He shared as much with Anjali while his uncle-in-law was occupied on a phone call in the coridoor outside the dining hall.

Anjali had gone quiet for a bit as she processed what her husband suspected. Suddenly she remembered the part where Chhote mentioned, how her Ma had reacted to her Baba's words - Baba said that it was killing him that Ma thought he was cheating on her and then she went to the drawer for the gun to actually kill him. But wait....Anjali stumbled with realization as she remembered that her Baba always stored his gun unloaded, especially for Ma's safety purpose. But Chhote said that she shot Baba the instant the gun was out.

Shyam's suspicions kept rising further after Anjali shared that. If what she had deduced was true then this felt like too much of a co-incidence that Malik Sahab's gun was kept loaded ready for Padmini Ji to use should she feel provoked enough to use it on her husband. And if - as per Shyam's theory - she had stopped taking her medicines....or rather been made to stop from taking her medicines, it makes sense then that she reacted the way she did, triggered by the mere mention of the word kill. It lined up neatly with Malik Sahab's defense too that her wife was being lied to about it by his brother - his own brother, thought Shyam disdainfully, starting to feeling a prick of injustice on his father-like mentor's behalf.

He decided that he needed to talk to Chacha Sahab, right away. At least feel him out on these suspicions indirectly without explicitly implying anything. He planned to do that once the investigation is over.

An hour more passed by, it was close to 2 am. The investigation was finally finished.

No foul play had been detected other than what they already knew had occured: the gun was indeed fired by Padmini Ji, first at her husband and then at herself. Arnav's story checked out there.

The best part however was, two parts of this investigation had turned out to be valuable for Shyam's theory. One was the fact that strong evidence suggested that the gun was indeed kept pre-loaded....and by a different person...who was not Malik Sahab. Nor was it Arnav.

The second part was that upon doing medical tests on Padmini Ji, it was found that she hadn't been on her prescribed medications at the time of the incident and likely had stopped taking them atleast a month ago! Furthermore, the female nurse incharge of her meds was nowhere to be found on this estate.

Shyam immediately rushed to Anjali with these investigation results. She was still sitting with the rest of the family, in the dining hall. Nani ji had her enveloped in a tight hug and was rubbing smooth soothing circles on her back. Shyam was glad to have Nani Ji there looking after his Rani Saheba. Reluctantly, he drew her aside so he could privately confide with her about what he had just learnt.

Anjali was numb at this point. Just when she thought it couldn't get any worse. Shyam held her hand and squeezed it in assurance. Slowly with concern and care in his eyes, he moved closer, to hold her face in his hand, cupping her cheek. His other hand snaked her back drawing her closer until they were smushed tight chest to chest. His face showed exhaustion, concern and care.

He murmured in a low rough voice "You know I will be there with you right, Rani Saheba? All the way? We are in this together. Never forget that. I didn't take those saath vachan a few hours ago just to abandon you at the first sign of trouble." He lightly flicked his index finger on her nose as he said that.

His eyes hovered intently on her face speaking their silent language again. Telling her how he meant every word he just said. Then to punctuate his unsaid emotions, he bent down to tenderly kiss her forehead just below the sindoor he put on her.

"I know" she whispered, gazing into his dark eyes. Drawing in the comfort that they offered. She sometimes feels that she can drown in them. The way he always knows what she needs just by looking at her like he was a mind reader. Her mind reader. She sighed finally letting him engulf her into a tight embrace and let herself relax for a moment.

She knew that no matter what happened she had her husband to count on. Her wedding may not have been perfect but at least she had married right. And that's all that mattered to her. This confidence, borne out out of his reassurance somehow gave her the courage to face whatever she might have to possibly endure in the upcoming dreadful days. Come what may, she knew they had each other.

Once Shyam was done discussing with Anjali. He searched the dining room for Chacha Sahab but couldn't find him anywhere. He called his PA to get Sheesh Mahal checked, who later informed him that Chacha Sahab had left for his office apparently, for an urgent work at Malik Industries. Shyam didn't like the way he had to leave so late in the night, especially after his brother's death.

Aise bhi kya jaldi thi, what urgent business could it be? Shyam thought.

Next day, he was summoned to Arnav's room in family quarters. Arnav had woken up and was refusing to stay put in his room. He was pacing back and forth in his room when Anjali and Shyam arrived. He looked way better and a lot more like himself - quiet and composed.

Except Anjali could sense the undertones of the storm brewing underneath in the way he clenched his jaw and the rigidity in his posture. He was angry. Very very angry.

At least that is better than the ghostly demeanor he had on yesterday, Anjali convinced herself.

"I can't believe you made me sleep through it all Di. And-" he turned to Shyam "you too Jeeja Ji? How could you do this to me?" Arnav launched at them.

"Chhote you were having a panic attack, it was what the doctor had suggested" Anjali explained him as gently as she could.

"I know I broke down aapke saamne last night Di, but that doesn't mean I am too weak to handle the situation or take care of myself."

"I can't believe you are saying this Chhote. What does this has to do with me thinking you are weak - which by the way I did not, samjhe? I was only trying to take care of you."

"Well then don't. You can't just force someone into a situation without their consent. Don't you know that as a defence lawyer."

"You were having a mental break down dammit. If you are looking for an apology for acting like anyone would - as per the protocol of helping someone having a panic attack, then you won't find it with me. I only acted in your best interest and you know it Chhote, you know you do!"

Arnav's ears turned red at that. He seemed to be regretting his words. Still, hotly he said "I know you were, okay. Just...please don't put me on anything without my consent."

Anjali was frustrated. His brother was making out what she did like something that was wrongfully enforced upon him. Can't he see that it was what he needed? It was the most practical and approprate thing one could have done in that type of situation.

"Fine, I won't next time, but you are supposed to be under bed rest for the next 16 hours. Doctor has prescribed intermittent breathing exercises that have been explained to Hari Prakash already. Make sure you follow through."

Arnav stared with a stubborn attitude for a few moments.

Then, "Whatever" is all he replied giving in.

Anjali was annoyed, she knew Arnav wasn't so stupid enough to actually believe what he was saying. She hoped so at least. He was just using this pointless argument to channel the anger he was feeling right now. At the helplessness he must be feeling. That's why she didn't take any of this personally. He could burst on her for all she could care but the rest definitely helped get the color back on his face. So she didn't regret it that much.

How was she supposed to take his consent when he was barely conscious of his surroundings or even himself?? It was like rendering first aid - trying to wake up a person who fainted with potentially fatal injury to ask if they would like to be saved. She understood the boundaries of consent but she couldn't see it's relevance in this situation.

In the afternoon, once all the funeral rites were performed, the Maliks and the Raizadas were having lunch in the dining hall of family quarters. This was a relatively smaller dining space but a fifty seater table was set up with food meant for brunch.

Arnav was quieter than usual. He hadn't cried at the funeral too. He made it look like he was too focused on the rituals to get a moment for himself to mourn, Anjali observed. He was not in the mood to eat also apparently. The mattar and aloo ki sabzi was sitting untouched in his plate.

Anjali, who sat on the opposite side of the table, was watching him like a hawk. He was holding his spoon in a death grip. She tried to not make it obvious but still ended getting caught.

His jaw clenched as he took a deep breath as if coming to a decision and began eating - finally. Whatever it is that convinced him, she was grateful for it even though he was glaring at her like she stole something from him.

Sighing silently, she continued eating.

Akash and his cousin from his maternal side(Mami Ji's nephew) - NK tried drawing him in a conversation they were having about college and other stuff. Arnav just nodded along without engaging much on the topic.

Her Mami, who was also observing these exchanges from the other side of the table, silently gestured to Anjali to let it be. She then got up to grab a bowl of Anjali's favourite dish.

"Bitya" Manorama said, serving some more food on her plate, "Tum bhi toh khao na, kahe apne baare mein bhi toh sonchna chahiye, nahin?"

She gave a meaningful look with small smile to Anjali, implicitly reminding her to take care of herself too. "Ji Mami" she replied. Anjali then looked at Arnav to see him nodding in thanks to thier Mami.

Chacha Sahab had still not arrived. This did not sit well with Shyam. Less because the man couldn't even attend the funeral to honour his own brother and more because his gut was telling him that the man was upto something. Just then, as if on cue, he heard the doors to the dining hall opening for someone to enter.

Chacha Sahab.