FF: -Chandni- by Jalebi Jane EPISODE 1-14 Rest at JalebiJane.com

Dear Sisters,

Advay and Chandni have captured my imagination---and I knew I wouldn't rest until I attempted to put something down on paper. So I offer this to those who enjoy tales of dark revenge with mature sensuality. As usual, I've taken many liberties with character and plot but most egregiously, I've eliminated two sisters.

I hope you enjoy -Chandni-.

Jalebi Jane

INDEX

EPISODE 1

EPISODE 2

EPISODE 3

EPISODE 4

EPISODE 5

EPISODE 6

EPISODE 7

EPISODE 8

EPISODE 9

EPISODE 10

EPISODE 11

EPISODE 12

EPISODE 13

EPISODE 14

Future episodes available at JalebiJane.com

EPISODE 1: BEWITCHED

THE LADIES OF THE VASHISHTH HOUSEHOLD were gathered in the Great Room, their faces betraying collective distress. The week which had begun with richness and colour---with hope and anticipation!---had ended by making them homeless. Yes, Sisters---homeless. There is no benign word for the situation they now found themselves in. At the end of this month, the Vashishths, the first family of Allahabad, would be evicted from this space---this historic seat of Mahantship---and go---

Go where? It was this question which had brought them huddled together now.

Mahantniji Indrani Yash Narayan Vashishth, the Mahant's wife, was seated at the edge of a large armchair. Usually a vision of cool composure she was flushed with anger at present. Anger at the injustice of having almost two decades of expectations overthrown in the space of a single week. Her sister, Kajal, standing behind her, was silent [for once]. The two girls, daughters of Indrani, were sunk on the floor, at their mother's knee, their eyes moist with emotion.

It was Chandni, the eldest girl---in essence, her step-daughter---who had the front entrance in her view. Suddenly she started to her feet with a murmur, "Why is he here?"

Indrani turned to follow Chandni's sight line---and incensed by what her eyes met with, she also rose, pivoting sharply to face the door. She demanded, "How dare you enter without warning? This is still our home for another four days---!"

"---Calm yourself, Mrs Vashishth," interrupted the Broker, showing his hand to stall her. And in patronizing tones, continued, "I'm not here to expel you. I'm here to show the property to the new maalik---er, that is, potential buyer. I informed you of it by telephone this morning""

And so he had.

The past few days had been a sleepless blur of humiliating appointments. Debt collectors. Creditors. We cannot blame Indrani for having forgotten this appointment with the Broker. Nevertheless, her countenance now showed embarrassment at her warm outburst. To her, self-command rated as the highest personal virtue. And she resented anyone who made her lose control.

At this awkward impasse, he stepped forward. No, not the Broker, but the he whom Chandni's words had referenced. Advay Singh Raizada. Indeed, Chandni had noticed Advay enter the house before she even realized that he was accompanied by the Broker.

Advay addressed Indrani. "Forgive me for intruding upon your privacy, Mrs Vashishth. I'll return on a day more comfortable to your family."

The Broker began to object, but Indrani lifted her chin with a rueful smile, and said, "If you wait for such a day, you will never see the house. It has been a difficult week for my family. As you see, we are all in disarray at present, Mr Raizada. [pause] It is Raizada, is it not?"

He gave a nod. "Advay, please."

Here Kajal sashayed to stand before him. "How do you come by that name? Raizada? You are not connected to the Raizadas of Lucknow, are you?"

"I am," replied Advay---and to Kajal's disappointment, who had a passion for pedigree, he did not elaborate.

But before she could question more deeply, Indrani enquired, "You intend to purchase this house?"

"Yes. But with your permission, I wish to view it first," Advay replied. "When I was here the other day, I found much to admire---" he said, as his eyes---an unusual amber hue---momentarily fixed upon Chandni's gaze, "---and it whetted my appetite for a more thorough survey."

IT WAS ALL SPOKEN SO SUAVELY but Chandni was not so innocent as to mistake his meaning. She fumed silently.

Each time she had had the misfortune to encounter this gentleman he had taken wide liberties. Of word. Of touch. Of look. And each time she had failed to defend herself. Failed to rebuke him as she ought to have. And now in front of her mother and aunt, he had dared once more to---!

Her mother's voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Chandni will show you the house," Indrani stated.

Kya!?

Chandni parted her mouth to protest, but by then Indrani was instructing Shikha to run to the kitchen for refreshments, and inviting the Broker to sit with herself and Kajal, while his client received the tour. There was nothing to do but dutifully comply.

She met Advay's smirk with a cold glare and said, "We'll begin on the first floor."

He indicated with his hand that she should precede him up the stairs. "After you."

There is nothing worse than a chivalrous cad, Sisters.

She climbed the stairs, conscious of him directly behind her. At the top, she turned right without pause, and marched down the gallery to the family rooms, leaving him to follow. He did not take her side, but kept behind her. She gestured here and there, not stopping at the doors while announcing the rooms. "Bedroom, bedroom, study, library, bedroom""

He did not ask to look within the rooms---which was well because her tone did not remotely invite that possibility. Completing the first floor at breakneck speed, she then led him to the terrace.

Here Advay emerged from behind her. He moved past and wove his way through the planters which edged the terrace wall. There he remained and scanned the view. He was silent appearing lost in his own thoughts.

It provided Chandni with opportunity to observed him unobserved.

A few days of stubble softened the chiselled line of his jaw, yet it was still a tense, almost angry, profile. His hair, longer than conventionally attractive, stirred under the breeze. He was a proud man and his features conveyed it.

And then he turned towards her so suddenly that she was caught off guard. Like a child caught at some forbidden activity.

Her only defence was offence.

"Why are you doing this?" she demanded.

She had used tum instead of aap. He corrected her, then responded, "I'm not doing anything. I'm standing here. Admiring you."

Chandni ignored this lame flattery and threw back, "You know what I mean. Why are you buying this house?"

"Because I can."

"Who are you?" she asked, her brows drawing together. Her tone was almost of wonderment, that of a person thinking out loud. And without waiting for a reply, more questions tumbled from her lips. Questions she had puzzled over. This man---whom nobody seemed to know---had appeared out of nowhere, yet had somehow inserted himself into every significant event of this week. "Why have you come to Allahabad? Why do you appear everywhere I go?"

As she spoke he began to move towards her.

She took as many steps back as he took forward. "Wh---wh---why do you persist in insinuating yourself into my life?" she continued.

If he noticed the tremor in her voice, he did not show it. He took another step forward.

She attempted a step back but her champal met stone. A glance over the shoulder told her that she was at the corner of the terrace wall. Yes, Sisters, she had unwittingly backed herself into a corner. It was as if Advay read her thoughts.

"Trapped," he stated. Speaking the one word with a sense of finality.

Chandni's heart was now pounding in her chest. It was not excitement but fear. None of us enjoy the sensation of being caged in, but Chandni's dread was almost phobic. She put out her hand and cried out a warning. "Stop! Don't move! I'll scream if you move another inch."

He ignored the warning and took her outstretched hand in his.

She gasped. Her hand was icy in his warm hold. Her throat locked. She could not scream. She could barely breathe.

"What you call insinuating," he began, "I call enchantment." And then he brought her hand, which no longer seemed to belong to her, to his lips. He touched his mouth to her fingers. "Can't you see, Chandni, how you have bewitched me?"

GREAT start! Please continue soon

Superbbb start 👏😳

I have always wondered if few of the appreciated and respected FF writers of Season 1 will ever write a FF on IPK3.

Wow indeed a bewitching start to a wonderful story.
Loved it so much.
Continue soon please.

Good start.
Continue soon please.

This seems much more interesting than the actual drama 😆

So it starts :D nice one waiting for next update...