Hi,
I'm really into grey characters and Anurag is a little too whitewashed and holier than thou for me. So I thought I would write a story on Prerna and Rishabh. Let's see how it goes, yeah?
I was really lazy with making an index and this wonderful person was kind enough to make the effort! Thank you, Anjali! I'm not sure how to pin a post š so I just copy pasted your index. I hope that's okay.
Index :
Chapter-1 https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/150826539?tid=5104298
Chapter-2 https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/150828117?tid=5104298
Chapter-3 https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/150829854?tid=5104298
Chapter-4 https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/150832834?tid=5104298
Chapter-5 https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/150833838?tid=5104298
Chapter-6 https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/150840189?tid=5104298
Chapter-7 https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/150841544?tid=5104298
Chapter-8 https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/150845284?tid=5104298
Chapter-9 https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/150849231?tid=5104298
Chapter 10: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/150856112?tid=5104298
Chapter 11: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/150865747?tid=5104298
Chapter 12: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/150883892?tid=5104298
Chapter 13: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/150913218?tid=5104298
Chapter 14: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/150958589?tid=5104298
Chapter 15: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/150978002?tid=5104298
Chapter 16: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/151064463?tid=5104298
Chapter 17: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/151081241?tid=5104298
Chapter 18: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/151161860?tid=5104298
Chapter 19: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/151201015?tid=5104298
Author's Note: PM LIST: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/151226013?tid=5104298
Chapter 20: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/151232847?tid=5104298
Chapter 21: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/151238922?tid=5104298
Chapter 22: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/151471349
Chapter 23: Page 90
ALL THE KING'S MEN
It was nearing twilight when Prerna began making her way to the palatial estate of Mr. Rishabh Bajaj. She wanted to catch him at a time he would be at his most relaxed and she figured that evening was as good a time as any. For a man rumored to begin his day at the crack of dawn, surely he would be unwinding at home as the sun set.
She walked quickly along the narrow street, trying to control her thudding heart. A cold prickling feeling cascaded at the back of her neck, as if she was being watched, trackedā¦ hunted. Sheād dressed simply, in a plain cerulean saree, wanting to impress without standing out, but she felt exposed even in the crowded street. She was beginning to wonder if keeping this meeting from Anurag had been the best idea. But what other choice had she had? She couldnāt sit by and watch Anurag be condemned to prison. This was the only possible action, and since he would no doubt disapprove of it, sheād seen no point in telling him in advance.
Prerna drew a ragged breath as she rounded the last corner.The white sprawling mansion tops came into sight with tall iron wrought gates guarding its frontal faƧade. Nearly half a dozen burly men patrolled the gate,daring someone to breach the boundary. She marched up to the barrier, her shoulders back, her chin lifted. She kept Anuragās face firmly in her thoughts as she looked at the guards.
āIām here to see Mr. Bajaj.ā She announced.
Most of the men completely ignored her, acting as if theyād not heard or seen her standing right in front of their noses. But one man, who sported a huge mustache and a too-tight charcoal black blazer, seemed amused by her request. He looked her up and down in a too-familiar but not unkind manner.
āDo you have an appointment, maāam?ā
āNo.ā Prerna willed herself not to show embarrassment at the manās blunt assessment. āBut I need to talk to him anyway.ā
āIām afraid thatās not possible, Maāam.ā the guard replied in a tone that brooked no further discussion.
His companion interjected suddenly, listening to a voice emanating from a hidden earpiece. āMaāam, your name?
āPrerna Sharmaā
āSir is expecting you.ā He gestured for the gate to be opened.
Prerna blinked.āI beg your pardon?ā
āThis way, Maāam.ā
She was directed through the solid gates and she let herself be guided through the estate to the ornate front doors. She was still reeling from the fact that Mr. Bajaj knew she was coming. Mr. Bajaj knew her? Was expecting her to show up at his doorstep? She couldnāt shake off the feeling of being caught in a giant chess game orchestrated by unknown forces. Prerna stepped inside the house and almost immediately stopped, gaping despite herself.
The hall was wide and arched high overhead and ivory rose from the floor to gild the ceiling as well. Beneath her feet was a mosaic of marble tiles covered in plush carpeting. Above, crystal chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceiling, and the lights were reflected from the crystal droplets over and over again until the whole was a dazzling display of understated class and wealth.
The armed guard subtly steered her down the hallway and up a wide curving carved from the same ivory marble as the floors and led her to the upper hall. They halted in front of two great mahogany double doors and the guard spoke into his earpiece, announcing her arrival. Then looked at her and drawled almost arrogantly. āDonāt try anything, yeah?ā
She nodded mutely. The realization of what she was about to do had closed her throat tight.
Those luxurious doors were opened by an attendant but Prerna hardly noticed the doorkeeper.
The room within was unsettlingly magnificent. The marble floor continued inside the large square room, but the white walls were replaced with walls of deep mahogany wood. Shelves on walls were fitted with leather bound books, deep seated cream sofas centered the room and graceful marble statues stared dispassionately on the scene. The room had a lingering smell of warm musk, cigar smoke and unspoken decadence. At the far end of the room stood an heavy mahogany study table with a huge, tall-backed chair that could only be called a throne.
Which would make the man who sat upon it a king.
He lounged, one leg thrown over elegantly over the other. His hair was dark and almost perfectly lined with silver, not a strand out of place. He a wore a grey waistcoat over a pale pink shirt and matching trousers, a forgotten glass of scotch by his left hand as he leafed through papers on his desk. To his right stood a reed thin woman with glasses, speaking in soft undertones, to his left was a hulk of a man, clearly military, who Prerna assumed was the bodyguard. At his elbow was another woman, arranging the discarded papers. And directly in front of the desk, a man hunched over, looking as if he feared for his future. āIām sorry, sir!ā The man clenched his fists, tears running down his face. āPlease sir, please find it in your heart to forgive me. I have a wife. I have three kids! Iām so sorry, sir!ā
Prerna witnessed the scene with increasing horror. Mr. Bajaj hadnāt so much as raised his head from the papers he was examining. Just a bored, disinterested voice answered āGehlot, forgive me if I donāt accept your apology. It is worthless. Iām glad to hear you have a family. Iām sure theyāll be of much comfort in the terrible times to come.ā Mr. Bajaj, absorbed in his documents, lazily flicked his fingers and within seconds, the sobbing man was physically escorted from the room.
Prerna felt a sense of foreboding.
āMiss Prerna Sharma to see you, Sir.ā
A stillness stole over the room as Mr. Rishabh Bajaj looked up and lounged back fully in his chair, fixing her with an indecipherable look. Prerna felt that gaze in her bones. She finally understood the chill she had been feeling all evening. Like a sacrificial lamb being taken to slaughter. But as terrified as she felt, Prerna couldnāt help but be struck at the sheer perfection of the face before her. All sharp lines made to fit together like a puzzle. High, razor sharp cheekbones flanked a straight, haughty nose. A jawline that could cut through glass. His face felt less human and more like that marbled figurines that peppered the room. His dark eyes were framed with thick lashes and his gaze reminded her of jaguars in the wild. Jaguars were savage beasts, little given to pity or honor. Solitary hunters, they moved like phantoms and specialized in not being seen or heard. If one must face a wild predator, it did no good to show fear. At least that was what Prerna told herself as she eyed Mr.Bajaj.
Mr. Bajaj picked up his discarded liquor and swirled the amber contents between his long, aristocratic fingers. One corner of his wide, sensuous mouth curled in amusement. āAh. Ms. Sharma. Itās a pleasure to finally meet with you. I have, of course, heard only lovely things about you. But I must confess. I am curious as to why youāve come to see me .ā
His mocking words strengthened Prerna's spine. āYou know very well why Iām here, Mr. Bajaj.ā
The King lifted one elegantly winged black eyebrow. āDo I, now?ā
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Cheers
Sohaa
I hope you liked the intro. let me know in the comments!
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