The Royal Tatvas

Chapter 32

*19 YEARS BACK*

Abhay was only eight years old at the time. Meenakshi watched him coloring something, a smile spreading across her face as she approached him.

Observing the drawing, she saw figures shouting at a small child with a lifeless body lying behind them. Tears welled up in her eyes. Gently, she led Abhay to his room and put him to bed.

Afterward, she noticed Rajendra engaged in conversation with someone downstairs. By the time she reached him, his discussion had ended and the visitor had departed. Meenakshi touched his shoulder, prompting Rajendra to turn and offer a warm smile.

With a sorrowful expression, Meenakshi spoke, "How much longer must our son endure this? It's not his fault that his birth coincided with his grandfather's passing. He's isolated, and we're estranged from our family, all to spare him from their harsh words."

Rajendra sighed and said, "Don't worry, Meenakshi. Our son will excel in the coming years, and he's not alone; he has Karan, his best friend. Relax, have some water."

Meenakshi nodded, and a maid brought them a glass of water. Rajendra embraced Meenakshi to soothe her worries. As he released her, he said, "I have to leave for New York tomorrow. I'll ask Raghu to bring Karan over. He'll stay with you because Raghu is accompanying me."

(Karan's mother passed away at his birth, so he only had his father.)

Abhay overheard all this and a smile crept across his face.

As days went by, Meenakshi cared for both boys. Karan was like a son to her, and he too regarded her as his mother.

Rajendra was on his way back from New York, eager to share the success of his project with his wife. Meenakshi awaited his return, yet a strange fear tugged at her heart.

She managed to calm herself and glanced at the clock; it was getting late, and her heartbeat quickened with each passing moment. Finally, she attempted to call Rajendra, only to find his phone switched off.

Suddenly, the sound of gunfire erupted outside the mansion. Peering out, she spotted Ajay with Viren. Panicked, she dashed upstairs to Abhay's room, gathered Abhay and Karan, and hurried them to the backyard. There, she revealed a concealed door to a basement and urged them to hide inside.

Without a word, they both proceeded, but Meenakshi grasped Karan's hand and said, "Karan, if something happens to me, take care of Abhay, okay? Always."

Karan nodded and entered.

Inside, Meenakshi saw Ajay and Viren scanning the room. Ajay caught sight of Meenakshi and said, "Ah, there you are, Meenakshi. I was searching for you."

Meenakshi pulled a sword from the wall and aimed it at them. "Don't move, understand? Stay away from me."

"Well, how long? Your husband is dead, now what?" Ajay asked with an evil smile. Meenakshi's sword slipped; she knew they were not lying. She grasped a pillar for support.

Viren took her hand and drew her closer. "That's sad, isn't it? But how long will you live alone? Let me provide the entertainment you need," he said, leaning in. Meenakshi pushed him with all her might and delivered a tight slap across his face.

Regaining her grip on her sword, she declared, "You will all pay for this sin. You call yourselves Rajputs? This is your royalty? Bloody cowards."

Viren's anger erupted, and he commanded his men to assault her. Meenakshi fought back until she was overwhelmed, covered in blood and wounded.

Taking advantage of her weakened state, Viren dragged her into a room. Meanwhile, Ajay ordered the men to locate Abhay and eliminate him, then settled himself on the couch and lit a cigarette. Viren threw her on the bed and ripped her sleeve. Meenakshi was crying in pain.