Crave: The Blood Oath

Chapter 2 - Rian and HER

In the corner of the room, Aaravi and Radha were asleep on a bedding laid out in front of the TV. They had spent the night watching movies and had fallen asleep there. The TV was still on, and the remote was accidentally pressed under Radha's body, changing the channel to the news. The TV droned on softly, its flickering light casting shadows on the walls as the news channel reported the latest updates about Rian Alexander Rathore. The name resonated through the room, carrying an aura of power and mystery that few could escape, yet even fewer had seen in person. His reputation spanned across various circles—business, politics, the underworld—and his influence was palpable even in the quietest of corners.

The news anchor's voice, a steady and authoritative presence, continued to speak about Rian Alexander Rathore—his latest ventures, the controversies surrounding him, and the myriad speculations about his next moves. Each word seemed to resonate with weight and importance, painting a complex picture of a man who had become a symbol of both awe and apprehension. As the camera panned to images of Rathore—his stern face, piercing eyes, and composed demeanor—the room seemed to absorb the gravity of his presence. Yet, in that moment, all that mattered to Aaravi and Radha was their shared peace and the gentle hum of the television, a quiet backdrop to their dreams. The contrast between the high-stakes news and the calm, cozy scene in their home was striking. While the outside world buzzed with drama, inside their home, life was simple and serene.

In the midst of the TV's buzzing sound, Aaravi's eyes fluttered open slightly. The sunlight streaming through the curtains hit her face, making her sleep restless. She shifted her position, rubbed her eyes, and yawned widely. For a moment, she struggled to figure out where she was. Her eyes wandered around the room before landing on the TV screen in front of her. There, Rian Alexander Rathore's image was displayed, his intense, dark eyes seemingly locking onto her.

Aaravi's lips moved, murmuring her husband's name in shock, "Ri...Riyansh ... my Riyansh ..." She was taken aback, noticing the striking similarity in the eyes and a hint of resemblance in the face. All her sleep vanished instantly. She quickly sat up, staring at the TV screen, trying to reconcile the face of Rian with her husband's.

"No, he can't be my Riyansh. He is... but he... has the same eyes and... no, Aaravi, what are you thinking? This man is different," she told herself, struggling to control her emotions. "But his eyes look the same, and he has a little similarity....... No, my husband is dead.... and this man.... is someone else. There are many people in this world who look alike but are not related," she reassured herself as these thoughts raced through her mind in a flash.

"What are you doing, talking to yourself? Switch off the TV," Radha mumbled in a sleepy voice.

"Hmmm," Aaravi responded, still distracted by the thoughts swirling in her mind. She began searching for the remote but couldn't find it.

Unbeknownst to her, the remote was beneath Radha. As Radha shifted slightly, the volume button got pressed, and the sound suddenly blared, filling the room.

"What the hell... what's happening?" Radha exclaimed, jolting awake as the loud noise startled her.

In the other room, Riyan, who had been sleeping alongside Radhika, was also awakened by the sudden commotion. The unexpected disturbance had shattered the early morning calm, leaving everyone wide awake and confused.

Aaravi quickly unplugged the TV from the socket without a second thought and dashed towards Riyan's room. Her heart raced, her mind laser-focused on her first priority—her son. As she reached his room, she found him already awake, rubbing his eyes in confusion. Aaravi immediately knelt beside him, pulling him into a tight embrace. The strange thoughts that had flooded her mind moments ago lingered, but right now, all that mattered was Riyan's safety and comfort. Holding him close, she felt a surge of relief, anchoring herself in the familiar warmth of her child.