After circling the ground a couple of times, Maya steered her horse toward the dense jungle.
A deep smile spread across Ayansh's face as he watched her.
Scanning the forest, Ayansh asked,"Are we going to meet Nanu, Mommy?"
Maya responded with a slight smile,"Yes, baby. We're going to meet him. Who else would be out here?"
"Shadow will be there too, right, Mom?" Ayansh asked again, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Hmm, Shadow will be there too, baby. And today, we're bringing him back home."
A big smile lit up Ayansh's face. Shadow was Maya's pet black panther, and Ayansh was thrilled at the thought of seeing him again, recalling the many times they had played together.
Within moments, Maya’s horse had ventured deep into the forest. The entire landscape was filled with large, dense trees, thick undergrowth, and a veil of mist.
The lush greenery, the sound of water cascading from distant waterfalls, and the soft chirping of birds created a serene, almost mystical atmosphere. Yet, the deep fog and faint growls of unseen wild animals lent an air of foreboding.
Maya glanced down at Ayansh. His big, beautiful blue eyes sparkled with excitement as he eagerly looked around, as if searching for someone.
Dismounting gracefully, Maya lifted Ayansh from the saddle and set him down.
Both clad in sleek black outfits with leather boots, the mother and son stood beside their dark horse in the heart of the forest, an image of elegance, strength, and undeniable charm.
Hand in hand, Maya and Ayansh walked toward a massive banyan tree.
As they approached, they both looked up at the treehouse nestled within its branches. It was an enchanting structure, rustic yet beautiful.
Maya called out,"Dad, Dad! Come down. We need to talk."
A middle-aged man soon appeared in the doorway of the treehouse. He wore loose, rugged clothing, and his long hair was woven into thin braids. Despite his wild appearance, there was a handsomeness about him—but he was not Maya’s father, Rudra Arya. So who was he?
The man smiled warmly upon seeing Maya and Ayansh. With a laugh, he stepped out of the treehouse and said,"So, my black queen has returned?"
"Yes, Dad, I have," Maya replied.
Winking at Ayansh, the man leapt from the tree, but his show of bravado ended in an undignified fall, landing flat on his face.
Ayansh couldn’t help but cover his mouth and laugh, his giggles soft and sweet.
Maya sighed, extending her hand to help him up. "Dad, you're getting older. You should stop these antics. Look, even Ayansh is laughing at you now."
The man took her hand, rising to his feet.
He stared at Ayansh and asked,"Were you really laughing at me?"
"Yes, I was," Ayansh replied, his tone unyielding.
The man narrowed his eyes in mock displeasure. "Shadow! Why should I tell you where she is? You were laughing at me, so keep laughing. I won't tell you."
Ayansh’s eyes narrowed in return, his gaze cold and piercing. The man straightened his coat and declared arrogantly,"Ajay is my name, and I fear no one. Stop glaring at me; your big, blue eyes won’t scare me."
Maya sighed as the tension between Ajay and Ayansh grew.
Suddenly, a powerful roar echoed through the trees.
Ayansh immediately turned toward the sound and saw a sleek, muscular black panther with piercing yellow eyes approaching.
"Hey, Shadow! How are you? Did you miss me?" Ayansh called out.
Shadow growled softly in response, nodding her head several times. Understanding the gesture, Ayansh ran over and embraced her.
Maya watched them for a moment before turning to Ajay, her expression serious. "Dad, how is the excavation going? How deep have we dug so far?"
Ajay sighed. "We've reached a depth of 38 feet. Our people are working as much as they can, but it might take another month or two to finish."
"What! Only 38 feet?" Maya exclaimed.
Ajay nodded solemnly. "Yes, Maya. The area is extremely sensitive. We can't use machines, and too many workers would draw unwanted attention. I’ve selected only two of my most trusted men for this job. Considering the circumstances, they've made remarkable progress. Digging 38 feet by hand is no small feat."
Maya rubbed her forehead, lost in thought, her eyes dark with concern.
Meanwhile, in Mumbai…
At the headquarters of the Singhania Group, Vidyut was seated in his presidential office, meticulously reviewing documents. As always, his strikingly handsome face was devoid of emotion.
The office mirrored Vidyut’s nature—minimalistic and devoid of any unnecessary decoration.
The entire space was designed in shades of dark gray and white, reflecting a cold, imposing atmosphere that felt almost like a luxurious, shadowy abyss.
After marking up the first document, Vidyut picked up another. Just then, there was a knock at the door.
He leaned back in his chair, already knowing who stood outside.
With a flick of his wrist, he elegantly spun a pen between his fingers before glaring at the door. "Come in," he commanded.
Sanjeev, his assistant, entered, looking slightly uneasy. He approached Vidyut's desk, handing him a file.
"Boss, Rocky has sent the DNA reports. The shirt you gave him had blood from not just one person, but two. One was yours, and the other was Maya Arya’s."
Vidyut’s expression remained unchanged as he took the report and read it.
After a moment, he leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and twirled the pen between his fingers. Finally, after a heavy silence, he spoke. "Get the jet ready. I’m leaving for Britain in half an hour."
"Understood, Boss," Sanjeev replied, exiting the room.
Vidyut stood and walked over to the glass wall. Lighting a cigar, he exhaled a cloud of smoke, watching it dissipate against the glass.
In a low, dark voice, he murmured,"See you soon, Mrs. Singhania. See you soon, Mrs. Maya Vidyut Singhania."
Taking a slow drag from his cigar, Vidyut closed his eyes. His hand slipped into his pant pocket.
Suddenly, the sound of a girl's laughter echoed in his mind. "You may have saved my life, but there's no denying you're the most arrogant and stubborn man on Earth. Just look at you—arrogance from head to toe. If you stay like this, no girl will ever marry you. You’ll die a bachelor."
"If no one else will, you can marry me. After all, you owe me—you wouldn't be alive if it weren’t for me. Marry me and save me from dying alone."
"Oh, please, you really think I'd marry you? Dream on. I'm never going to marry you."
The memory of her voice had haunted Vidyut for the past six years, robbing him of peace and solace.
Taking another deep drag from his cigar, Vidyut’s deep blue eyes, as vast and inscrutable as the ocean, revealed nothing but emptiness.
_______________________________________
What could Maya be excavating?
Who is Ajay, really?
And who is the girl who has haunted Vidyut for six long years?
Will Vidyut and Maya cross paths in Britain?
To find out…
To be continued…
YOU ARE READING
The devil's Enigmatic bride
Mystery / ThrillerVidyut Singhania is a name that strikes fear across the globe. Known as a ruthless devil, his mere presence sends shivers down spines, including those of his own family. But after a catastrophic car accident leaves him in a coma, everything changes...
