What lies behind the door

chapter 6

Naina

As I descended the stairs, the preparations for the annual gala were in full swing. Servants and staff bustled about, arranging decorations and setting up the venue for the evening's events. The air was filled with a sense of anticipation and excitement. I looked around, my eyes taking in each and every step of the workers, ensuring everything was at it's finest. My mother in law has already snapped at me a month ago for not preparing the guest list on time and I didn't want any such thing to happen today.

There was still sometime for the main event to start. My heart thudded in anticipation at the thought of meeting my family again. A year has passed since I last saw them, at the time I was pregnant, my mother was the happiest person when I told her, my brother's reaction was just fine, but my dad, although I never got the love I wanted from him, it still hurt how he simply congratulated just Kabir and not me. The subtle gesture of shaking hands with my husband as if he was congratulating him for the success of a buisness deal and not because he was happy to become a grandfather.

My mother couldn't meet me at Kiara's birth. The age old rivalry did not die with our marriage and I knew it would not in the coming years as well, but the pain of not having my mother beside me during having the baby was extremely hurtful. I had cried, wanting to do nothing more than to run to her but I could not do it, once again tied by the shackles of my marriage and the relationship.

She had cried on the phone, apologising for her absence, my father had stopped her, reminding her for the rules that the families has agreed upon during the time of the marriage. She could not ever meet me unless it was for the gala or any other social function. My chest bubbled with fear, anticipation and excitement as I thought about meeting her again, this being the first time where she would see Kiara in person.

An hour later I watched from upstairs as the members of the extended family arrived in their finest attires, ready to mark the occasion. My mother in law welcomed them all with a huge smile on her face, all the traces of her animosity towards me gone.

As the hall got filled with guests my heart started beating loudly. A wierd sense of fear thudded my heart, dread filling up my chest. I closed my eyes, rubbing my palm over my chest, trying to soothe the sudden unease. I didn't want anything to go wrong today.

I took a glance through the entry hall, family members were dressed in tuxedos and elegant gowns, sarees and lehengas. Their chatter and laughter filling up the space.

The hall was filled with influential city's elite. Businessmen, government officials, politicians, and other influential figures mingled together, their conversations filling the room. It was a gathering of power and influence, a room where deals were made and alliances were formed.

Among the guests, were the representatives of other influential mafia families, their presence adding an air of intrigue and danger to the event. While no overt hostility was shown on the surface, I could feel the underlying rivalry and tension in the air.

The mansion looked resplendent in its finery, the opulent surroundings a stark contrast to the cold demeanor of the man who ruled from within.

Just then, I felt a cold presence beside me. Kabir appeared standing to my right, his imposing figure drawing my gaze instantly. He was dressed in a black tailored suit, his demeanor regal and authoritative. His gaze scanned the room, taking in the preparations and the gathering guests, before zeroing in on me.