The Family Saga

Chapter 2

"Fuck, Parthvi, your whole family is going through a cyclone, and here you are, gawking at your laptop!" Parthvi chided herself, shutting the device. She checked the time – 10 pm, dinner time. Her mobile alarm sang its familiar tune. Gathering her thoughts, she galloped downstairs.

As she sat down at the dining table, her brothers narrowed their eyes. Parthvi offered a subtle smile, attempting to diffuse the tension. Micheal turned away, but Parthvi noticed something others missed – Tommy's absence. Her voice could have been a shriek, but words never escaped her mouth. "Oh God, I'm panicking!" Parthvi thought, frozen. She struggled to drink water, calming herself. Leo sensed something was amiss and searched for Tom. James called Tommy, but Micheal snatched the phone. Parthvi's face contorted with worry. After a few minutes, Micheal handed her the phone. Her smile transformed into concern.

"Where's Tommy?" Parthvi demanded. Micheal and James flinched at her tone – they'd never seen her like this before. Parthvi gestured to Leo to start the car. They reached an old godown With sure-footed steps, She walked in. Leo followed her. "What's happening?" he wanted to ask, but didn't.

Someone brought Tommy, half-conscious. Leo rushed to help but was barred from entering. After 30 minutes, Parthvi emerged with Tommy and the stranger. Tommy was still half-conscious but seemed okay. The stranger left with a subtle smile.

Back home, Micheal and James were stunned. Parthvi rushed in, leaving them speechless.

Elsewhere, Arjun cradled his baby daughter. After she fell asleep, he visited his grandfather's room.

"Our family's a mystery, isn't it?" Arjun asked, pain etched on his face.

His grandfather hesitated.

"I met a young lady claiming to be Ms. Singhania... Her name is..." Arjun added

"Parthvi" The old man added

Arjun's eyes widened.

"Dadu, you love to play with my life, don't you?"

The old man's eyes dropped, weighed down by secrets untold.

As the night wore on, Parthvi struggled to calm her racing thoughts. Tommy's safety was paramount, but Arjun's words echoed in her mind.

"What shall I do?" Parthvi wondered. "And why do I have to know all this ?"

She couldn't shake off the feeling of guilt that she is hiding a lot

Arjun's conversation with his grandfather left him with more questions than answers.

"Why my life is so collapsed ?" Arjun thought, his mind racing.

He couldn't sleep, his thoughts consumed by his mysterious family.

The next morning, Parthvi gathered her brothers – Micheal, James, Leo, and Tommy – in the living room.

"We need to talk," Parthvi began, her voice serious.

The brothers exchanged nervous glances.

"What is it, Parthvi?" Micheal asked.

Parthvi took a deep breath. "Arjun Singhania...."

James frowned. "What do you want to tell ?"

Parthvi's eyes locked onto his. "The truth."

Leo's eyes widened. "What truth?"

Parthvi hesitated. "About our family's past... And our connection to Arjun."

Tommy's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "What connection?"

Parthvi's voice barely above a whisper. "Arjun is our brother."

The room fell silent.

Micheal's eyes narrowed. "How can that be?"

Parthvi's eyes dropped. "It's a long story... But we need to tell Arjun the truth."

James's face contorted in concern. "But what if he doesn't understand?"

Parthvi's resolve strengthened. "We have to try."

Meanwhile, Arjun's investigation led him to a small café on the outskirts of town.

A waitress handed him a folder. "This was left for you."

Arjun's eyes widened as he opened the folder.

A photograph of a family –His parents, A 5 years old boy, a younger Arjun and an identical boy – stared back at him.

His heart racing, Arjun realized the unthinkable:

He had found his family.

But why did they keep it a secret?...