Silent Echoes, Hidden Bonds

5'

As Aryamaan steps down the staircase, he feels a sense of familiarity wash over him, as if he's returning to a sanctuary after being away with his brothers. Despite the comfort of being back home, he has no desire to delve into the intricacies of the family business. However, his heart sinks when he enters the dining room, where an unexpected tension fills the air.

The table is a gathering of family and associates: Suhasini, Daksh, Arun, Naina, and several shareholders and their legal advisor. They are deep in conversation about the future of the company, and as Aryamaan approaches, the discussion turns to the upcoming decision for the next CEO. To his shock, he hears the words, "According to Pratham's will, the next CEO will be Daksh."

Aryamaan's mind races. He had expected that Ayu and Anshu, being Pratham's children, would inherit something, maybe even shares of the company, especially given how much Pratham had wanted him to join the family business instead of pursuing law. A knot of anger forms in his stomach as he processes this news.

Feeling compelled to act, Aryamaan requests to see the will from the legal advisor. As he studies the document, disbelief floods through him—it's clearly a forgery. Just as he opens his mouth to speak, Suhasini catches his eye, subtly gesturing for him to remain silent.

Aryamaan seethes internally. The realization that his grandmother is allowing this injustice to unfold is overwhelming. He glances at Daksh, whose smug expression only fuels his fury. He can't comprehend why Suhasini isn't stepping in. The air grows heavier as the conversation continues, but Aryamaan's focus shifts, pondering the future he envisioned for his siblings. Ayu and Anshu deserve better.

In the corner, Naina, uninterested in the business discussions, fiddles with her phone, completely oblivious to the tension in the room. On the other side, Arun, who had been dismissive about the family business, shifts uneasily as he absorbs the implications of Daksh's impending CEO role. The sudden change in atmosphere doesn't escape him, and he starts to wonder if this is truly what Pratham would have wanted.

The shareholders agreed to the decision of Daksh becoming the next CEO. There were nods of approval around the table, and one by one, they began to stand, offering their condolences before leaving the room. Aryamaan felt the weight of their decision settling in his gut—something about this didn't sit right with him. He watched as Daksh walked off with the legal advisor, speaking in hushed tones. Aryamaan frowned, noticing the way they leaned in closer as if sharing a secret.

Naina quickly excused herself and headed back to her room the moment the meeting was over. She had no interest in any of it, which was no surprise. Meanwhile, Arun was engrossed in a quiet conversation with their mother, seemingly oblivious to the undercurrents that Aryamaan was beginning to feel.

Aryamaan waited, his eyes flicking toward his grandmother, Suhasini, who sat at the head of the table. She was calm, unnervingly so. There was no sign of disagreement or concern on her face, and it unsettled him even more. Why wasn't she saying anything? Didn't she realize something was off?

Aryamaan stood a few paces away, watching Arun speak with Suhasini. His frustration was mounting, but he forced himself to wait until they were done. As he stood there, he caught snippets of their conversation, his curiosity piqued.

"Maa, yeh sab kya hai? Main jaanta tha Bhaiya ke jaane ke baad Daksh hi CEO honewala hai, but unke saare properties, saare shares bhi uske naam? Maa, I don't think Bhaiya would do that. What about the kids? Unke naam kuch bhi nahi? Moreover, the will didn't even mention anything about their guardianship. Bhaiya itna ignorent kaise ho sakta hai?"

Arun's voice was thick with frustration and disbelief. Aryamaan leaned in slightly, trying to hear more, though he knew he probably shouldn't.

Suhasini's voice, calm and measured, broke the tension in the air. "Arun, shaant ho jao. I know everything. I know what is happening, and I know what happened also."