Anindita :HIS Ardhangini

Chapter 3: Their Past

The night was thick with silence as Avinash walked through the dimly lit corridors of his palace. Moonlight filtered through the grand windows, casting ghostly patterns on the walls. He had spent countless nights like this-alone, roaming the vast emptiness of his home, the quietness amplifying the weight of his thoughts.

For years, he had built walls around himself, fortifying his heart against any sign of weakness. He was a king, a CEO, and a feared mafia leader; emotions had no place in his life. But tonight, memories stirred within him, haunting shadows that refused to be forgotten.

Avinash paused at the door to his study, but instead of entering, he turned and headed to the balcony that overlooked the palace grounds. As he looked out over his kingdom, he felt the familiar bitterness rise within him. He had a family, yet he had felt like an orphan for as long as he could remember. His parents were alive, present even, but their indifference had hardened his heart. To them, he was nothing more than a figurehead-a puppet king groomed to uphold their legacy, with no regard for his own dreams or desires.

He clenched his fists, feeling the anger simmer beneath the surface. That indifference was what had driven him to claim power for himself, not as their son but as a king in his own right. He had built Rathore Industries from the ground up, forged alliances in the shadows, and crafted his empire with the help of his only true family: Abhay and Ranveer.

A faint sound caught his attention. He turned to see Abhay standing at the doorway, his expression unreadable. "Couldn't sleep?" Abhay's tone was calm, yet perceptive, as if he understood the turmoil Avinash was battling within.

Avinash shook his head, letting out a bitter chuckle. "Sleep isn't something I get much of, Abhay. Not when there's so much to protect."

Abhay stepped forward, his gaze steady. "It's not just the business that keeps you up, is it?"

For a moment, Avinash was silent. He and Abhay rarely spoke of the past; they both preferred to focus on the future they were creating. But tonight, under the cover of darkness, Avinash felt the need to confide in his friend.

"It's my family," he said finally, his voice low. "They're strangers to me, Abhay. I have the title, the palace, the wealth-but I don't have them. To them, I'm just... an heir."

Abhay listened without interrupting, understanding the pain behind Avinash's words. As an orphan himself, he knew the ache of longing for a family. But he also knew that he and Avinash shared a bond deeper than blood-a loyalty forged through years of hardship and ambition.

"We've made our own family, Avinash," Abhay said firmly. "Ranveer, you, me-we're all we need. The past doesn't define us anymore."

A small smile tugged at the corner of Avinash's mouth. Abhay was right. The bonds he had with Abhay and Ranveer were more genuine than anything he'd ever experienced with his own family. They had been by his side through every victory, every battle, every moment of doubt. And together, they had built an empire that would be remembered for generations.

Just then, a loud, carefree voice interrupted the somber atmosphere. "Am I interrupting some kind of emotional therapy session here?" Ranveer stepped onto the balcony, his grin as wide as ever, breaking the tension with his usual humor.

Avinash and Abhay exchanged a glance, both barely suppressing a chuckle. Leave it to Ranveer to bring them back to reality.

"Relax, Ranveer," Avinash said, his voice lighter. "We were just discussing... matters of the past."

Ranveer rolled his eyes. "You two and your brooding. The past is done, my friends. All that matters is what we conquer next." He leaned against the railing, his gaze fixed on the horizon, his face suddenly serious. "And there's a lot more out there waiting for us to claim."

Avinash's expression hardened as he considered Ranveer's words. He knew what he wanted: total control, a legacy that would never be forgotten. But he also knew that enemies lurked around every corner, waiting to exploit any sign of weakness.

"We have to be ready," Avinash said, his voice steely. "This empire we're building-it's not just business. It's survival. Our enemies will come for us, and when they do, we can't hesitate."

Ranveer's grin returned, more dangerous this time. "Let them come. They have no idea who they're dealing with."

Abhay nodded, his gaze unwavering. "We're prepared for whatever comes our way."

In that moment, standing side by side with his two best friends, Avinash felt an unbreakable sense of resolve. They were bound by loyalty, united by ambition, and fueled by a shared thirst for power. The world might see him as a ruthless king, a cold-hearted mafia boss-but with Abhay and Ranveer at his side, he was more than just a lone figure. Together, they were unstoppable.

As dawn approached, the three of them stood in silence, watching the first rays of sunlight touch the palace grounds. This was their kingdom, their world to rule. And they would stop at nothing to make it theirs.