Shadows Of Darjeeling

Chapter 7

Meanwhile at Rawat's Residence,

The Rawat residence was a sprawling mansion, an embodiment of wealth and power. Nestled in an exclusive area of the city, the house stood tall, an imposing structure of glass and stone, surrounded by manicured gardens and well-kept hedges. The grandeur of the house contrasted with the coldness that lingered within its walls. Everything here spoke of luxury, but there was no warmth—just the echoes of expectations, demands, and unspoken tension.Inside, the atmosphere was equally cold. The long corridors were adorned with fine artwork, elegant sculptures, and rich, dark furniture. The Rawat household was not a home, but a monument to status. The house seemed empty, despite its grandeur—no laughter, no joy—just the hum of quiet servants going about their work. The butler, Mr. Sharma, was the epitome of formality, and the servants moved swiftly through the halls, always respectful, always silent. The only warmth came from Lily, the Rawat family's caretaker, who had been with the family for years and had cared for both Aarnav and his brother, Ayaan, since their birth.Rishi Rawat, the patriarch of the household, was a figure of authority and control. He was a man of precision, used to getting what he wanted, no matter the cost. The sharpness in his gaze could cut through anyone's defenses, and his commanding presence left no room for argument.Aarnav Rawat, his only son, lived under the same roof but in a world apart. Aarnav was tall, lean, and handsome, with a coldness that matched his surroundings. His demeanor was distant, detached, as if the world had yet to give him a reason to care. He rarely showed emotion, except when anger flared, and that was often. Unlike his elder brother Ayaan, who had taken the traditional route of law school in Princeton, Aarnav rejected the notion of following in his father's footsteps. He was a rebel, always challenging authority, always questioning the expectations set for him. But today, the cold tension was palpable as Rishi and Aarnav stood in the study, the room filled with the musty scent of old leather-bound books. Rishi's voice cut through the silence, heavy with disappointment."Aarnav, you are reckless. Time and time again, you've ignored the responsibilities placed on your shoulders. You think you can do whatever you want, but let me tell you something—you *can't* escape your duty. You were born to take over this empire, and you will, whether you like it or not."Aarnav, who had been staring out the window with his back to his father, turned slowly. His expression was unreadable, his eyes distant, yet the tension in his jaw was evident. He finally spoke, his voice sharp, almost mocking."I never wanted to be the heir. I don't care about your empire, Father. I don't care about the money, the power, or the legacy you want to build. I've never wanted any of it," Aarnav's words came out in a low growl, the frustration evident in his tone.Rishi's hand slammed down on the desk, making Aarnav flinch slightly, though his face remained stoic. "You think you have a choice? You think you can just walk away from this? This is your *life*, Aarnav. Whether you want it or not, you have a responsibility to carry on the Rawat name."Aarnav clenched his fists, his cold demeanor slipping for just a moment. "You've never cared about what I want, Father. All you've cared about is building your empire. I'm nothing but a tool for you, something to carry on your legacy. Well, I don't care about it. I never asked for it."Rishi's face turned crimson, and for a moment, it seemed like the room itself might collapse under the weight of his anger. "Then you leave me no choice," he hissed, his words dripping with venom. "You think I can't force you? You think I haven't been patient with you all these years? You *will* take your place as the heir. You have no other option!"Aarnav stood there, unblinking, his eyes cold and unwavering as he met his father's fury. "You can't force me, Father. I'll never be the man you want me to be." The words came out like a final declaration, cutting through the tension in the room.Before Rishi could respond, Aarnav turned sharply, his back to his father once more. Without another word, he walked out of the study, his footsteps echoing down the long hallway.Rishi's voice followed him, a low growl of frustration. "You'll regret this, Aarnav. I *promise* you."Aarnav didn't stop. He didn't turn around. His steps were quick, purposeful, as if leaving the house was the only way he could breathe again. He made his way to the front door, his cold eyes scanning the room one last time. He didn't feel the weight of the Rawat legacy pressing on him. He didn't care.Outside, the air was crisp, the early morning chill biting at his skin. He walked to his car, ignoring the looks from the butler and the other servants who stood in the foyer, silent, as if they too understood the tension that had just unfolded.He got into the car, his hands gripping the leather seat. The driver, Mr. Raghav, didn't ask questions. He had learned long ago that when Aarnav was like this, silence was the best answer."Take me to my mother's grave," Aarnav muttered, his voice hoarse, barely above a whisper.The driver nodded, his gaze meeting Aarnav's in the rearview mirror, but he didn't say a word. The car began to move, leaving behind the mansion, the coldness of his father's words, and the weight of the expectations that followed him.Aarnav stared out the window, his eyes fixed on the road ahead, but his mind was elsewhere. It was always the same—no matter how far he went, no matter how much he rebelled, the Rawat name would always be there, suffocating him, reminding him of the life he could never escape.As the car sped through the streets, Aarnav's thoughts turned inward. He thought of his mother, Priya, who had passed away when he was just seven. She had been the only one who had ever truly understood him, the only one who had ever shown him affection without expectation. He had always felt her absence deeply, but today, it felt like her memory was the only place where he could find solace.The drive was silent, save for the soft hum of the engine, as Aarnav made his way to the cemetery. The only place where he could truly feel free, even if just for a moment.