"Behind the mask of innocence lies a hunger for revenge, where power reigns supreme and secrets dictate the game."
•••
Ananya's light conceals dark shadows.
Secrets fester.
Revenge fuels.
Betrayal lingers.
Obsession rules.
What will Trayaksh do whe...
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The faint light of dawn crept into Ananya's room, painting the walls in muted shades of amber.
Her eyes fluttered open, and the pounding in her head reminded her of the turmoil she had endured last night.
Her mind buzzed with the events of last night. The exchange with Trayaksh had caused her to lose control of her emotions and cry, and that's when the headache had started.
Throwing off the duvet, she sat up, her thoughts whirling like a storm. Sleep wouldn't return; she knew that much.
After a quick bath, she dressed in a simple kurta and leggings. Before taking her painkiller, she grabbed a pack of cookies, washing down the pill with a glass of water to help dull the massive ache. It took about an hour for the discomfort to ease, and once it did, she decided to head to the poojaghar.
The serenity of the sacred space always brought her comfort, but as she stepped into the room, a strange stillness greeted her. The diya flickered faintly in its brass stand, but there were no sounds of morning prayers. The absence of familiar faces struck her as odd—by now, Dadi, Vishwaraj, and Jhilmil would usually be here, chanting their prayers. Even Butler Alok, who was always on time, was missing.
Frowning, Ananya stepped outside, scanning the area. She spotted a middle-aged servant giving hurried instructions to the others.
The woman paused mid-sentence when she noticed Ananya, her face flashing with a blend of surprise and nervousness. She bowed respectfully in greeting. "Chhoti Malkin."
"Where is Dadi? And everyone else?" Ananya asked.
Before the servant could respond, a deep, familiar voice answered from behind her. "Everyone is in your Chachi's room."
Ananya turned to see Vishwaraj emerging from the hallway to her right. His usually composed face looked tired, the lines around his eyes more pronounced.
"Good morning, Dadu," She greeted, walking toward him.
"Good morning, beta," He replied, offering her a small, weary smile.
Her concern deepened. "Dadu, is everything alright?"
"Yes, beta," Vishwaraj assured her, though the weight in his tone betrayed him. "Your Chachi is just feeling a bit under the weather." He gestured toward the hallway he had just emerged from. "If you want, you can go check on her."
