On the Other Side
In a dimly lit, opulently furnished grey-themed bedroom, Ayansh sat cross-legged on the king-sized bed, his cold gaze fixed on the divorce papers in his hands. His expression betrayed his fury.
His sharp eyes lingered on the signatures of Vidyut and Maya, a silent testament to the betrayal he felt. Lifting his head, he leveled a dark glare at Vidyut, who was seated nonchalantly on the couch, and asked in a low, icy tone, “You told me you wouldn’t divorce my mother. Yet you did.”
Vidyut, shirtless, remained focused on his iPad, seemingly unfazed.
At Ayansh’s words, he finally lifted his gaze, meeting the boy’s with a cold, inscrutable expression.
Ayansh, too, held his stare, his own eyes just as steely.
Even in anger, Ayansh looked strikingly innocent—his slightly tousled short hair falling over his forehead, accentuating his delicate yet commanding presence.
His voice, demeanor, and intellect were far beyond his years.
At just two and a half, Ayansh spoke with an unsettling clarity, his deep, composed tone devoid of childish lilt. He read fluently, processed information swiftly, and carried an air of maturity that was nothing short of extraordinary—perhaps an inheritance of exceptional lineage.
Without a flicker of hesitation, Vidyut replied coolly, “Yes, I did say that.”
The confirmation only deepened the cold amusement in Ayansh’s striking blue eyes.
Mocking Vidyut’s detached tone, he locked eyes with his father and retorted, “I’ve heard people say that Vidyut Singhania is a man of his word. That he never goes back on his promises. But you lied. You broke your word. You’re a liar, Daddy! I don’t want to stay with you anymore. Take me to my mother.”
At his son’s words, a faint furrow appeared between Vidyut’s brows. There was no pleading in Ayansh’s voice—only quiet command.
Switching off his iPad, Vidyut leaned back against the couch, his expression unreadable. His voice was as dark as ever when he finally spoke. “I never divorced your mother.”
The statement made Ayansh’s already narrowed eyes darken further.
He had examined those documents thoroughly. They were, without a doubt, marriage termination papers.
The terms were clear: the moment both Vidyut and Maya signed, their marriage would be officially dissolved.
Perplexed, Ayansh glanced back at the documents resting on the bed.
The signatures were there—undeniable proof that the marriage had ended.
His young mind raced.
Lifting his gaze once more, his voice turned even icier. “You’re still lying to me? These papers clearly state that your marriage with my mother is over. And yet, you deny it. Do I look like a foolish child to you?”
Instead of answering, Vidyut walked over to the nightstand, pulled open the drawer, and retrieved a set of photographs.
Ayansh watched him with keen, calculating eyes.
Vidyut tossed the photos onto the bed before him. His voice was eerily calm as he stated, “Your mother and I weren’t married six months ago. We were married six years ago. And not in a contract marriage, but in a real one—with full rituals.”
Ayansh’s gaze dropped to the images scattered before him.
They depicted a wedding, but not in any conventional setting. The ceremony appeared to follow tribal customs, set deep within a jungle.
Vidyut was clearly visible in the photos, looking as composed and intense as ever. However, the bride—Maya—was veiled, her features obscured.
Ayansh carefully picked up the images, scrutinizing them.
Vidyut looked younger in these pictures, though no less formidable. At the time, he would have been around twenty-one—just a year into his role as Chairman of Singhania Group.
After thoroughly examining each image, Ayansh finally looked up.
Vidyut, standing beside the bed, was also gazing at the photos, his expression unreadable.
Ayansh’s voice, though quieter, held its usual iciness as he asked, “Fine. But why is your wedding taking place in the middle of a jungle? And with tribal rituals?”
Vidyut took the photos from Ayansh’s hands, his face betraying nothing. His voice was low, almost distant as he replied, “At the time, we were trapped in the jungle, among the tribals. And that was when we got married.”
“Trapped?”
Ayansh’s narrowed eyes became razor-sharp.
Fixing his father with an unrelenting stare, he asked coldly, “If you were truly trapped among tribals, then who took these wedding photos? Was your cameraman invisible?”
The moment the words left his lips, an amused smirk curled at the corner of Vidyut’s mouth, his deep blue eyes flickering with something unreadable.
Villa – Evening
Maya stood by the work desk at the center of the study, her gaze fixed on the large portrait adorning the wall—a frozen moment of her and Pratham, now a mere echo of the past.
Her hands rested in the pockets of her tailored pants, her face an unreadable canvas. Yet, her deep brown eyes held a silent storm, an aching desolation threatening to spill over—like unshed tears whispering the grief she refused to voice.
As her fingers traced the edges of a sleek cigar case, Pratham’s voice resonated in her mind, firm yet familiar—
"Maya! Are you really smoking?"
"No, Pratham." A faint smile ghosted her lips. "I’m not smoking. Just admiring the case. Look at it… It’s beautifully crafted. So refined."
"Good. It’s best to stay away from these things. Addiction can be a dangerous path."
His words echoed, a lingering reminder of a time now lost. Exhaling softly, Maya shut her eyes and placed the cigar case back on the desk.
A sharp knock at the door broke the silence.
Her gaze flickered back to the portrait one last time before she settled into her leather chair, her voice composed yet commanding—
"Come in."
The door swung open, revealing a towering figure. Bald, imposing, and etched with ominous tattoos that sprawled across his skin like cryptic warnings.
Maya’s lips curved into a knowing smirk.
"Lukash. You’re early."
_______________________________
What will happen next?
To know…
To be continued…
YOU ARE READING
His Enigmatic bride
Mystery / ThrillerVidyut Singhania is a name that strikes fear across the globe. Known as a ruthless devil, his mere presence sends shivers down spines, including those of his own family. But after a catastrophic car accident leaves him in a coma, everything changes...
