Prologue

Let the Lies Begin

9 years ago

Third Person Pov

Vritra was smiling fondly at the unfolding scene. It has always been like this in the Rajawat household. Akshay will challenge Kaustav in the game of basketball, while girls will be acting as cheerleaders.

Well, not Vritra. But definitely Disha and Anaya.

"Bhai, what are you doing? Look ahead?" Anaya called out exasperatedly. The ball would have been in Akshay's hands if he hadn't been blinded by the sight of Disha, his eternal love, who was accompanying her best friend Vritra and steadily reaching the premises of the basketball court. 

Anaya looked on, exasperated at the turn of events in the match. Though she loved both her brothers equally and cheered for them, her soft corner has always been for her own brother, Akshay. 

That doesn't mean she does not love Kaustav. But well, Kaustav always won. Like always. So, losing one game is okay. 

There has never been a time when he hasn't. Winning basketball or any other sport was a piece of cake for him. But the desperation in Anaya's eyes sidetracked Kaustav's brain from winning. He can always win any other time. 

This game is dedicated to Anaya Rajawat. If she wants Akshay to win, then Akshay Rajawat will win the game hands down. 

Kaustav dribbled the ball and angled his head towards the court section. Akshay, being the novice player he is, moved around his elder brother, took the ball quickly and dribbled the ball towards the basket. 

Adding to the theatrics, Kaustav pretended to be sidetracked, which gave Akshay extra seconds to take aim and go for a shot. 

Bingo!! 

Akshay Rajawat- 1

Kaustav Rajawat- 0

The score was all it took for Anaya to launch herself on the basketball court and practically jump into the arms of her brothers. It is not every time Akshay baskets a ball against his elder cousin, Kaustav. 

It is a celebration in itself. 

Kaustav muffled his kid sister's hair and excused himself from them. All this while, girls, except Vritra, fawning over Akshay to the day's end for their own reasons. For one, he was the person she looked up to and respected, and for the other, he was the world. 

There was a look of deprivation in Kaustav's eyes. He knew he would not get it. Not in this lifetime. With retreating steps, he gave a subtle nod for water to his attending valet. 

"I would have really congratulated Akshay, if it was really his win." 

Kaustav knew the peace would last only one minute whenever Vritra was in the picture. He has no idea how her voice always stirs something in him. She is a wallflower to every other person. But for him, she was always the dazzling star. 

Pity that he has zero interest in undying love like Disha and Akshay, or else he would have explored the possibility of taking the star to his home and keeping her on a pedestal. 

There is no time for regrets in his world. 

"So, did Akshay win or did you let him win?" Vritra egged on. 

"Tomato, Tomahto. Same thing. Why does it matter, Vritra?" Kaustav finished the bottle, being nonchalant about the intelligent observation, and handed it to the valet. 

"No, just observing. The Great Kaustav Rajawat who never fails, who knows everything,has failed at manoeuvring an in and out trick of basketball. Not believable." Vritra just knew what to say and when to say. 

"I got sidelined, and something else was on my mind. Dadu has been very sick lately, we are thinking of taking him to London for advanced treatment." Kaustav cajoled her into thinking about some other major topic. 

The world runs on fear. It's perfectly fine to make one, but Vritra was far too observant for his own good. She has not earned the name of Wallflower on a whim. 

"I know what you are doing. But, theek hai, agreed. I will not push it further. Well, if that is all, I would like to visit Dadu."

"You approached me, not the other way around. But it's okay if you want to leave. I am sure there are more pressing matters." Kaustav replied derisively, in an imprudent manner.

"What is with that attitude? Do you want me to take you on a date or what?" Vritra never understood this part of the boy. Agreed he had to grow up fast. But that is how life is. It is a shitshow. Accepting it will only help. 

"Yes, only with you, Lis." Rolling her eyes, she walked off, leaving a half-amused boy who splintered his way up to his room. Riling her up was the star moment of his week. 

Vritra was making her way back to the grand, opulent mansion. No, it is not a mansion but a palace in its own right. Her mother had once mentioned that the house needed an army of servants just to clean the premises. 

Not to add, there is a bevy of rooms lined up with crisscross halls. Disha, Anaya, Anshul, and Vritra would have been forever lost in these hallways if there had not been CCTV cameras. She has been over here countless times, but still, it looks just like a garden maze to her. 

Vritra's POV

Now, where is Dadu's room? Was it on the second floor, or did they shift him to the ground floor for obvious reasons?

But where is the room? Oh, right, just behind the staircase room. But why over there? 

There are countless rooms on the ground floor as well. Never mind, Mumma has also advised me not to say anything to Rajawats. It is better to be quiet in front of them. 

But why does everything feel so gloomy and dark in the room? Haven't they switched on the lights? At Least windows could have been kept open for ventilation.

"My Princess has finally come to meet her Prince Charming." Daadu always had a way with words. After Mother's death, he was the only shining part of my life after Disha. 

He was the first one to console me while I cried and threw a tantrum, asking for my mother.

He was the one to take care of me when I was burning with fever due to my incessant crying. 

Just imagine a man worth crores of money who took days off to tend to an ordinary employee's daughter. To think of it, her own father had abandoned her and was wallowing in his misery under the number of files. 

It is so unfortunate our own cannot understand us, but sometimes a stranger becomes an integral part of your life. 

"You know naa, I just cannot resist your charm." I gave him the most toothy smile while fidgeting with the light bulbs in the room. 

"It is dark, but I can still see the shining pearl of whites across the room." Like I said, he can charm anyone. He has a zamindari lineage, for god sake. 

Well, that attribute has clearly been entitled to one of his grandsons. "Still thinking about Kaustav?" I don't know how he always managed to see every thought that crossed my mind. 

"Dadu, I don't read my book backwards." Well, two can play this game. I have been mentored by the man who has kept the Indian economy at the snap of his fingers. I have to be the best, always.

"I have trained you well. But now I want to say something, every family has a secret. It is better to not indulge into it. You will just burn your hands." 

"Is it important right now?" I was confused. Why this information now? 

"No, I was playing on my deathbed card and spouting nonsense to you." He added the theatrics of an old man on his deathbed to prove his point. 

"It is really not funny." I was dismissed.

"Okay, okay. How about you get me a glass of water. My throat is starting to feel patchy." 

"okay going. They haven't kept a jug of water either. But don't sleep now. I want to hear all the juicy details on how you made a fool of Indian politicians in the 1990s."

"That is what I have always liked about you and Kaustav. Inquisitive minds with a strong sense of righteousness and loyalty." 

With those words, I leave him to muse on his own thoughts. 

I scoff at his words. That boy doesn't have a loyal bone in his body. He is Saksham's Uncle's son through and through with the face of Tina Rajawat. 

"The work has been done. Everything will fall in place." The voice sounds oddly familiar. 

"But why isn't he touching anything?" The woman was trying to be calm, but she was anything but. Now, that is making me curious; the feminine voice sounds familiar. Through the peephole, I come face to face witthe eldest child and daughter-in-law of Daadu. 

"Ah, there he is. He has touched the cigarette tray."

There was a sudden sound of yelp coming from Dadu's room at that instant. 

I rushed into the room and could see life drawn out from Dadu's eyes. Since I was the closest, I came back as soon as possible. The short yelp drew everyone's attention.

Within a few minutes, everyone except two people were at Dadu's door and were equally aghast with the turn of events.  

He was right; some internal matters are left untouched. I don't want to meddle in their affairs; if a son can kill his own father for power, then I am nothing in front of him. 

Just a personal assistant's daughter.