Ch.3

After a long ride, they finally arrived at the Rajput mansion. It was enormous, guarded heavily, and staffed with numerous servants. Everyone around them bowed in respect.

The car came to a halt, and Ansh hurriedly stepped out. He looked back at Divesh and the other staff members approaching him. They all followed the same man who had been riding with Ansh, entering the mansion behind him.

Servants and guards bowed and greeted the man, while he responded with a nod or casually dismissed them. A woman approached him, smiling warmly. She took his hand and said,

"Ayansh... I was waiting for you. Oh, they've arrived... Good evening, everyone. I am Ayansh Rajput’s wife, and he is the second son of Rajesh Rajput. My name is Mira. It’s lovely to meet you all—especially you, Ansh."

Ansh smiled hesitantly as Divesh and the staff bowed before Ayansh. Ansh followed suit, but Ayansh spoke in his deep voice,

"Oh, that's okay… there's no need for that."

Mira called a maid and instructed her to show them to their rooms. The maid led them down a grand hallway. Ansh felt a strange discomfort—as if someone was watching him. He shook it off and entered his room.

He sat on the bed and sighed. The room was too large for his liking. Closing the door behind him, he went into the bathroom, freshened up, and eventually drifted off to sleep. Divesh and the other staff were assigned to separate rooms.

---

The next morning, Ansh was woken by loud noises echoing through the mansion. He yawned and stepped outside to investigate the commotion. Divesh and the other staff emerged from their rooms as well, yawning in sync.

They looked at each other and headed toward the hallway, peeking over the railing to see where the noise was coming from. Below, the mansion buzzed with people dressed in elegant, royal attire.

Divesh rushed to Ansh and said,

"We should freshen up and go downstairs."

Ansh nodded. He returned to his room, cleaned up, and changed into a white balloon-sleeve shirt, blue pants, and a half-sleeve blue jacket. A makeup artist came in and did his makeup.

Later, Ansh, Divesh, and the rest of the staff went downstairs. They greeted everyone gathered there. Ayansh glanced at Ansh with the same piercing look, as though he wanted something from him. It made Ansh uncomfortable.

Ayansh walked toward him and said,

"Let me introduce you to everyone."

Ansh looked at Divesh, who nodded reassuringly. Reluctantly, Ansh nodded back. Ayansh guided him towards an elderly couple.

"These are the heads of the Rajput family. My father, Rajesh Rajput, and my mother, Ayesha Rajput."

Ansh greeted them, and they both smiled warmly, welcoming him with grace. Their behavior made him feel a little more at ease.

Ayansh then introduced Ansh to his uncle and aunt, who also greeted him kindly. After that, they approached his younger sister, Diya.

"I'm your big fan," she said with a bright smile.

Ansh smiled back, thanking her.

"I have an elder brother too," Ayansh added, "but he’s away on business."

Ansh simply nodded, and Ayansh smiled. Ansh offered a hesitant smile in return.

Just then, Mira came over, took Ayansh's arm, and said,

"Let’s go. It’s time for breakfast."

Ayesha instructed the maids to begin serving. Ansh and his staff were seated together, but Ansh could feel the weight of everyone's gaze on him. It made him uneasy.

Breakfast was served silently, everyone eating without a word or even a sound. Ansh felt like he was sitting among corpses. He ate little, stood up, thanked them politely, and walked back to his room. Divesh noticed and followed him shortly after.

Inside the room, Ansh looked at Divesh and said,

"Um... I think we should leave and stay at a hotel. I'm not comfortable here."

Divesh nodded,

"I’ll speak with Master Ayansh. Don’t worry."

Ansh sighed and said,

"I think I’ll go out for a walk. Maybe explore a bit, ease my mind."

Divesh frowned,

"But not without staff—"

"No! Please… I want to go alone. I promise I’ll call you if anything happens. You already know—I’m from here. I know every route. Please..." Ansh pleaded, pouting and giving puppy eyes.

Divesh sighed,

"Fine, but call me if anything happens."

"Yay! Okay, promise. I’m going… bye!" Ansh left quickly, happy to get some freedom. Divesh smiled at his enthusiasm. Ansh quietly slipped out of the mansion unnoticed.

But... someone was watching him.

---

Ansh wandered through the local market, a soft smile on his face. He admired little trinkets, watched a girl perform stunts on a rope, and indulged in cotton candy and chocolates. The simplicity of it all made him genuinely happy.

He ate at a small roadside eatery, hopping in and out of little shops, soaking in the normalcy he missed. As evening approached, the sky turned a magical shade of gold.

He noticed a small temple nearby and walked toward it. He removed his shoes and stepped inside. A beautiful statue of a goddess stood before him. Folding his hands, he closed his eyes and began to pray.

Suddenly, he sensed a presence behind him.

Startled, he turned around—no one was there.

A cold shiver ran down his spine. He looked once more at the goddess, then stepped out of the temple—only to find a bouquet of roses and a letter lying on the ground.

His eyes widened in fear. He didn’t touch it. Instead, he hurried away, returning to the crowded market where the noise and people offered a sense of safety.

At a small vendor's stall, he noticed a cute rabbit plushie. Smiling, he asked the boy about it.

"You have to win it, sir. It's a ring toss game," the boy said.

"Alright then, hand me the rings." Ansh grinned.

He played enthusiastically but kept missing. After several tries, he sighed and walked away. As he browsed another stall, the same vendor boy approached him with the plushie and the bouquet.

"Sir, here. This rabbit and this bouquet are for you."

Ansh's smile faded instantly.

"But I didn’t win it..." he said, voice trembling.

"Someone else gave it to you, sir. Please take it. I have to return to my stall."

With shaky hands, Ansh accepted the items. His heart raced when he saw not one, but two letters—one tucked in the bouquet and another pinned to the plushie.

Terrified now, Ansh dialed Divesh.

"Come pick me up. Please… now."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Helloooo...readersssss... Here came again #yourcheesyauthour 😉

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