The Lure of the Satgram

The breakfast table at the King’s mansion was a silent, choreographed performance. Shiva sat at the head, while his six other wives moved like ghosts, serving tea and fruit. Anjali sat across from him, her face a mask of calm.

"I’ve decided to help you get the girl," Anjali said, her voice steady. "But I have one condition."

Shiva paused, a wide, triumphant smile spreading across his face. "Anything for you, Anjali."

"She won’t replace me," she whispered, meeting his eyes. "I remain the favorite."

Shiva smirked, a look of chilling amusement. "Don't worry about that, darling. No girl will ever replace you in this house." Beneath the table, Anjali caught Ram’s eye. They shared a secret, desperate smile—the plan was in motion.

In the kitchen, two of the other wives, Aparna and Mira, spoke in hushed tones. "I want to be the one on top, not that child Anjali," Aparna complained, her ambition blinded by the reality of their situation.

Mira turned to her, her eyes cold. "Who cares about being a favorite, Aparna? Leaving this place alive is my only concern. I don't want to be a madman's queen; I want to be free." Aparna stared at her, shocked by the blatant talk of rebellion.

In Shimla, the mood was momentarily lifted by the arrival of Bharat’s nephew, Anvik. As Bharat walked through the door, Sapna rushed to him. "I missed you so much, Papa!" she cried, seeking the validation she felt Jia stole from her.

Bharat smiled, but his eyes immediately went to Jia. "How have you been, my dear?" he asked, walking past Sapna to pat Jia on the shoulder.

Radha’s face contorted with fury. "Your real daughter just greeted you, Bharat, but you ignored her for the fake one!"

"Radha, don't start this nonsense," Bharat warned, his voice rising.

"Nonsense? This girl is the nonsense!" Radha shouted.

"Enough!" Bharat barked. "We have a visitor. Anvik is with me."

Anvik stepped inside, providing a brief reprieve. Sapna’s face lit up with genuine excitement at the sight of her cousin. But the darkness was never far away. As the family gathered, Anvik looked at Jia. "Oh... Jia, right?"

"He remembered his blood only," Radha interrupted with a venomous grin. "Not a fake stranger like you." Jia’s smile vanished, and she turned, fleeing the room in tears as the laughter of the others felt like thorns.

Later that afternoon, Anjali met with Vishnu. He slid a smartphone across the table, displaying a profile. Anjali’s breath caught. She stared at the photo of the teenager with the bright eyes and the innocent smile. Something about the girl's face felt hauntingly familiar, a distant memory she couldn't quite grasp.

"So this teenager is the one who has Shiva on edge?" Anjali asked, her voice tinged with jealousy. She looked at Vishnu. "Tell me one thing... do you think she’s prettier than me?"

Vishnu shifted uncomfortably. "I am just an errand boy, Madam Anjali."

Anjali smirked, her eyes returning to Jia’s photo. "Whatever. Tell me the plan. How do we reel her in?"

Far away in the kitchen, Mira leaned closer to Aparna, her voice a mere breath. "Me and Zara are planning something. An escape from this madness. Are you in, or are you going to stay here and wait for Shiva to kill you?"

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