The New Order

While the Vikram family was draped in the black of mourning, Raghav Hamfa was focused on a new beginning. He stood in the modest home of Madvi, his fiancee, looking at her with a sense of triumph that felt out of place given his family’s recent downfall.

"How are you?" he asked. "How is the family?"

"Everyone is fine," Madvi replied, though her eyes were clouded with doubt.

"By God’s grace, in two weeks' time, we will be married," Raghav stated firmly.

Madvi sighed, her hands wringing her apron. "I am just worried, Raghav. Your wife... your children... will they ever agree to this?"

Raghav straightened his posture, his voice cold. "Do not forget that I am the head of the family. They can do nothing to stop me. Do not worry about them."

"I hope so," she whispered. After a few more pleasantries, Raghav took his leave, oblivious to the fact that his decision was the final spark needed to burn his family's loyalty to the ground.

At the hospital, the immediate shock of Vikram’s passing had settled into a hollow, aching grief. Hari sat by Pooja, trying to offer comfort as she sobbed. The rest of the family stood in various states of undress and despair. Eventually, they began the somber procession back to the palace to prepare for the burial. The ceremony was a grand, sad affair—a fitting tribute to a man who had built an empire, yet left behind a family now vulnerable to the vultures circling their gates.

Back at the Hamfas', Swara found Ryan sitting alone in the yard, his eyes red from crying. "Ryan, what happened?" she asked gently.

"Is it not that husband of yours?" Ryan snapped. "I asked for a small amount for my admission, and he acted like I was a stranger. Why does he behave like we aren't his responsibility? I am tired of his rubbish, Mom. I am just tired."

He walked away before she could respond. Swara watched him go, a sense of dread filling her heart. What has Raghav done now? she thought. He is ruining us.

Inside the house, Sophia emerged from the bathroom and tossed a pile of old clothes onto the bed where Jia was sitting. "I don't even have anything decent to wear," Sophia lamented.

"Neither do I," Jia replied glumly.

"What kind of father do we have?" Sophia asked, holding up a faded dress. "What will I wear to go out? These old rags?"

"Don't worry," Jia said, trying to sound brave. "Very soon, everything will be okay."

Sophia let out a bitter laugh. "Okay? Sister, haven't you heard? Father is getting married again. How can things be okay when another mouth is coming to eat the little we have? It will only get worse."

Jia’s eyes narrowed into slits. A dark, cold smirk crossed her face. "We shall see. Let him bring her here. I will make sure she regrets the day she ever met my father."

Weeks passed, and the mourning period for Vikram Pal was cut short by betrayal. Rana, taking advantage of the chaos, contacted the landlord and sold the Vikram mansion behind the family’s back. When Aparna found out, she was livid.

"What have you done?" she screamed at Rana. "Why would you sell our home without a word to us?"

Before Rana could answer, the front gates opened and Sham appeared, accompanied by a middle-aged couple he introduced as his parents. Despite the tension, Aparna forced a smile, seeing Sham’s supposed wealth as their only remaining lifeboat.

"You are welcome," Aparna said, ushering them in.

"Thank you," the fake father replied smoothly. "We were so sorry to hear of your loss. May his soul rest in peace."

"Since Sham and Pooja love each other," the fake mother added, "we are here to discuss their engagement."

"Yes," Aparna agreed instantly. "We can arrange the ceremony for next week."

Pooja stood in the corner, horrified. "Mom! What are you doing? It has only been fourteen days since Father died, and you’re talking about an engagement?"

Aparna turned to her daughter with a fierce intensity. "I know the timing isn't perfect, but we have to move on! Look around us, Pooja. Everything is falling apart. Sham is rich; he is the only way you will not suffer."

News of Vikram's death had traveled fast, and despite their own struggles, the Hamfa family felt it was their duty to pay their respects. Vikram had been a man of honesty and trustworthiness, qualities Raghav lacked but respected in others.

The Hamfas arrived at the palace, now a house of mourning and secrets. Raghav and Shabir greeted Aparna and the grieving family with practiced solemnity. During the visit, Anika was sent to the kitchen to prepare tea for the guests. Her hands were shaking so badly from the stress of seeing Jerry lurking nearby and the grief of losing her uncle that as she moved to serve Shabir, the tray tilted.

The hot liquid poured directly onto Shabir’s lap.

"Oh my God! I am so sorry!" Anika cried out, dropping the tray in a panic.

Aparna’s eyes flashed with rage as she saw the accident. "You clumsy girl!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the parlor. "Can't you do anything right?"

The room fell into a tense silence, the spilled tea a dark stain on an already ruined afternoon.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***