The next morning...
The former Sarpanch was sitting alone in the garden of the haveli. He had spent a year in a cramped room that felt like punishment. The air was fresh, but his eyes still carried layers of bitterness.
Shrey approached him.
"You look quite cheerful, Sarpanch... Oh, sorry—former Sarpanch," Shrey said sharply.
The Sarpanch fixed his weary, sinking eyes on him.
"You seem all so happy, boy…" he said slowly and bitterly.
"You must be enjoying these days, after all," Shrey smiled and sat in front of him, slicing an apple—each cut seemed to peel off layers of old memories.
"Just imagine what'll happen if Anay finds out what you did. Besides, he's already forgotten that girl…"
Shrey glared at him for a moment, then calmly lifted his eyelids again and gave a poisonous smile.
"Go on… just tell him. If he accepts, speak everything out with full intent."
Ravindra(the Sarpanch) clenched his fists, lips tightened, face reddened. He knew Anay trusted Shrey more than his own shadow.
"He'll die an ugly death if he messes with me, boy…" Ravindra growled, venom in his eyes.
Shrey didn't smile, but his voice was iron-cold:
"I'd stake myself for my friend… then what is life even worth? And don't you forget you pointed a gun at him."
Ravindra ground his teeth.
"And you conveniently forgot the girl who shot at your friend? I'm not responsible for Anay's state that's on her."
"Silence." Shrey's voice erupted:
"This war was started by the deaths of Abhivansh Thakur, Vivan Singhania and his sister. And you killed them!"
His eyes were ablaze.
"That girl came to exact revenge—I can accept that. But had I been there… I would've killed you in the same barbaric way, Ravindra."
Ravindra's fists shook, his face turned stone.
At that moment, Moli entered with his medicines.
"Sir… here are your tablets…"
The Sarpanch glared and snapped up the glass of water, splashing it onto Moli's face.
Shrey's fists tightened.
"Go inside, girl," the Sarpanch growled.
Terrified, Moli looked at him until Shrey signaled her to retreat.
She fled without looking back.
Shrey's voice was laced with poison:
"What's this, former Sarpanch haven't you lost your habit of throwing your weight around on women?"
Anger flared in the Sarpanch's reddened eyes.
Shrey gave a crooked smile and walked toward Anay's room.
---
Inside Anay's room...
Shrey scanned the room and found Anay's bed empty.
"He left so early?"
He checked the bathroom.
"Anay…?"
No answer. The door was open from the outside.
"Where did he go…?" Shrey muttered and moved toward the balcony.
There he found Anay — asleep on the couch, still in yesterday's clothes.
"Anay...!" Shrey shook him awake.
"Hmm…" Anay stirred and opened his eyes.
"Why are you sleeping here?"
"Ahh…" Anay groaned.
"What happened? In pain?"
"No… I slept here, my back stiffened, I guess."
"You foolishly could've just slept in bed," Shrey scolded.
"Don't play mother on me all the time… or I'll straighten you out someday," Anay replied, winking.
"Did you take your pills last night?" Shrey pressed as they entered the room.
"Yes, Amma, I did… I wasn't waiting around for you to feed me your medicines," Anay replied mockingly and headed for the bathroom.
Shrey watched him go, muttering under his breath:
"You insolent brat…"
---
Later at breakfast...
They all sat down to eat. In front of Ravindra was only a bowl of light porridge—he had strict dietary orders due to his health.
Shrey, however, had ordered a sumptuous breakfast for himself and the others.
"Your pumpkin curry is delicious, aunty!" Shrey exclaimed joyfully, savoring a bite.
Ravindra pressed his lips and glared. That tasteless porridge felt like an insult to him.
But Shrey paid no mind—he praised the food all around, smiling and chatting.
---
Later in the morning...
Anay and Shrey set out to check a major supply delivery—a contact they had.
Then they headed to the fields to inspect. Workers were singing and working. As soon as they saw Anay and Shrey, they bowed their heads and resumed their work.
Shrey's eye caught a girl among them, restless—
"She's uneasy… has chores at home and in the field."
"Let's move on?" Anay asked.
"You go ahead—I'll come," Shrey said softly.
Anay walked away without speaking.
Shrey hurried to Moli and said firmly:
"Girl!"
Startled, she looked up and stammered,
"Yes… Shrey…Malik....?"
"Bring me coffee."
"Coffee?" She looked surprised.
"Are you deaf?" Shrey snapped.
"I—I'll get it…" She flinched and hurried off.
Shrey followed her to his room and waited inside. When she arrived with coffee, he yanked her in and said sharply, "Are you built of flesh and bone—or iron and stone?"
Moli froze.
"I'm sorry, I didn't get—"
"Working in the fields now, on top of house chores?!" Shrey's tone was harsh.
"My father's health is bad… his medicines—"
Her voice choked off. She was afraid, yet tried to speak softly—barely audible.
"So you couldn't tell me?" Shrey growled, voice as forceful as a wall crumbling.
Moli lowered her head, hands trembling.
Silence filled the room for a moment.
"Go."
Shrey suddenly said, lifting his coffee cup.
"Y-yes…" Moli nodded, turning to leave—
"Get out!" Shrey burst.
Moli trembled; tears welled in her eyes. She said nothing—turned silently, and rushed from the room.
Too be Continued.....