Rudrapur, Upper Districts – Veer's Family Mansion
The city of Rudrapur thrived under the golden hue of the morning sun. It was a world of contrasts—where towering mansions of the elite stood like silent sentinels over the bustling middle districts, their walls holding secrets darker than the shadows they cast. In the heart of the Upper District, behind the imposing black iron gates of the Khanna estate, Veer sat in the vast courtyard, staring at the steaming cup of coffee placed before him.
The mansion was a grand architectural marvel—a symbol of power and prestige. Marble pillars stretched high, gleaming chandeliers hung from intricately carved ceilings, and the scent of freshly polished wood filled the air. Servants moved swiftly, ensuring every detail remained perfect. Yet, for Veer, this place felt less like a home and more like a well-crafted cage.
He exhaled deeply, running a hand through his tousled dark hair. Something was missing.
On the surface, his life was perfect—wealth, respect, a name that carried weight in business and politics. His father, Abhijeet Khanna, was one of the most influential men in the city, feared and admired in equal measure. His mother, Anaaya, was the heart of the home, a woman of kindness and wisdom, yet always standing in the background of his father's authority. And then, there was Mahi, his younger sister, whose innocence was a rare light in the darkness of their world.
But beneath the carefully curated perfection of the Khanna family, cracks ran deep.
Veer's grip tightened around the coffee cup as he recalled last night's dinner. His father's voice—stern, commanding—had echoed through the grand dining hall.
"You need to focus, Veer. This world is not about emotions or desires. It's about control. The weak get trampled, the strong rule. That is the reality of life."
His father's words weren't new. They had been drilled into him since childhood. Yet, no matter how much he tried to conform to his father's expectations, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was something beyond this life of calculated business deals and ruthless power struggles. Something unseen. Something... calling him.
Morning Routine & Unshakable Thoughts
"Good morning, sir."
Veer snapped out of his thoughts as Meera, the head worker, placed a fresh set of files beside him. Meera was sharp, efficient, and always a step ahead of what the household needed. Unlike the other workers, she didn't bow or shrink in his presence. She addressed him with a certain confidence that others didn't dare.
"Your father asked me to remind you about today's meeting at the estate office."
Veer sighed. Another endless discussion about business expansion, money, and power. His life had become a predictable cycle of board meetings, social events, and carefully planned encounters with wealthy associates. He hated it.
"Tell him I'll be there," Veer said, standing up.
He took a slow walk through the hallways of the mansion, his eyes drifting over the paintings, the statues—everything that screamed wealth and legacy. His father had built this empire from the ground up, but it had come at a cost. There was no warmth in this house, only expectations.
As he passed the grand staircase, his mother, Anaaya, appeared, her soft smile a contrast to the cold walls around them.
"Veer, beta, are you okay? You seem... distracted lately."
Veer hesitated before answering. His mother was the only one he could be vulnerable with, but he knew that even she couldn't understand the growing restlessness inside him.
"I'm fine, Ma," he said, offering a small smile. "Just thinking."
Anaaya studied him for a moment before nodding. She knew there were things her son wasn't saying. But she wouldn't push. Unlike his father, she never forced answers out of him.
"Come have breakfast before you leave," she said, gently brushing his arm before walking towards the dining area.
Veer followed, but his mind was elsewhere.
Later that afternoon, after the exhausting business meeting with his father, Veer found himself driving aimlessly through the outskirts of Rudrapur. His sleek black car moved through the winding roads, the city fading behind him. He hadn't planned on it, but his hands had turned the wheel in this direction on their own.
The Lower District.
He had only been here a handful of times—mostly on visits with his father when overseeing land acquisitions. But today, he wasn't here for business.
His heart pounded as he neared the edge of the Vast Forest.
The towering trees stood like silent guardians, their dense foliage blocking out the sunlight in eerie patches. The deeper one went, the more the modern world seemed to disappear. Myths surrounded this place—stories of strange creatures, whispered warnings passed down through generations.
"Stay away from the Vast Forest."
"People go missing there."
"The forest has a mind of its own."
Veer exhaled sharply. He didn't believe in superstitions, but something about this place unsettled him. And yet...
He stepped out of the car.
A strange sensation washed over him as his feet touched the ground. The air was different here—heavier, charged with something unseen. The rustling of leaves felt like whispers in his ears.
He took a step forward.
Then another.
A shiver ran down his spine as he reached the forest's edge. He knew he shouldn't go any further. He knew it was foolish.
But before he could take another step, his phone buzzed.
Meera: "Sir, your father is asking where you are. He says to return home immediately."
Veer clenched his jaw, staring into the darkness of the trees before reluctantly turning back.
But as he walked away, he couldn't shake the feeling that the forest had been watching him.
Waiting for him.