Second Chance: A Dark Tale of Urban India-Chapter 98: The Celebration Night In Resort

It took hardly ten minutes for Rohit to reach the family’s resort by car. The estate itself was in Lutyens’ Delhi.

After a quick security check, his car was waved into the garage area.

The door opened. He stepped out wearing a deep blue sherwani kurta, a brown matching muffler draped around his neck, a Bluetooth bud tucked in his ear, and a Rolex watch gleaming on his left bandaged hand. Apart from that injury, he looked quite dashing.

He glanced around and spotted the familiar Secretary Pathak waiting with his signature cheeky grin. Pathak waved him over. "Here, young master... I have been waiting for you."

Rohit exhaled quietly. This man again.

At this rate, Pathak might as well become his permanent chauffeur. Not that it mattered. Complaints rarely changed anything in this household.

Secretary Pathak praised him with a series of sweet words which Rohit found no sense in except the fact that he was killing time in the name of a job.

But at least he gave him a small brief about the security placed, event places, program scheduled, buffet area, and a quiet warning about the untimely presence of media lingering near the courtyard entrance.

He took a glance around. It was indeed a good place to rest and chill in privacy. A fancy swimming pool, garden of flowers near the lawn roads, and a beautiful big modern estate that looked half the size of his villa but rather more spread over quite a few acres of land.

Every lane corner was lit up with lightings and garlands along with security personnel since cameras were not available. Must be a tactic of the Singhanias to keep things private in normal days.

Most of the media were occupied with high-profile guests, and Pathak skillfully guided Rohit through a quieter route, avoiding unnecessary attention. Soon, they reached the main stage.

Apart from a few security personnel, few event managers and photographers were also present.

Ragini and Raj Singhania stood at the center, welcoming guests.

Rohit’s eyes paused on Ragini.

She was wearing a red golden Banarasi saree just like a rose, and her husband Raj wore a green color suit which looked more like a thorn. His hands were in his pockets, eyes scanning the crowd, and a smug smile which definitely suited him best.

Just then Ragini’s eyes met Rohit’s and she waved, calling him.

Secretary Pathak took leave after making eye contact with Raj Singhania. He nodded and looked at Rohit, grabbed his arm, and took a mike from a nearby event manager and said to everyone present.

"Ladies and gentlemen, a little attention please."

Everyone there turned their heads to him.

"Just to let you know, one of the main reasons this event is placed is in honor of him, my son, Rohit Singhania. Everyone please a round of applause so I have an idea you hear me."

Everyone laughed at his theatrics but still applauded.

Afterward, Raj Singhania looked at Rohit and fixed his collar. "Now, you are free to go son."

Rohit nodded but politely asked, "Dad, if you don’t mind, can I borrow your wife for a while?"

Raj raised his eyebrows and laughed and patted him. "Sure, but make sure to return after you’re done with her. I still need her."

Once away from the crowd, she adjusted his sherwani lightly and said softly.

"...You’re looking handsome."

Rohit smiled faintly.

"And you’re looking dangerous tonight. I bet a lot of hearts would stop beating.. just at the sight of you."

Ragini let out a small laugh and tapped his cheek in a mock reprimand, though her hand lingered a moment longer than necessary.

Rohit caught her hand gently.

Ragini stiffened almost instantly, pulling her hand back.

"Rohit... not here."

He didn’t step away. Instead, he leaned slightly closer, teasing.

"Then don’t stand this close."

Just then a herd of other beautiful aunties came to the stage and demanded her to introduce Rohit and how good he was. In the midst, Rohit saw his aunt Kalyani calling him from a distance. She had media personnel with her.

He excused himself and left the stage. But right that instant Lisa notified him of Aisha’s message in Bluetooth.

He had a brief idea why she was calling him and he feared not one bit.

She introduced him to the cameraman and reporter. "Well, they are from EPB News. They wanted to ask some questions. How about you answer them?"

Rohit simply nodded. "Sure, go ahead."

But before the reporter would start, the cameraman intervened. "Hello sir, you recognised me? I am Danesh."

It turned out that this was the same cameraman who happened to report his rescue attempt on the metro line. But the reporter this time was different; it was not that pretty lady but a smart-looking man.

Rohit nodded with a smile and carried on with the reporter. Their questions were generic with little probing and not much hard to dodge.

"Mr. Singhania, what are we expecting from this celebration? Is it true that it is related to the deals with the Chambanis? Can you tell us your plans after completing your school?"

Rohit replied all in vague terms, neither highlighting too much nor going out of his way to boast himself.

They thanked him for his time and excused themselves.

Kalyani smiled and locked her arms with his as she moved in another direction, giving a faint touch of her private assets.

"Never knew you’d grow up so fast," she said with a sarcastic lilt. "Did hitting your head add a few extra pounds up here?" She tapped her own temple lightly.

Rohit simply smiled and nodded. He knew the real blow was coming next. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

As expected, she paused and said sweetly, "I heard Aisha was looking for you. She was at the bar counter last time I saw her. Why don’t you go give her a visit?"

"Sure, aunt," he smoothly moved his hand away from the lock, grabbed her slim waist to bring her closer, and gave a hug that sure stiffened her for a while. Then he left without glancing back.

***

A few moments ago, near the bar counter.

Aisha fidgeted with the small glass of mocktail in her hands, her fingers tracing the rim over and over. Just a few feet away, Tanuj and his friends lounged casually, laughing and chatting like they owned the place.

The reason she was stressed out was because she knew what was going to happen. She had been told to make a scene with him and splash the mocktail on his dress, staining it. The rest they would handle.

She had earlier warned Rohit not to come near the bar area. Otherwise she would be pressurized to do her part.

It’s not like She was not one bit worried about Rohit but rather the aftermath. She knew her loose nerve was still in Rohit’s hand, and she only wished that idiot would not show up. But she was utterly wrong.

Her phone buzzed with a new message.

[Cousin bastard: Do it. But not on the dress. Aim for my face.]

She rolled her eyes, confused. What difference would that make? He could wipe it off, sure, but he would still be humiliated in front of everyone. Still, she couldn’t take the pressure anymore. She downed the mocktail in one go. The cold sweetness calmed her nerves just a little.

She scoffed under her breath. "Good. At least he can’t complain later."

Just then she got nudged by Tanuj’s friend, and she looked up. Rohit was coming with his smug smile. To her surprise, another mocktail shot was placed near her. She felt really annoyed.

Meanwhile, Rohit had his own plan. He sure could have ignored them, but then they would come with something new.

So better to face it with whatever pre-intel he had while giving Aisha the cover. She was important to him, and others knowing they were in the same boat wouldn’t be good for his covert intel.

He scanned the group quickly as he approached.

At Tanuj’s side stood Sheela in a shimmering white lehanga suit, laughing with him. She was Tanuj’s girlfriend since school days, the same girl who used to give Rohit hell back when they were seniors.

Next to her was Roxana, the American blonde in a sleek black one-piece. Victor’s elder sister. Victor himself was missing, but his place had been taken by Tanuj’s two loyal lackeys , Pankaj and Asim , who both were trying desperately to simp their way into her attention.

On the far side of Aisha stood Reshma, the notorious gold-digger, in a shimmering yellow saree. She was chatting with Vijay, flirting shamelessly while sharing drinks.

There were a few new faces too, but Jayesh’s absence made Rohit frown for a split second. Still, he didn’t stop walking.

The moment he reached the bar, Aisha looked seriously pissed of. She pointed a finger straight at him and exploded.

"You... You! It’s all because of you! How can you do this to me?!"

Every head in the vicinity turned. The crowd instantly perked up, enjoying the unfolding drama.

Rohit stayed perfectly calm. He stepped closer with a puzzled expression and a faint, almost amused smile.

"Like what?"

She didn’t waste a second.

"You have the nerve..."

She snatched the fresh mocktail and splashed it straight into his face.

Nearby people gasped, murmurs rose. A few girls nearby snickered. But Aisha didn’t waste time and stood up and left with heavy steps as if fuming in anger.

Rohit blinked, but his smile didn’t fade. He took out his handkerchief to wipe his face. Though his collars remained wet.

"Oh... what am I seeing?" Reshma was the first to jump in with exaggerated sarcasm. "Did she just splash her drink on you?"

More random voices added from a distance as murmurs.

"What did he do to her...?"

"Why did she react like this...?"

Rohit gave her an annoyed look but said nothing and ordered a drink as if nothing happened.

Then Sheela said something to Tanuj and he spotted Rohit just behind him. "Who the fu... oh, Rohit, it’s you." He internally snickered. So far all good except Rohit’s dress still looked clean.

He folded his arms and confronted him, imposing. "Hey, I got a bad feeling for this... she was just there behind me. Why did she react so violent.. ? Did something happen in between you two?"

Rohit took the drink and twirl it in his hand, his tone relaxed

"Why don’t you ask her yourself? There was certainly a reason..." He looked at him, " A BIG, valid reason... she didn’t want you to know." He pointed his finger, " Otherwise why would she leave so fast with you—standing—right here?"

Tanuj’s smile stiffened. This wasn’t the old Rohit he remembered. The old Rohit would have panicked and tried to defend himself. This guy didn’t even flinch.

He emphasized by pressing his left shoulder. "Rohit, don’t forget I am still Aisha’s brother. How about you take a quiet seat and explain yourself."

Rohit calmly removed Tanuj’s hand.

"First, behave yourself. My hand is still injured." He flexed his bandaged hand and dusted off the touch. "Second, there’s nothing to explain. I’m her brother too. I see it as normal brother-sister bickering. No need to get worked up."

He took a relaxed sip of his new drink as he meaned it.

Tanuj’s patience snapped. He gritted his teeth, voice rising so everyone could hear.

"So that’s how you want to play it? You dare harass my sister and now you’re playing the brother card when I try to defend her honor?"

Rohit, who still had the mocktail in his mouth, suddenly splashed it straight into Tanuj’s face.

"Sorry... sorry. What did you say? Harassing your sister now?"

He added a mocking grin and set the glass back on the counter.

"Tell me one thing, Mr oxford.. Where was your bravado when we were sharing the same roof—for two years—while you were busy, settling your feet on foreign land—across the seven seas?"

Tanuj was beyond enraged. He wiped the drink from his face and lunged forward with a punch. "You.."

Rohit grabbed his fist mid-air with a firm grip, their hands shaking.

The situation turned dead serious. Many people quietly stepped back, giving them space.

Tanuj hissed in a low whisper, "You dare... seems you grew two inch of balls, in my absence."

Rohit laughed openly and scoffed.

"Heh. Last time the guy who mentioned these words had his balls crushed by these hands." He showed his bandaged hand. "Didn’t you ask aunt how I got injured?"

Tanuj’s face paled. Why did he bring his mother now? Did he really overestimated him. But his ego refused to budge in.

Sheela, overlooking the situation not turning as planned, tried to de-escalate. She put a firm hand on Tanuj’s. "Let’s back down and not make a scene we can’t handle."

Tanuj huffed as he turned back holding her waist and muttered "Loser bastard." At least he had his girlfriend.

However, he regretted soon as a new commotion started from afar. The Chambani siblings had joined the field.