Of Teasing, Ties, and Hidden Lives

"I haven't forgotten anything. I'm just waiting for the right time," Jai said with steely calm. "I have one month. I must find both of them—no matter what it takes. Otherwise... Dadaji will see the real Jai Singh Rathore in action."

His voice carried a quiet storm.

Manav, trying to make sense of his resolve, asked cautiously, "So... you've planned everything already? What's the next move?"

"Nothing... just wait. When the time is right, I'll play my ace. For now, I have to leave for Shimla this evening."

"Shimla?" Manav frowned. "Why so suddenly?"

"There's an important meeting. And I also need to visit Rajkhor Public School," Jai replied, checking something on his phone.

Manav looked curious. "I understand the meeting part. But why the school?"

Jai explained calmly, "There's the annual board meeting. Dadaji was supposed to attend, but he's unwell. I thought about sending Anant, but since I have a meeting nearby, I decided to handle it myself."

Manav settled onto the sofa and asked, "Where are you planning to stay? At a hotel?"

"Of course. Where else would I stay?" Jai replied casually.

Manav gave him a teasing look. "Well, I thought maybe you'd stay with Daksh. You two are pretty close, after all."

Jai's eyes narrowed. "Really? You're rubbing salt in old wounds now?"

Manav smirked devilishly. "Oh, oh... So you haven't gotten over her yet?"

Jai shot him a glare. "It's not like that. She was just... a little hot and sexy. It was nothing more than a physical attraction. Nothing serious or special."

"Oh sure," Manav chuckled. "If Daksh hadn't proposed to her first, she'd probably be your wife by now... not his."

"Shut up, you idiot!" Jai snapped. "She was just a passing attraction, nothing more. I never loved her. And don't get me started on this love crap—I don't get it, and I don't want to!"

Manav grinned wider. "Right, because you're in love with Vaani, aren't you?"

Without thinking, Jai replied, "Yeah."

The moment the word left his mouth, he froze. Manav raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Realizing what he just confessed, Jai fumbled, "No, I mean... she... I..."

But the truth had already slipped out.

Of Teasing, Ties, and Hidden Lives

Manav smirked, clearly enjoying the banter. "Of course, you'll never accept it, right? You're The Jai Singh Rathore. Your ego's taller than your height—wouldn't want it to shrink, would you?"

Jai gave him a death glare, his expression one of someone who could strangle with just his eyes.

But Manav wasn't done. He leaned back and continued with a mischievous grin, "Honestly, if you had married her, you'd probably have four or five kids by now! Who would've thought the great Jai Singh Rathore is a complete zero when it comes to women?"

Jai, fed up, picked up a file from the table and flung it at him. "Will you leave on your own or should I kick you out myself?"

"Okay, okay, I'm going! No need to get so worked up." Manav raised his hands in mock surrender and exited the cabin with a laugh.

Once he was gone, Jai returned to his desk, immersing himself in work once more.

Evening fell. Jai wrapped up his day and headed home.

As he stepped into the house and moved toward his room, his mother, Meera ji, called out gently, "Jai, wait."

He stopped and turned to her. "Yes, Mom? Do you need something?"

Meera ji walked closer with a soft smile. "Why, can't a mother talk to her son without needing something?"

Just then, Anant entered the room, playfully interrupting, "Oho, Badi Maa, looks like you've forgotten us completely. When will you talk to me for a change?"

Meera ji, confused, asked, "What are you saying, Anant? Why would I forget you?"

Anant replied dramatically, "Because now Bhaiya will only have time for his future wife! He'll only talk to her, not you."

Jai shot him an annoyed glare. "Shut your nonsense."

Anant quickly hid behind Meera ji, laughing. "See, Badi Maa? He's threatening me! What did I even say? He barely visits once a month. Never even calls. And after his wife comes, he'll be like the moon on Purnima—visible only once in a while!"

Hearing his antics, Meera ji burst into laughter.

Jai rolled up his shirt sleeves and growled, "You want to see the moon or an eclipse? Come here, I'll show you!"

Seeing Jai coming toward him, Anant yelped, "Save me, Badi Maa!" and started running around the living room like a child.

Jai chased after him, both of them laughing and dodging like mischievous schoolboys.

"Enough, both of you!" Meera ji finally scolded, trying to hide her own amusement. "What are you, kids? Running around like that! Now go, freshen up and come eat. I've cooked both of your favorite dishes tonight."

Jai smiled and walked toward his room. He rarely came home these days, preferring the quiet of his apartment. He never liked anyone interfering in his life or work. Apart from his family, very few people knew that Jai Singh Rathore—successful businessman on the outside—was secretly connected to the underworld.

Inside his room, he walked straight into the washroom. After a quick shower, he stepped out, running a towel through his hair.

His phone was ringing.

He glanced at the screen. It was Prashant Bhai.

His expression changed instantly.