Second Chance: A Dark Tale of Urban India-Chapter 95: Unexpected arrivals Part-2(New faces)

Raj approached with wide arms. "My champ." He pulled Rohit into a hug which was warm on the surface, but Rohit felt the tension in the grip.

He grabbed Rohit’s cheek like a child. "I’m proud of you, my son. I heard what you did for this family. The Chambani connection matters. Keep it up."

Rohit didn’t like one bit of his exagerated facade but returned only polite smile.

Then Raj moved toward Ragini with the same easy confidence, opening his arms as if the room didn’t exist.

But Ragini gently raised a hand, stopping him just short of the embrace.

Raj only laughed softly and slid his arm around her waist instead.

"Missed me, darling?"

Ragini averted her gaze but maintained the crisp smile, sweet enough for every guest watching.

"The house has been peaceful," she replied lightly. "You should have come even later."

A few amused chuckles rose from the room.

Raj pulled her closer anyway, unconcerned. "Oh, come on. You know how much I missed you." His tone softened with playful accusation. "Are you still angry that I didn’t take you with me?"

Ragini stiffened for the briefest moment.

"Raj.. behave," she murmured under her breath, her smile still perfectly in place. "There are guests."

From the sofa, Raj’s brother Hemant laughed. "Bhabhi(sis-in-law) is still shy in front of everyone."

The comment drew more laughter.

Raj released her with theatrical surrender, raising his hands in mock apology.

"My mistake," he said with a charming grin. "It’s difficult to remember boundaries when one has such a beautiful wife."

The guests laughed again, enjoying the performance.

But Rohit noticed what most of them didn’t.

The faint irritation flickering in Ragini’s eyes.

The way her shoulders eased the moment Raj stepped back.

And the way Raj himself seemed far more aware of the room than he pretended.

A perfect show for the audience.

Raj clapped his hands lightly and turned back toward Rohit and the others.

"Well then," he said smoothly, gesturing toward a few unfamiliar faces scattered among the seating area. "Since you arrived late, let me introduce you to some of our guests."

He stepped to the centre of the drawing room and indicated the well-dressed elderly man seated prominently in a high-backed chair.

The man wore a crisp dhoti-kurta with a turban, exuding the air of a wealthy rural landlord.

A walking stick rested against his knee, gold-framed spectacles hung from a chain around his neck, and a leather briefcase sat neatly beside his feet.

"This is our long-distance uncle, Malhar Rao Kotwal," Raj announced. "He is my mother’s cousin and is here on her behalf."

The elder gave a gentle smile and nodded in acknowledgment.

Raj’s gaze shifted to Rohit. His expression turned faintly grief-stricken for a moment. "As you all know, Rohit’s adoption into the family was never officially recognised. But..."

He let a warm smile spread across his face. "Due to my son’s brilliance and outstanding performance at the Orion’s banquet, he has finally been acknowledged."

A slight murmur rippled through the room, especially from the servants clustered near the doorway. It was common knowledge that Rohit had been adopted by the branch family, but never acknowledged

To have that silence broken with public acknowledgment was doubly shocking.

The household staff couldn’t help but feel a quiet swell of pride for their young master. His elevation somehow felt like rise in their status.

To most of the guests present, it was no secret at all, but Ragini and Arya were visibly surprised.

Raj continued, smile widening. "Not only that... but she has also decided to double our annual family support. And..."

He paused dramatically for effect. " ... Add Rohit to the family shareholder list by granting him 0.01 percent of ’ALL Singhania enlisted companies.’ Don’t mistake it for a small number, he is legally our partner in shares now. It’s worth is in crores."

The room froze. It was a bomb.

Kalyani’s face paled; her husband’s followed suit. They had braced for big news, but not this.

Arya looked worried, she knew the worth of .01 percent shares and that too from entire singhania enlisted companies, whose worth amounted more than tens of billions in dollars.

Beside her twins only froze.

Tanuj’s anger only deepened into raw frustration; Rohit’s rise in status is challenge to him.

Ragini alone looked pleased with a faint smile curved on her lips.

But Rohit, standing alone under the chandelier’s glow, felt something was deeply odd.

Nothing in this world came free. Knowing Raj Singhania as he did, he couldn’t fathom why the man was so happy, so easy-going about adding Rohit’s name to the shareholder list.

What is he plotting? Something was seriously wrong.

Raj urged the room with expansive gestures. "It’s really a big deal, everyone. I urge you all to clap for my little champ." He turned directly to Rohit. "Little guy, don’t lose heart. No matter how small the number appears, in our time we grind many years.. to reach that spot."

Everyone clapped despite their inner turmoils.

Raj turned toward the next set of guests. "And now, let’s introduce this pretty lady here."

Rohit’s eyes slid to another mature woman he hadn’t noticed earlier.

She was a vision of elegance as every line of her screamed refined power. She wore a pre-stitched green saree that resembled a flowing gown, paired with a fancy-looking blouse. One leg folded gracefully over the other, giving her a subtly seductive, bold air.

She wasn’t sitting alone. Beside her sat a youth roughly Rohit’s age or may be an year older, whose stoic, unreadable nature made him feel unease .

Raj addressed the woman with charm. "Meet Ananya Shri Bhirla.. the curent matriarch. And that young gentleman there is her son, Vijay Bhirla, the most prominent would-be heir of the Bhirla Group of Industries."

Ananya smiled gracefully and greeted the room with a polite namaste.

"Oh please," she said lightly. "Nothing has been decided yet."

Raj laughed warmly.

"Well, my heartfelt wishes nonetheless."

The remark drew polite laughter from the guests.

Yet beneath the light conversation, the tension in the room quietly tightened.

The Bhirla family was one of the oldest traditional business houses in the country. Their influence stretched across the southern states, and though they officially maintained neutrality between major industrial factions, many believed their loyalties leaned rival factions.

Their presence here was no small matter.

But Rohit noticed something else entirely.

Raj’s attention lingered on Ananya a little too long.

The tone of his voice... the way he leaned slightly forward while speaking...

To others it might have looked like polite hospitality.

But Rohit recognized the pattern instantly.

A predator could always recognize another predator’s gaze.

It was confirmed further by Ragini’s annoyed gaze as she stared at them.

No matter what she held in her heart, Ragini clearly disliked any challenge to authority. Rohit had seen that look many times before.

Raj finally turned back to the group.

"Well then," he said. "I have another important matter to discuss. Good news for the family... but also something that will require everyone’s counsel."

His eyes briefly passed over Rohit and Ragini.

"But before that," he added smoothly, "why don’t you both take a seat? This discussion deserves everyone’s full attention."

Ragini rolled her eyes and went to take a seat on a chair while Rohit went to sit near Aisha. She looked annoyed but gave him space as he sat.

Raj Singhania continued, "Let’s go with the good news first. It is not official yet, but very close... the Bhirlas are going to invest in our upcoming Singhania Infrastructure Group worth 300 million dollars."

Everyone gasped, but Raj gestured to hold on.

"I know it’s not yet formed and only registered after mutual agreement with the Chambanis, but this will be a big boost for our production capacity and efficiency."

Hemant couldn’t help but ask shamelessly, "So share percentage?"

Raj smiled. "That’s the point. They wouldn’t be taking claims of share over there but rather only 3 percent of our overall Singhania group holdings which also is same as equity now."

Ragini instantly frowned. As their maternal family, despite being partners, had only 2 percent share in them. She folded her hands and asked calmly, "Is the matriarch aware of it?"

Rohit tried to recall how the matriarch was having so much power but again, earlier Rohit never bothered or concerned himself with these matters so he found it quite intriguing.

Raj gestured toward the elderly man.

"Uncle Kotwal can confirm. Everything has already gone through the necessary process."

The old man nodded silently.

She could only give him a cold stare that sure made him gain a wide smile.

"Now there’s another matter." He walked toward the young man sitting beside Ananya and placed a friendly hand on his shoulder.

"I heard our young friend here has been admitted to St. Stephen’s College for a B.A. Honors program."

Several heads turned toward Vijay.

Raj continued smoothly.

"He will need time to relocate and adjust to the city. And that made me think—why let him struggle in an unfamiliar environment when he could stay with us as a guest until he settles?"

He spread his hands slightly.

"Once he feels comfortable, he can always move to the hostel or wherever he prefers. After all, it’s the least we can do for our future partners."

He looked around the room.

"So I’d like to hear everyone’s opinion."

Vijay, who had maintained a stoic posture until now, seemed visibly pleased by the gesture. A small smile appeared on his face.

Ananya, however, looked embarrassed.

"Raj, this is too much," she said softly.

But Raj Singhania was adamant as he gestured to wait and look for his family to decide.

Arya was visibly annoyed but added, "I believe in you father, if you think he can... adjust, I got no problem. But you must take concern of other girls..."

Raj smiled. "That’s why I am asking littleheart."

He looked at Tanya and Aisha for response. They shrugged and looked at their mother. Kalyani gave a smile. "We have no issues bhai sahab. However, it will be great if you can help a little Hemant in some finances."

Raj gestured smoothly that he will handle it and then looked at Ragini.

Ragini huffed. It was clear her matter was just formality and besides their agreement she can only interfere if it affects her maternal finances and her private space.

Still, she responded, "Since you already decided, he can stay in guest house but in the ground floor. The last thing I want is drama of sharing dining upstairs."

Then he looked at Rohit as if already expected.

Rohit simply shrugged. "I have no say dad, I too would love to make new friend, but..." He added looking at Vijay, "It might help if we set some rough timeframe for his stay. Sometimes guests start feeling like they’re imposing, even when they aren’t, and I’d hate for him to feel that way. Our hospitality shouldn’t put him in that position."

Raj’s face stiffened. He didn’t expect it to ruin his plans. Even Vijay became a little frowned but looked more surprised by the answer. He looked at Rohit sizing up with renewed interest as if he found someone interesting.

Ananya quickly stepped in to smooth things over. "That’s actually very considerate," she said. "Though I doubt it will be necessary."

She smiled politely. "But perhaps two months would be reasonable."

Raj gave a charming smile and looked at Vijay. "So young man, for two months? Interested to be our guest?"

Vijay nodded. "Sure uncle, it will be my honor."

Raj looked at Ananya. "Hope madam won’t mind extending her stay a little longer."

Ananya laughed softly.

"That depends," she said playfully. "But if I do, please arrange my room near my son’s."

The elder tapped his stick two times to gain attention.

"Let’s get this over with, I want to return soon, son."

Kalyani called out, "Bhai sahab(brother-in-law), how about we celebrate it and call a small party of known groups and tell them about the declaration. It can also lighten the mood."

Raj’s face lit up. "Good idea." He looked at Ragini and said, "Dear, can you help Kalyani manage it? Use our family resort for the venue."

Ragini rolled her eyes and got up, and asked Kalyani to follow her.

Rohit watched them leave.

Something about Kalyani’s enthusiasm felt... off.

Given her usual hostility toward him, suggesting a celebration in his honor seemed unusually generous.

If he were planning a trap, a party full of witnesses would be the perfect place.

But what kind of trap could she set in front of the entire family?

Rohit couldn’t quite see it.

He glanced at Aisha and nudged her slightly, hoping for some silent insight.

She only shrugged helplessly.

Rohit sighed and stood.

"Well," he said casually, "I suppose I should change before the party."

He had barely taken a step when Arya’s voice stopped him.

"Wait."

Her tone carried a strange firmness.

"You’re not going anywhere soon."

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A/N//: Will add pics in 3 days.