Adultery Love Sex And War : Age Of Darkness

[Harry Jordan]

                                                                                                                      (CHAPTER CONTD)           

The next morning arrived with a pale winter light stretching across the rooftops of Janakpuri. Sonarika stood in front of the mirror in her childhood bedroom, adjusting the folds of the grey salwar kameez she had chosen for the day. It was simple, modest—appropriate for the purpose of the visit. Today was not a social call. It was a visit to a house in mourning. Before leaving, she knelt beside Karan who was finishing his breakfast at the dining table.

"I’ll be back by evening" she told him gently.

"Where are you going, Mama?" he asked.

"To visit someone who needs support"

Karan nodded with the simple understanding of a child. Anjali leaned against the doorway, arms crossed with a teasing smile.

"Don’t worry, I’ll make sure he behaves"

Sonarika smiled faintly.

"Just control him on his playtime"

Outside, the sound of a car engine hummed softly near the gate. A sleek black Mercedes‑Benz S‑Class stood waiting in the driveway. Vikram stepped out from the rear door as she approached. He wore a dark suit with a crisp white shirt underneath, his usual confident posture slightly subdued today.

"Thank you for coming" he said quietly.

She nodded.

"Let’s go"

He instructed the driver to head toward Gurgaon, and the car moved smoothly through the late-morning Delhi traffic. For most of the drive neither of them spoke much. The city gradually shifted from the crowded lanes of West Delhi into the broader highways leading toward the corporate skyline of Gurgaon.

The atmosphere inside the car remained quiet.

Vikram finally broke the silence.

"I appreciate this more than you know"

Sonarika looked out the window before answering.

"This is about Anjana. Not us"

He nodded in agreement.

"That’s exactly how I see it too"

When they arrived at the Bajaj family bungalow in Gurgaon, the mood was immediately somber. Several cars were parked outside. The main gate stood open, and a few relatives and acquaintances lingered quietly near the entrance. Inside the house, the air carried the faint scent of incense. In the main hall a large framed photograph of Ritesh stood on a table, dbangd with a white cloth and adorned with marigold garlands. A small oil lamp burned beneath it, its flame flickering gently. The room was filled with subdued voices and respectful silence. As Vikram and Sonarika stepped inside together, two people approached them from across the hall.

Pawan and Sriti.

Vikram’s younger siblings had flown in from London for the funeral rites. Pawan gave his brother a brief embrace, the kind that conveyed both grief and support. Sriti turned toward Sonarika, recognition flashing across her face.

"Sonarika didi?" she said softly.

Sonarika nodded. Sriti offered a gentle smile.

"I’ve wanted to meet you properly for a long time" she admitted. 

"Just… not under circumstances like this"

"I understand" Sonarika replied quietly.

Despite the sadness surrounding them, Sriti’s warmth felt genuine. They spoke briefly before moving further into the house. Soon they encountered Vikram’s parents. Prakash Bajaj stood near the staircase speaking to a few relatives, while Neelam Bajaj sat nearby with composed grace despite the sorrow around her. When Neelam saw Sonarika, her expression softened.

"So you are Sonarika" she said warmly.

Sonarika greeted her respectfully.

"I’ve heard about you" Neelam continued gently. 

"I had hoped we would meet someday… though I wish it had been in happier circumstances"

Prakash Bajaj stepped forward and offered a polite handshake.

"It is good to finally meet you" he said. 

"Vikram speaks highly of you"

Sonarika maintained a calm and cordial demeanor.

"I’m sorry we meet like this" she said.

Prakash nodded solemnly.

"Life rarely asks our permission for such moments"

Before moving away, he added politely,

"You should visit us in our place when things are calmer"

Sonarika offered a respectful smile.

"I would be honored"

Eventually she reached the quiet sitting room where Anjana was resting. The sight of her immediately tightened Sonarika’s chest. Anjana looked almost unrecognizable from the cheerful woman Sonarika remembered from Jabalpur. Her eyes were swollen from days of crying, her face pale and exhausted. When she saw Sonarika enter the room, something inside her seemed to break. She stood up abruptly and rushed forward, wrapping her arms around Sonarika in a desperate embrace.

"I can’t believe he’s gone" Anjana sobbed.

Her voice trembled with raw grief.

"I feel so alone"

Sonarika held her gently, letting her cry without interruption.

"He was everything" Anjana continued between tears. 

"How do I live in this big house without him?"

Sonarika didn’t try to offer complicated answers. Instead she spoke softly.

"You’re not alone"

Anjana shook her head weakly.

"I feel like I am"

Sonarika placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Look around you" she said gently. 

"Your family is here. Vikram, your parents, your siblings… they’re all here because they love you"

Anjana leaned against her, crying quietly. For the next hour Sonarika remained beside her, listening more than speaking. Sometimes the greatest comfort was simply being present. Throughout the day she also spoke with other members of the family, offering quiet words of support, helping manage visitors, and ensuring Anjana wasn’t left alone too long. Even Vikram seemed steadier now. Watching Sonarika calmly comforting his sister and parents, he appeared grateful in a way that didn’t require words.

The entire house carried the heavy weight of loss. Yet within that grief, small moments of connection formed—family members sharing memories of Ritesh, recalling his kindness, his laughter, the way he had held everyone together. By late afternoon the atmosphere had softened slightly. The pain remained, but it was now shared rather than carried alone. And in the middle of that grieving household, Sonarika realized something quietly powerful. Despite all the mistakes she had made in her own life, she still had the ability to bring comfort to others. And sometimes that simple act of standing beside someone in their darkest moment could mean more than anything else.


After spending most of the afternoon inside the somber bungalow, Vikram suggested they step out for a while. The house had become heavy with grief, every room filled with quiet whispers and mournful faces. He felt that both his siblings needed a break from the suffocating atmosphere.

"Let’s get some air" Vikram said gently to Pawan and Sriti. 

"We’ll grab lunch outside"

They agreed without hesitation. Soon the four of them were seated at a quiet restaurant not far from the Bajaj residence in Gurgaon. The outdoor seating area overlooked a row of trees swaying lightly in the afternoon breeze. For the first time that day, the air felt slightly lighter. At first the conversation was slow and cautious. Everyone still carried the weight of Ritesh’s passing. Sriti stirred her drink absentmindedly.

"We always imagined the next time we met like this would be a happy family lunch" 

She said quietly. 

"Not… this"

Pawan nodded.

"Yeah. I thought we’d be celebrating something. Missed how we celebrated as a family in grandeour"

Vikram leaned back slightly, trying to soften the mood.

"Life rarely follows our schedules" he said gently.

He then turned toward his younger brother.

"So… how are the studies going?"

Pawan straightened slightly, grateful for the change in topic.

"My business management program is going well" he replied. 

"I actually got really good grades in my last exams"

"Good" Vikram said with a proud nod.

Sriti quickly added her own update.

"My engineering program is going well too"

She smiled faintly.

"Much better than medical college ever did"

Vikram chuckled.

"That’s because you were never meant to study medicine"

Sriti rolled her eyes playfully.

"Tell that to Dad"

Vikram glanced at Sonarika and explained,

"Our father insisted she study medicine. Remember his toxic days I told you? He couldn’t accept that his daughter wanting to be an engineer"

Sriti leaned forward slightly.

"If Vicky Bhai hadn’t stepped in, I’d still be miserable in a medical college right now"

Vikram shrugged.

"I just convinced Dad to let her follow what she actually loved"

Sonarika watched the interaction quietly before speaking.

"You say that casually, but you’re basically the driving force of BajajCorp now" she said.

Vikram smiled faintly.

"Not exactly"

Then he added something that surprised her.

"If I’ve learned anything about balancing family and responsibility… it’s partly because of you"

Sonarika blinked.

"What?"

Vikram spoke calmly.

"I watched how you handled your work, your family, your responsibilities. That balance stayed with me"

Sriti nodded immediately.

"That’s true"

Sonarika looked confused. Sriti smiled warmly at her.

"You may not realize it, but Vicky Bhai changed a lot after meeting you"

Pawan chuckled.

"Before that he barely called us"

Sriti continued.

"But after you came into his life, he started checking on us regularly. Visiting more. Acting… human"

Sonarika felt a strange discomfort rising in her chest.

"You’re overthinking this" she said softly.

Sriti shook her head.

"No, I’m not"

Then she added something unexpected.

"Vikram told us everything"

Sonarika looked sharply at Vikram.

"Everything?" she repeated.

Sriti answered gently.

"About you. About your marriage. About what happened"

She raised her hand slightly.

"And no, I’m not judging you"

Her tone remained calm.

"But I prefer to see the good in people. And the truth is… Vicky Bhai became a better man after meeting you"

She paused before adding honestly,

"And yes, maybe it’s selfish… but I can’t ignore the chemistry you two clearly share"

The words hung in the air. Sonarika felt a wave of discomfort. Her mind refused to accept that interpretation. Because whenever she thought about Vikram, the image of Hemant inevitably surfaced. And with it came the crushing reminder of what she had destroyed. The lunch eventually ended and they drove back to the bungalow. Later in the evening Vikram initiated his promise to drop Sonarika off at her home in Janakpuri.

As the car rode away towards Delhi, he spoke quietly.

"Thank you for coming today"

She nodded.

"Your family needed support"

Then she looked at him seriously.

"Why did you tell your siblings everything?"

Vikram leaned back in his seat.

"Because I wanted to strengthen my bond with them. No secrets"

He gave a small shrug.

"They said what they said because they care about me"

Sonarika frowned.

"Do you think the same way?"

Vikram looked out the windshield before answering.

"What I think doesn’t really matter"

He glanced at her.

"I know you won’t accept me"

Then his tone softened.

"But you don’t have to punish yourself forever either"

Sonarika shook her head slowly.

"You didn’t marry Hemant. I did"

Her voice carried quiet conviction.

"As far as life goes… I’m the betrayer in that story"

Vikram sighed.

"I understand why you feel that way"

Then he added,

"But you still have a future ahead of you"

He paused before continuing.

"After the divorce… Hemant will move on. And you’ll be left alone carrying all that guilt"

His eyes met hers.

"So why not face it together?"

Sonarika gave a faint, sad smile.

"You call that grieving together" she said softly. 

"But what you actually want is still me"

Vikram didn’t respond immediately. Sonarika continued.

"I had a perfect man in Hemant… and I still cheated on him with you"

Her voice grew harsher toward herself.

"What stops me from doing the same thing again if I chose you someday?"

She shook her head.

"My character is a mess. My standards are lower than a prostitute"

"Don’t say that—" Vikram began.

She stopped him immediately.

"No. Don’t defend me"

Her expression remained firm.

"I deserve the guilt. I deserve the consequences"

For a moment neither of them spoke. Then Vikram suddenly changed the subject.

"There’s an Arijit Singh Concert happening this weekend"

Sonarika looked confused.

"What?"

"I booked a private gallery for it" he said casually.

"Why would you do that?"

Vikram smiled faintly.

"Because I needed Pawan and Sriti to have some sort of reprieve from the tense environment here...plus this was booked months ago with a different intention....it was supposed to be a surprise double date"

He explained.

"Mouni and Sagar planned it. It was meant for you and me"

Sonarika looked away.

"But I changed the plan" he added.

"Now it’s just a family event...one where we can enjoy music and spend some quality time with our respective families....no inentions.....no secret romance..."

He leaned slightly forward.

"You bring your family. I’ll bring mine"

"Why?" she asked.

"Because everyone needs a break" Vikram replied quietly.

He looked thoughtful for a moment.

"Ritesh wasn’t just my brother-in-law. He mentored me when I first stepped into BajajCorp"

His voice carried genuine respect.

"He was Dad’s most trusted man. Always protecting the company’s reputation"

Vikram continued.

"He was also the one who helped Dad slowly change his views about women in the family"

He exhaled slowly.

"After my older brother Shekhar died… Ritesh was the one who held the family together"

The loss clearly weighed heavily on him.

"Sometimes I feel like all this is punishment" Vikram said quietly. 

"For my role in what happened between you and Hemant"

The car stopped outside the Sharma bungalow. Sonarika reached for the door handle. Before she stepped out, Vikram spoke once more.

"Come to the concert"

She looked back at him.

"It’s not for us" he said.

"It’s for our families...."

He gave a tired but sincere smile.

"A few hours where we can forget our mistakes…...and just breathe"

Sonarika stood silently for a moment, considering his words. Then she stepped out of the car and walked toward the house. Behind her, Vikram’s car slowly pulled away into the evening traffic. And as she walked inside, his final words echoed quietly in her mind. Maybe healing sometimes needed moments where guilt was allowed to rest.

                                                                                                                    (TO BE CONTD)

[Harry Jordan]

                                                                                                                      (CHAPTER CONTD)        

The next morning arrived with the quiet calm Sonarika had begun to cherish in the Janakpuri bungalow. Dew clung to the leaves in the small garden she had built in the backyard, the sunlight slowly warming the soil as she knelt beside the jasmine saplings. She was trimming a small branch when her phone buzzed in her pocket. It was a message from Ragini.

'Guess what? I’m coming to the concert'

Sonarika smiled and quickly replied.

'That’s great!'

But another message followed immediately.

'And guess who else is attending… Mrs. Sreelekha Naik'

Sonarika laughed out loud when she read the name. Sreelekha Naik was her new but very scary and strict boss. Sonarika typed back teasingly.

'Ms. Naik doesn’t look like someone who enjoys concerts'

A few seconds later Ragini replied.

'Should I tell her you said that?'

Sonarika immediately responded.

'Please don’t!'

Ragini sent a laughing emoji before typing again.

'Also… I’m not booking a hotel. I’m staying at your place'

Sonarika grinned at the phone.

'You’re always welcome'

She slipped the phone back into her pocket and walked toward the front lawn to share the news with her father. But when she stepped outside, she noticed something unusual. Jagjeet Sharma sat alone on a lawn chair near the veranda, staring quietly at the garden in front of him. His usually energetic presence looked subdued today.

Concern crept into her voice.

"Papa… what’s wrong?"

Jagjeet looked up slowly.

"Oh… nothing" he said softly. 

"Just thinking"

She walked closer.

"You look sad"

He sighed.

"Samhita’s memorial is coming very soon"

The name settled heavily between them. Sonarika’s younger sister. Gone far too early or in other words taken from them in Nainital by someone evil they are unaware of. Even after all these years, the wound remained tender. Sonarika sat beside him quietly.

"I miss her too" she said.

Jagjeet nodded slowly.

"She would have been… what… twenty eight now?"

"Twenty-nine" Sonarika corrected gently.

They sat in silence for a moment, remembering the cheerful girl whose life had ended far too suddenly. But Jagjeet’s expression suggested something else weighed on his mind.

"That’s not the only thing troubling me" he admitted after a while.

Sonarika looked at him curiously.

"What else?"

Jagjeet leaned back in the chair.

"Soon I’ll be receiving a letter… one that was never meant to reach me"

"A letter?"

He nodded.

"From an old friend"

He spoke the name slowly.

"Manush Rustom. We were childhood friends" Jagjeet explained. 

"Lost contact for years and then reconnected later in life"

Sonarika listened carefully as he continued.

"This was about a year before your head injury. Manush called me with a proposal"

"A proposal?"

"For marriage" Jagjeet said.

He smiled faintly at the memory.

"He wanted to unite our friendship through family"

Sonarika raised an eyebrow.

"You mean…?"

"He wanted you to marry someone"

Jagjeet paused before revealing the name.

"His adopted son, Michael. According to Manush, Michael had entered his life years earlier under unusual circumstances. He had initially been sent as a covert observer connected to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). But things had changed over time"

"Michael became more than that" Jagjeet said. 

"Michael confessed his intentions and pledged allegiance to Manush and his business and cause. Manush trusted him deeply. He managed his London businesses and acted as both strategist and protector. Manush had described him as loyal, intelligent, and fiercely protective of those he cared about. He had more than words to describe Michael , saying the gods send him to fullfill his wish for a boy"

"The letter he sent me was supposed to explain everything about Michael" Jagjeet continued. 

"Because apparently ‘Michael’ wasn’t even his real name. He was actually an Indian origin man"

But the story had taken an unexpected turn.

"Before the letter arrived, Manush called again. He told me to ignore it" Jagjeet said quietly. 

"Why?"

"Because Michael had fallen in love with his daughter. Ashnoor Rustom. And they were pretty serious about each other. And Manush had decided to make him his son-in-law instead"

Sonarika nodded slowly.

"That makes sense"

Jagjeet exhaled heavily.

"But the letter had already been posted. He said it might reach me anyway"

For a moment his voice grew heavier.

"Then came the news"

His eyes darkened with the memory.

"The entire family was murdered at their home in Azerbaijan"

Sonarika felt a chill run through her.

"That’s horrible"

Jagjeet nodded.

"That’s why I was so shaken when your accident happened later that year. I was still processing the shock of losing Manush and his family's gruesome murder"

He rubbed his forehead tiredly.

"And now… that lost letter is finally being delivered after all these years"

The timing made the grief heavier.

"Samhita’s memorial… and the return of a letter from a friend who is gone!"

Sonarika placed her hand gently over his.

"Bad times come and go, Papa" she said softly.

He looked at her.

"What matters is how we move forward"

She squeezed his hand lightly.

"We remember the people we lost… but we keep living in a way that would make them proud"

Jagjeet’s expression softened.

"You’ve grown stronger" he said quietly.

"Life forced me to" Sonarika replied with a faint smile.

For a few minutes they sat there together in the quiet garden. A father and daughter sharing grief that stretched across years—memories of a lost child, a lost friend, and the complicated paths life had taken since then. The morning breeze rustled the leaves of the small garden Sonarika had planted. And in that quiet moment, the two of them found a little comfort simply in remembering together.

The following morning felt heavier than usual in the Sharma bungalow. The sky above Janakpuri was pale and quiet, the kind of morning where the city seemed to wake slowly. Sonarika found her father sitting in the same lawn chair again, staring at the small garden she had built.

She walked toward him with a gentle smile.

"Papa" she said softly. 

"We can’t keep living inside our losses"

Jagjeet looked at her.

"What do you mean?"

Sonarika sat beside him.

"What’s gone is gone. Samhita… Rustom uncle… all the people we’ve lost" 

She paused before continuing. 

"But life still has good things waiting for us"

She spoke about her own life, carefully choosing what to say.

"There was a time I thought my life was completely lost" she admitted. 

"Then Hemant entered it"

She left out the truth of the present—the separation, the cheating, the looming divorce. Her father was already carrying too much grief. Adding another shock felt cruel. But Jagjeet didn’t smile. Instead, he shook his head slowly.

"You may think that" he said quietly. 

"But I still believe you made a mistake marrying Hemant"

Sonarika turned toward him in surprise.

"What?"

Jagjeet’s expression was serious.

"Because Hemant hasn’t been honest with you"

The words landed unexpectedly.

"What do you mean?" Sonarika asked.

Jagjeet took a deep breath.

"You remember Reshma’s husband, Suresh?"

"Of course"

"His job as a government employee is only a cover" Jagjeet explained.

Sonarika frowned.

"He actually works for Research and Analysis Wing. R&AW"

The revelation stunned her.

"He’s part of India’s defense intelligence network" Jagjeet continued. 

"When I reconnected with him recently, I asked for a small favor"

"What favor?"

"I wanted him to check something about Hemant’s past"

Sonarika felt her heart tighten slightly.

"You know Hemant always told us he served in the army" Jagjeet said. 

"He claimed he was stationed in the Drass sector during his service"

He spoke the location carefully.

Drass.

"Suresh ran a preliminary verification" Jagjeet continued. 

"And according to the records he checked…"

He paused.

"There was no officer named Hemant Kumar stationed there"

Sonarika stared at him.

For a moment she couldn’t process the sentence.

"Are you saying… Hemant was never a soldier?"

Jagjeet raised a hand.

"I don’t know that yet. This was only the initial check"

"Suresh is still working on the full investigation" he added. 

"He promised to give the complete information tomorrow"

Sonarika felt a strange mixture of confusion and disbelief. Everything she knew about Hemant—his past, his discipline, his stories of army life—suddenly felt uncertain. Jagjeet looked at her carefully.

"When Suresh gives the final report tomorrow, I want you to come with me"

"To Reshma’s house?" she asked quietly.

He nodded.

"I want you to hear the truth for yourself"

Later that afternoon, Ragini arrived in Delhi. Sonarika hugged her tightly at the gate of the bungalow. Ragini had always been her emotional anchor through the last year of turmoil.

"Finally!" Ragini laughed. 

"I thought you’d forgotten me after moving into this nostalgia palace"

But as they walked inside, Ragini noticed something unusual. Sonarika’s expression looked distracted. By evening they sat together in Sonarika’s room, the door slightly ajar while distant laughter from the living room echoed faintly. Ragini leaned back against the bed.

“Okay,” she said. “What’s wrong?”

Sonarika sighed.

"You can read me too easily"

"Of course I can"

After a moment of hesitation, Sonarika told her everything. About the conversation with Jagjeet. About the suspicious records regarding Hemant’s military service. Ragini’s reaction was immediate.

"What?"

She sat upright.

"You mean Hemant might have lied about being in the army?"

"That’s what the preliminary check suggests" Sonarika replied quietly.

Ragini looked deeply unsettled.

"I always thought Hemant was the most honest person in your life"

"Me too" Sonarika said.

The thought shook her more than she wanted to admit. For years she had blamed herself entirely for the destruction of her marriage. But if Hemant had hidden something this significant…What else might have been hidden? Ragini crossed her arms thoughtfully.

"If this is true… it changes a lot"

Sonarika shook her head.

"No. I don’t want to jump to conclusions"

Her voice was firm despite the uncertainty in her mind.

"I know Hemant. Something about this doesn’t make sense"

Ragini studied her face.

"You still trust him"

"Yes"

Sonarika looked down at her hands.

"I may have betrayed him… but I never believed he was capable of living a lie"

Ragini exhaled slowly.

"Well, tomorrow we’ll find out"

She placed a reassuring hand on Sonarika’s shoulder.

"You’re not going alone"

Sonarika looked up.

"I’ll come with you when you meet Suresh and Reshma" Ragini said. 

"If there’s a truth hiding somewhere in Hemant’s past, we’ll uncover it together"

Outside the window, the evening sky darkened over Janakpuri. Inside the room, Sonarika sat quietly with a storm of thoughts forming in her mind. For months she had believed the biggest mistake in her life was betraying Hemant. But now a new question had appeared. What if the man she loved had also been hiding secrets all along? And if that was true…How much of her life had been built on things she never truly understood?

                                                                                                                         (TO BE CONTD)

[Harry Jordan]

                                                                                                                                    (CHAPTER CONTD)         

The next morning carried a strange heaviness for Sonarika. She stood in front of the mirror tying the ends of her dupatta, but her hands moved slower than usual. Her mind kept circling the same thought. What if Papa was right? Behind her, Ragini leaned against the doorway watching quietly. Ragini could see the worry clearly written across Sonarika’s face.


"Hey" she said gently. 

"Breathe"

Sonarika looked at her reflection.

"What if everything I believed about him was a lie?"

Ragini walked closer and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"No matter what the truth is, you’ll deal with it. You’ve survived far worse this year" 

She said calmly. She gave her a small smile.

"You just need to be strong enough to hear it"

The drive to Reshma’s house felt longer than usual. Every meter felt heavier than the last. When they finally arrived, the atmosphere inside the house was warm and lively. Reshma greeted them at the door with her usual cheerful energy.

"Sonarika!" she said happily, hugging her.

Two children ran across the living room. Arjun and Poonam. Sonarika had brought Karan along so the kids could play together. Karan quickly joined them, the three disappearing toward the back room with the loud energy only children possessed. Sonarika then introduced Ragini.

"Reshma, this is Ragini"

The two women greeted each other warmly.After a few minutes, a man stepped into the room. His appearance was simple—plain shirt, composed posture—but there was something unmistakably firm about him.

Suresh.

He greeted Jagjeet respectfully.

"Namaste, Uncle"

Jagjeet Sharma nodded and gestured toward the living room. Everyone sat down. Jagjeet, Sonarika, and Ragini on one side. Suresh and Reshma opposite them. The air grew serious.Jagjeet spoke first.

"Tell me something good" he said quietly. 

"Tell me I’m wrong"

Suresh didn’t respond immediately. Instead, his expression hardened slightly.

"Before I say anything" he said calmly. 

"Everyone here needs to understand something"

He looked around the room carefully.

"What I’m about to reveal cannot be disclosed outside this room"

He paused.

"Not to anyone"

Sonarika’s heart started pounding. Ragini shifted slightly in her seat. Suresh finally spoke.

"Your husband didn’t lie about everything"

Sonarika held her breath.

"But yes" he continued. 

"What he told you about his posting in Drass was a lie"

The room fell silent. Suresh leaned forward.

"Hemant was never stationed in Drass"

Sonarika’s heartbeat quickened.

"He wasn’t a regular soldier either"

Jagjeet frowned.

"Then what was he?"

Suresh’s next sentence stunned everyone.

"Hemant was a Garud Commando"



The words hung in the air like thunder. Sonarika blinked in disbelief. Suresh continued.

"He belonged to one of the primary batches of the Garud commandos. The unit itself had been formed to bring India’s combat capabilities closer to elite modern forces like the United States Marine Corps"

"Hemant was handpicked during recruitment" Suresh explained.

"His academic scores were exceptional. But what really caught attention was his combat capability"

He flipped open a thin file he had brought.

"In college final years, he had already built a reputation as a gunsmith"

Ragini looked confused.

"A what?"

"Someone who is an expert in Gun building by hand. Who knows its features and work structure and can develop one in the field"

Sonarika said.

"Precisely" Suresh said with a surprised look at Sonarika who explained it in her way quiet well.

"A weapons specialist" Suresh clarified.

"Someone capable of customizing and modifying handheld firearms with remarkable precision. His training reports were extraordinary. Hemant excelled in close combat, guerrilla warfare, survival tactics, and battlefield strategy. Which was why he wasn’t placed in a regular infantry unit. He was recruited directly into the Garud training pipeline"

Suresh continued calmly.

"In just a span of a year, Hemant was involved in more than ten operations involving covert missions across several regions"

He listed them slowly.

"Oman. Nepal. Pakistan. Turkmenistan. Kazakhstan. Russia.There had also been intercontinental operations. Hemant’s unit participated in a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Democratic Republic of the Congo"

The room was completely silent now.

"He had an exceptional combat record" Suresh added. 

"Numerous neutralized terrorists and pirate operatives"

He looked directly at Sonarika.

"If I had to compare him to a fictional character…"

He gave a faint smile.

"He’s basically India’s John Rambo"

Jagjeet leaned forward.

"If all this is true, why lie to his own family?" he said, 

Suresh nodded.

"That part is actually simple. Operators like Hemant had to maintain strict cover identities. The people he eliminated were not ordinary criminals" 

Suresh said quietly.

"Many belonged to organized terror networks. If his identity became public, retaliation could easily target his family. So his records were deliberately falsified" 

Suresh explained.

"Some official databases still list him as posted in Drass as a protective cover. In reality, Hemant had been stationed at Nal Air Force Station. The base supported Garud operations related to airfield protection and special missions" 

"That explains the lie" Jagjeet nodded slowly.

But another question remained.

"What about his retirement?"

Suresh looked serious again.

"That was the nest lie. Hemant didn’t seek retirement because he saw a fellow soldier die"

Sonarika’s eyes widened.

"He was forced to retire because he broke military orders"

He explained the incident carefully.

"During one operation, a squadmate had been captured by Lashkar terror outfit across the border. Command had ordered the squad to stand down. Hemant ignored the order. He crossed the India–Pakistan border alone.He infiltrated the terrorist launchpad, eliminated the entire cell, and rescued his squadmate. The feat was extraordinary. But it was also a violation of military protocol. Morally he did a right thing" 

Suresh said. 

"But disobeying a direct command is still a punishable offense"

His record showed something remarkable though.

"Hemant was the tactical leader of his squad. And unlike many special units operating in high-risk zones—His squad had zero martyrs. Every soldier under his command had returned alive from missions"

"So he lied… but to protect us" Jagjeet leaned back slowly.

"Yes" Suresh replied.

"And frankly, his file is fascinating"

He closed the folder.

"What I’ve found so far is only the surface. There’s more history in there"

Ragini suddenly exhaled loudly.

"Oh my God" she said.

"I already admired the guy"

She laughed nervously.

"Now I’m a fan"

The tension in the room finally softened a little. Jagjeet looked relieved too. But Sonarika didn’t smile. Her mind was racing. If Hemant had truly been such a fearless warrior…A man capable of crossing borders alone…A leader who protected every soldier under him…

Then another question began forming in her mind.

Why did he change? Why did a man like that choose to live quietly as an ordinary employee at Quadron? Why did he tolerate humiliation from someone like Sandeep Vardhaan in the office? Why would someone with that level of power and skill bury his past so completely? For the first time, Sonarika realized something unsettling.

That she was not the only partner with secrets in their relationship. One thing was certain , she was now intrigued. And she intends to find out the truth about her husband!

                                                                                                               END OF CHAPTER 32

[Demeter]

                                                                                                                                   

The next morning carried a strange heaviness for Sonarika. She stood in front of the mirror tying the ends of her dupatta, but her hands moved slower than usual. Her mind kept circling the same thought. What if Papa was right? Behind her, Ragini leaned against the doorway watching quietly. Ragini could see the worry clearly written across Sonarika’s face.
.
.

"If all this is true, why lie to his own family?" he said, 

Suresh nodded.
"That part is actually simple. Operators like Hemant had to maintain strict cover identities. The people he eliminated were not ordinary criminals" 
"Many belonged to organized terror networks. If his identity became public, retaliation could easily target his family. So his records were deliberately falsified" 
"Some official databases still list him as posted in Drass as a protective cover. 
"Hemant was the tactical leader of his squad. And unlike many special units operating in high-risk zones—His squad had zero martyrs. Every soldier under his command had returned alive from missions"

"So he lied… but to protect us" Jagjeet leaned back slowly.

"Yes" Suresh replied.
"And frankly, his file is fascinating"

Ragini suddenly exhaled loudly.
"Oh my God" she said. "I already admired the guy" She laughed nervously, "Now I’m a fan"
. . .

A brief comment: 

I am firmly convinced that Hemant did not simply eliminate and target people under the alias Michael King on a whim and for no apparent reason. From the outset, I suspected that he was responsible for specific operations commissioned by a particular government agency (namely: The Garud Commandos).
In this role, both careful planning and precise execution are of crucial importance. Furthermore, maintaining the secrecy of one’s identity is also of vital importance.  

According to Suresh’s account and the information in the file note, Hemant has proven himself to be dutiful towards the state to which he has sworn allegiance. 
To uphold this commitment, he has taken the risk that one day his family (his wife and parents-in-law) might learn of his involvement and, as a result, condemn him for keeping secrets (lying about his past) from them, and that his marriage might even suffer as a consequence.

He is firmly convinced – and I share this conviction too! – that there is no nobler task than serving one’s own country unconditionally. 

It is precisely this quality that sets Hemant apart as a remarkable person.

I have a particular fondness for this character named Hemant, whose personality will unfold even further in the present and in the context of his relationship with Sonarika...

More at a later date.


----------
Demeter

[Harry Jordan]

I have a particular fondness for this character named Hemant, whose personality will unfold even further in the present and in the context of his relationship with Sonarika...

More at a later date.


----------
Demeter

Its like past chapters have stated , Hemant has always been Michael King's blueprint.

Now , his arc is not exactly "Patriotic" but there will be elements to show the limitations of a soldier. Plus there are two different aspects that needs to meet. According to Jagjeet , Michael King was a "CIA" asset , while Hemant was an ex-Indian Army Soldier as part of the Garud Force. They are two distinct points that kind of makes them two different people. But what aligns them is another important adventure in the story in the future!

[Demeter]

I am aware that the line between patriotism and a sense of duty to the state, on the one hand, and personal ambition or a quest for revenge, on the other, is merely a subtle distinction. The line between the two is very fine, so that they often become intertwined, particularly when family and friends are involved. 

It was of great importance to me to obtain the information that Hemant had been recruited, trained and entrusted with operational assignments by the security service, Garud Force.
He by no means embodies the role of a gangster, as was the case with Dillenger.

I am eagerly awaiting Sonarika’s reasoning and demeanour during her meeting with Hemant, particularly her reaction to Ragini’s revelation that Hemant and Pranitha Mahti 
have grown very close. It remains to be seen whether she will broach this subject during the conversation.

It has now struck me that Vikram is trying to confuse Sonarika with new tricks, particularly through emotional manipulation, in order to get close to her and win her back. 
This behaviour is, to put it bluntly, a farce and dishonourable conduct.


----------
Demeter

[Blackdick11]

It has now struck me that Vikram is trying to confuse Sonarika with new tricks, particularly through emotional manipulation, in order to get close to her and win her back. 
This behaviour is, to put it bluntly, a farce and dishonourable conduct.

Vikram still daydreaming that he’ll magically win Sonarika back that’s exactly why he keeps pitching the idea of getting back together every now and then. Because he has failed so far, and now that his parents and siblings know about Sonarika, they’ll also try to get close to her And that’s exactly Anjana’s master plan to bring Vikram and Sonarika back together through her parents and sympathy card.

[Blackdick11]

Whatever unfolds next is going to turn things upside down for both hemant and sonarika.

[Munda007]

Vikram still daydreaming that he’ll magically win Sonarika back that’s exactly why he keeps pitching the idea of getting back together every now and then. Because he has failed so far, and now that his parents and siblings know about Sonarika, they’ll also try to get close to her And that’s exactly Anjana’s master plan to bring Vikram and Sonarika back together through her parents and sympathy card.

Hemanth has become the personality what Sonarika wanted but not anymore while Vikram might trnasform himself for Sonarika. So you never know she might choose him at the end

[praveen_33]

Are we getting update today?

[RCF]

Interesting read!

All this time, Hemanth is ordinary man and his past as MK is vigilante hero but now Hemanth is a hero who turned into vigilante...this is the type of elevations that even Rambo doesn't get lol

We should give Hemanth's story to Marvel, he will be fit for a new character to join Avengers :)

Sonarika's argument doesn't have much weight now with such glorious past of Hemanth other than the fact that he has lied about his nightmares for which he has always found solace in her arms in their entire time together which should hurt her knowing she always thought she is bringing peace to him for his war episodes while fact is he might be fighting as a gangster or doing the bidding for Rustom family and we still have the letter which should reveal more details how Commando went to join CIA or how he became Michael and when letter comes next day, I am sure there would be good cause for MK to join Rustom family's operations or might have been deceived by CIA. One way or the other he joined his gang, that will be another interesting read.

Sonarika taking decision to change divorce conditions means there is definitely something that bothered her about leaving kids in his custody, or if it was about confronting Hemanth about his past. Either way she has no right to question about Pranitha but she has rights to disagree over the custody of the kids if she feel they have threat living with Hemanth. Would be an update that would change the course of direction of the story.

One thing is certain, my guess is she will not take the kids away from him but she will confront him, My reason to believe is Sonarika still has long way to go alone..she has to take down Anjana, Meghana and sort out Vikram and define the friendly relationship or end it. Anjana's plot to tie Sonarika to Vikram with family emotions has taken a head start with funeral proceedings last episode so she will continue to invite her to spend time with her and mother in pretext of depression and she will try to tie her with Vikram so many battles to be won for her and evolve to be a force in Vatika as well...so taking kids to Goa doesn't seem like an option right now.

Whatever the equation between Sonarika and Hemanth, Jagjeet will love his son-in-law now or ex son-in-law lol

~RCF

[Blackdick11]

Hey Harry, when you dropping chapter 33? TODAY or gonna take some time?

[Harry Jordan]

[Harry Jordan]

Hey Harry, when you dropping chapter 33? TODAY or gonna take some time?

It might take a bit more time as Chapter 33 will be a bit longer. The reason for this is SPOILER ALERT BELOW



We will be finally experiencing the backstory of Hemant from his GARUD days. And through this backstory we will see the first phase of the Flashback Tragically Short Love Story of Hemant and a certain woman we have already met in the chapters before. The story will showcase some of the early rivalry and the initial setup point for London and Michael King. And we will also see the unique pairing and how their relationship blossomed until it met it unexpected roadblock in the story. Another interesting aspect is it will be Sonarika who will be just like us readers learning this history through a certain someone. Which is why Chapter 33 will take time as it will be longer and complete the full arc of Sonarika in Delhi until she returns to Mumbai.

[praveen_33]

Any tentative date for chapter 33?

[rk1300051]

Hey Author,
When will you drop the next chapter...????

[SMOD-P]

Its's been 14 days since you gave update ?

[Harry Jordan]

Hey everyone , I know a lot of you were looking forward for chapter 33. And honestly the delay was simply because I had a hard time structuring it well. However , the good chunk of its work is done , and I am looking forward to reveal it to all of you on coming Saturday Night. 

And honestly my work schedule was affected because of Daredevil Born Again and Invincible LOL!

I can proudly say that Chapter 33 is probably a very long chapter because this chapter will feature a good chunk of Sonarika's story along with a portion of Hemant's backstory way before Michael King. And the way the narration is done , I feel everyone will love it. This chapter will have Love , Sex , Sensuality , Lust , Addiction , Action , Mayhem , Warfare etc. There is an interesting character I introduced last chapter that will play a major role in Sonarika's life. The whole reason for her existence is to pivot her arc to a path of redemption and start her own "Revenge" arc soon!!! 

So watch out for Saturday Night as the man behind the Legend that shook the Underworld will be revealed in its partiality with an uncertain future!

[Blackdick11]

Really excited. just waiting for CHAPTER 33 to be posted tonight.

Just one request, please don’t postpone this one like previous one;)

[Harry Jordan]

Really excited. just waiting for CHAPTER 33 to be posted tonight.

Just one request, please don’t postpone this one like previous one;)

Believe me , its not my intention. Its that I don't get enough time lately to work comfortably on the story. Which is why the delays. But you can definitely be confident that I won't mess with the QUALITY of the story. That is a given dedication!