As the desert night deepened, the winds carried whispers of this new partnership—a collaboration forged in ambition, secrecy, and the shadows of Rajasthan. The dry winds swept across the Thar Desert as the stars blinked above the Haveli, now wrapped in silence and fading memories. But elsewhere, plans were unfolding with a speed and intensity that few could have predicted. Beneath the peaceful façade of the night, in a warehouse located on the outskirts of Jodhpur, Manoj was pacing the floor. His brow furrowed, hands clasped behind his back, he watched as workers finished inspecting the latest batch of handcrafted blades and newly designed firearms.
Unlike his predecessors who took pride in the artistry of weapons, Manoj was more focused on scale and precision. For him, this was no longer about legacy—it was about power, influence, and ensuring survival in a world that respected none of the old rules. But the demand had changed. Legal contracts from the government were trickling. Bigger profits were waiting in the grey zones—zones where the rules could be twisted or rewritten altogether.
As he stared at the glowing forge, a shadow entered the warehouse."You're late," Manoj said without turning. A smooth voice responded, "Important plans take time to finalize." It was Sahani. Dressed in a sand-colored kurta, Sahani exuded calm danger. His presence carried the aura of someone who had already predicted the outcome of every game he played. Manoj turned to face him, expression unreadable. Though this was their first direct meeting, their reputations had preceded them.
"Before we talk business," Sahani began, casually glancing around the space, "I want to congratulate you. Your operation is impressive." Manoj nodded slightly. "Compliments are easy. Trust isn't." "Then let's earn it," Sahani replied, walking over to a table stacked with maps, blueprints, and satellite images. "You've got the infrastructure. I've got the distribution. Together, we can corner the northwestern arms demand—both legal and... alternative."
Manoj raised an eyebrow. "The legal side has limits. Licenses, paperwork, random checks. I don't want to lose my entire setup." Sahani smirked. "I'm not here to mess with your legacy. I'm here to enhance it."
He pulled out a folder and opened it to reveal documents, coded ledgers, and investment plans. "Here's what I offer: capital investment under the name of my NGO. On paper, we're establishing a 'Peacekeeping Training Institute'—noble cause, aligned with government objectives. In reality, we diversify. Guns, modified equipment, new alloys for blades. You keep 40% of the profits. I get 60%, because I handle the riskier side—transport, law management, silencing issues."
Manoj narrowed his eyes, scanning the documents. "And what if your little empire collapses one day? All fingers will point to me." "That's why," Sahani said, lowering his voice, "we build separate layers. Shell companies. Dead-end addresses. Proxy directors. You won't even be on the radar. By the time authorities suspect anything, we'll have cleaned the house."
There was silence for a few seconds, broken only by the hammering from the forge in the distance. Manoj sat down, tapping a finger against the table. "What do you need from me immediately?" "Two things," Sahani replied. "First, I want access to your side inventory—especially the discontinued line of rifles Akhilesh had designed for the military. Those were lightweight and easy to modify. Second, I want temporary use of the Haveli." Manoj froze. "Haveli?"
"Yes. It's the perfect cover. Remote location. Historical protection status. Tourists won't suspect a thing. Plus, it holds emotional significance to the people. Who would dare to suspect that something wrong is happening inside a sacred building?" "That Haveli is cursed now," Manoj said. "After Rani Sa's death, people are scared of it." "All the better," Sahani grinned. "Fear is a wall. No one enters where ghosts live. We'll use that superstition to our benefit."
Manoj folded his arms. "Sanyuktha is still around. She's unpredictable. And she has allies in Delhi." "I'll handle her," Sahani said coldly. "Let her mourn. Once she scatters the ashes, she'll be emotionally broken. And if she doesn't leave quietly… we'll ensure she's out of our way." There was an edge to his voice that sent a chill down Manoj's spine. For a moment, Manoj felt a shadow of doubt. But the promise of power, the opportunity to rise above legality and influence state corridors from the backdoor—it was too tempting.
After a moment of silence, Manoj extended his hand. "Fine," he said. "Let's collaborate."Sahani shook his hand, sealing a pact that would soon change the face of Rajasthan's underground economy.
As the two men discussed logistics and personnel, a young worker in the far end of the warehouse kept his head low, pretending to polish a sword. But his ears were sharp, and his heart raced. He had recognized Sahani from the news—rumors of his involvement in smuggling, illegal medicine rackets, and even human experimentation circulated through the grapevine. If what he heard was true, then Rajasthan wasn't heading for mere trouble. It was heading toward a storm that could ruin innocent lives.
Later that night, as the two powerful men toasted their new partnership with imported whiskey, the worker slipped away. He didn't know whom to trust, but one thing was clear: someone had to warn Sanyuktha. Because the Haveli wasn't just a building. It held secrets—sacred, ancestral secrets—that no criminal enterprise should ever possess. And Sanyuktha wasn't as alone as they thought. Not anymore. A light breeze rustled the curtains of the small hotel room where Sanyuktha sat silently, holding a brass urn close to her heart. The ashes of Rani Sa—her only remaining blood—rested in it, still warm in memory if not in temperature. The morning sun cast long shadows on the floor, and the smell of incense filled the air, though it couldn't mask the lingering pain in her chest.
It was the 14th day. The day she had to let go. She wrapped the urn in a saffron-colored cloth and tucked it gently into a bag. The maid, Leela, who had been Rani Sa's loyal companion for decades, walked beside her silently. The plan was simple: they would head to the nearby holy site, immerse the ashes in the flowing river, and then board the afternoon train to Delhi. But in Sanyuktha's mind, nothing was simple anymore. Not after that gunshot. Not after the rumors she'd been hearing about the Haveli—whispers about construction, trucks coming in and out during odd hours, and men in uniforms that didn't belong to any official force.
She stepped outside. The morning was warm, the air dry and crisp. She looked up at the sky—cloudless, yet uneasy. It reminded her of Delhi the night before Rani Sa's death. As she walked toward the taxi, she heard someone call her name.
"Madam!" A boy, no older than seventeen, rushed toward her. He looked dusty, breathless, and frightened. In his hands was a piece of folded paper.
"I… I work at the factory near Jodhpur," he stammered. "You don't know me, but… I heard something. Something dangerous. They're using the Haveli. They're going to turn it into something bad. They're calling it a hospital, but it's not. I overheard two men last night."
Sanyuktha took the paper, still watching the boy closely. He looked like he hadn't slept in days."Who told you to bring this to me?"
"No one," he whispered. "I just knew… Rani Sa cared about that Haveli. It was hers. If they ruin it—" Sanyuktha looked down at the paper. Inside were rough sketches—of chemical tables, weapons, and what looked like architectural plans for underground rooms. She froze. Her hands trembled slightly. "I need your name," she said firmly. "Shiva," the boy replied. "I can't stay long. If they find out—"
But before she could ask more, he turned and vanished into the crowd. Leela looked at Sanyukta with fear in her eyes. The sacred ashes ceremony could wait. There was something darker unfolding, something that demanded her attention. She made a snap decision. "We're not boarding that train today," she said. "We're heading back to Haveli." Leela gasped. "But, child, it's dangerous—" "I need to see it for myself. And if what Shiva said is true, I'll burn that place down myself before I let them destroy her legacy."
In JodhpurLater that Day
Sahani arrived at the Haveli that afternoon. Dressed in all white, he appeared like a savior to the locals who had heard he was converting the property into a hospital for the underprivileged. He shook hands with village heads, smiled at old men, and even hugged a few women who blessed him for his 'generosity.'
But inside, the rooms were being cleared out with a different purpose. Construction equipment, imported lab materials, and biometric security systems were being unloaded. The underground chambers once used to store grains and artifacts were now being redesigned to hold sensitive material: weapons, chemical vials, and equipment that needed to remain invisible to the outside world. Manoj was already inside, inspecting the reinforcements.
"They bought the hospital story," Sahani said, removing his sunglasses. "Next week, the NGO papers will be approved. After that, we go full scale."
Manoj looked around. "Just make sure the girl doesn't come back. This Haveli may have her memories, but it belongs to us now." But even as he said that, none of them noticed a car pulling up just outside the forest path that led to the Haveli. Inside it, Sanyuktha gripped the armrest tightly, eyes narrowed, memories flooding back. "This is more than legacy now," she whispered. "This is war." Leela, though terrified, nodded. "Then let's fight it like Rani Sa would."
Sanyuktha reached for her phone and dialed a number she hadn't called in a long time. "Prabhas," she said when the line connected. "I need you. Something big is happening here. It's Sahani. And Manoj. They've turned my Haveli into a crime den." There was a pause on the other end.
"I've been expecting this call," Prabhas replied. "I'll be there by nightfall. But we won't go alone this time." And just like that, the old fire returned to Sanyuktha's voice. "Then let's show them," she said, her eyes locked on the Havelis' distant silhouette. "That even ruins can rise again."
I hope everyone likes this story. I will update chapters as soon as possible. I am only able to update all the chapters weekly. You can chat and speak to me through the messages and my fan group.. This story has Hindi and English and Hindi versions. Kindly read both versions.