In deep shadows, the secrets hide,
Worrying the unsettled mystery inside.
Whispers echo, tales untold,
In the heart of darkness, truth unfolds.

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Malhotra palace - Next Morning

The atmosphere at Malhotra Palace was fraught with tension as Randhir paced back and forth, frustration evident on his face as he repeatedly tried to reach Manik and Nandini on their phones.

"Does anyone know where bhai has gone with bhabhi on honeymoon!?" he exclaimed, pulling at his hair in exasperation. "I inquired from Hawaii Resort, but they said no one booked a resort under the name of Manik Malhotra!"

Naira, her brow furrowed with worry, joined the conversation. "How can this possibly be, Randhir? Do you think Nitin Uncle would know about it?"

"We don't know, Naira, but we can at least try," Kartik chimed in, determination coloring his voice as he dialed Nitin's number, only to find it unreachable.

Frustration hung heavy in the air as Kartik shook his head in disappointment, the uncertainty surrounding Manik and Nandini's whereabouts weighing heavily on everyone's minds.

Sanyukta voiced the concern that was on everyone's minds. "What happened that Manik Bhai transferred all his shares between Randhir and Kartik? Even the lawyer said that Manik Bhai has re-edited his certificates..."

As the discussion continued, Manish remained seated on a single sofa, his head bowed low, lost in his own thoughts. His eyes shimmered with an unknown emotion, leaving those around him to wonder about the turmoil brewing within him.

The tension in the room was palpable as Suket and Sangeeta sat, their expressions fraught with worry for their son. Swarna, too, felt the weight of anxiety pressing down upon her. She had been Manik's pillar of strength when he needed her most, but now, she found herself in need of him. She couldn't forget the joy she felt when Manik came into their lives, bringing with him the happiness of motherhood. To her, Manik was not just the son of her sister-in-Law; he was her son in every sense of the word.

During Manik's marriage, Swarna had been apprehensive about Nandini, fearing that she wasn't the right match for Manik. However, as she observed Nandini closely, she realized her mistake. She regretted listening to Sheela's malicious gossip, understanding now that Sheela was motivated by greed and envy, not genuine concern.

Swarna never had the chance to apologize to Nandini, but she knew that Nandini, with her kind heart, would have forgiven her regardless. Nandini's innocence and goodness had prevented her from seeing the true intentions behind Sheela's actions.

Meanwhile, Dadi sat with her head in her hands, her mind consumed by worry for her grandson, Manik, and her granddaughter-in-law, Pari. She couldn't comprehend the reason behind Manik's sudden decision.

Kartik's gaze fell upon Manish, and a realization dawned on him. He had noticed Manish's peculiar behavior towards Manik over the past few months, and now, it all seemed to make sense.

Steeling himself, Kartik approached his father and stood before him, addressing him directly in front of the gathered family.

"This is your doing, isn't it, Dad? You pushed bhai into this. Didn't you?" Kartik's accusation hung heavy in the air, capturing everyone's attention and sparking a tense silence in the room.

The tension in the room escalated as Kartik's accusation hung in the air, leaving everyone bewildered and confused. Suket, his brow furrowed in confusion, addressed kartik with a frown.

"Kartik, what are you saying? Why would bhaiya do such a thing?" Suket's voice was filled with concern, reflecting the sentiments of the entire family.

But Kartik remained resolute, ignoring his chote papa's question as he continued to confront Manish, his gaze unwavering.

"I'm asking you something, Dad!" Kartik's voice was firm as he locked eyes with Manish. "I noticed how in these past months, you were behaving with bhai. How you asked bhai to let me handle that contract. And how you always got angry at Manik bhai, even though he wasn't at fault. I noticed everything, Dad. And now I'm sure that you were the one who forced Manik bhai to do this."

The room fell into a heavy silence as Kartik's words echoed, the weight of his accusation sinking in. Randhir, unable to contain his own confusion, spoke up, seeking clarity from Manish.

"Dad, why are you silent? Is Kartik bhai saying it's correct?" Randhir's question echoed the sentiments of the family, each member anxiously awaiting Manish's response.

Naira, sensing Kartik's bubbling anger, rubbed his arm in a soothing gesture, silently urging him to remain calm amidst the escalating tension.

"Dad, please say something," Sanyukta pleaded, her voice filled with apprehension. "We are really tense for Manik bhai and Nandini bhabhi."

The room remained tense as all eyes turned to Manish, awaiting his response to Kartik's damning accusation.

LOVELY BITES RESTAURANT

Lovely Bites Restaurant, nestled in one of Mumbai's less costly areas, is a hidden gem that seamlessly blends modern aesthetics with traditional South Indian charm. As patrons step through the entrance, they are greeted by a quaint facade adorned with vibrant murals depicting scenes from South Indian culture. The exterior is adorned with strings of twinkling fairy lights that add a touch of magic to the atmosphere, especially during the evening hours.

Inside, the restaurant exudes a warm and inviting ambiance, with walls painted in soothing pastel tones that complement the contemporary wooden furniture. The spacious dining area is divided into several sections, each adorned with elegant artwork and potted plants that add a refreshing touch of greenery.

The centerpiece of Lovely Bites is a stunning mural depicting a scenic view of Kerala's backwaters, complete with palm trees swaying gently in the breeze. This artwork serves as a homage to the restaurant's South Indian roots and provides a captivating focal point for diners to admire as they enjoy their meal.

The menu at Lovely Bites offers a tantalizing array of dishes that showcase the rich and diverse flavors of South Indian cuisine, from crispy dosas and fluffy idlis to aromatic biryanis and fragrant curries. The kitchen is helmed by skilled chefs who expertly blend traditional recipes with modern culinary techniques, ensuring that each dish is a masterpiece of flavor and presentation.

Despite its affordable prices, Lovely Bites prides itself on offering impeccable service and attention to detail. The waitstaff is friendly and attentive, always ready to assist diners with menu recommendations or special requests.

However, on this particular day, the beauty of Lovely Bites went unnoticed as the atmosphere inside the restaurant was somber and subdued. The usual buzz of conversation was replaced by a heavy silence.

The atmosphere of the Restaurant in was heavy with sorrow as Siya received the devastating news of her to-be husband's suicide. She sat broken, her heart shattered by the sudden loss. Despite not being deeply in love with him, the news was still a crushing blow.

Amar, her elder brother, felt utterly helpless as he witnessed his sister's cries. His own sense of helplessness mirrored the despair he had felt when he lost his eyesight at the age of 15.

Meanwhile, Fab-4, consisting of Mukti, Aliya, Cabir, and Dhruv, attempted to lift Siya's spirits, but she remained lost in her grief, oblivious to her surroundings.

Siya made the decision to return to her village, concerned for her parents who were alone and potentially in danger. Amar shared her worries but was hesitant to disobey their father, Jagpati, who had refused to let them return home due to safety concerns.

"Please, bhai, try to understand. I can't leave Amma and Appa alone there," Siya pleaded with tears in her eyes.

Amar, torn between his concern for his parents and his father's wishes, gently refused, shaking his head. "No, Choti. We can't disobey Appa's orders."

Siya's desperation grew as she expressed her fear of waiting helplessly in Mumbai for more tragic news. Mukti noticed Amar's hand wandering on the table, searching for Siya's hand. Understanding his silent gesture, she took his hand and placed it on Siya's, offering silent support.

"Siyaa... I know you're worried about our parents, but let me at least inform Appa that we're coming back," Amar suggested, hoping for a compromise.

"No, bhai. If we tell him, he'll never allow us to leave. We won't disclose it to anyone. I believe what's happening in our village is someone's plan," Siya revealed, her voice filled with conviction.

Curiosity piqued, Mukti and the others listened intently as Siya explained her suspicions, mentioning a visit to a temple during her journey to Mumbai.

"What did you find suspicious?" Aliya inquired, eager to uncover the truth behind Siya's intuition.

The atmosphere in Lovely Bites Restaurant was heavy with tension as Siya revealed her suspicions about the recent events in their village. As the siblings sat around the table, their expressions mirrored a mix of concern and determination.

"Bhai, do you remember that when we were kids, we played a lot at the one corner of the temple? It was always kept free, but there was talk of them placing a photo of the whole family of Lord Shiva," Siya reminisced, turning to her brother with a furrowed brow.

Amar nodded thoughtfully, recalling the cherished memories of their childhood. "Yeah, I remember. And on my 13th birthday, they did place that photo. It was a significant moment," he replied, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.

Siya continued, her tone grave. "But bhai, since that German researcher visited our village to research the temples, I've noticed strange things happening. And now, the photo of Lord Shiva's family is missing, replaced by weird pot plants."

Dhruv furrowed his brows, processing Siya's words. "So, you think whatever is happening in your village started after that researcher left?" he pondered aloud, seeking clarification.

"I'm almost certain. There's something suspicious about it," Siya affirmed confidently, her eyes reflecting her determination to get to the bottom of the mystery.

Cabir nodded in agreement. "Siya, how can you be so sure that the German researcher is involved?" he inquired, wanting to understand her reasoning.

Siya shrugged, trusting her instincts. "I don't have concrete evidence, but my gut feeling tells me there's a connection. We need to investigate further," she explained, her voice resolute.

The conversation at the table grew more intense as Amar and Siya's friends discussed their plans to investigate the mysterious events in their village.

"Okay, then we also will go with you, Siya, but Amar is not coming with us, and Mukti too," Aliya suggested, her tone serious.

"What! Why!?" Amar exclaimed, his shock evident in his voice.

"See, Amar, Aliya is right. We can't allow you to come with us. We promise we will solve this mystery of the suicides for sure, but we can't take a chance with your safety," Cabir explained, his expression grave.

"But, Cabir, how will I stay here when you guys and the family will be there?" Amar protested, his frustration evident.

"Amar, if someone is planning something and sees you with us, they could use you against us. We can't take that risk with your life. And don't worry, Mukti will stay with you," Aliya reassured him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"But—" Mukti began to object, only to be cut off by Cabir.

"So, it's decided. Except for Amar and Mukti, we all are leaving for Subramaniyam Puram tomorrow morning to solve this mystery," Cabir declared, his tone final.

The others nodded in agreement, showing their support for Cabir's decision. Despite his initial reluctance, Amar knew deep down that they were right. He couldn't risk his safety or jeopardize their investigation by tagging along. Reluctantly, he agreed to stay behind, knowing it was for the best, but his mind was already racing with thoughts of what awaited them in their village.

TO BE CONTINUED...........................

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