I never thought the house where I laughed as a child would become a battlefield. I’m Birju, the youngest son of Lakshmi’s proud lineage, and this haveli once echoed with music and warmth. Now, it’s silent except for the whispers of betrayal.

Shankar, my elder brother, used to carry me on his shoulders. Today, he won’t even meet my eyes. Ever since I fell for Mala, ever since I stood up to Seth Bansilal, he sees me as a threat—not a brother.

Tonight, the village gathers for the annual fair. I see Mala across the courtyard, her dupatta fluttering in the wind. She smiles, but it’s fragile. I know what she’s thinking—how much longer can we keep pretending everything’s fine?

Then I spot Asrani, the Seth’s man, slipping a sealed envelope into Balwant’s hand near the well. My pulse spikes. This is it. The proof. But if I confront them now, it could spark a war in my own home.

Do I follow them and risk everything? Do I go to Mala and seek her counsel? Or do I wait, knowing delay might cost us everything?