Page 6 of Twisted Alliance

“That is the Thakvar mansion,” the jeep driver announced proudly. “It was built over four hundred years ago using the Singoor sandstone.”

The driver drove towards the mansion and then stopped in front of the tall gates, bearing an insignia of tigers. There were at least half a dozen guards, and they seemed to recognize the jeep driver.

“Mr. Shivay Thakur is here to meet with Mr. Mihir Thakvar on business.”

The head guard nodded before opening the heavy gates and allowing the vehicle inside.

They continued along the paved driveway around a massive water fountain and stopped in front of the four-story mansion. A small group of men wearing the same-colored turbans and ethnic clothes waited to receive him.

“Thank you, Mr. Kabir,” he told the driver. “I will call you if I need your services.”

The driver nodded with a smile. “You are most welcome, sir.”

Shivay got down from the jeep.

“Welcome, Mr. Shivay,” a middle-aged man greeted. “I’m Rai Bahadur, Mr. Mihir’s manager.”

Shivay noticed that even the man in front of him also had the distinct three white horizontal lines with a small red dot in the center over his forehead. Although the lines weren’t as big as the one on the assassin in Africa, they were still noticeable.

Shivay was led up the large flight of marble steps at the entrance and taken inside. The mansion was a four-story structure in U-shape with a large central courtyard leading to the garden. The place looked well maintained with antique furniture, multicolored rugs, collections of paintings, clocks, and other decorative accessories. Shivay was then led to an air-conditioned room.

“Please be seated, Mr. Thakur, and avail our refreshments while I inform Mr. Mihir of your presence.”

Shivay sat on one of the ornate sofas with carvings while refreshments were served. His eyes fell on a wall that had several portraits. Based on the clothing and similarities in features, it was portraits of generations of families who lived in the mansion.

A strange tightness gripped his chest as he waited. He realized that the feelings were a combination of anger and loss.

Fifteen minutes later, the man named Rai Bahadur returned along with a tall man with greying hair whose clothing resembled that of old-world royalty. Unlike the other men, his turban was of a different color and held the gold insignia of an attacking tiger in the middle. The taller man’s regal features appeared tense.

“Would you like something else for refreshments, Mr. Thakur?” Rai Bahadur asked, seeing that Shivay hadn’t eaten anything. “We also have delicacies that are palatable to the Western tastes.”

“I’m fine,” Shivay replied.

Shivay held the eyes of the older man who didn’t greet and continued to watch in grim silence.

“I would like to speak to Mr. Thakur alone,” Mihir Thakvar finally said.

The staff began to leave immediately. “You too, Bahadur. I will speak to you later. Please give us privacy.”

The other man looked surprised, but he nodded before following the staff outside. The door to the receiving room was shut, offering Shivay and Mihir Thakvar complete privacy.

A heavy silence followed as they watched each other. The tightness inside Shivay’s chest grew while Mihir Thakvar’s face crumpled and the older man stepped closer to hug him.

The hug was long and tight, bringing warmth as well as increasing the sense of loss.

Mihir Thakvar shuddered before pulling away. “Why did you come here, Shivay?” he asked.

“I came here to take you back where you belong.”

There was a heartbroken look on Mihir Thakvar’s face as he replied. “I belong here,” he said.

Anger and loss once again burst inside Shivay’s chest, but he didn’t let it show. “You belong with your family.”

Mihir Thakvar shook his head. “No. I can’t go anywhere. Chitra shouldn’t have told you the truth. She promised not to. It was for your own safety.”

“She had to tell me,” Shivay replied, “… after I was attacked by a man wearing this.”

Shivay took out the dark brown rudraksh and held it in his palm.

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