Second Chance: A Dark Tale of Urban India

Chapter 187: Morning Annoucement

After 35 mins,

Rohit reviewed all the possible messages, reports, and images that he could find even vaguely relevant.

He took quite a moment to absorb them, as each revelation was big and bizarre to digest.

So far, to his findings, Riya was a long-term player who had her own hidden agenda against the Singhania family.

She was secretly fighting her own war against Raj despite all the odds stacked against her.

Raj might have already figured out her motives, especially the investigation into her biological mother’s death.

Otherwise, it didn’t explain how the doctor responsible for the autopsy had died mysteriously years later, right in the middle of the investigation.

This also showed that even the IB could not be fully trusted.

There was either a mole leaking information, or a good chance they had deliberately traded her off with Raj to get their hands on Ragini’s personal doctor.

Despite all those efforts, Rohit couldn’t help but pity her life.

Her boyfriend’s case was mysterious, but he could vaguely guess the situation.

To add more salt to the wound, her married life was deeply flawed — she had to face so many blackmails, criticisms and humiliations while still carrying out her duties so she could one day get back at the Singhanias.

At this moment, despite himself, he could not help but respect her character. If there was anyone she has good connection with, it was him.

She was using all means necessary to get revenge and stay connected to the Singhanias. There was no surprise that she might be using him as leverage in the process, though she didn’t actually intend to harm him or anyone in process.

Maybe that obsession story was a flawed one planted by her to put a feud between them, or it was the other way around from her side.

Either way, the truth could only be uncovered through future interactions.

As he recalled the story of his own biological parents, Raj’s method of dealing with threats through staged accidents seemed to match a clear pattern.

Indeed, she could be used as a valuable ally, but she was navigating extremely dangerous terrain.

The organization she had joined resembled the deep state entities he had once faced and fought in his previous life.

He knew nothing good would come from entangling with them.

The good thing was that he had gained many leaks and contacts — dumping of medical and industrial waste, smuggling of illegitimate meat in certain banned states of North India, and involvement in embezzlement and bribery for approval of illegal consignments.

Some day, these might be useful for him.

But none of it was severe enough to brandish the Singhania name.

In fact, it was pretty common in any large business, as he had known.

What was more interesting was tracking and finding this handlers named Clara and George, who had given Riya a fresh assignment.

Currently, there was an ongoing defense exhibition by Dadani Defense and Aerospace, and she was scheduled for an industrial visit on coming Friday.

Her handler had set her to obtain blueprints of drone technology. Rohit knew what a massive setback it would be if the stealth details were traced back to her.

The organization had no name, but she did.

He had the most advanced AI protection, but she didn’t.

People like her were easily dumped when things went wrong.

So he decided to trace back the handler first and find their true objective to get the complete depth of the situation — and also to sabotage her work if possible.

With that settled, he recalled there were Mittals tailing him.

He needed to shrug them off.

He quickly devised a solid plan to keep them busy, but before that, he needed a fail-safe way to get himself out cleanly.

Just then, his door knocked and the maid called out, "Young Master. Your father is looking for you. Please join the dining table. He has an important announcement to make."

Rohit replied, "Coming."

He checked the clock. It was already 9:10. He clearly felt annoyed at Raj’s antics, but it was his house, his rules. "Well, a little late won’t matter."

He called Robin.

The phone rang, and then a young, obedient voice answered. "Yes sir, you need me for anything?"

Rohit asked, "Do you have a car?"

Robin replied, "Yes sir, two, but not of your standards."

Rohit said, "Perfect. Meet me at Alka Mall by 10 in the parking lot. I need to shrug off some pursuers."

Robin replied, "Understood sir."

It was only then that he decided to leave.

***

Rohit came downstairs to find breakfast already wrapping up.

Raj occupied the head like a king on his throne, posture straight, a half-empty cup of tea cooling beside his plate. To his right sat Kalyani, elegant and watchful.

To his left, Vijay—his forehead wrapped in a thick white bandage, a vivid reminder of the blow Rohit had delivered two nights earlier.

What truly twisted something in Rohit’s gut was the sight beside Vijay: Arya. Calm, composed, scrolling through her phone while murmuring responses to whatever Vijay was saying.

The same woman who had once drawn a dangerous line with this man. The spark that had ignited the entire mess. Yet here she was, unfazed, as if none of it had touched her.

If ignorance had a face, Rohit thought bitterly, it would wear her expression perfectly.

Tanuj sat nearby, his stare cold and openly hostile.

Rohit ignored him, striding to the far side of the table and dropping into the empty chair beside Ananya.

At least she had the decency to mind her own affairs.

The spread before them was hearty and familiar: aloo parathas, melting butter, tall glasses of lassi.

Rohit tore off a piece of paratha, dipped it, and ate without tasting much. His gaze flicked over the empty seats—Aisha, Tanya, and Uncle Hemant were still missing.

Raj checked the wall clock. As if summoned, Tanya slipped in first, her expression dazed as though deprived of proper sleep.

She slid quietly into the seat beside her brother.

Moments later, Aisha entered.

To Rohit’s quiet surprise—and the visible disapproval of the others—she bypassed the empty chairs and took the seat directly beside him.

Kalyani’s frown deepened.

Tanuj looked ready to protest.

Aisha offered a serene greeting to the table and ignored them both.

Only then did Raj speak, setting his cup down with deliberate calm.

"As you all know, Vijay and Ananya are our guests."

The room’s ambient noise faded.

"Two nights ago, something unfortunate occurred. Vijay was attacked on his way back and ended up in the hospital."

His voice stayed even, but the undercurrent of disappointment was sharp as a blade.

"What disappoints me is not the incident itself." His gaze traveled across the younger faces. "It’s that I learned of it from his mother, rather than from any of you who were supposed to be with him that night."

Vijay shifted uncomfortably. "Uncle, please. They aren’t responsible—"

Raj raised a hand, silencing him instantly. "No."

His eyes moved from Tanuj to Arya, to Tanya, to Aisha, and finally settled on Rohit.

"Weren’t you all together that evening? Weren’t you responsible for one another?"

Silence answered him.

"Then explain how a guest under our roof ends up hospitalized while no one notices."

Tanuj stared at the table.

Tanya avoided everyone’s eyes.

Arya remained perfectly still.

Rohit nearly smirked. Of course no one spoke.

Half of them had been drunk. The rest carried their own secrets.

No one wanted that exposed.

Raj’s expression hardened. "I am ashamed."

The quiet delivery made the words land heavier. "You call yourselves Singhanias. A true Singhania knows when to restrain himself—and when to act. No matter the reasoning.. loss of control has never been our way."

His gaze lingered on Rohit for a beat longer than the others.

Rohit felt a faint knot tighten in his chest. Raj knew enough.

Maybe not everything, but enough.

Raj exhaled and shifted tone. "I have another announcement."

The air in the room changed.

"Recently, we received sad news. Vijay’s grandfather, Shri Birla, has passed away."

Ananya lowered her eyes, genuine grief shadowing her face.

"Because of this, Ananya must return to Bangalore. As a friend and business partner, I will accompany her personally. The alliance discussions will continue there. And while I am gone, I expect nothing troublesome to occur in my absence," He said.

Ananya offered a small, grateful smile. "Thank you, Raj."

He nodded and rose. "I’m already late."

To Kalyani, he added, "Look after things while we’re gone."

"Don’t worry, Bhai Sahab," she replied promptly.

Raj had nearly reached the door when Rohit stood. "Wait, Dad."

The room turned.

Raj paused, one eyebrow lifting. "You still have something to say?"

Their eyes met—father and son, measuring each other across years of unspoken expectation.

Rohit spoke clearly. "I’m sorry. I should have handled things better that night."

Several eyebrows rose around the table. Only those who knew, knew the tale. The rest made random guesses.

Raj studied him for a long moment, then gave a short snort. "You should have."

The simple acknowledgment carried the weight of reluctant acceptance.

Nothing more needed saying.

As Raj turned to leave, he paused again.

"Oh, and Kamalnath called this morning. He asked about you. Visit him when you can. Mend that bridge, Rohit."

’Akhil’s house.’ Rohit had nearly forgotten. "I will."

"Good."

With that, Raj departed.

The tension in the room eased like a released breath.

Kalyani soon followed, then Ananya.

Tanuj eventually pulled Aisha away on some flimsy pretext about "important matters," leaving only a few at the table—leaving Tanya, Arya and Vijay.

Rohit had finished eating, but neither of the remaining pair seemed inclined to leave. Tanya was the only one eating with silent gaze.

Arya scrolled lazily through her phone. Vijay kept finding excuses to speak to her—small, pointless questions designed only to keep her engaged.

Under ordinary circumstances, Rohit wouldn’t have cared. Today, each exchange grated like sandpaper.

Then Vijay asked casually, "Are you free this evening?"

Arya replied without looking up. "Why?"

"Tanuj invited me to his girlfriend’s place. Small house party." He smiled, hopeful.

A faint, amused curve touched Arya’s lips as she considered it.

Clink!

Rohit set his glass down.

It hit the table harder than intended. The glass cracked at the base and the remaining lassi spread across the surface.

The nearby maid rushed to wipe the white puddle clean.

Vijay flinched hard.

Tanya looked up once then down began eating unbothered.

Arya glanced over, just for a moment.

A subtle smile ghosted her lips.

"Sorry," she said lightly, rising. "I have work." She paused, then added, "Maybe later."

The look she gave Rohit before walking away was brief, but unmistakable.

She had seen his reaction.

She had wanted it.

And she had savored it.

Only after she disappeared did Vijay stand hurriedly. "Well... I’ll be going too." He left faster than she had.

Rohit watched them both vanish down the corridor. His jaw clenched.

Good game, he thought. Both of you.

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A/N//: Some readers might feel skeptical of Raj behavior regarding his daughter but the revelation will be done later. Didn’t got right pacing to insert for now.