Chapter 1: The Return

The summer sun bore down on the city of Lucknow, casting a golden hue over its crumbling havelis and bustling lanes. At the far end of Gulmohar Lane, behind a wrought-iron gate framed with marigold creepers, stood the Mishra household — a proud two-story home painted in the pale yellow of old dignity. Its arched balconies, cracked verandahs, and dusty window panes all told stories of a family that once wore perfection like a badge of honour.

But today, as the clock struck 4 p.m., a tremor approached. Not from the earth — but from the arrival of its most unpredictable member.

Ankit Mishra stood outside the house, suitcase in one hand, laptop bag slung over his shoulder. The bell he was about to ring hadn’t changed in two decades, but something in him had. The white button trembled beneath his finger before he finally pressed it.

From inside came the familiar chime, and seconds later, the heavy wooden door creaked open.

“Ankit beta?” His mother, Shalini Mishra, stood in her usual printed saree, her eyes wide with surprise and a spoon still in her hand.

He smiled nervously. “Hi Ma. I’m home.”

Before she could react further, she wrapped him in a tight embrace — one that carried warmth, confusion, and a faint trembling that didn’t go unnoticed.

“I didn’t know you were coming,” she whispered.

“I needed to... I wanted to see everyone.”

Truth was, he needed refuge.

They walked into the house that smelled of turmeric and sandalwood. The grandfather clock still ticked slowly in the hallway, and on the wall hung the same framed black-and-white photo of Dinanath Mishra — his father — standing proud with his government award for “Excellence in Civil Service.”

The drawing room was untouched, with lace doilies on every armrest and a stack of India Today magazines on the table. For a moment, Ankit felt like he’d stepped into a memory — until he saw his elder brother Abhishek emerge from the side room.

Abhishek’s eyes narrowed the moment they met Ankit’s.

“You didn’t call. No message?” His voice was sharper than necessary.

Ankit offered a polite smile. “Surprise.”

Abhishek didn’t return it. “Convenient.”

Shalini quickly interrupted. “He’s tired from travel. Let him freshen up.”

As she led Ankit upstairs, he could feel his brother’s eyes drilling into his back.

In his childhood room, everything looked the same — the old Godrej cupboard, the blue curtains, and the bookshelf that once held dreams now coated in dust. He sat on the edge of the bed, running a hand through his hair.

Lucknow had always felt too small for him. That’s why he’d left — for Delhi, for ambition, for something more. But ambition had teeth. And now it had bitten him.

---

Downstairs, Abhishek whispered sharply to their mother, “You know what’s going on in Delhi, right? The scam?”

She looked up, startled. “What scam?”

“He’s involved, Ma. There’s an FIR. He’s been in the news—small articles for now, but it’s spreading. Allegations of fraud at his company.”

Shalini stared at the floor. Her hands fidgeted with the edge of her pallu. “No. Ankit would tell us.”

“Would he?” Abhishek scoffed. “You still think he’s the little boy who brought you homemade cards? He’s not. He’s been hiding things for months.”

---

Upstairs, Ankit pulled out his phone. Dozens of missed calls from colleagues. One message from an unknown number: “They know. You’re next.” He deleted it, heart pounding.

He had thought coming home would be safe — but the walls here were made of glass. And he had a feeling they were already cracking.

---

That evening, the family gathered for dinner. The dining table was quiet. Only the sound of cutlery against steel plates echoed.

“Beta, have more dal,” Shalini offered gently.

“I’m okay, Ma,” Ankit replied.

Dinanath Mishra finally spoke. “Work must be stressful these days. Start-ups and all.”

“Yes,” Ankit nodded, avoiding his father’s eyes. “It’s been… complicated.”

Abhishek didn’t miss the hesitation. “That’s one word for it.”

Their father raised a brow. “Is there something we should know?”

Ankit paused. He looked at his family — his aging father with a spine of iron, his mother with love and concern in her eyes, and his brother with folded arms and visible mistrust.

“I… left the company,” he began.

Silence.

Shalini blinked. “Why?”

“There were problems. The CEO was involved in something unethical. I didn’t want to be part of it.”

Abhishek snorted. “Or maybe you got caught.”

“Abhi!” Shalini snapped. “He’s your brother.”

“He’s a liability,” Abhishek replied coldly.

Ankit stood up. “I didn’t come here to fight. I came because I needed family.”

“You needed cover,” Abhishek shot back. “Before the press knocks on our door.”

Dinanath’s chair scraped back as he stood. “Enough. This is not the place.”

Ankit’s voice softened. “Baba, I just need some time. That’s all.”

Dinanath stared at him for a long moment. Then nodded. “You can stay. But if there’s truth to these accusations — we’ll deal with it the right way.”

Ankit nodded. “There is more to the story. I promise I’ll explain.”

As he left the table and walked back to his room, the hallway lights flickered. Somewhere outside, a scooter sputtered down the street. Inside, the tension was thick enough to choke.

Behind closed doors, Ankit let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.

Home had always meant safety. But tonight, it felt like a courtroom — and the trial had just begun.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***