Unsalvageable, appalled, and mildly spooked, I put the telephone down after recovering from the alarming news shared by my secretary.

It was early January, a good time for touring the state and enjoying the cool weather as compared to the scorching heat of summer. The city of royals was flooded with foreigners who had traveled far to capture the essence of culture wafting off from this golden soil. In the crowd of sundowners, one African stroller got into a brawl at an infamous nightclub and was later indulged by police. I don't give two cents about the incident but judging the involvement of Raghuveer, I had to collect my bearings and raid the police station at 3 in the morning with a team of lawyers.

I sat on a wooden chair in the middle of the station with my blood boiling and my face masked in nonchalance as the servants of the law tried to fish for any loopholes. The khaki holders kept staring at me, masking their judgment concerning an unruly prince.

He has crossed all lines this time. The officer informed how they caught him dealing drugs. I knew both of my sons like the back of my hand. They would never take on such a degrading habit. Raghuveer was wild, he partied every night, slept with women- both single and married, drank alcohol, and smoked cigars, but he had sworn his innocence on his mother's cold grave. He wasn't involved in substance abuse but was a victim of wrong timing. I was worried if the news has already leaked or is in the process of reaching big ears and loud mouths. After two hours of constant bickering and removing his traces from the spot, the policemen apologized for the misunderstanding and released him in good light.

I wasn't happy.

When he emerged from behind the bars, he had this large grin on his face which melted the moment he absorbed the tension oozing from my rigid frame.

'Dad, it is not what you think it is. I didn't...'

I didn't let the stubborn man finish. At 24, I expected him to be more responsible and sharper. He wasn't the same broken teenager anymore and has split out of that old shell. After intense training and accurate knowledge of 7 years, he climbed the corporate ladder in no time and shined like a true leader. But the menace refused to leave old habits behind. In his prime, he has broken more hearts than one could count on their fingers. Left many stringing and ashamed.

I simply shook my head in disappointment and left the station with him following my trail. As soon as we settled in the car, I punctuated my ultimatum.

'You're leaving tomorrow for Chennai to establish a new branch of the company. Grab me a contract worth millions from the government in a year or else kiss your position Goodbye. I am sure some more deserving candidates can achieve greater goals in less time. This is your last chance Raghuveer, don't disappoint me. Or I'll disown you. It is better to cut a poisonous branch than let the whole tree rot and die. If you are getting my gist, you would manifest your attitude in the right direction.'

A sober Raghuveer nodded and turned to look out of the window of a moving vehicle.

There are days when I wish to go back in time and change those lines. I wish I had tried to understand him better than pushing him away. I wish in place of throwing an ultimatum in his face, I had given him a dream. I didn't cut the poisoned branch. God is the witness of us planting a rotten seed.

The day Raghuveer left for Chennai was the same day Aryan returned from London after completing his M.B.B.S.

Only he didn't come alone but brought his long-time girlfriend- Garima. The two of them had great plans including opening a big hospital where all classes of people can be treated. The treatment of poor folks was free of cost and I couldn't be prouder for their selfless job brought glory to the household. I knew Raghuveer was jealous of Aryan's ability to move on from the past and embrace his future when he struggled every day to battle the unwanted memories. He was the live spectator of the damnation that destroyed our family.

The clock of bad omen started ticking from the hour he left for Chennai. I fell down the stairs and injured my left shoulder whereas Aryan barely escaped a collision with a truck.

The initial days in Chennai proved fruitful as my brilliant champion started a successful hotel in a year and opened a fully-fledged construction branch within two months. He was taking the deadline seriously. I secretly transferred experienced employees to aid him in further progress.

On the eve of the grand opening of the luxuriant Sandhya Villas Hotel, many hoteliers, government officials, brokers, and ministers were invited. In the night of celebration, amidst a cheerful crowd lapping at his feet, he stumbled across the enigma of Mandakini.

A shadow of a female with red-rimmed eyes emerged from the walls behind Gauri when she accidentally gets a paper cut from the journal while pronouncing the mysterious name. The moment a thick and warm drop of crimson falls on the paper, Gauri's eyes roll back until the white floods her sockets and the sick spirit dives into the single drop of blood. The papers in the journal flutter and swap rapidly until Gauri leans back on the couch and shuts her eyes. Her breathing turns deep as the goddess of sleep beckons her toward a forbidden dream.

When Gauri opened her eyes next, she found herself floating in the salty ambiance of a lonely Marina Beach. Expelling the large air filling her lungs, her eyes frantically scan the surroundings and before she could decipher her next move, her body once again defies gravity and carries her towards the wide balcony of Sandhya Villas Hotel. Dread washed over her when music and cheerful voices strikes her ears at once. She was still wearing the same magenta saree. Wiping the sweat accumulating on her forehead, Gauri pivots inside light on her bare feet. Crossing the balcony facing the sea, she realized she was occupying the first floor and was looking down at a mass gathering of rich people. Holding the railing tight, her eyes drank in the golden hotel with a grand chandelier at the top and a glamorous fountain at the bottom.

A porcelain mermaid at the center of the fountain was the main attraction. She found herself getting lost in the unique designs and marvelous interiors. Red velvet curtains hung high from the ceiling and white orchids, lavender neelkurunji, and pink tulips gave the venue a classic and vintage touch. A group of musicians was playing a harmonious tune on a small stage set in one corner. Waiters were wearing traditional turban and red coats as they served champagnes to the buzzing crowd. Untouched stalls of food rested at the foot of the left wing.

But in the middle of highly profiled guests, Gauri immediately caught the sight of a young Raghuveer, who resembled a lot like her husband, except for donning that clean-shaven and short hair look. He looked handsome in a black tuxedo and was surrounded by men twice his age. Probably business associates. Laughter filtered through the air as they conversed about politics and scandals. Indulging them for a few more minutes, Raghuveer excused himself from the group and whispered something to his secretary before loosening his cuffs and making his way toward Gauri.

The young princess froze and blinked twice at the approaching male with a mission. His lips rose in a smirk and a dominating aura, similar to that of Yagya was oozing from him in gallons. If Gauri wasn't habitual of Yagya's brooding presence, she might have confused Raghuveer as him from up close.

"Uh..."

She uttered, watching him close the distance between them but paused when he walks through her and takes a left. Gauri heaved breathlessly at the horrifying discovery. He walked right through her as if she was thin air! Then she puts her hand on a nearby pillar and was left shocked when her hand passed right through it. Was she a ghost?

"Hello there."

She turned to find Raghuveer leaning against one of the pillars and conversing with a woman in the shadows. The lights in the hallway didn't completely reveal her features.

"I collect you are one of those who despite being born with a silver spoon, couldn't digest the fake appearances of high and mighty."

Gauri's face blanched into a scowl as she sensed a flirty tone beneath the arrogant stupor.

The bold red lips, the only visible trait of the silent female, blossomed into a beautiful smile and slowly, she emerged from the shadows. Breath got stuck in Gauri's throat and she stopped cussing at Raghuveer at once because the woman was otherworldly, probably the most beautiful female on the planet. She had curly brown hair that reached her hips and cat-like green eyes. Her high cheekbones and angled jaw deceit the innocence and shyness settled on her sharp nose. She was a little thing that reached his shoulder in high heels and wore a mermaid-style emerald silk gown with golden embroidery. A thigh-high slit ran across the left side of the dress revealing her sun-kissed flesh.

The heavy lashes kissed her rosy cheeks as she blinked slowly and tilted her head to the side, as if she was surprised, he discovered her whereabouts in the sea of pearls. A melodious chuckle left her lips and she stared into his eyes with a challenge.

"Or I am one of those who chose to be a wallflower to avoid a specific gender in the population."

Her retort was answered with a dazzling smile.

"Oh, the dumb and snobby kind?"

The girl giggles and shook her head while playing with her diamond pendant. The large diamond on her ring finger glittered lavishly.

"No, the flirtatious kind."

"Then you are safe, madam. I am Raghuveer, the owner of this hotel, and you are?"

Her smile vanished and she stared dumbly for a second before breaking into a self-assured person.

"A guest at your grand opening, Mr. Rana. I must say, your vision is plausible. The grandeur of Sandhya Villas will put every competitor out there to shame. The interior is uniquely designed, bearing in mind the destination- its ecology, climatic conditions, and heritage. The architecture brings out the essence of the destination to provide an intimately enriching holiday experience. Each of the 785 rooms and 260 suites is a striking blend of nostalgic elegance, rich history, and modern facilities. What makes it more special is one of the top rankings 7-star hotels in India on the first day."

A genuine smile replaced Raghuveer's earlier demeanor and he straightened up, finally addressing the brain behind this beauty.

"Hmmm...

This place is special for all the reasons you listed but one thing that brings it close to my heart is the vision of my mother. She was working on its design before she passed away."

"Oh, I'm sorry. Was it recent?"

A hidden sadness descended on her face as she slowly lets the joy melt away.

"No, it was a long time ago, but feels like yesterday."

"You must've loved her a lot, to feel like this."

"Hmm... there's no waking hour when I do not regret surviving. She is needed here more than I do."

He spoke as anguish coats the walls of his cold heart. The woman squeezes his arm and decides to call it an evening. As she walks towards the staircase leading to the ground floor, Raghuveer calls out.

"Excuse me, lady. I didn't catch your name!"

Her eyes shone in mirth.

"Mandakini Shivanand."

Raghuveer's eyebrows shot up in bewilderment.

"Any relation to the Director of Surya Enterprises- Mr. Surya Narayan Shivanand?"

"You wouldn't believe it if I told you, Mr. Have a great night." she greeted him over her shoulder as she takes the route down, and with a smitten smile, Raghuveer studied her behind.

Gauri unknowingly followed Mandakini and soon, found her exiting the Hotel. Nodding at the valet on her way, she climbs into a black Cadillac and takes a deep breath.

Seconds after the car comes into motion, an old and wrinkly hand lands on her exposed thigh and caresses it with the tips of his finger. Mandakini purses her lips into a thin line when a burly old man with silver hair tied in a small pony, leans to nuzzle her neck and plants a wet smooch there.

"How did the meeting go, my love?" his horse voice made her skin crawl but she refused to drown the pretense.

"He is smart but not the brightest cookie on the platter. Way too emotional for this ruthless business." She whispered as the man bit her ear playfully and raised his hand below her gown to reach her burning core. Mandakini gasped and gulped the bile that rose in her chest as his fingers dig into her heated center to play with her sanity.

"Good. Then he would fall faster for your charms and fix anything to quench your appetite, right?"

The old man moaned over her soft outcries and squelching noise coming from between her thighs.

"Bite the bait when he is ready, okay?"

She nodded with a red face as she drenches his hand with her shame while the driver watches them hungrily from the mirror.