Arjan kaka didn't bat an eyelid. We kept staring, much like two alphas sizing each other up. After what seemed like an eternity, he broke the silence.

"Very disappointed to see thst the eldest has such a low opinion of his own family." He said in a calm voice. "But I don't blame you, kid. Savitri sent you away, much against our wishes. And look at the result. You sit here, returning after more than a decade, and dare to insult me on my face."

I took a sip of my coffee and replied equally calmly.

"Arjan kaka, let's not start playing the blame game. You and I both know the reason my mother sent me away. I am here just for her. Frankly, if I could, I would take her away with me, and not waste another day at this place." I started gathering my belongings off the table.

My uncle stayed me with a hand on my arm. "Please sit, I am not done yet."

"But I am."

"Sit down, please, Shivil. I need to talk to you."

It was the use of "please" that stopped me on my tracks. Arjan kaka was a chip off the old block, and he didn't easily use the magic words. I sat back down.

Almost a minute passed before he started talking.

"I know Savitri had been trying to get you back in the country ever since your father died, and that you have been repeatedly refusing her. What I don't know is that are you aware of why she was asking you to return?"

I shook my head. "No, I never gave her the chance to tell me. Because, whatever it was, I want no part of it. Especially now, under the circumstances, I only want her to take with me and leave."

"That is a bit selfish, don't you think?"

'Actually, no, I don't see what is selfish about not wanting to be a part of something in which I have no interest in."

He looked at me queerly.

"Don't you want to punish whoever shot Savitri?"

I looked away from him to summon the waiter.

"Truth is, I did think that for a while. But the past weeks have changed my mind." The waiter came to take our orders. Arjan kaka declined, and I ordered another coffee. "Uncle, I have grown up in the midst of a family feud. Of multiple family feuds. It has taught me long ago never to take the 'eye for an eye' route. It destroys all." I paused, realising how much of it was true. "So, no, I have no intention of returning."

"What if your mother doesn't want to go with you? You tried before, didn't you?"

I shifted my gaze. If I was being honest, I knew that would be challenge. I mumbled, "Things have changed now. Under the circumstances she will definitely agree."

A small smile appeared on his face, "You and I both know she won't. She wants to die in her own country."

The conversation was starting to puzzle me. What did the old man want from me? And I was growing impatient.

"Arjan kaka, come to the point. I know you didn't come all the way here just discuss my mother's wishes."

His smile grew. "You always were a shrewd kid, like your father. Very well, I shall come to the point. You see, I don't know who attacked us. But I have a hunch. Do you remember Virendra Thakur?"

"Vaguely. Wasn't he the thug with whom we had a long standing land dispute?"

"Kid, calling Virendra Thakur a thug around these areas may not be wise." He warned me. "But then you called me a thug too." He smiled again, seemingly taking offense at my rudeness.

"But yes, you are right. We had a long standing dispute, which got resolved only a couple of years ago. That was the last thing you father did before the Almighty took him." He fell silent for a while.

"Everything had been going well since then, but recently they have started causing trouble again. This time, it's a direct hit on our business. They have been attacking our cargo, our men."

"Oh? Well then, why aren't you doing something about it? It's not like we have any lack of guns or the men to wield them." I frowned, not knowing where this was going was making me anxious.

Without reacting to my sarcasm, he pressed on, "I don't have any proof, but I am certain that the attackers are Virendra Thakur's people."

"Uh-ha. How are you certain?"

"I have my ways and means." He shrugged.

"I am still waiting to hear how I factor in all these."

"I seem to recall there had been a news about a kidnap of a royalty a few years back where your name had been mentioned as the rescuer." He looked at me squarely in the eyes.

I stared back at him steadily. "India really has progressed a lot, Uncle. Even top secret information is available at the back alleys of the country."

He merely shrugged. "You may have abandoned us son, but we didn't. Plus, the incident wasn't as secret as you might have hoped. For the right price, everything is available for sale."

I raised my eyebrows. "Touché. Now that you have established that you have spied on me, it's time to put your cards on the table."

"Shivil, son, we are family. I am getting old, so is your mother. What I propose is simple, help me secure our business and take your revenge."

The waiter came with my coffee. We paused until he finished serving and left. I picked up my cup and leaned back in the chair.

"What's in it for me?"

He looked at me thoughtfully, "Revenge not enough for you?"

"I already told you no."

"Really?"

"Yep."

I could tell he was irritated. "You are a Kaushik. That should be enough motivation."

I kept quiet, wanting to gauge how far the old man was read to go for this particular deal. That would give me an idea about how serious this was.

"Well, what is it that you want?" He asked gruffly.

It was time to finish the conversation. I have had enough of my uncle. "I want what is rightfully mine."

"What does that mean?"

"I want my inheritance, all of it. Not for money, obviously, I don't care about it. I want it, because I am entitled to it. I have never demanded my share after my father died. Now, I don't want to go to court over such a small issue, so if you, and my other uncles decide to hand me over my share of the business, I will think about your proposal." I started on my coffee.

We were back at staring at each other, this time each with a better understanding of the other. Finally, my uncle stood up.

"You have never wanted it before, why now?"

I shrugged. "The basic rule of business. If you are good at something, never do it for free."

He smirked. "You deny being one of us, but you are a Kaushik through and through."

Hmm, was I?

My uncle stood up. "I am travelling back in the evening; you are welcome to join me."

I leaned back in my chair. "No, today is no good for me. I have to make arrangements before I can leave. Expect me in three days." I knew my uncle didn't like my tone, but yet again he decided to ignore it and turned to leave without any further comment.

I couldn't leave my mother alone in the hospital. I needed help. I needed to ensure that not even a fly would reach her without my knowledge. I picked up my phone and dialled.

I focused on the dark vegetation flying past me. It had already been dusk when we started. I wasn't alone. My bodyguard, Shankar, whom I had summoned when it had become clear to me that I wasn't returning to UK anytime soon, was also travelling with me to my village, along with two other guys left behind by my uncle, supposedly for my security, but I knew better.

I couldn't believe I was finally going back. I had sworn I would never return, but fate had intervened. It is forcing me to do what mother couldn't make me.

Only a few weeks in this country, and it has already started making me talk of fate!

I was lost in my own bitter thoughts when I suddenly lurched forward. The loud screech of sudden brake being applied rang in the air. The vehicle came to a sudden halt.

"What the hell is it? What happened?"

The driver answered fearfully. "I don't know, sir. Something just came out the jungle on the right side. I... I couldn't control."

We climbed down the jeep. The headlight illuminated the narrow path. There was a dark shape just at the edge of the radius of the light.

"Be careful." Shankar warned me. "It might be an animal."

"No, Shankar, it is not an animal." I walked straight toward it. When I reached it, I prodded at the shape with my feet. It didn't move in the slightest. I hunkered down to it, and turned the body over.

My eyes met the palest, most beautiful face I had ever seen. The eyes opened and the irises focused straight at me. But the next instant, long eyelashes swept downwards and the head lolled to one side.

"It's a woman!"