2. First Meeting!

Author's POV 

"At least it's not hot here."

Yang said while coming out of the Kolkata airport with Damon and other guards. 

Damon was silent, taking in his surroundings. He has no idea how long it's going to take but he was sure that he wasn't going to stay for long. 

"Your smart watch!"

Yang handed him the gadget.

"It can translate any language to English... I am sure we are going to need this here, it's waterproof..."

Damon wore the watch.

"Have they arranged an escort for us?"

"Yeah"

Yang looked around and finally spotted the man. 

"There he is!"

He pointed towards the man who was waiting for them. 

"Welcome to the country Mr. Damon... Myself Madhan Das. Personal assistant of Mr. Yashraaj Thakur, and I'll be your escort to our destination."

Damon nodded at the mid age man, short in height, half bald and with a big belly, he was in formal attire of grey suit.

Yang introduced him to the guards and they headed towards the cars. 

Damon sat inside the car as they headed towards the destination. 

"How much time is it going to take for us to reach?"

He asked, looking out of the window. The weather was eye catching and refreshing. He could feel the beauty of the place. The greenery was definitely calming. Their car crossed the forest as they drove further.

"One and a half hours, Mr. Damon"

Madhan answered. 

"The palace resides at the outskirts of Kolkata in a peaceful place, away from the city noise... Mr. Thakur loves it that way..."

Damon nodded.

"Tell me about Thakurs"

He has done his research but he would love to know what they have to say about themselves.

"I have been working for them since I was eighteen, trust me you won't see the royal man like Mr. Yashraaj in whole Kolkata... He is a man of his words."

Damon was expecting this answer. He is aware that Yashraaj was definitely the man of his era but with growing age, the fear is dying down among the people and it's making them insecure.

"Next in line is Rudra Thakur, the grandson... He is now in London, completing his education. He will be back around March... Mr. Thakur's elder son was badly injured in an accident a few years ago so he is still in hospital..."

"Reason for the accident?"

Damon asked.

"Goels!... Mr. Pratap got into the quarrel with them and these are the results..."

He informed.

"There is one more son of Mr. Thakur, called Uday Thakur but he is sick most of the time so he never gets actively involved in business hence most people don't know that he is also one of Thakurs..."

Damon smirked.

"That's it?... Is this the whole family?"

He asked. 

Madhan nodded.

"Yes!"

"Don't they have women in the family, Mr. Madhan?"

Damon glared at him. 

"Or do you think it's not important to introduce them?"

Madhan chuckled nervously.

"Forgive me, Mr. Damon but I thought you weren't interested in their introduction... As it doesn't involve your business"

"If I am staying in your place then everything is my business..."

Damon stated. 

"And I would appreciate it if you don't make assumptions for me."

"Of course!.. There is a wife of Mr. Yashraaj, who looks after the palace. She is the older one in the house after Mr. Yashraaj, and is named Kalindi so she is equally feared and respected among people... Then there is the wife of Mr. Uday, named Maya. She is also respected in the family and she is like a mother to all children in the house after the death of Mr. Pratap's wife... Then the daughters of Mr. Pratap, Durga and Tara... Mr. Uday doesn't have a child so these are the only kids we have in our house..."

He informed.

"Kids as in they are grown ups but they are still young... Durga is completing her studies and Tara is engaged..."

Damon nodded but understood that Madhan had missed one more member of the house. He didn't understand if it was an intentional or genuine mistake. He didn't emphasize, planning to find out later.

"Interesting, Mr. Madhan. I have heard that they are very traditional!"

Yang asked curiously. 

He nodded.

"Thakurs are very traditional even though they don't really follow one culture... In old times when they had to strengthen business they did marriage alliances and brought the brides from different cultures throughout India, so they don't really follow Bengali culture. You will see a glimpse of all hindu cultures in the house in a very traditional way..."

Damon was silently listening to him. Trying to understand the family better but for some reason he was still thinking about the missed person.

He was curious to know how he is going to encounter new things here.

"The rest of the family is a little modern but Mr. Yashraaj and his wife are very particular about things... So there are many rules and regulations in the family which all people have to follow..."

Madhan said. 

"And if they don't follow?"

Yang asked. 

"Then Mr. Thakur doesn't like it and punishes them..."

He replied. 

Damon is aware how brutal the punishment can be in their dark world. His own family follows this tradition. 

They finally reached the destination and got out of the car.

"Fuck, first jet lag and now this car travel... My body is breaking into pieces."

Yang complained while stretching his body. 

Damon looked at the palace. It was surrounded by greenery and melodious sounds of birds. The place was away from the city and it was actually peaceful. 

"The place is beautiful though..."

Yang followed Madhan inside. 

"This way!"

Madhan guided them inside. 

Damon looked at the interior when he entered, a huge chandelier was hanging in the living room. The vibe was indeed royal. 

"Welcome, Mr. Damon"

They were greeted by Yashraaj Thakur when they entered the house. The old but tall man, with white hair and long white beard. 

Damon shook hands with him.

"Nice to meet you Mr. Thakur"

He looked at the old man, he was taking support of his cane.

He was looking too old but he could see the arrogance and power in the posture. 

"Mr. Rafael informed me that you will handle the deal on his behalf"

He confirmed.

Damon nodded.

"That's right!"

"Great! Let me introduce you to my family since you will be our guest for a few days..."

He said and Damon looked at the old lady. She was not as old as Yashraaj which told him that they have an age gap. The woman was giving him lady boss vibes. She was wearing saree but not anything less which will comprise the judgement of their wealth. 

Kalindi joined her hands and as a gesture of welcome, and he did the same which made her smile. 

"Nice to meet you."

He met Uday and Maya along with Durga and Tara. 

Durga said welcome in her soft and gentle voice while looking at Damon with a smile. He smiled back. Her eyes travelled from his head to toe, his features were sharp and she got attracted to the beauty. The height and the built body was alluring. The man looked powerful and incredibly handsome. His smile definitely made her blush.

Tara also smiled gracefully.

"Welcome to Kolkata"

Damon gave her a nod of positive gestures. He didn't miss that they were wearing Indian dresses. It shows that even young people in the house have to follow traditions.

He understood that men in the house indeed have control over everything.

Here also that member was missing. He noticed it but didn't question it.

"Madhan will assist you throughout your stay here, gentlemen... Please be comfortable and take some rest... You must be tired!"

Yashraaj insisted. 

Madhan guided them towards their rooms. 

"Please call me if you need anything... Dinner will be served at 8 pm."

He informed and walked away.

Damon closed the door and cracked his jammed bones due to travel. He looked at the room, it was big and spacious. He liked the vibes. 

He called Rafael.

"I am with Thakurs now... Will update you once the deal is closed."

He informed and finished the call. 

He took a shower and came out after wearing his clothes.

His eyes wandered out of the window. It showed the view of the backside of the house. 

He saw the waterfall behind the house and understood from where he was hearing the sound. It was melodious.

He noticed the small temple which was the centre of attraction.

He decided to see the place from close and walked out. It was evening and the wind was cool. The waterfall was keeping the place cool.

He walked towards the temple and saw the idol of the goddess which was black in colour, wild hair was falling on her shoulders,  the red tongue was out, eyes were furious and she was holding a beheaded monster head in her hands. 

He looked at it curiously and looked but no one was there. 

He was roaming around when his phone rang, he picked up the call and started talking. 

He didn't realise that he stepped into the temple mandapa with his shoes on. He was so focused on talking that he didn't realise that he stepped on the basket of hibiscus flowers which was for offering. 

"I don't want any excuses, get the work done and___"

He turned around and his eyes fell on the woman. 

He froze as he took in her form. 

She was looking at him, her long hair was touching her hips and were dancing with the wind so did her white saree. Her beautiful body shape was complimenting the white georgette saree she was wearing. 

But something was off about the white colour, it wasn't good white he knows. 

Her eyebrows were in deep scrunch as she walked towards him barefoot. Her each step closer to him was clearing her image, giving him a better view of her. 

His eyes locked with her mesmerizing eyes, big and like lotus petals. They were dazzling and captivating. Soft lips and small, shape nose. She was looking so beautiful in her wheatish colour. 

"अंधे हो?" (Are you blind?)

She asked in a low but mad tone.

Her eyes followed the destroyed flower basket and muddy prints of his expensive leather shoes on the temple floor. It fuelled her anger.

"What?"

He frowned at her. 

She closed her eyes and tried to control her anger.

"Get out of the temple, you are wearing shoes!"

She gritted while glaring at him. 

He was still looking at her soft lips, they captivated him at first glance. 

She glared at him and turned around to leave. He couldn't understand what made her so mad.

"Wait!"

He grabbed her arm and pulled her back but mistakenly he also grabbed her loose end of the saree which was flowing on her back. 

She gasped when it tore the delicate fabric a little by breaking the safety pin and her nostrils flared in anger.

She gritted and Damon's head snapped aside as she slapped him as hard as she could and it echoed in the temple. 

He was still processing what had happened with his stinging cheek. 

He gritted as fury blinded him and grabbed her throat in deadly grip. She choked as his hold tightened around her neck like a snake.

She scratched on his hand as her eyes met his furious one.