BLOOD DOESN'T LIE

CHAPTER 11

BLOOD DOESN'T LIE

A Story of Blood, Betrayal and Destiny

By: walidah_hm

Chapter 11 – The Golden Girl's Day

The first rays of sunlight slipped through the grand windows of Singhania Mansion.

The entire house was already awake.

Outside, decorators moved quickly across the garden, carrying flowers, lights, and boxes of decorations.

Fresh marigolds surrounded the entrance.

Fairy lights hung from the trees.

White roses decorated the tables beneath the large canopy.

Inside...

The mansion was filled with excitement.

"Careful with those flowers!"

"Bring the balloons to the garden!"

"Make sure the cake table is ready!"

Everyone seemed to have something to do.

Because today was special.

Today was Aarohi Singhania's twenty-second birthday.

---

On the second floor...

Aarohi sat before the large mirror in her bedroom.

Mrs. Nora, one of Mumbai's well-known makeup artists, stepped back and admired her work.

"There."

"Perfect."

Aarohi slowly opened her eyes.

Her reflection stared back at her.

Her long black hair fell softly over her shoulders.

She wore an elegant champagne-gold gown, while delicate diamond earrings shimmered beneath the morning light.

Mrs. Nora smiled proudly.

"I've worked with actresses..."

"But today..."

"I think I've found one of my most beautiful clients."

Aarohi smiled at herself.

"I'll take that as a compliment."

Mrs. Nora laughed.

"You should."

Just then...

The bedroom door opened suddenly.

"Didi!"

Kiara rushed inside wearing a simple lavender dress.

The moment she saw Aarohi...

She stopped.

Her eyes widened.

"Wow..."

Aarohi turned around.

"What?"

Kiara slowly walked around her.

"This is not fair."

Mrs. Nora raised an eyebrow.

"What's not fair?"

Kiara pointed at Aarohi.

"She doesn't look like a birthday girl."

"She looks like a movie star."

Aarohi laughed.

"I'll happily accept that."

Kiara immediately hugged her.

"Happy birthday, Didi."

"May Allah bless you with happiness, success, and everything your heart wishes for."

Aarohi's playful expression softened.

She hugged Kiara back.

"Thank you."

For a moment...

There was no jealousy.

No expectations.

No family politics.

Just two sisters sharing a quiet moment.

Kiara pulled away.

"I have a surprise for you later."

Aarohi smiled.

"Really?"

"You'll have to wait."

"Kiara..."

Kiara laughed.

"I'm not telling you."

Aarohi shook her head.

"Fine."

---

A gentle knock sounded at the door.

"Come in."

Sakshi entered.

She wore an expensive silk saree, her jewellery perfectly arranged.

She smiled when she saw Aarohi.

"My beautiful princess."

She walked over and kissed her forehead.

"Look at you."

"You were born to shine."

Aarohi smiled.

Sakshi adjusted the edge of her gown.

Then her voice became quieter.

"And remember something."

Aarohi looked at her.

"What?"

"Not everyone in this house deserves the same place in your life."

Kiara's smile disappeared.

"Maa..."

Sakshi continued.

"You are Mahesh Bhai's daughter."

"The daughter of the Singhania family."

"You must always remember who you are."

Kiara shifted uncomfortably.

"Maa, it's her birthday."

"Can we please not talk about status today?"

Sakshi looked at her.

"You are too soft, Kiara."

Kiara lowered her eyes.

Aarohi remained silent.

She wasn't sure whether to agree with her mother...

Or ignore her words.

---

A few minutes later...

Another knock came.

Vaani entered carrying a small velvet box.

"There are my girls."

She smiled warmly.

Then her eyes fell on Aarohi.

For a moment...

She simply stared.

"My child..."

"You look beautiful."

She opened the velvet box.

Inside was a delicate diamond bracelet.

Aarohi's eyes widened.

"For me?"

Vaani nodded.

"Your Papa chose it himself."

"He spent days looking for something special."

Aarohi carefully took the bracelet.

"It's beautiful."

Vaani helped fasten it around her wrist.

Then she gently touched Aarohi's cheek.

"Remember something."

Aarohi looked at her.

"Beauty may catch people's attention..."

"But kindness is what makes them remember you."

A quiet moment followed.

Kiara smiled.

Sakshi looked away.

Aarohi glanced at the bracelet.

"I'll remember."

Vaani smiled.

"I hope you do."

---

Downstairs...

The garden was almost ready.

Mahesh stood near the entrance, watching the decorators put the final touches on everything.

Raj approached carrying two cups of tea.

"You've turned the entire mansion into a palace."

Mahesh laughed.

"My daughter turns twenty-two only once."

Raj handed him a cup.

"You spoil her."

Mahesh smiled.

"Perhaps."

Then his expression softened.

"But she's still my little girl."

Raj chuckled.

"She stopped being little a long time ago."

Mahesh looked toward the mansion.

"Not to me."

Just then...

His eyes moved toward the guest quarters.

He noticed Deepak helping one of the decorators carry a small box of balloons.

Mahesh smiled.

"Vijay!"

The driver immediately turned.

"Yes, Sir?"

"Where's Deepak?"

Vijay pointed toward the garden.

"He's helping the decorators, Sir."

Mahesh nodded.

"Call him."

Vijay paused.

"Sir?"

"And bring Pooja too."

Vijay looked slightly confused.

Mahesh smiled.

"Today is Deepak's birthday as well."

Vijay froze.

Mahesh continued casually.

"I don't want him spending his birthday watching everyone else celebrate."

"Bring him here."

"He should enjoy the day too."

Vijay's fingers tightened around the tray he was carrying.

For a second...

The noise around him seemed to disappear.

Twenty-two years.

Twenty-two birthdays.

And every year...

The same date reminded him of what he had done.

He forced himself to breathe.

"Yes, Sir."

He lowered his head and walked away.

Mahesh watched him go, completely unaware of the storm inside the man's heart.

---

A few minutes later...

Vijay reached the guest quarters.

Pooja was helping Deepak get ready.

She adjusted his small traditional outfit before smiling.

"Look at you."

Deepak grinned.

"Do I look good?"

Pooja laughed.

"Very handsome."

Vijay stopped at the doorway.

For a moment...

He simply watched them.

His wife.

His son.

The child he had raised...

The child whose life he had changed forever.

Pooja looked up.

"Vijay?"

He quickly forced a smile.

"Mahesh Saab wants you both in the garden."

Pooja nodded.

"Of course."

Deepak's eyes lit up.

"Is Aarohi Didi's birthday starting?"

Vijay swallowed.

"Yes."

Deepak smiled excitedly.

"Can I give her my gift?"

Vijay nodded.

"You can."

Deepak ran ahead.

Pooja followed.

Vijay remained behind for one brief moment.

His eyes drifted toward the mansion.

Toward the celebration.

Toward the girl who had been raised as Mahesh's daughter.

And toward the boy who had grown up believing he was his own.

His secret had survived for twenty-two years.

But today...

For the first time...

He wondered how much longer it could survive.

Because sometimes...

A birthday celebration is more than a celebration.

Sometimes...

It becomes the day the past begins knocking on the door.

To Be Continued... 🩸✨