BLOOD DOESN'T LIE

CHAPTER 13

BLOOD DOESN'T LIE

A Story of Blood, Betrayal and Destiny

By: walidah_hm

Chapter 13 – The Man Everyone Watched

The sound of the Lamborghini's engine slowly faded into the night.

Yet...

No one looked away.

The tall young man stepped out of the car with effortless confidence.

One hand rested casually in his pocket.

His perfectly tailored black suit fit him like it had been made specifically for him.

A luxury watch glimmered beneath the garden lights.

He removed his sunglasses slowly.

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

Several girls near the entrance immediately began whispering.

"That's Kabir Oberoi..."

"The Oberoi heir?"

"I heard he just returned from London."

"He's even more handsome in person."

"I heard he never stays in one place for long."

Kabir heard some of the whispers.

He simply smiled.

He was used to attention.

Perhaps too used to it.

---

Near the entrance...

Mahesh's face brightened.

"Kabir."

Kabir immediately walked toward him.

"Mr. Singhania."

Instead of shaking his hand...

Kabir bent respectfully and touched Mahesh's feet.

Mahesh smiled and placed a hand on his head.

"Live long, beta."

Kabir straightened.

"Thank you, Uncle."

Vaani smiled warmly.

"You've grown into such a fine young man."

Kabir turned toward her.

"It's good to see you again, Auntie."

He respectfully touched her hand.

Raj laughed.

"London hasn't changed you too much, I see."

Kabir smiled.

"Maybe a little."

Raj shook his head.

"Still charming."

Kabir's smile widened.

"So I've been told."

A few people nearby laughed.

Only Sakshi watched him differently.

Her eyes moved over his expensive suit, confident manner, and polished appearance.

This...

This was the kind of family she respected.

Powerful.

Wealthy.

Well-connected.

And most importantly...

A family worthy of the Singhanias.

Her gaze slowly moved toward the staircase.

---

At the top...

Aarohi stood completely still.

Her eyes remained fixed on Kabir.

She knew who he was.

Not personally.

But she had seen him countless times.

Business magazines.

Interviews.

Social media.

Photographs from charity events and corporate gatherings.

Kabir Oberoi.

The young heir everyone seemed to know.

And now...

He was standing inside her home.

Kiara noticed her silence.

"Didi?"

Aarohi didn't answer.

Kiara followed her gaze.

Then her eyebrows rose.

"Oh..."

"So that's Kabir Oberoi."

Aarohi finally looked at her.

"He actually came."

Kiara smiled knowingly.

"You know him?"

"No."

Aarohi quickly looked away.

"I've only seen him before."

Kiara's smile grew.

"Of course."

Aarohi rolled her eyes.

"Don't start."

Kiara laughed.

"I didn't say anything."

---

Near the buffet...

Deepak stood beside Pooja.

The arrival of the expensive car hadn't impressed him.

Neither had the crowd of wealthy guests.

He noticed that Pooja had been standing for a long time.

He picked up a glass of juice and handed it to her.

"Ma."

Pooja looked at him.

"What?"

"You've been standing since the guests arrived."

"Drink this."

She smiled.

"What would I do without you?"

Deepak grinned.

"You'd still scold me every morning."

Pooja laughed.

"That is definitely true."

A few steps away...

Kumar watched them proudly.

Across the garden...

Mahesh noticed Deepak too.

A quiet smile touched his face.

There was something special about the boy.

Even at twenty-two...

He still thought about other people before himself.

---

"Ladies and gentlemen..."

The host's voice echoed through the speakers.

"The birthday cakes have arrived."

The music softened.

Everyone turned toward the stage.

Two cakes were brought forward.

The first was an enormous five-tier white-and-gold cake decorated with fresh roses.

The second was smaller.

A beautiful chocolate cake decorated with simple gold lettering.

A few guests exchanged confused looks.

"Two cakes?"

Mahesh stepped onto the stage.

He smiled at the crowd.

"Tonight..."

"We aren't celebrating just one birthday."

He looked toward Aarohi.

"We're celebrating my daughter..."

"Aarohi."

The crowd applauded.

Then Mahesh looked toward Deepak.

"And we're also celebrating Deepak."

More applause followed.

But not everyone was pleased.

Sakshi's smile disappeared.

She folded her arms.

Aarohi remained still.

She forced a smile as she watched her father bring Deepak into the celebration once again.

Mahesh looked toward Deepak.

"Come here, beta."

Deepak hesitated.

"Sir..."

Mahesh smiled.

"Come."

Slowly...

Deepak walked onto the stage.

He stopped a few steps away from Aarohi.

The photographer raised his camera.

"Sir..."

"Could you both stand a little closer?"

Aarohi didn't move.

The photographer smiled awkwardly.

"Just a little."

Deepak glanced at Aarohi.

Then quietly took one small step backward.

"It's alright."

"I can stand here."

Mahesh noticed.

"Aarohi."

She looked at her father.

For a moment...

She said nothing.

Then she forced a smile and moved slightly closer.

The photographer smiled.

"Perfect."

The camera flashed.

---

The host raised his hand.

"Ready?"

"Three..."

"Two..."

"One!"

Both candles were lit.

The guests began singing.

"Happy Birthday..."

Deepak closed his eyes for a brief moment.

He silently thanked Allah for another year.

Aarohi stared at the candle in front of her.

Her wish was different.

She wished the awkwardness would disappear.

She wished tonight would simply be about her.

The flames went out.

Applause filled the garden.

The knives moved through both cakes.

Mahesh took a piece from Aarohi's cake.

He smiled and fed his daughter.

"Happy birthday, princess."

Aarohi smiled.

"Thank you, Papa."

Then Mahesh turned toward Deepak.

He picked up another piece.

"Your turn."

Deepak smiled politely.

"Thank you, Sir."

He accepted the cake with both hands.

The gesture was simple.

Kind.

Ordinary.

But Aarohi couldn't stop watching.

She looked toward Sakshi.

"Mother..."

Sakshi leaned closer.

"Yes?"

"Why does Papa always do this?"

Sakshi's eyes remained on Deepak.

Her voice was quiet.

"Because your father sometimes forgets that kindness and status are not the same thing."

Aarohi frowned slightly.

Sakshi continued.

"Not everyone who stands beside you belongs beside you."

Aarohi looked away.

She didn't respond.

But the words stayed with her.

---

Across the garden...

Kabir had been watching.

His eyes moved from Mahesh...

To Aarohi...

Then to Deepak.

He noticed the tension.

He noticed the difference in their reactions.

But he said nothing.

Then—

Crash!

A glass fell near the buffet.

Everyone turned.

A young waiter stood frozen beside the broken glass.

"I'm sorry, Sir!"

"I didn't mean to..."

He quickly bent down.

Before he could touch the broken pieces...

Deepak stepped forward.

"Don't."

The waiter looked up.

Deepak glanced at his hands.

"Are you hurt?"

The waiter blinked.

"N-No."

Deepak nodded.

"Then it's alright."

"Accidents happen."

The young waiter looked relieved.

"Thank you, Sir."

Deepak helped him move away from the broken glass.

"Let the staff clean it."

The waiter nodded gratefully.

From across the garden...

Kabir watched silently.

His earlier smile disappeared.

Most people in this crowd would have been angry.

Some would have embarrassed the waiter.

Deepak had done the opposite.

Kabir's eyes narrowed slightly.

He studied the young man for another moment.

"Interesting..."

He slipped one hand into his pocket.

"Who are you?"

He didn't know it yet...

But the answer to that question was connected to a secret buried deep inside the Singhania family.

A secret that had survived for twenty-two years.

And Kabir had just taken his first step toward it.

To Be Continued... 🩸🔥