Identities at War:
1036 Words
A New Dawn
I hadn't slept the entire night. My fingers strummed the guitar strings, their melancholic tune echoing the chaos inside me. Music had always been my solace, the only way to tame the storm raging within.
Vani, my trusted companion, walked in with a cup of tea, placing it beside me. "Ma'am, what's the plan for today?" she asked cautiously, sensing the tension lingering in the air.
I lifted the cup, staring at the liquid swirling inside. Without looking at her, I replied coldly, "Today, I end this. I’ll make sure Mr. Singhania knows he can no longer run his empire under my name."
Vani studied me carefully before nodding. "Whatever you decide, I’m with you," she said with quiet conviction.
I took a deep breath. "For too long, I played along because I owed them a debt—the debt of being saved, of being given a home. But a life built on obligations isn't a life at all. It's time I settle the score and break free."
---
Singhania Enterprises
The office was bustling as usual, but tension crackled in the air. Inside his lavish cabin, Mr. Singhania paced furiously, his expression dark with frustration.
"What the hell does she want now?" he muttered, his mind replaying last night's encounter with me.
A sharp knock at the door barely gave him time to react before it swung open.
I walked in, my heels clicking against the marble floor, my gaze unwavering. Confidence radiated from my posture, fear completely absent from my eyes.
"Say what you have to say, and make it quick," I stated icily. "I don’t have time for pointless arguments."
His jaw tightened as he slumped into his chair. "How long will this attitude last, Khushi?" he demanded. "You are our responsibility—part of this family. You should understand that!"
A bitter smile curved my lips. "Responsibility?" I scoffed. "Where was this sense of responsibility when I needed a father, not a businessman using me for profit? You never wanted a daughter—you wanted an asset."
His nostrils flared. "We raised you! Everything you have is because of us! Your talent, your success—it all exists because we provided for you."
I met his gaze head-on. "Wrong. Everything I am today is because of my own strength. My success belongs to me. You provided shelter, but you never gave me a family. And now, you have no right to exploit my name for your benefit."
A flicker of something unreadable crossed his face, but he quickly masked it with controlled anger. "What do you want, then?" he asked, his voice now measured.
"Freedom," I said firmly. "To live on my own terms. I may have been raised under your roof, but my identity isn’t tied to your name. And if you expect anything from me, you will do so under my conditions."
His brow furrowed. "Conditions?"
"Yes," I confirmed, my tone unwavering. "I will acknowledge this family only if you accept me as an individual—not a pawn. I’m a singer, a businesswoman, and I refuse to be your puppet any longer. You will remove my name from your company, and you will no longer profit from my existence."
Silence.
Then, finally, he exhaled sharply. "Fine," he conceded, but his tone was laced with a warning. "But don’t forget, no matter what you say, you are still a Singhania."
I didn't dignify his words with an argument. Instead, I simply nodded, regaining my composure. "Did you fix the Oberoi meeting as I asked?"
A muscle ticked in his jaw. "Yes."
Satisfied, I turned on my heel and strode out of his office, not sparing him another glance.
---
A Brewing Storm
On the way back, Vani and I stopped at a café. She sipped her coffee, watching me intently. "You’ve made your stance clear, but do you really think Mr. Singhania will let go of your name that easily? He’s a businessman. He only sees profit, and you are his biggest asset."
I exhaled, stirring my tea absentmindedly. "I don’t care if he accepts it or not. I’m done letting him use me. I’ve ignored it long enough, but not anymore."
Vani gave a knowing smile. "You’re doing the right thing. He’s been exploiting your success for too long. And whatever happens, I’m always with you."
---
Unveiling the Past
That night, back at my apartment, I picked up my guitar once more, letting the notes carry me into the past.
Thirteen years ago...
A freezing night. A little girl sat shivering by the roadside, tears streaming down her dirty face. That girl was me.
Orphaned. Lost. Destined to die in the cold.
And then, the Singhania family came. They "rescued" me. Not out of kindness, but out of necessity. They needed an heir—a tool to expand their empire. They gave me food, shelter, and education. But love? That was never part of the deal. I was a contract, not a child.
I had buried those memories deep inside me, but tonight, they clawed their way to the surface.
A sharp breath escaped my lips. "Enough," I whispered. "I won’t let them own me anymore."
But this battle wasn't just about a name. There were deeper secrets. The Singhania family had skeletons in their closet—secrets that had stained my reputation too. When their company got entangled in a drug scandal, it nearly ruined my career. I had used my power to suppress the matter, but that had been the final straw.
It was time to cut all ties.
---
The Fight for Freedom
The next morning, I called for a press conference. Cameras flashed as I stood before the reporters, my voice steady.
"Today, I make a public declaration," I announced. "From this moment forward, I sever all professional and personal associations with Singhania Enterprises. My name, my success, and my company—KS Group Enterprises—stand alone. No one has the right to use my identity for their gain."
A murmur rippled through the room, but I didn’t stop. "For years, I have lived under the shadow of obligations. But today, I step out of it. My achievements are mine
- Writer
