AUTHOR’S POV :-

INDORE,

Morning 10:00 AM

In a small cozy apartment, the smell of breakfast cooking wafts and the faint scent of tea from the kitchen permeates the entire house with fresh aroma, a lady is setting the table for breakfast.

Upstairs in a room a girl is sitting at her vanity mirror combing her hair and softly humming a song, her voice floating in the entire room as she gets ready in short Kurti and Jeans with Jutis. She then goes downstairs and sit at the dining table for breakfast, and called out the lady, “Seema Didi jaldi aao nashta thanda ho jayega” from the dining area for breakfast.

(“Seema Didi, come quickly, the breakfast will get cold.”)

From the kitchen Seema said, “Aa rahi hu Sof, tum start kro mai chai lekr aati hu”

("I'm coming Sof, you start and I'll get the tea.")

Sofia started eating breakfast, after few minutes Seema came holding two cups of tea and place it in front of her and sat next to her on the chair, and asked Sofia, “Sof tum aaj Kahin ja rhi ho hna apne journal ke liye, yahan se kab tak niklogi tum kyuki 10:30 hone wale hai.”

(“Sof, are you going somewhere today for your journal? When will you be leaving from here because it's almost 10:30.”)

Now this is our Sofia, after listening to this she replied, “Hnn didi mujhe Rajwada Kothi Jana hai 11:30 tak, mai nashta krke niklungi shaam tak aa jaungi or mere sath Akshu bhi aayegi to aap khana mat bnana. Ham bahar khakar aayenge.”

(“Yes Didi, I have to go to Rajwada Kothi by 11:30. I will leave after having breakfast and will return by evening. Akshu will also come with me, so you don't have to cook food. We will come back after eating.”)

Seema said, “Thik hai Sof, Tum aaram se aajana mai kaam karke chali jaungi, dhyan rakhna Rajwada Kothi ke baare me to tumhe pta hi hoga.”

(“Okay Sof, you take it easy, I will finish the work and leave, take care of yourself, you must know about the Rajwada Kothi.”)

“Kya Didi aap bhi na, Mai aaj isiliye to ja rhi hu.” She said after finishing her breakfast.

(“What Didi, you too, that's why I am going today.”)

Sofia takes her bag and camera, books a taxi to Rajwada Kothi and leaves the house, after a 45- minute ride, she reaches Rajwada Kothi. The taxi drops her at the edge of Sudama Nagar, where stood Rajwada Kothi, the “broken palace.”

She looked up towards the massive Kothi made of Redstones. Her long wavy hair caught the afternoon sun, her expressive face showing a mix of curiosity and bold determination seeing the Kothi that had no roof the whole structure looked like a skeleton with no doors to open and no windows to look through just large open arches.

As she stepped inside, a strong breeze flowed through the open halls. The air smelled of damp earth and old stone. Even without a roof, the high walls made the inside feel cool and quiet.

She was mesmerised by the beauty of this broken unbuild Kothi, just then a boy around 11-12 years old stepped in front of her, he was thin but had a sharp, bright gaze, he was wearing a loose shirt with lowers.

“Didi want a guide?” he asked. "No doors, no windows, but lots of secrets! I’ll show you everything for a small tip, okay?"

Sofia looked at his worn clothes and then at his hopeful face. She smiled at him the kind of smile that made the boy relax. “I’m Sofia. I am a journalist. And let’s see if you are the best guide in Indore.”

“I’m Chotu, and I will not disappoint you.” He grinned.

He then leads her into the Kothi where the mysteries unfold. Sophia is taking some photos of the Kothi while listening to Chotu as she notices something unusual and asks,

“Why is it so crowded today, Chotu? I didn’t know this much people visits this Kothi,” Because the quiet ruins were buzzing with people,

“After decades, Didi! Today is the very first big Puja in the Doorless Temple of Goddess Durga. Everyone is coming to see the ‘Broken Palace’ come to life.”

Her eyes sparkled, “Really Chotu, this is amazing! I didn’t know something like this was happening inside this unfinished doorless place, I came at the right moment.”
This is the perfect story for my journal and I can collect some amazing pictures, she thought.

As they explored, she was a professional- taking high-quality pictures of the jagged walls and interviewing locals, asking questions about the puja and how are they feeling about it after the centuries of calling it haunted or cursed.

She chatted with the elderly women carrying flower garlands, listening deeply to their stories of the palace’s “curse”. As she remained empathetic. She also enjoys Chotu’s bickering and his playful nature while exploring the rooms.

As they explored the upper levels—where the walls ended abruptly against the blue sky—she took professional photos of the carvings. However, when a group of rowdy tourists tried to push past Chotu, Sofia’s temper flared.

Her protective side came out, and she firmly told them to wait their turn. Her bold personality commanded respect, and the tourists quickly backed off.

After an hour of exploring every "windowless" hall, the bells of the temple begin to ring. their chime echoing through the open arches. Before the ceremony starts, Sofia sat Chotu down in a shaded corner. She opens her bag and shares her lunch with him, watching him eat with a loving, sisterly gaze. She tucked a generous amount of money into his pocket.

"For your studies, not just for the tour," she said firmly but lovingly.

Hearing this, Chotu hugged Sofia, a hug like a brother gives his sister. Tears welled up in his eyes, but a sweet smile—one filled only with love—spread across his face. For a moment, the roofless walls of Kothi didn't feel like a ruin—they felt like a home.

 “Thank you Didi.” He whispers.

“Oh, so I’m your Didi but you’re still saying thank you? No 'thank yous' allowed between siblings!” Sofia teased, nudging him playfully to cheer him up.

Hearing this, he giggled like a child, the sound echoing brightly against the old stone walls. The heavy atmosphere of the ruins suddenly feels light, filled with the simple joy of their bond.

As the prayers began, Sofia stood among the crowd, her camera ready. The "Windowless Sentinel" was no longer silent. The deep, rhythmic thrum of a large brass gong vibrated through the stone floor, shaking the very earth beneath her feet.

The air, once smelling of dry dust, was now heavy and sweet with the scent of sandalwood incense and fresh marigolds. Sofia watched as the priest lifted a large aarti lamp, the orange flames danced in the breeze that swept through the doorless arches.

Sofia captured a shot of an elderly woman, her eyes closed in devotion, with the jagged, unfinished ruins silhouetted against the bright midday sun behind her.

For decades, these walls had seen only shadows; now, they were bathed in the golden light of the lamps and the colourful reflections of people's festive clothes.

She caught a glimpse of Chotu standing near the front. He wasn't looking for tourists anymore. He was watching the ceremony with a look of pure wonder, his small hand clutching the money Sofia had given him. She snapped a final photo of him—a symbol of hope inside a "broken" palace.

The chanting of the mantras swelled, the voices of hundreds of locals merging into one powerful sound that filled the roofless halls. In that moment, Sofia realised the "mystery" of Rajwada Kothi wasn't just in its stones, but in the spirit of the people who refused to let it stay forgotten.

The worship of the Goddess Durga has been done, everyone is stepping out of the temple and playing with gulal. The "Unbuild Kothi" seem like a bride filled with colors, this broken Kothi filled with warmth and happiness.

Sofia and Chotu stepped out as well, suddenly her phone rang and she picked it up but the voice is not audible due to loud voices she went to a quiet corner leaving Chotu,

Some boys came in front of Chotu, they were wearing tattered, dust-streaked white shirts looking tacky local goons, and yelled at Chotu, “Aye paise nikal”

("Hey, hand over the cash!")

Chotu said boldly, “Mai ab tumhe paise nhi dunga, ye meri padhai ke paise hai.”

("I won't give you the money! This is for my studies.")

Local goons, “Aye Chotu chup-chap se paise dede” and tried to snatch money from Chotu’s hand. But Chotu tried to hide the money behind his back, so the goons grab his hand and take all the money from Chotu and pushed him to the ground. And walk away towards the road.

("Hey Chotu, give me the money quietly.")

Chotu sprinted after the goons as they crossed the busy road. Desperate and crying, he grabbed at their clothes, hitting them with his small fists.

"Give them back! Give my money back!" he sobbed. "My Didi gave those for my studies!"

The boys didn't care. They laughed at his struggle, mocking his tears as they reached the other side of the street. But Chotu wouldn't let go, he followed them into the traffic, kicking and screaming for his rights. Annoyed by the boy’s persistence, one of the goons turned and shoved him with a brutal force.

Chotu was sent sprawling into the middle of the road. He hit the road hard, his knees scraped and bleeding, and for a moment, he was too stunned to move. Just then, a speeding bike tore through the traffic. The rider didn't have time to brake.

The impact was violent. Chotu was thrown into the air before crashing back down onto the hard road. Blood began to pool from a deep gash on his forehead, and his small body went limp as he lost consciousness.

A few meters away, Sofia was finishing her phone call. Hearing the screech of tires and the sickening thud, she turned toward the road. Her heart stopped. She stood there, completely paralysed with shock, staring at the broken figure of the boy who had just called her "Didi."

Hello readers long time no see,

Sorry I know that I started this and disappeared after the 1st chapter

So many things are going on that's why I cant write at all but from now on I will try to update...

So don't be disappointed

until then... ENJOY....❤️💖

Let me know how's the chapter...

Till then byie…😃

Cielmort...🖤

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