Gang
Gang


Sonia stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection, trying to ignore the unease growing inside her. She adjusted the diamond-encrusted necklace her father had given her—another gift to smooth over their strained relationship. Her life was wrapped in wealth and privilege, but beneath the surface, she carried the weight of something darker.
"I think we should wear red tonight," she said softly, looking toward her group of friends. Elena, Kavya, Pooja, and Maya were draped across the room, their laughter masking the brokenness each of them carried.
"Why red?" Kavya asked, running her fingers through her hair. "You know what red reminds us of…"
"It’s… fitting," Sonia replied, her voice distant. They didn’t know her full truth. No one did.
Sonia’s Secret: The Princess of Rajmahal
Sonia wasn’t just another wealthy girl. She was the last heir of Rajmahal, a title long forgotten by the modern world. Her true name was Princess Sona, and her roots were steeped in a legacy of pain and betrayal. As a child, she had been raised in the grand palace of Rajmahal, surrounded by whispers of its dark history.
Her family had ruled Rajmahal with cruelty, their wealth amassed through exploitation and treachery. But the darkest tale involved her great-grandmother, the last queen of the palace, who had unjustly ordered the execution of a maid, Rati, for crimes she didn’t commit. Rati, known for her kindness and loyalty, had been accused of spying and plotting against the royal family. In truth, she had merely been in the wrong place at the wrong time, catching wind of a scandal that could ruin the royal image.
As Rati was dragged to her death, she placed a curse on the family: “The innocent blood you spill will stain your hands forever. You will never know peace, and your descendants will bear the weight of your sins.”
Sonia, though only a child, had witnessed the cruelty of her family. Her heart was different, untouched by the greed that consumed the others. Yet, the curse remained, and she had been forced to flee with her parents as the palace became haunted by Rati’s vengeful spirit. Her parents had tried to bury their dark past with luxury, hoping to escape the shadows, but Sonia knew the truth: Rajmahal was calling her back.
The Confrontation at Rajmahal
Years later, Sonia gathered her friends for a trip back to Bandigarh, determined to face the palace. She had been plagued by nightmares for years, but now she was ready to confront the curse. Her friends didn’t know the full story, only that Sonia wanted to see the grand, haunted palace of her ancestors.
As they approached the gates of Rajmahal, the air grew colder, the skies darkened, and Sonia’s heart pounded in her chest. She had never told anyone the truth—that she was the last living princess of the cursed palace.
"Are you sure about this?" Maya asked, her voice trembling.
"I have to do this," Sonia whispered, more t
o herself than to them.
Inside, the palace was eerily quiet, the halls seemingly waiting for her return. The place reeked of lost history, and with every step, Sonia could feel the weight of her ancestors’ sins pressing down on her.
Suddenly, the doors slammed shut behind them. The air grew thick with whispers, shadows creeping along the walls. Her friends screamed as they began disappearing, one by one, until only Sonia remained, standing alone in the grand hall of Rajmahal.
And then she saw her—Rati’s spirit. She stood at the center of the hall, her eyes glowing with the rage of a woman betrayed, her translucent figure wrapped in tattered servant's clothes.
"Sona," Rati said softly, her voice echoing through the room. "You’ve returned."
Sonia swallowed hard, but her voice was steady. "I have. I’m here to end this."
"You bear their blood," Rati said, stepping closer. "The blood of those who wronged me. Do you think your wealth, your titles, can protect you from what’s owed?"
Sonia shook her head. "No. I don’t seek protection. I’ve come to right the wrongs, to break the curse."
Rati’s eyes narrowed, her anger flashing. "You are guilty by your birthright."
"But I am not them," Sonia replied, her voice firm but gentle. "I was a child, innocent of their crimes. I have no part in their cruelty, but if my bloodline cursed you, then let me be the one to end it. I face you not with wealth or power, but with a heart that seeks peace—for you and for my ancestors."
For a moment, the room was still. The shadows quivered, as if waiting for the spirit’s next move. Rati stared at Sonia, her anger wavering, replaced by something else—recognition. The innocent child who had once lived in the palace was not the same as those who had wronged her.
"How can you ask for peace when there is blood on your hands?" Rati whispered, her tone softer now.
"There’s no peace in vengeance," Sonia said quietly. "Only more pain. I ask for your forgiveness, not because I deserve it, but because it is the only way to set you free. My family is gone, but your suffering doesn't have to continue."
Rati’s figure flickered, her rage dissolving into sorrow. The haunting glow in her eyes dimmed, and her form began to fade. "You are not like them, Princess Sona," she said softly. "Perhaps I’ve been holding onto anger for too long. I have waited for this moment... for the one who would come with a heart of kindness."
With a final sigh, Rati’s spirit dissolved into the air, leaving the palace in silence.
The Aftermath
Sonia stood alone in the empty palace, tears streaking her face. The shadows that had haunted Rajmahal for generations were finally gone. She had faced her family’s sins, not with fear or arrogance, but with the bravery of a heart that sought to heal.
As she walked out of the gates of Rajmahal, she felt lighter, free from the weight of her family’s dark legacy. The palace, once full of echoes and curses, was now silent.