The party grew louder.
Music filled the hall.
People gathered near the center.
"Looks like something is starting," Karna said.
Ram glanced ahead.
"The host is here."
A man walked toward the stage.
Confident.
Respected.
Everyone turned toward him.
Clapping.
Smiling.
"Happy Birthday, sir!"
Karna looked at Ram.
"…Who is he?"
Ram replied calmly—
"He's the most powerful businessman in this area."
"He knows most of the politicians here."
"He's also my father's closest friend."
Karna watched carefully.
"…How did they become friends?"
Ram's eyes stayed on the man.
"I don't know."
"…His name is Koushik."
On the stage—
Koushik cut the cake.
People cheered.
But Ram didn't clap.
He just watched.
Observing.
Measuring.
As if calculating something.
After the ceremony—
Koushik walked down.
His eyes met Ram's.
He smiled.
Walked toward him.
"Ram," he said.
"Happy Birthday," Ram replied.
Koushik looked around.
"Why didn't your father come?"
"He had a meeting."
"That's why he sent me."
Koushik nodded.
Then his eyes shifted to Karna.
"And this boy?"
"He's my father's adopted son."
A small silence.
Koushik stepped closer.
"Adopted…?"
His gaze sharpened.
"Your name is Karna, right?"
Karna nodded.
"Yes."
Koushik smiled.
But something felt off.
"Interesting…"
For a moment—
His eyes didn't leave Karna.
As if he knew something.
"Enjoy the party," he said.
And walked away.
Karna looked at Ram.
"…He feels strange."
Ram replied quietly—
"Everyone here is."
A pause.
"Some just hide it better."
A few minutes later—
A man approached Ram.
Nervous.
"Sir… I heard you're handling the market now…"
Ram looked at him.
Cold.
"Who told you that?"
The man hesitated.
"People are talking—"
Ram stepped closer.
"Then tell those people…"
His voice dropped.
"…talking too much creates problems."
The man froze.
"I… I understand, sir."
He quickly walked away.
Karna looked at Ram.
"…You scared him."
Ram replied calmly—
"I didn't."
"He understood."
Then—
Sanjana appeared.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
Her voice—
Not calm this time.
"You don't even talk to me…"
"…after all these years."
Karna stepped aside.
Ram looked at her.
"I've been busy."
Sanjana frowned.
"That's your answer?"
Silence.
She stepped closer.
"At least talk properly."
Ram's eyes met hers.
"I am talking properly."
That made it worse.
"You weren't like this before," she said softly.
Ram didn't reply.
His silence—
Felt heavier than words.
Sanjana looked at him.
Hurt.
Frustrated.
"…Fine."
"If this is who you are now…"
"…then I understand."
She turned to leave.
Then stopped.
Without looking back—
"You really changed."
She walked away.
Karna came back.
"…You hurt her."
Ram's expression didn't change.
"Feelings create weakness."
Karna frowned.
"…Is that what you believe?"
Ram looked ahead.
"At this level…"
"…attachments are liabilities."
Silence.
His eyes shifted slightly—
Toward where Sanjana stood.
"…and I don't keep liabilities."
But for a brief second—
Something in his expression cracked.
Then disappeared.