AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My heart skips a beat. Ayaan himself is going to go there? His confidence is contagious, but the potential danger in completing this mission scares me.
“I know there are high chances of the men of the Bat Syndicate firing at us, but we’ll tackle them,” Ayaan asserts confidently. “From what we estimate, the number of men protecting this warehouse is not more than 20-30 people. So, during the delivery, the count should be around the same.”
“But Ayaan, what if they call for more help after you and your team attack them?” Aksh bhai asks, expressing his concern. “We shouldn’t be outnumbered.”
“That’s where you come into the picture,” Ayaan replies. “Aksh, I need you to use your political powers to block the only route to the warehouse on Sunday. Use any excuse for the blockade, such as tar road work or repairing a leaking pipeline. But make sure that the people blocking the road should be armed men in disguise.”
As Ayaan narrates the plan, I listen closely to each detail, which is like a piece of a complex puzzle. Our success depends on the seamless coordination of every member and element involved.
“In case the Bat Syndicate calls for more help from their other underworld contacts during our attack, we need to prevent these additional reinforcements from reaching the warehouse. We must either block their access or arrest them on the spot.”
Aksh bhai gives him a thumbs up in agreement. With the plan set in motion, I feel a knot of anxiety tightening in my stomach that I can’t ignore.
“But Ayaan, all of this involves significant risk,” Kailash uncle suddenly interjects. He had been quietly listening so far. “I don’t want you to get directly involved in any of this.” He pauses as if swallowing the lump of tears formed in the back of his throat. Ayaan sighs and reaches him.
“Dad, the level of risk in this plan is inevitable. This is the only way we can expose Tej Khurana and his Bat Syndicate.”
“But—”
Ayaan grips his father’s arms to reassure him.
“Remember Dad, while playing chess, you always told me one thing? Don’t settle for a good move; always look for the better one?”
Uncle nods in agreement, only for Ayaan to smirk back.
“This is not just a better move, Dad; it’s the best. Nothing will go wrong. Have faith.”
Since there is no room left for argument, uncle finally gives his go-ahead for Ayaan to take the risk, knowing very well that if we miss this chance, we might never get another one.
Krish gets a beep on his phone, and as soon as he reads the message, his expression changes to one of surprise.
“Ayaan,” Krish calls out, prompting Ayaan to inspect the message that just beeped on Krish’s phone. Even Ayaan seems surprised. Before I can inquire about the matter, Dad enters the Shergill Mansion. I can’t believe he is here. He didn’t want to be a part of Ayaan’s plans for the day, so why is he here?
“Dad?” I murmur as he approaches. Even Vishnu is somewhat surprised, and then concern appears on his face as he rises from the couch and reaches Dad.
“What are you doing here? If you wanted to be a part of this, why didn’t you come along with us?” Vishnu asks, staring at his face suspiciously. “Are you okay? Why do you look like this?”
I understand why he asked Dad this question. He looks exhausted and mighty emotional. As if he’s just returned after fighting the toughest battle of his life.
“What happened, Dad?” I reach him and press for answers. “Why are you so quiet? Say something.”
“He’s already said what he had to,” Ayaan’s voice reverberates in the room. We all turn as he presses a button on the remote, tuning to a news channel that is repeatedly broadcasting breaking news. The news anchor addresses the camera with Dad and Vishnu’s photo together in the background.
‘Pratap Walia, the current deputy CM of the state, who is also going to contest for the CM role in the upcoming elections, has revealed the biggest secret of his life. The man whom the people of this state trusted for his transparent democracy has opened up about a top secret that he had been keeping hidden for more than thirty years.’
And then Dad’s video surfaces on the TV, giving an interview to the media. He is wearing the same outfit as he is currently wearing as he addresses them. With raw vulnerability, he stands before the glaring eyes of the media.
‘To the people of my country, I’m aware the revelation I am about to make will alter the course of my political career and change my entire life hereon, a life overshadowed by the choices I made in the past in the pursuit of power.’
He inhales deeply before baring his soul.
‘I have a son outside marriage — Vishnu, the man you see alongside me as my bodyguard, my protector and my shadow; that man is none other than my son, my blood.’
Chaos erupts as the media starts asking him questions, trying to get more insight into this revelation. Dad’s team, standing beside him, tries to silence them, requesting they allow him to speak first and let him complete what he has to say. They informed the media that he would take the questions later after his speech was over.
‘Had I known I had a son from the woman I loved, I would never have married my late wife, Meera. But destiny had different plans. I came to know this truth after a few months of my marriage to her. I had a choice at that time – to accept my son and fulfil the coveted responsibility of fatherhood. But I was scared of doing so and became the spectre of my selfishness, making this colossal error of hiding this secret from everyone. Forget the public, but I could never even reveal this before my own family either.’
His voice wavers, the admission hanging in the air like a heavy fog, blurring the lines between ambition and neglect.
