Afternoon | In The Restaurant 🍽

The sun is high and hot above the restaurant. I tie my apron like I do every day. My shift has just started.

It is already a busy day. Customers keep coming in, one after another. I walk from table to table with a smile on my face, even though I am tired inside. 

A family at table three wants extra chutney. An uncle at table five says his tea is not sweet enough, even though I added sugar two times already. 

Some orders get mixed up. A man at table six complains about his cold soup, not once, but twice.

The hours pass quickly. Lunchtime turns into evening, and evening turns into night. My feet hurt, not just from standing, but from something deeper. Something the whole day has left inside me.

I don't even notice when the sun goes down and paints the sky orange. I don't notice the light changing outside.

 I am too busy running from table to table, smiling, because maa always says a smiling face brings back customers, and customers bring back money to live.

Then I look at the clock behind the counter, and my stomach jumps.

11:30 already?

I quickly untie my apron and fold it over my arm. Behind the counter, the chai machine makes its last sound for the night, like it is also happy the day is over. Outside, the street looks golden in the evening light.

 Even the dusty road looks a little pretty right now.

I just want to go home, take off my shoes, and forget this whole day happened.

But first, I have to ask permission to leave. I walk quickly to the small office at the back, praying quietly. Please, please say yes without scolding.

I knock softly and peek inside.

"Uncle... I mean, sir ," I say, smiling shyly, "I have finished all my work for today. It is already 11:30. May I go home now?"

My boss , who has known me since I was a small, because he is my so called father's close friend, looks up from his notebook and waves his hand.

"Haan haan, you may go," he says, then adds, pretending to be strict, 

"But Gauri beta, listen na, I only say this because I know your Dad. Tomorrow you come on time, okay? No more 'traffic was there' or 'auto nahi mila' excuses."

"Ji, sir, I understand," I say quickly. "It won't happen again, I promise."

"Good, good," he says, shaking his head with a small smile. "Otherwise I will have to cut your salary, and then your Dad will call me, I don't want that headache also."

I can't stop myself from giggling. "Ji sir, don't worry. I will come on time from tomorrow."

"Theek hai, theek hai," he says, waving me away. "Now go home safely. It's already late."

"Ji, sir. Good night."

I almost skip out of the office, my apron half untied, relief filling my tired body.

Gauriii... hurry up now, pack your bag fast, I tell myself, grabbing my bag from behind the counter, or Maa will give you a big lecture tonight.

Hey Bhagwan, please save me from her scolding today. I am too tired for this.

I smile to myself as I step outside into the night. Thank god prakash uncle isn't so strict, otherwise this job would be impossible.

The street is quiet now, glowing softly under the streetlights. For the first time all day, I finally relax my shoulders.

In The Rathor Enterprises 🏢

The evening is quiet inside the Rathor Enterprises building. Most of the staff has already left. I sit in my office, the city lights flickering on outside my window, one by one, like the whole city is waiting for something.

The door opens without a knock. Only one person walks in without knocking , Arjun.

His face is pale. His hands are not steady.

"Sir..." His voice comes out lower than usual. "The truck... it's gone."

I don't stand up. I don't raise my voice. I just look at him.

"GONE," I repeat, quiet. 

He swallows hard "Yes Sir, Someone hijacked it, They drove off with the truck. We don't know yet who it is but the team is searching. "

"Arjun." My voice drops even lower. "Do you know what was inside that truck?"

His Adam's apple bobs. "Weapons, sir. The entire shipment."

"100 crore," I say, more to myself than to him. "Sitting in that truck."

"Sir, please, sit." 

"I don't sit when someone touches what's mine." My hand is already flat on the desk, pressing down hard enough that my knuckles go white.

And then, quietly, it clicks into place. Only one man has the guts to do this.

My phone rings before I can even say the name out loud. I let it ring twice. Then I pick up. I don't say hello.

"Speak."

"Speak. There he is." Khan's voice slides through the phone, smooth, amused, like he's smiling on the other end.

"Shivaay Singh Rathor. Tell me, how does it feel? Losing something for once?"

I say nothing. Silence is a weapon too, and I know how to use it.

"Nothing to say?" Khan laughs softly. "Come on then. Come and take it back, if you can. Address is on its way to your phone. And Shivaay... come alone. Bring guards, and you'll find your precious cargo at the bottom of the river instead."

The line goes dead.

Arjun is already talking, fast. "Sir, Do you need anything?"

"No." One word. Final.

"Sir, it's not safe, at least let me.."

I'm already at the door. "When I say no, Arjun, I don't say it twice."

I don't wait for his reply. I don't need to.

I get into the car, and for the first time in years, I feel something other than control running through my veins. Rage. Cold, quiet rage.

Khan wants a war. Fine. He'll get one, and he won't see it coming until it's already over.

I press down on the accelerator. Even the empty road feels too slow tonight.

Hello My Dear Readers,

Firstly, thank you for giving my book a chance! I truly appreciate your love and support. This is just the beginning, so keep reading because many untold mysteries are about to unfold in

Mystery of Darkness

Last but not least, I love you all! 

Byee... see you in the next chapter!!!