Second Chance: A Dark Tale of Urban India

[17 January 2025 – Father’s Chat, 11:05 AM

Jayesh: Dad. I got great news.

Dad: What is it?

Jayesh: I managed to secure the 2 pending bullet train projects of worth 100 million dollars, exclusively in our family’s name.

Dad: What’s the catch?

Jayesh: I suggested that we can also expedite the slum demolition process so that the project timeline can move faster. He liked my proposal and offered full cooperation along with the projects. This way we won’t be lagging behind the Singhanias too much.

Dad: That’s my son. You can take over the rest of the money as your own reward. I will call you after ten minutes.

Jayesh: Sure, Dad.]

***

Rohit scrolled through the messages in silence, his face unreadable. The pieces were finally clicking together — revenge, a shady pharmaceutical deal, land demolition, and Akhil caught in the middle of all these like a disposable pawn.

So everything started at the banquet that night.

Now it made sense why he had faced that sudden virus attack earlier, and why this phone was already compromised. It was no coincidence. Masato, or rather his old comrade Li Wei, was the real architect behind this web. He was working for the Takamaya clan, the main beneficiary of the entire arrangement.

Lisa quickly confirmed it: [Yes sir, nearly 30% of the shares in the Takamura heavy industry are controlled by the Takamaya family.

Rohit exhaled slowly. With Elisa still working with Masato as his personal AI, handling this was child’s play. Rohit’s own Lisa model was still in its infancy compared to hers when it came to detecting and planning counter-actions. Thank God it wasn’t under remote surveillance, or things would have escalated far beyond his control.

He spoke quietly, "Lisa, tell me, is there any such drug they are claiming? Give me the most probable match based on context."

[Searching...]

[Based on context, a drug matching the specifications has been identified. It is Glutathione, often marketed as the "magical whitener" in the global market. It is not clinically proven for cosmetic use. Many trials are still ongoing. Last year, the Indian government regulated its use and banned its inclusion in cosmetics.]

Rohit now had the full picture of what must have happened at the banquet. Mr. Mittal must have met Masato and casually floated the idea of future cooperation. Masato mentioned the drug, and Mittal pounced on the opportunity, using his underworld contacts to kidnap Akhil as leverage.

The next day, when Jayesh met Masato, the real deal was struck: expedite the slum demolition in exchange for leftover bullet train projects.

The little rascal had successfully impressed Masato. That also explained why Masato had been personally irritated with Rohit and wanted to meet him urgently.

Rohit scrolled further. The rest were handlers behind Harsha’s case which was irrelevant to him now.

"Lisa, show me the next ones. Prioritize those related to me being summoned for police inquiry. Direct contacts only."

[Yes, sir. This one is a direct contact with Akhil’s father, Justice Kamalnath. Below is the clipped screenshot.]

[18 January 2025 – Father’s Chat, 9:05 AM

Jayesh: Any updates, Honorable Judge? I’m certain you got the message through my handler.

Kamalnath: How dare you... If anything happens to my son, I swear...

Jayesh: Let’s keep the drama aside. We’ve given you a task and I’m here for your confession. Consider it a safety clause, we’re on the same side.

Kamalnath: That medicine is tricky. I can allow a clause, if the company submits proper clinical trial reports, they will be given the license and restrictions removed. But the slum demolition case is still difficult. We cannot bypass public scrutiny.

Jayesh: Come on, Uncle. I’m well aware you enjoy our elite escort services on weekends. Have we ever complained? It’s just a small favor.

Kamalnath: You dare slander a sitting judge?

Jayesh: Stop it, Uncle. Turkish escort, Delhi Nights Massage Services... remember? You may deny your name, but you can’t deny the phone number used for booking.

Kamalnath: Listen, kid. Your tricks won’t take you very far. Good luck proving anything. If my reputation is ruined, forget your father’s automobile project license and the current steel plant renewal. Messing with a judge has repercussions.

Jayesh: Relax, Uncle. I was just giving an example. Doing it or Not?

Kamalnath: Fine. But I want 500 million rupees in cash. And if there’s any further order from the Supreme Court, I am not part of it.

Jayesh: Hahaha... never saw that coming. It can be arranged. There’s one more small request. Trust me, your son is safe and enjoying himself.

Kamalnath: What is it?

Jayesh: I want you to grant one week of judicial custody for Rohit Singhania without bail, and a three-month jail sentence for kidnapping your kid.

Kamalnath: What? His career would be destroyed.

Jayesh: Uncle, he is not your family. Think about your own blood. I’m sure his father will get him out in a month from the Supreme Court. Let him feel a little heat.

Kamalnath: Fine. But I will charge 100 million extra as emotional compensation. They are family friends, after all.

Jayesh: Lol... I like it. Can be done. Have a great day, Uncle.

Kamalnath: And not a word of this chat. It never happened.

Jayesh: Don’t worry, Uncle. I’ll delete this chat on my end once he’s behind bars. Bye.]

So much hate... just because he had made Jayesh lose face at the banquet. It was nothing but a chess match. Even more shocking was Justice Kamalnath’s response. The man was a family friend. How shameless could he be?

Rohit cursed under his breath, voice low and cold.

"Kamalnath... I swear. You will be my next target."

His hand clenched tightly around the phone. ’It was my mistake to think you as an ally. You are no different from my old man, I hate the most. Not only you cheat your country, but even your beautiful wife and your family. Since you chose to mess over me, I will make sure to return you the favor.."

Akansha’s sarcastic voice floated from the bathroom doorway. "Rohit... don’t curse so hard. It’s reaching me all the way here."

She stepped out wrapped in a crisp white towel that clung to her damp skin. Her wet hair fell loosely over one shoulder. Despite the visible exhaustion and the faint marks on her neck and wrists, she carried herself with quiet elegance and composure.

Rohit ignored her comment. "Don’t mind me."

Akansha shrugged lightly and sat in front of the mirror, gently drying her hair with the edge of the towel.

Rohit exhaled sharply, forcing himself to refocus. He realised this incident had rattled him so much that he had lost control of his own body. The rage in his heart was real. Sure, it could be handled later, but finding Akhil took priority.

"Lisa," he typed quietly so his voice wouldn’t carry, "prioritize any contacts related to the underworld. Anything at all."

[Sure, sir.]

He scrolled through the next set of chats Lisa displayed — conversations with Mukhtar Ahmed and Chota Seth, both linked to underworld.

[Yesterday – Ahmed Chat, 10:15 PM]

Jayesh: Bhai, I have set the money you asked for.

Ahmed: What money?

Jayesh: What? Didn’t Chota Seth tell you about the gold loss compensation?

Ahmed: Calling. Pick it up.]

***

[Today – Chota Seth Chat, 11:00 AM]

Chota Seth: You dare ignore my call, kid?

Jayesh: I’m not ignoring. My phone needed some repair, so I couldn’t pick up. Please continue in messages.

Chota Seth: What nonsense... Fine. I want you to handle a transportation job for me. A van would be better.

Jayesh: You think I’m your manager? How am I supposed to arrange things so fast?

Chota Seth: Mind your words, little mutt. Don’t forget I did you a favor by not escalating the gold matter.

Jayesh: Fine. My bad. But give me a little context so I can book the right one.

Chota Seth: Now you’re talking. Hehe. It should be able to contain 300kg of drugs and 100kg of RDX.

Jayesh: Do you think passing police checkposts is a joke?

Chota Seth: That’s your problem. Here is the location — South Block Anna. Passcode is "Chota Seth’s tribute."

Jayesh: Fine... Timing and location of pickup?

Chota Seth: Hmm... let’s say 8:30 pm. My farmhouse on the Delhi outskirts. Sending you the location. And my gold compensation?

Jayesh: As I promised, tomorrow. Same location?

Chota Seth: Yes. Smart kid.]

***

[Today – Ahmed Chat, 11:15 AM]

Jayesh: Sir, I sent you the screenshot. This is my chat with him.

Ahmed: I got it. Verified.

Jayesh: Sir, about my money?

Ahmed: As promised, you will get your half return. But don’t make him doubt you.

Jayesh: Then do I really have to make the arrangements?

Ahmed: Do it. Consider it your punishment for losing the gold in the first place.

Jayesh: Ok sir.

Ahmed: And my second favor I asked for?

Jayesh: Oh, the patient in the van, I admitted him safely in Baba Saheb Welfare Hospital. You won’t mind if I use the same van for transportation job?

Ahmed: No, don’t use it. Let it be for emergencies.

Jayesh: Ok sir.]

Rohit frowned. The name of the hospital was the same one where he had been admitted for his fake memory loss. That place was notorious for handling shady deals under the table for the right fee.

He typed quickly, "What do you make of this?"

Lisa replied instantly in the interface.

[Sir, this is a clear conversation involving mafia elements and Jayesh. It appears to be an internal feud. Chota Seth tried to take advantage of the gold money without Ahmed’s knowledge. Jayesh contacted Ahmed directly, bypassing Chota Seth. As things stand, they are trying to catch Chota Seth red-handed while using Jayesh for smuggling illegal substances.]

Rohit nodded and scratched his chin. His eyes then fell on the mention of the "patient."

"Find the details of that patient request," he typed.

[Searching...]

[Found a conversation with contact Melina. Below is the clipped screenshot.]

[17 January 2025 – Melina Chat, 11:15 AM]

Melina: Sir, the patient is admitted to C Wing, general ward, under the name you gave.

Jayesh: Nice. Did anyone trouble you?

Melina: Nothing rather than occasional stares on a foreign blonde.

Jayesh: Name it.

Melina: It’s okay sir, part of my job.

Rohit’s eyes narrowed. The possessive tone felt familiar. Not a typical employee concern. He typed, "Who is she? Any photos?"

A photo appeared, a Russian blonde rising from a swimming pool, her curvaceous figure barely covered by a bikini.

Rohit frowned. He remembered that same face from the professional suit and goggles when she was accompanying Jayesh near GB Road while he and Chanu were sipping sugarcane juice. The ambulance photo he had secretly taken must be connected.

He thought for a moment, then typed, "Do we have any update from Robin?"

[Yes sir. He notified his arrival thirty minutes ago and is waiting for instructions.]

Rohit stepped outside the room and dialed Robin’s number.

"You reached?"

"Yes sir, I’ve been waiting. But I don’t know what to do."

"Good. I’m sending you a photo of an ambulance van. Check its details and try finding out under what name the patient was admitted. Contact the receptionist alone and hand over five thousand rupees. She will cooperate."

"But sir..."

"Don’t worry. I’ll send fifty thousand rupees to your account right now to handle it."

He cut the call and immediately transferred the money. He had a strong hunch about it, if this patient fell into his hands, it could give him a major breakthrough into the inner circle of the mafia world.

Even though he now had solid leads, one big problem remained: how to stop the transportation. He could see the gap in trust and exploit it, but he needed proper authority to act. Then he remembered the IB’s direct number.

Still, it would be better if I could hack it first before I decide to rely on them.

He typed to Lisa, "What about the IB’s number?"

The familiar feminine voice replied in the interface.

[Sir, it’s a landline number. No messages can be sent.]

Rohit frowned. Who still uses a landline these days? Perhaps the Indian government was wary of foreign AI models like Elos, which was not surprising after decades of sanctions related to nuclear capability.

Guess I’ll have to meet them in person to figure things out before relying on them.

He instructed Lisa one more time, "Kill the other source connection and start remote surveillance of Jayesh’s phone."

Lisa warned, [But sir, it will alert the source of foreign presence.]

Rohit exhaled. "Yes... it has to be.. For what’s coming next "

He turned back into the room and saw Akansha changing into her one-piece dress. She noticed him through the mirror and joked lightly,

"What? You decided to say me farewell? How sweet. I thought you lacked manners. Help me tug this chain a bit, then I’ll give you a hug."

Rohit walked over, tugged the zipper up smoothly, then picked up his sling bag and passed it to her.

She asked, frowning, "What?"

He replied with a small smirk, "You scratch my back and I scratch yours."

Akansha rolled her eyes but helped him adjust the strap.

"Seriously, I don’t think you need it anymore."

Rohit’s smirk deepened.

"But I do need you for a task.."