first day in Delhi
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It was 9:00 AM. Ankit was packing his clothes and a few valuable items in a suitcase. He met Richa and Lucky before leaving. "You both stay together; I'll be back in a few days," he assured them. Ankit then left the house and headed straight to the railway station. He boarded the train to Delhi and tried calling Parveen, but his number was out of reach. Staying calm, Ankit relaxed in his seat and began contemplating the challenges awaiting him in Delhi and how to tackle them.
After a two-hour journey, Ankit arrived in Delhi. Stepping out of the train, he walked through the bustling streets of Delhi and stopped at a nearby restaurant. There, he ordered tea and snacks while trying to call Parveen again. His number was still unreachable. After finishing his tea, Ankit left the restaurant and wandered the unfamiliar streets of Delhi. He made multiple attempts to call Parveen, but his phone remained out of network. By evening, Ankit realized that Parveen might be in serious trouble.
As night began to fall, Ankit passed by a luxurious hotel. A line of high-end cars and a crowd of people were gathered outside. The hotel's guards and staff stood at the entrance. The eight-story building shone brightly with colorful lights, and the sign "Moon Night Hotel" glittered in the evening air. Dragging his suitcase behind him, Ankit entered the hotel. The guards greeted him warmly, and the caretakers couldn't take their eyes off his impressive demeanor.
A staff member escorted Ankit to the reception counter. The receptionist welcomed him with a keen look and asked how he could assist. "I'd like a first-class room," Ankit said. "How long will you be staying, sir?" asked the receptionist. "Five days," replied Ankit.
The receptionist suggested adding a VIP membership, which would include complimentary meals for breakfast, lunch, evening snacks, and dinner. "You can order anything from the menu," he added. Ankit agreed and paid ₹65,000 at the counter. The staff members led him to a luxury room. The hotel manager handed him the room key, wished him a pleasant stay, and left.
After freshening up and changing his clothes, Ankit locked his room and returned to the hotel counter. He asked the manager to arrange a taxi. "Sir, we have our own hotel cars with drivers. However, you'll need to make an additional payment for it," the manager informed him. Ankit agreed, and soon a car and driver were presented before him.
As Ankit and the driver got into the car, he asked, "What's your name?"
"Sir, my name is Subhash," the driver replied.
"Subhash, how many people have you driven so far?"
"Four, sir," Subhash responded.
"And where did those four go?" asked Ankit.
"Sir, I can't share that information; it's against privacy policies."
"Hmm," Ankit murmured.
After a brief silence, Subhash broke it by asking, "Where would you like to go, sir?"
"Take me to the biggest celebration happening tonight," Ankit said.
"What exactly do you mean by celebration?" Subhash asked hesitantly.
"You just tell me where the four people went. I'll pick one of those places, and I'll pay extra for this," Ankit offered.
After some thought, Subhash replied, "Three of them went to New Friends Colony, and one was a couple."
"Take me to New Friends Colony," Ankit interrupted.
Subhash turned the car towards the destination. "We'll reach there in about 40 minutes," he said.
Ankit speculated that the people might be members of the Black Man gang and were possibly attending Tony Flower's party. As they drove, Ankit made one last attempt to call Parveen, but his phone was still out of network. Frustrated yet determined, Ankit muttered, "I'm coming."
"Subhash, drive as fast as you can; we need to reach there quickly," he instructed. At 8 PM, they entered New Friends Colony. Subhash stopped the car outside a beautifully decorated venue. "I dropped them here," Subhash said, pointing at the grand location. A party was in full swing at the venue.
Ankit and Subhash got out of the car and walked towards the venue. It turned out to be a wedding ceremony. Two couples were seated on the mandap, surrounded by family and friends. Other guests were seated separately, and dinner was being served in one corner. Around 300 people were present. Subhash, dressed as a driver, blended in, while Ankit's ordinary attire stood out due to his striking appearance. His looks captured everyone's attention; the men observed him with curiosity, and the women stared at him in admiration.
A welcoming guest invited Ankit and Subhash to join for dinner. They sat at a table where plates were served to them. Subhash began eating, but Ankit scanned the crowd, observing his surroundings. Realizing that many people were looking at him, Ankit whispered, "We don't have any business here; let's leave."
"But now that we're seated, let's at least finish eating," Subhash responded.
Without replying, Ankit stood up after a while, and they both headed towards the exit. Suddenly, a voice called out, "Excuse me! Hello, handsome!" Both Ankit and Subhash turned to see five women approaching them quickly.
"What's your name?" one of them asked.
"My name is Subhash," Subhash replied.
"Not yours, his," the woman clarified, pointing at Ankit.
"His name is Ankit," Subhash said.
"I have to leave now; I'll meet you all some other time," Ankit interjected.
"How can you leave now? The rituals are still ongoing. Stay for a while," one of the women insisted as they grabbed Ankit's hand and led him back towards a table.
Ankit, Subhash, and the five women sat around the table. "My name is Manisha. Can you give me your number?" the woman asked.
"Well, the thing is..." Ankit hesitated.
Subhash interrupted, "He's in a relationship. I'm single; you can take my number instead."
Manisha glared at Subhash and turned back to Ankit. "Just as a friend, please," she pleaded.
"Fine. I'll give you my number, but I'll leave immediately afterward," Ankit agreed reluctantly.
"Okay, you can leave after sharing your number," Manisha said with a smile.
After giving her his number, Ankit and Subhash left the venue. However, four men followed them outside. The men confronted them, blocking their path. "Subhash, start the car. I'll handle them," Ankit said calmly.
One of the men placed his hand on Ankit's cheek and mockingly asked, "Are you not afraid of dying?"
Without wasting a moment, Ankit kicked him hard, sending him flying to the ground. The other three men raised their hands in surrender and backed away, terrified by Ankit's quick reflexes and strength.
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