Mumbai, the Dharavi slums... A young man named Mohan Das is standing outside a poor hut. There is a conflicted expression on his face. He is thinking about why a rich manager like John brought him to a poor slum area.
Das slowly entered the hut, following manager John.
But after entering inside, his entire face changed from confusion to amazement.
Inside the hut, it is like a modern house, containing everything needed for a luxurious home. Even a five-star hotel room may not contain this much luxury. There is central air conditioning for the entire connected hut. TV, fridge, oven, gaming sets, double cot beds, wi-fi, and what not?.
The side wall has a big dressing table for make-up. Several girls were busy applying makeup and trying on new designer clothes. John patted Das on the shoulder to wake him up from his daze.
"There are several beautiful girls in this room. Instead of seeing them, Why are you staring at the seal?" John asked with a big laugh.
While they were walking inside, several girls were staring at Das curiously. Even some of them tried to touch Das and make fun of him. But Das kept his cool and walked calmly behind John. One of the girls bent down before Das while teasing him with her deep cleavage. The girls giggling behind him.
"Come on… let's go… It's just the beginning... "John continued walking inside the room.
Inside the room, seven middle-aged women are chatting while sipping tea. They sat on a semi-circular sofa, and all seven of them are wearing luxurious gold on their bodies.
John approached them slowly and took the hand of a middle-aged woman who was sitting in the centre of the sofa.
"Bless me, Sahiba... "John said while kissing her hand.
But before the lady at the centre replied anything, the women beside her started attacking John with words.
"Yesterday, one of my girls was bullied in your hotel, and in the last thirty days, it is the fourth time... Tell me, John, what should I do? Should I stop sending girls to your hotel?" The second lady shouted loudly.
"Second lady, please cool down... You know that foreign customers only come to my hotel in Mumbai, and sometimes these types of things happen due to some miscommunication. We are also paying compensation to the girls. So, please pardon me this time." John said as he sat on the opposite sofa. He also signalled to Das to sit.
"John, I know that your hotel is under the Reddy family, and it is one of the best luxurious houses in Mumbai, so I expect that many foreign customers will come because of this." The third lady, who sat on the other side of the first lady, said as she stared at Das.
"But you are forgetting one thing, John. Recently, your rival, the Shetty family, entered in this business, and they opened a more luxurious happy house than yours. The tables are turned, and things are not going to be the same." The third lady said it with a smirk on her face.
Das did not know what they were talking about. He sat silently on the sofa. John also sat calmly on the sofa. He already knew all these things, which is why he did not react to her. After a long thought, he replied.
"Third lady, you are underestimating the Reddy family... In Mumbai, no one can question the authority and power of the Reddy family, and do you think one Shetty family can rival us in this business?" John replied with a proud face.
"Haha… oh… poor john… You are the one who is underestimating... The Reddy family already lost their backer, and there is new power taking over Mumbai." The third lady said giggling.
"What do you mean?" John asked with a dumbfounded look.
But this time, the third lady did not reply. The first lady, who has been calm until now, gestured for others to calm down.
"John, one should never bring strangers to this house, and you know the rules. Tell me, why did you bring this young man here?" The first lady asked as she stared at Das.
"First lady, you don't need to worry about him. He is the new manager at my hotel, and I brought him here to show him around the network chain." John replied with a happy face.
Das stooped up and bowed to her respectfully.
"You don't need to do that." The first lady said as she gestured for him to sit down.
"You are really young. Tell me, why did you choose this profession?" The first lady asked while sipping tea..
"Life is not the same for everyone. I bet you never wished to do what you are doing now. Am I correct, sahiba?" Das asked while staring right into her eyes.
"What is your name, boy?" After a few moments of silence, the first lady asked without turning her gaze.
"My boss asked me to use the name Rolex. But I don't have anyone who cares about my name. My name is Mohan Das, you can call me Das." He replied sternly.
"Good… good… John, you've got a capable manager this time." The first lady said it laughingly.
First lady, This is the payment for this month. John took out a half of ten rupee note from his inner shirt pocket and gave it to her.
"What is the final amount?" The first lady asked.
"Two and a half crore," John replied with a smiling face.
"What? It is lower than last month." The third lady yelled from side.
"Third lady, for the new year, we need to manage officials and law enforcement agencies. Please understand the situation. I promise that next month there will be more." John replied as he waited for the first lady's reply.
The first lady was calm, and she told John to leave. John did not understand why the first lady was calm. Usually, she will ask him for more money every time. John kissed her hand and left the hut with Das.
After both John and Das left, the third lady immediately said, "We should have asked for more money. First lady, why did you let John go?"
"Third sister, you are not understanding the situation. In a few days, there will be competition between the Reddy family and the Shetty family. At that time, this John will come to bargain for girls, and we will get our money one way or another." The first lady was explained as she laughing merrily from left to right.
After coming outside, John and Das quickly left the slums. Inside the car, John switched on the air conditioner and gave a big sigh.
"Shhh… Das, why did you reveal your original name? It is not good business to boast about your name." John asked as he increased the car's speed.
"Leave it, John. I'm not concerned about it. First, tell me this: when you mentioned two and a half crore, all the women in that room had a disappointed look except the first lady. There was a smirk on her face, like she had everything under control. What is it?" Das asked while he put on a seat belt.
"Haha… nice Das… Nice. You did not disappoint me. Yes, yes, indeed, I got that as well." John said as he took the car towards a busy market route.
"Das, listen carefully; back in that room, the third lady said the real truth. At present, a new power dominating the country, occupying each and every industry in all cities. Presently, the new power is started taking over this city. Soon, there will be a big fight between major families over power, money, and politics. The family that is supported by that new power will rule this city. That's why the old lady was calm when I quoted her less money this month. She is planning to control us during that fighting time." John spoke with a serious tone.
Das was very new to this underworld family drama. He doesn't know about the major families and their strongholds. But what he understood is that there will be chaos in the near future, and it is a big opportunity for someone to rise (or fall).
After thinking for a long time, Das asked, "What is that new power? Is it an organisation or a big family? And why did that third lady say that the Reddy family had already lost their backer?"
Das asked, as he was still thinking about the situation and the future possibilities. Running this type of business is always like walking on a thin rope. One must always look for balance (or opportunity) to survive.
"Slow down, kid. People at my level don't know about the secret power that controls the system. Even Boss Martin doesn't know about it. But what I know is that all four families that control this city will pay a large amount every year to a secret power." John said as he stopped the car beside an old seven-story building.