Just as Shivam was about to avert his gaze from the files monitoring Bukhari's every move in the villa, he froze in place upon seeing Bukhari answer a call.
Bukhari lifted the phone, and Shivam watched intently as he noticed the incoming number, swiftly committing it to memory and jotting it down in his smartphone's notes app.
"Bol," Bukhari uttered calmly in a desi accent tone on the phone, prompting Shivam's curiosity to peak.
He maneuvered the fly discreetly toward the collar of Bukhari's shirt, ensuring he maintained a covert view without alerting him while also getting all the talks between Bukhari and the caller.
"Sir, I've received intel that Sub Inspector Aadhvi Shrivastav is actively investigating the case of the missing girls from Mumbai and has uncovered some significant clues," the caller reported urgently.
"However, due to her influential family background within the police force, attempts to suppress her investigation have been unsuccessful.
It seems her connections are too powerful to deter her from pursuing the case."
Upon hearing the urgent report, Bukhari wasted no time and immediately placed a call.
However, this time, Shivam couldn't catch the details of the caller, as only a name flashed on the screen: DSP.
"Hello, sir, How are you?"
Bukhari greeted him, his tone respectful but straight to the point.
The DSP's response was brief and businesslike:
"Tell me what's the problem, as I am busy here."
Bukhari wasted no time in getting to the point.
"Sir, there's a matter concerning Sub-Inspector Aadhvi Shrivastav.
If possible, I request her removal from her post or at least from the current case."
"Shrivastav!"
Upon hearing the surname, there was a pause on the other end of the line, signifying the recognition of the importance of the background associated with that name.
After a moment's pause, the DSP replied, "Alright, but you'll have to make it worth my while.
You know the deal—a benefit with a bonus."
Bukhari's face lit up with satisfaction.
"Okay, no problem," he responded eagerly.
Hearing all this, Shivam realized that this person was willing to suppress a sub-inspector for personal gain and that this person was of the caliber of a DSP with significant influence in the state police.
However, the crucial piece of information he gleaned was about someone who might be against Bukhari—a Sub Inspector named Aadhvi Shrivastav, with a formidable background.
This could be a valuable ally in Shivam's quest to bring Bukhari to justice.
With these insights, Shivam had numerous avenues to pursue in his plan.
Yet, he also recognized that Bukhari had support from various individuals lurking in the shadows, including this DSP.
The challenge ahead seemed daunting.
Observing Bukhari's demeanor, Shivam understood that while Bukhari was currently relieved, he remained vigilant, constantly monitoring the CCTV feeds.
Shivam interpreted this as Bukhari being confident that Aadhvi would be suppressed, thereby halting any police investigation into his human trafficking activities.
Shivam's realized the urgency of the situation. Aadhavi, the sub-inspector, needed to be informed before higher authorities removed her from the case, as she might not be able to help Shivam if she got removed from the case, as there is no doubt that the other person would be one of the underlings of one of the bhukari's men.
He also noted Bukhari's heightened vigilance, indicating that he was wary of potential threats.
Shivam's mind raced with the realization that time was running out.
With Bukhari's heightened vigilance and the imminent installation of cameras in the forest, his window of opportunity was closing fast.
While Bukhari may need some time to set up the additional security measures, Shivam knew he couldn't afford to delay his plans any longer.
Little did Shivam know, Bukhari was already one step ahead, swiftly issuing orders for more CCTV cameras and traps in the forest.
This action was taken when the alarm was raised.
This preemptive action was driven by Bukhari's fear of being targeted under the cover of darkness.
The urgency to fortify his defenses pushed Bukhari to expedite the delivery and installation of the cameras and traps inside the forest without delay.
As each moment passed without any movement from Bukhari's end, Shivam felt the pressure of time weighing heavily on his shoulders.
With each passing second, the urgency to reach the railway station intensified, knowing that his train wouldn't wait for him.
He had to make it home before dinner, adhering to the family's strict norms.
Carefully navigating from one tree to another, Shivam maintained a deliberate pace, ensuring his movements were steady and controlled.
Despite the need for haste, he didn't rush, instead opting for a methodical approach to avoid drawing attention.
His grip on the tree branches was firm, and his muscles tensed with determination as he propelled himself forward.
Amidst the dense foliage, Shivam moved with a sense of purpose, his focus solely on reaching his destination undetected.
Despite the presence of guards scouring the forest for intruders, Shivam's stealthy maneuvers allowed him to slip away unnoticed, his determination guiding him safely out of the forest's confines.
Having successfully evaded the guards and put a considerable distance between himself and the villa, Shivam knew he had to hurry to catch his train.
With the bus station too far from his current location, he resigned himself to the idea of traversing the remaining distance on foot.
As he could feel he was way good at having his boosted strength dash on the road then taking a fair to the station.
The Thane railway station lay approximately 20.8 kilometers away, and the forest that stood in between necessitated taking a longer route along the car road.
Although tempted to take a shortcut through the forest, Shivam deemed it too risky, opting instead for the safer, albeit longer, path.
As he continued along the road, Shivam adjusted his cap to cover the bald spot on his scalp.
He had removed it earlier while navigating through the forest, taking advantage of the solitude and sweltering heat.
Now, with the need to be suppressing the conscious self, he concealed his baldness with the cap, ensuring he covered his bald spot.
With determination propelling him forward, Shivam dashed with all his might, his pace so swift that his cap was swept off his scalp and onto the road behind him.
Shivam's tremendous dash caused his cap to fall, waking him up. With a breath of relief, he realized that nobody was there to make fun of him.
He glanced back briefly, acknowledging the loss of his cover, but knew he couldn't afford to slow down.
Realizing he couldn't retrieve the cap without sacrificing precious time, Shivam reached into his bag and pulled out a surgical mask.
Swiftly donning it, he covered his face, not only to protect himself from the threat of the deadly COVID virus that loomed over civilization but also to conceal his bald spot and maintain his anonymity.
In this era where masks were ubiquitous for health and safety reasons, Shivam found solace in the anonymity they provided.
With his face concealed, he felt a sense of security, knowing he could navigate through crowds without drawing unwanted attention to himself.
Adjusting his mask, he pressed on towards the railway station, determined to reach his destination swiftly and unnoticed.
He dashed from the road with a speed that could rival a professional athlete, his movements propelled by an energy he had never felt before.
Five times faster than his usual pace, Shivam reveled in the exhilarating sensation of the wind rushing past his face as he streaked along the road, surrounded by cars.
Previously confined within the forest, Shivam had never experienced the freedom of open ground to test his newfound abilities.
Now, as he sprinted with incredible speed, he realized he possessed the agility and swiftness to compete in any athletic competition.
Passersby were left astounded by the sight of him, their jaws dropping in disbelief as they witnessed him effortlessly outpace the cars on the road.
Shivam, too, marveled at his own speed, relishing the sensation of moving at such a rapid pace.
Unbeknownst to him, the occupants of cars, including many children and teenagers, captured videos and images of his extraordinary feat on their phones.
However, his identity remained concealed behind the surgical mask he wore, leaving his admirers unaware of the face behind the incredible display of speed.
As Shivam zoomed many cars, some girls couldn't help but notice the bald spot on his scalp, commenting that he would look even more attractive without it.
Despite this observation, they were intrigued by his remarkable speed and agility, snapping photos and videos and sharing their excitement on social media.
"Check out this guy! He's running faster than the cars! 😱 But that bald spot though... he'd be a total heartthrob without it! 😍 #SpeedRunner # MysteryRunner'
There were also numerous negative comments about Shivam, targeting his bald spot and engaging in body shaming.
These remarks directly overshadowed his impressive ability to run swiftly.
"Yo, peep this baldy! His scalp be gleamin' while he's haulin' it! 😱 #ShineyScalpRunner"
"Who needs a mirror when you can see your reflection on his scalp? 😂 #BaldRunner #ShinyHead"
"Running so fast, even his hair couldn't keep up! 😆 #BaldAndBold #SpeedDemon"
"Look at this shiny-headed speedster go! 💨 His bald dome's gleaming brighter than the sun! 😂 #ShinyScalpRunner #BaldAndBold"
Their posts spread like wildfire, eliciting curiosity and admiration from their followers, as well as some negative comments, each of which had its own hip.
Meanwhile, Shivam remained oblivious to attention, focused solely on reaching his destination with the incredible speed granted to him by his newfound abilities.
Shivam realized that even though he was running, he wasn't as fast or timely as he needed to be to reach the Thane railway station, which was quite far from his current location.
The train was scheduled to arrive in half an hour, and he had to cover 20.8 kilometers in that time. It seemed impossible for a car to cover that distance in such a short period of time.
As he continued running as fast as he could, Shivam didn't feel any discomfort or loss of stamina.
He realized that he was continuously absorbing vital energy every second through every part of his body more efficiently than before.
This was a new experience for him. Previously, when he attempted to complete a 10-kilometer run, he felt discomfort and fatigue.
However, due to the unknown burst of strength, he could now push forward without any discomfort compared to before,It was a breeze for him to dash without any haffing of his breath.
"As Shivam pondered how to reach the railway station faster, a newfound ability came to mind.
This ability enhanced his strength but altered his vision, allowing him to see the energy coursing through objects like an X-ray.
However, he was apprehensive about adapting to this new way of seeing.
"He understood that mastering this new ability would require practice and patience, but time was not on his side.
With the impending departure of his train, he faced the dilemma of either missing it and facing repercussions from his family, especially his grandfather, or to speed up his dash by harnessing this newfound power to expedite his journey.
This ability, which converted vital energy into a blue energy that bolstered his strength, held immense potential, but he had yet to comprehend its full extent.
As he weighed his options, a sense of urgency washed over him, driving him to take a leap of faith and embrace the unknown.
With determination in his heart and a flicker of hope in his mind, he steeled himself to confront the challenges ahead, knowing that the path to mastering his abilities would be fraught with obstacles."
As Shivam continued to run, he deliberately slowed his pace to a meditative rhythm, focusing his concentration on his surroundings while adjusting his speed to minimize any potential distractions or accidents.
Gradually, he veered onto a quieter side road, allowing the rush of passing cars to overtake him swiftly.
Unbeknownst to him, several motorists had noticed his unusual demeanor and slowed their pace, taking advantage of the opportunity to capture videos and photos of the peculiar sight.
Lost in his inner thoughts and determination, Shivam remained oblivious to the commotion around him as he channeled his emotions into a potent blend of anger and resolve.
As this surge of emotion coursed through him, his root lotus chakra activated, unleashing a powerful surge of chakra energy that flowed through his entire being, converging at his eyes.
In an instant, his eyes began to radiate with an intense, fiery blue light, emanating pure chakra energy that remained invisible to ordinary observers.
As Shivam's chakras, amplified by the Kundalini Optimize Stone, surged with potent energy, his entire being became suffused with an unparalleled strength.
Every vein and fiber of his being pulsed with the raw power of chakra, doubling his physical capabilities to new heights.
With this newfound energy coursing through him, Shivam's senses were heightened to an extraordinary degree.
His vision, now akin to an x-ray, allowed him to perceive every object in his surroundings with unparalleled clarity.
The cars whizzing by, their engines roaring in the distance, appeared before him as pulsating sources of energy, each movement and vibration visible to his heightened senses.
With every step, Shivam moved with swiftness and grace, his movements fluid and precise.
Despite the increased pace, Shivam's perception of time seemed to slow, granting him the ability to anticipate every possible outcome with ease.
His heightened awareness allowed him to navigate his surroundings effortlessly, his movements guided by an instinctual understanding of his environment.
With his newfound strength and vision, Shivam pressed forward, propelled by determination and resolve.
Shivam marveled at the newfound surge of strength coursing through him, emanating as vibrant blue veins that seemed to amplify his every movement.
With this augmented power, he felt confident that he could easily take on multiple security guards, perhaps even five at once, without breaking a sweat.
Though his ultimate goal was to reach the station, Shivam couldn't help but test the limits of his enhanced abilities. With a burst of energy, he propelled himself forward, surpassing the cars ahead with astonishing speed.
Passersby watched in disbelief as the mysterious masked figure, dressed in casual attire, dashed past them with seemingly superhuman agility.
Once again, bystanders found themselves in awe as the masked runner demonstrated unparalleled speed and strength, moving with a fluidity and grace that defied explanation.
Each stride carried him forward with remarkable ease, his movements resembling those of a seasoned athlete on performance-enhancing substances.
Unbeknownst to Shivam, his extraordinary burst of speed attracted the attention of onlookers, who scrambled to capture the moment on camera or video.
However, his rapid pace left them futile in their attempts as he swiftly outpaced their efforts, disappearing into the distance before they could even press the shutter button.
Despite his remarkable feat of speed, Shivam remained oblivious to the spectacle he had caused. For him, the focus was solely on reaching the railway station in time to catch his train.
With each stride, he propelled himself closer to his destination, fueled by the surge of energy coursing through his veins.
Upon arriving at the station, Shivam was amazed to find himself cool and composed; his clothes didn't even have a drop of sweat on them, devoid of any signs of exertion despite covering over 20 kilometers in record time.
He felt an inexplicable sense of ease and comfort, as if the feat he had just accomplished was no more taxing than a leisurely stroll.
With a sense of accomplishment, Shivam boarded the train, relieved to have successfully overcome the odds and reached his destination on time.
As Shivam settled into his seat on the train, he focused on calming the surging energy within him, willing the chakra energy to dissipate and return his vision to normal.
However, as the chakra dissolved, a sudden wave of pain coursed through his legs and body, accompanied by an unfamiliar sensation of sweating.
Although the discomfort was bearable, Shivam couldn't shake the feeling of unease, realizing that this must be the aftermath of using his newfound ability.
Concerned by the unexpected aftermath of his newfound ability, Shivam resolved to seek answers from the Red Band.
He needed to understand the origins and implications of this power that had manifested within him.
Little did he know, the surge of pain and sweating were mere glimpses of the potential dangers lurking beneath the surface.
Unaware of the risks associated with manipulating blue colored energy without proper understanding what it is, Shivam's curiosity could lead him down a perilous path if left unchecked.
the fact that the surge of power he experienced was a result of his Root Lotus Petal chakra opening.
While it provided him with heightened strength, his body was not yet synchronized to contain the chakra energy properly due to a lack of fitness, and the body is yet to be detoxified to contain the chakra to enhance his body.
Without this detoxification, prolonged use of his newfound abilities could have severe consequences, potentially leading to fatal outcomes.
Just as Shivam was enduring the pain, he noticed many passengers staring at him.
They were watching his state, his clothes were drenched in sweat, and veins popped all over his body from the strain of exertion, a clear sign that his body wasn't accustomed to handling the new ability of his.
Realizing his condition was abnormal, he was examined.
Cautiously, he averted his gaze, pulling out his phone to assess his appearance on the camera. Odd gazes from fellow passengers made him uneasy, compounded by the discomfort and profuse sweating.
Opening the front camera application, he beheld a startling sight on the screen of his smartphone: veins pulsating visibly across his skin, a stark reminder of the strain he was under.
It was a first-time experience for Shivam, and though the pain was bearable, he couldn't help but feel grateful that he hadn't pushed himself too far.
Overexertion could have left him collapsed on the train floor, writhing in agony.
The pain started to increase.
The strain was evident in the tight lines of his muscles and the pulsing veins that traced a web of anguish across his skin.
Covered with sweat, he glistened on his face, mingling with the furrowed lines of pain etched there.
With each breath, his chest heaved, the rhythmic rise and fall a testament to the turmoil within, which started after a few seconds of calming his blue energy within as his heart was also starting to beat at a fast speed, which didn't seem normal at all.
His hands, normally steady, now trembled with the previous effort of containing the surging energy coursing through his veins.
Every movement sent a jolt of discomfort rippling through his limbs, the throbbing veins standing out starkly against the pallor of his skin.
Even his legs are now twitching due to increasing pain, as if struggling to bear the pain.
As he glanced around, he could feel the weight of the stares from his fellow passengers, their curious gazes like needles pricking at his already frayed nerves.
He longed to hide his discomfort, to shield himself from their scrutiny, but there was nowhere to hide—no escape from the relentless scrutiny of those around him.
As he grappled with the pain coursing through his body, Shivam couldn't shake the fear that he might have overdone it, tapping into the blue light energy to strengthen himself.
Such a misstep would spell disaster.
One of the passengers couldn't contain himself and asked, "Are you okay, brother?"
Shivam replied without removing his mask, "Yes, I'm good."
He kept his mask on, not wanting to reveal his true appearance to avoid any potential photos being taken and posted on social media, which could lead to disaster given the curious stares directed at him.
After responding, he swiftly inserted his earphones, tuning in to the AI Red Band.
He had no intention of entertaining any further questions from the passengers, who seemed to be waiting their turn to inquire about his condition.
Shivam preferred to keep to himself, avoiding any unnecessary interaction.
Shivam opened the "Dot" application on his phone and accessed the AI panel.
With a sense of urgency, he expressed his concerns through the text about his newfound ability, wanting to understand its intricacies and potential risks.
Being mindful of the crowded train compartment and the need for privacy, he opted to communicate with the AI through text rather than speaking aloud.
This way, he could maintain confidentiality while seeking the answers he desperately needed.
As he typed away on his phone, the screen displayed a split view, showing both his messages and the AI's responses, ensuring that his inquiries remained discreet from the prying eyes of his fellow passengers.
Just when the Ai that was the Red Band appeared on his screen, Shivam was about to type when the Red Band stated.
"Author's Note: Sometimes, you'll see brackets like () or {} in the text. These are used to help explain tricky words or situations in the story. For example, if there's something important about Shivam or another character that needs clarification, you'll find it explained in these brackets."
*****