Surya's lips curved into a wry smile as he responded, his tone tinged with sarcasm yet laced with affection.
"I happened to land multiple movie offers all at once, sis," he explained, his words delivered with a hint of jest.
"Seems like my acting skills are finally paying off. But don't worry, I haven't resorted to a life of crime just yet. If I ever do, you'll be the first to know," he added, his eyes twinkling mischievously.
His sister's smile widened at his playful retort, her own laughter mingling with his.
"Sure, let me know," she replied, her voice filled with warmth and reassurance.
"And remember, I'll always be here to help you, no matter what you need."
Relief washed over Surya as the doctor emerged from the operation room with news of success.
"Thank you," Surya expressed his gratitude with a heartfelt nod, his voice tinged with emotion.
Turning to the doctor with a hopeful gaze, he inquired, "Can we see our mother now?"
The doctor, her expression gentle yet firm, offered a word of caution. "It would be best to allow her some rest for now," she advised, his tone soothing yet resolute.
Surya's sister nodded in understanding, her concern for their mother evident in her eyes. "Of course, doctor," she responded softly. "We'll wait until she will become completely healthy."
Surya's heart sank as he prepared to deliver the news to his sister, knowing the weight it would bear upon her already burdened shoulders. "I'm sorry, sis," he began, his voice heavy with regret.
"But I have to leave for work tomorrow. You'll have to take care of her in my absence. I promise to return home as soon as possible."
His sister's eyes brimmed with tears as she pleaded with him, her voice trembling with emotion.
"Why does it have to be tomorrow?" she implored, her grip tightening on his hands.
"Please, wait a little longer, until mother gets better."
Surya's heart ached at the sight of his sister's distress, her anguish mirroring his own. With a gentle touch, he sought to console her, his words carrying a reassuring tone.
"I understand, sis," he murmured, offering her a comforting embrace. "I'll be back before you know it. You're not alone in this, I promise."
Slowly, his sister's tears began to subside, her resolve strengthened by Surya's unwavering support.
With a nod of acceptance, she finally agreed to his departure, knowing that their mother's recovery was their shared priority, no matter the sacrifice.
As dawn broke on the following day, Surya made his way to the hospital, his footsteps heavy with a mixture of determination and apprehension.
As he entered his mother's room, a pang of sorrow gripped his heart at the sight of her still unconscious form.
With trembling hands, he reached out and gently clasped her hand, his touch a silent reassurance amidst the quiet of the room.
In that moment, as he stood by his mother's bedside, Surya found himself grappling with the weight of the path he had chosen.
The road ahead was fraught with uncertainty and danger, yet he knew deep down that it was a journey he had no choice but to undertake.
With a heavy heart, he whispered to himself, acknowledging the risks that lay ahead.
Summoning all his courage, Surya leaned down and pressed a tender kiss to his mother's hand, his gesture a silent vow to see their struggles through to the end.
With a final, lingering glance, he silently bid her farewell and turned to leave the hospital, his resolve steeled by the love and determination that burned within him.
And as he stepped out into the world beyond, he knew that no matter what trials lay ahead, he would face them head-on, driven by a fierce determination to carve out a better future for those he held dear.
As Surya stepped off the plane and onto familiar ground, his senses heightened with anticipation. His phone buzzed with a message, directing him to a nearby hotel.
Arriving at the hotel, Surya approached the reception desk and presented the PDF document he had received.
The receptionist nodded in acknowledgment before handing him the keys to Room 201, a silent cue that his journey was far from over.
Entering the room, Surya's eyes fell upon a lone bag placed conspicuously in the corner. With cautious steps, he approached it, his senses on high alert.
Just as he was about to inspect its contents, his new phone sprang to life, the sound of Arjun's voice cutting through the silence.
"Wear the clothes in that bag," Arjun instructed, his voice cool and commanding. "And be sure to exchange your cap for the one provided."
As Surya unzipped the bag, he retrieved the cap and garments one by one, his hands moving with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
The absence of any weapon within the bag prompted him to voice his concern to Arjun.
"There's no weapon here," Surya remarked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Arjun's response was swift and unfaltering. "Are you prepared to take a life? Do you possess the courage for such an act?" he queried, his tone firm yet devoid of judgment.
Surya hesitated, his mind grappling with the weight of Arjun's words. "I don't know," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
But Arjun's reassurance was swift to follow. "Don't worry," he assured, his voice carrying a hint of conviction.
"Even without a weapon, you remain untouchable. Wear the clothes provided and proceed to the same location as yesterday. For your convenience, the coordinates have been sent to your new phone. You won't be able to carry the GPS device today."
As Surya approached the designated location, his senses on high alert, he found himself in communication with Arjun through his earbuds, eagerly awaiting instructions.
A figure stood there waiting, his eyes scanning the arrivals with keen interest.
"Are you Athene?" the person inquired as Surya drew near, his tone edged with anticipation.
Without hesitation, Surya affirmed his identity. "Yes," he replied, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through his veins.
The person wasted no time in conducting a thorough check, his hands probing for any concealed weapons. Following Arjun's guidance, Surya remained composed, offering no resistance as the search continued.
But amidst the tension, a question weighed on Surya's mind. "What if you and your associates are armed?" he ventured, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
In response, the person before him offered a reassuring smirk, dismissing his concerns with a wave of his hand. "Don't worry," he assured him, his confidence unwavering.
"This is a secure environment. We understand the importance of trust in our transactions. You're safe here, under our protection."
The person motioned for Surya to follow him, leading the way with purpose through the deserted streets.
Along the journey, a question arose, breaking the silence between them. "Are you talking with someone?" the person inquired, his gaze sharp and curious.
Surya shook his head in response, a faint smile playing on his lips. "No, it's just a habit," he explained casually.
"I tend to listen to a lot of music, you see. Sometimes, it feels like there's always a song playing in my head. Would you like to check?" he offered, half-jokingly.
But the person waved off his offer with a dismissive gesture. "No need," he replied, his tone relaxed. "It's alright."
Their conversation then shifted, the person probing further. "Do you work alone?" he questioned. Surya nodded, a sense of assurance in his voice.
"Yes," he affirmed. "You guys don't typically do business with solo operators, do you?"
A smile tugged at the corners of the person's lips as he reassured him. "No need to worry," he replied, his tone reassuring.
"We're just interested in getting the job done, regardless of how many hands are involved in it."
As they arrived at a secluded lane filled with a group of waiting individuals, Surya couldn't shake off the unease that settled within him.
The person who had escorted him joined the group, blending seamlessly into their midst.
Surya's presence seemed to elicit a reaction from one of the members, who greeted him with a mixture of surprise and skepticism.
"He actually showed up, huh," the individual remarked, his tone tinged with disbelief and mockery.
Perplexed by the remark, Surya couldn't help but inquire, "Why do you say that? And who is your leader?"
In response, another member of the group stepped forward, offering a reluctant apology.
"Sorry, brother. We're not the higher-ranking members of 'The Shadow Cartel' group," he explained, his voice betraying a hint of remorse.
With a swift motion, he retrieved a gun from his side and leveled it at Surya, his demeanor suddenly shifting.
"From today, you'll be working under us," he declared, his words punctuated by the cold steel of the weapon aimed in Surya's direction.
Caught off guard by the sudden turn of events, Surya's heart raced with a mixture of fear and uncertainty.
As he stood face to face with the ominous threat before him, he realized that he had unwittingly stepped into a dangerous game, one where the stakes were higher than he could have ever imagined.
The chilling threat hung heavy in the air as another member of the group stepped forward, his words dripping with malice. "I don't think we need a gun for this," he sneered, brandishing an iron rod menacingly.
"We can make him to accept with just this. What do you say, Mr. Athene?" His tone carried a mocking edge, sending a shiver down Surya's spine.
With fear gnawing at his insides, Surya felt the weight of the situation pressing down on him. But even in the midst of his rising panic, a voice of reason cut through the chaos.
Through his earpiece, Arjun's steady voice urged him to remain calm, to stay composed in the face of danger.
Summoning all his courage, Surya squared his shoulders and addressed the group with a steely resolve.
"Is this how you operate? Resorting to such crude methods?" His voice carried a weight of authority, a hint of command demanding attention.
"This is your final chance. Are you willing to make a deal or not?"
His words seemed to strike a nerve with the individual holding the gun. Frustration flashed across his face as he tightened his grip on the weapon.
"Do you think this is a toy gun? Huh?" he retorted sharply, his tone laced with contempt.
With a swift motion, he fired a shot into the air, the sound echoing through the tense silence like a thunderclap.
"There," he declared, his voice dripping with disdain. "You can at least trust me on this."
Though fear threatened to overwhelm him, Surya stood his ground, his resolve unshaken.
With Arjun's guidance ringing in his ears, he knew that he had to remain steadfast in the face of danger.
Following Arjun's instructions, Surya raised his hand, mimicking the stance of someone holding a gun, his fingers outstretched as if taking aim at the thug before him who was holding the real gun.
With a firm voice, he declared, "I placed my trust in you all, only to be deceived and betrayed. For this betrayal, you all will pay with your lives."
His declaration elicited laughter from the assembled thugs. Their mocking laughter echoed through the alleyway as they couldn't believe what was happening in front of them.