Veer had prepared meticulously for his meeting with Munni's brother. Dressing in a plain, oversized sweater, worn-out sneakers, and thick-rimmed glasses that distorted his eyes, he looked like the epitome of a harmless, socially awkward nerd. To complete the act, he adjusted his posture to look hunched and hesitant, rehearsing an innocent, nervous tone.
The meeting was tense from the start. Munni's brother, a sharp-eyed teenager no older than 16, was already waiting, flanked by three other boys who shared his rough demeanor. They had chosen a desolate alley for the meeting, the kind of place where conversations could turn violent without interference.
As Veer approached, clutching his backpack tightly and feigning clumsiness, he could feel the weight of their gazes. Munni's brother, lean but with a commanding presence, stepped forward. "You're the guy, huh?" His voice was calm but carried an edge. "The one who got my sister into trouble."
Veer blinked rapidly, adjusting his glasses as if he could barely see. "N-no! I think there's been a misunderstanding. I-I just wanted to help her!" he stammered, his voice trembling.
The gang chuckled, and Munni's brother tilted his head, studying Veer. "Help her? A guy like you? You look like you can barely help yourself."
Veer scratched his head nervously, forcing a sheepish grin. "I... I just thought... you know, she looked upset, and I wanted to... um, make sure she was okay. That's all!"
Munni's brother wasn't convinced. "You think I'd believe that? Guys like you always have something up their sleeves." He stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. "Maybe I should teach you a lesson for sticking your nose where it doesn't belong."
The gang surrounded Veer, their smirks widening. Veer inwardly calculated his options. *Let them think I'm weak. Let them make the first move.*
Just as things were about to escalate, a voice broke through the tension. "STOP!" Munni ran into the alley, her face red and tear-streaked. She stepped between Veer and her brother, her small hands pressing against her brother's chest. "Please, Bhai! Don't do this!"
Veer's meeting with munni's brother (Raja) had been tense, but it had also revealed more about Munni's brother than he expected. After he'd feigned nervousness, dressed as the quintessential nerd, and avoided escalating the situation, Munni stepped in just in time to prevent a full-blown confrontation. However, the entire incident left Veer with more questions than answers.
As Raja walked away, his eyes still glaring at Veer, he muttered, "You got lucky today. Don't think I'll forget you, kid. You don't mess with my family."
Veer, still pretending to be the harmless nerd, adjusted his glasses awkwardly and replied meekly, "I-I won't, I swear. I just wanted to make sure everything was alright."
Raja's gaze lingered for a moment longer before he gestured to his gang and started to walk away, his voice cold as he called to Veer. "You better stay out of my sister's life, or you won't like what happens next."
Munni's pleading look as she followed her brother was the only thing that made Raja pull back for now. But Veer knew better than to relax. *This was just the beginning. I need to keep an eye on him and figure out what his real intentions are.*
After they left, Veer waited for a moment before making a discreet U-turn. He needed to know where they were going.
For the rest of the day, he followed them in the shadows, keeping a safe distance while observing. Raja, still not entirely trusting of Veer, had surrounded himself with a crew of younger teens, all of them looking for trouble. They walked aimlessly through the city, popping in and out of various hangouts—dive bars, alleyways, and the like.
Veer's curiosity led him to one place that made his pulse quicken—a grimy, rundown building he recognized from a few weeks ago. *That's the place where the stolen purse ended up,* he realized. *This guy, Raja, is involved in far more than just protecting his sister. He's got his hands in everything.thuggery, maybe even organized crime.*
The realization weighed on Veer, but it also drove him forward. He needed to gather more information.
---
The following Monday, Veer tried to focus on his daily routine. He began the day with a workout, meditated to steady his emotions, and headed to school. Sonia's usual morning nagging was a welcome distraction, and by the time he arrived at class, he had resolved to keep his focus on present tasks, setting aside future worries.
During lunch, Veer joined Aryan and the group, who were discussing their evening plans. Veer's attention, however, was drawn to Suhana, who still seemed upset with him. For days, he had tried everything to make her laugh—jokes, compliments, even a clumsy attempt at juggling—yet she remained cold.
As the bell rang, Veer noticed Suhana leaving for the washroom and decided it was time to confront her. On her way back, he intercepted her, gently grabbing her wrist. "Suhana, wait. We need to talk."
She frowned, pulling back slightly. "What is it now, Veer?"
Leading her to a quiet corner, Veer leaned against the wall, placing his right hand above her, close to her face. The gesture felt dramatic and slightly cringeworthy, but it worked in getting her attention.
"I'm sorry," he began, his voice soft but earnest. "I know I messed up. When you asked me what was bothering me, I didn't answer. Instead of being honest, I flirted like an idiot. And that broke the trust between us."
Suhana's lips parted to speak, but Veer gently placed a finger on her lips. "Let me finish," he said. "You were worried about me, and I dismissed your concern. That wasn't fair to you. I understand if you're still mad, but I want to fix this. I want us to be okay again. And…" He hesitated, taking a deep breath. "I'd like to take you out on a proper date to make it up to you."
Suhana's expression softened, though she tried to maintain her composure. "Fine," she said with mock indifference. "Tomorrow night. Dinner. Don't be late."
Veer couldn't help but smile. "I'll be there. And I'll make sure it's a night you won't forget."
As she walked away, her faint smile betrayed the happiness she tried to hide. Veer, meanwhile, felt a mix of relief and anticipation.
---
That evening, after a long day of observations, Veer decided to unwind a bit. He headed to the library club, where he had his regular meetings. The library, though not the most exciting place, was a haven for Veer, who enjoyed the solitude and peace it provided.
As he walked through the door, the club leader, a quiet girl named Arushi, was sorting through some books on the shelf. She looked up, giving him a slight smile. "Veer. I didn't expect you today. I thought you'd be busy with... well, whatever it is you do."
Veer chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his neck. "You know, just the usual. Training, studying... And actually, I've been thinking about writing a book."
Arushi raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A book? I didn't know you were into writing."
"Yeah, well," Veer shrugged, "I've always had an interest in stories, especially screenwriting. You know, like movies and stuff. I've got an idea in mind, but I'm not sure how to start. Maybe I'll try writing a book first, or a script if I get the time."
Arushi nodded thoughtfully, clearly impressed. "I think you'd be good at it. You have an interesting way of thinking. What's the story about?"
Veer leaned against the desk, tapping his fingers. "I'm not entirely sure yet. But it's going to be something with action, intrigue... maybe even a little bit of mystery. I want it to be something people can relate to, though. Something real. But yeah, I need to get more practice with my writing."
Arushi smiled, clearly pleased by his ambition. "I think you should go for it. You have potential."
Veer smiled back, grateful for her support. "Thanks. Maybe one day, you'll be reading my work."
"Well," Arushi teased, "just don't forget us little people when you're famous."
Veer laughed, then turned his attention back to his plans. "For now, though, I'll focus on my martial arts and other training. I have to stay sharp, you know? The world out there can be pretty dangerous, and I'm still learning how to navigate it."
---
After leaving the library club, Veer went straight to his martial arts class, where he worked hard, refining his skills. He sparred intensely with his partner, Mr. Rao, pushing his limits as usual. The class, though grueling, left him feeling accomplished.
By the time his tuition session with Diya was over, Veer was mentally and physically drained, but not too tired to let his guard down. After all, the world was filled with threats, and he needed to be prepared for whatever came next.
Once everything finished, he settled into his room and allowed himself a brief moment of relaxation. Flicking on the TV, he switched to the news channel, half-hoping for some clue that might help him with his investigation into Raja and his network.
The news anchor's voice broke through the silence. "In today's headlines, the city's underworld sees increasing violence, with reports linking street gangs to a larger organized crime syndicate. Authorities are tightening security as they try to identify the masterminds behind the recent uptick in robberies and smuggling operations."
Veer sat up, his interest piqued. *This is it. Raja and arjun's gang is just the tip of the iceberg. I need to figure out who's running the show.*
As the news continued, Veer's mind raced. *Investing in companies is also something I need to consider. If I can find a way to gain more resources, I'll be able to investigate more effectively. Maybe even take down some of these syndicates. I'll need to work smarter, not harder.*
The rest of the evening was spent devising plans, both for his personal training and his growing investigation into the criminal world around him. He made mental notes, ticking off his priorities. Tomorrow would be another busy day, but Veer felt more prepared than ever.
---