Mumbai Criminal Zone, 7:15 PM.
Inside the control room, a maze of screens displayed the live footage from various villages within A Zone. The hum of machinery filled the air, punctuated by the occasional burst of static from the intercoms. Commissioner Rajesh Varma stood at the central console, his eyes scanning the myriad of visuals with practiced precision.
Suddenly, the door to the control room burst open, and Warden Desai, breathless and in his police uniform, rushed in. "Sir!" he exclaimed, hurrying to Varma's side. "All prisoners have returned from their outside work before the 7 p.m. deadline. All except one."
Varma's attention snapped to Desai, his eyes narrowing. "Who is missing?" he demanded, already getting ready to issue a search warrant for the criminal.
Desai swallowed hard, his voice trembling slightly. "Sir, it's Demon Supreme Vikram Das."
The color drained from Varma's face as he straightened up, then just as quickly, he slumped back into his seat, rubbing his temples. "Demon Supreme, of all people..." The commissioner muttered in a lazy tone.
Desai, noticing the commissioner's sudden change in demeanor, looked perplexed. "Sir, a prisoner escaped from 'A' zone after so many years. Aren't you worried?" He asked, his voice tinged with urgency.
"Why would I? Once, I offered him a chance to leave this criminal zone by providing a surety for his release. But he denied it."
Desai blinked, stunned. "He denied it? Why would he do that?"
"Because," Varma continued, leaning back in his chair, "Vikram Das has no reason to escape. He has unfinished business, something that ties him here. If he's not back yet, it's because he's dealing with something important. He's not the type to flee."
The warden frowned, his worry not entirely dispelled. "But, sir, what if something happened to him? What if—"
Varma let out a long sigh, a weary smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Desai, do you know why Vikram Das is called the number one Demon Supreme?"
Desai shook his head, clearly agitated. "Because he's the most feared criminal in this zone? Because his crimes are unspeakable?"
"Yes, and no," Varma replied, his tone reflective. "Das has his own code of honor. He is a humble man who always respects everyone. He is the most patient man I have seen in my life. But he will become a beast if someone crosses his line.
Das will come back. If he's late, it's likely due to some unforeseen circumstances. Maybe he helped a passerby; who knows? He's unpredictable that way. For now, continue your duty as usual. If he's not back by midnight, we'll escalate."
Desai sighed deeply, nodding reluctantly. "Understood, Sir."
As Desai left, Varma watched the screens with a newfound intensity, his mind racing with thoughts about what could have gone wrong with Das.
_
7:45 PM
Das's ambassador car reached close to the city. Under the night lights, the roads were glowing like lightening threads.
Das sat close to the steering as his back was still bloody red. Lily's hands were shaking as she thought about what to do now. She doesn't know what happened after she escaped from the marriage ceremony.
"We are getting close to the city. Where should I drop you?" Das asked while checking the time. He is pretty much silent during the entire journey. His thoughts were swirling around Mohini and the magic she did.
He is now making some serious decisions about his life. His family, which had been silent for all these years, finally sent someone in his direction. After encountering Mohini, Das finally got an answer to some things that he hadn't believed in the past.
"Das, first, stop the car at the hospital to treat your wounds. Also, I will come with you to the criminal zone to give an explanation. Otherwise, you might get punishment for delay." Lily said while popping her fingers in tension.
But Das denied her in a straight-forward manner. "I can manage things in the criminal zone. Don't worry about me. Also, my wound has already healed up. Tell me, where should I drop you?" Das asked.
"Why do you always want to get rid of me?" Lily spoke impatiently with tears in her eyes.
Das stayed silent and continued to drive the car. He is not in the mood to pamper Lily anymore. He also knew that Lily should go home now, as her family might be looking for her.
Lily fell into a dilemma about where to go now. After seeing the serious face of Das, with a determined look, she finally shut the airplane mode on her sister's mobile.
Just after a minute, her mobile began vibrating with her number. Lily hurriedly answered the call.
"Sister, where are you?" Lily's sister, Savi, asked in a tense tone from the other side.
"I just entered the city. How is the situation at home?" Lily asked while removing tear marks from her face using the edges of her bridal saree.
As the volume is a little louder, Das can also hear what the two sisters were speaking.
"Sister, our old man gathered all the family members in the central hall. He is not letting anyone leave until you come back. Everyone is blaming our mom and dad. Because of the Sharma family rumour, our entire business is closed, and everyone is making comments on our family." Savi spoke emotionally while controlling tears.
"What rumour? Lily asked in a confused tone.
"They said you eloped with a taxi driver from a criminal zone."
The car came to an abrupt stop. Das turned towards Lily. Both of them stared at each other in confusion. They did not understand how to react in such a situation. Lily's eyes went wide in surprise, and Das felt like smashing the bastard face who spread that rumor.
Unknowingly, he became part of the big drama going on in Lily's life. Both of them didn't utter a single word. After a brief pause, they immediately turned their heads away.
"Sister… hello… sister…" Savi continued to call out in worry.
"Hello… sister… Are you alright?" [Savi]
"Yes, tell mother that I'm coming home and don't believe in any rumours." Lily said it in a serious tone.
"Okay... Someone coming in this direction. Bye." Savi replied in hurry and disconnected the call.