Mumbai Criminal Zone…
At the heart of the 'A' Zone, where four roads converged into a broad, open crossroad, a massive gathering had formed. Every member of 'A' zone was present, their faces alight with excitement and their voices raised in jubilant cheers. The news of Das's marriage had spread like wildfire, igniting a celebration unlike any other.
Near the back of the crowd, a group from 'B' zone sat in a tight cluster, their expressions stern and their eyes heavy with judgment. Each of them bore a red skull symbol imprinted on their foreheads, a mark of their place inside the criminal zone.
The crowd continued to murmur loudly about the marriage news of Das and what's going to happen to 'A' zone in his absence.
Das, a young man with mature features, that commanded respect and fear in equal measure, stepped onto the makeshift stage. The crowd fell silent, their adoration for their leader palpable in the air. Das raised his hands, acknowledging the sea of faces before him.
"My friends, my family, for years, you have stood by me and believed in every one of my decision. Today, as I step into a new chapter of my life, I am grateful for each and every one of you. You have been more than comrades; you have been my brothers and sisters."
The crowd erupted into cheers once more, their loyalty to Das evident in their joyous cries. He waited for the noise to subside before continuing.
"But now," he said, his tone growing serious, "I must ask a question. Who among you is ready to become the next Demon Supreme of the Criminal Zone?"
A heavy silence fell over the gathering. The once enthusiastic crowd was now motionless, their heads lowered, and no hands were raised. The weight of Das's question hung in the air, suffocating and inescapable.
Till now, no one thought that about this matter. They were all feeling joy due to Das's marriage. But they forget the news of electing a new leader for the 'A' zone.
Even after two minutes, no one dared to step forward and took the role of Demon Supreme.
Suddenly, a sharp, mocking laugh pierced the quiet. From the back of the crowd, a young man from 'B' zone stood up, his eyes gleaming with contempt.
"What a pathetic bunch of cowards," he sneered. "Soon, my father will reach 'A' zone and become the Demon Supreme. Then, be ready to become slaves under my foot."
The crowd gasped, turning to see the brazen youth, who stood defiantly amidst the solemn gazes of his companions. His father, a stern man with a hardened face, quickly rose to his feet, his expression a mix of fear and anger.
"Raghav, sit down!" he hissed, but it was too late.
Das's gaze turned icy, a chill running through the crowd. He stepped down from the stage, his eyes locked onto Raghav. Each step he took was deliberate, filled with an unspoken threat. The father, realizing the gravity of his son's mistake, grabbed Raghav by the shoulder and forced him to bow.
"Apologize," the father demanded, his voice trembling. "Apologize to everyone."
The young man tried to deny, thinking that Das won't dare to attack him as he is leaving the criminal zone. But his father, the bulk man from 'B' zone smacked on his son's back head and made heel bow down.
Raghav, his defiance momentarily quelled by the presence of Das, bowed his head. "I...I apologize," he muttered, his voice barely audible.
Das stopped in front of them, lifted Raghav by holding his shirt colour, his eyes boring into Raghav's. "Remember this," he said, his voice low and menacing. "No one touches 'A' zone as long as I am alive. A puppy like you will never learn your lesson. So, count your days."
The bulk man Gaurav stood with his head down. He didn't dare to talk back to Das. The 'B' Zone crowd, holding their breath as they stared at the dominance of Das.
Finally, Das turned away, walking back to the stage. The father and son remained bowed, humbled by the encounter.
The meeting concluded with Das reaffirming his position as Demon Supreme, even as he prepared to leave the criminal zone. As everyone asked Das to continue as their leader while living outside, Das agreed reluctantly.
The crowd, once more filled with admiration, approached him with humble gestures, offering their congratulations for his upcoming marriage to a beautiful, wealthy woman.
The members of 'A' zone knew their leader's strength and resolve, and they believed in the knowledge that as long as Das was with them, they were untouchable.
_
Inside house number one, Lily sat comfortably on a plush, faded couch, happily chatting with Das's uncle, Roy.
The cozy living room, filled with old photographs and worn-out furniture, held an air of nostalgia. Uncle Roy, a rugged man with a weathered face and a missing arm, patiently answered Lily's endless questions, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Uncle Roy, how did Das didn't get a formal education?" Lily asked, her curiosity evident in her bright eyes. "And can you tell me how you and Das ended up in this place?"
Uncle Roy chuckled, the sound deep and hearty. The memories of a young, hot-blooded Das swirled in his mind. "You don't need to doubt Das's literacy. He's a hundred times more literate and skilled than anyone you see," he said, his tone filled with pride.
Lily leaned in closer, her interest piqued. Uncle Roy's laughter faded, replaced by a somber expression. "As for why we ended up here," he continued, his voice dropping to a hushed tone, "Das killed more than a hundred people at once. They were all the reason for my missing arm."
He paused, glancing at the empty sleeve where his arm once was. Lily's eyes widened in shock, her hand flying to her mouth. The weight of Uncle Roy's words hung heavily in the air.
"But you don't need to worry about Das now," Uncle Roy reassured her, his tone softening. "He's perfectly in control and won't cause trouble for you or anyone close to you."
Lily felt a wave of relief wash over her mind. Uncle Roy's promising tone eased her fears, and she smiled gratefully. They continued their conversation, delving into lighter topics, sharing stories, and laughter that filled the room with warmth.
Suddenly, the door burst open, and a young boy came running in, his face flushed with excitement. "Uncle, Supreme is back!" he announced breathlessly.
With a sigh, Uncle Roy and Lily stood up. As Lily prepared to leave, Uncle Roy called her back, his voice serious and low. "I might sound little out of line. But my kind request is, Don't fall for my nephew," he said, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her heart skip a beat.
"Das is like a distant moon with spots. People only see spots on moon. When you see the beauty of the full moon, you can't resist. He won't stay beside you in the future. Remember, you two are only acting as a couple for a few-years."
Lily was taken aback by Uncle Roy's words. She nodded, though confusion and surprise swirled in her mind. She had never expected Uncle Roy to be so serious about Das, and his warning echoed in her thoughts as she stepped outside.
The night air was cool, and as Lily walked towards the gathering crowd, Uncle-Roy's words lingered in her mind. She glanced back at the house, where Uncle Roy stood watching her, his expression unreadable. The weight of his warning pressed on her, adding a new layer of complexity to her feelings about Das.
As she joined the celebration outside, the cheers and laughter seemed distant.