UNIVERSITY ARC
A few minutes earlier, during his journey to Kubera's villa, Surya Raj made a quick call to someone to gather information. He had intentionally avoided discussing the situation earlier, knowing he was in his office. It was too risky to speak.
Nearly twenty luxury cars rolled up to Kubera's office entrance, engines purring to a stop. The sun cast a warm golden glow over the sprawling estate, but there was a chill in the air that even the summer heat couldn't dispel. Inside, Kubera was engrossed in reading through some documents, unaware of the storm about to break upon him.
Surya Raj, flanked by his formidable bodyguards, entered the villa without hesitation. His steps were measured, purposeful, like a predator closing in on its prey.
Kubera, ever the charming host, quickly rose to greet his guest, a welcoming smile plastered on his face. But the moment Surya Raj caught sight of Kubera, his expression darkened. Without a word, he drew a sleek pistol from his coat and fired a single shot. The crack of the gunshot echoed through the marble halls, and Kubera's agonized scream followed as he clutched his bleeding arm.
The sound of the gunshot brought Kubera's security started rushing into the room. But before they could react, Surya Raj's men moved with lethal precision. Each guard fell to the ground, a single bullet through the head—an execution rather than a fight. The once-pristine walls of the villa were now splattered with blood, a stark contrast to the elegant decor.
Kubera, wide-eyed and trembling, stared at the carnage. For the first time in years, fear gnawed at his insides.
Kubera's voice was shaky, his usual bravado gone.
|"Sir, what happened? Is there a misunderstanding? Please, tell me what I've done wrong!"|
Surya Raj's eyes blazed with fury.
|"Shut up, you snake. How dare you pretend ignorance?"|
He struck Kubera across the face with brutal force, sending him reeling. Blood trickled from Kubera's split lip, his dignity shattered as easily as glass in front of his employees and staff members.
For safety, Surya raj dragged him to a secured seminar hall. After closing all the doors, Surya raj shouted.
|"Do you have a death wish, Kubera? Why are you playing with fire?"|
Kubera stammered, his mind racing to grasp the situation.
|"I... I don't understand, sir. What did I do?" |
|"Enough with your lies! Why did you target the Lama Group of Industries?"|
Surya Raj's voice was ice-cold, each word a blade slicing through Kubera's feigned ignorance. Kubera had done his homework before going after the Lama Group. He'd thoroughly researched their background, their connections, and found nothing that concerned him. Or so he thought. Now, faced with Surya Raj's wrath, he realized just how badly he had miscalculated.
|"S-sir, I didn't know they were connected to you. If I had known, I would never have touched their business. Please believe me, I didn't mean to cross any lines."|
Surya Raj laughed, a harsh, mirthless sound.
|"Kubera, you really don't get it, do you? I already warned you once, but you didn't listen. This is your last chance. Apologize to their family, withdraw from their business, and pray you don't end up dead."|
|"Yes, yes, sir. I'll back off immediately. I'll go to their family in person and apologize. I swear I had no idea. I'm so sorry, sir."|
Kubera was almost grovelling now, desperation oozing from every word. Surya Raj's laughter turned into a mocking chuckle.
|"You fool, you still don't understand the gravity of your situation."|
Kubera's confusion deepened.
|"Sir, what do you mean?"|
With a terrifying calmness, Surya Raj leaned in, his voice barely above a whisper.
|"Kubera, you've angered the one man you should never cross. His power is beyond your comprehension, his wrath something you wouldn't survive."|
Kubera's face was drained of colour.
|"Who... who is this person, sir? I'll apologize, I'll do whatever it takes."|
Surya Raj shook his head, amused by Kubera's fear.
|"You? Apologize? You aren't even worth the dirt on his shoes. He could crush you, me, and this entire city if he wanted. He's been watching you, Kubera! Your every move, every mistake. Consider yourself lucky that he's only sent me to deliver a message instead of killing."|
Kubera's heart raced as sweat beaded on his forehead. He could feel the walls closing in, the weight of his arrogance suffocating him.
|"Who... who is this person?"
But Surya Raj offered no names, only a final warning.
|"From now on, tread carefully. Your life depends on it."|
Without another word, Surya Raj turned on his heel and left, his bodyguards following silently. The office, once filled with opulence, now felt like a tomb.
As the roar of the convoy's engines faded into the distance, Kubera's son, Raghava, emerged from the security room where he had been hiding. His face twisted with rage as he stormed towards his father.
|"Why, Dad? Why are you just letting this go? Who was that man? We should kill him for humiliating you!"|
Kubera, still clutching his wounded arm, slapped Raghava across the face.
|"You fool! That man is Surya Raj. Do you know what you've done? You've nearly gotten us all killed because of your recklessness!"|
Raghava, still seething, demanded answers.
|"Who is Surya Raj, and why does he hold so much power over you?"|
Kubera's voice dropped to a trembling whisper.
|"Surya Raj is one of the most feared figures in the underworld and a powerful businessman. He's connected to international power players, controls politicians, and commands respect from every criminal in this state. An unknown massive power behind him to support. If he wanted, he could wipe us out without breaking a sweat."|
Raghava's anger was replaced by shock.
|"But, Father, why would he come here personally for a small company like the Lama Group? It doesn't make sense."|
|"Exactly! There's something we're missing, something bigger than we expected. Surya Raj wasn't protecting the Lama Group. He was sent by someone even more powerful. But who?"|
Both father and son fell silent, the weight of their predicament hanging heavily in the air. They had underestimated their enemy, and now they were entangled in a web of danger they couldn't fully understand.
Meanwhile, I found myself at a park, trying to clear my head. I sat on a bench, watching a couple share an ice cream, lost in their own world. Their laughter brought back memories of Kusuma. Once upon a time, she and I had walked similar paths. She was always there, guiding me, pushing me to do better in my studies. Where was she now? Was she doing well? Regret gnawed at me for never making the time to apologize to her.
My phone buzzed, pulling me back to the present. It was Keshava.
| "Hey, Manoj, great news! Geetha is safe now. You've got to come to her house right away."|
Relief washed over me. Finally, Geetha could smile again. She was a good person, just a bit trapped by her status. I headed straight to her house, eager to share in the happiness.
When I arrived, the atmosphere was jubilant. Geetha's family and friends were gathered, joy lighting up their faces. Geetha herself was beaming, her eyes shining. She shared her gratitude with a voice thick with emotion.
|"Thank you all for being there for me. I couldn't have made it through without your support."|
Just then, Rahul walked in, looking troubled. His usual swagger was gone, replaced by uncertainty.
|"Geetha, I... I need to tell you something."|
|"Rahul, you saved us. My family is safe because of you. I don't even have words to thank you enough."|
Rahul blinked in surprise.
|"Me? What did I do?"|
Geetha smiled warmly.
|"You stood by your word. That man, Surya Raj, he scared that bastard Kubera off. I'm free because of you. Thank you, Rahul."|
Rahul, still baffled, managed to play along.
|"Of course, I spoke to him. I knew he'd come through."|
I watched the scene unfold, realizing that Rahul had inadvertently taken credit for something he didn't do. But I wasn't about to correct him. If it brought peace to Geetha and her family, I was fine with letting Rahul bask in the glory. For now, it was a relief to let things play out as they were.