CHAPTER 9

It was a refreshing Sunday morning, with a cool breeze blowing and the birds chirping. Kishika opened her eyes and saw the beautiful morning outside. She took a deep breath and tried to feel the freshness in the air. But she wasn't feeling good in anything. The events of the past few days had taken a toll on her. She sat up on her bed and rubbed her eyes, trying to get rid of the fatigue.

Kishika didn't feel like doing anything that day. She didn't even want to get out of bed. Her mind was preoccupied with the events of the previous night. She couldn't shake off the feeling of fear and uncertainty that had gripped her after receiving the threat. She sat on her bed for a while, lost in her thoughts, holding the paper in her hand.

Kishika knew she couldn't tell anyone about the threat. She didn't want to worry her parents or involve them in anything that might put them in danger. She didn't know what to do. She was feeling helpless and scared. She thought about the group of men she had seen yesterday doing a gunshot and wondered if they were the ones who had sent the threat. She had a feeling that they were connected to the mafia, but she didn't know how to confirm it.

Kishika finally got up from the bed, feeling restless and agitated. She went to the window and looked outside, hoping to calm herself down. The sun was shining bright, and the trees were swaying in the wind. But nothing seemed to soothe her. She knew she had to do something, but she didn't know what.

Kishika was standing near the window, holding the paper in her hand and lost in thought about the threatening message she received last night. Suddenly, her phone rang and she was startled out of her reverie. It was Rithvik calling her, and her face lit up with a smile as she answered the call.

As Kishika picked up the call, Rithvik's voice sounded cheerful, "Good morning, Kishika! How are you feeling today?"

Kishika forced a smile and replied, "Morning, Rithvik. I'm feeling okay, just a little tired."

Rithvik sensed something off in Kishika's voice, "Is everything alright?"

Kishika hesitated for a moment before replying, "Yeah, I'm fine. What about you? How was your night?"

Rithvik replied, "It was good, but could have been better. I missed talking to you. Listen, I was thinking, would you like to meet for coffee at 11?"

Kishika felt a rush of excitement, "Sure, I'd love to! Where should we meet?"

Rithvik suggested a nearby cafe, and Kishika agreed. As she hung up the phone, she felt her heart flutter with excitement, but also a hint of nervousness.

After ending the call with Rithvik, Kishika went to her wardrobe and started looking for something to wear. She wanted to look her best for her meeting with him. After going through several options, she finally decided on a knee-length white sundress with a floral print. She paired it with a pair of brown strappy sandals and added a brown belt around her waist to accentuate her curves.

She then went to her vanity table and started doing her hair. She decided to leave her hair down in loose waves and added a floral hair clip on the side. Kishika then applied minimal makeup, opting for a light peachy shade of lipstick and a touch of blush.

Kishika walked down the stairs and saw Rithvik chatting with her parents. He seemed to be getting along well with them, and they were all laughing at something he said. As Kishika approached, Rithvik turned to her and gave her a warm smile.

"Good morning, Kishika. You look beautiful today," Rithvik complimented her, making Kishika blush.

"Thank you," Kishika replied shyly.

Her parents noticed her and greeted her with warm hugs and kisses. Kishika's mother asked her if she was ready to go, and Kishika nodded. As they all walked towards the door, Rithvik offered his arm to Kishika, and she took it gratefully.

They walked towards the car parked outside, and Rithvik opened the door for Kishika, letting her enter first. As Kishika settled into her seat, Rithvik closed the door and went around to the driver's side.

During the drive, Rithvik and Kishika chatted about their interests and hobbies. Kishika found Rithvik to be a great listener, and she felt comfortable talking to him about anything. Rithvik also shared some stories from his work, which fascinated Kishika.

As they arrived at the cafe, Rithvik opened the door for Kishika again, and they both entered the cafe. Kishika looked around and saw that the cafe was cozy and had a pleasant atmosphere. Rithvik led her to a table near the window, and they both sat down.

"Have you decided what to order?" Rithvik asked, handing Kishika the menu.

"Not yet," Kishika replied, scanning the menu.

After browsing through the menu, Kishika and Rithvik finally decided to order sandwiches and coffee. They continued their conversation about their hobbies and interests.Rithvik talked about his love for history and books.

Kishika said, "Oh, that's interesting. I like reading too, but I mostly stick to fiction." Rithvik chuckled and replied, "I can't say I blame you. Sometimes I need a break from all the heavy stuff I read." They continued to talk and shared some jokes that made them both laugh. Kishika felt at ease around Rithvik and enjoyed his company.

Rithvik then asked, "So, Kishika, what do you like to do for fun?"

Kishika thought for a moment before replying, "Well, I enjoy painting and drawing. It's a great way for me to relax and express myself creatively."

Rithvik smiled and said, "That's great. I've always admired people who are talented in the arts. I'm more of a numbers guy myself."

Kishika laughed and said, "I guess that means we complement each other pretty well."

Rithvik nodded and said, "Definitely. So, have you traveled much?"

Kishika shook her head and said, "Not really. My family didn't have the means to go on fancy vacations when I was growing up."

Rithvik's expression turned sympathetic and he said, "I'm sorry to hear that. I've been fortunate enough to travel to some amazing places for both business and pleasure. Maybe one day I can show you around."

Kishika smiled and said, "That would be nice. Although, I hope you won't get me into any trouble."

They both laughed and continued their conversation, enjoying each other's company over sandwiches and coffee.

After finishing their sandwiches, Kishika and Rithvik decided to take a stroll in the nearby park. As they walked, they talked about their childhood memories and shared stories about their families.

Kishika said, "I remember when I was a kid, my parents used to take me to this park every Sunday. We used to have picnics and play games here."

Rithvik smiled and replied, "That sounds lovely. My family didn't do much outdoor stuff, but my grandparents used to tell me stories about their childhood adventures in the countryside."

Kishika said, "That's cool. My grandparents used to tell me stories too. They had some really interesting tales about their lives during the war."

Rithvik nodded and said, "Yeah, my grandfather fought in the war too. He never talked about it much, but I remember feeling so proud of him when he finally shared some of his experiences with me."

They continued to walk and talk, enjoying the fresh air and the peaceful surroundings of the park. Eventually, they found a bench to sit on and continued their conversation.

Kishika said, "I'm really glad we did this today. I had a great time."

Rithvik smiled and replied, "Me too. It's been a while since I've had such a relaxing day. You have a way of making me forget about all the stress in my life."

Kishika blushed and said, "Oh, stop it. You're making me blush."

They both laughed and sat in comfortable silence for a few moments, enjoying each other's company.

As Kishika and Rithvik were enjoying their time together, Rithvik's phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and his face fell. "I'm sorry, Kishika. I have to take this call. It's urgent," he said apologetically.

Kishika nodded understandingly. "Of course, go ahead."

Rithvik quickly answered the call and his expression turned stoic as he listened to the person on the other end of the line. After a few moments, he ended the call and looked at Kishika. "I have to go, Kishika. Something important has come up," he said, his tone serious.

Kishika felt a little disappointed but tried to hide it. "No problem, Rithvik. Go take care of what you need to. We can meet up again soon," she replied.

As Rithvik dropped Kishika off at her house, she noticed that he seemed distant and preoccupied. She wondered if she had said something wrong or if there was something else bothering him.

"Are you okay, Rithvik? You seem a little off," she asked, concern lacing her voice.

Rithvik forced a smile. "I'm fine, Kishika. Just a little preoccupied. I'll talk to you soon," he said before driving away.

Kishika watched him go and felt a twinge of worry. She shook it off, thinking that she was probably just overthinking things.

As Kishika walked inside her house, she was greeted by her younger sister Akriti's warm hug. Kishika hugged Akriti back tightly

Akriti's face lit up as she saw Kishika. "Oh my god, Kishika! You're finally here! And you look so pretty!" she exclaimed, hugging her again.

Kishika laughed and hugged her back. "It's good to see you too, Akriti! And you look great as well!"

Akriti turned to her best friend, Riya, who was sitting on the couch. "This is my best friend, Riya. Riya, this is my sister, Kishika."

Riya smiled warmly and stood up to greet Kishika. "It's so nice to finally meet you, Kishika! Akriti talks about you all the time."

Kishika smiled, feeling grateful for the warm welcome. "It's great to meet you too, Riya. Akriti has told me so much about you as well."

As they chatted, they realized that there was no one else at home. Akriti's mother had gone to the grocery store and her father was at an important meeting.

"Well, since it's just us girls, how about we make ourselves some coffee and catch up?" Akriti suggested.

Kishika and Riya nodded in agreement, and they headed to the kitchen to make some coffee. As they sat around the table, sipping on their coffee and chatting, Kishika felt grateful to have such wonderful people in her life.

After they finished their coffee, Kishika and Riya decided to sit at the dining table and catch up on old times. Akriti joined them, and they talked about their college days and the memories they shared.

Riya exclaimed, "Remember the time we pulled an all-nighter to finish that project? I don't know how we managed to stay awake!"

Kishika laughed, "Yeah, and we all ended up falling asleep in the library the next day. That was hilarious!"

Akriti chimed in, "And what about the time we went on that road trip to the beach? I still can't believe we got lost on the way back."

They shared more stories and laughed until their sides hurt. It was like old times, and Kishika felt grateful for these moments with her sister and best friend.

Suddenly, they heard the front door open, and Kishika's mother entered with bags of groceries. They all helped her unload the groceries, and Kishika's mother thanked them for their help.

As Kishika's father walked in, he greeted his daughters and their friend Riya with a warm smile. "Akriti, Riya! It's great to see you both. What have you been up to?"

Akriti grinned mischievously. "Oh, you know, just causing trouble as usual."

Her father raised an eyebrow. "Trouble? What kind of trouble?"

Akriti winked at him. "The good kind, dad. The kind that makes you laugh and forget about work for a little while."

He chuckled. "Well, I'm all for a little bit of trouble if it means having some fun. So, what kind of trouble have you been getting into?"

As they chatted, Kishika's father couldn't help but notice how much his youngest daughter had grown up. It seemed like only yesterday she was a little girl running around the house, and now she was a beautiful, independent woman with a mind of her own. He felt a twinge of sadness that his little girl was all grown up, but he was also proud of the woman she had become.

Meanwhile, Akriti was pouting playfully as her father teased her. "Dad, you always make fun of me," she whined, sticking out her bottom lip.

He chuckled. "Well, what am I supposed to do? You're my daughter. It's my job to tease you."

Riya chimed in. "That's true. And we all know you secretly love it, Akriti."

Kishika's father smiled at his daughters and their friend. It was good to see them all together, laughing and having fun. He knew that life could be unpredictable and challenging at times, but moments like these made it all worth it.

ON THE OTHER HAND…..

The warehouse was located in a remote area surrounded by dense jungle, making it an ideal location for clandestine activities. The structure itself was a large, grey, concrete building with a corrugated metal roof. The walls were made of heavy steel panels, which gave the impression of impenetrability.

The interior of the warehouse was dimly lit, with only a few flickering fluorescent lights hanging from the ceiling. The floor was made of rough, cold concrete, and the air was thick with the smell of oil and grease. There were a few large, rusted machines scattered throughout the space, but most of the floor was empty, except for the area where the beating was taking place.

Rithvik stood with his arms crossed, watching as his men beat the man from Sanjay's gang. The victim was tied to a metal pole in the center of the room, his arms bound tightly behind his back with thick rope. His face was bruised and bloodied, and he screamed in pain as Rithvik's men continued to deliver blows to his torso and limbs.

Arun stood next to Rithvik, his arms folded across his chest as he surveyed the scene. He looked bored, as if he had seen this type of violence a thousand times before.

As the beating continued, Rithvik's phone rang. He stepped away from the commotion and answered it.

"What's the status?" he asked, his tone businesslike.

"It's done," the voice on the other end replied. "Sanjay's operation is completely shut down. He won't be a problem anymore."

Rithvik smiled, a cold, calculating look in his eyes. "Good work. I'll transfer the funds to your account."

He hung up the phone and walked back over to where his men were still beating the helpless victim.

As Rithvik and Arun watched, the man from Sanjay's gang continued to scream and plead for mercy, but Rithvik's men showed no signs of stopping their assault. The sound of fists hitting flesh echoed through the empty warehouse, accompanied by the man's agonized cries.

Rithvik watched on with a cold detachment, his arms crossed in front of him. He knew what was at stake here - control over the drug trade in the city. And he would do whatever it took to come out on top.

Arun looked at Rithvik, concern etched on his face. "Rithvik, is this really necessary? We could try to negotiate with Sanjay instead of resorting to violence like this."

Rithvik's jaw clenched as he continued to watch the beating. "Negotiate? You think that's an option? Sanjay is not someone we can reason with. He only understands one thing - power. And we need to show him that we have it."

Arun looked down, knowing there was no reasoning with Rithvik once he had made up his mind. He watched as Rithvik's men continued to beat the man mercilessly, leaving him bruised and bloodied on the floor.

The sound of a car approaching interrupted the scene. Rithvik turned his head towards the door, and Arun followed suit. Two of Rithvik's men went to investigate, and soon returned with news.

"Boss, it's the cops. We need to get out of here, now!"

Rithvik swore under his breath. He had known there was a risk of getting caught, but he had hoped to finish the job before the cops showed up. He turned to his men. "Alright, pack up and let's go. And make sure that man doesn't leave here alive."

Arun looked at Rithvik in shock. "What? We can't just kill him!"

Rithvik glared at Arun. "We can and we will. He's a liability now. If he talks, it's over for us. Now come on, let's go!"

The group quickly packed up their gear and left the warehouse, disappearing into the jungle as the sound of police sirens grew louder in the distance. The man from Sanjay's gang was left tied up and helpless on the cold concrete floor, his fate uncertain.

As Rithvik and his men made their way through the dense jungle, Rithvik couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. The beating they had given to the man from Sanjay's gang had been brutal, but it was necessary. Rithvik couldn't afford to show weakness in front of his enemies.

Arun looked over at Rithvik and spoke up, "That was a close one. We could have been caught by the police."

Rithvik nodded, "I know. But we had to make an example out of that man. Sanjay needs to know that we mean business."

Arun shrugged, "I guess you're right. But this whole thing is getting out of hand, Rithvik. We're getting more and more enemies every day."

Rithvik sighed, "I know. But what other choice do we have? We can't let anyone walk all over us. We need to be strong and show them that we're not to be messed with."

As they walked through the jungle, Rithvik's mind began to wander. He couldn't stop thinking about Kishika and the way she had made him feel. He knew it was wrong to be involved with her, but he couldn't help himself. He needed to see her again.

Meanwhile, back at Kishika's house, the girls were sitting in the living room, chatting and laughing. Kishika's father had retired to his study to catch up on some work, leaving the girls to their own devices.

As they settled into Kishika's room, Riya pulled out a bag of chips and offered some to the other girls. "Want some chips?" Akriti grinned, "No thanks, I'm on a diet. But I guess Kishika could use some."

Kishika rolled her eyes, "Hey, I'm not that bad. Besides, Rithvik likes me just the way I am."

Kishika playfully swatted Akriti's arm. "Hey, watch it. I can eat whatever I want."

Riya laughed, "Yeah, don't be so mean, Akriti. Kishika looks beautiful just the way she is."

Akriti grinned, "Fine, fine. You can have all the chips you want, Kishika. But just remember, too many chips can lead to pimples."

Kishika groaned, "Thanks for the reminder. I'm going to have nightmares about pimples now."

The girls all laughed, enjoying their time together. They chatted about school, boys, and their plans for the future. It was a carefree moment, and they all knew that they would cherish these memories for years to come.