Mumbai Noir

4

The unrelenting drone of the news report snaked its way into my apartment, shattering the fragile peace I'd managed to establish for a stolen hour.  Flicking on the television, I was greeted by a frantic Mrs. Kapoor, her eyes red-rimmed and voice choked with emotion, pleading for her daughter's safe return. The image of Ayushi, a bright smile plastered across her face in a childhood photo, flashed on the screen, a stark contrast to the frantic news anchor narrating the details of her disappearance.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, jolting me further.  It was an unknown number.  Hesitantly, I pressed the answer button.

"Hey, Ragu," Patil's voice greeted me warmly over the phone, his tone urgent.

I hesitated for a moment, taken aback by his use of my alias. "Yes, this is Ragu," I replied cautiously, unsure of what to expect.

His call piqued my curiosity, but the use of the name 'Ragu' caught me off guard. It was the alias I had adopted to conceal my true identity, a precautionary measure to protect myself from the dangers of my profession.

"You haven't seen the news, have you?" He sighed, the weight of the situation evident in his voice.

"Just turning it on now," I said, my stomach clenching.

"Look, I know this isn't your official case yet, but the Kapoors are pulling strings, and frankly, we're grasping at straws here. Any leads you might have, anything at all, could be a godsend."

"But won't be the kapoors angry that you are giving me the assignment or taking me in?"

"Who cares about official assignments?" Patil scoffed. "You know as well as I do that we make our own rules. Besides, I need your expertise on this one."

His words reassured me, reminding me of the trust and camaraderie we shared. With a sigh, I agreed to meet with Patil, my mind already racing with possibilities.

"Don't forget the bonus I will receive with this case, and also you need to get out of the cheating cases and move to some interesting one like these,"

I just got his point, "I will be there,"

Minutes later, I found myself in Patil's cramped office, the familiar atmosphere a slight comfort. The air, however, was thick with stale coffee and the lingering scent of desperation. Patil, a burly man with a perpetually furrowed brow, leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers in front of him.As I arrived at the police station, Patil greeted me with a warm smile.

"Thanks for coming, Ragu," he said, ushering me into his office.

I took a seat opposite him, the weight of the situation settling over me like a heavy cloak. "What do you need from me?" I asked, eager to lend my assistance.

"So, Rags," he began, his voice gruff. "What's your take on this whole Kapoor situation?"

"Let's start with the obvious," I said, tapping my finger against the table.

"The Sharmas. The rivalry's been simmering for years. Ayushi's disappearance right under their noses could be seen as a twisted power play."

"Their rivalry with the Kapoors is no secret, and it wouldn't surprise me if they were involved in the girl's disappearance."

I furrowed my brow, mulling over the information. "I think it's worth paying them a visit," I suggested. "See if we can't get some answers out of them."

Patil nodded in agreement, a sense of determination in his eyes. "Let's do it," he said, rising from his seat. "We'll pay the Sharmas a visit and see what they have to say for themselves."