Mission Robbery

The rise

The Phone Call

In the bustling city of Kanpur, nestled deep in the heart of Uttar Pradesh, Rajesh Tiwari, a 34-year-old middle-class man, found himself trapped in a monotonous routine. Rajesh worked as an assistant at Brightwave Pvt. Ltd., a small company that imported electronics. His job was far from fulfilling. Each day felt like a cycle of soul-crushing paperwork, menial tasks, and the constant scolding of his overbearing boss, Mr. Gupta. Rajesh lived in a modest two-room apartment with his wife, Meera, and their eight-year-old son, Aryan.

Financial pressures weighed heavily on Rajesh. The rent was due, Aryan's school fees were pending, and Meera's small tiffin service business barely made ends meet. Rajesh often fantasized about escaping this life, but his dreams were always crushed by the reality of his situation.

One evening, as Rajesh walked home through the dimly lit streets, he noticed a sleek, expensive smartphone lying abandoned near a garbage bin. Its shiny surface reflected the dim streetlights, catching his attention. He picked it up and examined it. Surprisingly, it was unlocked. Tempted by the thought of selling it for some quick cash, Rajesh slipped the phone into his pocket and hurried home, oblivious to the storm he was about to unleash in his life.

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A Mysterious Message

At home, Rajesh showed the phone to Meera, who immediately frowned.
"Why did you bring this? What if it's stolen?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.
"I'll sell it tomorrow," Rajesh replied nonchalantly. "We need the money."

As Rajesh fiddled with the phone, a notification popped up. It was a message from someone named Neha.
"Finally, you picked it up. I was waiting."

Confused, Rajesh hesitated before replying, "Who is this?"
Neha responded almost instantly, "Don't worry. I know everything about you, Rajesh."

Rajesh's heart skipped a beat. How did this stranger know his name? Before he could process it, another message appeared:
"Meet me tomorrow at Ratanlal Chowk at 8 PM sharp. Don't be late."

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The Meeting

Curiosity overpowered Rajesh's better judgment. The next evening, he stood nervously at Ratanlal Chowk, holding the mysterious phone. A sleek black car pulled up, and a driver stepped out. He handed Rajesh an envelope and said, "Neha sends her regards."

The envelope contained ₹50,000 in cash and a note:
"This is for your cooperation. From now on, follow my instructions without question. If you don't, you'll regret it."

Shaken, Rajesh returned home but kept the encounter a secret from Meera. Over the next few days, "Neha" began to contact him regularly, giving him small, seemingly harmless tasks. At first, it was simple errands-dropping off packages or picking up parcels from unknown people. Rajesh rationalized his actions, thinking of the money that kept flowing in. But soon, the tasks grew darker.

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The Web of Crime

Within weeks, Rajesh was unknowingly tangled in a web of illegal activities. He delivered unmarked packages, deposited large sums of cash in untraceable accounts, and even planted devices in unsuspecting places. The money kept coming, but so did the fear.

One day, Neha's instructions took a chilling turn. She sent Rajesh to an abandoned warehouse at the outskirts of Kanpur. Inside, he found a group of men speaking in hushed tones. One of them, a tall man with a scar across his cheek, handed Rajesh a briefcase and said, "Deliver this to Shivpal Singh. Don't open it."

Rajesh's hands trembled as he carried the briefcase to the given address. The recipient, a burly man with piercing eyes, took the case without a word but gave Rajesh a knowing smirk.

That night, Rajesh couldn't sleep. He was consumed by guilt and fear. He decided to confront Neha and demand answers.

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The Revelation

The next day, Rajesh messaged Neha, insisting on meeting in person. To his surprise, she agreed. She directed him to an upscale café in the city. When he arrived, a woman in her late 30s, dressed impeccably, greeted him.
"I'm Neha," she said, extending her hand.

Rajesh stared at her in disbelief. "Why are you doing this to me? Who are you?"

Neha leaned in and whispered, "I'm just a messenger, Rajesh. The people you're working for are much bigger than you think. You're in too deep now. You have no choice but to continue."

Before Rajesh could respond, Neha's phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and muttered, "They're watching us. Leave now."

As Rajesh walked out, he noticed a black car parked nearby. The driver, the same man from Ratanlal Chowk, was staring at him. Rajesh's phone buzzed with a new message:
"You're doing well, Rajesh. But the next 100 days will decide your fate."

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The Suspense

Rajesh's world spiraled further into chaos. The tasks became more dangerous, and the stakes grew higher. He began to suspect that the people controlling him were part of a powerful mafia syndicate. Each passing day eroded his sense of self. He couldn't confide in Meera, couldn't quit, and couldn't escape.

One night, as Rajesh sat alone in his apartment, his phone buzzed with a message from Neha:
"Tomorrow, you'll receive a package. Deliver it to Ashok Vihar. No mistakes."

But this time, something inside Rajesh snapped. He decided to open the package. What he found inside left him frozen with terror.

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(To be continued...)