LOVE IN COURT [November 2024]

PROLOGUE

SENSITIVE CONTENT AHEAD.

TW : MURDER AND MUCH MORE

Author's POV

“No one should find it” A voice quivered in the silence of the dark night of December, arms passing the boxes to the subsequent person standing beside each of them.

“Sahab won't spare us” A man in his thirties whispered, “Careful” The same instructed before his colleague stumbled upon the stone in the midway.

“Government changes but none is serious about providing electricity to this distant village,” said another, closing the shutter of the trucks after loading more than thousands of cartons in it after laboring for three hours when the entire village of Shikarpur was sleeping unaware the activities taking place in the far away warehouse of the same factory that manufactures incense sticks in the abandoned land of the Shikarpur.

“That’s the reason behind the selection of it ” A man in his late twenties walked into sight, covering his face partially with a mask and one of them quickly placed the chair for their master.

“Am I paying you guys for a chit-chat session?” His hand denied taking a seat and his footsteps on the ground echoed creating a sense of fear in workers' minds.

“Hurry up” He continued, flashing the torchlight on each one of their faces and their hands shook, acquainted with the fact that their master doesn't show mercy on negligence.

“What’s the time?” He shouted, taking steps forward resulting in a sheet of sweat forming on the foreheads of each one of them.

“2.19 am Atharv Sahab” answered one in a mere whisper but that was audible considering the fact the night of winter and silence surrounding them.

“What’s happening here?” A middle-aged man enquired splashing the light from the lantern from his side resulting in Atharv taking a step back setting his mind to work to deal with this situation.

“None of your business oldie,” Atharv remarked, fishing out the gun from his pocket and his hand gesturing to his men to take out their guns and sticks.

“You can't do this in our village. I received many complaints and was always suspicious about your illegal activities in the name of manufacturing Pooja items. Have some shame. Burying the Illegal activities under the name of God” The man rebelled, tapping his stick on the ground.

“Seal your mouth or you won't see another day” Atharv warned, twisting the man's hand on his back and placing the gun on his forehead.

“I am the sarpanch of this village. I won't stay silent” He retorted, with the efforts to remove himself.

“You will” The bullet dug into his skill and the blood streamed from the forehead leaving marks on Atharv's shirt.

“Let the dogs celebrate the feast tonight” He announced, removing the body from him to meet the ground, and two pit bulls rushed from the car, tearing the skin of the sarpanch’s body. He groaned living the last few moments of his life as he never expected death would show the cruel side of humanity.

The devilish laugh from each of them who witnessed celebrated the removal of another hurdle interfering in the business that wasn't acceptable by law and morals but for them, money is the religion. Money is what drives their greediness. Money is what matters to them the most and no one would be spared who is nothing but a hurdle for them, no matter who they are.

“Sahab, there's someone out there” One of them alerted when the flashlight aimlessly turned around when each one of them was enjoying watching the sarpanch groaning in pain, asking for mercy but one more bullet pierce through his body and the pit bulls cared only for their food provided by their master.