Shadow of redemption

Meeting with Malik

Hello everyone welcome to new chapter ☺️☺️☺️

Upon arriving at the grand office building in Delhi, the atmosphere was heavy with anticipation. Today’s meeting was no ordinary gathering—it was a critical step in securing their control over one of the biggest arms shipments in recent history.

As Rakshit entered the conference room, all eyes turned to him. The room was filled with his key allies and partners, including Malik, a seasoned and ruthless gang leader known for his cunning strategies.

Rakshit took his seat at the head of the table, the very position signifying his dominance. His icy gaze scanned the room, assessing everyone present. Raj stood a few steps behind him, as always, his silent guardian.

“Let’s begin,” Rakshit said, his voice commanding the room into silence.

Malik, seated across the table, was the first to speak, his tone confident but with an underlying tension. “The shipment has arrived at the border, Rakshit. Everything is in motion as planned.”

Rakshit’s eyes narrowed, and he leaned forward slightly. “I want every detail. There can be no mistakes.”

Malik nodded. “The routes are secured, the vehicles have clean documentation, and our men are strategically positioned to handle any interruptions.”

Rakshit’s voice was cold and calculated. “Good. But understand this, Malik—any slip-up, any failure, and it won’t just be a loss of goods. It’ll be the beginning of a war none of us can afford.”

Malik stiffened slightly but nodded. “I’ve doubled the security measures. The shipment will be delivered without issue.”

Rakshit leaned back, his eyes unreadable. “I expect nothing less.”

The rest of the meeting was filled with intense discussions about logistics, security, and the distribution of the weapons. Rakshit remained composed, but underneath, his mind kept circling back to the unpredictability of life. In his world, nothing was guaranteed—not loyalty, not success, and certainly not peace.

After the meeting concluded, Rakshit and Raj exited the building, stepping into the bright Delhi sun. Raj glanced at Rakshit, noticing the faint lines of weariness beneath his otherwise impenetrable exterior.

“Everything is in place,” Raj said quietly, “but I know you haven’t been yourself lately.”

Rakshit didn’t respond immediately, his mind drifting back to the fleeting warmth of Aaravi’s concern for him. He shook his head, dismissing the thought.

“I’m fine,” Rakshit said, his voice hardening. “Let’s make sure Malik’s men don’t mess up. We can’t afford any distractions.”

Raj nodded, but a part of him knew Rakshit’s words weren’t just about the operation. There was something else pulling at him, something deeper—something that Rakshit refused to acknowledge but couldn’t fully ignore.

As they left for their next destination, Rakshit’s mind wandered back to Aaravi’s world—the warmth and light he feared, yet longed for. But for now, the only thing that mattered was the mission ahead, the empire he had built, and the power he needed to maintain at all costs.

The next day, a storm indeed hit Rakshit, but not the kind that came with wind and rain. It was the storm of chaos and betrayal. Malik’s arrangements had failed, and the shipment, which was supposed to be a flawless operation, had encountered a legal ambush. The police had caught wind of the movement, and a fierce clash had broken out. Several of Rakshit’s men were injured, and many had been rushed to Hope Hospital.

Rakshit’s mind raced as he arrived at the hospital. Hope Hospital—a place that brought him a sense of calm through Aaravi—was now filled with his wounded men. He couldn’t let her see the truth, couldn’t let her connect the dots about his life. She had to remain in the light, far away from the darkness of his world.

He entered the hospital, his expression carefully composed. His presence was commanding, even here, though his heart raced with anxiety at the thought of seeing Aaravi. He moved quickly through the halls, his long coat trailing behind him as he approached the emergency area. Raj had already informed him that several of their men were in critical condition.

Aaravi, unaware of the deeper context of the situation, came out from one of the emergency rooms, her eyes widening slightly as she saw Rakshit. “You’re here,” she said, her tone surprised but warm. “I didn’t expect to see you today. What’s going on?”

Rakshit forced a small smile, though his mind was heavy with the weight of the ongoing crisis. “Some of my... employees were caught in an accident,” he said, choosing his words carefully. “It was a transport issue—poor planning on someone’s part. A few of them got injured.”

Aaravi’s brow furrowed, concern immediately flooding her face. “An accident? What kind of accident? They’re in pretty bad shape.”

Rakshit nodded, his expression hardening slightly as he fought to maintain control over the situation. “It was... unexpected. Some of them were caught in a rough spot, but I’ve made sure they’re receiving the best care. I trust your team here.”

Aaravi gave him a reassuring smile. “You don’t need to worry. We’re doing everything we can. Some of the injuries are severe, but they’re stable now.” Her eyes softened as she looked at him, sensing the weight on his shoulders. “You look tense. Are you okay?”

Rakshit met her gaze, his heart tightening at the concern in her voice. He longed to tell her the truth, to share the weight he carried every day, but he couldn’t. She was too pure for his world, too good. “I’m fine,” he said, his voice low. “I just need to make sure everything is taken care of.”

Aaravi stepped closer, her hand gently resting on his arm. “You don’t always have to carry everything alone, you know.”

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