Chapter 1

Raghav Patel aka Raghu aka Bhai made an impressive figure as he sat lounging in his silk robe enjoying the morning tea and overlooking the newspaper. Looking at him no one would have known of his beginnings in the slums of Mumbai. But he was not ashamed of those beginnings an told of them with utmost relish. He had been 12 when he killed for the first time, the motivation had been hunger. That one act showed him the way of life, when he was 18 he worked as a hired gun for one of the gangs that ran like blood the city of Mumbai. He killed anything and everything as long as he was paid.

When he was 25 he managed to double cross two gangs killing their heads he took control as the boss. Since that day he has not looked back taking more control of the underworld day by day. Kidnapping for ransom, murder, extortion, money laundering, drug trafficking were all his businesses but all this was cloaked under the cape of respectability.

To the world he was a businessman, dealing in construction and security. The security he provided to the politicians and they gave him the cover he wanted. He spoke in cultured tones, wore good clothes and lived in a big house. He liked the power of managing and merging the two worlds he lived in, he enjoyed the greed of it and never forgot the hunger he had felt all those years ago.

He sipped tea as his personal guard announced the arrival of the person he had sent for, he put the cup back on the table. He got up and faced him with a smile: Armaan! Just the man I was waiting for (his sharp eyes taking in his immaculate appearance) I hope I didn't disturb you

Armaan: Not at all! I was already up

Raghu gestured for him to take a seat and asked: tea?

Armaan: coffee!

Raghu grimaced in distaste: how you drink that vile stuff I don't understand (gesturing to the servants hovering around) get coffee for armaan baba!

Raghu looked upon armaan as a successor to him, as he liked him. He liked the fact he was fearless and that he was honest enough to work for money. So he was displeased n a bit worried when he saw his best man not doing too well.

Raghu: Armaan! How is the Singhania deal going?

Armaan: He's resisting a little so I was thinking of paying him a visit.

Raghu frowned a little: hmm! Send someone else you are not going

Armaan felt his jaw clench: why?

Raghu: you my dear are not in top form

Armaan felt the anger rise in him: what the hell?

Raghu: don't raise your voice! You fool do you think I cannot see whats happening? I call you at 5 am and you are already awake. I look at your face and see the strain on your face, I'm not going to send you in a situation which you might worsen coz you are not in top shape.

Armaan: one night sleep is not going to hamper me

Raghu: its not one night sleep and you know it (his sharp tone shutting armaan down) now you get yourself fixed up or things are going to get sticky.

Armaan furious: fine I'll get some sleeping pills

Raghu in a deathly quiet tone: don't make me hurt you! You get yourself fixed, go to a head doctor and sort your issues.

Armaan humiliated and angry: you're sending me to a shrink

Raghu smiling: I run an organization armaan, I need my people in tip top shape. Instead of feeling insulted you should be glad I'm so invested in your well being.

Armaan still angry: you obviously think I've got some screws lose

Raghu laughed: I like madness, I'm a little mad myself (he grinned a little maniacally) but I'm also a businessman and I'm concerned with the smooth operation of my business. You Armaan are important for that smooth operation but your frame of mind is a concern.

Armaan: so I have no choice!

Raghu looking surprised: ofcourse you have choice! You can choose the doctor yourself and follow the treatment or whatever suggestion he makes yourself I will not interfere.

Armaan understood the implied threat and gave in but not graciously: can I go now

Raghu laughing: ofcourse but I suggest that you make an appointment today

Armaan: f**k you!

Raghu laughed heartily but his eyes glittered dangerously: Armaan I like your fearlessness but don't make the mistake of underestimating me. I mean what I say I don't like weak links.

Armaan turned smartly and strode out leaving Raghu to call for more tea.

Armaan got in his car and peeled out of the parking the tires making an angry squeal as armaan pushed the car for speed. As he drove he threw his mobile on the seat besides him and opened the dashboard and got another mobile out, turning it on he dialed a number from memory and waited for the call to connect.

After the third ring the call was rreceived without a greeting armaan spoke: we need to meet!

The voice on the other end: in an hour on the fishing docks

Armaan cut the line and deleted the number from the sim and the memory of the phone. He turned off the mobile again and placed it back in the dash as he went to his office. The office was another front that Raghu insisted on a building located in the centre of the city towering over the other buildings surrounding it. Armaan went in to the building but instead of taking the lift he went for the stairs and proceeded to make his way to the 15^th floor.

He reached there a little breathless and took a moment to compose himself before he made his way to his office. His wingman came to his office just as he settled and brought him up to date to the various deals that needed his attention.

Armaan: Summit you'll have to go over at Singhania yourself

Summit surprised: Me? But isn't that your thing...

Armaan cutting him: Bhai wants me to send someone else and I trust you to do the job.

Summit waited and then asked: what are you going to do then?

Armaan tapped the desk with his fingers: I'm thinking of visiting the fishing docks! Need to chalk out a plan.

Summit nodded his head: yes! Another consignment is due in a weeks time

Armaan got up: yes! I'll leave now, just need to change this shirt.

He changed into a t-shirt and pulled a cap on his head, then from a bottom drawer he got his 9mm and tucked it in the back of his jeans and pulled his shirt atop.

As summit turned to leave armaan got a smaller gun from the same drawer and tucked it in the holster on his ankle under the leg of his jeans. He made his way out of the office and was turning towards the stairs when Summit called from behind.

Summit: Armaan! Come there is space(he gestured to elevator that he kept open for armaan)

Armaan hesitated for a second and then made his way to the elevator. Once inside he saw there were other people in the elevator also ending any need to make conversation. Even alone armaan would've found it difficult to make conversation as he felt the walls close in on him. It took all his concentration to not let his breathing betray the disquiet he felt. Sweat popped on his forehead and trickled down the side of his face. The journey down took a minute or two but was excruciatingly painful for armaan. When the door opened he pushed out of the elevator and made his way to the parking.

Once inside he sat there trying to calm his racing heart before he started to drive. The drive to the docks took 30 minutes giving him time enough to reassemble his thoughts. He parked a distance away and made the rest of the way to the docks on foot checking out any activity which looked suspicious.

He reached the docks moving steadily through the men working at the docks. The place smelling of sea and fish as men labored on and off the ships. He walked to the farther side his eyes continuously sweeping his surroundings looking for something. He stopped by the pier and looked out at the sea his senses alert waiting, his fingers twitched wanting to grab the gun that was tucked in his waistband but he stayed still waiting.

He was good he admitted to himself as he hadn't heard him but felt him behind. Still he waited for him to make the first move, sweat rolled down the side of his face as the back of his neck prickled with awareness. Just when he had decided to turn around he spoke from besides him: Armaan!

Armaan felt the knotted muscles in shoulders loosen a bit and he replied: Commissioner!

Shashank Gupta Police Commissioner Mumbai a man the whole underworld was aware of and threatened by. He was fearless and he did not have a price tag which made him a dangerous man. Even though from time to time there had been pressure to transfer him from Mumbai, he knew how to work the system. Though he worked the system that did not lessen his drive to terminate the crime that perpetuated from the underworld.

Shashank looking out at the sea, he was a good looking man in his mid 50's dressed casually in sweat pants and t-shirt.

Shashank: whats up?

Armaan frowning: he thinks I need to have my head examined

Shashank: Raghu?

Armaan irritably: who else? He thinks I'm not in my top game

Shashank thoughtfully: are you?

Armaan flaring up: what is that suppose to mean?

Shashank turning towards him: this! This right here is the problem, you are flaring up at the slightest provocation

Armaan clenched his teeth trying to control his anger: what is with you? Now you also think I need to have my head examined

Shashank: Armaan! I've known you for a long time so when I tell you something is not right you listen to me(he said firmly)

When armaan frowned but remained quiet, Shashank continued: you are a strong man, Armaan! Both physically and mentally, if it hadn't been for this strength you wouldn't have survived these past 5 years. You willingly submerged yourself in this vileness for a larger good, not once did you falter. Never have you looked back and complained about what you have lost.

Armaan shifting uncomfortably: just doing my job (he spoke quietly)

Shashank: yes a job which never ends. But now the cracks are appearing b'coz of an incident you had to go through, things are shaking up for you.

When Armaan stayed stubbornly quiet her forged ahead: you were almost killed Armaan! Buried alive, 6 ft under the ground. It takes considerable strength to survive that, but you've always been a survivor.

Armaan closed his eyes: I did what I needed to do to live.

Shashank: no you did that to survive but to really live you need to take the next step and get help.

Armaan: I'm not mad

Shashank laughed mirthlessly: no, that's me! You stupid boy, don't you understand whats at stake? Even Raghu has noticed your problems, don't you understand Raghu does not tolerate weak links. He'll terminate you and all the hard work you've put in all these years would be for nothing.

Armaan smiled sarcastically: I'm touched by your concern

Shashank turned back to stare at the sea: you are like a son to me Armaan! But I'll be damned if I let you jeopardize everything you and I worked for all these years.

Armaan closed his eyes as the anger that had engulfed him left him as quickly as it had filled him: I know! Its just I cant talk about it

Shashank: I'm not asking you to talk to me but you need to talk to someone professional who can help you.

Armaan: is that even possible?

Shashank: I know of somebody, he can help you. He's a friend's son, I can brief him about our situation so that he is aware of the consequences.

Armaan: He wont talk?

Shashank: I've worked with him before he won't talk.

Armaan's shoulders slumped: ok! I'll go

Shashank: I'll send you the contact details

Armaan nodded and they both stood their looking at the boats bobbing in the sea. As armaan turned to leave shashank grabbed his arm: take care of yourself armaan!

Armaan looked up at his face and saw the strain around his eyes, forcing a smile: Always! (covering his hand and giving it a squeeze) you too commissioner.(he left)

Armaan stared at the name Dr. Rahul Garewal on the piece of paper and then the building that housed his office. It was an old building which had been renovated keeping the charm of old times still alive. He made his way inside the building one look at the elevator he made his way to the stairwell and climbed his way to the 15 floor.

An hour later he made his way to the elevator feeling frustrated and cornered. He got into the elevator and punched for the ground floor, they had gone down a floor when the elevator stopped to the floor. Armaan grinded his teeth as no one was there just as the doors were about to close a female voice called out: hold the doors please!