The First Step In

The address on the note led Malik to an old warehouse near the docks. The kind of place people entered quietly and never spoke about.

He stood outside for a long moment. A choice.

Then, he walked in.

Inside, a single bulb flickered above a table. The slim man sat there, cigarette in hand. Others stood around—faces Malik had seen in the shadows of Kasab. Men who didn't ask twice.

"You came," the slim man said, smirking. "That means you understand."

Malik stayed silent.

The man leaned forward. "You helped Raju. Shetty won't forget that. You're marked now." He took a slow drag. "But you're smart. You know there are only two ways this ends."

Malik met his gaze. He already knew.

The man placed a small package on the table. "Take this. Deliver it. No questions."

Malik glanced at it. "What's inside?"

The man smiled. "Good. You ask." He tapped the package. "It's just gold, Malik. Clean. No dirt. Just business."

Malik hesitated. The first step.

Then, slowly, he picked it up.

The slim man nodded approvingly. "Welcome to Kasab, Malik."

As Malik walked out, package in hand, one thought echoed in his mind.

This was the moment. The first step. There was no way back now.