Chapter 4- The Devil’s Trail (Hindi Version)

Osaka was gripped in a silent terror. The gruesome deaths had sent ripples through the city, and the police were no closer to finding the killer. Officer Yuta sat in his office, the glow of his desk lamp illuminating the latest crime scene photos. The mutilated body of Sushant haunted him. Every victim so far had connections to Akari Mishra. But could her grieving father truly be capable of such horrors?

He flipped through the files again. The victims had all been bullies, tormentors, and abusers—but none of them had ever faced justice in a court of law. The killer, whoever he was, had taken it upon himself to deliver punishment.

Meanwhile, in the shadows of his small, dimly lit apartment, Aditya Mishra sat in front of a corkboard littered with photographs. His breath was steady, his hands firm. He was not just a man seeking revenge—he was a father reclaiming justice. His next target had been chosen.

But Yumi wasn't on his radar. Not yet. To Aditya, she was still Akari's childhood friend, someone he trusted. His focus was solely on those directly responsible for his daughter's suffering. He had no reason to doubt Yumi's kindness.

That night, Yumi was attending a party at an upscale hotel. The room was filled with laughter and music, but an uneasy feeling gnawed at her. Ever since Sushant's murder, she had been restless. She excused herself from the crowd and made her way to the restroom, checking her phone nervously. A single, unknown message appeared on her screen.

"See you soon."

Her breath hitched. Was this a prank? A cruel joke? She tried to dismiss it, but the unease remained. When she returned to the party, she forced a smile, but her eyes kept darting to the dark corners of the room.

Someone was watching.

The music suddenly felt too loud; the laughter too forced. She scanned the faces around her, searching for anything suspicious. Every shadow seemed elongated, every movement out of the corner of her eye sent shivers down her spine. She knew someone was out there. The question was—who?

When she finally left the party, the city streets were quiet. Her heels clicked against the pavement as she walked towards her car. She fumbled with her keys, a cold breeze making her shudder. Just as she unlocked the door, she heard it—a faint whisper.

"Yumi."

Her breath caught in her throat. She turned sharply, but the alley beside the parking lot was empty. No one was there. But she knew what she had heard.

She wasn't alone.

Her heartbeat quickened as she got into the car, locking the doors immediately. Her hands shook as she turned the key in the ignition. The headlights illuminated the empty parking lot, but something in her gut told her she was being watched. She pressed her foot down on the gas, speeding away into the night, desperate to shake the paranoia that clung to her.

At home, she double-checked all the locks, drawing the curtains shut. Sleep was out of the question. Instead, she sat with her back against the bed, gripping her phone, waiting. But for what? Another message? A sign that whoever sent it was near?

She barely noticed the time passing until her phone vibrated again. Her breath hitched as she hesitantly unlocked the screen.

"I see you."

Yumi's unease had escalated into a suffocating paranoia. She spent the following days glancing over her shoulder, wary of even the most mundane encounters. When she walked through school corridors, whispers seemed louder, footsteps behind her too deliberate. She spent more time in front of mirrors, watching the reflection of an empty room behind her, just in case.

Then, the phone calls began.

Each night, around midnight, her phone would ring. Each time, silence greeted her. No matter how often she blocked the number, a new one would emerge. Was it someone toying with her? Or was it something worse?

The latest message she received made her drop her phone. "You're being watched."

She could no longer ignore the growing fear clawing at her insides. It was real. Someone knew. Someone was coming.

(Aditya's care for Akari and emotional turmoil)

Late at night, Aditya sat by Akari's bedside, watching her delicate breaths rise and fall. She had finally fallen asleep, her face serene yet fragile under the dim glow of the nightlight. He gently brushed a stray lock of hair from her forehead, his fingers trembling with emotions he could barely contain.

"Main sab theek kar dunga, meri chidiya," he whispered, voice thick with grief and resolve.

The soft hum of the song "Chidiya" played in his mind, syncing with his memories. His thoughts drifted back to a time when their family was whole, when laughter echoed in their home.

"Aankhein woh baatein, Teri mulaqatein, Mere zehan se ab jaaye na..."

He remembered Akari as a child, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she reached out for him, giggling uncontrollably. Yuko, his beloved wife, had stood beside him, smiling, capturing the moment on her phone. He could still hear her voice calling out, telling Akari to be careful but laughing, nonetheless.

"Baahon mein baahein, Teri yeh aahein, Mere hokar yeh, Reh jaayein haan..."

Tears welled in his eyes. How had they gone from that perfect, untainted joy to this abyss of sorrow? Yuko was gone. Akari had lost her light. And he—he was no longer just a father; he was a man with a purpose, a man who would set things right at any cost.

His hands clenched the bedsheet, holding onto his daughter's fragile form as if she might slip away again. She stirred slightly, murmuring something incoherent before settling back into slumber. He pressed a trembling kiss to her forehead, his tears falling onto her pillow.

"Oh ri chidiya na tujhe ri, Kyon yeh duniya bhaaye re..."

The pain in his chest was unbearable. He thought of the countless nights he had spent listening to Yuko sing this very song to Akari, lulling her to sleep. This was one and only song she was able to learn from his country. Now, he was alone, left with only memories and a shattered heart.

"I will fix everything, Akari. You will be able to laugh freely again," he whispered against her hair. His voice broke, but his resolve did not. His daughter deserved to smile again. She deserved peace.

Outside, the wind howled against the windowpane, but inside, Aditya held onto his daughter, as if shielding her from the storms raging within his own soul.

Note: Song lyrics quoted above are from "Chidiya" by Vilen. All rights belong to the original artist.