part 11

"I thought you were lost somewhere," Samir took a golden sip from the gleaming glass in front of him and said, "What were you thinking?"

"Nothing," Darren replied in a low voice, "Just like that."

"Looks like you're really exhausted."

"Yeah, feels like it."

"Take my advice," Samir leaned in closer and said in a soft tone, "Take a break for a few days."

"Hmm..."

"I've noticed you seem lost these days. It takes calling you multiple times to get a response."

"What can I do, man?"

"These are signs of someone overheating from being too deep into work."

"Maybe you're right," Darren shrugged.

"That's why I'm telling you, take a break and go somewhere for a few days," Samir fulfilled his duty as a friend. "It's been a long time since you've had an outing."

"I was thinking about it too, but...." Darren replied in a tired voice, though the truth was that no break could solve the trouble he was currently trapped in.

"Take Saya along too, she'll be happy."

"Where should I go, man?"

"Go anywhere you feel like," Samir suggested. "It's winter, the new year is around the corner, so take a few days off and just leave."

"Where?"

"Go to the mountains," he said. "You'll find snow up there."

"Saya falls sick as soon as we reach a cold place."

"Then head to Rajasthan. The kings left behind huge forts and palaces—enjoy them."

"Saya isn't interested in such places; she finds deserts boring."

"Then go to Kerala—God's Own Country."

"That far?"

"Oh, come on, man, don't make excuses," Samir said in frustration. "India is huge—from Kashmir in the north to Kanyakumari in the south, there are countless places. Just pick one and go."

"But..."

"And if you don't like mountains or deserts, go to the coast—Daman, Pondicherry, Goa."

For Darren, the only relief at the moment was that despite all his misdeeds, Saya still had no clue—no suspicion whatsoever. After marriage, moving to Delhi, Saya had started working at a firm to pass the time, keeping her quite busy.

But the question was, if he went on a trip, whom should he take along?

Neeta?

Or Saya?

He had already taken multiple trips with Neeta; just a few months ago, he had traveled to Nepal with her. So this time, he wanted to take Saya along.

But where? Goa?

Darren felt it was the perfect place.

He had never been to Goa before, and maybe Saya would enjoy it too.

"What happened?" Samir interrupted him. "Lost in thoughts again?"

"No," Darren shook his head, snapping out of his thoughts. "Actually, your Goa idea sounds good."

"If you like it, you should act on it immediately."

"Done," Darren lifted his glass, took the last sip, and looked outside at the vast black sky. "Finish your drink, the weather is changing."

"Yeah, seems like it's going to rain heavily today," Samir followed Darren's gaze and said.

---

Connaught Place's Indian Coffee House was a two-story restaurant, famous throughout Delhi for its special South Indian-flavored coffee. Its top floor was on the building's terrace, attracting crowds basking in the mild winter sun.

"What will you have?" Dheeraj checked his watch—it was 5 PM—and asked.

"Nothing, boss," the man sitting in front of him, a turbaned Sikh, replied. "Just your command."

The man was Balwinder Singh, a taxi driver in Delhi, originally from Naya Gaon in Punjab. He had come to Delhi two years ago seeking better opportunities but had unfortunately landed in a mess that almost sent him to jail. Back then, Delhi Police's encounter specialist, Dheeraj Dhama, had appeared like a savior—rescuing him from false charges and even helping him secure his taxi-driving job.

Since then, Balwinder, fondly called "Ballu," had immense respect for Dheeraj and never refused when asked for favors.

"Come on, at least order something," Dheeraj insisted.

"Whatever you order, boss."

Dheeraj ordered two coffees and looked back at Ballu.

"How's work going?" he asked.

"Good, boss," Ballu said. "Thanks to you, I earn enough for two meals, a chicken, and a bottle."

"Good," Dheeraj nodded. "Where are you staying these days?"

"You mean my home?" Ballu asked. "Or my taxi's parking spot?"

"Both."

"Home is still the same."

"Rajouri Garden?"

"Yes."

"You really like that place, huh?" Dheeraj smirked. "Got attached?"

"Come on, boss," Ballu blushed. "You know how it is."

"Still haven't married her?"

"Not yet, boss."

Dheeraj was referring to Rajinder Kaur, a girl living in Ballu's neighborhood, with whom he was in a relationship and even dreaming of marriage.

"Did you talk to her family?"

"Not yet, boss," Ballu said. "She wants to finish her college first."

"Hmm."

"She says we'll talk once she graduates."

"Will her family agree?"

"Her mother might, but her father surely won't."

"If he doesn't, let me know," Dheeraj said confidently. "I'll talk to him."

"That's a huge favor, boss."

"And your taxi?" Dheeraj changed the topic. "Where do you park it nowadays?"

"Same old place."

"Laxmi Nagar?"

"Yes, at the taxi stand there."

"Nothing has changed in the last five months."

"That's why you didn't hear anything new," Ballu said. "If something had changed, you'd be the first to know, boss."

"Hmm."

Just then, the waiter arrived and placed two cups of coffee on their table.

"The weather is changing," Dheeraj looked up at the sky and said. "Looks like it's going to rain."

Ballu followed Dheeraj's gaze, looked at the sky, but said nothing.

"I need you, Ballu," Dheeraj pushed a coffee cup toward him and picked up his own. "I need both you and your taxi for something."

"Just say the word, boss."

"It's a tough job."

"No worries, boss."

"So much so that you might have to lose your taxi."

"You gave it to me," Ballu said. "If it serves your work, that's an honor."

"I only made the initial payment. You paid the installments—and still are."

"It's all yours, boss."

"So if the taxi's gone, no regrets?"

"No regrets at all!" Ballu said with enthusiasm. "Just tell me what to do."

"I need your taxi for three or four days."

"No problem."

"During this time, you must be free at all times."

"Consider it done, boss."

"The work is risky, so I don't want to keep you in the dark about that."

"I understand."

"For the next three or four days, you'll be on standby with your taxi, ready to pick up and drop off people at my signal."

"Just tell me when to start, boss."

"From today itself," Dheeraj said. "If you have any pending work, finish it in the next two-three hours and meet me back here."

"Nothing is more important than your work, boss," Ballu said with loyalty. "I'm free right now."

"This coffee is excellent," Dheeraj took a sip, glanced up at the dark clouds again, and, looking into Ballu's eyes, gave him an order about the coffee—

"Finish it."