10: The Attack

A couple of hours after sunrise, a car was parked a short distance from Rishi's house, on the opposite side of the street. Karthik sat inside, beginning his investigation into the financial connection between his father and Rishi. He planned to follow his friend and observe him, hoping to find answers.

Rishi emerged from his house, locked the door, and opened the gate. He glanced back at his parked car, started the engine, and drove a few meters outside the gate. He got out, closed the gate, got back into his car, and drove away.

Karthik started his own car and followed Rishi.

Rishi stopped at a restaurant and went inside.

Karthik, wearing a cap to conceal his identity, also entered the restaurant. He sat a few tables away from Rishi, who was having breakfast with a group of young men and women Karthik had never seen before.

Karthik ordered a coffee and patiently observed his friend.

The sun beat down on the restaurant.

Rishi left with his group and drove to a pub. Karthik, still wearing his cap, followed.

Rishi was on the dance floor, moving with a couple of girls. Karthik sat near the bar.

"One orange juice," he ordered the waiter, his eyes fixed on Rishi.

"Here's your juice, sir," the waiter said promptly.

Karthik maintained his discreet observation until dusk.

As darkness fell, Rishi left the pub with a girl. They got into Rishi's car and drove off. Karthik continued his pursuit.

Rishi stopped at a three-star hotel. He and the girl went inside. Karthik waited outside.

An hour before dawn, Rishi and the girl emerged from the hotel, looking tired and disheveled. A cab was parked in front. The girl hugged and kissed Rishi goodbye, then got into the cab. Rishi got back into his car and drove home.

After a while, Rishi parked his car on the side of the road after crossing an intersection. Karthik stopped on the other side of the intersection, in the shadows near a streetlight. Rishi got out of his car, lit a cigarette, and answered a phone call. The area was deserted.

Suddenly, a truck stopped at the intersection, obscuring Karthik's view of Rishi. Karthik remained in his car, waiting for the truck to move on.

After a few minutes, the truck drove away. But Rishi and his car were gone. Karthik immediately got out of his car and looked around. He walked to the spot where he had last seen Rishi. All he found was a cigarette butt. He searched the area, but there was no sign of Rishi or his car.

He walked back to his car. Just then, under the streetlight, he sensed a presence behind him. He turned to his right. A masked man with a knife lunged at him, the blade missing Karthik by inches.

The masked man attacked again. Karthik dodged the blow and punched the attacker's arm. The knife slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground. Karthik tackled the masked man, pinning him down, and punched him repeatedly in the face. The attacker surrendered. Karthik ripped off the mask.

To his shock, the masked man was the same person who had attacked Siri earlier. Karthik froze, momentarily stunned. This hesitation allowed the attacker to push Karthik aside and run. Karthik quickly recovered and gave chase. The pursuit was short.

Karthik spotted an iron rod lying near a closed mechanic shop. It was rusty and dirty, but it would do. He threw the rod at the attacker's legs. It hit its mark. The attacker fell. Karthik, confident that the chase was over, walked towards him. He picked up the rod and struck the attacker's legs again, ensuring he wouldn't run.

"Who?" Karthik demanded.

The attacker remained silent, gasping for breath.

Karthik knelt beside him, raised the rod, and aimed it at the attacker's head. He lifted it high, roared, and swung.

"Rishi!" the attacker cried out just before the rod connected.

Karthik's eyes widened with rage. He completed his swing. Blood spurted from the attacker's mouth. His head was cut and bleeding profusely. He lost consciousness. Karthik hoisted him onto his left shoulder, picked up the rod with his right hand, and walked to his car.

He put the unconscious man, along with the rod, into the trunk and drove away.