Author's Note :-

I deeply respect my nation, its constitution, and its government. This book is a work of fiction created purely for storytelling purposes. Any references to politics, government, or legal matters are fictional and are not intended to disrespect, or harm any individual, institution, or authority.

Readers are requested to view the narrative as fiction only.

______________________________

°•°•°•°•°•°

Thick. Red. Blood

RED

The colour of Power

The colour of Authority

In a suffocating dark room, where the only source of light was a single red bulb glowing in one corner, a large wooden table stood at the opposite side,scattered on it were tools

razor-sharp blades, blood-stained cutters, knives of every size, coiled ropes, iron rods and loaded guns.

Each object whispered the same story--

scream, pain, torture, and no mercy.

the polished wooden floor was covered in thick red blood, The scent of iron hung heavy in the dark room. In the middle of the room lay the body of four unconscious men, half dead struggling with each breath

There cloths were completely drenched in blood and sweat,their hands were tied by metal chains- The metal chain cutting their flesh,Cuts and bruises covered them whole, some new some old, while some swollen

One of them groaned painfully, but immediately shut his mouth with his shivering palm

In one corner of the room stood a shivering man his eyes fixed on the big bags in front of him, the bags were wide open with millions of cash in them

He adjusted his spectacles, his hands trembling.

"S-sir... f-fifty lakhs are missing,"

he said after calculating, his voice barely above a whisper, thick with fear.

In the middle of the room, on a chair sat a MAN with legs wide open, his black eyes shinning,a cigarette rested between his sharp fingers his sleeves rolled up till his elbow showing his strong veiny muscular hands,he leaned back casually as he took a slow drag of the cigarette unbothered by the words of his P.A

"Hmmm" he hummed in his deep voice, the voice that have the power to shut thousand's at once

The man stood up from the chair after taking one last drag of the cigarette and walked towards the man lying on the floor

The man bend down towards his level and grabbed his jaw tight

"Did you really think ,you could betray me and walk away? "

He clucked, the dark sound vibrating in the whole silent room"

"S-sahab hame m-maaf kar do"

The man lying on the floor begged

(S-sir p-please forgive us)

The other man begged while breathing heavily

S-sir please don't kill us

A slow smirk curved the man's lips.

"Well, in that case," he said calmly, "you should have thought about that before betraying me."

"Raghav," he said, extending his hand.

Without a word, Raghav stepped forward and placed the gun in his palm.

The four men froze, their eyes widened

"S-sir-"

The word broke into a sob.

He tilted his head slightly, almost bored.

"Too late."

BANG.

BANG.

BANG.

BANG.

Raghav flinched.

The room fell in complete silence

All the four man collapsed on the floor with thug

The man didn't even blink.

Why would he ?

This was not something new for him...afterall it is the only thing he enjoys.

The MAN of his words.

He was non other than MLA Arjun Singh

The man respected by all,feared by all

He wasn't just in power-he was power himself.

And this was the way he reminds the world-

The cost of crossing him

"Raghav," he said handing the gun back,

"clean this mess."

Raghav nodded immediately.

"S-sir... CM sir ka call hai," the P.A. said nervously "Woh aapse milna chahte hain. Kya bolu?"

( Sir CM sir has called you....He wants to meet you. What should I say to him ? )

"Tell him," Arjun said, picking up his coat,"I'll be there in one hour."

••••••••••••••••

Papa... Mumma... utho na. Chalo ghar chale."

The six-year-old boy cried, his tiny fingers tightly wrapped around his parents hands.

His father coughed, blood staining his lips as tears streamed down from his eyes.

He looked at his son, forcing a weak smile

"Mera bachcha... we are really sorry," he whispered "We couldn't celebrate your seventh birthday together."

Papaaaaaaaaaa...

••••••••••••••••••

" Sir" Raghav's voice broke the chain of my thoughts. "We are about to reach."

Hm," I hummed, my gaze fixed outside the window while my thoughts drifted far from the present.

"Sir... what do you think? CM sir ne kyun bulaya hoga?"

( Why would have CM Sir called us? )

Raghav asked, his voice low, nervousness slipping through despite his attempt to sound calm.

I clucked darkly, the sound vibrated in the car.

"Pack your bags, Raghav," I said evenly. "Very soon, we'll be leaving for a rural trip."

The words hung heavy between us.

The car came to a sudden halt.

••••••••••••••••

I looked out through the window of my car.

The official CM office.

A tall building stood before me. The national flag fluttered above it, proudly. Government cars lined the driveway,

Uniformed guards stood at attention.

Raghav opened the car door and I stepped out.

My security moved instantly, forming a tight, disciplined circle around me.Their eyes scanning every corner, every movement.

Raghav walked beside me. "Appointment confirmed, sir. The Honourable CM is expecting you."

I nodded once and adjusted my coat. Cameras turned. A few heads turned some watching, some whispering-while a few saluted in respect.

Respect.

Someone once said-

Respect wasn't built on loyalty.

It was built on fear.

And fear?

Fear listened when I spoke.

Outside those walls, I am MLA Arjun Singh-

A leader, an influencer, a man of principles, Someone people trusted their futures with.

Inside them-

I am the nightmare, the curse.

A shadow, everyone fears to get close with.

And the reason people thought twice before betraying.

At the entrance to the CM's office, my men stopped. Protocol. Only Raghav and I were allowed inside.

The guard opened the door.

The door closed behind me with a soft, final click.

The Chief Minister stood near his desk, sunlight cutting across the room in clean, sharp lines.

"Arjun," he said, extending his hand. "Good to see you."

"Honorable Chief Minister" I shook his hand. Firm. Brief.

We sat opposite each other. Between us lay a polished desk stacked with files-development reports, approvals, numbers that decides future.

"Arjun, I called you here for a very important construction project."

"Nagpur ke paas ek gaon hai-Veerpur. Pichhle chhe mahino se wahan factories aur ek hospital ka construction chal raha hai. Files clear hain,

phir bhi kaam ab tak poora nahi hua."

("There's a village near Nagpur-Veerpur. Construction of factories and a hospital has been underway there for the past six months. The files are clear, yet the work hasn't been completed yet.")

He said while sliding a heavy file towards me

"According to us, the reason for the work delay is illegal businesses and the involvement of some influential people."

The CM paused, letting the sentence settle heavily in the room.

"These people are not outsiders, Arjun. They wear clean clothes, sit in official meetings, and speak the language of development- and are doing this behind our back "

He tapped the file once, sharply.

He paused, then added deliberately,"And I want you to lead it."

I inhale deeply.

"Sir, with due respect, I cannot be a part of the new project since I already have lots of projects in line"

The CM looked up from the file

"Arjun," he said calmly, folding his hands, "this construction project will prove highly beneficial for the people, and for us and don't worry about the other projects I will handle that."

I didn't answer immediately.

Arjun samjhne ki koshish karo elections sar par hn aur yeh project kisi bhi kimat par election se phele pura hona chahiye...You know what I mean.

( Arjun, try to understand that elections are near and this project must be completed before the elections at any cost.)

But sir- he cut me in between.

"Arjun," he interrupted calmly, It's an order."

Inhaling deeply, I nodded.

"Sir... as you say" but since I'm leading this, meri kuch conditions hain."

( I have some conditions )

Conditions? "What conditions" he narrowed his eyes staring at me intensely.

"The conditions are simple," I said calmly.

"The project will be executed strictly according to my plan-no interference, no instructions from anyone."

I paused, letting the words settle.

"And the place where I will be staying during the project will be decided by me."

The CM tilted his head and leaned back in his chair.

"Are you planning something, Arjun?"

I met his gaze, my voice steady. "You know me, sir. I only want everything to be perfect-and the project to succeed, don't worry sir I wouldn't disappoint you."

He studied me for a long moment, eyes weighing more than words. Then he gave a slow nod

"Alright," the CM said.

" Sir " I nodded

After bidding him goodbye, I walked toward my car.

Raghav opened the door for me, the moment I sat inside he shut it back.

The silence was heavy.

A slow, dangerous smirk curved my lips.

The kind that appears only when the outcome is already decided...

When the winner is known.

I wispered in deep breath

"Let the game begin."

.

.

.

.

To be continued ___________________________________________