RED DAY ORIGINAL

"You don't have to worry about this, Sneha," Inspector Jadhaw said firmly, his eyes steady and reassuring. "The police are with you now. Just help me file an FIR against that guy, and I'll handle the rest."

Sneha hesitated for a moment, her fingers trembling as she held the pen. Suru, noticing her hesitation, gently placed her hand on Sneha's.

"Jadhaw uncle, please," Suru said, her voice soft but pleading. "Don't tell Papa anything about this. He'll panic and make a scene at home. I don't want to add to his worries."

Inspector Jadhaw sighed, leaning back in his chair. "It's okay, Suru," he said, his tone shifting to one of understanding. "Your father is my friend, and you're like a daughter to me. He specifically asked me to look after you while you're in Delhi, and I take that promise seriously."

He leaned forward, his voice carrying both calmness and determination. "Now, don't worry. Once Sneha files this FIR, that guy will be in my lock-up within the hour. Trust me on this."

Sneha nodded hesitantly and began dictating her complaint. Once the FIR was filed, she turned to Suru, her voice trembling. "Will I really be safe?"

"Definitely, Sneha," Suru said with a gentle smile, her hand resting on Sneha's shoulder. "Inspector Jadhaw is one of the best. He won't let you down."

Inspector Jadhaw stood up abruptly, his face stern. "Ram Lal, get the car ready. We're catching that guy right now. My hands are itching to deliver some justice."

The officers quickly gathered their things and rushed out. The sound of the car engine roaring to life marked the beginning of their pursuit of Manish.

---

On the other side of the city, Manik drove his car with a calm confidence, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the steering wheel.

"Chetan has done a great job," he thought to himself, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "I told him to arrange a personal car for me, and he delivered. That's the kind of efficiency I like."

As he approached the hotel, the staff greeted him warmly, their professionalism masking any curiosity about the man's purpose. Manik nodded in acknowledgment, his mind too focused to engage in pleasantries.

He made his way to the room, his steps calculated and steady. Arriving at the door, he knocked lightly and waited.

The door creaked open, and his guest stood there with a welcoming smile. "Come in," the man said, stepping aside.

Manik entered the room, his expression neutral but his mind sharp, already calculating the next steps in his plan.

"Hello, Mr. Harper," Manik said, extending his hand with a composed smile.

"Hello, Mr. Manik," Harper replied, shaking his hand firmly. "When I received your message yesterday, I thought it would be a great opportunity to collaborate with the successor of The Weaponisor, Asia's biggest weapon company."

Manik's smile deepened. "The opportunity is mutual, Mr. Harper. It's not every day one gets to meet the most feared bounty hunter of this century." He gestured toward the sofa and sat down casually.

James Harper smirked, settling into the sofa across from Manik. "You seem to know quite a lot about me," he said, pouring water into two glasses. His movements were deliberate, each action hinting at the control he carried in any situation.

Manik accepted the glass and leaned back slightly, taking a sip. "Oh, I've done my homework," he said, his voice calm. "Ngawi, the small fishing village in New Zealand, your hometown. A rough childhood and the struggles of your family molded you into someone filled with rage. Over time, that rage turned into a weapon—one you wielded with calm precision. More than 200 successful hits as a bounty hunter. Then, you took it further, building an empire of over ten organizations that eliminate targets for the right price without leaving a trace."

Harper chuckled, an almost amused glint in his eyes. "And yet, I don't see the part about my fish business in your report. That's what most people know me for—exporting fish-based products. It's a tidy little side business that helps mask the true operations of my underworld ventures."

Manik nodded knowingly. "I'm well aware of that, Mr. Harper. But let's not pretend you're here to discuss fish exports. We both know your underworld business is the real reason for this meeting."

Harper's smirk remained intact as he leaned forward slightly. "And you should know, Mr. Manik Deshmukh, that anyone sitting across from me isn't entirely safe. Not now, not ever."

The room seemed to grow heavier with those words. Manik's gaze shifted slightly, his sharp instincts on high alert.

A faint voice suddenly crackled in his hidden earpiece. "Sir, we've spotted a beam of light trained on you. It's definitely a sniper. But there's no visible shooter in the surrounding area," said Chetan, who was monitoring the situation with his team from a nearby building.

Manik remained composed, but his mind was racing. His eyes subtly scanned the room, catching the glimmer of calculated confidence in Harper's expression.

"What's the matter, Mr. Deshmukh?" Harper asked, his voice as calm as ever. "Did you just receive some… interesting information?" He took another sip of water, his small smile never wavering.

Manik didn't reply immediately. Instead, he stared at Harper, his expression unreadable. Behind his calm demeanor, his mind was already strategizing his next move.

"Alright, I'm listening. Tell me the plan," said Harper, his voice steady but tinged with curiosity.

Manik's lips curved into a sly smile, his mind brimming with strategies. "Patience, Mr. Harper. Let me guide you step by step."

---

On one side, a calculated scheme to eliminate a brother was unfolding, while on the other, justice had caged a predator.

Inspector Jadhaw stood beside the lockup, a firm expression on his face. "Here's the man who caused all the suffering, Suru," he said, his voice calm yet resolute.

Suru's gaze bore into Manish, her eyes aflame with anger and glistening with unfallen tears. "Don't you have a mother? A sister? How could you stoop so low?" Her voice cracked with a mix of fury and grief. She clenched her fists, trying to contain the storm raging within.

Turning to Jadhaw, she spoke with trembling determination. "Uncle, open the cell. Please. I want to teach him what it feels like to suffer. He needs to pay for his sins."

Inspector Jadhaw, ever composed, gave a slight nod. "Ram Lal, let her in. A lioness wants her justice," he said, a faint smile touching his lips.

The cell door creaked open. Suru stepped in, her stance fierce yet trembling with suppressed emotion. She looked directly into Manish's eyes and said, "Love isn't just a word. It means safety, comfort, and care. But people like you? You tarnish its meaning. Justice will decide your fate, but I will make sure you understand the pain you've inflicted."

Manish, his head bowed, spoke in a hoarse, regret-laden voice. "Every cruel act has a reason behind it, Suru. Sometimes, even monsters have wounds."

His words halted her. She stepped back, confusion mingling with her fury. Then, in a sudden rush, she grabbed his collar. As her fingers tightened, voices began to echo in her mind.

"Where's the groom, Manish?" an old woman's voice.

"I'm sorry, Manish, but this can't happen," a young girl's trembling words.

"Aaaaaah!" the scream of a man pierced through.

"You must repay your loan, or else…" a chilling threat.

The voices grew louder, more oppressive, hammering at her consciousness. Suru froze, her grip faltering. She stumbled back, her breaths quick and shallow.

"What… what was that... not again... 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

.