21-07-2025, 12:18 AM
CHAPTER 17
SHANGHAI , CHINA.
Shuangqiao Nancun was bracing for another hectic day of business. But things were getting intense in the Golden Yan Hotel as Ricky was sitting in his chair as if he was awaiting for someone. The caucasian woman now revealed to be a Ms.Sharon Raegan , who also shares a complicated history with the Triads and is also familiar with the legacy of Michael King. She was sitting opposite Ricky with a smile , unbothered by the tense look Ricky and his men had as they were counting each seconds of time passing.
Outside , Ricky's men were patrolling the streets of Nancun. They all were looking around , finding a face. And eventually their search reached its culmination. From the distance as the sun was rising in the horizon , a mysterious masculine figure was walking in the pathway. Eventually it closed some distance and the figure revealed itself. Dressed in a black suit with no tie and a trench coat , Hemant walked with focus and attention. His eyes were hidden beneath the aviators as he was scanning his surroundings like a radar , to sense any abnormal movements. As he walked through the familiar grounds , he remembered the time spent long back here. The place had a similar vibe like Mumbai , the chaos and the crowd , but the public was more civilized and calmer.
As he was walking towards the Golden Yang Hotel , Hemant noticed a couple of men in street wear converging on him from all the sides of his walkway appearing from the crowded markets to the sides. As he nearly reached the entrance of the hotel , these men enveloped him while matching Hemant's walk and followed him to the hotel. As they reached the lobby , the man walking on the front split away leaving Hemant to lead from the front as he ascended the stairs to Ricky's office room.
Hemant arrived at the room much to the surprise of Ricky as he removed his aviators from his face. Both of them stared down at each other standing for some time as if a fight was going to break out. But then suddenly , Ricky's mouth turned to a grin from the side as Hemant gestured back with a smile of his own. Both hugged each other firmly as Ricky whispered.
"Long time brother"
"Fifteen years to be exact"
Hemant after hugging Ricky , sat on the seat opposite him. The men who escorted him eased their shoulders as Ricky sat on his chair.
"Well , you look fat" Ricky quipped.
"What the hell" Hemant giggled and pointed to his well maintained body.
"You were leaner in our days Mike. Now you look like those body builders with showpiece muscles"
"You cannot stay fast and quick when you age Ricky. I just switched from acrobatics to close combat for now. Moulding myself in an uncharted territories"
"Uncle Sifu better not hear this"
"He won't"
Both of them laughed as they had their funny banter. They talked about their good old days , some of the old boys they hung with , where they are , what are the changes in the flea market which was once more than just a territory but a second home. Eventually Hemant got into business.
"Wutang Brothers , who sent them?"
"The order came from the chairman. The order wasn't specific with the hitmen. I was the one who referred them."
"Uncle Shen wanted me dead?" Hemant asked confused.
"He doesn't. He was honoring a blood pact. Your assasination was the favor for that pact"
"Who is that?"
"You might be familiar , remember Tong?"
"The Triad Torture Specialist?"
"Precisely. This is his sweet little brother. Not so sweet and not so little anymore. Tong sent him to the United States , raised him away from the chaos of the triads. So I guess Tong's death made him just like his brother"
"He is part of the triad now?"
"No , he blames the triad for his brother's death too. He just wanted to have the chairman have your blood in his hand"
"What is his background?"
"Well , Tong did send him to the states so that he stays away from the life of crime but I guess its in their blood. His name is Lai Tong , got his studies done in one of the best universities in Massechusetts but ended up in the drug ring. His knack in chemistry made him an exceptional talent in cooking some of the nasty stuff. Even the recent drug 'Devil's Beath' run by the AZRAEL syndicate is his creation."
"Does the Triads have any business association with this syndicate again?"
"Not the SunOnYee. The 18K on the other hand has a short deal with them , the notorious Sammy Chao handles their imports. We've drawn them away from this streets , they operate on the eastern side of Shanghai now"
"Are they back in their old form? The Syndicate?"
"Not in their prime to be honest. But they are pretty scarred. You gave them quiet a beating long back , plus the faction is very minimal , just a bunch of egoistic snots not letting the bad things die"
Hemant showed his frustrations in his face as he responded.
"I really thought I buried it all. Turns out I was wrong!"
"Look , you don't need to be worried about this. The pact is done , Lai Tong can no longer rely on the Triads anymore"
"That doesn't mean he will stop Ricky , I am the one who killed his brother. He just wanted to know whether it was me. And now he knows it"
"You're telling me you're scare of him?"
"No , Ricky. I am saying I am back in that situation again. My loved ones are once again in danger , and......I am once again being pushed to the corner"
"What happened on Azerbaijaan is not your fault , those scums knew they couldn't touch them as long as you were around them , which is why they conveniently sent you away to make them vulnerable"
Hemant looked hurt. Ricky comforted him.
"Mike , you okay?"
"I am fine Ricky. Its just......she now comes in my memories.....like a nightmare.....her cheerful face.......it haunts me......"
"Hey , she had a happy life because of you. Be greatful that you gave her wonderful memories when she lived"
Hemant didn't respond , he just worked on keeping his emotions together. After some small talk and sharing some plans regarding dealing with this new threat. Hemant walked away , from the hotel , along with Sharon.
His return flight was still had time left. So Hemant and Sharon had a wonderful breakfast at a less crowded restaurant. Soon Sharon and Hemant had a conversation.
"So how is life in Mumbai?" Sharon asked.
"Pretty leniant. Although the new business has sparked some interesting days for me"
"Oh I've heard. But going into business with Kaiser Weston? That is a risky one"
"Really? can he be trouble?"
"For beginnners yeah , he is not the same Kaiser you knew in London. He is a CIA stooge now. His whole business front is an investment from Homeland Security"
"So that means if he wants to business with me , that means the American Government wants a closer look in my work"
"Precisely , but their overwatch is more on ANVIL than you. Considering you are one of the key supplier to their tools"
"Guess I'll be the good boy , play everything by the book"
"That's the problem Michael , you're too good"
"What do you mean 'too good' huh?"
"You play your cards very well. Even in the past , you'd done precise planning to all your 'jobs' , there is not a single thread we can label you on with it. It was like Michael King doesn't even exist"
"Don't tell me Americans are jealous because I am doing the 'espionage' better than them"
"That is exactly why they are interested in you. Through Weston they might end up giving you a gateway to a living of your dreams."
"Well , that is exactly the plan. I do want the best education for Karan"
"Its still crazy to think that you're a father , you of all people"
"Why not?"
"Because that wasn't your game , the Michael I know was a flamboyant man , hookups and highlife were his dreams"
"I did until a young girl hit me right where it felt. And my dreams had her living in the skies until everything came crashing down"
Hemant was once again in a depressed state as he remembered her face in his mind again. Sharon saw his troubles and comforted him by grabbing his hand.
"Mike , don't bring her to your head if it hurts"
"No , it doesn't hurt Sharon. She has a new purpose in my heart now. To keep the flames alive , to fullfill an unspoken promise , to avenge my loved ones."
Sharon saw the rage in his eyes , it had the similar fire he used to have when he went to handle his business in the past. He wasn't a human when he is that state , he is like a caged entity waiting to unleash its fury. Sharon saw it in his eyes as he finally said.
"I will find him Sharon.........I will find him!"
FEW DAYS LATER, BACK IN MUMBAI
The MORNING BREEZE CAFE's air was mild with the fragrance of roasted beans and boiling milk. Meghna sat hunched over a wooden table, twirling a black bishop between her fingers, her eyes bouncing between the chessboard and the fragmented thoughts nesting in her head. The board mirrored her life — strategic, calculated, half-played. Her game with herself was less about checkmate and more about distraction. Her mind wrapped around the life of Sonarika , how exceptionally she played her cards to bring her and Vikram together. It was the initial hint that ignited the fire of this master plan in her. She still remembers the phone call , the enthusiasm Vikram had when he called Meghna after their first party , wanting to know more about her , to understand where she came from. Meghna understood from Vikram's talk alone that there were signs of infactuations in his approach. And that plucked the seed in her mind. To alternate , to find a way for Sonarika to get close to Vikram.
And Sonarika already made it easy for her , she was already frustrated with Hemant's lifestyle then , his lack of awareness on his health and how he became such a burden for his own life. The staleness in their life was pretty aware , but Sonarika tried holding on. And Meghna knew how to make her leave that hold. Her calculated meeting setup with Mouni and making Sonarika see the lifestyle Mouni follows. Then that fateful marriage visit at Manali and her tactical planning of getting the room near Vikram and Sagar's. Then it was a day full of convincing , convincing Mouni to have her moment with Sagar and her own planning to have Mouni plan to sleep with Sagar that night in his room so that Vikram will be forced to share theirs. All these small instances carefully orcestrated by her.
But the one she is more proud of was the hilltop incident where she went with a gutfeeling of something happening leaving those two alone. And she did manage to take them all to the cable car leaving Vikram and Sonarika marooned in that hilltop. And that hunch paid off as Sonarika returned disturbed by something which she eventually learned to be a kiss that happened between them. After that it was easy sailing for her. The occasional meetups and then the culmination of everything for that night in Jabalpur , where all lines crossed. And the crazy part is Meghna had no hand in that , she didn't set it up , but rather all the events she orchestrated led to that moment.
And that was it , since then , Sonarika and Vikram lives a forbidden secret , their Galaxy Apartment was their sensual retreat. The photos she saw on the wall that day , it showed their relationship was growing to new heights. And very soon it will happen , Sonarika will submit to Vikram's love and choose him. The perfect mother and the ideal wife will crumble to bits and that will crush Hemant. And just like that Sonarika will shatter apart!
Hemant!
His face appeared in Meghna's mind , especially the last time she saw him. How that slow , weak average family man transformed into such a specimen of male perfection. She remembered the crazy things she did with Disha after that birthday party.
She was thinking of Hemant. Strange, really. The same man who once was a big annoyance now had this quiet pull. Not love, certainly not friendship. Something messier. Intriguing. Dangerous. Her lips parted slightly at the thought, until a shadow fell across the table. She looked up. It was Hemant.
"Mind if I join you?"
Hemant asked with his usual soft smile, one hand already pulling the chair opposite her. Meghna nodded, her heartbeat skipping a conflicted beat.
"Of course. I was getting bored of playing with myself." She gestured at the board.
Hemant smiled and took his seat. There was no hesitation in him, no guardedness — and that irritated her almost as much as it delighted her. She slid the white pieces toward him and resumed the black.
"How’s work at YOD? Or is this a rare Hemant holiday?" she teased lightly.
He chuckled, moving a pawn forward.
"Had a quick meeting nearby. Thought I’d steal a moment of peace before returning to the grind. Lucky to run into you."
That word — lucky — hung in her ears like a spell. He didn’t know how unlucky he truly was.
"Been hearing great things about you. Your company is growing quiet fast"
"Yeah , guess its a lot of hardwork and focused determination I guess"
"Cannot believe I used to despise you"
"You don't anymore?"
"I don't know. Back in the day , I painted a picture of yours to be a despicable and boring person. With a bland personality. But now , its like talking to a different man altogether"
"I am glad to hear that I am in your good books now. Sona will be happy to hear that"
"Oh she is definitely happy for sure"
"Is that so?"
Meghna realized she was slipping to reveal Sonarika to him , there is still time for that as she backtracked and lied.
"I mean....her husband is at his best form so obviously any wife will be happy about that"
"I hope she is......all of my struggles , everything I am fighting for......is for a better future with her"
Their game progressed in quiet bursts of movement and observation. She studied his fingers as they moved over the board, neat and assured, like his voice when he spoke about Sonarika.
"You still look at her like she’s the sun"
Meghna said suddenly, eyes on her knight but mind measuring his reaction. Hemant blinked, then smiled.
"That’s because she is, Meghna. She keeps me... grounded. Our family, she holds it together. Even when I’m overwhelmed at work, I know I’ll come home to her and Karan — and it makes everything worthwhile"
Meghna bit her lower lip hard enough to punish herself for the jealousy that rose uninvited. A toxic sweetness laced her insides. He was blind, so completely blind. She had almost succeeded. Just a few more moves.
"Is Sonarika really that important to you?"
Meghna questioned him in an attempt to observe his response, display his feelings for his wife
"Words aren't enough to describe her importance Meghna. Sona , she might claim I was the sun but she is truly the one for me. When she entered my life , I was in darkness. Covered in grief and loss , and Sona , she showed me the light to live again. And she fixed the broken part of me , relieving me from my wounds. Everything I do today , this business , this empire I am building. I am doing this so that I can spend the rest of my life with her not worrying about the regular life or conflicts. Give my whole attention to her. That is always my intention"
"Hmmm maybe Sonarika does made a right choice marrying you after all"
"I definitely did making her a part of my life" Hemant said with pride.
As the next few turns passed, Meghna allowed herself to drift inside again. Hemant’s praise of Sonarika’s perfection didn’t hurt her anymore. It thrilled her. Like watching a castle built on sand — tall, beautiful, doomed. She had nudged Sonarika toward Vikram with the precision of a puppeteer. Each secret night shared under her cover, every silent rendezvous, had been arranged with surgical cruelty. And soon, when the truth will crack Hemant’s heart wide open, Meghna would be there. Not to comfort him. No, not for that. She would be the only stable ground he could find, and by then, he would be hers — body, spirit, loyalty — broken, reshaped. A slave forged from betrayal and need.
"I never expected you two to stay so... untouched by life"
Meghna murmured as she captured his queen. Hemant laughed softly, scratching his chin.
"We’re not untouched. We’ve had our storms. But my Sona — she’s always been the calm after"
Meghna offered a half-smile, almost pitying him now.
"Check" she said, and he took his time to respond. His expression was thoughtful.
"You’re good at this. Quietly lethal."
She met his eyes then, locking him into a moment longer than necessary.
"Only when I need to be" she said, her voice velvet over thorns. He tipped over his king.
As he stood up, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and sighed.
“Duty calls. Take care, Meghna. It was really good seeing you.”
She nodded, watching him pocket his phone and stride off, unaware of the pit she was digging for him. The innocent sincerity in his goodbye. The trusting tilt of his head. It made her want to smile and scream all at once. Her fingers absentmindedly moved the pieces back into place as she imagined the many versions of Hemant’s ruin — each one exquisite. The day he finds the real truth. The moment he walks in to the truth and sees his loving and dear wife Sonarika has fallen for someone else , no longer his darling sweetheart anymore. When that shatters him and breaks him apart. When there will be no more Sonarika , no more Karan lightening his life. Only then, there will be her , Meghna, the only light left. Not warm, but burning. Not love, but dominion.
As his figure disappeared around the corner, Meghna leaned back in her chair, breathing in the final silence of the match. Not the chess match — that was just foreplay. The real game had already begun. Sonarika would lose her pedestal. Hemant would lose his heart. And Meghna... Meghna would win. She watched a pigeon flap down onto the adjacent table, pecking crumbs. Her mind played the next few months in vivid color, every scenario of pain and reclamation.
With a smirk shadowing her lips, she thought — soon, Hemant. Soon you'll kneel, and you won’t even know why you feel safest at my feet.
Hemant’s days began with focus on fitness, with the sharp air and warm heat of the morning sun cutting through the thick silence of the factory grounds. The backyard section of YOD Industries had become his sanctuary for discipline—a customized parkour and strength-training zone that kept his body honed for both battle and burden. Each leap, each pull-up, each sprint was an attempt to exorcise the ghosts that clung to the edges of his mind. The sweat on his brow and the fire in his limbs were the only things that briefly silenced the voice of the past, of Ashnoor, whose laughter sometimes echoed softly in the wind, turning steel into sorrow.
Inside the sprawling compound of YOD Industries, the dichotomy of his worklife was stark. One section, a fortress of secrecy, bustled with military engineers and Indian Army defense personnel. There, he oversaw the development of prototype weaponized ATVs—a revolutionary fusion of stealth, agility, and firepower. On the other end, regular operations churned in a steady rhythm: the alignment knot systems, precision tooling, and the contracts that kept the lifeblood of the factory flowing. But even among the rhythmic clang of machines and the confident nods of subordinates, Hemant’s eyes drifted—towards the mission he had silently vowed to complete.
Operation Jewel Thief had become more than an objective; it was a compulsion. The Kohinoor Recreational Center, on the surface a glossy venture of luxury and commerce, had hidden layers. Hemant suspected those layers held the key to answers he had long buried. Kaamya, a digital savant, watched the building like a hawk—logging the pattern of activities, tracking unusual movements, and creating a digital map of connections. Vaibhav, his other right hand, worked deeper, dissecting the building’s embedded shielding systems and evaluating every security flaw. Together with Raquel’s historical deconstructions of the building's roots, Hemant was building a puzzle whose full picture only he could see.
Vaibhav approached him.
"Sir , I've found something peculiar"
"Show me" Hemant moved with him to the screen following his lead.
"I've been surveiling the power input to this building. Its taking way too much power than it should be taking"
"Its a business complex Vaibhav. Sometimes small businesses tend to recieve larger power"
"That is true but not here. See this"
Vaibhav pointed to an image taken from a security camera aiming at the top of that building.
"You see that enclosed electrical conduit in the middle. That is a coolant tower. Many manufacturing factories or high output machine warehouses built this to secrete the excessive heat their machines generate. No big scale manufacture happens in that buildings. Even the small businesses only run their offices not any hard labor. Which means...."
"Which means there is something in that building that is building a lot of heat. Probably a Vault!"
"Yes sir , but where that Vault is in that building? that is still a mystery. This place is showing everything but also hiding something"
"Any way we can find that?" Hemant asked.
"There I can help sir" Kamya intervened. She continued.
"As you said , I've started making charts and statistics of every person involved in that building. But last week something peculiar happened. The chief of security of the Mehta Family Mr.Gurmeet Chaddha , arrived with his security team and they carried a box into the building. The purpose and direction inside the building is unclear but the way they came was something interesting. They didn't come in day when everything was open , they came in the middle of the night , one of the nearby building's CCTV recordings caught them."
"Interesting , anything else"
"Something more sinister , upon researching some of the people involved in this building. I found an interesting thing. These are four people who used to work for Mehta Family's security firm but were apparently fired months ago. But turns out these men live in the nearby buildings of this Kohinoor center and through camera surveilance , I've found their apartment lights to be on at night"
"So?"
"So I thought it might be a night shift work for them or something else. Until I found this"
Kamya forwarded four still photos from a camera feed of their apartments showing binoculaurs planted near the windows at night. Hemant understood the gravity of the situation.
"They're guarding the building....at night" Hemant concluded.
"Precisely sir , and we still have backdoor access to the Regal Corp business structure. We managed to gather more info after finding out their Aadhaar numbers , their bank accounts were traced. And after some careful peeking , I learned that all these four men , they're still getting monthly payments from the RegalCorp firm. They are in the Mehta's payroll"
Vaibhav and Kamya smiled at each other , admiring the work they've put together to understand more about their target. Hemant looked ahead at the giant screen , the live feed of the Kohinoor Center.
"This building is not just a business complex......its a fortress....guarding a valuable treasure....we need to find out what"
FEW DAYS LATER
Hemant had a much awaited visit to Tamanna at their usual cafe. The warm amber lights of Café Veranda spilled across the checkered floor as soft jazz hummed in the background. It was their occasional refuge, a small corner booth by the window where the noise of the world felt far away. Hemant arrived a little late, his jacket had roughed up , pointing out his hectic schedule for the day. Tamanna was already seated, a half-empty cup of green tea before her, fingers tracing idle patterns on the porcelain. When he slid into the booth, he offered a tired smile.
"Sorry, I had a defence meeting which ran longer than usual. You’ve been waiting long?"
Tamanna smiled gently, her voice even but heavy.
"Not really. I needed the quiet"
Her eyes met his—dark, thoughtful, and restless. She looked radiant as usual and this time there was a glow to her face that he had missed seeing in her for a long time.
"How are things"
"Things are great actually , work in my studio is going well. Shraddha is always at her cheerful best , she loves that mumma spends more time with her now"
"Good , I guess we should finally address the elephant in the room"
"I know , and let me say this with the bottom of my heart , I am sorry , sorry for being mean to you in our last visit"
"I can understand Tammu"
"Regardless that was very rash and insulting of me to behave like that with you , it simply wasn't fair"
She had rehearsed this moment in her mind countless times, but now that it was here, the words tangled like ivy in her chest. She sighed, steadying herself.
"Hemant, I’ve been meaning to tell you something… about that night. The yacht. The whole mess with Sandeep.”
Hemant leaned back, his features tightening. He had his reservations about Sandeep from the start, but he never thought Tamanna would be the one hurt.
"You don’t owe me any explanation Tammu" he began, his voice softer than expected.
"But… I’ve been worried. You looked… different after you returned" He paused.
"Hurt"
She nodded.
"Because I was" Her fingers curled around her teacup.
"He got drunk. We were… together, almost. But in the middle of everything, he just started going on about you. How he was ‘better than Hemant’ in bed, a more complete man, that I should admit it. It wasn’t about me. It was about some sick competition in his head"
She looked down, blinking rapidly.
"I had to drug his drink to make him pass out. I couldn’t let it go further"
Hemant stared at her, his jaw clenched, knuckles white against the wooden table.
"Damn it, Tammu" he muttered, voice rough.
"I should’ve said something earlier. I thought… maybe your goodness could soften someone like him. I didn’t step in because I thought he could be different with you. I was wrong"
Tears welled in her eyes, but she pushed them back.
"No, Hemant. It wasn’t your fault. I didn't knew what I was doing. I chose Sandeep not because I loved him… but because I was punishing myself. Trying to push you away, because I couldn’t handle being near you and knowing I could never really be part of your life"
Hemant was startled by her wordings.
"Life?" Hemant asked confused.
She took a deep breath.
"I've had feelings for you Hemant.......ever since you returned in my life!"
Hemant froze. The words hung in the air like incense, bittersweet and lingering. Tamanna continued, her voice low.
"Back in our college days, I used to make excuses to be near you. Coaching you, those study nights, even when I knew you were with Sanju… it was stupid, but it made me feel alive"
Hemant wasn't shocked with the revelation. He knew about her feelings for him through Dheeraj , but he was surprised that she finally admitted. Now it made sense why she was willing to talk naughty with him.
"When Dev came in my life , I managed to bury our past , start fresh. And then the tragedies of my life overwhelmed my thoughts. As I was recovering from it , I saw you , in that library. And everthing felt surreal , as if you came back to heal me completely. Even seeing you confused and not recognizing me brought a thrill of our old friendship back in the day"
Hemant could understand her , how their first meetings went. Their occasional glances of someone familiar , someone he could not put his finger on. More than that , Tamanna was also part of a happy memory after which his journey to a different world began , where pain and suffering awaited for him.
"Then I learned about your married status, after that seeing your son Karan… it hurt. Not because I was jealous, but because I finally understood that there was a whole world I’d never belong to"
He reached across the table and gently placed his hand over hers.
"Tammu… I don’t know what to say. I had no idea. And I’m sorry… for what you’ve carried all these years"
His voice trembled slightly.
"You’re one of the kindest people I know. You didn’t deserve what happened with Sandeep. And you didn’t deserve to carry this weight alone"
She smiled, a real one this time, through the glimmer in her eyes.
"I’m not saying this to complicate things. I know we can’t be anything more. I respect your marriage, Hemant. I always will. But I had to tell you… not for us to change, but so I could be honest with myself. And with you"
She looked at him with renewed strength.
"You’re my friend. You always were. I want that more than anything"
He nodded, emotion flickering across his face.
"And you’ll always have that. I admire your courage, Tammu. You’ve been through more than most and you still carry yourself with grace. I’ll always be here. As your friend"
The tension eased as their hands parted. The air was lighter now, not because the burden was gone, but because it was shared. As the evening deepened and their drinks were refilled, they found themselves laughing again, slipping into the ease of their old college banter. The bond between them—tempered by truth, forged in understanding—was stronger than ever. And though it was not romantic, it was something just as rare: an honest, enduring friendship.
SOME DAYS LATER AT ROYAL SPORTS CLUB , WORLI
The morning sun filtered through the mesh fencing of the elite Mumbai sports club as Hemant adjusted the grip on Ananya Pandey’s tennis racket.
"Hold it like you’re shaking hands with it"
Hemant said with a light chuckle, kneeling beside her at the baseline. Ananya, in her tennis whites and ponytail, laughed.
"You make it sound so simple" she replied, trying to mimic his grip.
Hemant stood, offering a warm smile.
"Everything starts with the basics. Even billion-dollar companies began with a blank sheet"
He said, tapping the ball lightly. The tone was always gentle—firm when needed, but never forceful. There was no air of superiority in him, only patience and encouragement. Ananya felt a rare ease around him.
As the sessions progressed into the first week, their rhythm found its flow. Between serves and volleys, the two would often share stories. Ananya spoke about the unpredictable whirlwind of the new project, while Hemant teased her , saying her filmmakers are ripping off another project from a different language.
"Two men fighting for the love of a woman and all three of them are tennis players. Now where have I read this?"
He said mocking, tossing her the ball. She paused, moved.
"You think I am oblivious about the challengers movie?" Ananya retorted.
"No , no. I am just saying don't try to ripoff Zendaya with your role. You have an identity of your own , try to make this an Ananya special"
"Let me guess , you're like those men who wants to see Ananya Pandey make out with two men don't you?"
She teased. Hemant grinned and then acted innocent.
"I am a married man Ananya. Besides the original movie has both of the men making-out so not my thing!"
They laughed at his retort as they continued their training session. By mid-week, she was returning shots better and running drills with more fluidity. But what surprised Ananya most wasn’t the improvement in her game—it was the wisdom in Hemant’s words. During a break, she confessed.
"I always felt the need to prove I’m more than just a pretty face. It gets tiring"
Hemant leaned on his racket, nodding.
"Ignore the noise. Respect yourself and demand it from others. That's how you train the world to treat you"
The advice lingered with her long after the session ended. It wasn’t performative or patronizing—it was real, grounded, and delivered without judgment.
Hemant too found a surprising comfort in these sessions. Despite the glitz that surrounded Ananya, she was thoughtful, earnest, and driven. One evening, as they packed up, he mentioned his son.
"He seems to be liking a lot of archery lately. Seen a lot of Green Arrow and Hawkeye comics in his stash now , sometime he makes me feel the same enthusiasm I used to have to sports”
He joked with pride. Ananya laughed, then turned serious.
"You’re a great father, Hemant. I can see that in how you teach"
There was a pause, warm and silent.
"You’re a great student" he replied sincerely.
"Makes the coaching feel worthwhile"
The final week came with longer rallies and shorter breaks. Their movements on the court became synchronized, not just in play but in understanding. Conversations turned deeper—life philosophies, childhood dreams, the weight of expectations. Despite the difference in their worlds, there was a common ground: the drive to rise above, to excel without losing oneself. Ananya looked forward to their sessions, not for the game alone, but for the space they shared—a rare kind of respect and comfort that needed no labels.
On their last day of training, Ananya surprised him with a signed tennis ball.
To Coach Hemant Kumar—thank you for making the court feel like home
It read.
He smiled, visibly touched.
"You’ve got the strokes now, and the spirit. Just remember what we practiced—play to your strengths"
She nodded, a little emotional.
"Thank you for being more than a coach" she said softly.
Hemant offered a reassuring handshake, the same way he had taught her to hold the racket.
"Thank you for trusting me"
As they parted ways at the club gate, Hemant watched her disappear into the city bustle. He wasn’t sentimental by nature, but this bond—a simple, respectful camaraderie—left him feeling quietly content. He had mentored many in QUADRON, but this felt different. For Ananya, the sessions had given her more than tennis—confidence, clarity, and a reminder that genuine people still existed in places where the spotlight often blinded. Two weeks, a few conversations, and a game of tennis—enough to strengthen their friendship that neither fame nor fortune could generate.
(CHAPTER TO BE CONTD)
Shuangqiao Nancun was bracing for another hectic day of business. But things were getting intense in the Golden Yan Hotel as Ricky was sitting in his chair as if he was awaiting for someone. The caucasian woman now revealed to be a Ms.Sharon Raegan , who also shares a complicated history with the Triads and is also familiar with the legacy of Michael King. She was sitting opposite Ricky with a smile , unbothered by the tense look Ricky and his men had as they were counting each seconds of time passing.
Outside , Ricky's men were patrolling the streets of Nancun. They all were looking around , finding a face. And eventually their search reached its culmination. From the distance as the sun was rising in the horizon , a mysterious masculine figure was walking in the pathway. Eventually it closed some distance and the figure revealed itself. Dressed in a black suit with no tie and a trench coat , Hemant walked with focus and attention. His eyes were hidden beneath the aviators as he was scanning his surroundings like a radar , to sense any abnormal movements. As he walked through the familiar grounds , he remembered the time spent long back here. The place had a similar vibe like Mumbai , the chaos and the crowd , but the public was more civilized and calmer.
As he was walking towards the Golden Yang Hotel , Hemant noticed a couple of men in street wear converging on him from all the sides of his walkway appearing from the crowded markets to the sides. As he nearly reached the entrance of the hotel , these men enveloped him while matching Hemant's walk and followed him to the hotel. As they reached the lobby , the man walking on the front split away leaving Hemant to lead from the front as he ascended the stairs to Ricky's office room.
Hemant arrived at the room much to the surprise of Ricky as he removed his aviators from his face. Both of them stared down at each other standing for some time as if a fight was going to break out. But then suddenly , Ricky's mouth turned to a grin from the side as Hemant gestured back with a smile of his own. Both hugged each other firmly as Ricky whispered.
"Long time brother"
"Fifteen years to be exact"
Hemant after hugging Ricky , sat on the seat opposite him. The men who escorted him eased their shoulders as Ricky sat on his chair.
"Well , you look fat" Ricky quipped.
"What the hell" Hemant giggled and pointed to his well maintained body.
"You were leaner in our days Mike. Now you look like those body builders with showpiece muscles"
"You cannot stay fast and quick when you age Ricky. I just switched from acrobatics to close combat for now. Moulding myself in an uncharted territories"
"Uncle Sifu better not hear this"
"He won't"
Both of them laughed as they had their funny banter. They talked about their good old days , some of the old boys they hung with , where they are , what are the changes in the flea market which was once more than just a territory but a second home. Eventually Hemant got into business.
"Wutang Brothers , who sent them?"
"The order came from the chairman. The order wasn't specific with the hitmen. I was the one who referred them."
"Uncle Shen wanted me dead?" Hemant asked confused.
"He doesn't. He was honoring a blood pact. Your assasination was the favor for that pact"
"Who is that?"
"You might be familiar , remember Tong?"
"The Triad Torture Specialist?"
"Precisely. This is his sweet little brother. Not so sweet and not so little anymore. Tong sent him to the United States , raised him away from the chaos of the triads. So I guess Tong's death made him just like his brother"
"He is part of the triad now?"
"No , he blames the triad for his brother's death too. He just wanted to have the chairman have your blood in his hand"
"What is his background?"
"Well , Tong did send him to the states so that he stays away from the life of crime but I guess its in their blood. His name is Lai Tong , got his studies done in one of the best universities in Massechusetts but ended up in the drug ring. His knack in chemistry made him an exceptional talent in cooking some of the nasty stuff. Even the recent drug 'Devil's Beath' run by the AZRAEL syndicate is his creation."
"Does the Triads have any business association with this syndicate again?"
"Not the SunOnYee. The 18K on the other hand has a short deal with them , the notorious Sammy Chao handles their imports. We've drawn them away from this streets , they operate on the eastern side of Shanghai now"
"Are they back in their old form? The Syndicate?"
"Not in their prime to be honest. But they are pretty scarred. You gave them quiet a beating long back , plus the faction is very minimal , just a bunch of egoistic snots not letting the bad things die"
Hemant showed his frustrations in his face as he responded.
"I really thought I buried it all. Turns out I was wrong!"
"Look , you don't need to be worried about this. The pact is done , Lai Tong can no longer rely on the Triads anymore"
"That doesn't mean he will stop Ricky , I am the one who killed his brother. He just wanted to know whether it was me. And now he knows it"
"You're telling me you're scare of him?"
"No , Ricky. I am saying I am back in that situation again. My loved ones are once again in danger , and......I am once again being pushed to the corner"
"What happened on Azerbaijaan is not your fault , those scums knew they couldn't touch them as long as you were around them , which is why they conveniently sent you away to make them vulnerable"
Hemant looked hurt. Ricky comforted him.
"Mike , you okay?"
"I am fine Ricky. Its just......she now comes in my memories.....like a nightmare.....her cheerful face.......it haunts me......"
"Hey , she had a happy life because of you. Be greatful that you gave her wonderful memories when she lived"
Hemant didn't respond , he just worked on keeping his emotions together. After some small talk and sharing some plans regarding dealing with this new threat. Hemant walked away , from the hotel , along with Sharon.
His return flight was still had time left. So Hemant and Sharon had a wonderful breakfast at a less crowded restaurant. Soon Sharon and Hemant had a conversation.
"So how is life in Mumbai?" Sharon asked.
"Pretty leniant. Although the new business has sparked some interesting days for me"
"Oh I've heard. But going into business with Kaiser Weston? That is a risky one"
"Really? can he be trouble?"
"For beginnners yeah , he is not the same Kaiser you knew in London. He is a CIA stooge now. His whole business front is an investment from Homeland Security"
"So that means if he wants to business with me , that means the American Government wants a closer look in my work"
"Precisely , but their overwatch is more on ANVIL than you. Considering you are one of the key supplier to their tools"
"Guess I'll be the good boy , play everything by the book"
"That's the problem Michael , you're too good"
"What do you mean 'too good' huh?"
"You play your cards very well. Even in the past , you'd done precise planning to all your 'jobs' , there is not a single thread we can label you on with it. It was like Michael King doesn't even exist"
"Don't tell me Americans are jealous because I am doing the 'espionage' better than them"
"That is exactly why they are interested in you. Through Weston they might end up giving you a gateway to a living of your dreams."
"Well , that is exactly the plan. I do want the best education for Karan"
"Its still crazy to think that you're a father , you of all people"
"Why not?"
"Because that wasn't your game , the Michael I know was a flamboyant man , hookups and highlife were his dreams"
"I did until a young girl hit me right where it felt. And my dreams had her living in the skies until everything came crashing down"
Hemant was once again in a depressed state as he remembered her face in his mind again. Sharon saw his troubles and comforted him by grabbing his hand.
"Mike , don't bring her to your head if it hurts"
"No , it doesn't hurt Sharon. She has a new purpose in my heart now. To keep the flames alive , to fullfill an unspoken promise , to avenge my loved ones."
Sharon saw the rage in his eyes , it had the similar fire he used to have when he went to handle his business in the past. He wasn't a human when he is that state , he is like a caged entity waiting to unleash its fury. Sharon saw it in his eyes as he finally said.
"I will find him Sharon.........I will find him!"
FEW DAYS LATER, BACK IN MUMBAI
The MORNING BREEZE CAFE's air was mild with the fragrance of roasted beans and boiling milk. Meghna sat hunched over a wooden table, twirling a black bishop between her fingers, her eyes bouncing between the chessboard and the fragmented thoughts nesting in her head. The board mirrored her life — strategic, calculated, half-played. Her game with herself was less about checkmate and more about distraction. Her mind wrapped around the life of Sonarika , how exceptionally she played her cards to bring her and Vikram together. It was the initial hint that ignited the fire of this master plan in her. She still remembers the phone call , the enthusiasm Vikram had when he called Meghna after their first party , wanting to know more about her , to understand where she came from. Meghna understood from Vikram's talk alone that there were signs of infactuations in his approach. And that plucked the seed in her mind. To alternate , to find a way for Sonarika to get close to Vikram.
And Sonarika already made it easy for her , she was already frustrated with Hemant's lifestyle then , his lack of awareness on his health and how he became such a burden for his own life. The staleness in their life was pretty aware , but Sonarika tried holding on. And Meghna knew how to make her leave that hold. Her calculated meeting setup with Mouni and making Sonarika see the lifestyle Mouni follows. Then that fateful marriage visit at Manali and her tactical planning of getting the room near Vikram and Sagar's. Then it was a day full of convincing , convincing Mouni to have her moment with Sagar and her own planning to have Mouni plan to sleep with Sagar that night in his room so that Vikram will be forced to share theirs. All these small instances carefully orcestrated by her.
But the one she is more proud of was the hilltop incident where she went with a gutfeeling of something happening leaving those two alone. And she did manage to take them all to the cable car leaving Vikram and Sonarika marooned in that hilltop. And that hunch paid off as Sonarika returned disturbed by something which she eventually learned to be a kiss that happened between them. After that it was easy sailing for her. The occasional meetups and then the culmination of everything for that night in Jabalpur , where all lines crossed. And the crazy part is Meghna had no hand in that , she didn't set it up , but rather all the events she orchestrated led to that moment.
And that was it , since then , Sonarika and Vikram lives a forbidden secret , their Galaxy Apartment was their sensual retreat. The photos she saw on the wall that day , it showed their relationship was growing to new heights. And very soon it will happen , Sonarika will submit to Vikram's love and choose him. The perfect mother and the ideal wife will crumble to bits and that will crush Hemant. And just like that Sonarika will shatter apart!
Hemant!
His face appeared in Meghna's mind , especially the last time she saw him. How that slow , weak average family man transformed into such a specimen of male perfection. She remembered the crazy things she did with Disha after that birthday party.
She was thinking of Hemant. Strange, really. The same man who once was a big annoyance now had this quiet pull. Not love, certainly not friendship. Something messier. Intriguing. Dangerous. Her lips parted slightly at the thought, until a shadow fell across the table. She looked up. It was Hemant.
"Mind if I join you?"
Hemant asked with his usual soft smile, one hand already pulling the chair opposite her. Meghna nodded, her heartbeat skipping a conflicted beat.
"Of course. I was getting bored of playing with myself." She gestured at the board.
Hemant smiled and took his seat. There was no hesitation in him, no guardedness — and that irritated her almost as much as it delighted her. She slid the white pieces toward him and resumed the black.
"How’s work at YOD? Or is this a rare Hemant holiday?" she teased lightly.
He chuckled, moving a pawn forward.
"Had a quick meeting nearby. Thought I’d steal a moment of peace before returning to the grind. Lucky to run into you."
That word — lucky — hung in her ears like a spell. He didn’t know how unlucky he truly was.
"Been hearing great things about you. Your company is growing quiet fast"
"Yeah , guess its a lot of hardwork and focused determination I guess"
"Cannot believe I used to despise you"
"You don't anymore?"
"I don't know. Back in the day , I painted a picture of yours to be a despicable and boring person. With a bland personality. But now , its like talking to a different man altogether"
"I am glad to hear that I am in your good books now. Sona will be happy to hear that"
"Oh she is definitely happy for sure"
"Is that so?"
Meghna realized she was slipping to reveal Sonarika to him , there is still time for that as she backtracked and lied.
"I mean....her husband is at his best form so obviously any wife will be happy about that"
"I hope she is......all of my struggles , everything I am fighting for......is for a better future with her"
Their game progressed in quiet bursts of movement and observation. She studied his fingers as they moved over the board, neat and assured, like his voice when he spoke about Sonarika.
"You still look at her like she’s the sun"
Meghna said suddenly, eyes on her knight but mind measuring his reaction. Hemant blinked, then smiled.
"That’s because she is, Meghna. She keeps me... grounded. Our family, she holds it together. Even when I’m overwhelmed at work, I know I’ll come home to her and Karan — and it makes everything worthwhile"
Meghna bit her lower lip hard enough to punish herself for the jealousy that rose uninvited. A toxic sweetness laced her insides. He was blind, so completely blind. She had almost succeeded. Just a few more moves.
"Is Sonarika really that important to you?"
Meghna questioned him in an attempt to observe his response, display his feelings for his wife
"Words aren't enough to describe her importance Meghna. Sona , she might claim I was the sun but she is truly the one for me. When she entered my life , I was in darkness. Covered in grief and loss , and Sona , she showed me the light to live again. And she fixed the broken part of me , relieving me from my wounds. Everything I do today , this business , this empire I am building. I am doing this so that I can spend the rest of my life with her not worrying about the regular life or conflicts. Give my whole attention to her. That is always my intention"
"Hmmm maybe Sonarika does made a right choice marrying you after all"
"I definitely did making her a part of my life" Hemant said with pride.
As the next few turns passed, Meghna allowed herself to drift inside again. Hemant’s praise of Sonarika’s perfection didn’t hurt her anymore. It thrilled her. Like watching a castle built on sand — tall, beautiful, doomed. She had nudged Sonarika toward Vikram with the precision of a puppeteer. Each secret night shared under her cover, every silent rendezvous, had been arranged with surgical cruelty. And soon, when the truth will crack Hemant’s heart wide open, Meghna would be there. Not to comfort him. No, not for that. She would be the only stable ground he could find, and by then, he would be hers — body, spirit, loyalty — broken, reshaped. A slave forged from betrayal and need.
"I never expected you two to stay so... untouched by life"
Meghna murmured as she captured his queen. Hemant laughed softly, scratching his chin.
"We’re not untouched. We’ve had our storms. But my Sona — she’s always been the calm after"
Meghna offered a half-smile, almost pitying him now.
"Check" she said, and he took his time to respond. His expression was thoughtful.
"You’re good at this. Quietly lethal."
She met his eyes then, locking him into a moment longer than necessary.
"Only when I need to be" she said, her voice velvet over thorns. He tipped over his king.
As he stood up, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and sighed.
“Duty calls. Take care, Meghna. It was really good seeing you.”
She nodded, watching him pocket his phone and stride off, unaware of the pit she was digging for him. The innocent sincerity in his goodbye. The trusting tilt of his head. It made her want to smile and scream all at once. Her fingers absentmindedly moved the pieces back into place as she imagined the many versions of Hemant’s ruin — each one exquisite. The day he finds the real truth. The moment he walks in to the truth and sees his loving and dear wife Sonarika has fallen for someone else , no longer his darling sweetheart anymore. When that shatters him and breaks him apart. When there will be no more Sonarika , no more Karan lightening his life. Only then, there will be her , Meghna, the only light left. Not warm, but burning. Not love, but dominion.
As his figure disappeared around the corner, Meghna leaned back in her chair, breathing in the final silence of the match. Not the chess match — that was just foreplay. The real game had already begun. Sonarika would lose her pedestal. Hemant would lose his heart. And Meghna... Meghna would win. She watched a pigeon flap down onto the adjacent table, pecking crumbs. Her mind played the next few months in vivid color, every scenario of pain and reclamation.
With a smirk shadowing her lips, she thought — soon, Hemant. Soon you'll kneel, and you won’t even know why you feel safest at my feet.
Hemant’s days began with focus on fitness, with the sharp air and warm heat of the morning sun cutting through the thick silence of the factory grounds. The backyard section of YOD Industries had become his sanctuary for discipline—a customized parkour and strength-training zone that kept his body honed for both battle and burden. Each leap, each pull-up, each sprint was an attempt to exorcise the ghosts that clung to the edges of his mind. The sweat on his brow and the fire in his limbs were the only things that briefly silenced the voice of the past, of Ashnoor, whose laughter sometimes echoed softly in the wind, turning steel into sorrow.
Inside the sprawling compound of YOD Industries, the dichotomy of his worklife was stark. One section, a fortress of secrecy, bustled with military engineers and Indian Army defense personnel. There, he oversaw the development of prototype weaponized ATVs—a revolutionary fusion of stealth, agility, and firepower. On the other end, regular operations churned in a steady rhythm: the alignment knot systems, precision tooling, and the contracts that kept the lifeblood of the factory flowing. But even among the rhythmic clang of machines and the confident nods of subordinates, Hemant’s eyes drifted—towards the mission he had silently vowed to complete.
Operation Jewel Thief had become more than an objective; it was a compulsion. The Kohinoor Recreational Center, on the surface a glossy venture of luxury and commerce, had hidden layers. Hemant suspected those layers held the key to answers he had long buried. Kaamya, a digital savant, watched the building like a hawk—logging the pattern of activities, tracking unusual movements, and creating a digital map of connections. Vaibhav, his other right hand, worked deeper, dissecting the building’s embedded shielding systems and evaluating every security flaw. Together with Raquel’s historical deconstructions of the building's roots, Hemant was building a puzzle whose full picture only he could see.
Vaibhav approached him.
"Sir , I've found something peculiar"
"Show me" Hemant moved with him to the screen following his lead.
"I've been surveiling the power input to this building. Its taking way too much power than it should be taking"
"Its a business complex Vaibhav. Sometimes small businesses tend to recieve larger power"
"That is true but not here. See this"
Vaibhav pointed to an image taken from a security camera aiming at the top of that building.
"You see that enclosed electrical conduit in the middle. That is a coolant tower. Many manufacturing factories or high output machine warehouses built this to secrete the excessive heat their machines generate. No big scale manufacture happens in that buildings. Even the small businesses only run their offices not any hard labor. Which means...."
"Which means there is something in that building that is building a lot of heat. Probably a Vault!"
"Yes sir , but where that Vault is in that building? that is still a mystery. This place is showing everything but also hiding something"
"Any way we can find that?" Hemant asked.
"There I can help sir" Kamya intervened. She continued.
"As you said , I've started making charts and statistics of every person involved in that building. But last week something peculiar happened. The chief of security of the Mehta Family Mr.Gurmeet Chaddha , arrived with his security team and they carried a box into the building. The purpose and direction inside the building is unclear but the way they came was something interesting. They didn't come in day when everything was open , they came in the middle of the night , one of the nearby building's CCTV recordings caught them."
"Interesting , anything else"
"Something more sinister , upon researching some of the people involved in this building. I found an interesting thing. These are four people who used to work for Mehta Family's security firm but were apparently fired months ago. But turns out these men live in the nearby buildings of this Kohinoor center and through camera surveilance , I've found their apartment lights to be on at night"
"So?"
"So I thought it might be a night shift work for them or something else. Until I found this"
Kamya forwarded four still photos from a camera feed of their apartments showing binoculaurs planted near the windows at night. Hemant understood the gravity of the situation.
"They're guarding the building....at night" Hemant concluded.
"Precisely sir , and we still have backdoor access to the Regal Corp business structure. We managed to gather more info after finding out their Aadhaar numbers , their bank accounts were traced. And after some careful peeking , I learned that all these four men , they're still getting monthly payments from the RegalCorp firm. They are in the Mehta's payroll"
Vaibhav and Kamya smiled at each other , admiring the work they've put together to understand more about their target. Hemant looked ahead at the giant screen , the live feed of the Kohinoor Center.
"This building is not just a business complex......its a fortress....guarding a valuable treasure....we need to find out what"
FEW DAYS LATER
Hemant had a much awaited visit to Tamanna at their usual cafe. The warm amber lights of Café Veranda spilled across the checkered floor as soft jazz hummed in the background. It was their occasional refuge, a small corner booth by the window where the noise of the world felt far away. Hemant arrived a little late, his jacket had roughed up , pointing out his hectic schedule for the day. Tamanna was already seated, a half-empty cup of green tea before her, fingers tracing idle patterns on the porcelain. When he slid into the booth, he offered a tired smile.
"Sorry, I had a defence meeting which ran longer than usual. You’ve been waiting long?"
Tamanna smiled gently, her voice even but heavy.
"Not really. I needed the quiet"
Her eyes met his—dark, thoughtful, and restless. She looked radiant as usual and this time there was a glow to her face that he had missed seeing in her for a long time.
"How are things"
"Things are great actually , work in my studio is going well. Shraddha is always at her cheerful best , she loves that mumma spends more time with her now"
"Good , I guess we should finally address the elephant in the room"
"I know , and let me say this with the bottom of my heart , I am sorry , sorry for being mean to you in our last visit"
"I can understand Tammu"
"Regardless that was very rash and insulting of me to behave like that with you , it simply wasn't fair"
She had rehearsed this moment in her mind countless times, but now that it was here, the words tangled like ivy in her chest. She sighed, steadying herself.
"Hemant, I’ve been meaning to tell you something… about that night. The yacht. The whole mess with Sandeep.”
Hemant leaned back, his features tightening. He had his reservations about Sandeep from the start, but he never thought Tamanna would be the one hurt.
"You don’t owe me any explanation Tammu" he began, his voice softer than expected.
"But… I’ve been worried. You looked… different after you returned" He paused.
"Hurt"
She nodded.
"Because I was" Her fingers curled around her teacup.
"He got drunk. We were… together, almost. But in the middle of everything, he just started going on about you. How he was ‘better than Hemant’ in bed, a more complete man, that I should admit it. It wasn’t about me. It was about some sick competition in his head"
She looked down, blinking rapidly.
"I had to drug his drink to make him pass out. I couldn’t let it go further"
Hemant stared at her, his jaw clenched, knuckles white against the wooden table.
"Damn it, Tammu" he muttered, voice rough.
"I should’ve said something earlier. I thought… maybe your goodness could soften someone like him. I didn’t step in because I thought he could be different with you. I was wrong"
Tears welled in her eyes, but she pushed them back.
"No, Hemant. It wasn’t your fault. I didn't knew what I was doing. I chose Sandeep not because I loved him… but because I was punishing myself. Trying to push you away, because I couldn’t handle being near you and knowing I could never really be part of your life"
Hemant was startled by her wordings.
"Life?" Hemant asked confused.
She took a deep breath.
"I've had feelings for you Hemant.......ever since you returned in my life!"
Hemant froze. The words hung in the air like incense, bittersweet and lingering. Tamanna continued, her voice low.
"Back in our college days, I used to make excuses to be near you. Coaching you, those study nights, even when I knew you were with Sanju… it was stupid, but it made me feel alive"
Hemant wasn't shocked with the revelation. He knew about her feelings for him through Dheeraj , but he was surprised that she finally admitted. Now it made sense why she was willing to talk naughty with him.
"When Dev came in my life , I managed to bury our past , start fresh. And then the tragedies of my life overwhelmed my thoughts. As I was recovering from it , I saw you , in that library. And everthing felt surreal , as if you came back to heal me completely. Even seeing you confused and not recognizing me brought a thrill of our old friendship back in the day"
Hemant could understand her , how their first meetings went. Their occasional glances of someone familiar , someone he could not put his finger on. More than that , Tamanna was also part of a happy memory after which his journey to a different world began , where pain and suffering awaited for him.
"Then I learned about your married status, after that seeing your son Karan… it hurt. Not because I was jealous, but because I finally understood that there was a whole world I’d never belong to"
He reached across the table and gently placed his hand over hers.
"Tammu… I don’t know what to say. I had no idea. And I’m sorry… for what you’ve carried all these years"
His voice trembled slightly.
"You’re one of the kindest people I know. You didn’t deserve what happened with Sandeep. And you didn’t deserve to carry this weight alone"
She smiled, a real one this time, through the glimmer in her eyes.
"I’m not saying this to complicate things. I know we can’t be anything more. I respect your marriage, Hemant. I always will. But I had to tell you… not for us to change, but so I could be honest with myself. And with you"
She looked at him with renewed strength.
"You’re my friend. You always were. I want that more than anything"
He nodded, emotion flickering across his face.
"And you’ll always have that. I admire your courage, Tammu. You’ve been through more than most and you still carry yourself with grace. I’ll always be here. As your friend"
The tension eased as their hands parted. The air was lighter now, not because the burden was gone, but because it was shared. As the evening deepened and their drinks were refilled, they found themselves laughing again, slipping into the ease of their old college banter. The bond between them—tempered by truth, forged in understanding—was stronger than ever. And though it was not romantic, it was something just as rare: an honest, enduring friendship.
SOME DAYS LATER AT ROYAL SPORTS CLUB , WORLI
The morning sun filtered through the mesh fencing of the elite Mumbai sports club as Hemant adjusted the grip on Ananya Pandey’s tennis racket.
"Hold it like you’re shaking hands with it"
Hemant said with a light chuckle, kneeling beside her at the baseline. Ananya, in her tennis whites and ponytail, laughed.
"You make it sound so simple" she replied, trying to mimic his grip.
Hemant stood, offering a warm smile.
"Everything starts with the basics. Even billion-dollar companies began with a blank sheet"
He said, tapping the ball lightly. The tone was always gentle—firm when needed, but never forceful. There was no air of superiority in him, only patience and encouragement. Ananya felt a rare ease around him.
As the sessions progressed into the first week, their rhythm found its flow. Between serves and volleys, the two would often share stories. Ananya spoke about the unpredictable whirlwind of the new project, while Hemant teased her , saying her filmmakers are ripping off another project from a different language.
"Two men fighting for the love of a woman and all three of them are tennis players. Now where have I read this?"
He said mocking, tossing her the ball. She paused, moved.
"You think I am oblivious about the challengers movie?" Ananya retorted.
"No , no. I am just saying don't try to ripoff Zendaya with your role. You have an identity of your own , try to make this an Ananya special"
"Let me guess , you're like those men who wants to see Ananya Pandey make out with two men don't you?"
She teased. Hemant grinned and then acted innocent.
"I am a married man Ananya. Besides the original movie has both of the men making-out so not my thing!"
They laughed at his retort as they continued their training session. By mid-week, she was returning shots better and running drills with more fluidity. But what surprised Ananya most wasn’t the improvement in her game—it was the wisdom in Hemant’s words. During a break, she confessed.
"I always felt the need to prove I’m more than just a pretty face. It gets tiring"
Hemant leaned on his racket, nodding.
"Ignore the noise. Respect yourself and demand it from others. That's how you train the world to treat you"
The advice lingered with her long after the session ended. It wasn’t performative or patronizing—it was real, grounded, and delivered without judgment.
Hemant too found a surprising comfort in these sessions. Despite the glitz that surrounded Ananya, she was thoughtful, earnest, and driven. One evening, as they packed up, he mentioned his son.
"He seems to be liking a lot of archery lately. Seen a lot of Green Arrow and Hawkeye comics in his stash now , sometime he makes me feel the same enthusiasm I used to have to sports”
He joked with pride. Ananya laughed, then turned serious.
"You’re a great father, Hemant. I can see that in how you teach"
There was a pause, warm and silent.
"You’re a great student" he replied sincerely.
"Makes the coaching feel worthwhile"
The final week came with longer rallies and shorter breaks. Their movements on the court became synchronized, not just in play but in understanding. Conversations turned deeper—life philosophies, childhood dreams, the weight of expectations. Despite the difference in their worlds, there was a common ground: the drive to rise above, to excel without losing oneself. Ananya looked forward to their sessions, not for the game alone, but for the space they shared—a rare kind of respect and comfort that needed no labels.
On their last day of training, Ananya surprised him with a signed tennis ball.
To Coach Hemant Kumar—thank you for making the court feel like home
It read.
He smiled, visibly touched.
"You’ve got the strokes now, and the spirit. Just remember what we practiced—play to your strengths"
She nodded, a little emotional.
"Thank you for being more than a coach" she said softly.
Hemant offered a reassuring handshake, the same way he had taught her to hold the racket.
"Thank you for trusting me"
As they parted ways at the club gate, Hemant watched her disappear into the city bustle. He wasn’t sentimental by nature, but this bond—a simple, respectful camaraderie—left him feeling quietly content. He had mentored many in QUADRON, but this felt different. For Ananya, the sessions had given her more than tennis—confidence, clarity, and a reminder that genuine people still existed in places where the spotlight often blinded. Two weeks, a few conversations, and a game of tennis—enough to strengthen their friendship that neither fame nor fortune could generate.
(CHAPTER TO BE CONTD)
![[+]](https://xossipy.com/themes/sharepoint/collapse_collapsed.png)