07-02-2026, 08:33 AM
Chapter 58 – Calm Before the Storm & Vikram and Bharath Sketches for upping the game
Vikram lay propped up on pillows, ribs taped, shoulder in a sling, IV cannula still dripping into his arm. The bruises on his face had darkened to purple and yellow, but the doctor had cleared him for discharge that evening — “minor fractures, blood loss, rest at home.” Physically, he was mending. Mentally… that was slower.
Back at home, he stared at the ceiling, replaying the crash in slow motion: the truck's grille filling the mirror, Sekaran's shout, the shove, the fire. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the flames again. Every time he opened them, he saw the USB drive on the bedside table — Sekaran's empire, entrusted to him in the last seconds.
Bharath sat in the chair beside the bed, elbows on knees, staring at the floor. He hadn’t slept. Krish had asked him to accompany Vikram until he reached Vikram’s place.
Bharath had no reason to stay, but he saw this as a chance to analyze the couple — a natural chance he decided not to miss.
Vikram, seeing him, said: “Bharath, you can go now. Thanks for helping out.”
Bharath said quietly: “I have been to this place once. Krish entrusted you to me. I know I don’t fit into this place, but ignore other things and just get recovered. I will move once Krish comes in.”
Vikram swallowed. “I know.”
Mirnaa came with hot water to give him a massage as the doctor asked. Bharath asked her to hand it over to him. He applied mildly on places the doctor asked to.
Mirnaa: “Then you two speak. I will get some dinner ready for us.”
Vikram then continued, seeing Mirnaa moving out to the kitchen.
“Bharath, don’t let Mirnaa know how this happened. She should not know the actual reasons.”
Bharath ensured: “I know. Krish warned me.”
There was silence after that.
Bharath scanned the home — the interior, the space, the hall, the bedroom etc. He had been secretly sketching his next move. He was very sure that he should not display creepy behavior to Mirnaa and just maintain a decent distance.
Krish's vehicle came.
As soon as he entered, he hugged Bharath and thanked him.
Mirnaa watched this! She is not sure why he hugged him. She just could not believe this was an accident in the first place. Did Bharath save Vikram like he saved me?
If so, is my doubt real?
Priya’s cab came in a minute. She just bought all the medicines needed for the week.
As she enters, she saw Mirnaa froze looking at them.
Priya asked: “What it is?”
Bharath noticed Priya standing there and Mirnaa looking at them. He decided that an opportunity loomed at him.
Bharath and Krish excused each other.
He reached Mirnaa and said: “I have some enquiries to be done, won’t be able to come for a few days. Vikram will be having my number in case of emergency. Don’t hesitate to call me.”
Mirnaa said: “Thanks for the help. I know you have a duty to carry on.”
He said: “Okay I’m leaving. Give some water to Vikram.”
Mirnaa said: “Oh yea, wait let me get him.” As she entered the kitchen, he signaled Priya with his eyes.
Understanding, Priya followed him. He got inside his Thar and came with a pen and pot.
Priya asked: “What it is?”
Bharath said: “Before I say this, I want you to promise me that you won’t share with Mirnaa or Vikram… It’s very important.” He said.
Priya was shocked and curious. She asked: “What it is?”
Bharath said: “I suspect something else in hit and run case!”
Priya: “You mean that big shot who threatened us in station?”
Bharath: “Maybe but I’m not sure. Thing is I don’t know, I need to confirm it. If I say I suspect him, Mirnaa and Vikram won’t be in peace. So I’m trailing them in.” He said, “This is hidden cameras, and help me bug in hospital. If she happens to come to hospital, this will help me to analyze any unusual happenings.”
Priya received it and said: “I won’t let her know.”
Bharath thanked and moved. He shared his number and said: “My instinct says Mirnaa would call you in case of any emergency. I saw you along with her in hospital back in home for dinner when I first came. She may miss to call me when adrenaline rush came. You don’t miss to call me if you hear anything troubling them.”
Priya smiled warmly and thanked him for being so thoughtful.
He knew women like Priya cannot contain secrets. Before he even entered the Thar Jeep, he received a call — a missed call. Priya waved: “My number save it.”
He smiled to himself and left the place.
Mirnaa went to keep the water and saw Krish and Vikram speaking.
She heard Krish saying: “Bharath will be upsetted. I should not have blocked him when he trailed your car. Now all turns into this.”
Looking at Mirnaa, both stopped talking.
They waited until Mirnaa left the room.
Krish looked up. “Aadharsh is moving fast. Funeral is tomorrow. He’s already claiming the empire publicly. ‘Father’s legacy,’ he calls it. Crocodile tears on camera. We have to hit back before he consolidates.”
Vikram’s jaw tightened. “I’m in.”'
Krish studied him. “You sure? You’re hurt. You just lost—”
“I’m sure,” Vikram cut in. “Sekaran died saving me. I owe him everything. I will bring Aadharsh down. At any cost.”
Krish exhaled, a small nod. “Then we’re on the same page.”
They didn’t speak for a minute. The weight of it settled between them — revenge, loyalty, grief.
Vikram further said: “Let’s go tomorrow, attend it and come back calmly. Just like how Aadharsh secretly operated everything we needed to. I used to drive Sekaran, I know all his close nemesis. They will help us. This is cruel. We should not let his legacy fall on some crooked hand even if he is Sekaran's own son.”
Krish said: “I have the same thought. But I know only a few.”
Vikram said: “Arrange a meeting the day after tomorrow at a secluded place. I will assemble the core 10 people.”
Krish surprised: “You know all of them?”
Vikram said: “Yes, you are one among them so am I.”
Krish got alarmed.. Working with Sekaran for 6 years, he never know each other core members name. He had not spoken with any of them, Only Sekaran had done it. Other than sekaran, 3 years back, the one person who sekaran wanted to hide and protect for his empire had done.. If Vikam know all of them who is he exactly!? Krish puts all pieces together. Sekarans hug to Vikram, always excusing for some private chat with him.. may be may be, no its him, he is that person....
he decided to openly ask
Krish asked: “Who you were exactly?”
He looked around the room to check if anyone else was in the room or nearby. Krish locked it and reached to his bed.
“So, are you the one? Sekaran wanted to protect.”
Vikram nodded subtly. He took the pendrive from his pocket.
Vikram said: “Sekaran gave this to me. I trust you. Get all our nemesis list. Be ready. When I say go ahead lets message them. The core people meeting is inevitable.”
“Let Aadharsh think he beaten out everyone. Let him celebrate. But when we strike back, he should never know from where it is coming from. But when he does we should be unshakable.”
Krish agreed, he voiced the same.
Vikram further said: “Now it’s your duty to protect my identity. I won’t name you as next or something but let people know you are someone who came after a void natural phenomena, and I will be introduced as your partner. Natural alliance natural way. When time comes Aadharsh will know, we are more than that.”
Krish said: “But now we cannot use Sekaran's name. Aadharsh will be watching. We need stronger links than before.”
Vikram said: “That is why we core 10 members should meet.”
Vikram sketched everything perfectly. He was just waiting for the right moment. He said he will share his operation idea in the meeting.
Krish then retired asking to take care.
After everyone left, Mirnaa and Vikram alone. Mirnaa arranged a temporary bedsheet to sleep on floor giving big bed space for Vikram to recover.
She didn’t fall on his chest as he is physically hurt. Before she goes to floor to sleep. She decided to speak her mind and doubts.
Mirnaa sat on the edge of the bed, took his hand. “I still don’t believe it was an accident. That big-shot… he threatened us. He could have—”
Vikram said: “Nothing like that.”
“I overheard Krish saying Bharath trailed you? What is it? So he got to know already?”
Vikram said: “It’s not Bharath, his friend Rishi. Bharath was worried about me ever since the big shot incident so he sent his men to follow me but Krish mistook and blocked. But what happened to me was an accident. I should have been careful.”
Vikram squeezed her hand. “It was drunk driving. The report says so. Let it go, Mirnaa.”
She looked at him, doubt in her eyes, but she nodded slowly. “Okay.”
But deep inside she feared, she concluded that is the only way. Big shot aimed, it’s his thing and Bharath tried to protect Vikram. This deeply registered in her mind subconsciously.
Mirnaa rested her head on Vikram’s shoulder. “I’m scared.”
He kissed her hair. “I know. But I’m here.”
Inside, the rage burned low and steady.
He also knew Mirnaa may believe Bharath could be a savior for the second time. But his mind was not ready to invest in that thoughts he had bigger issues going ahead.
2 days later
Vikram was on his feet — slowly, painfully, but upright. The ribs still ached when he breathed deep, but he could walk unaided. Krish had arranged a meet — neutral ground, a quiet rooftop restaurant overlooking the sea. No weapons, no guards. Just the 10 men.
Krish arrived to his house. He said: “We both going out for meeting a friend will back by Evening.”
Mirnaa who was on leave, decided she will go to hospital then. Vikram agreed and said: “We will drop you at hospital.”
Krish and Vikram didn’t speak until dropping Mirnaa.
Priya who reached hospital at same time hugged her.
The friends went inside hospital.
Checking it, Vikram began: “Krish have you prepared what I asked?”
Krish: “Intercom for them to hear?”
Vikram: “Yes.”
“The remaining 8 members know me but they have not seen me, they just heard my voice… so.”
“Making them to believe I was him may not work. I will remain in shades.”
Krish asked: “If you remain in shades how things will unroll.”
Vikram smiled: “No I will be with you all physically present just my identity will be hidden.”
Krish: “I don’t understand.”
Vikram: “Wait for my game to begin you will understand.” Krish smiled trusting on Vikram.
Vikram lay propped up on pillows, ribs taped, shoulder in a sling, IV cannula still dripping into his arm. The bruises on his face had darkened to purple and yellow, but the doctor had cleared him for discharge that evening — “minor fractures, blood loss, rest at home.” Physically, he was mending. Mentally… that was slower.
Back at home, he stared at the ceiling, replaying the crash in slow motion: the truck's grille filling the mirror, Sekaran's shout, the shove, the fire. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the flames again. Every time he opened them, he saw the USB drive on the bedside table — Sekaran's empire, entrusted to him in the last seconds.
Bharath sat in the chair beside the bed, elbows on knees, staring at the floor. He hadn’t slept. Krish had asked him to accompany Vikram until he reached Vikram’s place.
Bharath had no reason to stay, but he saw this as a chance to analyze the couple — a natural chance he decided not to miss.
Vikram, seeing him, said: “Bharath, you can go now. Thanks for helping out.”
Bharath said quietly: “I have been to this place once. Krish entrusted you to me. I know I don’t fit into this place, but ignore other things and just get recovered. I will move once Krish comes in.”
Vikram swallowed. “I know.”
Mirnaa came with hot water to give him a massage as the doctor asked. Bharath asked her to hand it over to him. He applied mildly on places the doctor asked to.
Mirnaa: “Then you two speak. I will get some dinner ready for us.”
Vikram then continued, seeing Mirnaa moving out to the kitchen.
“Bharath, don’t let Mirnaa know how this happened. She should not know the actual reasons.”
Bharath ensured: “I know. Krish warned me.”
There was silence after that.
Bharath scanned the home — the interior, the space, the hall, the bedroom etc. He had been secretly sketching his next move. He was very sure that he should not display creepy behavior to Mirnaa and just maintain a decent distance.
Krish's vehicle came.
As soon as he entered, he hugged Bharath and thanked him.
Mirnaa watched this! She is not sure why he hugged him. She just could not believe this was an accident in the first place. Did Bharath save Vikram like he saved me?
If so, is my doubt real?
Priya’s cab came in a minute. She just bought all the medicines needed for the week.
As she enters, she saw Mirnaa froze looking at them.
Priya asked: “What it is?”
Bharath noticed Priya standing there and Mirnaa looking at them. He decided that an opportunity loomed at him.
Bharath and Krish excused each other.
He reached Mirnaa and said: “I have some enquiries to be done, won’t be able to come for a few days. Vikram will be having my number in case of emergency. Don’t hesitate to call me.”
Mirnaa said: “Thanks for the help. I know you have a duty to carry on.”
He said: “Okay I’m leaving. Give some water to Vikram.”
Mirnaa said: “Oh yea, wait let me get him.” As she entered the kitchen, he signaled Priya with his eyes.
Understanding, Priya followed him. He got inside his Thar and came with a pen and pot.
Priya asked: “What it is?”
Bharath said: “Before I say this, I want you to promise me that you won’t share with Mirnaa or Vikram… It’s very important.” He said.
Priya was shocked and curious. She asked: “What it is?”
Bharath said: “I suspect something else in hit and run case!”
Priya: “You mean that big shot who threatened us in station?”
Bharath: “Maybe but I’m not sure. Thing is I don’t know, I need to confirm it. If I say I suspect him, Mirnaa and Vikram won’t be in peace. So I’m trailing them in.” He said, “This is hidden cameras, and help me bug in hospital. If she happens to come to hospital, this will help me to analyze any unusual happenings.”
Priya received it and said: “I won’t let her know.”
Bharath thanked and moved. He shared his number and said: “My instinct says Mirnaa would call you in case of any emergency. I saw you along with her in hospital back in home for dinner when I first came. She may miss to call me when adrenaline rush came. You don’t miss to call me if you hear anything troubling them.”
Priya smiled warmly and thanked him for being so thoughtful.
He knew women like Priya cannot contain secrets. Before he even entered the Thar Jeep, he received a call — a missed call. Priya waved: “My number save it.”
He smiled to himself and left the place.
Mirnaa went to keep the water and saw Krish and Vikram speaking.
She heard Krish saying: “Bharath will be upsetted. I should not have blocked him when he trailed your car. Now all turns into this.”
Looking at Mirnaa, both stopped talking.
They waited until Mirnaa left the room.
Krish looked up. “Aadharsh is moving fast. Funeral is tomorrow. He’s already claiming the empire publicly. ‘Father’s legacy,’ he calls it. Crocodile tears on camera. We have to hit back before he consolidates.”
Vikram’s jaw tightened. “I’m in.”'
Krish studied him. “You sure? You’re hurt. You just lost—”
“I’m sure,” Vikram cut in. “Sekaran died saving me. I owe him everything. I will bring Aadharsh down. At any cost.”
Krish exhaled, a small nod. “Then we’re on the same page.”
They didn’t speak for a minute. The weight of it settled between them — revenge, loyalty, grief.
Vikram further said: “Let’s go tomorrow, attend it and come back calmly. Just like how Aadharsh secretly operated everything we needed to. I used to drive Sekaran, I know all his close nemesis. They will help us. This is cruel. We should not let his legacy fall on some crooked hand even if he is Sekaran's own son.”
Krish said: “I have the same thought. But I know only a few.”
Vikram said: “Arrange a meeting the day after tomorrow at a secluded place. I will assemble the core 10 people.”
Krish surprised: “You know all of them?”
Vikram said: “Yes, you are one among them so am I.”
Krish got alarmed.. Working with Sekaran for 6 years, he never know each other core members name. He had not spoken with any of them, Only Sekaran had done it. Other than sekaran, 3 years back, the one person who sekaran wanted to hide and protect for his empire had done.. If Vikam know all of them who is he exactly!? Krish puts all pieces together. Sekarans hug to Vikram, always excusing for some private chat with him.. may be may be, no its him, he is that person....
he decided to openly ask
Krish asked: “Who you were exactly?”
He looked around the room to check if anyone else was in the room or nearby. Krish locked it and reached to his bed.
“So, are you the one? Sekaran wanted to protect.”
Vikram nodded subtly. He took the pendrive from his pocket.
Vikram said: “Sekaran gave this to me. I trust you. Get all our nemesis list. Be ready. When I say go ahead lets message them. The core people meeting is inevitable.”
“Let Aadharsh think he beaten out everyone. Let him celebrate. But when we strike back, he should never know from where it is coming from. But when he does we should be unshakable.”
Krish agreed, he voiced the same.
Vikram further said: “Now it’s your duty to protect my identity. I won’t name you as next or something but let people know you are someone who came after a void natural phenomena, and I will be introduced as your partner. Natural alliance natural way. When time comes Aadharsh will know, we are more than that.”
Krish said: “But now we cannot use Sekaran's name. Aadharsh will be watching. We need stronger links than before.”
Vikram said: “That is why we core 10 members should meet.”
Vikram sketched everything perfectly. He was just waiting for the right moment. He said he will share his operation idea in the meeting.
Krish then retired asking to take care.
After everyone left, Mirnaa and Vikram alone. Mirnaa arranged a temporary bedsheet to sleep on floor giving big bed space for Vikram to recover.
She didn’t fall on his chest as he is physically hurt. Before she goes to floor to sleep. She decided to speak her mind and doubts.
Mirnaa sat on the edge of the bed, took his hand. “I still don’t believe it was an accident. That big-shot… he threatened us. He could have—”
Vikram said: “Nothing like that.”
“I overheard Krish saying Bharath trailed you? What is it? So he got to know already?”
Vikram said: “It’s not Bharath, his friend Rishi. Bharath was worried about me ever since the big shot incident so he sent his men to follow me but Krish mistook and blocked. But what happened to me was an accident. I should have been careful.”
Vikram squeezed her hand. “It was drunk driving. The report says so. Let it go, Mirnaa.”
She looked at him, doubt in her eyes, but she nodded slowly. “Okay.”
But deep inside she feared, she concluded that is the only way. Big shot aimed, it’s his thing and Bharath tried to protect Vikram. This deeply registered in her mind subconsciously.
Mirnaa rested her head on Vikram’s shoulder. “I’m scared.”
He kissed her hair. “I know. But I’m here.”
Inside, the rage burned low and steady.
He also knew Mirnaa may believe Bharath could be a savior for the second time. But his mind was not ready to invest in that thoughts he had bigger issues going ahead.
2 days later
Vikram was on his feet — slowly, painfully, but upright. The ribs still ached when he breathed deep, but he could walk unaided. Krish had arranged a meet — neutral ground, a quiet rooftop restaurant overlooking the sea. No weapons, no guards. Just the 10 men.
Krish arrived to his house. He said: “We both going out for meeting a friend will back by Evening.”
Mirnaa who was on leave, decided she will go to hospital then. Vikram agreed and said: “We will drop you at hospital.”
Krish and Vikram didn’t speak until dropping Mirnaa.
Priya who reached hospital at same time hugged her.
The friends went inside hospital.
Checking it, Vikram began: “Krish have you prepared what I asked?”
Krish: “Intercom for them to hear?”
Vikram: “Yes.”
“The remaining 8 members know me but they have not seen me, they just heard my voice… so.”
“Making them to believe I was him may not work. I will remain in shades.”
Krish asked: “If you remain in shades how things will unroll.”
Vikram smiled: “No I will be with you all physically present just my identity will be hidden.”
Krish: “I don’t understand.”
Vikram: “Wait for my game to begin you will understand.” Krish smiled trusting on Vikram.
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