The atmosphere in the dim entrance was heavy with tension. Beyond it, the late afternoon sun streamed through a large window, its fading rays casting long shadows across the room. Soon, the day would surrender to night.
Lalan had heard that the police were on their way, yet he didn't flinch. Instead, he chose to reveal a side of himself that was never meant to be exposed.
On the floor sat his mother—an old woman—holding Vidya by the shoulders. Both wore tense, anxious expressions.
With a deep sigh, Lalan began to speak.
"You want to hear the truth? Fine. After that incident, your sister never came to see me. Even when we crossed paths, she wouldn't look me in the eye. I was exhausted… broken. My anger was at its peak. That's when I decided to leave behind my life as a goon—a bandit—and try to earn an honest living, to make myself worthy of her.
"But every time I searched for work, even for something as lowly as a third-class waiter, they betrayed me, insulted me. My men wanted to kill those who humiliated me, but I stopped them. In those days, all I wanted was to be worthy in your sister's eyes.
"But…"
Lalan paused, rubbing his eyes as if holding back tears.
"Your sister got engaged to another man. She looked happy… but I knew she was broken inside. One day, I tried to speak to her. Instead of listening, she told me to get out of her sight. She said, 'You're not the man I imagined. You killed a person without your hands even shaking. You're pathetic.'
"After hearing that, I thought it best to disappear from her life. But then… her friend came to me. She knew who I was, and told me your sister was being harassed by the men of a bully's father.
"I clenched my fists, ready to end it once and for all. That man was Mujjas Khomde—a notorious black-market dealer, moving trillions of dollars in illicit money across the globe. I didn't know his gates would be swarming with bandits.
"My men were only five… six including me. We carried AK-47s, pistols, and revolvers. In half an hour, we cut down every bandit in the mansion. The entrance turned red with blood.
"Then I saw him—Mujjas—sitting on a grand chair. He said, 'Boy, you killed my men. My child, you will be dead.'
"I told him, 'I don't interfere unless someone crosses me. But you… you chose her. So you'll die. I'll split your throat with my gun.'
"Mujjas chuckled. 'Appreciate that. But I am the king—you can't kill me. And if you do, you'll be the new king.'
"As soon as he finished, I pulled the pistol from my belt and shot him in the neck. His throat split open. He died instantly.
"I lowered my head, sliding the pistol back into place. Silence fell. Then I heard clapping behind me.
"It was Badal Tomar—dressed in a long black coat, a cigarette hanging from his lips. He walked toward me, still clapping. 'Woah… killing spree. You just took out my biggest rival in moments. I think you can join my group.'
"His aura was immense… I couldn't even raise my gun. The men behind him were huge. I agreed to follow him."
Vidya murmured in shock, her voice trembling. "What… my elder sister? She suffered and suffered, yet never told anyone?" Her shock turned into rage as she shouted, "She remained silent, and it was all because of you! If you had never entered her life, she would have been blessed. You ruined my sister's life, you bastard!"
Lalan, however, spoke in a calm, steady tone. "You are right… but only to some extent. Your sister was also at fault."
Vidya's voice roared with fury. "What did you say?"
Lalan did not flinch. "Yes, I said your sister was also at fault. Not only me. Your sister should have known how deeply I loved her. For her, I killed an entire generation. But instead of understanding me, she turned her face away."
His eyes grew distant as he continued. "It became clear two years later, when I had become the full-fledged leader of my own group of bandits. "The right hand". Owned by Badal Tomar. One day, while patrolling, I saw your sister again… but this time, she was pregnant. I was not discouraged—on the contrary, I was happy she was living her life. But somewhere in my heart, I couldn't accept that she was now married. I told myself to stop, but I didn't.
"Then, suddenly, I got a call from one of my men. He said, 'Boss, should I throw her out?' I replied, 'Keep her safe and bring her to me.' At that very moment, I decided I should meet her… and maybe get a second chance."
Vidya's eyes blazed. "You casually took her from her family, without even thinking what would happen to them! And you believed she would somehow see your loyalty?"
Lalan's voice was low but firm. "I didn't want anything from her… except for her to believe that I was not the man she thought I was."
Vidya's voice dripped with contempt. "What a pathetic way to express yourself. Unbelievable." She turned her face away in disgust.
Lalan, unfazed, continued. "And now comes the match point—how your sister died."
Vidya's fists clenched tightly, but she did not turn her head.
"I was talking with your sister," Lalan began, his tone strangely calm. "When she was first brought here, she was trembling in fear. But the moment she saw me… that fear vanished—like vapour. Her eyes burned with anger. Even in her state of pregnancy, she rushed toward me and slapped me hard. Every goon around aimed their sniper rifles at her head, ready to shoot, but I stopped them. Instead of being angry, I welcomed her calmly. She didn't say a word and left the hall.
"I personally arranged for her to stay in the most luxurious room in this building. Later, I went to speak with her. I told her everything from the beginning—every truth, every reason. She stayed silent. I asked her again and again to say something. At last, she said, 'I want to go home to my husband.'
"I smiled and replied, 'You can… but first, forgive me. Try to understand me.' She left the room and walked toward the stairs. I followed, caught her hand, and pleaded, 'Please, stop.'
"She turned to me and said, 'To be a better human being, you must learn how to forgive before you kill. You chose killing—that's the path of the weak. You killed and killed for my sake, and for that, thank you. But instead of killing, if you had forgiven them, none of this would have happened. Anyway… I am carrying my child now. Just give me your blessings and send me home.'
"Hearing that… I let go of her hand and said, 'Yes, but…'"
Lalan's voice broke. His eyes welled with tears, and he rubbed them quickly. "But… as she stepped away, her foot slipped. She fell down the stairs. I couldn't catch her. She… died."
His tone grew heavier. "I rushed to her side, begging her to wake up. 'I'll take care of you and your child, just wake up,' I told her. But she didn't move. She was gone. When I checked her belly, there was blood. I called the maids and nurses immediately. They told me… she was dead. And so was the baby. When she fell, her belly took the full impact. The blow to her stomach was fatal, and then her head struck the floor, causing heavy bleeding. She died on the spot."
By now, Vidya's eyes had turned black with rage. She stood abruptly. The old lady in the room watched silently. Without a word, Vidya lunged forward and struck Lalan. She punched him once, twice—five times in total. He could have dodged them easily, but he didn't. He let her hit him.
But Vidya's aim was not revenge in that moment—it was something else. The instant her fifth punch landed, she spun toward the door, rushed across the room, and snatched a gun from the floor. "You bastard!" she screamed, raising it toward Lalan and pulling the trigger.
Lalan dodged the bullet and moved toward the large window. Tears streamed down Vidya's face and this was the sight experience by the senior police man when he first came in one side Vidya holding the gun and on the other side lalan
After that, we all know what transpired. Lalan Raj made his escape, smashing through the window with a burst of desperate strength. The senior policeman managed to land a powerful, crushing blow to his back, but even that wasn't enough to stop him. Gritting his teeth against the pain, Lalan pushed forward, his body fueled by sheer will.