The Silent River
It is a stormy night. The rain in Bengal is unforgiving, turning the roads into rivers of mud. Anirudha is near the Hooghly River, his breath hitching every time a twig snaps. In the distance, the yellow glow of British lanterns flickers.
The "Tommies" (British soldiers) are on high alert. Anirudha hides behind an ancient Banyan tree, clutching the satchel to his chest. He remembers Gandhi's face—calm yet determined. He knows that if he is caught, it's not just him who fails, but the hope of thousands. He decides to use the river as his ally, sliding into the cold water to bypass the main checkpoint.