"Where are we going next?" J.A.D.E. asked, her voice calm and balanced, as the Porsche glided through the slow, golden drizzle of South Mumbai.
Aarav's gaze stayed fixed on the road. "Home," he said.
A pause, then a faint, almost wistful smile. "My new home."
"Do you know the way? Or should I give the directions? Pfft... ha ah..."J.A.D.E.'s tone carried a subtle hint of amusement beneath her precision.
"Malabar Hill," Aarav replied quietly. "The old Das mansion."
The car wound its way past Marine Drive — the skyline shimmered on the Arabian Sea like fractured glass. The evening traffic crawled; even the most spirited driver would lose patience in this chaos. Still, Aarav drove on, uphill toward Malabar Hill — one of Mumbai's oldest and most exclusive neighborhoods. The kind of place where wealth lived behind iron gates, and ancient trees whispered secrets older than the city itself.
When the Porsche stopped before a wrought-iron gate embossed with "Das Villa," Aarav felt a strange pulse of déjà vu.He'd seen this place before — through fragments of memory from the previous Aarav. But seeing it now, in flesh and light, it felt unreal.
The mansion was sprawling and regal, built in the British era. White columns framed a wide veranda; ivy crawled up carved balconies. Windows tall as doors lined the façade, their glass clouded with the dust of time. Inside, chandeliers slept under sheets, and the air smelled faintly of sandalwood and paper.
For a moment, Aarav forgot his exhaustion."Jade…" he whispered. "They lived like royalty."
"Affirmative," J.A.D.E. replied. "Your grandparents were senior advocates at the Bombay High Court. Das & Venkataraman Chambers was a very old and historical one, but it is presently separated. Your parents inherited not only their mansion—but their courtroom legacy."
Aarav ran his hand along the stone balustrade, tracing the family crest etched deep into it. "Then why didn't I—why didn't he—follow that path?"
"Do you know what your family's monthly income is now?" J.A.D.E. asked, her tone laced with curiosity.
Aarav glanced toward the mansion and shook his head. "I really don't know."
J.A.D.E.'s voice softened. "Monthly income alone is more than ten times what you earned in a year. Ha ah…""What?" Aarav was stunned. He'd had a vague idea, but hearing it out loud was another thing. His annual earnings had been around twelve lakhs as a mid-level executive in a top financial firm. Ten times that—every month?
He exhaled sharply. "I see. He had no motivation to work or chase anything. Everything a normal man could dream of was already at his fingertips. From what I can tell, his grandfather must have spoiled him."
"Nice analysis," J.A.D.E. teased. "Not too hard for someone with 90+ stats in analytical thinking and intelligence… pfft, ha ah."
Aarav chuckled weakly. "I can't even blame him."
He pushed open the heavy mahogany door. The mansion seemed to breathe with life. Marble floors gleamed faintly; a grand staircase curved upward like a question mark. Every corner glowed in the filtered light slipping through vintage panes.
Amidst the silence, an old man appeared — dressed simply in a faded T-shirt and a kachha-panche tied around his waist. He was sweeping the floor, but froze when he saw Aarav.
"Aarav… Chhote! I hardly see you around these days!" he exclaimed, his tone a mix of surprise and scolding affection. "Did you even sleep? Look at those dark circles! What did you eat for lunch, hmm? Always eating out and drinking…"He sighed, lowering his voice. "I won't scold you, just… come home more often, don't always lock yourself up in that Taj hotel room."
The man's eyes glistened with quiet sadness.His name was Rameshwar Singh, known in the family as Ramu Dadu.He had been with Aarav's grandfather since the beginning of his career, witnessing every rise and fall of the Das family. He'd seen Aarav as a baby, a boy, and a broken man.
"Ah… Un… Uncle…" Aarav stammered, surprised by the man's warmth.
"Uncle?" Rameshwar blinked, confused. Aarav too realized something felt wrong — until J.A.D.E. chimed in, amused.
"'Uncle'? Ha ah… of course he's surprised. You always called him Ramu Dadu this, Ramu Dadu that. Now you suddenly say 'Uncle'? Smooth move, Aarav."
"Oh… right," Aarav muttered under his breath.
Recovering quickly, he said aloud, "Ramu Dadu, I'm tired. I'll go upstairs and rest."
Rameshwar's expression softened, though a flicker of concern crossed his face. "Alright, Chhote. Rest well. I'll call you when dinner's ready."
Seizing the chance, Aarav slipped away, climbing the grand staircase.
He passed through room after room—bedrooms, libraries, dim corridors lined with portraits of judges and lawyers, their eyes stern and knowing.Finally, he stopped at a door. It looked dull, unremarkable, yet everyone in the house knew this was no ordinary room.Only family members and Ramu Dadu were ever allowed inside.This was the Study—the heart of the Das legacy.
He pushed the door open.
The room was enormous. Wooden shelves rose from floor to ceiling, packed with thick case files, law journals, typewritten judgments, and ink-faded letters. The air was heavy with the scent of parchment and old coffee.
"This was theirs," Aarav whispered. "Their courtroom before the courtroom."
"Correct," J.A.D.E. confirmed. "Three generations of legal battles. Each book a verdict. Each file a witness. Every truth still breathes here."
Aarav's fingers traced a cracked leather ledger titled Das vs. State of Maharashtra, 1987.He smiled faintly. "Feels like walking into history."
"By the end of your journey," J.A.D.E. said softly, "you'll have read these files at least thrice. This study will serve as your courtroom, your library, your confession box."
Aarav's heartbeat quickened. "You mean… my destiny starts here."
"'Destiny' is an outdated term," she replied. "But yes — your next assignment begins here."
He laughed quietly. "Fair enough."
But soon, his body rebelled. His hands trembled, his breath came uneven. His vessel — Arnav's body — was failing.He had pushed through alcohol, narcotics, sleeplessness, and shock since dawn. The adrenaline that kept him moving was fading fast.
"Aarav," J.A.D.E. warned, concern in her tone, "we've already wasted too many hours of your lifespan. You have approximately three hours left. Your body is close to collapse."
"I know," he muttered, sinking into a chair. "No more physical tasks tonight. Let's see what I can do."
==============================
DAILY MISSIONS
==============================
Failure to complete within time reduces -0.5 Life Day
"A sound mind demands a stronger vessel" (0/3)
• Run 5 KM +20 KP
• 100 Pushups +20 KP
• 100 Squats +10 KP
"Knowledge sharpens justice as a blade sharpens truth." (0/3)
• Review one case of injustice today +20 KP
• Study one page of Law Acts / Statutes +10 KP
• Write any legal or social ethics article +20 KP
==============================
"If you don't complete the daily tasks, you'll be penalized," J.A.D.E. explained firmly."Half a day will be removed from your lifespan. If it reaches zero—you die instantly, regardless of cause."
Aarav nodded, serious. "Hmm… My KP is 70, right?"
"Correct."
"Okay. Let's start."
He reached for a book — the title read Article 14: The Right to Equality.
He read carefully, the lines reflecting in his tired eyes.
The Right to Equality is a fundamental principle ensuring that all people are treated fairly and impartially, without discrimination. In the context of the Indian Constitution, it is enshrined in Articles 14 to 18 and is one of the most vital fundamental rights.
...
"Task complete. +10 KP credited," J.A.D.E. announced.
==============================
KP : 70 -> 80
life span: 2 Hrs [100KP = 1Day]
==============================
A soft knock interrupted him."Chhote… dinner is ready," Ramu Dadu's voice called. He hesitated at the door, knowing he wasn't supposed to enter the study without permission.
"No, Dadu. I'm not hungry. I had snacks on the way home. Please… leave me alone for a while," Aarav said gently.
"Alright, Chhote. Call me if you need anything," Dadu replied, his footsteps slowly fading.
Aarav exhaled and picked another case file — one that detailed a Gender discrimination overturned after years of struggle.Aarav's gaze fell upon the ruling of Air India v. Nargesh Meerza (1981), where regulations mandating the compulsory retirement of air hostesses upon first pregnancy or at age 35 were challenged. The court investigated why female employees were subjected to such arbitrary conditions not applied to male staff. The Supreme Court struck down the clauses, holding them grossly discriminatory, irrational, and violative of the very essence of Article 14's guarantee against arbitrariness and ensuring equal protection of the laws.
"Task complete. +20 KP credited," J.A.D.E. confirmed.
Aarav's eyes burned, not from fatigue but emotion. The rhythm of law… the language of justice… it felt alive.
==============================
KP : 80 -> 100
life span: 0.5 Hrs [100KP = 1Day]
==============================
"Do you want to exchange KP for lifespan?" J.A.D.E. asked.
"Yes."
==============================
KP : 0
life span: 1 D
[100KP = 1Day]
[D -> Day]
[H -> Hour]
==============================
"Hurray! Congratulations on surviving one more day in this hellish world!" J.A.D.E. chirped, almost playfully. "+50 KP awarded."
Her cheerful tone made the heavy air feel a little lighter.
Aarav smiled faintly. "Good… keep it coming."
Then the memory of Arjun and Priya Rao hit him — the accident, the silence, the cremation, the happiness in his eyes fades, and was replaced by fire and determination.
He turned to the computer on the desk, opened an email, and began typing — his hands trembling.
To: The Commissioner of Police, Mumbai CitySubject: Dereliction of Duty – Hit and Run Case of Arjun Rao and Priya Rao
Sir,I wish to bring to your attention a gross violation of legal and moral duty. The case of Arjun Rao and Priya Rao was mishandled from the moment of impact — no FIR filed, no medical follow-up, no preservation of evidence. Post-mortem reports appear fabricated. Their cremation was conducted on the same day, without judicial approval or next-of-kin consent.This negligence erodes public faith in justice. I request a formal inquiry under IPC Section 304A and the Maharashtra Police Act.
Sincerely,Aarav Das
He hit Send.
"Task complete: Write a legal or social ethics article. +20 KP credited," J.A.D.E. announced.
Aarav was taken aback, he didn't do this for the task, but did it because it was right thing to do.
He leaned back, exhaustion overwhelming him — yet for the first time in a long while, peace flickered in his chest.
He smiled faintly… and the world tilted.The study blurred into darkness.
He collapsed onto the carpet, the scent of old books and sandalwood wrapping around him.
As consciousness faded, J.A.D.E.'s voice came — soft, almost human.
"Rest, Aarav. You've pushed this body to its limits. Tomorrow… we begin the next chapter of your life."
The study fell silent again. Outside, the city roared — its skyline gleaming like judgment waiting to be passed.
================================================================================================================================================================================================
KP : 50
life span: 1 D
[100KP = 1Day]
==============================
DAILY MISSIONS
==============================
Failure to complete within time reduces -0.5 Life Day
"A sound mind demands a stronger vessel" (0/3)
• Run 5 KM +20 KP
• 100 Pushups +20 KP
• 100 Squats +10 KP
"Knowledge sharpens justice as a blade sharpens truth." (3/3)
• Review one case of injustice today +20 KP
• Study one page of Law Acts / Statutes +10 KP
• Write any legal or social ethics article +20 KP
==============================