(2 years after Chapter 5 – the story refuses to end)
Dadar, Mumbai – 11:47 PM
I was half-asleep when the doorbell rang three times.
Slow. Deliberate. Exactly like it used to in the palace.
Fluffy shot up from his bed, ears straight, a low growl I hadn't heard in two years.
I opened the door.
No one.
Only a single red envelope on the mat.
Golden wax seal.
F.O.
My blood went cold.
Fluffy was already sniffing it, hackles raised.
I picked it up with the same feeling I had three years ago.
Inside: one photograph and one line.
Photograph: Rohan (my brother) sleeping in his new college hostel bed.
On the back, written in the same golden ink:
"Time to come home, Vikram.
The Master needs you again.
Tonight. 00:00.
Old place."
Fluffy looked up at me.
His eyes weren't brown anymore.
They were glowing red.
Soft at first…
then brighter.
He didn't bark.
Didn't wag.
Just walked to the door, sat, and waited.
I understood.
The old dog was gone.
The King was back.
I grabbed my keys.
One last look at the quiet flat where we had finally found peace.
Fluffy gave a single, quiet woof.
Not a request.
A command.
I opened the door.
The corridor light flickered once.
When we stepped out, the red thread around his neck snapped and fell to the floor.
By the time we reached the building gate, a familiar matte-black Rolls-Royce was waiting.
Engine silent.
Door already open.
The butler stood there in the same black suit.
He bowed.
"Welcome home, Mr. Meghal.
Master has been waiting two years."
Fluffy jumped in first, climbed onto the throne seat that had never been removed.
I got in after him.
As the car pulled away, I saw Dadar disappear in the rear-view mirror.
Fluffy placed one paw on my hand.
His eyes were full red now.
Crown already forming in light above his head.
He didn't speak.
He didn't need to.
I already knew the new rule.
Some contracts never end.
They just… wait.
The car sped toward Juhu.
Toward the palace that was never sold.
Toward whatever needed a billionaire dog again.
Fluffy looked out the window at the sleeping city,
and for the first time in two years,
he smiled the old smile.
The King had returned.
And I was still his assistant.
**To be continued… again.**