Disclaimer: Certain elements in this chapter involves sensitive remarks used in a fictional context. These elements serve the narrative and should not be interpreted as the author's opinions.
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The subway lights were almost too bright, washing over the crowd that flowed in and out like a busy market. Clearly, Rohit wasn't the only one who thought of taking a detour around the jammed flyover.
Fortunately for him, Ragini still hadn't let go of his hand since earlier, and in the press of people, no one paid any attention. He liked her warmth, especially how she matched her pace with his without complaint.
But just before they entered the subway, Rohit felt conflicted. The walls around the entrance were stained with spat tobacco and smeared garbage.
The only reason the inside looked clean and presentable was the CCTV cameras placed inside, glaring at certain corners and the strict fines posted for littering if caught.
Rohit smirked at the thought: 'What harm would it do to place the cameras outside too? At least that creepy, filthy vibe could've been avoided.'
Thanks to Ragini, who always kept two passes handy for herself and her bodyguard, they managed to skip the long queue at the ticket counter. After a quick security check, they stepped onto the platform.
Another kind of circus unfolded there. A young reporter stood with her cameraman, recording interviews. A group of girls giggled while filming reels, while most others—likely office workers—looked exhausted but still glued to their phone screens, either on calls or scrolling endlessly.
The moment Ragini spotted the reporters, she quickly pulled her hand away, and Rohit cursed his luck. Still, it was inevitable. He waited with her by the side for their train.
From the chatter around, Rohit pieced together that this was the only train before the subway would close. That explained why the crowd was so thick.
He leaned toward Ragini and asked softly, "Are you uncomfortable?"
Ragini looked at him. "No. Why should I be?" Her voice carried a soft sweetness with a hint of teasing as she gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Aren't you here to protect me?"
Rohit grinned and gave a mock salute with his fist over his chest. "Always, my lady. This knight is at your service till his last breath."
She rolled her eyes, shoving his face with her palm. "Stop it. What nonsense are you watching these days?"
Before Rohit could reply, a commotion broke out. Both of them turned toward the source. A young man, perhaps in his mid-thirties, had collapsed on the metro line. From his appearance, with a bag slung over his back and his shirt soaked in sweat, he seemed to be an exhausted office worker.
Ragini frowned. "Why is no one helping him?"
To their surprise, everyone nearby was busy recording videos. Even the reporter had her camera fixed, narrating loudly, "Breaking news! A man down in the metro. There is no staff or security available at the moment.. will he make it out? All exclusive in EBPnews."
Rohit found it bizarre. If this were Japan, even an ex-yakuja would stop by to lend a hand. Isn't that supposed to be basic human courtesy? Then he recalled his past self's memories. Of course, this was India. People preferred to watch from the sidelines, waiting for someone else to act first.
Fortunately, a brave old man, well into his sixties, stepped down. Struggling for breath, he tried to lift the fallen man, but his frail body couldn't manage. After two failed attempts, he was trembling and gasping, finally pleading, "Someone help me. I can't do this alone."
Rohit felt a flicker of pity for the old man. It was not as if he had anything to do with him, yet he could not stop the wave of disgust rising within him as he looked at the onlookers. They were all still filming, waiting for someone else to step in and act.
If not for Ragini's presence and her safety, he might have already intervened. Who knew, the old man's gratitude could prove useful someday, especially if he held some unkown influence. The sad part was that it seemed he was the only one thinking that way.
Before he could move, Ragini's firm voice cut through the noise: "Rohit, go help."
He didn't hesitate. With a nod, he jumped in and ran to assist. The man was heavier than he looked, obese even, and Rohit cursed under his breath about people neglecting their health. With the old man's effort and his own, they finally got the unconscious man onto the platform.
Relief barely touched Rohit when his eyes caught the glint of headlights far down the tunnel. The rumble of the train began to vibrate through the tracks.
He cursed under his breath. 'Oh, come on. Where is the warning system? Why is everything so sloppy here?'
The old man wiped his brow and said, "Go up first, young man. This nation needs you. I… I'll manage somehow."
Rohit's heart pounded so loudly he could practically hear it in his ears. For a brief moment, time seemed to slow around him.
The crowd began shouting at Rohit to climb up. Ragini was desperately reaching her hand toward him, her voice lost in the chorus of others calling for him to save himself. A few even extended their hands, urging him to jump up.
Rohit had to decide quickly. The old man's words buzz in his mind.
What an irony. Now he was the one being pitied by the very person he had pitied just moments ago.
The realization struck him, and instinct took over before his thoughts could settle.
Rohit glanced at the old man, who was still stubbornly clinging on. Without another second to spare, he gathered all his strength and shoved him upward.
"Don't pity me, old man," he growled. "I'm far more capable than you think."
The old man gasped, startled, as helping hands pulled him up. The crowd erupted in shock. Rohit stayed below, pushing until the man was safely over the edge.
The horn blared. The tunnel trembled as the train barreled forward at full speed. The driver slammed the emergency brakes, but they bit too late, the engine screaming in protest as the speed dropped only slightly.
That brief loss of speed was enough. With a surge of adrenaline, Rohit leapt, fingers clutching the edge, hauling himself up and rolling over as the train thundered past beneath him, missing him by a hair's breadth.
A few people clapped weakly, more out of shock than celebration. Most just stared, phones trembling in their hands.
Ragini rushed to him, with horror in her eyes, and scolded, "How careless of you, Rohit! Your own life should come first!"
Regardless, the whole crowd erupted into applause, the reporter cheering as her camera captured the moment. The train slowed and rumbled in the background.
The reporter rushed over with sharp voice. "Madam, your son just saved two lives. Can you tell us how you feel right now?"
Ragini shoved the camera aside and turned toward the gates. "No comment. No cameras."
But the reporter chased after her. "Please, ma'am! The nation wants to know, everyone is watching—"
Ragini turned sharply, her voice laced with pain. "That's the problem. Everyone was 'only watching.' If not for that old man, and my son who had to risk his life, this man might have died right here. I'm just glad his family wasn't here to see it, or they would have lost faith in humanity altogether."
Just two lines and heavy silence fell over. People lowered their phones in shame. Even the reporter bit her lip, embarrassed, until her cameraman gently pulled her back, signaling her to stop.
The train halted and the automatic doors slid open. But no one rushed in. Out of respect, they waited for Ragini and Rohit to step inside first.
Ragini walked in quietly. Before following her, Rohit gave the cameraman a subtle thumbs-up and flicked his eyes toward the fallen man, as a silent nudge about where the lens should remain.
It wasn't that he particularly cared about the cameraman's opinion. What mattered to him was the opportunity. There was no way he would waste a chance at free publicity by impressing the reporter and controlling the narrative.
Oblivious to Rohit's calculations, the cameraman nodded in understanding.
As the others began to board, Rohit finally found himself standing with Ragini in a corner. The old man and cameraman were still tending to the unconscious man.
Just then, Ragini pinched his arm. He looked at her, only to see her pouting in frustration, clearly unhappy with him risking his life.
Rohit sighed, knowing that unless she cooled down by the time they reached home, he'd be facing another round of scolding.
'Damn my reward,' he frowed at the worst outcome of sleeping alone.
For now, though, he allowed himself a small smile. 'At least today, the board shifted in my favor. Tomorrow, I'd collect what this was worth.'
Kasim's POV
From a distance, Kasim's jaw tightened. This wasn't how it was supposed to unfold. He had shadowed the woman with the thought of savoring her for himself, only to discover that the person she was acquainted with was her son.
What unsettled him most wasn't the relationship, but the boy's guts.
The brat he had dismissed as a mere kid turned out to have balls of steel. Surely, he will be a hurdle in process.
In a moment of crisis, when everyone else hesitated to act first, he stepped into the spotlight and rescued both the unconscious man and the old man in front of dozens of witnesses.
The worst part was that the cameras had caught it all. By now, his act of bravery was already racing through news feeds, and he would soon become a new face for the crowd to cheer.
That changed everything. If word spread about the boy or her mom being disappeared, authorities would scour every street. His plan had grown ten times riskier.
But Kasim's lust drowned out caution. He knew the window was closing. The woman would not be left unguarded again after today. It was now or never.
The boy? He scoffed inwardly. A teenager with more courage than sense. He might have fooled the crowd, but against Kasim's men he was nothing more than a nuisance.
With a grin that showed his yellow teeth, Kasim lifted a hand and gave a subtle signal. His men nodded. Together, they slipped onto the last crowded train, their eyes fixed on the corner where Ragini and Rohit stood.
The hunt had only just begun.
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Author's additional note:
Guys, good news! The character images have officially been added to the app. They will be final. A few images are still remaining, but I will upload them soon. For now, please check the cover page and, if possible, leave some popularity votes. My heart ached with their nil scores.🙏🙏🙏
You can also access the characters directly by clicking on the fandom section. Thanks in advance for your support!