Second Chance: A Dark Tale of Urban India-Chapter 108: Building Influence And Getting Clues

Rohit looked slightly surprised as he saw a group of protesters following Balwindar toward him. What started as a few people quickly turned into a small gathering, all of them stopping a few steps away as if waiting for permission to approach.

A man in his late twenties stepped forward. He wore a simple kurta-pyjama, a tika on his forehead, and greeted him with folded hands.

"Sir... we are grateful for our release. We wanted to personally thank you."

Rohit gave a small nod, raising his hand in acknowledgement as the rest followed with respectful namastes. Their expressions carried a mix of relief and admiration—too intense for his liking.

The young man continued, his tone more steady now.

"I am Raghav Shukla... representative of Bajrang Dal here, and also from the slum in Central Delhi. We were protesting against corruption, but the police picked us up instead."

He paused briefly before adding,

"If not for you, we wouldn’t have been released this easily. So... please, at least tell us your name, sir."

Another man from behind stepped in, unable to hold himself back.

"Yes sir, what you did today... people should learn from this. Otherwise we would have been framed in false cases, and who knows when we would have seen our families again."

Rohit gave a calm smile. "I’m Rohit Singhania, from the Singhania family. I only did what felt right. There’s no need for thanks. Please go back to your families and stay safe."

He intended it as a dismissal, but the group didn’t disperse. Instead, someone from the back started a hesitant slogan.

"Rohit Singhania... son of the nation!"

Another joined, then more, until the chant gained rhythm and volume:

"Singhania family... pride of the country!"

’Shit! not again.’ Rohit sighed inwardly.

Gratitude of Indians, always felt too much..

One man stepped forward with a marigold garland. Rohit almost refused — until he noticed the cameraman recording from behind the crowd and the familiar pretty reporter watching with keen interest. ’Hmm, camera..’

His PR instincts took over. He smiled graciously and accepted the garland, letting it settle around his neck.

The conversation continued briefly. He learned Raghav lived in the same disputed slum and had rallied these people through the opposition party’s junior wing. The numbers were decent enough to make noise.

A soft buzz sounded in his earbud, lisa read him the message from lawyer Kunal Shetty.

[Shetty: Took me 47 minutes. Should have been 470,000, but as friends, I’ll take 400,000. Account details sent. No need to see me off.]

Rohit nearly smirked. At least the lazy inspector had something to be angry about.

His gaze drifted over the crowd again. Forty, maybe more. All of them looking at him like he had pulled them out of a pit.

Rohit’s mind shifted into high gear. He wasn’t worried about the money, but the numbers made him pause. If they were this thankful, perhaps he could get something valuable in return.

These people came from the exact slum tied to the dispute. They had eyes and ears everywhere.

Before he could explore that thought further, the reporter slipped through the crowd.

"Hello again, Mr. Singhania," she said with a familiar smile. The cameraman adjusted his lens. "Seems we keep meeting at interesting moments."

She raised the microphone. "Can you tell us why you came to the police station today... and what made you help these people? Are you also protesting against the police?"

Rohit looked straight at the camera, a quiet smirk forming inside. Here comes my free advertisement. Nice.

He exhaled lightly and answered in a serious face.

"I think people are making this bigger than it is. I didn’t come here to play hero. I simply saw something wrong and acted."

The crowd quieted, listening intently.

"What happened to these men should not happen to anyone," he continued. "You raise your voice peacefully, and instead of being heard, you end up behind bars. That is not law and order. That is tyranny."

Nods and soft murmurs spread through the group.

"I’m not against the police," Rohit added, keeping his tone measured. "But when the system forgets its purpose... someone has to remind it."

The reporter leaned in. "And you decided to be that someone?"

"No," Rohit replied with a small shake of his head. "Anyone in my position should have done the same."

’Right, think we are same. Its normal.’

"And honestly... this isn’t even the main reason I came here. Someone very close to me is missing. I came looking for justice, but I didn’t get it. Just like them."

The crowd stirred at once.

Raghav was the fist to step forward, with fierce eyes. "Sir, just give us the name. We will find him for you."

"We cannot let our benefactor face injustice," another added. "We will become your voice."

The reporter’s eyes lit up with fresh interest.

"Oh?" she said, turning the microphone toward Rohit again. "Can you share more details with us? Would you like the media to be your voice as well?"

Afterwards, Rohit held up his phone and displayed Akhil’s photo clearly to the camera. He briefly shared Akhil’s story before giving his own contact details.

He took out several business cards, showing one prominently on camera while handing the rest to Raghav and his aides. He then announced a reward of ten thousand rupees for any credible lead and two lakh rupees for anyone who provided direct information about Akhil’s whereabouts.

He concluded with a few words of formal gratitude before stepping back.

Balwindar quietly dispersed the group. Once the crowd had thinned, Rohit turned and walked back to the four boys still waiting by the dhaba bench.

They now stood straighter, all of them averting their gaze. Even Robin looked hesitant. Something had clearly changed in them while he was away.

Rohit noted it silently. What’s with the sudden attitude? Did I become too distant for them?

He tapped the table lightly. "I need to confirm something. Give me a few minutes. I’ll be back."

He walked over to his car, leaned on its door and unlocked the screen. The first message that popped up was from Aisha. Her tone sounded impatient, filled with a series of questions.

[What are you doing? Why you playing hero? Who will pay that money...]

He skipped it and called Lisa through the Bluetooth.

"Lisa, you heard everything, right? Did we get any lead on Harsha?"

Lisa replied instantly, as if she had been waiting.

[Yes, sir. We got him one hour earlier. I have already placed him under remote surveillance and gone through his entire device data, including messages. Before I share an important feed, please go through these intercepted messages.]

Rohit frowned and tapped on the customized chat panel screenshots that appeared on his screen.

[Day earlier – Delhi Night Devils gang group chat

New commission:

High gig: Suzuki Hayabusa – ₹50 lakhs , plate number – DL 3C CS 4719.

Low gig: One item for consignment needed – ₹20k.

Mid gig: Transporting...]

**

[Day earlier – Jayesh chat, 6:40 PM

Jayesh: Hey Harsha, coming to Singhania’s resort. There would be a show staged worth watching.

Harsha: No man, I got something...

Jayesh: I have called Roxana too. Waiting for her would be futile.

Harsha: No dude. I am into some other shit.

Jayesh: What happened? Care to tell?

Harsha: Ok, calling.]

**

[Day earlier – Jayesh chat, 7:12 PM

Jayesh: You crazy... That minister’s kid won’t save your ass, dumb fuck.

Harsha: I’m not that idiot.

Jayesh: Wait, don’t touch her. Not at least for 2 days. Let’s see the reaction. I will manage.

Harsha: You thinking about the consignment? 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Jayesh: Yes, I need to figure it out. If things go bad, take Plan B. Ask for ransom from his friends and leave. But if you do something to her before that, things will be irreversible.

Harsha: I understand.

Jayesh: You sure you have the bike?

Harsha: Yes, why? You want it?

Jayesh: No need. Follow the channel.]

**

[Day Today morning – Victor chat, 8:47 AM

Harsha: Bro, need a favor.

Victor: Fuck, I’m sleeping. Don’t call.

Harsha: I will join your kink next time.

Victor: MF, who blackmails like that?

Harsha: Deal?

Victor: Ok, what is it?

Harsha: There is a van of crates. Sent to warehouse. Want someone to look after it for tonight. Boys will come tomorrow.

Victor: Timing?

Harsha: Just stay the night.

Victor: Ok, don’t forget your promise. Or I will get your thing cut off.]

Rohit felt a little relief knowing that snake had somehow postponed the tragedy for the girl. But it was only temporary.

He was more dumbfounded by the other raw facts he had discovered.

What consignment were they talking about?

Why was his bike specfically with his plate number, listed on commission for triple the price?

What was this Delhi Road Devils gang?

And what was inside those crates that needed Harsha to arrange overnight security?

Questions were many, but answers none.

He played the video next and blinked. He couldn’t help but smirk.

It was surely a coffin for Harsha and Victor’s gang. He still had no direct lead on Akhil or the kidnapped girl’s fate, but he had certainly found a clue. It was enough to take the first real step.

**********************************************************

A/N//: I am well aware that most of the incident, behind the scenes are not cleared here, like what exactly Harsha and Jayesh talked in call , but I assure you that everything is planned and will eventually be revealed when its time, in upcoming Chapters. Please have patience.