Second Chance: A Dark Tale of Urban India-Chapter 109: First Step, Bring The Boys

Rohit tapped the screen and the camera feed started. This one was deliberately taken by Harsha at night.

The video showed a van. Its door opened and lines of crates were placed in a stack. A man’s voice came through.

"Two hundred fifty kilos. Cocaine. Record this properly. Send it to the group. Delivery completed."

Harsha’s voice appeared next. "Wait, we don’t have enough space in storage room. Maybe we can shift that to the warehouse."

The man scoffed., "That’s your problem. My job was delivery."

Harsha threatened, "Then I will let it rot here in the open and share the video to the group."

The camera angle shifted to the man in his thirties. He immediately tried to hide his face. "Fuck man, I won’t be doing any delivery for free."

"Now you are talking," Harsha said.

Harsha’s voice came without showing himself, but he pointed toward the shadow. "I am going to pay for the delivery, Chota Sheth. Make sure to reimburse that in my account."

The video ended.

Rohit couldn’t help but smirk. Now it made all sense. This was where Harsha got his extra backing from the drug dealing channel that Rohit himself knew about but had no idea of the source.

One thing was certain. If he shared this video alone with the anti-drugs department, Harsha would be in hell. And if he caught both of them red-handed in front of the media and authorities, it would be a coffin for Harsha and Victor’s gang.

Even though there was no direct lead on Akhil or the kidnapped girl’s fate, at least Rohit had found a clue.

He called over his Bluetooth. "Lisa, who is this Chota Sheth? Do we have any info regarding his gang or contacts to Kasim?"

[Yes sir. Kasim’s contacts do show Chota Sheth’s name. He is also wanted in police chargesheet for murder, drugs and extortion through kidnapping. They all work under the mafia boss Mukhtar Ahmed with base at the scrapyard in Mori Gate. He handles the whole drug cartel under Ahmed.] 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Rohit frowned. The hive looked much deeper than he had expected. They were certainly well organised. Akhil remained his priority. The rest could be handled later.

He called out again. "Show me the map of Harsha’s location. Distance and under whose name the hideout is registered. I also need the location of the warehouse."

Lisa’s voice rang out.

[Location identified. Private resort in Vasant Kunj. Property registered under a sitting MLA. No mapped warehouse linked in current records.]

The mention of the MLA rang a bell in Rohit’s mind. This explained why the minister’s son was mentioned in the chat screenshot. It was one of Harsha’s gang’s underhanded tactics — using estates of rich friends or contacts through mutual trade or coercion. So far they had tried the same trick with him, but somehow he had escaped.

This intel gave him a brief glimpse of the security layers around Harsha’s hideout. Since they chose to receive drugs and hide the girl there, it meant that place was mostly their base. The minister’s name added an extra challenge.

But the core concern remained. What about the warehouse? Was it the same place where he and Akhil had first been taken blindfolded?

This was a major problem. If they didn’t find it, then there would be neither drugs nor any strong case.

Rohit was still thinking about it when Aisha called. He turned and saw her standing a little distance away from the dhaba, looking at him intensely. Amused, he picked up the call.

"What is it?"

"My mom is calling me. What do I tell her?" she asked.

"Hmm. Don’t mention what you heard about the boys’ story. For the rest, tell the truth. We are done with the police station and now looking for some place to stay."

"Who’s staying? I am returning home and I heard no story," she yapped.

Rohit chuckled. He didn’t care whether she agreed or not, but an idea struck him as he watched her pale face under the sunlight. "No. I have a job for you. You will be staying with me the whole night."

"No, I wo—" She wasn’t even able to complete her sentence when Rohit added, "It’s about Victor. We will settle him today. He won’t be harassing you anymore. Or do you really want to share your ass with him?"

A pause lingered.

"What do I need to do?" she asked, her voice much calmer this time.

"Send him a message that you will be doing a show for him. There will be a surprise exclusive broadcast, only for him," Rohit said, narrowing his eyes.

"Let me guess. The surprise is you. No need.. thanks. I see no difference, you two," she openly rebuked.

Rohit smirked. "That’s not for you to decide." Aisha tried to protest but he cut the call abruptly.

His plan was to hack Victor’s location through the Zoom link at night, but for now he needed to handle Harsha. He called Lisa again.

"Lisa, tell me what you see near his surroundings. Approximately how many men we may find if we storm there? Weapons? Threat level?"

[Sir, below is the current assessment of the marked target.

Estimated personnel: 8 to 9 individuals.

Armed: 5 personnel — 3 with no firearms (Threat Level 1), 1 with a pistol (Threat Level 3), and 1 canine unit (German Shepherd). No other weapons visible.

Target Activity: Indulging in mild narcotics — weed.]

Hmm. One firearm? Likely acquired by Harsha himself. Still manageable. Rohit thought. The real problem is backup. I should assume there could be few more weapons hidden.

He looked toward his surroundings. The four boys were still on the bench, discussing intensely among themselves. Then an idea hit him. If executed properly by making a spectacle, even the MLA or the government wouldn’t be able to do anything.

Since, the boys were still discussing, he decided to give them some time. Then Robin spotted him and they all stood in a line, just like students standing for attendance before their teacher.

Their expressions were stiff, as if something heavy was going on in their minds.

Rohit observed that quietly. ’So it had that effect...’

He walked toward them, expression serious but controlled.

"I have good news," he said.

All four stiffened.

"The girl is safe. At least for now."

Hope flashed instantly across their faces—

—and just as quickly cracked.

Pratham swallowed. "Sir... what do you mean ’for now’?"

"It means," Rohit said evenly, "she’s not harmed yet. But that won’t last."

That brought nervous glances shared among them.

"Relax. I got a plan," Rohit added in a sympathetic tone. "I have sources and I got the location." He eyed them thoroughly, noting all reactions. "But they aren’t related to me.. or my friends as such. In fact, the opposite. And this is where I will need your help."

That was enough.

Robin stepped forward immediately. "I’m in. Just tell me what to do."

Pratham followed. "Anything sir. We’ll do anything." The rest two however, hesitated.

Rohit studied them for a second, then exhaled lightly.

"First," he said, "stop calling me ’sir.’ You’re seniors to me. Treat me equal. Call me Rohit... or bhai, brother, whatever u feel comfortable. I am not like those guys. I know you have your own doubts.. but I am doing this, because I worry for that girl. She doesn’t deserve this."

The shift was subtle—but it landed.

Their shoulders eased slightly. Trust forming.

"Second, call your friends. Anyone who wants to fight. Bring all the boys. We will storm them with a crowd."

Pratham thought for a while. "I can get 10–15 boys by evening."

Kaushik joined in. "I got connections from the neighbouring college. I can bring at most 5 to 10 more boys if I leave now. We can make it in time."

Rohit shook his head. "Not enough. We need numbers. Fifty. Minimum. People who won’t run the moment things escalate."

That changed the tone again.

Fifty wasn’t a fight.

It was a statement.

"I’ll cover expenses," Rohit added casually. "Two thousand per person. Transport, time or whatever they need. Just make sure they understand what they’re walking into."

Reverence filled their eyes but everyone nodded in understanding. However, Alok, who had remained mute the whole time, finally spoke.

"I think we are missing one point. The guy got a gun. All sticks are useless in front of real bullets."

Rohit smirked. He looked to his side and saw Balwindar talking with Raghav, the guy who had been leading the earlier group. The crowd had dispersed but he remained. Not his problem.

Rohit called out loud, "Balwindar."

Balwindar came without delay and stood near them. Rohit said, "Show them the real deal. Let them measure whose better."

Balwindar checked here and there and then lifted his jacket with a faint smirk.

Two black steal highly polished metal glinted, tugging at his belt.

9mm Pistols.

The reaction was instant. Shock. Relief. Fear. All mixed.

Rohit let it sink in before speaking. "Now have some little faith. Lets hope only appearance is enough. We will get her released."

Alok said, "Sir?" Then corrected himself. "I mean brother, will there be police problem?"

Rohit sighed. "Not only police but also politician. But I will figure this out. Leave that to me."

Honestly, Rohit had no idea how he would figure this out but he wanted them to believe in him first. At least that way, they will have a direction and rest will be handled later.

Soon they all agreed though they looked a little tensed.

Just then, a voice came startling all of them. "Sir, I need some of your time."

They all turned. It was Raghav again with a smile and eager face, standing near balwindar.

Rohit asked, "Yes, what’s the matter?"

Raghav replied, "Sir, I think it would be better if you meet with my mentor. He was former MLA and has quite an influence. Maybe he can help you spread words faster."

Rohit paused. His expression didn’t change, but something in his eyes sharpened.

Politics best suited to counter politics. Why leave a free opportunity?