Chapter Text
Don was bored out of his mind. In front of him were a few boys, kneeling, bleeding and crying. He had seen quite a pathetic sight in his life, but nothing matched this. “Mac, if they don’t speak about the drug packet they stole from you, shoot them. I don’t want to hear anything other than words.”
Mac loaded his gun, looking trigger-happy. He rolled his eyes. If it were not for Anita’s and Narang’s insistence, Mac would have been rotting somewhere.
“Wait, please. I will speak. Please let them go.” One of them spoke, looking about the same age as him.
Don smiled. “I like you already. You have manners.”
The boy looked up to him, puzzled. “Oh, don’t worry…?”
“Ramesh.”
“Don’t worry, Ramesh. I will not kill you or your friends. Your death depends on whether I like what you said or not.”
Ramesh looked at the gun at his head and then at Mac. “Mac, please get out. Ramesh only wants to speak to me.”
“But Don—”
“Mac, will you do as I say, or do you have a death wish?”
Mac retreated to the door, looking annoyed yet afraid of him. Don smiled at Ramesh.
“I stole the drugs. Your stuff is premium quality, yet you charge very little for it.”
“We have the orders to sell it on the streets. The poor become addicted quickly, making it easier for them to pay us more. It's an investment.”
“Well, those orders are stupid.”
Don laughed.
“I agree. What I still don’t get is why you stole it?”
“I work as a catering boy. A few days ago, I was catering at one of the houses in Bangsar. They wanted some drugs, premium quality. The client had complained to our manager, and the manager tasked me to bring some. I have heard about the stuff you sell. I tried my best to buy it at your rate, but nobody was willing to sell.”
Don looked at Mac, who was standing by the door.
“Don, he didn’t look like he was going to buy.”
“I had the money.” Ramesh looked at Mac. “I even offered it to you, you refused.” Don was glaring at Mac.
“I am sorry, I had to steal it. I have some obligations. This job means a lot to me.”
Don pretended to think.
“At what price did they buy it from you?
Ramesh mumbled something that he was not able to understand.
“Ramesh, speak out loud. I pinky-swear, I won’t kill you.”
“Thrice the price you sell at.”
For the first time since working for Singhania, Don was surprised. He let out a breath and smirked.
“You seem very useful, Ramesh. I like you. I need someone to deliver my stuff. If you’re willing to accept, I will give you thrice the money you’re paid as a caterer, along with all the hazard pay. You might get hurt. You can accept my offer, or you can go back to your pathetic life. Your choice.”
Ramesh let his head down in thought. Don observed him carefully.
“Okay, I will accept your offer.”
“Good. Mac, drop the others off at their house. Make sure they don’t say a word about this to anyone.”
Mac leaves with the others, only a few thugs remained with Don, who was about to leave too.
“But I have a request; I need something in return.”
Don was intrigued and chuckled.
“You are very greedy, Ramesh. We have already made a deal.”
“Please. I know you keep tabs on everyone, but I have someone whom I don’t want to involve. Please, for her sake, I want to keep her safe.”
“Aww, I love love-stories, Ramesh.”
“She is my sister.” His eyes widened.
“Sorry, my bad.” He was not apologetic at all.
Don turned to his thugs. “Take him away and patch him up.”
“Wait.” Don called. Ramesh turned towards him.
“Your sister, what is her name?” He looked confused.
“You asked me to spare her from this world, right?” Ramesh nodded. “I want to know her name, so I am careful not to…disturb her life.”
He hesitated, then finally said, leaving at the same time.
“Her name is Roma.”
“Ro-ma.”