At 9.30 pm, he arrived in front of the PN Shelter. The building looked more as a large warehouse than a shelter. For a moment he hesitated to move on, but he had no other choice but to stay here instead of sleeping in front of the shops. It's probably safer here, at least free from police raids that come to pick up homeless. Indeed, it was not every day that the police raid poor people, but recently had often been carried out due to the security situation not so conducive.Praveen dragged his steps towards the entrance of the shelter towards a table near the door. A man in his fifties with a gray mustache and beard sat there like a watchdog."Good night, Uncle." Praveen greeted him. "Can I stay here for a night or two?"The man looked at Praveen probingly. Maybe he didn't expect a young man in neat clothes to come to sleep in the shelter. His appearance was far from shabby like most homeless people"Why do you want to sleep here?""Because I have no place to stay. I just got kicked ou
"Make sure everything goes according to the plan. Don't let it go wrong. Wherever she is, make sure someone is stalking her unnoticed. Is that clear?" Narendra Prasadh said to Rajesh."Yes sir! Everyone is ready. I have clearly instructed them.""Is it clear where she placed in Dharavi?""Yes! Even our people are already there.""Good. But don't make it flashy or even revealed. It might all fall apart. If she finds out that everything had been set, it's still better. What I'm worried about is... if the people find out that she's my daughter. Her safety could be in danger." There was still a hint of worry in Narendra Prasadh's words.He knew that placing Zoya in Dharavi was indeed a high risk, especially in terms of safety and security. However, he would not reverse the decision. His daughter needs to get some mental training before taking the CEO seat. In Dharavi her sensitivity would be honed. At least she was more concerned with the working class so that later she would not be arbit
"Can you take me to Dharavi?" Zoya asked approaching."Of course!" replied the taxi driver with a big smile. He was a young man with the age of about 29 years. "Use the meter or not?""What is the difference?""If don't use a meter, it's about 200 rupees.""With the meter?""It's a bit expensive, it could be more than 200 rupees," said the taxi driver. He seemed to have memorized the tariff by heart."You don't have to use the meter, then.""Please get in!" the driver let Zoya in.Zoya opened the back door. She put her bag in first and then sit. The taxi immediately moved.Ten minutes Zoya was silent while directing her eyes outside. Her chest thumped a little thinking what she should do there. Obviously she would find lodging first. She knew there were also hotels worth staying for a while before getting rented.The taxi driver occasionally glanced at her through the rearview mirror. Looked like he wanted to talk, but hesitated.He cleared his throat a few times."You live in Dharavi
"Is it still far, Anil?" asked Zoya continued to follow the footsteps of Anil, the taxi driver. To be honest, she was starting to feel stifled through the narrow, stuffy, and cramped alley. The smell of curry mingled with the smell of sewers, and the smell of burning plastic bothered her. She wanted to cover her nose but she didn't do it, afraid she would offend the people around. They looked relax. Their noses must had been immune to those smells."About two hundred meters, Miss!" Anil replied looking relaxed. He jumped over a small ditch that was clogged and the water was black. Water pipes were milling over it. Zoya jumped it too. Luckily, she wore low shoes so it didn't obstruct her steps.The alley turned to the right and seemed to be getting narrower. The deeper they walked into the Alley, the houses getting densely and there were many small alleys on both sides. Zoya tried to scan the place and marked it as she was sure, if the driver suddenly run away, she could get lost.She
Ten minutes later Zoya and Anil were already on their way back to the taxi parked on the side of the road. They followed the path they had taken before. Zoya seemed to be observing the path which was nothing more than an alley. Let alone small cars, motorbikes may not be able to pass by, just for people passing by."What are you looking at, miss?" asked Anil surprised to see Zoya looking around."I want to make sure the alley we passing through so that tomorrow I don't get lost here. It's a bit hard to remember the route.""Really? It's easy!""For people like you who were born and raised here, of course it's easy.""It's still close to the main road, we haven't entered the heart of Dharavi yet. Inside, it's more complicated, there are many small alleys like a maze," said Anil, continuing to walk a little faster. "By the way why did you choose Dharavi as a place to live, Mumbai is so big isn't it?"Zoya was silent, unprepared for Anil's question."At first I thought it would be cheape
Praveen had been going around looking for the address Auntie Neha gave him, but couldn't find it. From Morning till noon, he was still going around in Dharavi. He even asked people by handing a small piece of paper written by Auntie Neha, all of them shrugged and shook their heads.It was too hard to find. Too many nameless alleys. Too crowded houses, and too many misleading clues. And what annoyed him was many people he asked gave different answers. Some of them pointed to the north, some pointed to the south, and not a few pointed to the east.What a confused! He cursed himself. Did he have to look for the address in all directions?He was getting tired of walking down Dharavi without result. At noon he felt thirsty and hungry. He persisted not to have lunch. But keep looking for. His stomach was smarting to be filled. But he didn't care. If today the address he looking for was not found, he would inevitably return to the PN Shelter to stay overnight. It didn't really matter if stay
With definite steps Praveen headed the Citizen hotel located at 90 Feet Road. The hotel was not far, only about 700 meters from the one he called earlier. He had passed the hotel twice. From a physical point of view, it doesn't look like a hotel. Only a small three-story building and painted orange that has faded. At the front there was also a restaurant. There was a large neon sign in front of the hotel that reads Citizen Hotel & Restaurant. He would wait for the person who would pick him up right in front of the hotel. Praveen hastened his pace even more. He couldn't wait to get there. It was better for him to wait first. *** Zoya received her room key after she registered and checked in right away. Her room was on the second floor number 203. She was a little overwhelmed to climb the stairs because of the bag she carrying. Even though it wasn't that high, her breath was a little ragged when she got to the 2nd floor. Uh, it must be because she's rarely been exercising. While in
Raju took Praveen inside the Dharavi through a narrow and winding alley. Throughout the journey he was silent and looked around."It's your first time to Dharavi?" asked Raju."Yes. I'm from Chandrapur.""So you are same origin as Mr. Anand, right?""Yes.""What's your relationship with him?""Nothing. He's just my aunt's friend.""Oh, I thought you are his family from the village."Praveen didn't answer. He continued to follow Raju's steps. Fifteen minutes walking down the narrow alley, they finally arrived.The atmosphere seemed busy in the house that as well as the clothes factory. The house was two floor. Downstairs was production area. Ten people seemed busy working. Some of them were sewing, some other cutting clothes similar to jeans. They just followed the pattern. All seemed to be skilled with the job.Praveen was still standing at the entrance. Raju had returned to his work right away. Praveen was left alone outside without being told to come in.But not long after, a rathe
Ten minutes later, Danishka was fast asleep. Zoya immediately got up from the bed and stared at her sister for a while to make sure the sleeping pill really worked.She looked like a sleeping beauty. So Beautiful.Zoya was stunned. Her guilt surfaced again. How cruel she was to do that for her own sister. But she had to do this.She patted Danishka’s shoulder. She was silent and unresponsive."I'm sorry, Danishka!" she said once again with regret.She got up from the bed to the balcony and opened the door. Outside she called Praveen."Prav, I'll be down in a minute, wait on the balcony!" she said in a trembling voice."Is your sister asleep? Is everything okay?""Of course! I've given her sleeping pills! Everything is according to the plan.""Okay, I'll wait for you! I'm ready too!" "I'll be down in five minutes!" Zoya turned off her phone. She then rushed into the closet and took the bag she had prepared. Before she carried the bag, she took out a roll of rope and when she was abou
It was almost midnight when Zoya was finally able to go to her room.“Aren’t you tired, Danishka?” Zoya asked her sister.Danishka shook her head. Her face looked cheerful.“I won’t just let this party pass me by! You’re so lucky, Sis! Dad threw a party this big for you!” said her sister.“What’s lucky? Being mated suddenly is lucky?”“Your mate is your ex, right? You’ve both dated before?”“Actually, I didn’t intend to get married! But never mind! After all, everyone gets married eventually, right?” said Zoya, not wanting to prolong her conversation with her sister.What is clear is that she is now in her room and carrying out her next plan.But no! She had to wait for Danishka to sleep first. If she didn’t sleep, Zoya had prepared an alternative scenario.But honestly, she didn’t have the heart to give Danishka sleeping pills.But what if there was no other way?Zoya went to the bathroom to freshen up and call Praveen.While in the bathroom, she immediately took out her phone and ty
“They’re coming! You should stay in your room! Don’t go anywhere!” Rajesh said over the phone.Rajesh was still in the cafe across from the hotel monitoring the situation.As he watched Narendra’s family group enter the hotel, he swallowed his saliva and felt a bitter sensation in his throat.He cursed his fate for no longer being a part of Narendra’s family. Ten years of devoting himself to Narendra and being his confidant, did not end his life well. Instead he ended up as a loser.It was so easy for Narendra to dump him.Just because of Sunil Chakraborty.But he did not regret it because now he had the chance to get back at him.He would embarrass Narendra and Sunil. He swore that the wedding party would end in vain.He would help the bride run away with another man. A man Narendra hated.He never imagined that he would end up in a reverse position like this. He still remembered how Narendra ordered him to get rid of Praveen. With the power he had, he beat the young man until he alm
“They’re coming! You should stay in your room! Don’t go anywhere!” Rajesh said over the phone.Rajesh was still in the cafe across from the hotel monitoring the situation.As he watched Narendra’s family group enter the hotel, he swallowed his saliva and felt a bitter sensation in his throat.He cursed his fate for no longer being a part of Narendra’s family. Ten years of devoting himself to Narendra and being his confidant, did not end his life well. Instead he ended up as a loser.It was so easy for Narendra to dump him.Just because of Sunil Chakraborty.But he did not regret it because now he had the chance to get back at him.He would embarrass Narendra and Sunil. He swore that the wedding party would end in vain.He would help the bride run away with another man. A man Narendra hated.He never imagined that he would end up in a reverse position like this. He still remembered how Narendra ordered him to get rid of Praveen. With the power he had, he beat the young man until he alm
Praveen was back in the hotel room when Narendra Prasadh's family troupe arrived. Two luxury cars entered the hotel grounds in a convoy and stopped in front of the entrance. Not far behind were five more SUVs carrying employees and servants.Narendra Prasadh was in the first car. He got out of the car after the hotel staff opened the car door for him.He appeared to be wearing traditional clothing instead of a suit, and that did not diminish his authority as a wealthy businessman.His wife, Pratyusha Beniwal followed after him. She also appeared to be wearing a saree with gold ornaments. Precious stone jewelry in the form of a necklace and bracelet added to the luxury of her appearance. Truly extraordinary. Then followed by her youngest son Rahul.Before entering, the graceful woman stood for a moment waiting for the next car. The sedan carrying Zoya and her sister Danishka.The hotel staff also swiftly opened the car door for Zoya. She got out of the car carefully while fixing her sa
That morning at Amaneesh Chakraborty's residence, there was also a lot of activity.They would perform Ganesh puja, a ritual to ask the god for blessings.The procession will be held this afternoon. Many of Mr. Amaneesh's extended family had also attended.The joy radiated from the face of the Mumbai Police Chief. Of course, this was a happy day because his proud son, Sunil Chakraborty, was getting married.As a father, he could imagine how lucky Sunil was. Having a good career in the police force and also having a beautiful wife who was the daughter of a rich man in Mumbai.It felt like a dream.All preparations had been done well by a third party. They just went through it. Everything went smoothly according to expectations.Sunil should have also been very happy that day. But it was as if something was bothering him, and it was visible on his face. He was not completely happy because of one problem that had not been resolved until now.He should have been able to overcome Praveen a
Praveen was still lying in bed that morning. Even though the hotel room was so comfortable, he had not been able to sleep at all since last night.This was a very decisive moment in his life, preparing himself to carry out the plan he had made as best he could.He had thought about it down to the smallest detail so that this plan would succeed. There should be no gaps or opportunities for him to fail.If he failed, he could end up in prison.Taking away the prospective bride who is none other than the daughter of a prominent conglomerate and the prospective daughter-in-law of the number one person in the Mumbai police?It would definitely create a scene and become national news. More sensational than the kidnapping that Zoya experienced before!If he failed, his face would adorn the front pages of newspapers and even television, not as an actor or model, but as a criminal. The career he had built with great difficulty would end tragically.No, that couldn't happen!He immediately got
It was late afternoon when they returned from Dharavi, but nothing happened. Praveen's room was empty just like when Sunil visited earlier. There was no sign of him coming here. Nothing had changed at all.It was just that Zoya felt a different atmosphere when she saw the room. There was a longing that enveloped her, imagining when she and Praveen were alone in the room.She remembered the time she slept over during the heavy rain that caused flooding due to the moonson. Even though the lights were out and it was raining outside, she felt at peace in Praveen's arms all night. The man really took good care of her.There were indeed many memories in Dharavi. If not with Sunil, she would have gone to school to meet the teachers there, Mrs. Fateema and her two other friends, Harshida and Shanti. Or if necessary she would go to her rented house.Had everything remained the same or changed? She really didn't know."Where have you been? Why are you home at this hour?" Mrs. Pratyusha asked wh
A surprise for Zoya, but not for Sunil as they headed to the AMA office. A large billboard on the side of the road caught the attention of passersby.An advertising billboard starring Praveen. Apparently the advertisement had spread to several strategic places.Zoya was happy to see the billboard. She wanted to take out her cellphone and take a picture of it as memorials. But she didn't because didn't want to offend the man beside her. She didn't say a word, even trying to divert attention by pretending not to see it."Damn it! I don't want to see that billboard!" said Sunil."Isn't he the person you want to meet now?""Right, but not with his poster!""Okay! Just look away!" said Zoya indifferently. She tried not to look at the billboard as if it wasn't important.Sunil's gut feeling told him that she deliberately pretended unwilling to see the billboard. He was sure, deep down in her heart, she was happy to see it. It made Sunil even more annoyed.If only he could find him, he woul