Suddenly, a luxury car zoomed in, and a fierce gust of wind swept through the tea bushes, pulling Smita across them.
Everyone was stunned. The wind had carried Smita beyond the hedges and stopped near a large tree.
From behind the tree emerged a teenage boy radiating an intense, almost divine aura. Right behind him, Smita appeared, draped in a man's shirt.
In reality, Aryan moved so fast that no one could perceive him. The wind was a byproduct of his sheer velocity. He had rushed in, rescued Smita, and wrapped her in his shirt to shield her.
Manab recognized the boy immediately and said, in a tone filled with disbelief:
Manab: "Aryan? Is that really you?"
(The fierce wind had cleared the tea plantation entirely, flattening every bush in its path.)
Aryan: "Yes. I'm here."
Manab (with a sarcastic smirk): "So you've come to rescue her. But you won't succeed."
Aryan (calmly, yet firmly): "Is that so?"
The tone of Aryan's voice sent chills down the spine of Manab and his gang. Yet, trying to keep his gang's morale intact, Manab stepped forward with a mocking laugh.
Manab: "You won't be able to stop us. I guess your little group forgot to mention the warning I gave them."
Aryan: "I know. So what?"
Indeed, Manab and his friends had threatened Abhi and his group earlier, who had already informed Aryan while he was in Guwahati.
Manab: "Then, as promised, I must punish you. But since you were once my schoolmate, I'll offer you a deal—hand over Smita, and we'll let you go."
Aryan (voice like steel): "So it's her you want?"
With those four words, Aryan swiftly picked up Smita and dashed toward his car. The fierce wind returned, trailing his movement. Within seconds, he reached his Mercedes and gently placed Smita in the front passenger seat, adjusting it so it faced the door for comfort.
(Aryan's car was no ordinary vehicle—it featured cutting-edge technology, including front seats that could rotate a full 360 degrees.)
Seeing Aryan's sheer speed and composure, Manab's confidence began to falter. Yet, attempting diplomacy, he offered:
Manab: "Since we're old friends, consider this a reward for finding Smita."
Aryan (expressionless): "What's the reward?"
Manab, sensing a glimmer of hope, smirked.
Manab: "A night with Smita. Just you and her."
Aryan: "Not interested. And now, I'm handing you over to the police."
Manab (alarmed): "Wait, wait! At least take one good look at her—dressed in your shirt, that figure could tempt anyone. Think about it. Make the smart choice."
Manab knew about Aryan's family reputation in the Barak Valley, especially in his hometown Udharbond. He didn't want to push too hard and risk retaliation.
Smita, hearing Manab's words, grew anxious. Her thoughts spiraled:
Smita (in her mind): "Is Aryan really going to hand me over to him for one night?"
Before her doubts could grow, Aryan responded with a sharp, cold voice:
Aryan: "I'm not interested in your filth."
Manab and his gang (shocked): "What?"
Aryan: "Yes. And now you're going to jail. The police are already on their way."
Manab: "Guys, take him down first! We'll deal with the cops later!"
Manab and his gang grabbed chains and makeshift weapons from their bikes and rushed toward Aryan.
Aryan, however, allowed them to make the first move. None of their attacks even grazed him. With precise and devastating strikes—kicks, punches, blocks—he shattered their weapons and left them bruised, beaten, and sprawled on the ground.
Without a second glance, Aryan turned toward his car.
Inside, Smita couldn't take her eyes off him. The sight of Aryan shirtless stirred something deep within her.
Just then, a convoy of police vehicles arrived. From one of them stepped Inspector Rana Dutta, along with several constables—and Kajol.
The constables approached Aryan's car while the inspector surveyed the scene. Aryan stood unfazed.
Kajol: "Aryan, this is Inspector Rana Dutta from Udharbond."
Aryan: "Hello, sir."
Inspector Rana Dutta: "Enough small talk. Tell me what happened here. Who did this?"
Aryan: "They tried to violate my friend. So I stopped them."
Inspector Rana Dutta: "Fine. Now I need to speak with the victim."
His eyes turned toward Smita with a look that made her uncomfortable. Sensing this, Aryan immediately stepped between them.
Aryan: "Sir, I believe she's not in a state to be questioned right now. Perhaps we can postpone the interrogation."
Inspector Rana Dutta (reluctantly): "Alright…"
Aryan's commanding presence left no room for argument.
Aryan: "Thank you, sir. May we leave now?"
Inspector Rana Dutta: "You may. But one of you must visit the station tomorrow to record a full statement."
Kajol: "I'll go with you, sir."
As the police loaded Manab and his gang into their vehicles and drove off, Kajol went with them.
Aryan then silently adjusted Smita's seat, got behind the wheel, and drove off toward Udharbond.
After five minutes of driving, Aryan pulled into a dim, empty alley. Without a word, he stepped out of the car and locked it.
Smita was startled—the doors wouldn't open. She was locked inside.
Why did Aryan leave Smita locked in the car?
Why did he park in such a deserted place?
Could Aryan have a dark motive?