The rain was merciless that night in Mumbai. It fell in curtains, drenching everything in a sheen of sorrow and finality. The city that never slept had suddenly paused, as though nature itself anticipated what was about to unfold.
Brigadier Ayush Deol—codename: Tandav—was driving his black Mahindra Thar along Marine Drive. The sea on his left roared against the embankment, waves crashing like the echo of past battles. His hands, scarred from decades of war, gripped the steering wheel with calm familiarity. He had faced warlords, insurgents, and terrorists. He had infiltrated foreign soil, rescued hundreds, and eliminated those who posed a threat to Bharat. Yet tonight, his thoughts were not of war. They were of peace.
Ayush had just returned from a private military ceremony hosted by the Prime Minister himself. Though he avoided the spotlight his entire life, this time, he was called personally by PM Narendra Modi—his mentor and one of the only men he truly respected. A medal for undisclosed operations, classified beyond the Cabinet's knowledge. Ayush wore the uniform, saluted, smiled slightly, and left through the back exit, vanishing like he always did.
But fate had other plans.
As he crossed the Marine Lines intersection, a speeding truck—seemingly out of control—ploughed into the driver's side of the Thar. The impact was catastrophic. The vehicle flipped twice in mid-air, hit a light pole, and rolled before coming to a halt in a mangled heap of metal and fire.
Glass shattered. Blood pooled. Bystanders screamed. A few rushed forward. Someone dialled emergency services. But Ayush knew. He wasn't going to make it out of this one.
Time slowed. The sirens faded. The pain dulled. And then... nothingness.