Time has a sneaky way of slipping by. One moment, you're counting days till Sunday lunch, and the next, five whole years have vanished.
In that time, the orphanage that once echoed with laughter and late-night gossip had grown quiet. Many of the kids had earned scholarships and left for college. Tanya and Shivam too had gotten into their dream courses their tickets to new worlds and new beginnings.And somehow, Ravi had landed a job. No one really knew where or how... just that one day, he said, "I've got work now," and everyone decided not to ask follow-up questions.
The three stood together in the orphanage courtyard their final evening before everything changed.
Shivam (sadly):"Looks like this is it. College means parting ways with my two favorite idiots."
Tanya (trying to smile):"This was bound to happen someday. Don't make it sound like a movie farewell, Shivam. But yeah... I'll miss you both more than I can explain."
Ravi (serious, but calm):"Same here. But we all have our own paths now. It's time to focus on what's ahead, even if it's tough."
Shivam (frowning):"Yeah, about that... what is your path, Ravi? You never applied to college."
Tanya (teasing):"Yeah, don't tell me you're opening a samosa stall and calling it 'career exploration.'"
Ravi just smiled that quiet, mysterious half-smile that made everyone more confused than reassured.
Ravi:"I've chosen a different path. You'll see."
A Few Days Earlier…
That "different path" had started completely by accident.
Ravi had gone out to grab some groceries, but his sixth sense the same one that always told him where free food samples were noticed something weird.
At the corner of a restaurant, a man in a cheap trench coat and sunglasses (indoors, at night) was staring intensely at table number seven. Not the people. The table. Like it held the secret to the universe...
Ravi squinted. Sounds like a detective... or a failed magician.
detective pulled out his phone to snap a picture and then, behind him, a low dramatic voice said:
Voice: "Are you spying on the table man?"
Ravi turned around. The voice... was his own.
White hoodie. Calm grin. Wind somehow blowing despite being indoors. Background music practically demanded a slow-motion shot.
The actual detective jumped, eyes wide. "No! No, I'm a professional! I just need that man's phone password... and i don't know why I'm telling you everything!"
Ravi (smirking):"Good. Honesty is step one. Step two let's fix your life. I have a plan."
The "plan" begins, when a thief(detective who in the getup of thief) suddenly snatches the phone of the person sitting at table number seven and runs out the door.
Ravi sprinted after the man, dodging autos, leaping over street dogs, and internally regretting his diet of samosas and cola. Within minutes, he tackled the thief near an alley.
The "victim" came running, panting. "Thank you! That man stole my phone!"
Ravi frowned. "Wait… he stole your phone?"
The Thief, now in full panic, shouted, "No! That's my phone!"
Ravi sighed. "Okay, let's make this simple. Whoever knows the password, owns the phone."
The man from table seven instantly said the password without hesitation.
Ravi crossed his arms, unimpressed. "Case closed."
And he gives the phone to the person at table number seven and slaps the thief's head.
Ravi: "I'm handing you over to the police."
In a quiet alley, after the handover, the so-called detective wiped his nose dramatically. "You're a genius, Ravi. The greatest detective ever!"
The Plan--
The detective will go and steal the phone of the person at table number seven, after which Ravi will catch him and ask for the password, which will reveal the password, this was the plan.
Ravi: "I'm not a detective, bro. I was just buying some groceries"
But the man didn't listen. He pulled out a crumpled paper from his pocket, scribbled something on it, and thrust it into Ravi's hands.
Then, the detective looks at Ravi with glowing eyes.
Detective: "From today, this office... is yours!"
Before Ravi could protest, the man sprinted off into the darkness, trench coat flapping like a flag of insanity.
Ravi blinked, reading the shaky handwriting.
"Official Transfer Contract – Detective Agency (Effective Immediately)"
He yelled after him, "Hey, stop! I was just helping!"
From the distance came the detective's fading voice
"Congrats, boss! Enjoy your new job!"
Ravi thinks and gets angry that another trouble has befallen him.