Amar leaned back in his Koregaon Park apartment, the clock ticking past 3:00 AM, Pune's night a canvas of hushed whispers. The city slumbered, its rhythm slowed to the occasional scooter's whine and the soft patter of monsoon rain on tin roofs. For two days, he had immersed himself in a relentless quest, his unbreakable will a beacon through the digital labyrinth. Google searches had yielded hundreds of NGOs and charities, their websites a maze of promises and profiles. He had probed each, using his shadow senses to stretch across India—feeling the pulse of operators in Mumbai's bustling Dharavi, Delhi's crowded lanes, Bengaluru's tech enclaves, Kolkata's historic quarters, and Chennai's coastal hubs. Addresses gathered, shadows explored, he had sifted through 135 organizations, identifying 60 that radiated integrity: transparent budgets, genuine dedication to causes like child education, women's empowerment, and poverty alleviation. Names like CRY, Goonj, and Akshaya Patra stood out, their leaders' intentions clean as Ganges headwaters, no hidden agendas flickering in the dark. Others, tainted by greed, were discarded, their shadows whispering secrets of embezzlement and self-interest.
His chaotic heart thrummed with satisfaction, a quiet triumph amid the storm. These 60 would be his conduits, channels for justice to flow, untainted by the corruption he fought. Forming his own had crossed his mind, a beacon under his control, but time was a luxury even his powers couldn't conjure instantly. For now, this list was a foundation, a network to rebuild a world scarred by greed.
By 4:00 PM that day, Amar met Ria at a quiet café in Baner, the air fragrant with brewing chai and fresh parathas. The monsoon had cleared, leaving a crisp breeze that rustled the neem leaves outside. Ria's eyes lit up as he approached, but concern lingered in her gaze, a shadow from their previous conversation. "You look... different," she said, her voice a mix of wonder and worry, as they settled at a corner table. "Calmer, but like you're carrying the world."
Amar smiled, his unbreakable focus a steady light in his eyes. "I have news," he began, his tone warm but resolute. He recounted the Kolkata officer's case—the black money, the missing witness, his shadow confrontation. "I teleported there, confronted him in the dead of night. He confessed everything, freed the witness, named his accomplices, and donated millions to charities. It's done—my first real win."
Ria's eyes widened, a whirlwind of emotions flashing across her face—shock, pride, fear. "You... did that? For people you don't even know?" She reached for his hand, her touch a anchor in the café's hum. "Amar, that's incredible. But dangerous. What if he fights back?"
He squeezed her hand, his voice steady. "He won't. The fear I instilled... it's lasting. But it's just the start." He leaned in, his expression earnest. "I've spent the last two days researching. I've vetted over 135 NGOs and charities across India, using my senses to probe their leaders. Sixty are pure—transparent, dedicated. They're the ones we'll use for now."
Ria's brow furrowed, curiosity sparking. "We?"
Amar nodded, his chaotic heart pulsing with purpose. "Ria, I need your help. Would you be interested in managing an NGO? We start small—focus on education or women's empowerment in Pune. We won't include it in the list yet; it's too suspicious if a new one gets preference from the criminals I'm targeting. They'll donate to the vetted 60 first. But ours... it could be a legacy, something we build together."
Ria's mind raced, a storm of thoughts. An NGO? Me? With his powers, he's changing the world, and he wants me in it. It's thrilling, but scary—am I ready for this? "Amar, that's... huge. I'd love to, but I'm just a designer. What if I mess it up?"
"You won't," he said, his gaze unwavering. "You're strong, creative, compassionate. We'll take it step by step. And with my powers, we can make a real difference." Ria felt a surge of excitement, her confusion giving way to determination. "Okay," she said, her voice resolute. "Let's do it."
Amar's heart swelled with gratitude, his unbreakable will strengthened by her support. The café's chatter faded, their bond a quiet fortress in the storm. As evening approached, they parted with a kiss, Ria's smile a promise of partnership.
Back in his apartment, Amar felt the pull of his next mission. But for now, his first victory lingered, a beacon of hope. He lay down, closing his eyes, a new dawn rising in his chaotic heart.