THE LIBERATION

Smita's curiosity was piqued. She resolved to delve deeper into the mystery. Her mind wandered to Ronith, her childhood friend, who had recently joined the Indian Police Service. She smiled at the memory of their shared past and the news she had received just last night: Ronith had cleared his training and was posted in Pune. Perhaps he could help her uncover the truth.Smita, Ronith, and Rakshitha had been inseparable since childhood. Ronith, the brainiac of the trio, had once dreamed of becoming a scientist. Though his attempts to secure a position in research had failed, he had channeled his analytical mind into law enforcement, proving his mettle in the IPS exams.

Rakshitha, on the other hand, had been Ronith's protector in school. The bond between them deepened during a school trip to Dapoli, a scenic town nestled in the Sahyadri hills. The memory of that trip remained etched in their minds.

The students had been hiking when a senior girl, bored and mischievous, played a dangerous prank on Rakshitha. Using a peacock feather, she startled Rakshitha, causing her to lose her balance and tumble toward the edge of a steep valley. In the nick of time, a rope flew out, and Rakshitha clung to it desperately. Strong arms pulled her back to safety—arms that belonged to none other than Ronith.

The incident had transformed Ronith in the eyes of his friends. Though often seen as weak, he had shown courage and resourcefulness that day. It was also the moment when Rakshitha's feelings for him blossomed into love.

Back in Paris, Tracy's thoughts were consumed by the cheque and the name Rudra. She dialed the number on the back, her heart pounding as the call connected. A deep voice answered.

"Hello, this is Rudra."

"Mr. Rudra, this is Tracy," she began, her voice steady despite her nerves. "I found a cheque with your name on it. It's linked to my father's business. Can we meet?"

There was a pause. "Tomorrow at noon. Dazzler Erotica Jewels office."

As she hung up, Tracy felt a mixture of excitement and apprehension. This meeting could unveil long-buried truths about her father's business and his mysterious silence.

Meanwhile, in Pune, Smita reached out to Ronith. She recounted the women's conversation and her growing concern about the missing children.

"We need to investigate this," she urged.

Ronith agreed, his voice firm with determination. "Meet me tomorrow. We'll start unraveling this mystery."

As the sun set on two sides of the world, two stories began to converge—one of hope and redemption, the other of courage and justice. Both Tracy and Smita knew that the path ahead would be fraught with challenges, but they were ready to face them head-on, armed with hope, curiosity, and an unyielding spirit.

Smitha often reminisced about the moment when Ronith revealed his calm and mature demeanor. It was a defining instance for her and Rakshitha. The memory of his words lingered in her mind, bringing a sense of pride and joy. "I saw that girl with the peacock feather," Ronith had explained, his tone measured yet firm. "She purposely brushed it against your neck to trip you. I couldn't stand idly by because, in that moment, something surged within me—an energy, a force that compelled me to act."

His voice carried the weight of sincerity as he continued, "My friends told me they've been mocking you both, calling you my bodyguards. That's something I can't tolerate. You two were the first people to show me kindness and love when I came to this school. I can endure their taunts toward me, but not toward you."

The passion in his words silenced any doubts. "I'm not a coward, but reacting to every insult would only put me on their level. They're envious of something they see in me. They might have wealth and status, but one day, they'll seek my help, and I'll be ready for that moment. Tomorrow, that girl will apologize to you."

Ronith then turned to Rakshitha, a sudden softness in his expression. "I like you," he confessed. "Whenever I see you, I feel something different, something I can't quite define. When I figure it out, you'll be the first to know. But for now, I need to focus on my studies."

True to his word, the next day, the girl apologized to Rakshitha. Over time, as they transitioned to college, Ronith and Rakshitha's bond deepened, blossoming into love. On Valentine's Day, Ronith finally proposed, sealing their commitment to each other.

One day, Smitha's curiosity got the better of her. "Ronith," she asked, "how did you convince that girl to apologize to Rakshitha?"

Ronith's eyes darkened as he recounted the truth. "She had a boyfriend," he began. "I discovered he was involved in human trafficking—selling girls to powerful businessmen. I caught him red-handed when he was preparing to sell her. I showed her parents the evidence, and they asked how they could repay me. I told them about the incident, and they made her apologize to Rakshitha."

Smitha's jaw dropped, her admiration for Ronith growing alongside her shock. As she walked home that evening, her mind swirled with thoughts of his courage and integrity.

Clutching her radio, Smitha noticed an unusual frequency spike. The device emitted sharp, high-pitched sounds as she neared her house, the signal intensifying toward the dense forest behind her home. The jungle had a notorious history—a place once plagued by black magic, human trafficking, and drug dealings. The government had shut it down years ago, but whispers of its dark past lingered.

Night had fallen, but Smitha's curiosity outweighed her fear. She ventured into the forest, following the radio's signal. It guided her to a massive neem tree at the heart of the jungle. Hidden among the shadows, she witnessed a chilling sight: a group of hooded figures encircling the tree, tying threads around its trunk, and chanting mantras. These were not prayers to a deity but invocations of something far darker.

As their voices crescendoed, a pentagram with an evil eye materialized beneath the tree, glowing ominously with a crimson light. Smitha climbed the tree to observe discreetly, her dual-camera phone capturing the eerie ritual from various angles. Her radio trembled, recording the chants with startling clarity.

The ritual took a horrifying turn when the group brought forth a small, unconscious boy. His eyes were blindfolded, and his frail body was placed at the pentagram's center. The hooded figures danced and sang, their movements erratic, their voices growing more frenzied. Suddenly, the sky turned pitch black, and a colossal red eye appeared above the boy. A deep, guttural voice echoed through the forest.

"This is the tenth boy you've brought me," it bellowed. "His body is too weak. I require a young man or woman with stronger, darker energy to serve as my vessel. This child's blood is unique, but it has not yet matured. Disperse, for this is another failure."

With a surge of power, the entity pushed the hooded figures away. Smitha's heart raced as she witnessed the scene. Suddenly, she lost her balance and fell from the tree, landing heavily on the ground. Her presence was detected, and one of the figures lunged at her, slashing her arm with a knife. Blood trickled from the wound as the attacker collected it in a small vial. Just as the group closed in, a shadowy figure emerged from the woods and carried her away.

When Smitha regained consciousness, she found herself in her bed. Her arm was bandaged, and her grandmother, Ronith, and Rakshitha stood by her side. Their concerned faces brought her a measure of comfort, though her mind remained troubled by the night's events.
Meanwhile, in Paris, Tracy caled into Tanishq Diamond Company with a cheque for one crore rupees. Curious about its origin, she called the number written on it. Mr. Nathan, Rudra's secretary, answered the call. "Hello, who is this?" he asked.

"This is Tracy from Tanishq Diamonds in Paris," she replied. "I found a cheque from your company in Mr. Alexander's office. Can you explain the purpose of this payment?"

Nathan's voice grew formal. "Ah, finally your employer has accepted the contract," he said.

Tracy frowned. "I'm new to this office and unaware of any such contract. Could you elaborate?"

Nathan explained, "By depositing that cheque, your company agrees to a three-year contract. During this period, half of your salary will be deducted to repay the amount, including interest. If the debt is cleared within two years, the contract will end early. Otherwise, it will be extended by two years. However, there's an additional condition for the extension."

"What condition?" Tracy asked, her curiosity piqued.

"If the debt remains unpaid, the employee must marry our young master, Rudra, if female. If male, they must work as his assistant for life."

Tracy's eyes widened. "Perhaps that's why Mr. Alexander rejected the offer. But I'm willing to accept these terms. I'll deposit the cheque and join your company within five days."

Nathan sounded impressed. "May I have your name, madam?"

"Tracy," she replied confidently. "You'll find my resume already in your system."

As the call ended, Tracy couldn't shake the anticipation of meeting Rudra. Little did she know that her decision would intertwine her fate with his in ways she couldn't imagine.

Back in Smitha's world, the mystery deepened. What was the evil energy her radio had captured? Who had rescued her from the forest? And what would happen when Tracy met Rudra? These unanswered questions loomed large, setting the stage for the next chapter in this intricate tale.