91.
"What are you doing?" Kabir asked.
Yug looked up from his laptop. He was seated on the lawn, a cup of green tea balanced beside him, spreadsheets open on the screen. Kabir wasn't in his usual uniform today — a casual shirt instead, sleeves loosely rolled.
"Nothing much. Working on a project," Yug replied. "I've got a meeting once I'm back in Udaipur."
Kabir settled onto the bench opposite him and pulled out his phone.
"What are you doing here?" Yug asked.
Kabir glanced up. "Keeping an eye on you."
Then he went quiet again, eyes fixed on his screen.
Yug shrugged and returned to work.
Half an hour later, Yug finally shut his laptop and leaned back. Kabir was still sitting there — silent, unmoving. Not even a single unnecessary comment. At least Ravi would've picked a fight or say something very stupid. Kabir, on the other hand, seemed genuinely indifferent.
"I heard you're on a break. Why don't you go home?" Yug asked.
Kabir looked at him blankly. "My home is here. Where else would I go?"
Yug frowned in confusion.
"My wife and kids live in the staff quarters," Kabir explained. "This place is home."
"Oh." Yug blinked. "You're married? Damn. Then you should be with your wife."
"She's gone to visit her parents. She'll be there for a few days."
"Ohh... ho—"
Kabir had already shifted his attention back to his phone.
"Dude, I'm talking to you," Yug said.
Kabir slid his phone back into his pocket and looked up calmly.
"How many kids do you have?" Yug asked.
"Five."
Yug stared at him, impressed despite himself.
Kabir studied Yug for a moment. "You can ask whatever you want. You look like you've got something on your mind. I saw you come to the Unit earlier — you didn't meet anyone and left."
"So stalking is a required skill here," Yug smirked. "Impressive."
Then his expression sobered slightly. "I wanted to ask... do I resemble someone?"
"I don't know. Maybe your parents," Kabir said casually. "If not... then you're adopted."
Yug groaned. "Ugh, no. I mean — do I resemble anyone you've come across here?"
Kabir studied him for a second. "I don't think so. Why?"
"I feel like Shaurya somehow knew my dad. And my dad definitely came here." Yug pulled out his phone and showed him a photo of a document. Shaurya's signature was clearly visible at the bottom.
Kabir leaned slightly forward to look.
"I know you're one of Shaurya's most trusted people. And you're smart," Yug said quietly. "I want you to find out what this is about. Can you help me?"
"Your father passed away, and now you think his death might be connected to the Shekhawats?" Kabir said slowly. "That's personal territory. I don't know anything about this."
"If you don't trust me, keep an eye on me 24/7," Yug said instantly. "Take my phone if you want. I just need the truth."
Kabir gave a short, almost amused breath. "You don't even have the guts to pull anything stupid."
Then his expression sharpened. "But I'll have to inform Ravi about this. Why don't you ask him yourself? You two seem close."
"No — please don't tell him," Yug said quickly. "I feel like Ravi's hiding something from me."
Kabir looked at him carefully. A memory stirred in his mind.
"You know Ravi used to hate you," Kabir said. "Back when he found out you were getting close to Aarav. It was years ago."
Yug frowned. "We didn't even know each other back then."
"You didn't know him. He knew you," Kabir replied flatly. "You're a media personality."
"But why?" Yug asked.
"Ask him yourself." Kabir stood up. "Still, I'll see what I can find — though if Ravi's hiding something, chances are I won't get much."
"Please try," Yug said softly. "I'd really appreciate it."
Kabir nodded.
His phone rang. He answered it immediately and walked away without another word.
Yug watched him leave, unease settling deeper in his chest.
He hated me... and now he suddenly acts like he doesn't, Yug thought. What the hell is going on in his head? I'm sure he's plotting something.
Suddenly Yug saw Ravi storming toward the entrance. Harsh, Asim, and Kabir were right behind him, trying to stop him.
Yug quickly called over a staff member and handed her his laptop.
"Please give this to Aarav," he said, already moving after them.
He caught up just in time to hear Kabir gripping Ravi's arm.
"Ravi, don't be so hot-headed. Calm down. We've already traced the children. One wrong move now could cost you your life."
Ravi jerked his arm free, his eyes blazing.
"Aaj kise dafnaya jaayega, yeh sirf hum tay karenge."
He turned to leave again, but Kabir blocked him once more. Ravi shot him a warning glare.
"Stay out of this," he snapped, shrugging Kabir's hand away.
That's when Ravi's gaze shifted — and landed on Yug, who had just reached them.
"You," Ravi said sharply. "Come with me."
Yug felt his throat go dry. He hesitated for a split second before stepping closer. Ravi was staring at him with clear disgust, his jaw clenched like he was barely holding something back.
What did I even do now? Yug thought, his pulse racing.
"Ravi, not him," Kabir warned sharply.
Ravi shot Kabir a deadly glare, grabbed Yug by the arm, and practically shoved him into the car. He slammed the door, started the engine, and sped off without another word.
Yug could feel it in the air — Ravi wasn't just angry. Whatever was burning inside him was about to explode into something dangerous.
"Ravi... please slow down," Yug said carefully, gripping the seat. "At least drive properly."
No response. The car only went faster.
Within minutes, they pulled up in front of a guarded house. Several armed men stood watch outside. Ravi got out without even glancing at Yug.
Before Yug could process what was happening, Ravi had already launched himself at the guards.
The first man went down with a brutal punch. Then another. And another.
Ravi moved like a storm — raw, merciless, unstoppable. He didn't even reach for his gun. Bones cracked under his fists. Bodies collapsed against the walls and onto the gravel. Every strike carried bottled rage, as if he was emptying years of fury into their bodies.
Yug's stomach twisted.
He had never seen violence like this. Not this close. Not this real.
He stepped out of the car, his legs shaking.
"Ravi, stop!" Yug shouted.
Ravi responded by twisting a man's neck violently. The man screamed in agony before collapsing. The rest lay groaning on the ground.
Ravi didn't stop.
He kicked the front door open and stormed inside. Yug ran after him, panic crawling up his spine.
Inside, an old man stood frozen near the hallway, a gun trembling in his hands. He didn't stand a chance.
Ravi ripped the weapon away and slammed his foot into the man's chest. Once. Twice. Again. The man cried out, curling inward, unable to defend himself.
"Ravi, please—stop!" Yug grabbed Ravi's arm, his voice breaking. "He can't even move. Please."
His hands were shaking. His chest felt tight. This wasn't anger anymore — this was slaughter.
Ravi finally froze, breathing hard, his jaw clenched, eyes dark with something close to madness.
Without a word, he yanked his arm free and marched down the corridor, kicking open another door.
Yug followed.
And the moment he stepped inside, his breath hitched in horror.
"Look at them," Ravi said quietly.
Around ten children were huddled inside the room — thin, bruised, exhausted. Their clothes were dirty, their faces hollow with fear and hunger.
Ravi stepped inside first.
A teenage boy immediately pulled a little girl tightly against his chest, shielding her instinctively as Ravi approached.
"I'm going to take you all out of here," Ravi said softly, lowering his voice. "Don't be scared."
Some of the children relaxed a little, though doubt still lingered in their eyes.
Yug stood frozen for a second, taking them in. His chest tightened painfully. It was obvious they hadn't eaten properly in days. Faint bruises and healing cuts marked their skin.
Ravi knelt in front of the boy who was still protecting his sister.
"Daro mat, bachcha," Ravi said gently. "Hume batao kya hua."
Yug moved toward the others, crouching beside them, offering small reassurances, light touches on their shoulders — anything to make them feel safe.
"Bhaiya..." the boy whispered, his voice trembling. "Meri behen ko bohot bukhar hai. Woh budhe uncle kal use bahar le gaye the... par jab woh wapas aayi... she's been bleeding continuously."
Yug froze.
His heart dropped straight into his stomach.
He rushed to the little girl. Her dress was stained dark with dried blood near the hem. Fresh marks soaked through the fabric. Her body burned with fever when he touched her.
Yug's hands started shaking as he carefully lifted her into his arms.
Tears slipped silently down his cheeks.
Ravi watched him — the way Yug's face crumpled, the way his body stiffened in horror — and something inside Ravi shifted. His rage didn't disappear... it sharpened.
Both of them understood exactly what had been done to that child.
"You stay here with them," Ravi said tightly, already turning away.
Before Yug could respond, Ravi walked out of the room.
Yug pulled the girl closer, forcing his voice to stay steady despite the tears.
"Mat ro, beta... aap theek ho jaogi," he whispered. "Sab log mere paas aa jao."
The other children slowly gathered around him, clinging to his sleeves, his arms, his shoulders — desperate for safety.
Then—
A gunshot cracked through the house.
The children flinched.
Another shot.
Then another.
Yug closed his eyes.
He knew exactly what Ravi had done. He had killed that man.
Moments later, Ravi walked back into the room.
"Take them outside — the back way. Follow me," Ravi ordered, lifting the little girl carefully into his arms.
Staff vehicles were already waiting behind the house. One by one, the guards wrapped the children in blankets, shielding them from the air and the shock.
Ravi looked down at the girl in his arms, fighting hard to keep his tears in. His jaw clenched. His eyes burned.
Yug stood nearby, wiping his own tears helplessly, watching a man who never broke... breaking right in front of him.
A staff member gently took the little girl from Ravi.
Just then, the teenage boy grabbed Ravi's arm.
"Bhaiya... unhone mere bhai ko bhi le gaye the," he said, panic flooding his voice. "Par woh wapas nahi aaya. Aap use dhoondh loge na? Please... mere bhai ko wapas le aana."
Ravi couldn't speak.
His throat closed.
Yug knew exactly why. Ravi had lost his own brother the same way. And they both knew the truth — if the boy hadn't returned by now, hope was fragile at best. He wasn't alive anymore.
The boy was guided into the vehicle with the others.
Ravi dragged a hand through his hair. His shoulders began to shake.
He was crying.
It was devastating to see someone so unbreakable collapse like this.
Yug stepped forward and pulled Ravi into a quiet embrace, rubbing slow circles into his back.
"They're going to be okay," Yug whispered, his own voice trembling. "Just like you."
Ravi didn't respond — he couldn't.
Yug gently guided him into the car, taking the driver's seat himself.
The ride back to the mansion passed in heavy silence. Ravi leaned back, eyes closed, exhausted by grief and rage.
When they arrived, Shaurya and Aarav were already waiting outside.
Ravi barely stepped out before running straight into Shaurya's arms.
Aarav moved toward Yug. "Yug... are you okay?"
"Yeah," Yug managed softly. "Please... stay with h-him."
Aarav squeezed Yug's shoulder and turned back.
Ravi suddenly collapsed to his knees, breaking down completely.
Shaurya dropped down with him instantly, holding him by the neck and shoulders, anchoring him.
"That kid..." Ravi sobbed. "He asked me to bring back his brother... the same way I once asked you."
His voice shattered. "What am I supposed to do now?"
The staff and guards stood silently, hearts heavy.
Shaurya only held Ravi tighter.
Vedansh stepped forward as well, his sharp eyes immediately falling on Ravi's broken state.
Ravi lifted his gaze toward him — and before anyone could stop him, he dropped to Vedansh's feet.
"Please..." Ravi choked, clutching Vedansh's leg desperately. "Please do something now. Please, Baba."
The words shattered the air.
Everyone knew this wasn't just another operation.
This was related to Bilal and Ozge and all those business Bilal runs.
Vedansh immediately pulled Ravi up, gripping his face firmly, forcing him to meet his eyes.
"I will do whatever needs to be done," Vedansh said in a low, iron-hard voice. "Your Baba will give you justice. I promise you."
His thumb brushed Ravi's tear-streaked cheek. "Don't break like this. You're strong, my son."
Ravi swallowed hard and wiped his tears, trying to steady himself.
Shaurya came up behind him, wrapping a protective arm around his shoulders.
Vedansh glanced at Shaurya.
Shaurya gave a silent nod.
The war had begun.
Meanwhile, Yug quietly slipped away.
The weight of what he had witnessed was too heavy to carry in front of anyone. He shut himself inside his room, locked the door, slid down against it — and finally let himself cry, alone in the darkness.