Two years ago - Back in the birth room.

The room was steeped in regret and despair as doctors and nurses stood motionless, their eyes locked onto Reena's lifeless body. The rhythmic hum of the heart monitor was the only sound, filling the void left by the silent prayers of those who refused to accept the reality before them.

The doctor sighed heavily, gripping the white sheet. He pulled it up to her neck—but he couldn't bring himself to cover her face. To do so would mean accepting the truth.

Doctor - Let's give a minute of silence for Reena.

Heads bowed in mourning, except for Praveen.

For him, this was unacceptable. Reena was his first patient. He had poured his heart into saving her, and he wasn't about to let go so easily.

Praveen - No.....This can't be the end. I.....You can't die just like this! Reena!

His breath hitched. His pulse pounded in his ears.

Then—his eyes snapped to the heart monitor.

Praveen - Doctor!

Everyone turned to him in confusion. Praveen narrowed his eyes, staring at the machine. The others saw nothing—just a flat, merciless line.

But then- beep. A single, faint blip. 

The doctor sighed in exhaustion. 

Doctor - There's nothing there, Praveen. It's over. 

Beep. 

Praveen's heart raced. His fingers curled around the machine, his breath caught in his throat.

Beep. 

Praveen - THERE! SHE'S ALIVE!

A collective gasp filled the room.

The doctor's eyes widened. He rushed to the monitor. The line remained mostly flat, but—beep. There it was again. Faint, barely perceptible... but undeniable.

Reena was clinging to life.

Doctor - Get me the defibrillator! NOW!

The nurses scrambled.

Doctor - Charging...CLEAR.

The paddles pressed against her chest. Her body jolted. No response.

Doctor - Again! CLEAR!

Another shock. A twitch.

Beep.

Praveen - Come on, Reena...Don't give up now...

Doctor - ONE MORE TIME! CLEAR!

Reena's body jerked violently. The monitor remained still.

And then...

Beep...Beep....Beep...

Nurse - She's stabilizing! 

The room released a breath they didn't realize they were holding.

Doctor -  We need more than this. Her body won't hold out much longer.

Praveen - The revival pill?

The doctor froze. 

Doctor - No! It's side effects are severe.

Praveen - Yes. I know. It hasn't been used on a human before but the test results have been positive. It might be the only way to save Reena. 

The doctor looked down at Reena. Life was creeping back into her, but not fast enough.

Doctor - Get it. Now!

A nurse rushed in with a small white pill and gently placed it into Reena's mouth. The doctor massaged her throat to help her swallow it.

They watched the heart monitor. Slowly, steadily, the pulse returned.

Reena was alive.

Praveen – What was the side effect? 

The doctor hesitated.

Doctor - She'll live but she could go into coma or either lose all of her memories. 

Silence.

Praveen swallowed hard.

Doctor - We'll deal with that later. For now, let's focus on keeping her breathing. 

They waited, hoping—praying—for her eyes to open.

But they never did.

Her vitals remained stable. Her breathing steady. But she wouldn't wake up.

Praveen sighed. 

Doctor - Coma. At least she's alive. That's what matters most. 

A moment of uneasy relief filled the room.

Then—the door burst open.

Praveen - We need to tell Rocky and the others-

A nurse, breathless, panic in her eyes.

Nurse - Doctors! Ravan is here! 

The air turned ice cold.

Doctor - Right now?!

The nurse nodded frantically.

Praveen - Don't tell me.....He's here to kill her?

No one needed to answer. The fear in their silence was enough.

**Knock**

The doctors stiffened. Praveen instinctively stepped closer to Reena, shielding her.

The senior doctor signaled to the nurse, who hesitantly approached the door and opened it.

No one was there.

Only a folded note lay on the ground.

The doctor frowned, exchanging glances with Praveen.

The nurse picked it up and handed it over.

Praveen - Open it, sir.

The doctor unfolded the note.

"It's dangerous for Reena to stay in KGF... - RD"

A heavy silence fell.

Doctor - Go outside and see who's there. 

The nurse nodded and rushed off.

Praveen took the note and read it again

Praveen - Who the hell is RD ? Should we tell Rocky and take Reena away from here?

The doctor's gaze darkened.

Doctor - We can't let him know. Not yet. 

Praveen - Are you seriously going to believe some note and take action according to it? We don't even know who sent it. 

Doctor - It doesn't matter who sent it with other pressing issues right now. But the note is right. Rocky is not on a stable mind right now who knows who will win. What would you do if Ravan wins and comes here to kill Reena?

Praveen clenched his fists.

Praveen - Still! Without the permission of the guardian we can't do anything.

Doctor - This is not the hospital. 

Praveen - But-

Doctor - No buts! If Ravan finds out she's alive, he'll kill her for real. We need to hide her. 

The room was silent, but everyone knew the doctor was right.

Praveen - Okay. But how? Eventually no matter who wins they will come for her and ask her where she is. It's not like we can swap bodies and make them bel-

He stopped

The doctor was staring at him.

Praveen - NO. No....no, no, no. Don't even THINK about it.

Doctor - You're idea is not bad. 

Praveen - Mine is NOT an idea. And even if it is one we can't find someone who's dead or someone who can act so that we can swap bodies or smthg. 

The doctor just kept staring.

Realization dawned on Praveen. He groaned, slapping a hand over his mouth.

Praveen - Stupid mouth!!

. . . 

They dressed one of the nurses in Reena's clothing. Her accessories, jewelry. Everything.

When the door burst open, Praveen swiftly covered the body with the white sheet.

Rocky entered. His steps were staggered, his breath ragged. His eyes locked onto the covered body.

Praveen felt his heart hammer in his chest. He dared not breathe.

Praveen went and stood behind the doctor and eyed silently at the box nearby. 

Praveen - Please don't find out...

Doctor - The nurses and everyone can leave. Praveen you too!

The nurses lifted a rectangular box onto a stretcher. Praveen stole one last glance at the doctor before gripping the handles and pushing it out.

Outside, the family was drowning in grief. Eyes red, voices trembling.

Praveen bit his inner cheek. He couldn't falter.

His gaze drifted to the newborn child, staring up at the ceiling, unaware of the storm surrounding them.

Praveen - I'm sorry little one, But this is the only way. 

They reached the van. The box was lifted inside.

Reena—the real Reena—was placed gently within.

The doctor climbed in, his gaze fixed on her sleeping face.

Praveen looked back at the mansion, exhaling slowly.

The doctor placed a firm hand on his shoulder.

Doctor - One day, when it's safe....we'll bring her back.

Praveen - Where are we gonna take her now?

The doctor's voice was low. Resolute.

Doctor - Bombay. 

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Present - KGF.

The sun had shifted in the sky by the time Rocky stepped into his private office, the heavy wooden doors shutting behind him with a resounding finality.

Yatharv and the rest of the family had been taken to their chambers, while the people of KGF returned to their daily grind—factories roaring back to life, mines echoing with the clang of steel, the empire breathing as it always did.

Yet, inside this room, there was only silence.

And her.

Rocky exhaled slowly, amusement flickering in his golden eyes as he walked over to his desk, the weight of his empire never leaving his shoulders.

Rocky - You must enjoy being surrounded by my men, in my temple, in my empire...

He let the words settle, leaning against his chair.

- Minister.

Ramika's lips curled into the faintest smirk, unfazed by his words or the power that dripped from them.

Ramika - As expected of you. Nothing stays hidden in your empire from you, Does it, Rocky?

A low chuckle rumbled from his throat as he leaned back, pulling out a cigar. With practiced ease, he lit it, the tip glowing bright before the smoke curled lazily into the air between them.

Rocky - Apologies, for not giving you a royal welcome.

He smirked as she stayed silent. 

Rocky - So, What do you think?

He gestured toward the large porch that overlooked KGF—his city, his kingdom. From the towering factories that bled smoke into the sky to the houses built on the backs of labor, everything stood tall under his rule.

Rocky - I've done a pretty damn good job, haven't I?

Ramika turned her gaze toward the empire before them. The landscape was built on power, on blood, on fear. Yet, despite its brutality, there was no denying it—KGF was thriving.

She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the armrest, her voice measured. 

Ramika - Impressive. 

A dry chuckle escaped Rocky's lips.

Rocky - That sounded painful for you to admit.

Ramika tilted her head slightly, unbothered.

Ramika - Power like yours never lasts, Rocky. Men like you build empires on fire and steel, but eventually, even the strongest structures crumble.

Rocky took a slow drag of his cigar, exhaling the smoke in her direction.

Rocky - Hmm True, But there's no men like me. Anyway, Just know that If you'd told me beforehand,  I would've arranged a grand welcome for you... a royal procession, a red carpet, maybe even a shower of flowers.

He smirked, flicking ash from his cigar onto the crystal tray.

Rocky - But then again, considering you showed up uninvited—just like always—I figured you weren't the type to appreciate such luxuries.

Ramika's lips curled into a dry smirk.

Ramika - Oh, don't flatter yourself, Rocky. The last thing I need is your empire wasting resources on a meaningless spectacle.

Rocky chuckled, shaking his head.

Rocky - Meaningless? Funny, coming from someone who enjoys making a grand entrance. Last time I checked, you had the entire country watching whenever you walked into a courtroom.

Ramika - Well, unlike you, I don't need theatrics to prove my power.

Rocky raised an eyebrow.

Rocky - No, you just need a few cameras and a well-rehearsed speech. Tell me, Minister, do you practice those monologues and postures in the mirror before you deliver them? 

He paused before letting the last sentence which made Ramika still. 

Rocky - Cuz it didn't look like it on the day I shot that weasel Gurupandian.

Ramika shuddered internally but let out a sharp breath of laughter, tilting her head.

Ramika - That's rich, coming from the man who built an entire empire off of drama and destruction. What's next, Rocky? A gold throne for yourself?

Rocky's grin widened.

Rocky - Oh, don't tempt me. But I doubt you came all this way just to admire my kingdom and throw a few weak insults. So tell me, what is it that you really want?

Ramika leaned forward, placing the empty file on his desk with deliberate precision.

Ramika - A challenge you could say?

Rocky eyed the file, then looked back at her, unimpressed.

Rocky - Minister, you walking in here alone was already a challenge for you. But go on, entertain me.

Ramika didn't miss a beat. 

Ramika - There's a criminal out there. Someone just as powerful as you - If not more.

Rocky's expression didn't change, but something flickered behind Ramika's gaze.

Rocky - Now, that's a bold claim. You sure you aren't just making things up to keep yourself relevant?

Ramika - Oh, I'm sure. But here's the fun part—I don't think he actually exists.

Rocky exhaled another slow stream of smoke, watching her.

Rocky - So let me get this straight. You want me to find a ghost for you?

Ramika - I want you to prove me wrong. Find him, bring him to me. And in return, I walk away from KGF. Forever.

Rocky studied her for a long moment, his smirk never wavering.

Rocky - Pretty sure there's no one more powerful or wanted than me. And If I refuse?

Ramika leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs.

Ramika - Then I'll just have to take you down instead. Not that you'd make it easy—but you do love a good fight, don't you?

Rocky clicked his tongue, shaking his head in mock disappointment.

Rocky - Minister, you say that as if you stand a chance.

Ramika met his gaze, unwavering.

Ramika – And you say that as if you don't already know how powerful I am.

Rocky - Powerful.....Not dangerous. Simple mistake.

The room fell into silence again, the tension between them crackling like an unlit fuse.

Rocky took one last drag of his cigar before stubbing it out.

Rocky - Be careful what you wish for, Minister. You might just get it.

As the tension crackled in the room, a knock broke through the silence along with the sound of the door opening. 

Rocky turned his head slightly, his hardened expression softening just a fraction as Yatharv stirred in Aadhya's arms. 

Aadhya - Sorry. Didn't know you had guests!

The baby let out a tiny whimper before rubbing his eyes with his chubby fists, his golden bangles clinking lightly. 

Ramika raised an eyebrow, watching the scene unfold.

Ramika - Didn't peg you for the doting father type, Rocky.

Rocky smirked, rising from his chair. He took Yatharv from Aadhya's arms effortlessly, cradling the child against his chest.

Rocky - You can leave. 

He said to Aadhya, who cast a brief glance at Ramika, then at Yatharv, before giving a silent nod and stepping away.

Rocky - That's because you only see what you want to see, Minister. 

Yatharv, still half-asleep, let out a soft yawn before gripping Rocky's shirt in his tiny fist.

Ramika watched, her eyes briefly flickering with something unreadable. 

Ramika - Raising a child in an empire built on blood. What will he grow up to be?

Rocky tilted his head, his smirk never fading. 

Rocky - That depends... will you still be around by the time he takes the throne?

Ramika let out a dry chuckle.

Ramika - We'll see, won't we?

Yatharv let out a tiny yawn once again, completely unbothered by the weight of the conversation around him. Rocky chuckled, kissing the top of his son's head before turning back to Ramika, his smirk now edged with something darker. 

Rocky - You see, Minister, some legacies are built on laws... and some? On legends.

Ramika met his gaze, unflinching. 

Ramika - Careful now. You're not alone this time to see which one lasts longer.

Ramika stood, adjusting the hem of her saree with practiced ease. She walked toward the door, her footsteps steady, unwavering. Just as she reached the threshold, she paused, glancing back over her shoulder.

Ramika - Hope you choose wisely—because the one in your arms deserves nothing less.

With that, she stepped outside, disappearing into the daylight. Moments later, the roaring engines of her convoy echoed through the empire as she left KGF behind. 

As the door was about to close, Aadhya stepped in. 

Aadhya - What does she want?

Rocky sighed. 

Rocky - Call Ravan and don't tell this to anyone. 

Aadhya - But-

Rocky - I said what I said Aadhya. And I meant it when I said ANYONE.

Aadhya didn't press any further and gave a slight nod before leaving. Rocky turned towards the porch with Yatharv sleeping soundly. 

Rocky - I miss you Reena....

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Mallama - Where did she go???

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Reena - I can't stay cooped up in this room. 

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Rocky - Who's there?

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Happy Reading and Stay tuned !

- Nini.