The Girl of Surya

The fluorescent lights of the newsroom hummed, a stark contrast to the storm brewing inside you. Another story about the Surya Group, twisted and sanitized, scrolled across the screen.

Uncle Ajith, your father's friend, a man who promised to help, was dead. Ruled an accident. You knew better. They silenced him, just like they silenced your father.

The fake glasses felt heavy on your nose, the bob haircut a constant reminder of the life you had to leave behind. Eight years. Eight years of collecting whispers and scraps of truth, pinned to the secret wall in your hidden room.

Now, the Maya case verdict echoed in your mind – another victim crushed, Mahesh Surya Narayan walking free. You had confronted him, seen the monster beneath the charming facade. He remembered you. That was both terrifying and exhilarating.

Your phone buzzed. A message from Nitin: "Shahid is nowhere to be seen."

The software genius. The key to Ajith's files. He was either hiding or already in danger. The clock was ticking.