Greater Kailash. Rich people's area. Big houses. Guarded gates.
Aryan parked two streets away. They walked to Meera's house. Small, compared to others. But still expensive.
"How do we get in?"
"Her husband died five years ago. She lives alone. Works late. It's 11 PM now. She should be home."
They rang the bell.
A woman's voice. "Who is it?"
"Please, Meera ji. We need to talk. It's about Vikram Mishra."
Silence. Then the door opened a crack.
Fifty years old. Tired eyes. Expensive but simple clothes.
"You shouldn't be here. He'll kill you. He'll kill me."
"He'll kill us anyway. Please. My mother is alive. I need to find her."
Meera looked at Aarya for a long moment. Then opened the door.
"Come in. Quick."
Inside. Beautiful house. But cold. No family photos. No warmth.
Meera sat them down. Offered water. They refused.
"Your mother. Yes. She's alive. Vikram has her at a nursing home in Faridabad. Fake name. Fake records. No one knows."
"How do we get there?"
"I can give you the address. But it won't matter. The place is guarded. Vikram's men. You'll never get in."
"We have to try."
Meera looked at Aryan. "You. I know you. Vikram's pet journalist."
"I was. Not anymore."
"Good. Because he's planning to kill you both anyway. The only way you survive is if you destroy him first."
"How?"
Meera stood up. Walked to a cupboard. Pulled out a file.
"Everything. For twenty years, I kept everything. Bank records. Land deals. Murder plans. Names of people he killed. Names of people who helped. It's all here."
Aarya's hands shook as she took the file.
"Why? Why would you keep this?"
"Because I have a daughter too. She's twenty-two. Living in Canada. If Vikram ever finds out about her, he'll use her. This file is my insurance. My way to protect her if I die."
"Help us. Please."
Meera nodded. "I'll give you the address. But you have to promise me something."
"Anything."
"When this is over, you make sure everyone knows the truth. Not just about Vikram. About Karan too. About all of them. They've killed too many people. They've destroyed too many families. Make them pay."
"I promise."
Meera wrote an address on a piece of paper. Handed it over.
"Faridabad. Sunshine Nursing Home. Room 204. Patient name - Radha Devi. That's your mother."
Aarya hugged her. Meera stiffened, then hugged back.
"Go now. Before he finds out I helped you."
They ran.
