Chapter 1 | A new beginning
The morning in Delhi was unusually quiet, as if the city itself sensed a change coming. Kiara Sharma sat at the breakfast table, absently stirring her tea. Her aunt’s voice buzzed in the background, but her thoughts were far away—caught between her dreams and the boundaries of her reality.
The shrill ring of the landline broke her trance. Her uncle picked it up, muttered a few words, then held the phone out toward her.
“Kiara, someone from Mumbai… a news agency…” he said.
Her heart skipped a beat.
She took the receiver with trembling hands. “Hello?”
“Miss Sharma? This is Shalini Kapoor from The Truth Daily. We received your internship application. We’re impressed. Can you join us in Mumbai next week?”
It felt surreal. Her breath caught in her throat.
Kiara – “Yes! Yes, of course. I can.”
“Perfect. We’ll send you the details. Congratulations.”
The line went dead, but Kiara’s world had just exploded with light. She clutched the phone to her chest, eyes brimming with tears.
That evening, she stood by the window, suitcase at her side. The same chaotic Delhi streets bustled below, but tonight they looked different—like a place she was finally ready to leave behind.
---
Meanwhile, in Mumbai...
The night had just begun.
Inside a towering mansion lit by crystal chandeliers and echoing with the clink of glasses, Veer Singhania leaned back on a velvet couch, cigarette lazily held between his fingers. The party was in full swing—models, ministers, and millionaires mingled like they belonged to another universe. And in a way, they did.
He watched the crowd with boredom. Flawless faces, fake laughter—none of it interested him.
A girl laughed too loudly near the bar, drawing glances. She sauntered over confidently.
“Veer, you’ve been quiet tonight.”
He took a slow drag, then exhaled smoke into the air between them.
Veer – “Noise isn’t always entertaining.”
The girl blinked, unsure how to respond. He didn’t wait. He stood and walked to the balcony, the cold air brushing over his face.
From here, the city looked like it bowed to him. Lights stretched endlessly into the distance. But all the power felt… empty.
His father’s voice echoed in his head:
“Control the system, Veer. Emotions are for the weak.” — Rajveer Singhania
He clenched his jaw.
Then his phone buzzed.
Unknown number. One message.
“You should be careful who records your father’s illegal activities… or your parties.”
Attached was a blurry image—
---
Elsewhere…
The flight landed at Mumbai Airport, and Kiara stepped out, nerves fluttering in her stomach. This wasn’t like Delhi. Mumbai moved faster, louder—like it had no time to breathe.
She took a cab to the small rented flat her aunt’s friend had arranged. The roads were crowded, neon signs blinking over honking cars. People hurried like their lives were always on deadlines, but despite the chaos, Kiara’s eyes sparkled with determination.
---
The Next Morning...
She arrived at The Truth Daily office, tucked inside a tall, proud old building. She was greeted by Shalini Kapoor—a sharp, confident woman in her thirties.
“You’ve got one week to prove you belong here,” Shalini said, leading her inside. “You’ll start with small stories. Press releases, city crime. But if your writing speaks, you’ll move up fast.”
Kiara nodded, heart pounding. She was ready.
Shalini called over a young woman, “This is Riya. She’ll be your work partner from now on. You two will go everywhere together for the stories.”
Kiara and Riya exchanged smiles.
Shalini – “So, Kiara, you can start from tomorrow, okay?”
Kiara – “Thank you, ma’am.”
She spent the rest of the day settling into her small apartment. It wasn’t luxurious, but it had a bed, a desk, and a window with a view of the bustling street below. She unpacked slowly, placing a framed photo of her parents on the bedside table. Their smiles gave her strength.
---
The Following Day…
Kiara met Riya outside the office. Riya was cheerful and chatty, just like her.
Riya – “Ready for some real Mumbai madness?”
She handed Kiara a helmet.
Riya – “We’re going to Dharavi first. Theft case—local police station just sent in a report.”
As they weaved through Mumbai traffic on Riya’s scooty, Kiara gripped tightly. The wind messed up her hair, but not her focus.
At the police station, they gathered details, spoke to a constable, and took notes. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was real. This was the life she had always dreamed of—on the ground, chasing stories.
That afternoon, they stopped for cutting chai at a roadside stall.
Riya – “You handled it well. You don’t seem like a newbie.”
Kiara smiled.
Kiara – “I’ve waited my whole life for this.”
---
A Few Days Later…
Kiara and Riya were assigned to cover a charity gala hosted by Rajveer Singhania.
Shalini – “Big names will be there. Behave, observe, report. Don’t stir anything.”
As they stepped into the grand ballroom, light sparkled above.
Men in tuxedos mingled with politicians and businessmen. One man stood near the bar, dressed in black, sharp eyes scanning the crowd lazily. He exuded danger and charm all at once.
Riya nudged her.
Riya – “That’s him. Veer Singhania.”
But Kiara didn’t look. She focused on her work.
---
Later That Evening…
Rain poured like the sky was crying. Mumbai streets shimmered under streetlights, water running like tiny rivers. Kiara and Riya were drenched despite umbrellas as they walked briskly after the gala.
Riya – “Auto nahi mil raha. Welcome to Mumbai monsoon.”
Kiara didn’t respond. Her eyes had caught something.
A tiny puppy, barely a few weeks old, sat shivering in the road, soaked and whimpering.
Kiara – “Riya, wait.”
She handed over her bag and umbrella.
Riya – “Kiara, what are you—?!”
Too late.
Kiara ran into the road.
Just then, a black Range Rover screeched to a halt.
Inside, Veer, flipping his lighter open and shut, stared blankly—until he saw her.
A girl in a white suit, walking through the rain. Not panicked—calm, focused.
She bent down, picked up the puppy gently, holding it to her chest, her ID card swinging from her neck.
Veer’s gaze froze.
She smiled softly at the puppy. That one smile—
It hit him.
Driver – “She’s crazy,” he muttered.
Veer – “Stop the car.”
Driver – “Sir?”
Veer – “I said stop.”
The car halted. Veer reached for the door.
But she was gone.
He stepped out, rain hitting his face, scanning the crowd.
Nothing.
The girl in white had vanished—like a dream fading before you can catch it.
He stood still for a moment longer, rain soaking his shirt, eyes fixed where she’d just been.
Veer – “Who the hell was that?” he muttered.
But inside, he already knew—
He had to find her.
---
To be continued…
