Two months ago,
Mr.Ranveer , City police commissioner entered his house and overheard the conversation between two women.
"Latha, your daughter Riya is beautiful.
Since we are best friends from childhood, how about we become relatives by arranging a marriage between my son Dev and Riya?"
In response, with hesitation,
Latha responded "Padma... you know about my husband..."
Suddenly ranveer interrupted the conversation by saying,
"I never guessed... a normal worker in the President's office would want her son married to the City Police Commissioner's daughter!
So this is the reason you always trap my wife, Padma? . I never guessed you have this selfish intention. Let me give you a cheque, so you can leave my wife alone!"
With a calm smile, Padma responded, "Brother Ranveer... I think you're mistaken."
Ranveer immediately showed his gun, cutting her off.
When Latha tried to interrupt,Ranveer slapped her and shouted, "I don't want my daughter Riya married into a poor family
especially not with your son, Padma!
Don't come here again!"
Padma, still smiling, turned toward the door and said "Brother Ranveer, after I leave, there's no need to argue with my best friend no, your wife Latha.As a parent, I understand why you reacted this way.
One more thing f you think I only want your property or your money..."
With Her smile deepened , she continues
"...then you're wrong.Because with my own eyes, I have witnessed a life beyond luxury more specifically, the other hidden side of this world.So once again it's only my personal wish."
By glancing at latha , padma with faint smile
"Latha, don't think I'll cut you off.
No matter what happens, you'll always be my best friend.Bye. See you or maybe I won't call you later."
---
Few weeks ago—
Ranveer sat at his desk when a fax machine beeped.
He picked up the message:
A document stamped from the President's Office.
His daughter's profile attached.
And a message:
"On behalf of President Aditya's orders,
General Rathore has assigned a gun to Riya.
No legal action or questioning should occur if you find a gun with her."
Ranveer, shocked, crushed the paper in his hand and questioned himself
"What is going on...?"
Before he could calm down,
a group of three people entered his office one of them being a familiar woman.
Padma smiled and spoke gentle "Brother Ranveer no, Mr. Ranveer...
I guess you're confused right now.
Since my best friend's daughter, Riya, has fallen into that game where only life or death matters...
With the proper permission from my higher authority, General Rathore...
I personally and officially want to talk with you."
Ranveer, in shock and confusion, only managed to respond "What do you mean, Padma...?"
Without Ranveer's permission, Padma sat on the chair.
Ranveer was about to call security,
but Padma calmly checking something from her suitcase said without looking up,
"It's useless to call your security, Mr. Ranveer.
Because right now, I hold more authority than you.
Please, read this file and this official proposal from General Rathore.
I guess you already heard that name."
Ranveer, frustrated, growled "What do you want?"
He glanced at the file and saw a few photos of his daughter Riya with two unfamiliar strangers.
Ranveer barked, "Who are these people?"
Padma ignored the question and instead responded calmly,
"Fate is truly cruel, Mr. Ranveer.
You didn't like my marriage proposal between my son and your daughter.
I respected your wish.
But recently, I found something ironic...
Because of my son's friend Ayaan and your daughter's friend Anaya .
Dev and Riya knew each other anyway.
Even though they're hostile, neither of them knows their mothers are best friends."
Ranveer's anger boiled over
he grabbed his gun and pointed it at Padma.
"What nonsense are you spouting, Padma?!"
Padma only laughed lightly.
Suddenly, a red laser dot appeared — targeting Ranveer's forehead.
Without even blinking, Padma continued calmly,
"Mr. Ranveer, if you want to speak with guns...
Then I'm ready to speak with guns too.
But right now it's not the time for fighting.
Because...
Twelve assassination attempts have already failed against your daughter."
Ranveer froze, stunned, as Padma laid out verified evidence and classified documents
proof of every assassination attempt targeting Riya.
Padma continued with cold precision "Based on other reports just because of curiosity
your daughter unknowingly fell into a game where life and death matter.It started when she eavesdropped on an important conversation between General Rathore, my son Dev, and his friend Ayaan.Later, Rathore gave a gun to your daughter for undisclosed reasons.Ever since that day,your daughter has been trapped in a world where survival is uncertain.And just because she is my best friend's daughter.I secretly assigned squads to protect her from the shadows. Fate really is cruel, Mr. Ranveer."
With shivering and fear, Ranveer responded,
"Padma, are you just joking?
I know you you're just a normal worker at the President's office!
So you created all this drama just to scare me...
Later you'll force me to arrange this marriage, right?!"
Padma, calm and firm, replied "Marriage between my son and your daughter...
It's only my personal wish.
Yet, do you know is it even possible to fabricate or fake a direct order from President Aditya himself?"
Ranveer shot back, "Stop your nonsense!
How could my Riya possibly be involved with President Aditya or that General Rathore?!"
Padma's smile faded.
Her tone became sharp and serious "You are not worthy to know the full details.
No I don't want to disclose secrets to someone whose authority is less than my son's or even his friend's.But whether you trust me or not your daughter has fallen into a game where life and death are the only rules."
Ranveer, overwhelmed by confusion and disbelief, shouted,. "What do you mean?!
Just because of a damn gun, you're telling me my daughter is trapped in some game of death?!"
Padma laughed lightly not mockingly, but with a strange sadness and slowly placed something on the table.a military collar bearing a bow symbol.
She calmly answered,
"Yeah... I'm not saying it just because of that gun. It's because of the spear symbol engraved on the weapon. That spear symbol
is proof your daughter unknowingly stepped into a battlefield."
Ranveer with confusion, "What your... wait—I saw that bow symbol before..." His voice trailed as recognition dawned. "During my police training, we were taught the bow symbol represents the highest authority reserved only for those deeply trusted by the government. It's the dream of every sincere officer... yet only a few ever receive it." He turned his eyes toward the woman before him. "How did you receive that honor?"
Padma with calmness, "That's why I said... right now, my authority is higher than yours."
Ranveer, mixed with disbelief and rising frustration, "If the bow symbol holds such authority, then does the same apply to the spear? Are you telling me that my daughter received the same level of recognition... just from eavesdropping on Rathore's conversation?!"
Padma with a worried sigh, "I'm not allowed to disclose everything beyond my limit. It wasn't just Rathore's decision. The order came directly from President Aditya. And let me correct one thing among the four symbols: spear, sword, bow, and broken shield... all hold equal standing officially. Yet personally, I believe the spear and the shield, no... the broken shield.carry the most weight. I asked Aditya to reconsider after learning your daughter received the spear. He refused."
Ranveer with disgust, "I don't care for your ranking system. If the president dragged my daughter into this madness, I'll expose him. I'll go public. Let the people see what's being done under their noses. He'll be forced to back down with enough pressure!"
Padma with fury flashing across her eyes, "You'll die."
The words dropped like a gavel.
Padma with lethal coldness, "If you dare reveal this to the public, I'll personally see to it. You won't get the chance to regret it."
With the same frustration burning in his voice, Ranveer leaned forward, "Then tell me, as a father what should I do? Sit calmly in this chair while watching my daughter suffer? Padma, don't forget.you're also a parent. What would you do if someone made twelve assassination attempts on your son? Would you remain calm?"
Padma with a small, knowing smile, "Speaking of being a parent… countless times, Ranveer, I've asked myself the same question. Just because your daughter happened to overhear a conversation between Captain Rathore and the boys Ayaan and Dev she was pulled into the game. Twelve attempts on her life, and she never even knew. But it's not just her. Because of his bond with Ayaan his best friend even Dev has been targeted again and again, living each day under threat."
Ranveer's eyes widened in disbelief, "Are you lying to me? If your son Dev's really in that kind of danger, then why does he still act so calm?"
Padma with composed resolve, "Because that's the first lesson we all learned the same lesson everyone who bears those symbols carries in their hearts: 'the balance between bond and mission.' That's what it means to live on the other side of life, Ranveer not luxury, not peace, but a world where life and death walk side by side."
In a dazed trance, Ranveer whispered, "And you're not afraid…?"
Padma with unwavering certainty, "Why should I be afraid, brother Ranveer? Every step Dev takes is shadowed by agents more skilled than you or I could command. But more than that if something ever happens to my son, I know Ayaan Ranade will be there… he'll become Dev's shield."
Ranveer, stunned, leaned in with quiet intensity, "Why are you so confident? And what if something happens to him—to Ayaan?"
Padma with a deep and solemn weight in her voice, "If anything truly happens to my son's friend… Ayaan Ranade no, the second son of our fallen leader then this world will witness something it can never forget… the rise of the fallen shield."
---
Suddenly, Padma received a call. She stood up, brushing her saree softly and turned toward Ranveer.
Padma, with a gentle smile: "Ranveer brother, I need to leave now."
Ranveer, still tense, asked with a trace of worry: "Padma... will you tell this to my wife—no, your friend, Latha?"
Padma, pausing at the door, looked over her shoulder with a soft warmth: "Never. Just like one woman I once admired, I don't want my best friend to carry an unwanted burden. I know this is all sudden. Don't stress too much. Nothing will happen to Riya. And coincidentally, just like the photos in that file Riya already knows Dev and Ayaan."
Ranveer's voice lowered: "Can I really trust your son Dev… and his friend Ayaan? Can I place Riya's life in their hands?"
Padma, eyes steady: "You'll find your answer in the near future."
—
That night, in their bedroom...
Ranveer sat on the bed, quietly staring at an old photo four women, two men his fingers brushing against the printed memory. Latha sat beside him, picking up the photo.
Latha, smiling: "What are you looking at? Wow… our daughter Riya looks so beautiful here. Wait… is that Dev? Padma's son?"
Ranveer turned slightly: "So you know him. Then tell me… why do you trust Padma so much?"
Latha, her voice soft with memory: "I was hiding something because Padma didn't want you to feel obligated. But you remember… after all the miscarriages, Riya was our last hope. On her delivery day, you were dealing with that sudden outbreak near the border, and I nearly died giving birth.Riya had turned upside down in the womb. The operation was risky… it was Padma who called in a special team of doctors. She stood by me when even fate trembled. She was the first to hold our Riya in this world. Since that day… my respect turned into trust."
She held the photo gently. "So please, husband, reconsider her proposal."
Ranveer, his voice low: "Who would you choose.someone with wealth, someone with knowledge, or someone with authority?"
Latha, placing her hand over his: "Someone who knows how to protect. Look here… this girl beside Riya, I think she's Anaya. That boy beside her must be Ayaan. Look at them how close they are. Padma told me Dev and Ayaan are like brothers… but I feel jealous when I see Ayaan beside Anaya. He has that same protective look you had for me in our early days. I trust him."
Ranveer stayed silent. He remembered Padma's words about Ayaan.
He finally murmured: "Latha, talk to Padma. Arrange a another proper blind date between Dev and Riya… on a fine morning."
Latha lit up with a wide smile: "Really? I'll call Padma!"
But as Latha turned away, Ranveer stared at the photo again still filled with doubt and fear, still holding the burden of what he'd just learned. The threats, the secrets, the hidden world Padma spoke of…
Ranveer, murmuring to himself:
"Thank you, Padma… for being there during Riya's birth. I wanted to repay you with gratitude… but that is that. This is this.
A blind date, huh? You and my wife see something else in this boy Ayaan… So as riya father "
His hand tightened as he silently tore a small rift between Ayaan and Anaya.
With the greed to protect, he made a quiet decision
To keep fate within his hands… even if it meant rewriting what had already begun.
Before his thoughts could finish, Ranveer suddenly heard a faint metallic sound—low-pitched, unnatural, like steel grinding through silence. The sound echoed softly, growing louder as it resonated in sync with the pounding of his heartbeat.
Then, in front of him out of nowhere he saw it.
A shadowed figure, motionless in the dim room light, cloaked in darkness... and behind him, a crimson radiating axe, pulsing ominously like it had emerged from the depths of a nightmare.
Ranveer's eyes widened. For the first time in years, the seasoned police commissioner felt the chilling grip of true fear.
And the night, once a quiet cradle of resolve, now whispered the arrival of something far more terrifying.