Just then, the rear door of the office swung open, and a man—Dara—rushed in, looking distraught.
"Shahji," Dara said in a panicked voice. "Police."
"Police?" Khurram asked, his voice tense. "Why?"
"Looks like a raid."
"A raid? Just like that?"
"Raids always happen suddenly."
"Where are they now?" Khurram asked, his voice filled with concern.
"They're gathered at the main gate, but soon they'll break in from the front," Dara said nervously. "I ran in from the back to warn you."
Babu, who was still holding the briefcase keys in his hands, slipped them back into his coat pocket.
"You go back and clean up the place," Khurram, who had momentarily frozen, snapped back to his senses and regained his composure. As he placed the revolver from his hands into the desk drawer, he turned to Babu. "And you—if you stand with me, I'll change your life for the better."
"What do I have to do?" Babu asked hesitantly.
"Dara, you handle the situation outside and delay the police as much as possible."
"Yes, Shahji," Dara said and immediately turned back the way he had come.
"And you—I'll talk to you later," Khurram said to Babu. "For now, take this briefcase and get out of here."
"And then...?"
"Take it to our Noida safe house."
"But—"
"You'll get all your answers there."
"But...!"
"Just leave now! The police could be here any second."
Babu snapped into alertness.
Luck was still on his side—somehow, he had been handed this second opportunity out of nowhere.
Given these new circumstances, he could still go through with his original plan: escaping with the briefcase.
Perfect.
Babu reached out for the briefcase, but just then, heavy footsteps echoed through the corridor outside.
"Quick!" Khurram grabbed Babu's hand and pulled him into the bathroom. Once inside, he immediately shut the door and scanned the smooth white tiles on the wall. There was a hidden exit, seamlessly concealed by the tiling, making it impossible to detect at first glance.
Khurram pressed a specific spot, revealing the secret passage. He shoved Babu forward and said, "Go—hurry up!"
Babu stepped into the darkness.
The hidden door hadn't even shut properly when he heard a commotion at the bathroom door. Clutching the briefcase tightly to his chest, Babu rushed forward through the darkness.
He had used this route once before—he knew it led to a bungalow located directly behind the restaurant. Due to its secluded location, the area was always deserted. He was certain that, for now, the police had no chance of reaching him.
By the time the police stormed into the office, caught Khurram, interrogated him, and then pieced together enough information to act, Babu would be long gone.
Luck was still on his side.
Without any obstacles, he reached the back of the bungalow. Moving in a circular path, he emerged onto the main road.
Now, he stood on the street, right across from the restaurant, where police cars were still parked, and uniformed officers remained inside.
"Perfect," Babu muttered under his breath, tightening his grip on the briefcase. "Perfect."
Luck was truly favoring him. In his excitement, he lifted the briefcase and kissed it.
Though he had been delayed by a few hours, he was relieved that he could still stick to his original plan.
The plan where he would escape with the briefcase.
"This is amazing," he murmured in satisfaction.
Just then, his eyes caught sight of a man crossing the road amidst the heavy traffic.
Murad.
Babu's instincts immediately went on high alert. A sense of impending danger struck him, and he quickly turned in the opposite direction.
He was confident that, given how fate had recently turned in his favor, even Murad couldn't harm him now. But he wasn't willing to take any risks.
"Where did he come from?" Babu thought as he hurried his steps.
He noticed that Murad had already crossed half the road despite the rushing traffic, his eyes fixed directly on him.
That grim reaper was undoubtedly after him.
Babu quickened his pace.
Behind him, Murad started calling out his name loudly. Babu ignored him and sped up even more.
Now, he was certain—Murad was after him. His best bet was to disappear before that man could catch him.
Fear, panic, and exhaustion had already drained him, and now Murad was making things even worse.
And the distance between them? That wasn't going to last for long.
Babu glanced ahead and saw a taxi slowing down near him.
Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he forced his fear into submission, stole a quick glance at Murad sprinting towards him, and then dashed toward the taxi.