The Men in Dark | Episode – 06

K L V Saivardhan Reddy

What Happened Previously? Click here to Read

The Delivery Boy: A clue to Hidden Mysteries

“Oh! I forgot about the order I just placed. It hasn’t arrived yet, and we have to wait for it,” Aarushi said, rubbing her forehead with her hand.

Prerna smiled, trying to lighten the mood. “No worries, Aarushi. We have plenty to talk about while we wait. Besides, I could use the distraction.”

Aarushi nodded gratefully, “You’re right. Let’s sit down and catch up.”

They both settled on the couch, and Aarushi glanced around the room, her thoughts briefly drifting back to the mysterious envelope in her bag. She shook off the unease and focused on Prerna.

But Prerna was so interested in Aarushi’s story that she couldn’t stop herself from asking “On connecting the news covered on your walls it seems like you are investigating the famous TMD. Is that what your research is about?”

Aarushi, seeing no other option to skip the question, looked around the walls and then back at Prerna. “Yes”, she said, “ I am investigating TMD to expose his identity to the world.”

“He is such a great person! Did you find out who he is? Do you have any picture of him?” Prerna asked, her eyes and mouth wide open with excitement.

Aarushi shook her head, a mix of frustration and determination in her expression. “No, I haven’t found out who he is yet. TMD is incredibly careful about keeping his identity hidden. There are no clear pictures of him, just fragments and shadows.”

Prerna’s excitement turned to curiosity. “But you must have some leads, right? How close are you to figuring it out?”

Aarushi nodded. “I do have some leads. I’ve been piecing together information from various sources, and I’m getting closer. The messages, the clues—everything points to someone highly influential, someone with connections everywhere. But he’s always one step ahead.”

“Even today I was so close to finding his identity, and I don’t know how, but I messed up somewhere, and it ended with a warning note,” Aarushi sighed with disappointment.

Prerna put a comforting hand on Aarushi’s shoulder. “Don’t be too hard on yourself, Aarushi. This guy is clearly very good at covering his tracks. The fact that you even got close is impressive.”

Aarushi gave a small, appreciative smile. “Thanks, Prerna. It’s just frustrating. Every time I think I’m getting somewhere, he slips away, and I’m left with roadblocks instead of answers.”

Talking to Prerna about ending nowhere, Aarushi suddenly remembered the envelope she found at her doorstep. Now that Prerna knew about her investigation, she immediately grabbed her hand bag, took out the envelope and started staring at it for a few seconds.

Prerna, observing Aarushi’s anxious expression, asked, “What is that envelope? It seems more like a love letter, but why is your face sweating?”

Aarushi sighed, her fingers trembling slightly as she held the envelope. “It’s not a love letter, Prerna. I found it at my doorstep earlier today. Given everything that’s been happening, I think it’s from TMD.”

Prerna’s eyes widened in concern. “Another warning?”

“Most likely,” Aarushi replied, taking a deep breath. “I haven’t opened it yet. I wanted to wait until I was sure it was safe.”

Prerna moved closer, her expression serious. “Open it now, Aarushi. Let’s see what we’re dealing with.”

Aarushi nodded and Prerna leaned towards her with curiosity, as she was about to tear the envelope open, the doorbell rang. Both of them were startled as they were deeply concentrated and focused on the envelope. 

“Maybe it’s our food. let me go get it.” said Aarushi.

She walked to the door and opened it, revealing the delivery person holding their order. Aarushi took the bags of food, but as she did, the envelope in her hand slipped and fell to the floor at the delivery boy’s feet.

The delivery boy glanced down at the envelope, then back up at Aarushi, an expression of curiosity briefly crossing his face. “Here you go, ma’am,” he said, handing over the food.

“Thank you,” Aarushi replied, quickly bending down to retrieve the envelope.

The delivery boy nodded, his face still holding an expression of trying to remember something, his hands gesturing as if he was deep in thought while he was leaving.

Aarushi, observing the delivery boy’s expression, stopped him. “Wait a second,” she said, curiosity and concern evident in her voice. “Why that expression on your face when you saw the envelope?”

The delivery boy looked at her, still trying to recall. “I saw the symbol on the envelope somewhere just today,” he replied, sounding confused. “I’m trying to remind myself where I saw it.”

Aarushi’s heart skipped a beat. “Can you remember where you saw it? “

“That’s what I’m trying to remember, but I had many deliveries today, so I’m a bit confused,” the delivery boy said, scratching his head.

Aarushi’s interest piqued. “Can you try to recall any details? Anything at all might help.”

“It was raining at that time, so it might be Ram Nagar,” the delivery boy continued, gesturing with his hands as he explained. “It was…yes, I remember now. I saw it on a wall in a flat at Krishna Vilas. I went to deliver clothes there.”

“What other details did you remember from there? Even a single detail may help me? Please do tell whatever you remember”, said Aarushi with uncontrolled anxiety.

“There was an old man soaked in rain water and a kid in a wheelchair who looked more mature and stubborn.”

Aarushi’s eyes widened at this new information. “Krishna Vilas, you said? And there was a kid in a wheelchair?”

“Yes,” the delivery boy confirmed. ”But they looked at each other like strangers”. he added.

Aarushi’s mind raced as she processed this information. “Strangers? That’s unusual. Did you notice anything else about them or the flat?”

The delivery boy nodded slowly, trying to dig deeper into his memory. “The old man seemed very nervous. He kept glancing at the door as if expecting someone. The kid, on the other hand, was very calm, almost too calm.

Prerna leaned in, clearly intrigued. “Do you remember the flat number?”

“Not clearly, but I can find it in my delivery app,” he replied, pulling out his phone and beginning to browse through it.

“Then can you please tell me the complete address? It will be a huge help to me,” Aarushi asked, her voice full of urgency and hope.

The delivery boy scrolled through his app for a few moments before lifting his head. “It’s flat number 143, Krishna Vilas, Ram Nagar,” he said.

Aarushi felt a surge of excitement and gratitude. “Thank you so much! You’ve been incredibly helpful.”

The delivery boy nodded with a small smile. “I’m glad I could help. Good luck with whatever you’re doing.”