The night at the Joypurhat Circuit House was eerily silent. Outside the window, the rustling of mango leaves sounded like a whispered warning of an approaching storm. In Ariyan's hand was the old photograph—he and Neela by the pond in Shantipur. The red ink on the back hit his brain like a hammer: "The past never leaves you."
Raisa entered the room and was startled to find Ariyan sitting like a statue. She placed a hand on his shoulder. "What's wrong, Ariyan? What was in that envelope?"
Ariyan tried to hide the photo quickly, but Raisa's sharp eyes caught it. She took it from his hand. "Who is this, Ariyan? Someone from your village?"
Ariyan sighed deeply. "Her name is Neela. My childhood friend. But why this photo appeared here, at this very moment, is what I don't understand. Rafiq Chowdhury and Shahed are in jail—so who sent this?"
Raisa shivered after reading the text on the back. "It means someone is watching us. Someone knows exactly where your weakness lies."
Imtiaz Saodagar's First Move
The next morning, when Ariyan arrived at his office, he found a bizarre situation. A group of strangers was loitering in front of his door. Before he could enter, his Peshkar (assistant) ran up to him, trembling.
"Sir, a notice has arrived from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). It claims that the land your father owns in Shantipur is actually government property that was illegally occupied. Not only that, but they are also alleging that you used your power as a Magistrate to forge the land documents."
Ariyan stood stunned. His father had bought those two bighas of land with his life's savings. There was no room for forgery. He realized that Imtiaz Saodagar had begun his lethal strike. Rafiq Chowdhury was a mere wave; Imtiaz was a bottomless ocean.
Just then, Ariyan's phone buzzed with a message from an unknown number:
"How does it feel, Mr. Magistrate? How does it feel to return 'government' land? This is just the beginning. Tomorrow at noon, there's a surprise for you at the old warehouse behind the Joypurhat railway station. Come alone. If the police are with you, the surprise will turn into a tragedy."
The Mystery Woman in the Warehouse
The following afternoon, Ariyan told no one. He took his personal motorcycle and headed toward the abandoned warehouse. He had a loaded pistol in his pocket, but his mind was clouded with a sense of dread.
The warehouse was dark and damp. The sound of bat wings kept Ariyan on high alert.
"Who's there? Come out!" Ariyan shouted.
A shadow emerged from the darkness. She wore a simple saree with a veil over her head. But when her face became clear, the pistol almost slipped from Ariyan's hand.
"Neela?" Ariyan whispered.
Yes, it was Neela. But the childhood innocence in her eyes was gone. In its place was a deep well of pain and hatred. Standing beside her was a tall, imposing bodyguard belonging to Imtiaz Saodagar.
"It's been a long time, Ariyan. You're a big man now. A Judge... a Magistrate," Neela's voice had a strange, icy quality.
"Neela, how are you here? And what is your connection with these people?" Ariyan was bewildered.
Neela laughed, but it was a hollow sound. "Connection? Imtiaz Saodagar saved me from hell three years ago when your father filed that false case against my father and drove us out of our home."
Ariyan was shell-shocked. "What are you talking about? My father would never do such a thing!"
"He did, Ariyan. Power changes people. My mother died without treatment because of that case. I am here for revenge. Mr. Imtiaz promised me he would destroy you," Neela screamed.
Ariyan realized that Imtiaz Saodagar had meticulously poisoned Neela's mind. He had likely used forged documents to make her believe that Ariyan's family was the cause of her ruin.
The Web of a New Conspiracy
Suddenly, Imtiaz Saodagar's voice boomed through a loudspeaker hidden in the warehouse.
"You heard her, Ariyan? The enemy is within your own circle. Now, you have two choices. One: withdraw the charges against Rafiq Chowdhury and stop interfering with our fertilizer syndicate in Joypurhat. Two: I release the files of your father's corruption and Neela herself testifies against you."
Ariyan realized he was trapped in a Chakravyuh. On one side was his father's honor, and on the other were his integrity and administrative duty. And in the middle was his old friend Neela, whom he had once cared for deeply.
"Ariyan, just leave. From today, we are enemies," Neela turned her face away.
Ariyan walked out of the warehouse, his head spinning. As he rode back, he felt as though the quiet town of Joypurhat was actually sitting on top of a volcano.
The End of the Chapter
That night, Ariyan took out his diary, but his hands were shaking. He wrote:
"Chapter 24: Today, I tasted defeat. When the enemy is from the outside, the fight is easy. But when the enemy is from your own home or a loved one from the past, you cannot draw your sword. Neela has returned, but as a harbinger of destruction. Imtiaz Saodagar, you want to take my pen? I won't let go of the pen, but this time, I may have to write history with blood."
Just then, Raisa entered the room with a file in her hand. "Ariyan, I had your father's old case records sent from Dhaka. There's a sensational piece of information here. The case wasn't filed by your father; someone forged his signature and used his name."
A new light of hope flickered in Ariyan's eyes. Could he break the spell Imtiaz had cast over Neela? Or would he be extinguished in the mastermind's trap?