Second Chance: A Dark Tale of Urban India-Chapter 110: Meeting with Politician Pawan Verma

Important Note: The names of politicians and events used are fictional. Any resemblance to real-world individuals or events is purely coincidental.

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Rohit considered it for a moment. Making connections wasn’t a bad idea, especially if he needed political backing. The real question was whether he had enough to offer them in return.

He nodded. "Sure, why not. But we’re leaving right now. The more help, the better. Are you sure your mentor can spare some time to meet us?" 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Raghav hesitated. "Sir, I haven’t.."

Rohit raised his hand. "No worries. We can wait if needed. I’m certain your mentor won’t mind meeting me."

Raghav’s face brightened into a smile once again.

Rohit turned back to the four boys. "Let’s meet in the evening. I need one of you to stay with me so we can stay in touch. I’ll share the location later. Anyone?"

Robin stood up immediately and patted his own chest. " Take me, brother. I’ll come."

"Good," Rohit said, eyeing the others. They all nodded in agreement. "Let’s hurry then."

***

The car took around forty-five minutes to reach the destination. In that time, Rohit had already done his groundwork—background checks, a rough slide outline in his head, and a brief call with Secretary Pathak regarding the land issue.

It was a shame he didn’t get enough time to break into their systems. That would have made things easier.

Still... this was enough.

More than enough to take control.

As they reached the former MLA’s house, Rohit gave it a quick glance. The three-storey building was modest, but the large compound still spoke of old political influence.

He turned to Raghav. "Call him first. Impression matters."

Raghav dialed, but the call went straight to switched off. His jaw tightened.

"I’ll speak to the security," Raghav said, stepping out of the car. He did talk with the security but, then went inside the house.

A few minutes later, Balwindar’s phone rang. He passed it to Rohit.

Raghav’s voice came through, hesitant. "Sir... I’m sorry. My mentor is in a meeting right now. He says he can meet you this evening... or tomorrow."

Rohit exhaled slowly.

"Tell him this," he said, voice calm but edged with finality. "Rohit Singhania has come to meet him personally... and he won’t come again."

"Sir, please don’t get angry—"

"I’m not angry," Rohit cut in. "Just deliver the message. I’ll wait thirty seconds. My time is precious."

He ended the call and started the timer on his phone.

Fifteen seconds later, the phone rang again. Raghav’s voice was now noticeably nervous but energetic. "Sir... he’s agreed. You can come inside. But... he wants you alone."

Rohit let out a faint scoff. "Alright. Coming. Alone."

As he stepped out of the car, a wave of exhaustion mixed with irritation hit him. ’The more I try to lay low, the more they force my hand. Fine. Let them see it, then.’

He removed his Bluetooth bud and slipped it into his pocket. His sling bag followed, tossed casually onto the seat. He flexed his bandaged hand slightly.

Not perfect. But usable.

He turned to Balwindar. "Give me the gun."

Balwindar handed it over without hesitation. To him, Rohit had earned his respect.

Though, Aisha froze. Robin visibly tensed.

Rohit took the pistol calmly and tucked it under his jacket. "Relax. I’ll be back in thirty minutes. Stay here until I return."

Balwindar gave a small nod, understanding the unspoken order.

Rohit walked toward the entrance with steady, deliberate steps.

No rush. No hesitation.

The guards at the gate didn’t stop him.

Inside the house, there was serperate crowd of twenty to thirty locals near the inner hall turned toward him. Murmers spread but none called out.

Some of them , especially the ones he had helped release on bail, immediately recognised him and bowed with respectful namaste.

Rohit acknowledged them with a slight raise of his hand, his expression unchanged, and kept walking.

No stops. No small talk.

He moved straight toward the main room.

People parted without being asked.

A local guard standing at the door halted him with a hand gesture. Inside, an ongoing discussion filled the air.

Rohit stood at the doorway and announced his presence clearly.

"I am Rohit Singhania. I’ve come to meet former MLA Pawan Verma.. And I want to talk with him alone. It’s personal."

The room fell silent.

Everyone inside turned toward him with varied expressions.

Around a small tea table sat several men on sofas. At the center was a man in his fifties—broad-shouldered, composed, dressed in a simple kurta-pyjama.

Pawan Verma.

His gaze rested on Rohit with measured curiosity.

One of the men snapped immediately. "Who let him in? Does he think this is his—"

"Tiwari," Pawan called out calmly, stopping the man. From the exchange and the man’s attire, Rohit concluded that Tiwari was his secretary.

Pawan turned to Raghav, who was visibly nervous. "Is he the boy you mentioned?"

Raghav nodded quickly. "Yes, Bhaiya ji."

Pawan announced calmly, "Let him come. He helped our men today. We can at least hear his request."

Rohit shook his head, "Wrong. Not a request. A proposal. " he emphasised folding his hands, "Call it an opportunity... if you’re willing to see it."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across everyone in the room. "I hope you all understand the meaning of ’personal’."

Tiwari leaned in to whisper something into Pawan’s ear, but Pawan gestured for him to stop.

A moment passed.

"Fine. We’ll resume in thirty minutes. Everyone—step out."

Chairs scraped softly as most of the room emptied.

Only a few remained—Tiwari, Raghav, and two others lingering at the edges.

The guard stepped forward to frisk him.

Rohit raised a hand. "Wait. I’ll cooperate."

He reached inside his jacket and took out the pistol, holding it by the grip before handing it over.

"Licensed," he said calmly. "Belongs to my father. Don’t mishandle it."

The guard looked overwhelmed and glanced at the former MLA. They clearly hadn’t expected him to be carrying a licensed gun — especially one he claimed belonged to his father.

The entire room’s demeanor turned serious.

Pawan leaned forward, visibly amused, and gestured for the guard to let Rohit through.

Rohit entered with unflinching eyes, his gaze fixed on Pawan as he pulled out a chair and sat down without waiting for permission.

A man stepped in quietly and placed tea on the table. Rohit picked it up without hesitation, taking a slow sip as if he belonged there.

The earlier glimpse of the gun hadn’t gone unnoticed. It lingered in the room like a silent statement.

Pawan leaned back slightly, fingers interlocked. "So.. what do you want to offer?"

Rohit replied casually as he took a sip, "Popularity. Votes in the East belt. And... if things align—CM candidacy."

The room went still for a second.

Then Tiwari let out a short, disbelieving laugh. "Sir, this is utter nonsense. Look at his age. He thinks we’ll believe this?" He shook his head. "He’s bluffing. Might even be high."

Pawan didn’t laugh. His eyes narrowed instead. His tone turned heavier.

"You’re a Singhania, right?.. You understand what you’re implying? Elections aren’t a joke."

Rohit smiled casually. "I’m counting on you to change your tone... once you hear me out."

Both Pawan and Tiwari looked puzzled. They had never faced anyone so confident. With curiosity high, Pawan gestured. "What is it?"

Rohit continued after confirming their interest. "Let’s talk about CM candidacy. You know there is a case ongoing against the current CM, Arnav Khajurwal. So far nothing has been proven."

A brief pause.

"But his right-hand man, Moninder Sisodia, is the real culprit behind the scenes. I have transaction trails. Bribery records. Chat screenshots. Enough to drag him into an CBI investigation in grounds of corruption."

Pin drop Silence.

Tiwari stiffened. "Sir... this..."

"Show me," Pawan cut in, his voice sharper now.

Rohit didn’t argue. He simply unlocked his phone and slid it across the table.

"Screenshots are there. If you want, I can forward everything."

Pawan picked it up and scrolled.

He was shocked. This alone would take him to new heights in his BAP party. Even if not CM, the vice-CM post would be almost confirmed. The political leverage they would gain over the current state government would be immense.

Rohit felt satisfied from their facial reaction. He had obtained this information as leverage from a few rich businessmen caught in IT raid earlier. He had originally wanted to keep it for himself to make serious money, but sadly he had to use it to sail his own boat.

Pawan finally looked up. "Where did you get this?"

Rohit gave a small shrug. "I have my sources."

Tiwari, still unwilling to concede, spoke again. "Sir, even if this is real, it won’t hold in court. It doesn’t change much."

Pawan shook his head slightly. His voice carried weight now.

"No, Tiwari. You’re missing the point... Court comes later. Narrative comes first."

He placed the phone down.

"This alone can damage their ’clean governance’ image. And strengthen our land agitation angle."

He turned back to Rohit. "It’s valuable... but it still doesn’t secure my seat."

Rohit nodded, as if he had expected that.

"For that.. I have something more practical."

He leaned back slightly.

"The demolition drives in your area—they’re tied to the railway project. And that project... is being handled by the Singhania group in Delhi."

Pawan’s eyes sharpened.

"I’ve already instructed my office to halt the demolitions for one week," Rohit continued. "Extension of notice period included."

He added a beat later.

"You can take credit for it. Publicly. Coordinate with my secretary—make it look like a joint intervention, under your influence."

Raghav, who was already from the slum, felt emotional and bowed with a namaste. "Sir... you’ve already done so much for us... thank you, sir. You are really great"

The effect was immediate.

Even Pawan smiled, knowing its value. A seven-day extension would bring real relief.

He looked impressed. "You are right, kid. Or should I say, young master Singhania."

He tapped the table lightly.

"You have gained my respect. This alone is enough to fulfill any request of yours. I have heard about your missing friend. My party workers will look for him in every corner of Delhi and leave no stone unturned.

Other than that, do you have anything else? I am in a good mood today."

Rohit’s face turned serious. "Yes. Stage a protest. In front of the current MLA’s resort. Vasant Kunj. By dusk and Today itself.

Pawan frowned slightly. "On what grounds?"

Rohit met his eyes.

"Illegal dealings. Slum displacement. Black money storage on private property."

The room went quiet again.

Pawan studied him carefully. "You have something planned... don’t you?"

Rohit exhaled slowly.

"It’s... a bit complicated."