The Dog Man: Do or Die

The sun had barely risen when Hasib stretched his arms, feeling more energetic than he had in weeks. The fresh breeze filtered through the open windows of his room, gently ruffling the curtains. After his recovery, life had resumed its routine, but something still felt amiss. Today, Hasib, Nafisa, and Newton would be heading back to Kolkata University, their lives almost returning to normal.

As Hasib buttoned up his shirt, Tommy sat by his side, wagging his tail as if sensing that something was different today. Hasib glanced down at his dog, giving him a reassuring pat on the head. "Ready for another day?" he murmured.

He headed out, meeting Nafisa and Newton at their usual spot near the bus stop. Nafisa, in her usual graceful style, waved as she saw him approaching. She looked radiant in her simple dress, her hair cascading down her back like a waterfall, and Hasib couldn't help but smile when she walked up to him.

"Morning, handsome," Nafisa greeted, her tone light and teasing as she stood on her toes to kiss his cheek.

"Good morning to you too," Hasib responded with a grin, though there was a trace of something heavier lurking in the back of his mind. The same thing that had been bothering him for days: Shagor.

For the past few days, Hasib had been trying to reach Shagor, but every time he called, Shagor's phone was switched off. At first, he had shrugged it off as Shagor going off-grid like he often did, but now, it felt different. Something about the silence didn't sit right with him.

They hopped on the bus together, with Newton following closely behind. The bustling energy of students filled the air, and soon they were seated, winding through the streets toward the university. Hasib couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that lingered at the edge of his consciousness.

Midway through the ride, Nafisa leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. Her arm slid around his, and Hasib felt her warmth. As she settled in, her right breast brushed lightly against his arm, a sensation that sent a ripple of awareness through him. His body tensed for a moment, not out of discomfort, but from the closeness that felt both innocent and charged with unspoken emotions.

"Hasib?" Nafisa whispered softly, her voice a gentle lull amidst the bus's hum.

"Yeah?" Hasib replied, turning his head slightly to catch her gaze.

"I've been thinking a lot lately," she began, her voice hesitant yet filled with the kind of vulnerability only shared between lovers. "About us."

Hasib's heartbeat quickened, though he remained composed. "What about us?"

She looked up, her eyes soft and filled with emotion. "I feel like I'm falling more in love with you every day, you know? Like… when I'm with you, everything feels right." Her hand squeezed his arm lightly, and Hasib could feel the heat rising in his chest.

He turned his head slightly, brushing his lips against the top of her head. "I feel the same way, Nafisa. You're everything to me." His voice was sincere, and she could sense the depth of his words.

Nafisa shifted slightly, her breast pressing against his arm again, sending warmth through him. "I don't know what I'd do without you," she whispered, her breath warm against his neck.

Hasib smiled, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "You'll never have to find out," he said softly. They fell into a comfortable silence, their fingers intertwined, savoring the quiet intimacy of the moment. Newton, seated just behind them, smirked quietly to himself, knowing better than to interrupt them.

Later that day, they found themselves sitting in the bustling university café, the usual buzz of conversations and clattering dishes filling the air. Students laughed, chatted, and studied, and the smell of pizza and coffee wafted through the air.

Nafisa had ordered two pizzas and two bottles of water for the three of them, but as they sat together at the corner table, Hasib's thoughts remained distracted. He glanced at his phone for what felt like the hundredth time, hoping to see a message or missed call from Shagor. But again, nothing.

"Still nothing from him?" Newton asked, sensing Hasib's distraction.

Hasib shook his head, leaning back in his chair. "I've been trying for days. His phone is off every time I call."

Nafisa, who had been quiet, suddenly reached for her own phone. "I… I still have Shagor's mom's number," she said, her voice hesitant.

Hasib looked at her in mild surprise. "You kept his mom's number after the breakup?"

Nafisa shrugged, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. "Yeah, I did. She was always kind to me, and it never felt right to delete it. I'll call her, see if she knows anything."

She dialed the number, and after a few rings, Shagor's mother picked up. Nafisa's heart raced slightly, a mix of anticipation and unease filling her. "Aunty Rahela, it's Nafisa," she said softly.

"Oh, Nafisa! It's been so long," Rahela responded warmly. "How are you, dear?"

"I'm good, Aunty, but I wanted to ask you something. Have you heard from Shagor recently? Hasib and I have been trying to reach him, but his phone's been off."

There was a brief pause on the other end before Rahela spoke, her voice tinged with worry. "Nafisa, I haven't been able to contact him either. It's been days. His father and I have already informed the police, and we've hired a detective to look into it. We're very worried."

Nafisa's heart sank. "A detective? Is it that serious?"

Rahela's voice trembled slightly. "Yes, we're afraid so. We haven't heard from him in a week."

After hanging up, Nafisa turned to Hasib and Newton, her face pale. "Shagor's missing. His mom hasn't heard from him in a week. They've gone to the police and hired a private detective."

Hasib frowned, his concern deepening. "This is serious. Shagor wouldn't just disappear like that without a reason."

Newton leaned forward; his brow furrowed. "A detective, huh? Wonder who they hired. Kolkata's got some famous ones. We should keep an eye on that."

The café continued to buzz around them, but the weight of Shagor's disappearance now loomed over their conversation. After finishing their pizzas in near silence, they headed toward the university bus to return home.

As the bus rumbled through the streets of Kolkata, Nafisa sat close to Hasib, her hand slipping back around his arm. She laid her head on his shoulder once more, seeking comfort in his presence. Hasib, feeling her warmth and her steady breathing, let the silence speak for them.

Nafisa's body pressed closer, and Hasib could feel the soft press of her breast against his arm again, a sensation that sent a rush of heat through him. He felt her tighten her grip on his arm, a quiet but unmistakable gesture that spoke of more than just physical closeness. There was a longing in it—a quiet, unspoken need.

"I missed you today," Nafisa whispered suddenly, her breath warm against his neck.

Hasib turned his head, smiling down at her. "We've been together the whole day."

Nafisa smiled back, but her eyes were filled with a deeper affection. "I know… but even when we're together, sometimes I feel like it's not enough. Like I always want more time with you. Does that sound crazy?"

Hasib's heart swelled as he looked at her. He pressed his lips to her forehead softly. "It's not crazy at all. I feel the same way."

They sat like that, the city passing by outside the windows, but their world had shrunk down to just the two of them. Every little touch between them felt charged with meaning, and Hasib couldn't help but wonder how he had gotten so lucky to have Nafisa in his life.

Later that evening, after they had returned home, Hasib sat with his parents in their cozy living room. The warm glow of the evening lamps bathed the room in a soft light, and the scent of dinner still lingered in the air. Tommy sat contentedly by Hasib's side, wagging his tail lazily.

Hasib's mother, who had always been perceptive, looked at him with concern. "You've been quiet today, son. Is something on your mind?"

Hasib sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's Shagor. He's missing. Nafisa called his mom today, and she said they've gone to the police. I don't know what's going on, but it feels… wrong."

His father frowned, leaning forward in his chair. "Shagor's always been a bit of a wild card but disappearing like this… that's not like him."

Hasib nodded, lost in thought. "I just hope the police, or the detective find him soon."

Meanwhile, Nafisa had returned to her home, sitting alone in her room after dinner. She sat on her bed, replaying the day's events in her mind, but her thoughts always drifted back to Hasib. The warmth of his touch, the way his presence made her feel safe, and the soft, intimate moments they had shared earlier on the bus.

She smiled to herself, her heart full of love and longing. As

 she lay back on her bed, staring up at the ceiling, her mind filled with dreams of their future. She could picture it all so clearly—their wedding, their life together, the way they would build a family, and the happiness that awaited them.

She closed her eyes and whispered a quiet prayer, asking God to bless their love and make her dream of marrying Hasib a reality.

While the city slept, far beneath Hasib's apartment, a hidden world stirred to life. Hasib entered his bedroom, but instead of heading for his bed, he walked toward his reading table. Tommy, as if sensing something unusual, followed closely at his heels.

Hasib reached for a remote hidden inside one of the drawers. His fingers pressed a button, and suddenly, the floor beneath his feet shifted. A secret door opened soundlessly, revealing a hidden staircase leading down into the darkness below.

Hasib smiled as he stepped onto the stairs, making his way down into the secret room—the one he had built long ago, financed with the money he had earned through tutoring during his college years. It was his sanctuary, his lab, a place where his true genius had flourished in secret.

"Mark," Hasib said quietly as he reached the bottom. "Turn on the lights, the air conditioning, and activate the oxygen operating system."

A voice, calm and robotic, filled the room. "Yes, sir. All lights, AC, and oxygen systems are being activated. Carbon dioxide output is now being regulated."

The lights flickered on, revealing a large, well-equipped laboratory. It was filled with advanced technology, machines humming softly, screens glowing with data. Hasib walked through the room with a sense of satisfaction, his eyes gleaming with quiet pride.

This was his creation. His secret. His kingdom.

"Welcome to your kingdom, Hasib sir," Mark, the AI system, greeted him in its monotone voice.

"Thank you, Mark," Hasib replied, his tone laced with satisfaction.

He made his way over to a glass container filled with a strange, glowing liquid. He picked it up, swirling the liquid inside as he glanced over at Tommy, who sat obediently at his side.

A slow smile spread across Hasib's face as he looked at the liquid, his eyes gleaming with something dark, something hidden beneath the surface. This smile wasn't one of happiness—it was a smile filled with something far more mysterious.

Thunder cracked outside, loud and ominous, as if the storm itself was reacting to the secrets being kept beneath the surface.

"Mark," Hasib said, his voice calm and measured. "Give me the current trending news—both local and international."

The AI responded quickly, its mechanical voice listing off the latest headlines, but Hasib barely listened. His mind was elsewhere, focused on the plans forming in the dark corners of his mind.

As the storm raged outside, Hasib stood in his lab, staring at the liquid in his hand. Whatever it was he had been working on, it was clear that it was more than just a scientific experiment. There was something deeper, something far more dangerous at play.

And the night was only just beginning.

To be continued...