The Dog Man: Do or Die

The sun was beginning to set as Newton exited the Kolkata Economic Zone. The air was thick with the sounds of the bustling city—cars honking, vendors calling out their goods, and the murmur of conversations filling the air. Newton had barely made it a few steps outside the gate when he took out his phone and dialed Nafisa. His thoughts were racing after his encounter with Selim, and he knew that Hasib and Nafisa needed to hear what he had learned.

The phone rang twice before Nafisa's voice came through the line. "Hello, Newton?"

"Yeah, it's me," he replied, glancing around as he walked down the busy street. "Listen, I just met with a guy named Selim inside the Economic Zone. He told me some serious stuff about Alexander, his illegal businesses, and… well, you'll want to hear it all in detail."

Nafisa's tone shifted to one of urgency. "What did he say? Is it about Shagor?"

"Yes, and much more than just that. I don't think I can explain everything over the phone. Can you meet me at my place? I'll fill you in on everything," Newton said, stepping carefully to avoid a crowd of people at the bus stop.

"I'm on my way," Nafisa replied, her voice filled with determination. "See you soon."

After ending the call, Newton immediately dialed Hasib's number. His friend picked up almost instantly.

"Newton? What's going on?" Hasib asked, his voice filled with curiosity.

Newton took a deep breath. "Hasib, I need you to come to my place as soon as you can. I met a guy today—Selim. He told me some things about Alexander and his shady businesses. It's all connected."

Hasib's tone grew serious. "Connected to Shagor and everything else we've been dealing with?"

"Exactly. I'll explain everything when you get here," Newton replied, keeping his voice steady, choosing not to mention that Nafisa would be there as well. "Can you come?"

"I'll be there as soon as I can," Hasib said before the line disconnected.

Newton put his phone back in his pocket, feeling a mix of anticipation and relief. This was finally the breakthrough they needed. But as he stepped off the sidewalk and into the street, he didn't notice the taxi speeding toward him from the left.

The collision was sudden. The taxi struck him, not hard enough to throw him to the ground but with enough force to jolt him, and he stumbled backward, clutching his right arm as pain shot through his shoulder. The taxi screeched to a halt a few feet away, and the driver jumped out, looking both apologetic and frantic.

"I'm so sorry!" the driver said, hurrying over. "Are you alright, sir?"

Newton gritted his teeth against the pain, clutching his right arm. "I… I think so. Just a bit shaken up."

Before he could say more, a young woman stepped out of the taxi, her movements quick and graceful. She looked at Newton, her face radiating concern and kindness, and for a moment, Newton forgot the pain altogether.

The woman was breathtakingly beautiful. Her long, dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing a face that was both gentle and striking. Her eyes were large and expressive, a deep shade of brown that seemed to draw him in, making it impossible to look away. She wore a blue and white saree that hugged her figure in all the right places, the fabric draping elegantly over her slim waist and hips, accentuating the graceful curve of her body. Her skin was smooth, her lips full and soft, and her hands, adorned with delicate bracelets, moved with a natural grace.

Newton felt himself go slightly breathless. She was like a vision, a figure who seemed almost out of place amidst the chaos of the city. He couldn't help but let his eyes travel from her delicate collarbone to the gentle slope of her neck, his gaze lingering on the slender arms that rested by her sides, her wrists graced with simple bangles that glimmered in the evening light. Her saree revealed just a hint of her midriff, the subtle curve of her waist drawing his gaze in a way that he couldn't resist.

The woman stepped closer, her voice soft and soothing. "Are you alright? I saw the whole thing… I hope you're not too hurt?"

Newton snapped back to reality, blinking as he realized she was talking to him. "I… yes, I think I'm alright," he stammered, rubbing his sore arm. "It's just a little bruise, nothing serious."

The woman smiled, her eyes warm and filled with relief. "Good. I'm sorry this happened. We were in a bit of a hurry, but it's no excuse." She turned to the taxi driver, handing him some cash for the fare, then turned back to Newton. "Please, let me know if there's anything I can do."

Newton shook his head, his heart still pounding. "It's alright, really. I'll be fine. Thank you, though… um, what's your name?"

The woman extended her hand, a soft smile gracing her lips. "I'm Nishat. And you are?"

Newton took her hand gently, feeling a spark as their fingers touched. "Newton," he replied, a slight smile tugging at his lips. "It's nice to meet you, Nishat, despite… well, the circumstances."

Nishat laughed softly, a sound like delicate bells, and Newton felt his heart skip a beat. "Likewise, Newton. Let me buy you a cup of coffee as an apology. It's the least I can do."

Newton hesitated, his mind flashing back to his meeting with Nafisa and Hasib. As much as he wanted to stay and talk to this beautiful woman who had appeared so unexpectedly in his life, he knew he had to go. "Thank you, Nishat, but I actually have to be somewhere," he said, his voice regretful but firm. "Maybe another time?"

Nishat nodded, a hint of disappointment in her eyes. "Of course. It was nice meeting you, Newton."

Newton smiled, giving her a nod. "You too, Nishat."

They exchanged a lingering look before he turned and hailed another taxi, still feeling the warmth of her presence as he climbed inside. As the taxi pulled away, Newton found himself staring out the window, his mind filled with thoughts of Nishat. Her beauty, her gentle voice, her kindness—it was all imprinted in his memory, making him wonder why he felt such a pull toward someone he had just met.

He rested his head against the window, whispering to himself, "Why am I feeling this way?"

He closed his eyes briefly, silently asking God to help him understand this strange, sweet feeling. His heart was heavy with longing, and he couldn't explain why. He knew nothing about Nishat, yet she had left an impression on him, a feeling that was both comforting and confusing.

As the taxi continued on its way, Newton reached for his phone, putting on his Bluetooth headphones. He opened YouTube and typed in one of his favorite songs: *Moonlit Floor* by Abrar and The Band. He let the music fill his ears, the lyrics washing over him, each line resonating with the emotions swirling inside him.

The song's haunting melody seemed to mirror his thoughts, capturing the bittersweet longing that had taken root in his heart. He closed his eyes, letting the music transport him to a place where he could lose himself in thoughts of Nishat, of her soft smile and her captivating gaze.

Meanwhile, Nishat's taxi made its way through the winding streets, carrying her home. She sat in the backseat, her mind replaying her brief encounter with Newton. She had only just met him, yet his face, his smile, his gentle eyes—they lingered in her mind, filling her with a warmth she hadn't felt in a long time.

She shook her head slightly, trying to dispel the thoughts, but it was no use. Newton's image remained, his presence filling her with a strange sense of peace.

But her thoughts were interrupted by a familiar ache in her heart. She remembered her past, the pain of her broken marriage. Her ex-husband, Fernando Torres, had brought nothing but heartache and disappointment into her life, leaving her to pick up the pieces after he walked away.

Her son—her beautiful, innocent boy—was the one bright light that had come from that dark time. She had devoted herself to being the best mother she could be, pouring all her love into raising him and trying to build a life filled with happiness and stability.

But now, as she thought of Newton, a new feeling blossomed within her, a feeling that she hadn't experienced in years. She wasn't sure what it meant, but she knew that he had stirred something inside her, something she thought had long been lost.

Nishat sighed softly, glancing out the window as the city passed by. She wasn't sure if she would ever see Newton again, but a part of her hoped that their paths would cross once more.

By the time Newton's taxi pulled up outside his apartment, the song had ended, leaving him in silence. He removed his headphones, the lyrics still echoing in his mind as he stepped out of the car. As he walked toward his building, he couldn't shake the feeling that meeting Nishat had been more than just a coincidence.

He stopped at the entrance, looking up at the sky as if searching for answers. The stars were just beginning to peek out, their faint light shining down on him, and he felt a quiet sense of hope. He whispered a small prayer, asking God to guide him, to show him if this feeling for Nishat was real, or if it was just a passing moment.

With a deep breath, he stepped inside, ready to share the truth about Alexander with Hasib and Nafisa. But even as he entered his apartment, his mind remained on Nishat, his heart filled with a longing he couldn't explain.

To be continued...