March 14, 2025 

As soon as his SUV was parked in the mall parking, Satyapal stepped out of the vehicle and instructed his driver Aman to follow him. Aman was his new driver. He had been working with Satyapal for the last six months. Aman had discontinued education after failing in grade 10. His life had turned directionless in his teenage years. Alcohol, smoking, street fights, and petty crimes followed him like a shadow. He was sent to a juvenile home for rehabilitation. During his last visit to a correctional home, he developed an emotional bonding with the warden. The advice given by the warden helped Aman to bring his life back on track. He did odd jobs and learnt to drive. As soon as he earned his driving license, Aman took it as a profession. 

It was 6:30 pm. Satyapal walked briskly into the shopping mall. Aman followed his master’s instructions and walked behind him. His boss stopped near a diamond jewelry outlet, looked back and gestured at Aman to wait outside. The manager welcomed Satyapal with a broad smile. It appeared obvious that they knew each other well. While waiting for his boss, Aman glanced at the elegant and glittering designs of pieces displayed in neat glass cases. His eyes sparkled while looking at the girdle reflection of the stunning stones. Each design seemed exclusive in its elegance, quality, and value. Aman developed a craving to own one. However, he felt sad to realize that it was beyond his means. 

After waiting for fifteen minutes, Aman peeped inside the glass door. The manager picked up a large diamond box and placed it inside a high-quality paper bag. Satyapal collected the bag from the manager. Aman guessed his boss bought an expensive diamond necklace perhaps for his wife.  Satyapal shook the manager’s hand and walked out. 

“Keep this in the vehicle,” Satyapal left the bag in Aman’s hand. “I will have to meet someone in a coffee shop. It might take a minimum of one hour. I will call you after the meeting.” 

“Ok Sir,” Aman nodded his head. 

Aman looked back at his boss as he walked away. Then he gazed at the paper bag in his hand. He was carrying a diamond necklace. It was real and the thought gave him shivers. Despite knowing his criminal record, Satyapal did not think twice before handing over such an expensive piece. What if he vanishes with the diamond necklace? He was pleasantly surprised by his boss’s faith in him. Satyapal trusted him and Aman did not have the heart to lose that unwavering confidence. Aman held the bag tightly as he marched quickly towards the vehicle with his heart pounding in his chest. 

Aman was amazed by the faith shown by his boss. He had to live up to that expectation. He looked around carefully and stopped near the vehicle. He pressed the button of his car key remote, and the lift gate went up. He glanced down at the paper bag. The beautiful box inside the bag teased him. Aman restrained himself from the temptation of opening the box. Triggered by unfamiliar excitement, he felt the surge of adrenaline. At this very moment, something unexpected happened. When he placed the bag inside the vehicle, someone applied violent force to pull him back with his collar.  Like an eagle’s prey, he was caught off guard. Everything took place so swiftly, and Aman failed to protect the necklace bag. He lost balance and tried to recover. The stranger grabbed the necklace bag from the vehicle and started running away. 

The necklace bag was stolen! 

He was not prepared for this challenge that arrived without warning. The circumstances looked increasingly chaotic and unmanageable. Unable to control the stertorous breathing, he pulled the liftgate down and locked the vehicle. Unnerved by the situation, Aman jumped to his feet and went behind the robber’s direction. The robber quickly found his way out from the mall parking lot. Aman chased him to the best of his ability. The thief crossed the traffic signal. When Aman got closer, the signal turned red. Without looking at the honking drivers, Aman passed through the red signal. 

“Thief… Thief…” Aman shouted as loud he could to draw attention of the public. 

None of the passing pedestrians made any attempt to stop the thief running. The people in the street amusingly looked at them. That left Aman helpless and frustrated. If the diamond bag was lost what would Satyapal’s reaction be? His breathing turned labored in physical exertion, panic and anxiety. He leaped and increased his speed in his determination not to fail.  The distance between the two became less in the next five minutes. After crossing the next traffic signal, the thief ran towards a public park. 

The left corner road from the park was covered by darkness with poorly lit streetlights. Aman realized the thief was inching towards the dark shadows. It was obvious if allowed he could easily disappear into darkness.  That was not all. If the accomplices of the thief appear to help, that would make Aman weaker. In the rush of things, suddenly the thief hit a parked bicycle, tripped and fell. Aman saw a ray of hope in an adverse situation. He gathered all his energy and jumped at the thief. Both struggled in trying to overpower each other. During the scuffle, the paper bag ripped apart and the diamond box slipped out. Aman gasped, grabbed the box, stood on his feet and moved backwards. The thief too rose to his feet in intense anger. In a fit of rage, he pulled a switchblade knife from his pocket. The blade of the knife twinkled in reflection from a faraway light.  

Satyapal concluded his meeting, shook hands with his associates and left the coffee shop. During his speedy walk towards the mall parking, he pulled his cellphone out and tried to establish communication with his driver. Aman’s phone responded with a familiar musical ringtone. He was annoyed by his driver’s cold reaction. 

“Where is this idiot?” He repeatedly grumbled and kept calling as he failed to reach his driver. 

“Truly irresponsible,” Satyapal muttered under his breath.  

He assumed perhaps his driver was sleeping inside the vehicle. He came closer to the vehicle and glanced inside. The vehicle was locked. Aman was missing. 

“This is too much,” Satyapal shook his head in disbelief. “Let him come. I will give him a piece of my mind.” 

Satyapal rubbed his forehead and helplessly looked around. By then his cellphone began ringing. He looked at the number. It was from an unknown caller. 

“Hello,” Satyapal took the call. 

“Hello,” The caller replied. “I am Inspector Harish Rao. Is Aman your driver?” 

“Yes. I have been frantically looking for him,” Satyapal sounded nervous. 

“He is badly injured in a fight. He has been given the necessary treatment. I am calling from the hospital. Could you please come?” The cop requested. 

“I will reach in ten minutes,” Satyapal collected the hospital address before disconnecting the call. 

He had asked Aman to wait for him in the shopping mall. How did he end up in a hospital that too after a physical fight? The call from the cop left him totally flabbergasted. Satyapal rushed out from the mall parking and stopped a cab. It took him twenty minutes to reach the hospital. He called the inspector after stepping inside the hospital reception area. Harish Rao asked him to join him in the ward. 

Satyapal entered the ward. 

Aman was lying in the bed, eyes closed. His body was covered with multiple dressings and bandages. A cop in uniform was standing beside his bed. 

“Oh my God! What happened?” Satyapal exhibited genuine anxiety. 

“Sir… I was…” Aman struggled formulate his thoughts as he opened his eyes. 

“I am Inspector Harish Rao,” The cop stretched his hand. “Are you Mr. Satyapal?” 

“Yes, I am Satyapal,” Satyapal shook his hands. “He is my driver Aman.” 

“We received an anonymous alert about a serious assault close to Nehru Park,” Harish Rao explained. “The thief fled into darkness when he saw our vehicle. We tried but could not catch him. Your driver was severely hurt with multiple stab wounds. He was brought here and given proper medical care. As informed by the driver, your diamond necklace was the cause of this theft and attack. I appreciate your driver’s bravery. He did not release the diamond necklace box from his hands despite being seriously attacked by the thief. However, the news is not all that good. The diamond box is empty. It appears like, your driver does not know how the thief managed to pull and get away with the jewelry.” 

Satyapal’s jaws dropped, eyes widened in disbelief and hands flew to his mouth. He remained speechless and looked at his driver.

“Sorry Sir.” Aman sobbed and closed his eyes. 

“Don’t worry Mr. Satyapal,” Inspector Harish Rao assured. “I suggest you file an FIR. We have dependable informers in this part of the city. Your stolen necklace could be traced. I admire your driver’s daredevil act. He exposed himself to danger without worrying his life.” 

“Please forgive me. I think there is some misunderstanding.” A bewildered Satyapal tried to explain. “Who told you that there was a necklace inside the diamond box? I never said that. A year back, I purchased a diamond necklace from the same shop. The LED light inside the box stopped working. This was a replacement box given by the shopkeeper at no extra cost. It was an empty box, which I instructed him to keep in the vehicle. That’s it. Who told him to risk his life?”