Chapter 18

Maanav dropped Nitya on his bed. She didn’t have the time or the sense to look around in the subtle lighting in the room but it was definitely larger than hers. The bed was harder but she didn’t complain… all that mattered was the man in flesh and blood staring at her as if she were his prized possession. It made her feel very special with a strange sense of belonging. She had been fiercely independent from childhood but now she wanted to just be completely dependent on him.

He stood at the foot of the bed as she lay, staring into each other’s eyes as if a story was written in their depths. At that moment the world had stopped in time. It was just the two souls in the room ready to merge into each other… years of longing and the urge to make up for the lost time all worked towards getting them closer than ever.

She raised her arms. She wanted him more than her next breath. It was as if he was waiting for the invite, he sprang on top of her balancing himself on his strong arms, on either side of her chest. He barely touched her and she yearned for him to make his move…

“Gosh, Nitya… I have dreamed of this… for years… even as I wondered where on earth you were. I wanted to do… I mean words can’t express what I am feeling right now, sweetheart…” The look in his eyes, the twinkling sparkle in the sheen of moisture in his eyes, melted her insides. It was right then she realized, she was in love with him. Probably always was.

“then… then don’t wait Maanav… please…”

She barely spoke when his lips crashed on hers. She was lost in it as she shut her eyes to everything else around them. His weight on her increased, but she wasn’t complaining especially when she felt his manhood call for her attention near her belly. One of his hands touched her waist. She knew she didn’t have an hourglass figure and she used to be conscious earlier but with Maanav nothing mattered.  She felt beautiful… period.

After the first bout of claiming her mouth he slowed down, his kisses were softer as if he were savoring a delicacy. His tongue explored her mouth in ways she never knew could excite her driving her to the edge… a dangerous edge as she lifted her hips upward, trying to feel him more… closer… tighter.

His hand trailed above and made its way beneath her loose t-shirt. His fingers lingered at the edge of her skin as if taking their own sweet time and not disturbing the personal moments of intimacy. He came on his elbow and flattened the roaming palm on her belly, the warmth of his calloused touch sending shivers down her spine. She arched further seeking more of him, like a glutton seeking his favourite food. His hand moved upwards and reached her aching mound. His kiss faltered briefly as he took the mass in his hand gently yet firmly, caressing the piece of flesh till he plucked at the nipple. She gasped and let out a cry that sounded strange to her as well. The roots of arousal that were seeded from their kiss earlier in her room began to proliferate rapidly and she began to quiver as he plundered her mouth while constantly kneading her mound. He rubbed his arousal on her pelvis and the act through their clothes was strangely taking their intimacy to newer levels.

Nitya heard a strange sound and realized it was her… she was moaning. She couldn’t wait anymore…

“Maa…. Maanav…” She panted releasing the kiss. “… I want… I want more…”

Maanav smiled and the tiny act almost threw her off the pinnacle of pleasure. He moved downward and away from her. Pulling her up close to him he peeled off her t-shirt in one swift move… She was glad she didn’t wear a bra. She lay back on the bed while he did away with her track pants and the flimsy excuse for a panty. He stared at her with a longing that created flutters so deep she arched her back, urging him to get closer.

“Gosh, Nitya… you are going to be the death of me… you are stunning…” Maanav whispered hard.

Within a few seconds, he had his clothes off and stood before her in his royal glory. She had never seen a completely nude man before. In her past experiences, they had always done it with their clothes on… But this time watching Maanav stand with his arousal saluting her in its hardness, she was thrilled to no end… she felt like a woman starved for days… just that she was starved, not for food but for being with Maanav, not just for days but for years.

Maanav crawled on his fours and resumed his position above her. He had moved between her legs and instinctively she opened her thighs to welcome him. She felt a slight pinch when he entered her softness, looking at her all the time. she quickly engulfed him in her warmth as he began to rock looking at her all the while. She was greedy and pulled him closer even as she continued to arch her back. Feeling his strong chest against her softness was so arousing she didn’t know if she would last longer. Right then he continued his onslaught with his kiss. She was rising up towards the cliff.

Suddenly he increased his pace and at the same time quickly moved his hand between their chest and pinched her nipple. That was it… she was thrown off the cliff unannounced as she screamed her orgasm. He muffled her sounds with his kiss and soon she felt him harden further and the warm release of his seed filled her even as she milked him further with the after-effects of her release.

They lay in each other’s arms, spent and Nitya tried to remain awake even though sleep was closing in. Maanav had got a warm wet cloth and cleaned her making her feel like a queen… his queen. Now he held her in his arms and she had never felt safer and cherished before.

“Um… Nitya…?” Maanav purred and she thought she would be ready for another round if not for the fatigue setting in.

“Hmmm…?”

“We… we didn’t use protection… I mean… I got carried away… Nitya… I…” Maanav was fumbling for words.

Nitya chuckled. “Its ok Maanav, we are cool. I am on the pill.”

“Oh… but why are you on the pill?” Did she sense some jealousy? Or was it a concern?

“Actually, my cycles were not regular and being a physical trainer I had to get my dates in order. So…”

“Nitya…” He hugged her closer spooning her. “… I am so sorry that you had to go through the hardships… but I promise, it’s going to be better now onwards…”

Nitya felt a tear fall from the corner of her eye as sleep claimed her.

The next morning, she woke up alone. Maanav probably was up and exercising. She stretched and decided to get back to her workout as well.

She walked back to her room, smiling. Her mood was upbeat and she felt chirpier than ever before. She freshened up got into her tracksuit for a workout and went to the in-house gym, Maanav had mentioned the earlier day.

What she saw in front of her stunned her to the core. Naman was working out under Maanav’s watchful eyes. He had lifted tiny dumbells and was happily manoeuvring them imitating Maanav who did them with huge ones. Nitya teared up instantly. Naman’s therapists had said he needed to get into weight training to improve his mobility and strength so he could eventually improve his coordination. But Naman had never wanted to and she was too occupied to force it upon him.

She was in awe of the patience Maanav showed Naman. She didn’t disturb them and continued with her workout drawing a mean sweat… more so because of the hots for the man who had drawn up sweat for himself as he trained like a mad dog.  By the time she was done with her cool-down stretches, Naman had left and Maanav walked towards her dripping with sweat. She saw he locked the gym door on his way.

Sitting before her on his hunches, he said. “How about some freshening up before we go for breakfast?” he winked at her and her heart skipped a beat. She shrieked as he lifted her and took her to the attached sauna cum shower area. He left her to adjust the temperature and the fixtures as she looked around. It was a sleek, marble-finished space with a glass-enclosed shower, warm wood-paneled sauna, mild ambient lighting, and luxurious fixtures throughout. She felt she was in a movie scene…

Within a minute her clothes gathered at her foot as Maanav stood before her watching her with an intensity like he would gobble her up right away. Slowly the sauna came to life even as they hugged each other, and he claimed her mouth like a man starved for days. Warm steam caressed her skin while his hands roamed over the expanse of her back, settling at her buttocks. She gasped as he compressed them and hoisted her up. She quickly folded her long legs around him as he took her beneath the large shower. He didn’t want to let her down. Instead, he walked with her till her back touched the warming tile. He switched on the shower and as the gush of hot water cascaded down their bodies, his kiss deepened. Water pooled above her chest where they were joined. He let her down as he picked up a loofah and poured a little body wash… oh it was her favourite scent. Citrus!

He built up a lather and rubbed her body… across her chest, neck, arms, armpits, torso, stomach and legs. He worked his way upwards from her toes as she stood connected to the wall otherwise, she would have lost her balance in the frenzy of her arousal. His hands halted at her secret apex and as he pressed his hands around her hairy mound, she arched her back.. the water continued to fall on her face and it was then he took in one of her tight nipples in his warm mouth. She was on the fast track as the loofah was replaced by his fingers as they found their way into her wetness. She was in mid-air… ascending the pinnacles of pleasure rapidly. Her breath quickened. He released her and instantly hoisted her and as she balanced herself gripping his strong muscular shoulders, he slammed into her. He stilled as she engulfed him and then began his pace.

They didn’t last more than a minute. With barely a few strokes she screamed and gripped him tightly as the waves of pleasure shook her completely. And the next moment he grunted as he spilt into her… their pleasure cries mingled with the shower’s splash and the whispering dips on the glass panels around them. She slid down his body and they embraced each other beneath the unrelenting water.

Maanav switched off the shower and procured two bathrobes.

Holding her close he whispered into her ear. “I can’t wait for tonight, sweetheart… look what you have done to me….”

She shivered and stood on her toes as she spoke into his ears, mimicking him. “And its my turn tonight…” She got back and he hugged her tightly.

“Continue speaking like this and I won’t get any work done today…. Shadow may wonder what we are up to… common let’s get back to our rooms. Meet me in the office after breakfast.” Giving her a pat on her buttocks that made her squeal, he rushed out of the gym. She followed him after 5 minutes. The thrill of hiding their encounters from the rest of the people in the house was fun, she thought.

Soon they were assembled in the office and Naman was already hitting the keys. Nitya felt guilty about enjoying herself while danger stared at them outside the safe walls.

Maanav brushed past her and pressed her palm as he made his way next to Shadow. How did he know to calm her down?

The screen came to life as Shadow and Maanav stared at the footage. It was from a drone near Maanav’s house. A couple of people walked around the perimeter checking with people around about the location of the members after the blast. Shadow was on a call with someone who gave him the update.

“Wait… pause this… right here…” Nitya blurted not taking her eyes off the screen.

Maanav did it even as Shadow disconnected the call and looked at her and back at the screen.

“What is it Nitya, do you recognise anyone?” Shadow asked softly.

“Yes… that guy with a slight limp… I know him… see that bandage on his forehead?” Nitya pointed.

“Who is he?” this time it was Maanav as he walked closer to her.

“Its… Sajid aka… Ashfaq…” Nitya spoke in a whisper still scared from the memories in Virar that night.

Kamble kaka came ahead at that moment and adjusted his glasses as he stared at the screen.

“Oh yes…. this is Sajid. The rascal… look at the audacity… after all that’s happened.” Kaka cried out.

“Actually…” Nitya cleared her throat. “… from what I heard that evening, Ashfaq is being coerced into doing all this… he was forced to know me and date me….” she looked at Maanav who was frowning. “… not that we did though… but he was there a few times when I needed help with Amma or Naman…”

“Naman don’t like… no no… Sajid no no…” Naman began to rock and before Nitya could rush towards him, Maanav was right next to the boy and held his hand.

“Hey buddy, you don’t have to like anyone, alright? If you hate someone then go ahead… Its alright.” Maanav spoke to the boy and Naman instantly ceased rocking.

Shadow got back on the phone with his members on the other side of the glass wall. Nitya couldn’t hear much of the conversation but Shadow stood to his full height before her.

“Nitya, this was a huge breakthrough… I wasn’t getting much intel on that front. We will run a check on this Ashfaq… we will get something concrete soon. Meanwhile, I want you to tell us what exactly did you witness in that place that night…”

Nitya nodded. Kaka accompanied Naman for a video game session in his room. While here in the office Nitya sat across Maanav, Shadow and the other office operatives as she revealed what happened that evening in Virar. She was trembling by the time she came to the part where she fell and before making a run for the exit… and right then despite having an audience, Maanav was instantly next to her. If the others had an opinion on this, none of them showed it and Nitya was thankful for their discretion. Because she needed Maanav more than her next breath.

Shadow paced along the length of the office and none of them understood why… he stopped He indicated something to the other operators and they all got busy with their computers… Suddenly Shadow’s face lit up and he smiled.

“Nitya… we just got a tiny breakthrough…”

“What is it?” she waited with bated breath.

“I was getting a dead end every time I tried investigating this case… however I decided to go to the root of it all and guess what… we got a lead. About this Ashfaq.”

“Oh…” Her palm was cold and Maanav engulfed it in his warmth.

“What is it about Ashfaq, Shadow and what link?” Maanav was curious as hell.

“Well here goes. I checked how the parcel was delivered to your old residence 15 years ago… we traced stuff from there. Though it was ages ago we were lucky to get a docket number because digitisation had started post Y2K. So all data since 2003 is now available… Courier companies at that time were limited to a few and this was an international parcel. Your father sent it through someone he trusted and that man didn’t have the means to do it through hawala channels and went the direct legal way… leaving footprint behind. But…”

“…But what?” Nitya was impatient.

“But if we got this information so did they… hence they caught up with the man who did it all. It was a housekeeper-level man called Kadir. Your father trusted him probably and made him send the package…”

“So… Kadir is related to Ashfaq? I heard bits of it that evening from that man, who had threatened my mother.”

“Yes, Nitya…” Shadow replied. “… Ashfaq is Kadir’s grandson who had been forced to do this job in India.”

©priyanayakgole

(Disclaimer: This is a piece of fiction using the backdrop of the attack that happened and any resemblance to any person living or dead is purely coincidental. This doesn’t attempt to change history or facts.)

Chapter 17

“All ready…?” Maanav asked the 3 pairs of expectant eyes looking back at him. They just nodded.

Nitya was on autopilot, still unable to cope with the sudden turn of events. She also got to see different facets of Maanav as he changed roles efficiently. Fortunately, Naman was quick to adjust and he stood right next to Maanav and Nitya didn’t miss the glint in his eyes as he looked for instructions from Maanav. Nitya wondered how much Naman understood but she was proud of her brother for holding up the fort when everything around was collapsing. It was as if he didn’t have any syndrome but was a regular geek embroiled in the world of coding.

Maanav led the way to his bedroom and opened the walk-in closet. Nitya saw an amalgamation of clothing and they looked expensive as well. But why was he opening the closet? She got her answer…

Maanav moved one of the shelf lines and there was a button panel fixed to a wooden board behind. He typed in a few numbers and suddenly the panel lit up. There was a sound that seemed like someone unlatched a door and Maanav pushed the wooden board which actually was an iron one camouflaged with a coat of paint. Maanav stood aside after flicking on the lights and gestured to Naman to get in and the boy obeyed. Kaka followed and then Nitya hesitated at the entrance and looked at Maanav.

He smiled and nodded. “Trust me, ok? I know what I am doing.” He winked and she knew right then she was a goner. She nodded back and followed kaka. They were in a cavelike structure with a wall around them. It was probably carved into a huge rock. The fluorescent light was quite dim and the shadows of the crevises and protrusions in the surrounding walls seemed to come alive. It was quite spooky and every bit of the sound of their footsteps were accentuated. They moved ahead and stood at the start of a flight of rocky stairs.

Nitya looked back to see Maanav realign the wardrobe and shut its front door. He then entered a number in the panel and walked to their side before shutting it. It looked like a wall had closed. There was no sign of a door at all… Nitya looked wide-eyed at the transformation.

Maanav moved towards her and said, “That’s Shadow’s brainchild. You will meet him soon. He is brilliant with ideas. In fact, Naman is going to enjoy with Shadow…. Come…” he held out his hand and Nitya could only smile as she placed her hand in his.

Maanav with a large bag pack took the lead once again holding Nitya’s hand and surprisingly Naman followed diligently, holding the computer close to his chest like a prized possession. He refused to let anyone else hold it and Nitya was surprised to see him navigate the steep steps without much support. Though kaka was there behind the boy to help if needed Naman was the epitome of concentration and confidence. Nitya was teary thinking about how much her brother had blossomed in the last few days.

She looked at Maanav walking ahead flashing his torch and despite the long passage, she was surprised the trail seemed ventilated. Naman had claustrophobia but Maanav kept whistling a tune and Naman hummed the same. Nitya’s respect for Maanav rose notches higher. Despite being his sister, she treated Naman with kid gloves but Maanav had treated the boy like an adult and respected his opinions and caliber. That was why probably Naman was at his best behaviour and Maanav knew how to be there without actually supporting the boy.

After about 15 minutes of navigating the cul-de-sac they reached a place where the tunnel widened. Maanav gestured for them to halt and placed the bag pack down. He helped Naman keep the computer down as well and once again Nitya was stunned to see her brother was not tired at all… Kaka sat on a bag pack and Nitya could see the man was breathing heavily. He had been unwell not long ago and probably this level of excitement was too much for the senior citizen.

Maanav gave him water. They shared protein bars.

Maanav cleared his throat before he began. “Ok here’s the plan. We are going to a safe house. I had thought my house was fine, but it was proved otherwise. I wonder why our eyes couldn’t pick up the intruder. Nonetheless, we are on our way to Shadow’s special unit which doesn’t exist on the map and is very safe. Even satellite images can’t reach it because of the camouflage and that’s Shadow’s department….” Nitya could see the pride in Maanav’s eyes and his words as well and she was glad Maanav had someone so close to watch his back.

“So, Maanav, how far are we? How long do we have to walk more…?” Kaka asked.

“Not much, uncle. Another 15 minutes. Because this is an underground tunnel it looks like that. Otherwise, the safe house is just a 5-minute walk from my house.”

Nitya and kaka were stunned but Naman only smiled.

They continued their walk and as they neared the exit, Nitya could hear some kind of a gush. Was that water?

As of reading her mind, Maanav said. “Yes, Nitya, you guessed right. It’s the Dughdeshwar water fall… the origin actually. What the public sees is when the falls have traversed a few hundred feet. This place is off limits. So don’t worry…”

Nitya only nodded, the excitement draining her already and she was a physical trainer for crying out loud.

They reached the end of the trail and kaka looked like he would fall anytime. Maanav had been supporting the senior man while Nitya supported Naman, who was now struggling but not ready to let go of his prized possession.

There was a dead end and Nitya knew it was anything but a wall. She was right. Maanav placed his palm on it and there was a beep sound. Suddenly a panel formed itself on the wall. Maanav put in a few numbers and a similar process followed. The wall opened.

With Kaka in the lead they entered a bedroom closet very similar to Maanav’s back in his house. As Nitya looked around the tastefully done room, she heard Maanav speak something on his walkie talkie and within 5 min, the door to the bedroom opened. A giant-like man walked in and Nitya marveled at his poise. He was synonymous with ‘gentle giant’ Stunningly rugged and handsome and well built over 6 feet tall. He walked in and immediately took stock of the situation. Immediately Maanav and he hugged each other like long lost friends and Nitya didn’t need any introduction to know he was ‘Shadow’.

“Nitya, kaka and Naman, this is my closest friend and closer than any family I can ever have, Shiv or as we call him, Shadow. This is his operating house. Doubles up as a safe house and has underground access from my house as well as we just saw. We are going to stay here for a while.” Maanav looked at them and his face beamed of admiration for his friend.

After making the introductions, they were shown their respective rooms. These were much smaller than in Maanav’s home but still it was comfortable. Nitya wondered, if they were in the middle of no where and of the place was super secluded then who did the upkeep?

Her questions were answered yet again as she saw a middle-aged husband-wife pair, Raghav and Aparna who doubled up as housekeepers and cooks. Kaka immediately went off for his nap not wanting to eat anything whereas Nitya and Naman wolfed down a simple yet delicious lunch of chapati and potato bhaji along with buttermilk. Aparna was apologetic that they couldn’t make anything special because of the short notice. However, Nitya thanked them for the meal and helped Naman to his room. Maanav and Shadow had disappeared into their hideout.

She had been tired as well… and soon she dozed off.

She was abruptly woken up by a knock and she instantly sat up, dazed. The room was dark. How long was she out? She checked the time in her mobile phone. It was 7PM… oh goodness she had slept for 5 hours straight. She switched on the lights and answered the door.

Maanav stood waiting and her heart did somersaults right at that instant. He had worn a body-hugging black t-shirt and loose track pants. His jaw-dropping grin was plastered on his handsome face. The few days old stubble didn’t help her cause to settle her heart.

“Done with your beauty sleep…?”  he leaned forward and rested his elbow on the doorframe. “…I wouldn’t have woken you up but you need to see whats going on. Come to the dining and have some hot coffee and snacks. Then we can go into my lair. Naman is waiting for us.”

“Naman…?” She was still sleepy

“…Oh yes. Naman and Shadow have developed a strange partnership. The genius boy just unscrambled a few codes for Shadow’s other project. Shadow is the best in technology and among the select few this country have… and he was stuck with this project. Naman resolved it for him… do you still don’t believe, Nitya?” Maanav’s voice was soft this time as he asked the last question.

Nitya blinked back tears.

“hey…” he pushed an unruly curled lock away from her forehead as he leaned closer and the strong citrus fragrance swept her into his folds. She forgot to breathe. “…Its ok… Naman is OK… you are safe here. Naman is only going to move ahead in life… take that from me. Stop worrying about him, alright?” Maanav’s words were soft yet powerful.

She couldn’t hold back her tears. Years of struggle involving countless visits to doctors and therapists and educators had drained her out in every way. It all flashed before her eyes like a movie. Before she knew he wrapped her in his arms. She held him tightly as if her life depended on it and she didn’t even know when they moved back into her room and shut the door behind them.

She had switched on just a dim light and as she looked at him, his face a shadow of flickering emotions, strong and raw, her heart paced further. They had their moments cut short earlier… in fact from childhood. He was her elixir… even as children. Later during testing times in her life his memories helped her sail through and now he was in front of her in flesh and blood. She didn’t know anything else, didn’t want to know.

Even as she contemplated, his lips came crashing down on hers. Her moans filled the space around even as his hard stubbled lips feasted on her soft ones. For a moment he let go and looked into her eyes, probably checking for her reaction. But she missed him immediately and dragged him back, surprised at her audacity. His one hand held her hair and the other snaked along her back and gripped her buttock as he pulled her closer, not wanting to let even air pass through them.

She felt him hardening against her and gasped. Taking that moment his tongue made its way into her softness and she lost it. His tongue roamed her insides and she tasted coffee, Somewhere deep inside the roots of an arousal were sowed and it grew with a remarkable intensity shocking her to the core. She had never felt like that anytime before. As he plundered her mouth her hold over his hair heightened and she rose on her toes to accommodate him further.

She thought she would shatter right then as his hands began their exploration moving underneath her t-shirt. His calloused palm touching her bare soft skin sent her soaring high and before she could even reach her pinnacle, his phone buzzed….

Maanav swore beneath his breath a series of expletives she didn’t know existed in his vocabulary and rubbed his face moving away from her and answered the call.

She couldn’t believe this was happening to them. It was always the cup and the lip… would they ever have their union? She hugged herself, feeling the chill despite the warm climate.

She couldn’t hear him talk but he finished the call and came close to her. Placing his hands on her shoulder he spoke. “Nitya, you must come to the office. Naman has discovered something… get that letter from your father addressed to you…. And I promise tonight is ours…” he winked and left the room.

Nitya sported a smile as she had her re heated coffee and reached the ‘office’. Contrary to her expectations, the office was nothing short of a complete house on itself. There were a few employees in various cubicles in one side of the vast room. There was a glass partition separating the place from where they stood. In her segment there were 2 similar cubicles and Naman was seated in one of them engrossed in his world of codes. The music played like they had heard in Maanav’s room but this time there was a special monitor connected that kept showing something in dots and dashes. Nitya knew it was the morse code. Her heart fell … what on earth was happening? Kaka sat on a chair while Shadow kept a close watch over the proceedings, indicating to his team on the other side who were busy analysing the data he was sending across.

Maanav came close to her and held her palm and it was then she realized she had held it stiff. “Easy Nitya, easy… just relax. Shadow will manage it all. Don’t worry…” he leaned and said and the velvety feel of his voice along with the whiff of his talc worked wonders for her nerves.

Shadow turned around to speak but looked at their clasped hands and had an amused look on his face as he looked at Maanav. The two had some kind of a communication between them. Nitya tried to let go but Maanav gripped it further.

Clearing his throat, Shadow spoke. “Nitya, your father was a genius of the greatest order. From what we know so far he was duped into going to that country by a trusted friend and was forced to make something that shouldn’t have reached here… However, 26/7 happened. These here…” Shadow pointed towards the attached monitor. “…Your father probably tried to prevent it, but failed. However those b@#$%!^&ds were also trying a follow up attack unexpectedly on the Indian subcontinent… While we are busy securing Mumbai the attack was to be somewhere else where it was least expected and it was at a time when technology was sparse compared to what we have today… we would have been sitting goats…” Shadow continued as Nitya stared, tears flowing unhindered down her cheeks. Maanav held her close and rubbed her shoulders as she tried to fathom the new intel.

“But then how did you understand all this, Shadow? As far as I know we got no such intel those days and that’s when Dr. Mohandas was considered one of the accused.” Kaka questioned and Nitya wondered how much did he know at that time. But given that he was the only one who supported them, he had believed her father wasn’t one of the accused. She suddenly felt like a burden was lifted off her shoulders.

Shadow pointed again to the large monitor still with the codes. “As you see these are morse codes not put in directly but the musical notes formed them. It was a beautiful conversion into this format that I couldn’t dream of but this young man here deciphered it. The letters are scrambled though so its taking a while for my team to unscramble them to form words. However, one aspect is for sure, Nitya’s father caused a chaos when he deliberately messed up the codes. That’s what I think… he had guessed something wasn’t correct and he had this instrument sent as a package back in India. However, it wasn’t easy to decode it all and he knew someone extremely intelligent would decode it or it would never see the light of the day… either ways it was his way of preventing the attack…”

“Attack? Again?” kaka asked again.

“Yes. As per this data, the attack was planned that same year on the 6^th of December the day remembered as the Babri Masjid demolition day… however, since whatever they wanted to use couldn’t be activated, they had to abort it.”

“Shadow, was that why they set shop in Virar-Vasai belt in Mumbai? To find answers?”

“From the looks of it, they must be desperate… even 15 years ago to set up such intricate and elaborate sinister plans would have cost them a lot and the morons obviously don’t have the grey matter to match Dr, Mohandas. I am sure whatever it is requires this instrument and the special codes to trigger. Which they can’t get from anywhere else… that’s the reason they were after this instrument and of course Naman because he is the catalyst for it all.”

Shadow looked at all 3 of them as they watched stunned. “Nitya, you should be proud of your father and I hope we clear his name through this. From what I am guessing he prevented a catastrophe…. Lets gradually find out what they were upto.”

Shadow declared a break for the day and while Naman chose to remain with Shadow, his new hero, in the office, kaka hurried into his room. Maanav and Nitya walked hand in hand and approached Nitya’s room. Maanav’s room was right next to hers.

With her back towards the door she stared into his eyes… the combination of what was just revealed to her about appa, along with her ever increasing feelings for Maanav was overwhelming.

Maanav too stood staring at her and given the darkness falling on his face in the dim light of the passageway, she couldn’t make out what he felt but he was breathing heavily and his grip on her hand tightened, She didn’t need anything else.

“Maanav…?” She whispered.

“Hmmm…” the quiver in his voice gave him away.

“You remember the promise you made earlier, right?” She waited with bated breath as he straightened to his complete height.

“I am a man of my word, sweetheart…” Maanav declared and she shrieked as he lifted her off her feet and rushed towards his room.

©priyanayakgole

(Disclaimer: This is a piece of fiction using the backdrop of the attack that happened and any resemblance to any person living or dead is purely coincidental. This doesn’t attempt to change history or facts.)

Chapter 16

He lost her?

“What… what are you saying, Maanav?” She looked up at him even as a stray tear meandered its way down her cheek.

“Nitya… I am sorry I met Naman behind your back but Kamble uncle was present throughout. I know I should have asked you but… but Nitya I didn’t have the courage to face you.” He left her and moved away drawing a hand over his fatigued face.

“Maanav, just… who are you?” She barely whispered and he turned around. He looked stricken and she wanted to give him a hug to console him. She reigned in her emotions.

He sighed and indicated to her to sit on the bed. When she did, he began pacing.

“Nitya, I have been a soldier… worked for the country, predominantly in the covert ops. I can’t tell you anything beyond that. I did that for almost a decade till recently when I was injured and my identity was compromised…” he walked for a moment and continued. “… I then joined my fellow comrade and close friend Shiv aka Shadow. He founded this Special Protection Services (SPS) and we are the bodyguards on special missions beyond just protecting our clients….” He came close to where she sat and got on his hunches in front of her. Holding her hands, he continued. “…In the wildest of my dreams, I didn’t know that my first client would be… you, Nitya. I had given up after trying for years through different means… it was like you had chosen to hide. What were you doing Nitya…?” The earnest look in his eyes in the dim light with strange shadows on his face caused by the incandescence, broke her heart.

She gripped his hands and bit her upper lip, trying to regain her composure. He seemed to understand her state and made light circles on the area between her thumb and index finger. She bent her head, trying to hide her tears, but he swiftly stood and sitting next to her on the bed, gathered her in his arms. She knew right at that moment… she was home. Maanav was home.

“Don’t worry, Nitya, everything’s going to be fine I promise.” He rubbed her back even as she cried her heart out. She didn’t know she had the lava bubbling within her, threatening to eat her insides… but today it had erupted. The years of turmoil all washed away in Maanav’s arms.

Maanav arranged the pillows on the headrest of the bed and sat in front of them. He pulled her closer and without an iota of hesitation, she moved into his waiting arms. Placing her head on his chest, she gripped his t-shirt. Now that she was paying attention, she felt the strong muscles beneath and a shiver ran through her body. How would it feel to have that mass against her? She smiled as he continued to rub her back. They weren’t lying down but it was still arousing. She had never been with a man who could stimulate her on all counts, like Maanav did. This wasn’t just physical… it was beyond that… way beyond.

Maanav switched off the bedside lamp and the room plunged into darkness.

“Nitya…?” Maanav purred.

“Hmm…?” She hoped he wouldn’t ask her to go back to her room. She was most comfortable now.

“Could you tell me why and how were you hiding… I mean no one and I mean the best of eyes didn’t catch you…I suspected something would have happened…” His hold tightened.

Nitya shut her eyes and dug her nose into his chest, the citrus talc he had used earlier, calming her surge of emotions. She had a whiff of the fragrance earlier when he had come close to give her tea. “I didn’t have a choice, Maanav. I don’t know how much you know about my life but at one time Amma felt threatened and it was affecting her sanity… Of course, I now know what those people were after… but at the time keeping Amma sane and Naman safe was my priority. No one could know about us.”

“But how long were you going to keep hiding…?”

“I don’t know, Maanav. I just don’t know. But how did you find us?” She rested her weight on her elbow as she rose and looked at his face in the darkness, his silhouette barely visible.

“That’s because of Kamble uncle… he stirred it up a few years ago….”

Now that got her attention. “What? Kamble kaka? But if he had the connections then he could have gotten rid of that computer and we could have had a better life…” She was exhausted and sleepy to the core and yet she was arguing. She had to get the answers.

“Nitya, I know it’s difficult to believe. I came into the picture only recently… However, Kamble uncle who is an ex-special op, made it a point to keep tabs on you 3. He was asked to wait… until Naman decoded that instrument.”

Speaking about timing… It suddenly struck her like a thunderbolt. She had always wondered why kaka had gone out of his way to help them. Speaking of which if kaka hadn’t been in the picture, it would have been next to impossible for her to manage everything alone. She remembered the times he had helped them not just with managing Naman or her mother’s moods, but also with money. She realised she wasn’t bitter at all, but a sense of gratitude settled in her heart and she said a mental prayer.

“Nitya, stop thinking about the past now…” Maanav said softly. “…Whatever happened, it’s water under the bridge and I strongly feel like our fathers conspired together… they were like partners in crime.” He chuckled and she went back to her favourite place on his chest.

He immediately held her close, and within minutes she was fast asleep.

The warm rays of the morning sun woke her up and she sat upright instantly. Maanav wasn’t around and she was lying on the bed, covered by the comforter. When had she come to this position, she didn’t remember. She was dead to the world, and she had never slept soundly like this for years before… She stretched and rushed out of the room before kaka saw her there. She didn’t want to give anyone the wrong idea…

She smiled as she tiptoed back to her room and locked herself in. She giggled like a teenager almost caught by her parents for breaking the curfew or being seen with a boyfriend.

After a shower, she went downstairs and the sight before her eyes melted her heart. Maanav and Naman sat together for breakfast and Maanav helped her brother to cut the omelette pieces. He made Naman serve tea, and she stood rooted to her spot on the staircase as she saw Naman being an epitome of concentration. He barely spilled tea and Maanav just gave him a nod and a pat on his hand. Naman looked at Maanav and she could see the hero worship in his eyes. Her heart stopped… what she would not give for this moment to freeze. She had never seen Naman bloom like he did in the past few days and despite the incident yesterday, he wasn’t traumatised. It was all because of Maanav.

Naman looked at her and smiled. The gap between his front big incisors looked endearing as he flashed his pearls. He rarely smiled like that… “Didi… tea… Naman, Maanav sit. No dropping.” He blurted excitedly.

She nodded and walked towards the duo. Maanav turned to look at her and her heart skipped a beat. He had worn a loose t-shirt and in that cosy dining area, they looked like a normal family. At the same time, her heart fell… this was only temporary and their lives were at risk. She shook her head. She would enjoy these moments. Naman was so happy… she didn’t want to burst his bubble.

“That’s so nice Naman, didi saw you pouring the tea. Good job there. You didn’t spill it.” She gave him a high-five and Naman stiffened his fingers and shook them like he always did whenever he got excited. She immediately looked at Maanav to see his reaction to this display by her brother… her heart pacing as she panicked. What would Maanav think of Naman? But to her surprise, Maanav too gave the boy a high-five and the next moment, Naman hugged Maanav, stunning her to the core. Naman couldn’t tolerate human touch in general, and she was the only exception. She teared up…and looked away.

“Naman, why don’t you go upstairs and start the computer? I shall join you in a few minutes.” Maanav said softly and Naman scampered away like a little boy who was just given his favourite chocolate.

Nitya felt his hand on her shoulder and turned around. She didn’t know what to say in the tsunami of emotions tugging her insides. She just looked into his eyes. The abyss of emotions, particularly kindness. No, he wasn’t pitying her, but she found trust… something she was so desperately looking for.

“Nitya… you don’t worry, alright? Naman is cool. He is brilliant… in fact, he is a genius. You probably don’t know what he had found…” He pointed in the direction where Naman had gone. “… you have a gem there. Naman is priceless, Nitya. You have done a great job with him.”

She didn’t know what came over her, but she hugged him instantly. He didn’t wait to hug her back. While she blinked back tears and gripped at his t-shirt-covered back as if her life depended on him, he bent and kissed her temple and then hovered tentatively lower till she could feel his warm breath on her earlobe. She stood still not wanting to disturb the moment, and then he kissed her ear. “Gosh, Nitya…” he whispered into her ear. “… I have been wanting to do since long…”

Her grip on his t-shirt tightened, and so did his embrace. The world disappeared, and she shut her eyes, tilting her head to give him access to her neck. He didn’t disappoint her and she felt the warmth swarming over her neck below her ears. He pecked at her slender neck and she thought she would collapse right there… giddy with excitement. Her heart was racing and so were the flutters in her stomach. Was this the moment she had waited for years? This felt so new, yet familiar. Because it was Maanav… she knew right then that it had always been Maanav all the way… even in his absence. No one could measure up to his image in her mind.

She felt a nip on her neck and gasped as he took a tiny bit of her skin in between his teeth. He let it go and blew on it… she was floating in mid-air…. safe in her bubble of trust and love. Yes, she was in love with Maanav; she always was. As a child and later even as an adult without knowing how he had turned out to be… The chill on her neck where he had nipped her sent shivers down her body and all she wished at that time was to lay somewhere and enclose him in her soft warmth. She knew he felt the same if the hard prodding against her stomach was any indication.

Maanav tightened his hold further and rested his chin on her head, sighing. She buried her nose in the crook of his neck, kissing the side of his Adam’s apple. She felt his tremble beneath her hands and the fact that she was the cause of it thrilled her to no end.

“Nitya… if you do that again then… I…” Maanav halted, and she felt him gulp. “…I won’t be able to contain it anymore… you know this isn’t a one-day wait, right?” He held her in front of him by her shoulders.

Nitya smiled and looked away… gosh, she was embarrassed. His grip hardened on her shoulder and she looked up into his eyes. He was frowning. “Nitya… while I don’t want this moment to end… there is something very pressing that needs to be taken care of. This sword hanging over our heads should be dealt with so we can get our lives back.” The yearning in his eyes gutted her.

She nodded… how could she think of her pleasure in such a situation, she wondered. He must have guessed her feelings. “Nitya…” he spoke softly. “… don’t berate yourself anymore. Remember, Naman is this amazing guy, and the reason is you… his determined didi. He revers you, Nitya and I remember how you spoke lovingly about him in childhood. He has come this far because of your efforts…. don’t ever feel guilty about anything…. got it?”

She nodded blinking back tears. Maanav had only met her, after years, but he knew the right things to tell her to make her feel better. Hand in hand, they walked together upstairs to Naman’s room. The boy was engrossed in tying something and didn’t bother about their intrusion. He was ricking steadily and Nitya knew he was upto something. He rocked only when he was about to do something big or he was reaching his target. Maanav gestured for her to wait while he left the room. Soon Naman halted, and she saw something flash on the worn-out screen. Some set of codes began to form and scroll upwards. Right then Naman began to rock furiously, and the music began to play… like the one that played on the night she left her house and moved with Kamble kaka. She got goosebumps and stared at the screen.

Right then Maanav walked in with a worn-out torn carton and sat next to Naman. Naman immediately ceased rocking and looked at Maanav. Her throat clogged yet again seeing the idol worship in Naman’s eyes for Maanav… Inhaling deeply, she watched the scene unfold before her. Was this the beginning of the end of tribulations for Naman and her? And how was Maanav connected? What exactly had their fathers planned?

Maanav opened a letter and gave it to her… it was addressed to him by his father. Right then she remembered her letters and rushed to her room to retrieve them. She had the good sense to take them along when they had left home.

Returning to Naman’s room, she placed both the letters on the side table and Maanav moved close to her. Her anxiety had shot up but a tiny whiff of that citrus and she calmed instantly. Maanav read through all the other letters and then the one addressed to her and was as confused as her. He kept thinking about it. “Nitya if you realise, both the fathers mentioned ‘saving the world...’ and ‘taking help’… something about ‘completing the circle... I don’t get this but what I have in my possession, from my father, should be a crucial link. That’s probably must be the ‘complete the cycle’ thing my father mentioned… rest this language by your father doesn’t make sense at the moment… but let’s hold on to what we have….” He was back in his operative mode and Nitya was still reeling with the findings. She wondered what their fathers discussed in the park all those years ago and she couldn’t wait to get to the bottom of it all.

Maanav unwrapped the contents of the box. He further removed the bubble wrap and even as Nitya and Naman watched with bated breaths. He removed an object that looked like an ancient cordless phone that was in vogue in the early 2000s. He looked at Naman’s instrument and then looked back at the sibling duo. Naman wheeled his revolving chair closer to the instrument. He took the object from Maanav’s hand and hovered around the instrument before placing it in the hollow in the corner. Suddenly the object lit up strangely and some kind of codes and incorrigible tunes began to play from his computer. Naman furiously got back to typing and Maanav placed his hand on Nitya’s clasped ones. She was a wreck.

The door to the room opened again and Kamble kaka walked in hurriedly. “Maanav where is your…?” He halted mid-sentence as he watched the display on the computer and they heard the tune change. The song now repeated, but the notes seemed complete.

“This is Ripples genesis… I know the melody…” Maanav declared. “…I have to report this…”

But before he could say anything or do anything further, Naman began a tirade. “Second one… attack… December… second attack… sequel attack… December…water attack again…. second attack…”. He began to rock. He was in his own world and tears streamed down Nitya’s cheeks. She knew Naman was in agony…

Maanav instantly walked closer to Naman and put his hand on the boy’s shoulders. “Hey buddy, you did well… you know that, right?”

Nitya was lost and so was kaka…

“Maanav this is it… this is the closure your fathers would have wanted. Let’s hand this over to the authorities…” Kaka said.

Maanav stood his height and pondered over the tune that kept playing in perfect synchrony.

“Wait uncle, we must resolve this. We just know things have matched but we don’t know what it is… let’s find it first. Some clue… somewhere… I must discuss this with Shadow…” Maanav spoke up and kaka instantly replied.

“…. Wait Maanav… I almost forgot the reason I came barging into the room… I was taking a walk around and I saw this man in overalls….”

Right then there was a huge bang… a blast and on instinct Maanav held Naman and fell to the floor with Naman underneath. Dragging out his hand, he pulled a stunned Nitya closer to the floor and Kamble kaka was sprawled next. There was no smoke, but Nitya could still feel the vibrations.

“….meant… that man was suspicious so I tried calling you… you didn’t answer, Maanav…” Kaka panted as he spoke.

But Maanav was already on his walkie-talkie. “Bullet here… we have been attacked…Plan B… Ok… Ok… over and out…”

He stood and pulled Naman along. He held out his hand for Nitya and Kaka stood up straightening his clothes.

“What… what was all that, Maanav? Is this place compromised? Was that a blast?” Nitya was worried.

They heard sirens from a distance and knew there would be a gathering of people by now. The perps wouldn’t linger for so long.

“Later, Nitya… for now we must make a move… Naman can I trust you with the instruments?” Maanav asked Naman to Nitya’s utmost surprise.

Naman scampered around the instrument console, unplugging it and dismantling it. Within a couple of minutes, he packed them and for a boy with poor dexterity, he had done a neat job. The blast didn’t seem to have disturbed him given his chirpy attitude, but Nitya knew it was because of Maanav. She was glad she didn’t have to deal with it all alone.

“So where are we going…? we have to escape the law enforcement gathering outside…” kaka said.

“Don’t worry uncle… the arrangements have been made… we will disappear. Through the wall… literally…” Maanav looked at a stunned Nitya and winked.

©priyanayakgole

(Disclaimer: This is a piece of fiction using the backdrop of the attack that happened and any resemblance to any person living or dead is purely coincidental. This doesn’t attempt to change history or facts.)

Chapter 15

The picturesque Himalayas beckoned her as she ran through the woods without a care in the world. For once she didn’t have to look over her back to check if someone was following her or if there were any debt collectors… she didn’t have to bother about her father not responding to her mother’s emails or hearing her mother cry every day or her brother scream during his melt down… no one here asked her to be responsible at 9 years… that’s because Maanav made her feel protected. She was like a delicate Himalayan blue poppy while Maanav was like a towering, ancient Himalayan cedar standing tall amidst the rugged mountains. Its strong, thick trunk and expansive branches creating a natural canopy, offering shelter from the harsh winds and heavy snowfall.

While she revelled in the euphoria of the moment a fear gnawed at her insides… what if Maanav left her too or what if he began to judge her? for her absentee father, unpredictable mother and a special needs brother? No… Maanav wasn’t like the others. He stood by her in the camp too though she was a strong girl and fiercely independent. She liked these moments with him, to depend on him. She had sked him just that morning, “Maanav what if someone… like for instance your father tells you not to remain friends with me. Will you stop talking to me?”

He had frowned and given her a strange look. “Nitya, you are my best friend, in fact my only friend. So it goes beyond saying that come what may, I will always be there for you and promise me that you will be there for me as well…”

She had nodded happily.

Right then there was a blast… there was fire all over and suddenly she was in Mumbai in her housing colony and her house was on fire. Oh goodness, Naman was alone at home. She tried to run but was rooted in that spot and she couldn’t move.

“Naman… Naman… somebody help him…” She screamed as fear for her brother engulfed her. She felt guilty for having fun leaving Naman behind. But wait… she was 9 years old, wasn’t she?

“Nitya, wake up… are you alright? Is it a nightmare? Nitya… Nitya…”

Someone shook her and she gasped, sitting up immediately. That was a mistake. A mother of all headaches hit her as she gripped her head and groaned. Maanav was calling her out. Why couldn’t he shut up? Her head pounded threatening to split into a million pieces.

“Nitya…?” His voice softened, and she felt his strong yet paradoxically soft hand rubbing her back. “…Here, have some water…” he held up a glass.

She took it and gulped it. It was a bit sweet. He must have added something. She opened her eyes, squinting at the strong lights and realised she wasn’t in her bedroom. Oh, right, she had fallen right outside. Oh goodness, this was so embarrassing!

But then the last talk she heard came back with a bang.

“Maanav…I…” she looked around clearly now that her vision had accommodated well.

“You should relax, Nitya. You haven’t eaten anything. Your BP was low and I am sure your sugar levels must have dropped as well… I had come to your room earlier to call you for dinner, but you were fast asleep…” He went to his study and placed the empty glass on the tray. It was then she saw she lay a bit, head raised on his enormous bed and next to her was an opened medical kit. The stethoscope and a sphygmomanometer lay open beside it. Did Maanav call a doctor? No, there wasn’t any sign of anyone else…

“… Yes, Nitya… don’t think too much…” Maanav interrupted her thoughts, and she saw him look at her with a strange amusement in his eyes. “… I am trained to handle medical emergencies. So don’t worry… you were in safe hands.” He winked at her and moved to pack up the kit and her heart skipped a beat…. yet again.

He helped her up, and they walked together downstairs to the dining room. He held her arm and she swayed twice. She didn’t realise she felt dizzy and weak, or was it because of his proximity?

He held the chair out for her and helped her sit. He then took out a pan and some eggs from the fridge.

“Maaa… Maanav, are you cooking? You don’t have to do it. I can manage with what’s left.”

He didn’t seem to hear her and went on making quick work of beating the eggs 5 of them… gosh…5? Did he think she was an elephant? But she was too tired to protest and the fresh aroma of the flavours he added made her mouth water. She sat back, watching his chiselled back and choosing to drool over food instead of that piece of work standing in front of her.

Maanav reduced the burner range and turned around. “Nitya, your dinner was so tasty that we finished it in a go… well I am guilty of having the largest portion but…” He ran his hand through his unruly curls. Gosh he should stop doing such things around her. Didn’t he have the faintest idea what it did to her? Nitya wondered even as he continued. “… I never had something so… so very tasty for years. I wanted to prepare something for you in return and came to see you sleeping. I even kept the door to my room ajar so I could hear you if you woke up. And then I heard the thud…”

He turned around to flip the omelette and it was then she realised he had two pans on the burners. Was he joining her too?

Placing the two plates on the dining table he sat opposite her. He gestured for her to eat… but he needn’t have done that, she was so hungry. The appetizing aroma worked instantly and for someone who didn’t relish eggs, she devoured it. Gosh, the man could cook!

She looked up only when she had finished it all and saw him smile. It was the first time she saw him do it. It brightened up his face and the slight glow under the pendant light sent her heart soaring. The rest of the house was in darkness. Naman and kaka must be sleeping for sure, given the excitement of the day.

Maanav immediately looked away and stood up taking the dishes along with him. He put them in the sink and rinsed them too…

She walked to the living room and sat on the couch resting her aching neck on the sofa rest. Maanav switched on a night lamp, showering the area around the couch with warm golden hues. The clinking of porcelain broke the silent serenity of the pleasant air as Maanav placed the tea-set on the centre table. Her heart thudded heart as she watched his movements, careful and deliberate, as he poured steaming tea into a cup. Kneeling beside her, he brought the cup close to her, his eyes never leaving her face. His hand was steady yet tender and her hesitant eyes met his gaze, their fingers touched, a silent exchange of affection and understanding passing between them.

The world around her faded away and all she could see were the sparkle in his beautiful eyes, revealing yet concealing an abyss of emotions and all she wanted was to sink into their depths. The start of a tentative smile on his lips with his now full-grown light beard, her hands ached to touch and feel that unruly mane she wished to run her hands through as she….

The phone buzzed right then and she startled out of her reverie. He seemed to be confused as well as he scrambled around looking for his phone.

“yea… Shadow… what?… where…?” Maanav transformed from a carefree guy sharing food with her minutes ago to an operative. His stance changed and he walked straightening his spine towards the window. It was then she realised all the drapes were drawn and the doors were locked as well.

Maanav pressed a few keys on a panel and continued speaking on the phone. “…its intact… there no sign of intrusion…. a drone? Wait let me check…. they are safe. Don’t worry…yea…give me a minute.”

Maanav held his hand over the mobile and looked at her. “Nitya, looks like there is something I have to attend to. Just stay tight here and don’t follow me, alright? And if there is any sign of trouble… tear the sofa cushion right in the centre and take out a phone. Dial your… birthday and year. The man on the other end will guide you to escape, no questions asked… Just take Naman along with you and if possible, his computer too….”

Stunned, she was about to ask him when he held up his hand to silence her and rushed to switch off the lone luminescence in the room. The room plunged into darkness and it was then she was aware of a buzz… wait was it…. before she could react, she felt him next to her.

“Don’t worry about this buzz. Its our drone… for our vigilance. It detected something suspicious that I need to check from the rooftop. My folks are close by… but you should go upstairs and get… um… dressed. Just in case….”

It was then she realised she was in the bathrobe and her long leg was exposed. Oh goodness… thankfully it was dark.  She stumbled across the stairs with Maanav’s help and soon shut herself in her room. Within a minute, she dressed using the light glow of her phone. And taking the pouch containing Naman’s medicines she slung it across her waist and was out of her room. She rushed to Naman’s room and saw the boy was fast asleep… it was interesting to see him relaxed because he slept without his sleep medication. She smiled as she sat next to him on the bet but he didn’t stir.

After almost half an hour, Maanav knocked lightly and gestured her outside. She came out instantly…

“What happened?” She whispered.

“Nothing to worry… it was a false alarm… some rag pickers. My team is handling them but they seem harmless… don’t worry…” Maanav seemed distracted.  He didn’t even realise he had gripped her hand and Nitya didn’t bother to pry it off. She needed this reassurance too… she needed the calloused warmth touching her. He took her to his room and it was then he probably realised he had been holding her hand… He let it go. “… I…I am sorry, Nitya…” he drove his hand through his hair as he switched on the night lamp in his room.

He had changed into fitting pants and had a jacket too. there was a slight bulge on the right side of his chest and she didn’t have to second guess… it was a gun. She shuddered and looked away. How long would it be before he told her what was going on? She knew it had to do with her and Naman, else they wouldn’t have been here. Despite her emotions running all over the place she had to be practical.

Maanav sat on his enormous bed, staring at the glazed tiles on the floor, lost in thought.

She moved closer to him and sat next to him. “Maanav, can you please tell me now? What’s going on? I know its something to do with that computer or whatever it is that my father made… but that was years ago, so what’s it all about?”

Maanav held her hand as though it was a common reflex. Not that she was complaining. But he was still in a different zone. “Nitya… you probably don’t know but according to our intelligence that computer is a masterpiece made by a genius scientist… your father and Naman is the one who has decoded the mysteriously scrambled codes on it.”

He turned towards her and looked down at her hand in his as he continued. “Nitya, I had given up on seeing you again in this lifetime and… life has come a full circle has it not?”

Nitya was choked with emotions. “Maanav, what do you do exactly? Can you share it with me please? And what is all this about codes… exactly how important is this?”

Maanav let her hand down and stood. He walked along the length of the room as if weighing his words.

“Nitya, do you remember our fathers would meet in that park when we were kids? That’s where it all began…” Maanav struggled with words and Nitya could understand why. He was older at the time and more perceptive. He stood with his back to her as he fidgeted with the edges of his lace curtains and continued. “… I don’t know the intricate details but your father was a part of something important when he got recruited overseas… I think it was a trap and my dad thought as well.”

Nitya gasped. Of all the things, this wasn’t what she had expected to hear. She clutched at her t-shirt as she struggled to breathe. What was wrong with her? Before she knew he was by her side and caressed her back.

“Nitya, are you ok? Are you sure you want to hear this? It can wait…”

“…NO… it … can’t…” She realised she was crying, but she had to do this. “… too many years… know truth… please … Maanav.”

He must have been worried… he gathered her in his arms and for the first time in her life Nitya felt warmth in a hug. She didn’t remember the last time she had something like this… was it from Appa? She didn’t know. Amma never hugged people, she hated it and Namam didn’t like the touch and pressure. But this was bliss. Nitya didn’t even hesitate. The years in between never happened; it looked like. She dug her face into his chest and only felt him tighten his hold as if he were grasping at straws too. What was his story? Would he share with her? did he still trust her? After all they were just kids once upon a time and now there was a lot of water under the bridge.

“Gosh… Nitya. What happened to us? Where were you all these years? I looked… everywhere…” She heard him and the vibrations of his baritone through his chest enveloped her completely. She didn’t want this moment to end. Her breathing paced, but this wasn’t panic anymore. It was her yearning for a man… for Maanav. Years of subdued feelings were competing to jump up to the surface. But she had to reign them in. He was her best friend and probably thought of her as one too… even now. She couldn’t ruin it.

She moved away and straightened her clothes. He didn’t stop her, but she felt him hesitating to let go.

“Maanav, I am tired. Let’s sleep over this. Can we talk tomorrow?”

“Yes Nitya… sure.”

She began to walk towards the door but suddenly halted and turned around.

“Um… Maanav?”

He stood up and walked towards her not letting go of the eye contact. He stood close… close enough that their breaths almost mingled. She cleared her throat and looked away.

“Maanav…” she whispered. “… there is something I need to ask before I go to bed.”

That made him move a bit away and she never hated herself more than that moment.

Rubbing a hand over his face he asked. “What is it?”

“Why are you after that computer…? I mean i know there’s something in it… but why are you so fiercely protective… I saw you protect it. Probably more than Naman.”

He was back to pulling the edges of the curtain. “That’s because I am intricately linked with all this.”

“Meaning?”

He turned and walked towards her, rapidly. Coming close, he held her shoulders.

“Nitya, our fathers had this notion that they could create something and go overboard to protect the nation. So despite everything, your father, even in his death, made that computer accessible only to Naman and then …there was my dad. He left me something I got some years ago…”

“Wha…what did he leave you?” Nitya tried to suppress the panic breathing that reared its ugly head. But she had to face this someday.

Maanav must have sensed it. He pulled her into a hug and she gripped at his lapels as if her life depended on it. “Take it easy Nitya… we are in this together now… we will see this through… together. Don’t get scared, ok?”

“Maanav just say it… whatever it is… I am ok” Her grip tightened so did his embrace.

He rested his chin on her head. He began to say a bit and surprisingly, it began to calm her down. “Nitya, my dad left me a small instrument that looks like a cordless phone. I think your father had made that as well… he left a letter too that made no sense but when I first met Naman and when Kamble uncle happened to tell me about the prototype in your house, I thought there may be a connection….” Nitya was glad he held her else she would have collapsed into a heap right there. Maanav’s voice reduced in intensity further. “… earlier today I checked out my theory and… and… it worked….” He held her away and like a kid who found his lost chocolate he excitedly continued. “…it worked Nitya… your father was a genius… I don’t know it all yet but Naman …. can help us…”

“…Wait a minute…” She frowned, looking into his eyes. What was she searching? She didn’t know. “…you met Naman before all this happened in the morning?”

“Yes. I did.” The look in his eyes disappeared, and he was back into business. Was that all fake? And was she disappointed? Of course, she was!!

She moved further away and crossed her hands against her chest. She didn’t know what she felt right now. Whether it was the subdued emotional surge, her feelings for him, or whether it was the annoyance about him hiding things from her or whether it was that gnawing sense of betrayal that lingered… she couldn’t tell. She raised an eyebrow as she waited for him to speak.

“Nitya, look …” he sighed. “… It isn’t that simple. I had to crosscheck…”

“What did you have to cross-check? Whether I was an enemy of the nation like my late father? Or the reason I was hiding away?” She couldn’t help the hot tears cascading down her cheeks, and she didn’t care.

“No Nitya… its not what you think…” he moved towards her but this time she held up her hand, halting him.

“No Maanav… I can’t just trust people. I have to protect my brother and the very fact that you met him behind my back… it hurts.” The last words were a mere whisper as she struggled to contain her emotions.

“Nitya…please. Let me explain…”

“No Maanav… enough for now… I can’t take it… I need time… you don’t understand… I have lost so much…”

“…No one can understand that better than I, Nitya. I have lost too. I lost my dad; I lost my childhood or whatever was left of it and I… I lost… I lost you…”

©priyanayakgole

(Disclaimer: This is a piece of fiction using the backdrop of the attack that happened and any resemblance to any person living or dead is purely coincidental. This doesn’t attempt to change history or facts.)

Chapter 14

Nitya clutched at her chest as if trying to stop her heart’s pounding. She couldn’t believe her eyes… Was she dreaming? No… not if her gasping for breath was any proof. What was happening?

“Nitya, are you alright?” Maanav’s concerned voice penetrated her painful fugue. “…Nitya, look at me…” His strong yet soft hands gripped her arms and she then realized she had bent over trying to breathe.

She stood up and his handsome face blurred as the film of unshed tears stood still. She shut her eyes and a sudden sense of relief flooded her body. She looked at her brother, who stood still and amused. Since when did Naman have an ‘amused’ facial expression? Wait…

“What… what’s going on, Maanav?” She moved towards Naman and the boy… the traitor stared happily at Maanav as if she didn’t exist.

“Naman, my dear, are you alright? Didi is here… don’t worry, OK?” She tried to pacify Naman.

“Nitya, the details will have to wait, but before that, we must get out of this place. There isn’t much time before their handlers get here.” Maanav was back to his combat mode. Wait… combat mode? Maanav was a soldier? Or Police or commandos…?

Nitya just blinked cluelessly trying to absorb what she heard and what stood in front of her. Why would the government send their forces for her? She chuckled and then got serious… of course if they wanted a stake in whatever the enemy was looking for. Her father’s crude computer! She shook her head.

“Nitya… we must leave… NOW” Maanav was firm, and she was startled to look up worrying about Naman who got anxious whenever someone raised his voice before him. But to her surprise, he was holding Maanav’s hand.

On autopilot she walked along with the two of them and Maanav gripped Naman’s hand and gestured to him to be silent. It was then Nitya realized Naman was muttering something. If there was someone else out there, he would call for attention.

Maanav gestured for her to follow him. He moved deeper into the abandoned warehouse and Nitya couldn’t figure out anything in the dark. But she held Naman’s hand who in turn held Maanav’s and somehow miraculously Maanav led the way in the dark. Nitya was lost in the maze of a path that probably was a tunnel-like structure. She eventually could hear traffic… above her. Oh, goodness, were they underground? She was terrified for Naman… he would have a meltdown usually. But he was the epitome of manners at the moment.

Within moments, they emerged through some shrubs and she released the breath she didn’t know she was holding. They crawled out on their fours and to Nitya’s surprise, Naman despite his poor motor coordination, did well and beamed as he looked up at Maanav. Maanav in turn patted Naman on his shoulder. “Well done young man, I am so proud of you.”

As Naman reveled in the praise Nitya was teary… gosh she was crying at the drop of a hat these days. Was she compensating for her lack of emotions in the last decade and a half… she didn’t know. But today, somehow seeing Maanav take charge brought back old memories and emotions as well. The sense of being protected… to her surprise despite all that was happening she was relieved… She didn’t know anything about Maanav. He was as good as a stranger, but she didn’t mind at all.

Maanav gave a cautious look around and as Nitya blatantly stared at his lean muscular frame with overgrown curly mane tied into a ponytail behind his head, and his day-old stubble, her heart skipped a beat. Feelings she never thought existed sprang up to say their hellos. She knew it was futile to let the lingering feelings from childhood sprawl into adulthood, but somehow, she wasn’t able to clam them up.

She gulped and looked away hoping she wasn’t easy to read. It would be embarrassing… Maanv would think she was an idiot.  Who pined for their childhood friends? She had put those emotions in a locker deep behind in her brain… to never use them. She couldn’t afford it to date. She had loads of responsibilities. Still did.

Besides the most important point remained. She had no one else in her life in the past 15 years… she didn’t have the luxury and no guy would be interested in a girl with baggage as her… Well, Sajid was there but as it turned out it was all a farce. She shuddered and folded her arms tightly to her chest. Maanav probably had no such issue… he seemed to have grown up well and moved on in life while she was still stuck behind in age. For all she knew, he had a girlfriend waiting for him….

But why was he here? How did he know all this? And the million-dollar question… what was his effect on Naman… the boy was smitten. It never happened before.

“Maanav, I…” she began when he held his hand up to silence her. It was then she heard the vehicles. She looked around at them. They were standing at the backdoor entrance of the large warehouse and she was sure Maanav put up a latch behind them when they entered the dark tunnel or whatever it was. So, while it wasn’t easy for the enemy to find them, it wasn’t impossible either if those people searched in detail.

Maanav gestured to Naman to sit still on a rock and the boy obeyed. He looked at Nitya and gave her a reassuring nod. They stood still and fleeting heard screams and yells before the vehicles drove off. It was then Nitya heaved a sigh of relief.

“Finally… we are safe…” she whispered.

“…for now, Nitya.” He completed her statement, and she looked up at him questioningly.

“I promise to answer everything, Nitya, but for now please listen carefully. I shall take you back home and you must quickly pack up everything…. Mind you, EVERYTHING. We are moving elsewhere.”

“Wait… please wait, Maanav… I need to know…”

“…And you will. I promise you, Nitya, if it weren’t for your lives in danger and a matter of national security, I wouldn’t have displaced you. But we must…”

“I have to inform Kamble kaka… er… the person with whom…” Nitya began to explain.

“…He knows… in fact, he will be accompanying us as well… he must have packed his stuff by now… we need to rush.” Maanav didn’t wait for her but walked up to Naman.

“So, young man, are you ready?”

Naman seemed to have a strange bounce in his clumsy steps as he let Maanav hold his hand and take him to a vehicle hidden beneath a canopy of dry leaves and wilted bougainvillaea creeping over a rusted old foyer…

Nitya followed in silence. The vehicle was a simple XUV but one look at the interior as she got in, and Nitya knew this was no ordinary vehicle. Who was Maanav after all?

As instructed, Naman waited with Maanav in the vehicle while Nitya rushed home to pack up her and Naman’s stuff and looked hopefully at a daper kaka. But he only smiled. “All for the best, Nitya… we must trust him from now on.”

She carefully unplugged the computer and packed it with kaka’s help. As they reached the gate of their housing society, they heard an explosion. Shocked, they turned around even as people began to run around them. Kaka’s house was on fire and a portion of the building was blown away…

“Oh my… oh my God… Kaka… look…” Nitya tried to scream from her clogged throat. But right then a hand tugged her and took her stuff. Maanav dragged her as kaka joined them. Soon they were on their way even as a fire brigade passed them. Maanav drove in complete control as they passed the busy by-lanes. Next to him on the passenger seat, Naman sat still gripping his precious computer close to his chest. But from the looks of it he wasn’t agitated or uncomfortable.

Meanwhile, Nitya was a mess. She clasped her hands together on her lap as she sat staring at the escaping exteriors, barely registering what she was seeing. Kaka sat next to her in the back seat and occasionally patted her back.

As they passed the city outskirts from the looks of it… she suddenly paid attention to her surroundings. Her body ached with the excitement of the day and now it was evening… she was fatigued and hungry as well, having skipped breakfast.

“Where… where are we going?” She asked no one in particular.

“We are en route Pune… maybe another hour or so…” Maanav spoke softly, sending shivers through her body. She looked at him through the rare view mirror but he had his goggles on so she wasn’t sure if he was looking at her.

She wondered how both Maanav and kaka not looked bothered about what just happened.

“kaka… about what happened back home…”

“Nitya… I knew this would happen.” Kaka sounded so sure.

“How, kaka? You mean you had an idea the enemy would make us ash?”

Kaka only nodded.

“But kaka how can the timing be so precise? Had we been there moments later, we would have met our maker by now…” Nitya was still unconvinced.

“Nitya, for that you must thank this young soldier. He was there last night and discovered the booby trap. I don’t know how the buggers did that despite my top-notch security … they knew the dead areas in the CCTV coverage. The explosive device was set for today and that meant they had planned something for you and Naman….there was one in your home too which he diffused but this couldn’t be.”

“…Wait a minute, kaka. Maanav was at home? Last night? When?”

“You were sleeping soundly, and we didn’t want to disturb you. We wanted to lure them out….”

“…What about the neighbours? Did something happen?” Nitya shuddered at the memory of the visuals from the afternoon.

“you were aware the Sisodias from the same wing are away for a family wedding. So are the Pants for some pilgrimage. Mrs. Mathur the only senior citizen was arranged to be at the doctor’s clinic. Her son was informed in advance…”

“…and he agreed easily? No questions asked?” Nitya was flabbergasted.

“When we played the national security card, he had to agree. Nitya, don’t worry… that was an old dilapidated building anyway. The real crisis is now on our hands. There is a lot at stake here…” Kaka looked outside.

“But kaka… why did you not tell me all this? Naman was in danger. What if…”

“…Nothing will happen to Naman. Not on my watch…” Maanav declared and her brother looked at him. She saw hero worship in the boy’s eyes. Something that she had never seen before. What was happening?

Maanav opened the dashboard and passed around the protein bars. “I am sorry but this will have to suffice for now. I don’t want to take chances of being spotted in transit. We should have the advantage and lead even as they come to terms with their failure, yet again…”

Naman wolfed down the bar and Nitya handed him another one. There would probably be sugar rush for the boy, but a hungry Naman was worse than that. She ate a bar and suddenly sat up.

“Wait a minute… Maanav, what do you mean by ‘again’? Had they tried this earlier as well? When?”

“Later, Nitya. Right now I need to focus, both on the road and my surroundings. To check of someone has followed us… I promise, I shall answer everything… later.”

Nitya sank in the plush seat and soon fell asleep. The stress must have taken its toll for she was dead to the world.

Suddenly there was a jerk and Nitya woke with a start.

“…Yes Shadow, I get it. No… I don’t see any such vehicle. So are you sure…? … Ok then… all clear? Ok… then get a visual of the house…Ok… ok… roger that.” Maanav spoke on his handsfree and clicked the part in his ear.

“Wha… what is it? Have we not reached yet?” Nitya was confused.

“Just another half an hour. Pune traffic was bad, and I had to take various route combinations to make sure we weren’t being followed. But be rest assured. We are safe…. For now. You can continue with your rest…”

“No… no I am ok. Thanks.”

Soon they were parked outside an enormous bungalow. The area was secluded and the bungalow seemed to be cozily resting like an oasis in a desert. The bungalow was a single-story structure, blending traditional Indian architectural elements with a tinge of modernisation. Nitya didn’t know anything about architecture or home interiors, but the exterior featured warmth, an earthy colour palette with white-washed walls, terracotta roof tiles, with a simple, sturdy wooden door and few windows. She felt a sense of calmness settling in.

Surrounded by greenery, immediately around it, a well-maintained garden filled with vibrant flowers, and tall trees enveloped the bungalow, providing a tranquil retreat from the city’s activity. A stone pathway led to the entrance, where a shaded verandah welcomed her. Nitya had only dreamt of visiting such a place… wait… this was one of the silly discussions on dreams she had with Maanav as kids in that park.

She immediately turned around to see Maanav standing with her luggage in his hand and staring back at her. Did he remember that as well? The setting sun behind his head set a halo elevating the warm ethereal glow and the serenity of the nostalgic moment. Her heart stopped and she turned back to the front door. It was open and Kaka and Naman had already gone inside. The nameplate that read ‘Deshmukh’s’ was embossed on the door and the brass shone beautifully in the fading sunlight falling on it.

However, as she walked in, a contrasting world greeted her. unlike the exterior, the walls inside were bland and painted with neutral tones. The living room was spacious yet sparsely furnished. The walls were devoid of any paintings, hangings or even pictures as one would expect in such housings. It looked… lifeless. The windows weren’t large as she had thought and even the one overlooking the backyard was shut and bolted.

It was then she was reminded of the stark reality of the reason they were here.

Maanav and Naman walked inside even as kaka took a breather on the lone rocking chair facing the shut window… lost in thought. Before she could talk to him, he shut his eyes and she sighed. Kaka had a hectic couple of days too, given his ill health and the excitement that followed… all for keeping Naman and her safe.

She would check her living quarters later, she thought. She decided to make a light dinner for them. She didn’t know if she could take the liberty, but she had to think of Naman and the boy would soon get agitated if not fed. Besides, she had her growling stomach too… not to mention an ailing senior citizen and of course Maanav who had been on his toes non-stop.

The kitchen was a blend of old-world charm and modern convenience, with wooden cabinets, granite countertops, and state-of-the-art appliances. It opened up to a small dining area with a wooden table and 4 chairs beside the artfully designed cutlery cabinet and a stocked mini-bar. The soft glow of a pendant light above gave a cosy atmosphere to the setting and Nitya wondered how would it be if Maanav and she had their meals right here with their family…

Now, where did that thought come from?

Nitya shook her head and walked into the kitchen. The fridge and the cabinets were stocked with minimal cooking items and she wondered if Maanav lived alone or had a housekeeper or… anyone special to cook for him.

She decided to refrain from the specific line of thought and focus on the task at hand. Soon she had prepared a simple meal of lintel khichidi and potato fry sabji. She prepared masala chaas from the readymade packets and suddenly realised for the first time in her life she had prepared something that was not Naman’s favourite alone. While Naman liked this it wasn’t his favourite. It was Maanav’s comfort food. It struck her that subconsciously she had ended up doing this. She wondered if Maanav even liked this after so many years.

When they were kids, he loved this only when his dad prepared it which was rare. It was understood given that he grew up without his mother’s care. But Nitya didn’t know what had happened in over the last 15 years. Their worlds had changed…  Nonetheless, food was the least of their concerns in this uncertainty.

She stood staring at the food on the dining table when Maanav walked in smelling fresh from his bath. She turned to look at him and her heart skipped a beat… yet again. He was dressed in a simple white vest and track pants. His long mane made a halo around his head while his bulged lean muscle screamed for her attention… She looked up into his eyes and found them staring back at her. Gosh… he had caught her drooling. She was sure from his amused look that he could see her blush. But that look was gone as quickly as it had arrived.

“Um… Maanav, I just cooked a little dinner. Sorry but I should have asked you first… actually Naman…” She began to fumble looking all over but at him.

“…Nitya… it’s fine. You can you as you please here. Consider this your home and be comfortable….” He said softly even as Nitya looked at him. “…I mean, if we are comfortable and cool then Naman will be at ease.”

Without waiting for her response, he walked out to call Naman and kaka for dinner.

Nitya didn’t know how to address the tsunami of the cacophonic feelings in her heart… She was confused, bewildered and happy all at the same time.

Naman was bouncing happily. He had freshened up and changed for the first time without her help. The buttons of his night suit were clumsily put, but Nitya was happy to see him in high spirits and she knew it was because of Maanav. The boy worshipped the floor he walked.

After serving them she walked out of the dining room to freshen up herself before having dinner. Maanav had told her to take the second bedroom on the right and he had given Naman the first bedroom. The feel of hot water on her aching muscles was a good relief and as soon as she walked out of the attached bathroom into the bedroom in a bathrobe, before she knew she fell asleep on the soft double bed.

The furious growling of her stomach woke her from her slumber and she realised it was 11 PM on her mobile phone. She decided to eat a quick snack or the remainder of the dinner she had cooked and searched all over for the light switch. She hadn’t bothered earlier as the glow from the bathroom light had shown her the way. But she had just shut it and fallen in the bed, tired to her skin.

She stood on wobbly legs and even hit her foot on the edge of a study table before making her way to the door. She turned the knob and as she was about to pull it open; she heard Maanav. He was probably speaking on the phone and he was in his room right opposite hers. The door was ajar.

“…yes Shadow, all’s fine. The parcel is retrieved and is safe. The handlers too…. yes… tomorrow… I shall start the mission tomorrow… the boy is very complaint… not to worry. Yes shouldn’t… take long….” the remaining words were swept away as Nitya shut the door, her hunger all gone.

So Maanav was on a mission? And Naman and she were just pawns in the game, were they? What else did she not know yet?

She opened the door again to confront Maanav and a wave of dizziness hit her hard. Before she could speak, she hit the floor and darkness consumed her.

©priyanayakgole

(Disclaimer: This is a piece of fiction using the backdrop of the attack that happened and any resemblance to any person living or dead is purely coincidental. This doesn’t attempt to change history or facts.)