nimmi's corner

Some Love Stories are made in Heaven
Some are Born in Hell!!!
This Love Story goes beyond:
                             Heaven
                                                &
                                                          Hell!!!

Prologue:

Present day:

Drip drip drip……
“Damn it!! Somebody shut the sound!” the man thought in frustration.
Beep beeeep beeeep…
“Goddamn it! Stop it just stop this racket! Is nobody listening?”
“Where the hell am I???”
He tries to open his eyes but fails.
His eyes refuse to obey his command. As if they are welded shut not willing to watch the world around.
He tries to move his body but fails. As if it is made of lead. Solid and immovable.
“No!!” he roared in frustration. “This is not happening. I am the master of my mind and body. They are MY slaves. I command you to obey.”
They said “We don’t recognise you as our master. We are not your slaves anymore”.
And then there was pain. An explosion of fierce unforgiving pain. An unstoppable pain coursing through out his body hurling, hunting and hurting.
“Agghhhh!” A part of him voiced in pain “I am hurting. Somebody please stop this pain. This pain is hurting my body. This pain is burning my Soul”.
“Haa!!” Snickered another part of him “Soul? What soul are you talking about? You DON’T have a SOUL”.
“Then why am I feeling this pain, this burning, hurting, killing pain?”
“Pain??” Mocked the unrelenting voice “pain is for humans. YOU are beyond pain”
“Yes!!!” Agreed the man.
Both the voices stared at him.
“I am hurting.”
“I am in pain.”
‘But it feels good.’
The voices were staring at him in confusion.
“You know what does this pain means??” the man mockingly asked the voices.
They kept staring uncomprehendingly.
“It means…” said the man
“I AM ALIVE”…….

A day in the past:

Chapter 1:

Standing on the top of 27 storied building he felt a sense of elation looking down. The earth was so far away. Everything looks so small. Insignificant. Vehicles, smaller houses, trees and Humans.
'God must be feeling like this every time when he look down' the man thought.
That made him smile. Just a small twist of lips.
'All right time to work!' he opened his briefcase and removed a Remington 700 sniper rifle. 4.08kg of lethal weapon to be treated with respect. Though its maximum range is lesser than its other cousins He loved it. Remington's the manufacturing unit customizes the gun. He customized his weapon to his liking. A shorter barrel, lightweight body and stronger telescopic focus. He will be using silencer, that will affect the trajectory of the bullet. Had to take that in consideration.
He removed the gun, attached the barrel, silencer, the telescope and finally inserted the feed; a 4 round detachable internal magazine. Expected accuracy of the rifle is less but then he loved challenges. Lived for them.
He bought the gun to his eye level then adjusted the stock of the gun on his shoulder. The weight and feel of his prized possession was comforting. He then adjusted the focus of telescope and swooped the barrel down looking for the target. His Kill.
The unsuspecting humans down on ground were moving as per their needs. Some running, some strolling but no one had time to stop by and take a breathe. 'There!’ A man shorter stockier in white kurta trying to move his heavier body in general direction of moving human mass. Looks like he is in hurry.
He adjusted the focus till cross hairs of the gun were trained on the man's forehead.He pulled back the safety latch.He then touched the trigger with his finger. The trigger of his gun is crisp. He knows he had to be careful while pulling it. For once a bullet leaves the comforting nest of the magazine; its path is unforgiving. It wont be recalled back. So He waited for his moment.
There were too many of human bodies who were shielding his Kill. He did not want any bystander to get in the way of his bullet. Not out of mundane feelings like compassion for fellow beings. He has till date never hit anything or anyone unnecessarily. More often than not used a single bullet for the job. He likes clean Kills. His own words.
'Now!!' the man marked by death himself momentarily lost his human cover by moving forward. Just couple of seconds and that's all He needed.
The trigger was pulled, the sound of the bullet being released for its deadly journey was hardly audible and then came death. Then man collapsed with a neat circle of bullet in his head, eyes open. He could not even feel when death came calling and claimed him.
Job done! The man calmly stripped his weapon down, stashed them down in his briefcase hurriedly but with care. Then adjusted his tie and blazer and caught the handle of the briefcase with its deadly cargo in his right hand and ran for the fire exit.
He took three stairs at a time and stopped on the second floor. He was not panting for breathe. Calm and collected, he entered the corridor and called the lift. When the lift doors opened he entered and pressed the ground floor.People in the lift never suspected not for a moment that the man standing next to them has just snuffed the life of a breathing human body.
He entered the lobby and calmly walked towards the door. There was a pandemonium outside which was slowly creeping in the hotel. But he kept on walking. No one gave him suspecting glances. With his blue shirt, stripped tie and dark blazer he looked like a business man. A purposeful business man who has to be given way. Yes despite chaos there were ladies who noticed him wishing He would notice them. And there were men who were wondering about this guy who looked as if he owned the world. At 5 feet 11 inches he was tall with a body that was more lean than bulking up. He was not handsome in technical sense but there was that 'something' in him that made women give him glances and men give him way.
Without breaking his long strides but not appearing hurried either he entered the road. People were gathering at the spot where now a dead body is lying. He didn't linger. Not in his rules of job.
He walked past the scene of death. He could hear sirens wailing and coming closer. Police arriving. He went near a nondescript ordinary car parked legally in the parking zone by roadside, pulled the keys out, opened the door and entered. He sat in the car for a moment taking the scene in through rear view mirror. Then started the ignition and slowly carefully manoeuvred the car forward. Not speeding but maintaining a reasonable speed he hit the road.
Job Done!!

Chapter 2:

Ringgggg!!! ringgg!!!
Brows furrowed he looked at the mobile ringing on the dashboard. Picking it up he glanced at the caller number.'Samrat' the name was flashing. He felt a flash of irritation, then slowly stopped the car at the road side allowing the traffic to move on. He then picked the phone.
'Speaking!'.. Hi hello niceties he had no time for.
'Is the job finished!' a voice enquired from the other end. Samrat's voice.
He irritation increased.
'When I take up a job, IT IS considered Done.' He replied in a voice which would have told better men to back off.
Samrat did not catch up but went on ' You mean Ranawat died?'
This time His irritation was total..
He replied without bothering to hide his sarcasm 'Yeah bullet in the head has this habit of killing people. So i guess he died'.
This time Samrat didn't fail to understand His tone.
'You cant talk to me that way!' he rasped.
'Well i guess i just did Kid!' He shot off.
Samrat blew up at that insulting parting. He started spluttering ' How dare u? Don't you forget your place. But for us you would living in the gutters of Underworld. My dad made you. Hell! my Dad owns you.'
At that moment He spoke and spoke in the voice that was chilling;
'No one ever did' He paused 'And no one ever Will' that chilling voice continued 'OWN ME!!'..
'I do what i want to do. My game.My rules. So take that attitude of Me master you servant to someone who cares. Coz you know what I DON'T GIVE A DAMN!!'
Samrat barely containing his anger tried to interject ' You!! You!!'
"The name.. He calmly said "is Gabriel!'
He disconnected the phone threw it on the back seat and started the car. Under his steering the car smoothly moved forward onto the road.

Chapter 3:

Samrat was staring at the mobile in his hand in disbelief. 'he disconnected my call! that b****** disconnected Samrat Thakur's call!'
Samrat Thakur; a young man at 27 years of age was blessed with a model looks, a floppy mop of hair he deliberately allows to fall on his forehead almost reaching his eyes. He was handsome and he knew it. But at the time he was angry. Murderously angry.
An older man was standing next to the bar. They were in a mansion. Thakur mansion. In a sprawling room which had splendid view through its glass windows. Huge windows but none of the men were looking at the view outside.
Samrat was still staring at his mobile. His eyes still disbelieving.
The older man poured whiskey in a glass filled to middle with ice then went near Samrat and handed the glass to him. Samrat took the glass but it was involuntary. He still was not believing some one had the gall to hang up on him. Not someone. Just one. A man he hated. Hated to his core.
The older man kept his palm on Samrat's shoulder and said in a soothing voice.' Sam! how many times i need to tell you that you should keep away from ...' before he could finish his sentence Samrat's hand shot up. he threw his glass full force on the floor. The whiskey flew in a golden arc then fell on the carpet soaking it, ruining a very expensive carpet.
Samrat looked at the older man with eyes blazing in anger.
'Why uncle! why should i keep off that that .. ' he could not find a word vile enough to describe that man.
'Who the hell does he think he is?! he is just a bloody paid killer. WE hire him. he is OUR servant!. just because Dad gave him shelter he thinks he is above all!'
Uncle, the older man was Bhanupratap Singh. A man of medium height, salt and pepper hair and kind eyes. he has the looks of an elderly kind professor.
'Sam! Calm down!' he said in a gentle voice. 'why do you want to even think about him. Just stay away from him. You know very well that your Dad, my brother Thakur Saab thinks of him as our best shooter. Besides Thakur Saab loves him like Son.'
Samrat flinched at that. Bhanu pratap noticed it and placed a hand soothingly on his shoulder again and patted it gently..
'I know Sam! it is unfair.you are the Son of Saab, His only heir, son of the wife he loved, my sister'.
Samrat looked up at the kind eyes of his uncle..
'But still he loves that Man more than me? doesn't he Uncle?!' there was lot of hurt in his voice.
His uncle gently nodded his head and kept on patting Samrat.
'I just never understand your father Sam! but know this Lad! I love you! You are not my nephew Sam You are my son!'
Samrat's eyes welled up. He manfully rubbed his nose, drew a deep breathe and said. 'I want to know about him uncle. Everything you know uncle.. tell me!'
Bhanupratap knew who the man Samrat wanted to know about for he asked the same question many times before but never listened to his answer. Sometimes he mocked calling it a folklore. Sometimes he got agitated. But this time Bhanu Pratap knew Samrat would listen.
He cleared his throat went near the bar made a peg for himself and Samrat then came near the young man sitting on the bar chair and handed him the glass again. Samrat took the glass silently and waited for his uncle to start.
Bhanu pratap took a sip from his glass and took a deep breathe then he stared out. As if his old eyes are seeing the past.

Chapter 4:

Bhanu pratap Thakur started the narration of the Man called Gabriel.
"Its been a long time.Close to 12years back. One day we, your Dad and me went to a hotel. Had some business dealings there. While coming back we stopped midway to meet some gang members of ours. Parked the car near a desolate area and went to a dhaba by the road side. When we came to our car and opened the door we saw a boy no more than 17 years curled up in the back seat. torn shirt. bleeding all over. Too much of blood. At that time i felt the blood is not his own. At least not totally anyways. Thakur Saab just looked at him and the boy stared back. I have seen many grown ups, roughnecks, murderers withering looking into Saabji's eyes. But this boy, just a wisp of a boy stared right back. No fear No pain.. No emotion at all. Saabji silently sat in the driver seat told me and the driver to hitchhike back home. I don't know what transpired between Saabji and the boy. I never asked Saabji. Next day He called all the gang members for meeting. There he introduced us all to that boy. I don't know how to describe that boy. Just a day before i saw him but i couldn't forget his face. Then there he was standing right in front of me. You must have noticed Sam that man has a very casual devil may care style of stance. He stands with his hands in his pocket head slightly tilted to left and the looks that says 'Go ahead! amuse me!!' He stood in that same same stance. Just a boy standing in front of a bunch of tough hardened men. No nervousness on his face, no fear, no curiosity either. For a long time i thought and still think that human emotions, feelings, thoughts are beyond him. I have never seen any other man besides Saabji to hid what he is thinking so well and so totally. Maybe i shouldn't say this but Saabji can show emotions at times i guess... but this man?! ..And those eyes! the eyes that look straight at you as if they can see through you.
Saabji addressed us all. I still remember each and every word he said. each and every scene that played out that day."
Samrat was listening intently. Just as a kid would listen to his favourite uncle reciting a fairy tale.. In this case a macabre fairy tale.
Bhanu pratap continued..."Saabji said meet the new member who will be joining our gang from today on. I want all of you to welcome him. He will make his own place here and will earn the respect that he deserves. so treat him as you would treat any new boy in our ranks BUT remember this 'This boy is mine!'."
The way Saabji announced that the boy is his own there was no doubt in anybody's mind that this boy is special. He is off limits. To be treated with respect."
Samrat's face fell at that. He fail to remember a single time when Thakur Saab addressed him as his son with pride. in private or in public. What is this about this man that his own father would announce to the world that the Man is his own. And according to uncle Thakur Saab met that Man only one day before. and Samrat his own son never received any fatherly pride from his dad his his whole life of 27 years. So he hates that man. He loathes him. How could he not. He had to.
Samrat mentally shook himself out of his thoughts. those never ending thoughts. He started listening to uncle again..
The older man continued.
"I think even if Saabji has not warned us, nobody would have dared to tangle with that boy. Even at the age of no more than 17 he looked as if he can take anyone head one and emerge victorious. There was something about that boy which warned wiser men to back off. Though i felt men high on hormones less in brains who take this boy as challenge and may try to break him in. After all who wouldn't enjoy the kick of breaking down a mighty and proud Stallion. I knew the boy would be challenged or attacked. And i was proved right. It happened and How!"
Samrat's eyes lit up with curiosity despite himself. Bhanu pratap noticed it and smiled slightly at his nephew.
He said ' I will tell you about it soon Sam. First we should proceed with what happened in that meeting".
Samrat pouted at that but obediently looked at his uncle to continue.
Bhanu pratap continued " Saabji then called up Rana'.
Samrat's head jerked up at that name and he murmured "Rana" in awe.
'Yes' the older man continued "Rana!! A legend in our world. I know you have heard of him Sam and you have seen him a few times but you don't know the extent of his legacy. You were in boarding school at that time.'
'Yeah boarding school in london' Samrat muttered in low voice " always in boarding school. The far the better. If Dad could have found any place beyond earth he would have sent me there.'
Bhanu pratap could hear the low mutterings of Sam and feel the pain of his nephew. He soothingly said "Sam Thakurji did it to keep you safe'.
'Safe! Samrat replied derisively "Veer Pratap Thakur, the god of underworld had to send his only son far away from him, his house, his life to keep that son safe. Don't tell me you believe that yourself Uncle!"
Bhanu pratap knew what Samrat said was true. He himself never actually managed to understand why Saabji sent his heir, his only son so far away for so long when there are men in here who could kill and die to protect Samrat Thakur, Son of their God, Veer Pratap Thakur.
So the older man allowed the moment to pass. And waited for Samrat to calm down and control his pain and anger.
Samrat took a deep breathe. Then looked up at his Uncle as if to say Continue.
Bhanu pratap started narrating the past again.

Chapter 5:

'Rana!' Bhanu Pratap said " is the first and the finest sharp shooter of our gang. I would say the best Shooter of the entire underworld here. Most respected, most revered and definitely most feared. Not many people will think of challenging him. Not many did. And whoever ever tried to actually challenge him didn't live long enough to tell the tale or even regret their actions. He in one word is Legend".
Samrat was listening with total concentration.
"Saabji called Rana to come forward. Generally Rana doesn't attend meetings. I was actually surprised to see him there. So when Saabji announced his name; he came forward from the shadows near the pillars where he was standing all the while. Rana is a 6 footer. No one knows his real age. Now he is in fifties. So he must be in his early forties then. Tall, extremely fit and handsome to look at Rana doesn't look like a man you could throw your attitude at. But that boy gave him the same devil may care look. And Rana stared right back at him. I swear i saw him giving his very rare and very slight smile. It felt as if Titans has acknowledged each other. Gladiators entered the arena and are ready for the game.'
Saabji looked at Rana and said 'Rana! so you have seen this boy. from today onwards his is your responsibility. You train him in everything that you yourself are expert in. You teach him everything that needs to be learnt to survive in our game. And you give him your knowledge and experience about our work, our world. He is all yours. You are answerable to no one. Treat him as his deserves to be treated. Break him if you have to, Kill him if you must but make sure this boy is a worthy successor of yours.
Rana gave a slight nod of head then looked straight at that boy. That boy was returned his stare slightly tilting his head forward. Rana then asked that boy in his deep booming voice that echoed round the room "Your Name"
That boy simply shrugged his shoulders blinked his eyes once gave a lop sided smile and saying nothing. He just said absolutely nothing.
There was a pin drop silence around and everyone was staring at Rana and that boy as if we are watching a powerful clash of titans happening silently.
Rana then nodded his head slightly, gave the younger lad straight and stern look and pronounced
'Alright then you will be called as 'Boy'. When you are ready I will give you a name!'
Saabji watched the entire exchange with utter satisfaction and gave the boy a look of pride. He then dismissed the meeting a wave of his hand.
That day on the boy became the student of a legend to start on a trail to become a legend himself."
Samrat's nostrils flared at that. His own dad choose a rank stranger a nobody and gave his the best of the best Guru to learn, to evolve, to arrive. And ignored his only son and sent him off to a faraway land to learn What. How to read books. So he did his MBA. What good will it do in his Dad's world where the only language understood is that of guns, violence, blood, money and death. THAT man lived Samrat's life, took his rightful place and above all earned his father's pride. He will pay. Someday somehow. Samrat will make sure of that. That's his promise to Himself.
Bhanu pratap continued oblivious to the raging storm in his nephew heart.

Chapter 6:

"As you know Sam, most of our bodyguards and servants live in this mansion. So Saabji gave a room for the boy to live in here in this very mansion. It was a small room, but a room the boy did not have to share with anyone else. It was his and his alone. I thought at that time it might lead to resentment among others and i guess it did but no one protested openly. And then the training started."
Samrat with supreme effort controlled his raging emotions and started paying attention to his Uncle.
" Everyday the training went on. Nobody knew the timings. No one had any idea when the boy woke up or slept if he ever did. Each moment that he could account for was spent under the tutelage of the legend called Rana. Sam! it is an honour to spend even an hour in the company of the man Rana. To hear him speak and share his experiences. And here that boy of 17 spent his entire days and nights learning from the master himself."
Samrat controlling his growing resentment asked " Uncle! Rana is a shooter. Right! OK a great one. So that boy learnt only shooting and survival skills from Him. But i heard that he is good( Samrat choked at that word) in hand to hand fights too. So i am just curious where did he picked up his other skills from".
Bhanu Pratap smiled at his nephew. An enigmatic smile; the same smile of Mona Lisa as if she knows a secret she would like to share. but is waiting for you to ask first.
He then replied " Sam! i know you would ask this question.Yes Rana is known for his shooting skills. He is almost a mythological figure in shooting world. No one challenged him in that area. At least no one who survived long enough to tell the tale. But there is a hidden facet of Rana that not many people know about or rather i should only 2-3 people are aware of it. One of them is Saabji Himself. I think that was the main reason he choose Rana to train that boy".
Samrat was curious. Very curious. He wanted his uncle to get on with the story in hurry but knowing his uncle Samrat knew that the older man will take his own time. So he maintained silence with effort.
Bhanu Pratap then revealed what Samrat was curious to know.
"Rana is a legendary shooter but more than guns, knifes and any other weapons with him, His most lethal weapons are His Hands".
Samrat's eyes widened up in surprise.
"Hands" he said softly.
"Yes! His hands! reiterated Bhanu Pratap.
"Rana is beyond lethal in the field called hand to hand combat."
Samrat asked in awe " You mean he knew Karate and stuff?".
Bhanu Pratap dismissed his nephew's question in contempt.
"Karate and stuff like that are Child's play for Rana. That man is trained in all known forms of attack and defense mortal combats. And his knowledge goes beyond what you youngsters could comprehend. Rana even mastered one of the toughest knowledge's in Indian history. I don't know the name of that martial art form. I guess it is marma or something. It trains one to paralyze, maim and kill another person with your bare hands. A very old art of Attack. And I believe Rana is one of the few men who knew that art inside out. And if i am not wrong he passed on this and all other learnings and legacies of his to that boy."
Samrat felt a burst of anger inside him. He asked in barely controlled anger
"How do you know that uncle?!. Rana may not have shared his Knowledge with that boy. After all as you said no one knew about that boy. So why would a man like Rana would willingly share his skills and learnings with a boy he has never heard off before and for all we know who was thrust upon him by Dad and was just a responsibility."
Bhanu Pratap again smiled.
" Sam! what happened between those two during that training period no one knew. Though we all were curious. After all we are humans. Still no one dared to question either Rana or that boy. and i know for sure even Saabji never asked for any updates. But I know this for sure that Rana taught that boy everything he knew, everything he learnt and everything he mastered. And i know this like i know my own name and my love for you and my dead sister lad".
"How?" Samrat asked in a tight voice.
"Because the day Rana accepted to take that boy under his wings, the moment he looked at the boy and said He will be giving that boy a Name when the boy is ready I saw in his eyes that He accepted that boy not as a responsibility but as a challenge. A challenge worthy enough to earn, learn and master his expertise.
Rana was a Master waiting for a student to pass his legacy on. With that boy his search ended.!!".
Samrat's rage imploded inside him corroding his heart and guts. A nobody from nowhere earned a legend for a Master. And he the true heir is cheated out of his rightful place in this world of death.
Samrat wanted to scream, shout and break everything in sight. But he knew this was not the time. So he looked at his uncle and asked in barely controlled voice..
"What happened next uncle?"

Chapter 7:

Bhanu Pratap took a deep swallow of whiskey from his glass. Then inhaled deeply. He stared at the unseen for a long moment.
Samrat was waiting patiently.
The older man started the saga of the past again.
" More than a year passed by. We accepted the boy. His unknown past. His silence.His arrangement with Rana. Though admittedly we all were curious to know more about that boy. And we would have loved to know about the training that Rana is giving to the boy. Still we gave that boy a wide way to just be himself. That calm silent most of the time unseen boy of 17. We rarely saw him. Most of his waking times were spent with Rana.
Do you know Sam that Rana lives in a farm house that is far away from here?
Samrat shook his head in negative.
"Yes! Bhanu Pratap said " He lives in an old fashioned farm house close to jungle. Far away from hustle bustle of the city. That boy spent most of his days and sometimes nights there. We rarely saw him here in the mansion. during rare occasions he was here he just used to come for lunch or dinner depending upon the time, sit silently in corner, finish his food and go back to his room. I have never seen him speaking to anyone voluntarily. He spoke when spoken to. Mostly one line answers to our questions mundane questions like how are you and all that. We never asked him what he is learning under Rana or what does he do in his room all alone when he gets any free time.".
But underneath all this acceptance of that boy i could feel some undercurrents of resentments long buried among some young guns in our gang. Older and wiser men knew to keep away from that boy. Its the younger ones who wanted to have a go at the boy who was having the privilege of being trained under a Master besides being someone chosen by Saabji himself. I knew the boy will be challenged soon. And that day came and How!!."
Samrat's eyes lit up. Finally his uncle is going to tell him that part of the story he kept dangling out of the reach of his. He was curious to know how that boy was challenged. Was he attacked and beaten up. Or he defended himself emerging as a hero. Samrat gave a derisive smile at the thought of the boy emerging as a Hero but still looking appealing at his uncle to continue with the story.
Bhanu Pratap went on with the tale. He had a smile on his face. He knew Samrat was waiting for this part the story the moment he heard the snippet of it. So smiling at his beloved nephew he continued:
I remember that day so clearly. so vividly. I don't think i will ever forget it. It was night time. We all were having dinner in the banquet hall of our mansion. it was buffet. we all were eating, drinking, talking loudly. Some of us were drunk, some sober but all were having good time. Then that boy entered. There was a moment of silence when we saw him entering. Then we went on with our discussions, drinks, food and fun. The boy silently went to the food stalls, took a plate choose whatever he wanted to have and was coming back to a vacant table to sit on with his food laden plate in his hand."
Bhanu pratap then went silent as if he wanted to gather that moment of the past from his memory. Samrat asked in hushed tones..
"Then? uncle"
His uncle gave him a loving smile then continued.
" so the boy was just walking towards a vacant table in the corner carrying his plate. Suddenly a guy called Rocky simply blocked his path with his foot. Rocky was sitting on a chair and he stretched his foot deliberately to stop the boy from moving forward. Now i must tell you about this character Rocky. He is one of those high on hormones, cocky confident young man of 25- 27years wearing those hideously tight t-shirts to show off his bulging muscles. All brawn no brain. Just a hunk of a raging bull kind of young guy."
Samrat tried not to laugh at his uncle's description of Rocky character. He arranged his face in polite expression and looked at his uncle innocently.
Bhanu Pratap was in flow..
" so that Rocky barred that boy's path. We all started staring at that unfolding scene. All conversations were stopped. We knew something is going to happen. Just not sure what. What the boy did was totally unexpected. He very politely asked Rocky to remove his foot so that he can go on. That boy has a good voice. And the way he spoke so politely that was really good to hear. But Rocky took it as a challenge. Maybe he wanted that boy to react aggressively and was disappointed by his polite reaction. So he went on aggressive mode. He got up and pushed that boy placing his big massive hairy hand over that boy’s chest. The boy staggered a little to the back. He then said again in his very polite tone he doesn't want to fight and to let him go. Rocky should have moved away and allowed that boy to pass on. But no he was already so ahead he did not want to back down. So he asked that boy loudly what will the boy do if Rocky wont move. The boy simply stared at him. and the way he looked. My!! i really thought Rocky was real dumb not to turn around and run for his life. He sure must have been dropped on his head by his mother when he was a baby. that is if he even was a baby.. looking at the size of him".
Samrat grinned at that.
Bhanu pratap went on with the flow.
So this giant of Rocky then kept his hand over the shoulder of that boy and repeated again.. what will that boy do if rocky wont get out of the way.will the boy hit him. then challenged the boy to go ahead and hit him. That boy merely looked at Rocky and then at the hand on his shoulder. Then he reacted."
Samrat was so engrossed in the tale that it took him a moment to realize that his uncle had stopped the narration. He scrunched up his eyes and looked at the older man in confusion. when he saw Bhanup pratap smiling at him serenely he realized that he is being baited.
Samrat pouted.
and then cribbed "Uncle! get on with the story!".
With his boyishly charming and handsome looks and that childlike pout he looked adorable. Bhanu Pratap smiled lovingly at his nephew then ruffled the silky mop of hair of the young man. Then unable to control his laughter looking at how adoring his nephew is looking with irritated frown and childish pout he guffawed.
Samrat wasn't amused. He kept on pouting. His uncle then threw up his hands in air and said placetingly "OK! Sammy i will get on with the story.".
Samrat's frown cleared and he adjusted himself on the bar chair waiting to know how the boy reacted.

Chapter 8:

Bhanu Pratap got on with the story.
"So that boy first gave a look to that Rocky character and then bent his head slightly down and looked at that massive hand of Rocky lying on his shoulder.He then very calmly placed his food laden plate on the table within his reach. And then he slowly lifted his right hand and grabbed Rocky hand which he so foolishly placed on that boy's shoulder. And then his fingers squeezed that wrist of the offencive hand. We were just watching. But even we could feel the could coming out of that boy's hand then way his fingers were choking the life out of Rocky's blood veins.You should have seen the expressions change on Rocky's face. First it was shock, then disbelief and then the man of his size couldn't take the pain being inflicted upon his hand by a mere child, a pain so harsh that his legs started buckling. Then that boy calmly removed Rocky's abused hand from his shoulders, simply dropped it, dusted his shoulders with his fingers as if he is removing some kind of dirt from his shirt and then placed his palm on the face of Rocky and gently pushed his sideways. Out of his way. Rocky was grabbing his hand which had red welts over it which were rapidly turning purple. He was staring at his hand in sheer pain and disbelief. and when that boy so insultingly pushed him out of his way he simply moved to a side giving the boy his way to move on. That boy simply started walking away. then Rocky realized what has happened. He realized that he has been so effectively snubbed, insulted and wounded and that boy did not even had to much effort in doing that. Hell he did not even uttered a single word and delivered a lasting insult."
You know Sam! in our world though we deliver and receive death, we are not as much afraid of it as we are afraid of failure. We are the men of frail self confidence and fragile egos. we can take blow on our bodies but not on out egos."
Rocky realized his name, reputation and above all his ego is razed to ground in front of his peers and superiors that too by a boy. a mere boy. He couldn't take it. So he charged at the back of the boy who was so calmly walking away. It happened so suddenly that we had no time to shout a warning at the boy but we shouldn't have bothered for that boy needed no warning. I guess his senses are so finely turning that he just sensed being attacked. He dropped on his knees whirled around and threw an amazing punch at Rocky's solar plexus. What a punch. we were standing at a distance still we could see the force emerging out of the boy's fist and could see veins standing out in his hand protesting against the strain of transferring that force. Rocky staggered. I must say i admired him at that moment for any other man would have collapsed never to get up again for a long time. But this man had a strong constitution. He clutched his stomach and looked at the boy who was getting up from his kneeled position and now is standing tall in front of him. despite being shorter than rocky by good 4-5 inches he looked tall and yes menacing. Then i saw fear in the eyes of Rocky. Sam when a man is scared either he flees or lashes out with everything he has got. Rocky lashed out. The boy simply parried his each blow and punch and parried with such an ease as if he was finding the entire exercise ridiculously easy. Then Rocky got lucky. He manged to connect his fist to that boys jaw. The force of that blow was so strong that the boy's head swung to his right with a sharp jerk and his lip was split open at the end. there was a spurt of blood coming from the boys lip. Rocky stood like a gorilla and started grinning at his victory. It was short lived. For what the boy did to him next that was probably the last time Rocky ever laughed."
Samrat was listening in with complete attention with his big dark eyes wide open.
Bhanu pratap continued.
" The boy first simply touched his bleeding lip with his thumb then brought it in front of his eyes and gave the blood stained thumb a look. Then he looked up at Rocky. And i believe that was the moment when Rocky realized he had made a mistake. A fatal one. But there was no going back for him. One he was way too ahead and second the boy wont let him. And then the boy attacked.
Sam i have seen a man hitting another man angrily. I have seen a man hitting another man strongly. But i have never seen any man hitting another man so carefully. That boy was hitting the man Rocky with such a care and precision. Each blow each punch thrown with such a prefect aim and precision. He knew exactly how much of pain his each punch will inflict on Rocky. He knew exactly how much damage his each blow would cause. He was not aiming to kill. If he wanted to kill to Rocky, Rocky would have been dead by the first blow. No he wanted to cause maximum damage with minimum effort. And that massive hulk of Rocky could just do nothing. He could neither stop the brutal attack or could try to protect himself. It was as if a gale is simply sweeping away a massive oak from roots and the poor oak simply could do nothing but surrender to the mighty gale.
Rocky was bloodied, broken and bruised. The boy grabbed Rocky's collar and pulled the sagging man straight for one more punch. Rocky was too down and out to focus even his eyes at his avenging angel. But that boy didn't threw his last punch. He unclenched his fist which was ready to throw one more killer punch and released his other hand holding Rocky's collar.
Rocky dropped down.
Sam you can make a lot about a man when he is fighting someone. But you know more about him when the fight is over and that man emerges victorious. Some men gloat over the fallen fighters, Some kick the man who is down. You can ignore the men belonging to first category. Pride comes before fall. You should feel disgusted at those who would kick the helpless victim. They are cowards.
This boy stood over the broken Rocky whimpering at his feet. He tilted his head down a gave him a look. A look that i cannot define. There was no regret but no victors pride either. The close i would come to defining that look would be.. the boy simply analyzed the damage he caused, found it disinteresting.
But that moment i instintly knew that this boy would never kick a man who is down. This one would always believe in Honour while fighting. He will never lose. But even he ever lose a fight , he would do so with dignity.
The boy did not kick Rocky. He simply turned his back and started walking away.
Sam in our world we have seen men fighting among themselves. We sometimes allowed the fight to go on for sheer amusement. sometimes if the fight go out of hand we intervene and separate the fighting men.
But this fight?"
Bhanu pratap shook his head in wonder..
"This fight Sam we have never seen anything like this. All we could do is stare in horrified fascination. that boy of seventeen looked taller, mightier and above all than all of us standing there. Looking at the broken state of Rocky and watching the boy so calmly walking away it felt like ..
Bhanu pratap paused searching for the words..
Samrat was listening in wide eyed waiting for his uncle to continue.
The older man struggled for words for some moments then he slowly said...
"Looking at the broken state on Rocky lying on the floor and watching the boy so calmly walking away ; it felt like Death himself has came for the kill, touched the victim, then changed his mind and with swirl of cloak is walking away without claiming the kill leaving behind his victim broken and bleeding on the floor".
Samrat sucked his breath in at that description. Despite the world that he was born into Samrat was not accustomed to the brutality of it. Maybe because he stayed away from this world for long or maybe he is built that way. He never actually killed anyone not with a weapon and certainly not in hand to hand fight. That could be one of his many reasons to loathe the Man because Samrat knew that Man was more capable more mighty and yes belong in this world. Samrat doesn't belong here.
Samrat shook his head irritated with himself. "I Belong Here. This is My World!" he mentally shook himself.
then took a deep breathe and looked at his uncle mutely asking him to go ahead with the tale.

Chapter 9:

Bhanu Pratap was lost in the past world.
"The boy walked away amid the deathly silence of all the spectators who were too horrified, too fascinated, too dumbstruck by the brutality' No wait brutality is the wrong world." Bhanu pratap shook his head and paused.
He started clicking his fingers in his search for the perfect word.
"Yes Got it!" He clicked his thumb and middle finger together.
"Brutality is not the word. Watching that fight was like watching a very violent poetry in action."
Samrat's lips curled up in sneer at that description but he said nothing.
His uncle continued oblivious to his single audience.
"It took us full minute to react after the boy left the stage that room. One moment total and complete silence then there was a rush to reach Rocky lying bloodied on the floor still whimpering. We took to the hospital we have our trusted doctors at.
When the Doctor looked at Rocky he couldn't believe the extent of damage been dealt to the body. He thought Rocky must have been in fight with couple of hefty roughnecks to sustain that kind of damage. We did not enlighten him. he wouldn't have believed us anyways.
It took close to 14 hours of operation to patch up Rocky. Right from broken cartilage of nose, to shattered ribs which punctured his lungs, a kidney that probably would not function normally from that day on, to the broken jaw that needed rewiring, not to mention the teeth that bid adieu to their master Rocky had an extensive and very painful work done on him that too by a master who was just a teenager.
It was clear Rocky would needs months if not years to recover fully. And there was that question whether he would be fit for our kind of work. But the most important question was How would Thakur Saab would react. Rocky deliberately provoked and attacked "His Boy" so will he punished or was it the time to discipline the boy for the violence that he unleashed.
Samrat looked upon curiously. Deep down he wanted that boy of the long gone time to be punished and punished severely. He looked at his uncle in anticipation and asked softly..
"was the boy punished uncle?"
Bhanu Pratap gave a wry smile and shook his head in negative.
"No Sammy! the boy was not punished"
Samrat's face fell at that.
"The curious part is that neither the boy nor Rocky was punished. In fact Saabji told Rocky to report back to work when he recovers. And Rocky joined us back too. I don't think he wanted too though. He lost his face, name and reputation all in the hands of a mere boy but then Sam in our job there is only one way to go.. Forwards!! we don't have exits. You enter this world then you have to stay here. there is no way out. Rocky had no where to go. So he joined back.
"And the boy" Samrat asked curiously.
"The boy" replied Bhanu Pratap " stayed in the same room in this very mansion same routine, same existence, same aloofness, same secrecy."
"Why did dad do nothing to punish those guys. He didn't even reprimand them?" Samrat demanded uncomprehendingly.
"No Sammy! Saabji did not so much as said a word about this incident to anyone. Not to the boy, not to Rocky no one. But i think i know the reason why he bought Rocky back to the mansion."
Samrat looked at his uncle hiding his disappointment at the way the boy simply breezed into his routine no reprimand, no punishment, no facing the famous wrath of Thakur Saab. Samrat was curious despite himself to know the reason of the uncharacteristic attitude of his father. Virendra Thakur is not known to be generous to those who broke rules.
Bhanu pratap went on..
Thakur Saab bought Rocky back to the mansion, i am guessing here but i think i am right, to show him off as an example to what would happen to those who would touch the boy. A deterrent to other hotheads maybe. Or maybe he was showing his pride in the work of 'His boy' by keeping the creation on whom the work was done right in front of everyone.
Samrat's lips curled up in disgust hearing that explanation. He hated the fact that his father took pride in that Man from no where, whereas his only son doesn't remember the last time his father spoke to him directly.
with great difficulty Samrat brought himself back from the world of thoughts to the present to pay attention to his uncle, his most favourite person in the whole wide world.
Bhanu Pratap gave an amused smile. Samrat not knowing the reason for that smile asked "What?!"
" Nothing Sam! I was just thinking Saabji shouldn't have bothered to put put danger signs around that boy. Anyone who saw what he did to Rocky anyone who heard the tale wouldn't even dare to look at him straightly. I am sure from that day on no one even dreamt of touching that boy forget actually going ahead and tangling with him."
We are survivors first by the end of the day Sam. And this boy had an Aura of death around him. Who would want to play poker with Death.
No Sir! Not us."
Samrat was hating the description of the boy who was the past of the Man that he loathed. For once in his life he wanted someone anyone to day something on the lines of ridicule, mockery or scorn about the Man. Someone should say that the Man is a loser, a coward, someone who made mistakes. But no! every time the Man is mentioned it was in awe, fear, respect. Even his uncle who always called spade a spade and had a caustic remark on everyone albeit in a kind way never ever said a thing in jest or scorn about that Man. In fact Samrat always felt his uncle respected the Man and his uncle is a very good judge of character. Whenever he stated his opinion about anyone, he is always right. Samrat always felt that his uncle should have been a professor of some college. He is kind, wise and understanding. He too doesn't belong in this world. He is capable of loving for he loved Samrat, visited him in the boarding schools long and far away, always bought him gifts, told him stories, took pride when Samrat won any prize, congratulated when he cleared his exams. In short been Samrat's Father in every sense of the world , more of father than Thakur Saab was or could ever be.
Smarat brought his mind back to the present and jerked his head up to look at his uncle when he heard the older man mentioning his name..
Sorry Uncle didn't catch you. You said something?"
Bhanu Pratap smiled lovingly
"Sammy i was asking you came back to the mansion from your boarding school sometimes during holidays in between Right! so have you ever met that boy. I remember you asking me about him couple of times but i was just wondering whether you met him face to face. You never told me."
Samrat hesitated slightly then shook his head and said said No uncle! i never met him just heard about him in whispers" He did not meet his uncle's eyes directly while saying this.
Bhanu pratap thought nothing unusual in Samrat's answer so he continued.
Yeah that Boy stayed here but he was rarely present and when he was here nobody wanted to bother him by chit-chatting forget being friends with him. Natural for you to miss him.
so where was i? He asked his nephew..
Samrat replied " the boy was not punished and rocky stayed back in the job."
Yes!yes!" agreed Bhanu pratap " So the boy stayed here. His training continued under Rana. God-forsaken times. Early Mornings, past Midnights the boy had no fix timings to come home. No one wanted to ask him about the training. Heck no dared to so much as look at him straight. And he himself was in absolutely no hurry to make friends. Years passed by the routine continued. then came that day when Saabji called for a meeting again. Everyone to report. we have meetings regularly but we new this one was special. Because Saabji asked for the boy to be present. and Rana too. it happened close to 4 years later. when the boy came in here for the first time he was no more than 17 years. so that would make him 21 now. We were all curious. the meeting was held in our conference room. All seats taken. Saabji took his usual Kings chair at the head of the table. The boy and Rana were not present. we all started waiting for them.
I remember the entire meeting so clearly Sammy..
Then the huge door opened. First entered Rana. You just cant help feeling his presence and force of personality. He is someone who commands awe and respect.
Then entered that boy."
No! Bhanu pratap paused..
Calling him boy is uuummm !he paused again.. "wont be correct. He would be 21 at that time. technically just a little above teenager. Not in the category of being termed as a Man. But when he entered all everyone could think of is that How can someone grow so much in such a short time. By growing i don't mean physical growth , which off course happened. From 5 feet 6 something inches he now stands at close to 5'11. He was not all muscles unlike lot many of our guys. He was lean like a blade. A deadly blade i would say. Dark black hair. not long no parting just smart style. Slight stubble. Not scruffy. Nopes not scruffy at all. that stubble suited him. a slight cleft at the chin. just a little mole near the nose above lips. and that smile, the smile which is always slight. just a little twist. Black eyes. Not big in the sense big but intense eyes. The same eyes of that 17 years old who could look at you and see through you. The eyes that spoke. A face that wont be called handsome or beautiful but a face that would captivate you. A face that you wouldn't forget in hurry.
But all this physical appearances aside what struck us all is that change in the ummm!!
He paused again lost for the words..
He was lost for a couple of seconds and Samrat was waiting with barely disguised irritation. Irritated with the serenading of that man by his beloved uncle and irritated with himself for no real reason.
Finally Bhanu pratap shook his head and went on..
"for the lack of better word i would say what struck us all in that change in the aura around Him. There was a boy 4 years back, a cocky , confidant and fearless standing tall in front of men superior in age and experience and now there is a Man still cocky, confidant and fearless standing tall among older and experienced men. The only change now is the sheer power that he was radiating. the force of personality,the raw power, that intensity of stare you have to see it to believe it.
There was only Rana before who could radiate such an aura of power. Not even your father!
he suddenly stopped and stared at Samrat. Then he wagged his finger and said half jokingly and half sternly "don't you tell this to your father!"
Samrat gave an imitation of smile.
Bhanu Pratap smiled and continued.
"There was only Rana who had that sheer physical presence which dwarfed everything and everyone around him. But now looking at the Boy turned Man we felt that when He wont be Dwarfed by anyone or anything. When he is around He will command your attention you like or you don't. There are men who demand power and awe being loud and there was this Man who would command power and awe just by his physical presence no word spoken.
That was the change which left us all wondering How could anyone change so much in such a short time.
Samrat's handsome face was turning ugly due to the sheer hatred that he was feeling but Bhanu Pratap lost in the past failed to notice his nephew's changing expressions.
He then suddenly looked at Samrat and said
"And that was the Day when the boy earned his code name which stayed on as his only name."
With Great difficulty Samrat arranged his facial expressions to show curiosity and asked in such a tight voice that hurt his throat.
"Really! How Uncle!"
Bhanu Pratap mistook his nephews expressions as eagerness to know the tale. He smiled broadly and ruffled Samrat's hair again.Samrat bent his head down to hide his expressions from the kind but all knowing eyes of his uncle.
Bhanu pratap then said lovingly
"From a little handsome boy in pajamas who would go 'stories Uncle' and wont sleep till he heard all the stories of prince, dragons, monsters well past midnight to the Handsome young man sitting right in front of men listening to the old man rambling about past... you haven't changed Sammy. You are still that sweet, curious and beautiful child of mine".
This time Samrat could manage a real smile. He looked at the man whom he loved and who reciprocated his love ten folds back and give a sweet and genuine smile.
"Uncle! Don't call me sweet. it doesn't go with the image that i maintain. my girlfriends prefer calling me Hot, Dude and all that.
Bhanu Pratap grimaced..
"you and your girlfriends. I have never seen you going out with the same girl twice.
Nayy!!disagreed Samrat.
Twice i can manage. it is the third time that i give up." and he gave that handsome and charming smile of his that he is well known for.
Bhanu Pratap shook his head in amusement. Try how hard, one could not get angry or disapproving looking at Samrat's disarming smile. Charmer! his nephew is a born charmer. No wonder he is surrounded by all those girls. So many of them that he wonders if Samrat remembers the name of any of them. May be terms like Honey, Darling and all are invented by some one just like him.
He smiled again.
Both Uncle and nephew allowed that light moment to stay on for longer smiling at each other. Then Samrat brought himself back from the pleasant conversation to serious one to finish the unpleasant task of knowing about the Man, he would rather not about but couldn't help hearing about him more. so he asked the older man
"OK then! what happened in that meeting that day?"
Bhanu pratap took a moment to regather his thoughts, then took a deep breathe and continued.

Chapter 10:

"So that Boy turned Man entered right behind Rana and we were all dumbstruck to see that sheer presence of him which left us wondering that he looks so much like Rana himself. Same strength of character that shows, Same Aura of power around then, same command for respect from the people around. Actually we all started wondering that who is the better Titan among the two Titans standing in front of us. Rana has years of experience behind him. No One can stand up to him. But the younger Man standing next to Rana looked like he wont stand down for anyone. He will take anything and anyone head-on.
there was a pin-drop silence around. No one could think of anything to say. Then Saabji broke the silence. He said in that booming voice of his.
"Welcome Rana! Long time ha! So you think your Boy is ready"
Rana gave a sideways look to the Man standing next to him who incidentally was looking supremely bored and gave his rare smile and said.
"Yes Saabji!"
"So you think he is ready for claiming the kill?"
There was no hesitation in Rana's voice. Actually i detected a hint of pride in it. His reply was.
"Absolutely!"
Saabji smiled, a big smile. He looked straight at the Man standing next to Rana and asked directly.
" I am giving you a job. You think you can do it.?"
That Man gave a nonchalant shrug and said
"Off course I can do it. But the question is Will I do it. So tell me about the job first."
That voice. As a boy we have not heard him speaking much but now hearing his voice is a shock. What a voice!! It resonates. A deep, rich voice.
And What an answer. We thought now that is a direct snub or challenge to Saabji.how will he take it. To our utter surprise his smile broadened. He looked at the Man with something akin to pride and said
"You will do it! No Doubt! for i think you may want to do it. It suits your style.
The Man did not answer back instead he gave a look that said "fine! go ahead. tell me about the job."
Saabji took a file and slid it across the huge mahogany conference table in the room. It halted right in front of the Man. He reached for the file with his long fingers picked it up and turned it open. He then twisted his head slightly left side downwards and gave a smile.
"Done!"
no other word said.
We all were looking at him and Saabji they way we would watch a tennis match. Back and Forth.
Saabji smiled again and said
"I thought so."
Then finally Saabji realized people around him have stopped breathing in anticipation and are barely able to handle the suspense. He then decided to enlighten us all.
" the Kill is " Jogi".
We all sucked our breathes in as one. You gotta be kidding me. JOGI!!!
"And Who the hell is Jogi?" Samrat chipped in unable to sit silent for long.
Jogi! Bhanu Pratap replied wide-eyed "is the arch Rival of Saabji himself. Equal Ranking in our underworld."
You mean this Jogi guy was equal to Dad. I mean someone was actually in the same footing as Veer Pratap Thakur in underworld."
Yes! agreed the older man "More or less equal".
Samrat nodded his head in awe. Then suddenly struck by a thought he pipped up
"But why did Dad give the contract on Jogi, his rival to a rank new comer. Why did he not try to finish the other guy off before. I thought Dad hates competition."
Bhanu pratap gave an approving look to Samrat.
"Good Samrat so you do know your dad. And i am glad you asked me why did Saabji not issued a contract on Jogi's life earlier.
Now what makes you think that Saabji didn't do that" He raised his eyebrows and asked.
Samrat was confused.
"But i thought..." then he trailed off..
Nayy! explained his uncle.
Saabji never looked upon any competition kindly. He is the God of our underworld and that's exactly how he wants it to be. One God One Rule.
Yes he issued contract on the head of Jogi. But Jogi was not Saabji's direct rival for nothing. He was powerful too. Strong, Smart and above all always prepared. He had more protection than the Royal family of England. Always surrounded by toughest and the meanest bodyguards. And his house put put a fortress to shame. It was that strongly protected. To kill that guy you have to be a ghost or God himself. Many people accepted the contract. our best shooters, assassins from other parts, contract killers.. some for money, some as a challenge. No one won. a lot were killed. Some guys who failed where shot by Saabji himself.
Samrat sucked his breathe in.
"and then there were stories, gory horrifying stories of what Jogi did to the killers who dared to accept contract against his head. Stories like he personally peeled a guy like onion, or beheaded a guy and kept his head ad trophy in his conference room. Trust me Sammy after a point of time nobody would want to touch the money no matter how obscene the amount is bring in the death of Jogi. No one. We all fear Saabji, off course we do. But we fear our death more. So Saabji waited. Waited for that someone who would not only take up the contract but honour it and finish it.
So entered the Man."
Samrat sneered "you mean dad actually trusted a nobody from nowhere, someone who never claimed a kill before to go ahead and finish off this Jogi guy. You gotta be kidding me uncle.
Bhanu pratap's expressions were stern.
"Sam! to till date Saabji can be accused of lot many things but error of judgement is not one of them. He a good judge of people and Rana!" he paused..
"Rana is the best one around. So if he says the Boy or rather i should the Man is ready that means he is more than capable of handling anything throw at him. Anything.
Samrat didn't bother to hide his sneer.
Bhanu pratap ignored his nephew's expressions and went on with the story.
"So the Man smiled a slight smile of his and said Done and Saabji accepted that He would carry out the contract on the head of Jogi. we all were sceptical. No one wanted to openly question Saabji or that Man but come'on we are talking about Jogi here. the man who is talked about as someone death fears. How can a Man of just 21 years of age with virtually no experience behind him could think of actually killing Jogi. Preposterous. In the hindsight i think we all were in awe and may be a little jealous for the trust shown by Saabji on the Man, who as you rightly pointed out is a nobody from no where. And no one us wanted to think about the Man actually succeeding in this mission. we all failed and failed for years and now a Boy who just turned into a Man would succeed. Were would that leave us. Naahhh it was pretty shameful to imagine the situation. Being shown up isn't exactly a pleasant experience. No one wanted to experience that. But then who would say it to Saabji No sir I will take the job. No-Win situation. So some of us tried to extract a little mileage from the situation for ourselfs by trying to be helpful. So some of the members of the conference stared chipping in with their inputs.
You know Joshi, the podgy guy who is thought to be The Brains of most of our operations.
Samrat nodded his head in affirmative.
Yes the same guy. He tried to act all helpful. To be fair he has the knowledge of everything that goes around. He can tell you about anyone and anything.
So he very brightly chipped in.
Bhanu pratap imitated the whiny voice of Joshi.
" I know exactly how to bring Jogi down."
we all including the Man looked at Joshi. Seeing that everyone is paying attention on him he went on full flow.
You can not attack Jogi at his house. You would need a cavalry. His car is bullet proof and can sustain damage by a small bomb. He body guards are the bloody best. He never uses the same route for his journey to any usual haunts of his. So... He paused for the effect.
So the only option is school.
we all were confused. come again School! What school.
Joshi smiled broadly and said Jogi parades as a philanthropist and donates to all charitable organisations. Thee is this school he is the trustee of. He will be attending some awards function for children there. Being a school we don't think there be his usual tight security around. Lot many children and their parents. More public much better for us. Our guy! he paused and looked at the Man and said barely hiding his pleasure and pride at himself " can blend in among public there. All he has to do is enter the auditorium, shoot the devil (he smiled) and shoot around, create general pandemonium and when the guards are busy can simply walk off from there..
Joshi finished his plan which incidentally we all thought was excellent and looked around in pride giving a broad smile. then he happened to notice the stare of the Man. A look which clearly showed the disgust and that too with such an intensity that Joshi's smile faltered.
Saabji listened in to the idea of Joshi with total concentration. then he looked at the Man and asked him calmly..
"What do You think?.
The Man replied in a voice that was chilling
"No! Jogi will not be killed in the school."
Joshi added defensively "if not school were else do you plan to kill him. it is impossi..." His voice trailed off under the glare of the Man.
Shooting in front of hundred of kids, creating stampede, hurting bystanders unnecessarily.. Nayyy!! i think i can do better than that.
Joshi clammed up. he didn't want to risk saying anything further.
But another man made the mistake of questioning the Man.
Who? Samrat asked curiously.
Apte! Bhanu pratap smiled.
Apte kaka! Samrat asked incredulously.
"Yes! reiterated the older man. "Our Apte, the right hand of Saabji.
He asked the Man ..
"And How would you kill Jogi?"
And then the Man gave a reply which no of forgot to till date.
He said " You till me who to kill and i will do the job. I wont ask you why should i kill and i would prefer if you don't ask me how i would kill.
Why is none of my concern and How is none of your business".
Samrat listened in wide-eyed.
Bhanu pratap chuckled.
"you should have seen Apte's face there. Anger, smarting at insult, disbelief.. pick any one one and you could see it on his face. All we could do is stare and Saabji just smiled.
Samrat had the nagging doubt that he had to clear up. so he asked.
But Uncle! the shootout in school sounded good. Why would the Man reject it. or" he added with a sneer " he wanted the credit of planning entirely for himself."
Bhanu pratap looked down at his nephew.
"Sam you really don't know much about the Man. So listen in.

Chapter 11:

" In our world some of us believe in Honour Sam. Rana and your Dad never did anything which wasn't allowed by their conscience. Some follow the code of honour some don't. But you look at that Man and you would be left in no doubt that this one would rather fail than give up on honour. Shooting in front of kids, in front of the family of the victim or hitting innocent bystanders are somethings that are not respected. Off course we don't condemn anyone as long as the job is done but the way job is done speaks a lot about the one performing the job. That Man was and still is the one who followed these code of honour. To till date he never killed anyone other than the person he is supposed to kill. He would hurt without remorse or compassion if someone is unlucky enough cross his path but No! he never believed in indiscriminate killing. So you shouldn't be surprise that he dismissed Joshi's idea with such a contempt.
Samrat flared his nostrils but didn't reply. He could find nothing to say. He merely looked on and the older man continued.
" So then Saabji smiled and said Alright! your game! your rules! i want the job done. I want that Jogi to die. not hurt just dead. We clear.!
The Man merely inclined his head slightly and nodded.
You can get on the job whenever you are ready. No questions will be asked. You will be on your own.
The Man smiled at that and then asked insolently.
"can i leave! "
he probably would have walked off if Saabji said No" chuckled Bhanu pratap.
But the very moment Rana spoke.
Have you heard Rana speak Sammy" he asked but before Samrat could reply he went on.
"Rana has this deep booming voice with with he said
"Wait Boy!"
The Man looked at Rana, all expressions of insolence gone from his face.
Rana then said
"Before you leave for the kill you need a code name"
Now that surprised the Man. he looked at Rana with a perplexed expression. i think being called Boy for so long he must have never felt the need of actually having his own name. so he looked on.
Rana announced
"hereby You will be called and recognized by one name"
we all held our breathe again in suspense and anticipation.
"Gabriel!"
And then the Man smiled. What a smile. It just lit up his eyes. He nodded again this time in what i think can be termed as joy and happiness or may be satisfaction.
I don't think anyone else in the meeting, barring me, got the significance of that name. I guess everyone thought Gabriel why Gabriel! or may be Nice name.but no more than that. I am sure about that.
"Ok! samrat asked out of curiosity, he has always been curious about that name "what is the significance of that name? isn't that the name of an angel. Why would be He(Samrat grated on that word) be termed as an angel.
Bhanu pratap gave a smile which hid a hint of pride in his knowledge and power of guessing and deduction.
"Gabriel is an angel. actually he is an archangel meaning high ranking angel. Archangel Gabriel has a remarkable position as one of the few cultural figures who plays an important role in more than one major religion. He is referred to in the Old Testament as appearing to Daniel. In Christian tradition he appears to the Virgin and to Zachariah. In Islamic tradition he is renowned for dictating the Holy Koran to the Prophet Mohammed. In fact Gabriel defines most people's idea of what an angel is. the most potent image of Angel Gabriel is that he announced the impending birth of the Messiah to Mary. He is thought of as an angel of mercy. virtues like great,might, strength, power are associated with him."
Well! how sweet! mocked Samrat. "angel of mercy! What a code name for a killer. This Rana guy sure had a wicked sense of humour"
I am not finished yet Sam! Bhanu pratap said severely in such a tone that Samrat flinched. His uncle used that tone rarely and only if he thought Samrat should pay attention to what he is saying. Samrat nodded his head.
Bhanu pratap continued.
"However in biblical tradition, he is sometimes regarded as the angel of death, the prince of fire and thunder, but more frequently as one of God's chief messengers. he is termed as the angel of resurrection, mercy,vengeance, death and revelation. Judeo-christian lore he is named as the angel of death".
Samrat forgot that he has been holding his breathe for long. when his lungs screamed their protest he realized to breathe in.
"Angel of death!" he said in awe.
Exactly! Bhanu pratap said with a short wag of forefinger.
that's why Rana named that Man "Gabriel" and couldn't think of any other name which would have suited him so perfectly.
or maybe i could" he added after a short pause.

And what is that! Samrat snapped.
"Azreal!".
"And who is he?" Samrat asked curious despite himself.
"In Islam theology,Azreal is the Angel of Death who is forever writing in a large book and forever erasing what he writes; what he writes is the birth of the man and what he erases is the name of the man at death. I would have been a great name for that Man.
No! he paused and then corrected himself "No! i think Gabriel is more apt. Because he never bothered himself with the history of his kills or targets. He just goes ahead, finish the contract, claim the kill and that's it. chapter closed for him. So maybe we can say Saabji is the one who writes down the death date of the victims. And Gabriel is the one who plays the part of angel of death."
Bhanu pratap stopped narrating to allow Samrat to absorb the moment. The silence was so loud in that room that it could be heard.
After what seemed likes ages the older man reverted back to the tale.
"Saabji then dismissed the meeting with hi usual waving of hand. and we all dispersed. The Man walked off the room looking taller than the tallest person present there and Rana followed Saabji when he was signalled at by Saabji. "
"That's it! Samrat asked incredulously. "Meeting dispersed."
"Yes the meeting dispersed" asserted Bhanu pratap " what else was there to discuss anyways. Contract was given and contract was accepted. Finish. End of the story.
"So this Man" Samrat struggled with the name" Gabriel finished the job?"
"Off course!" The older man shrugged and said that in a tone which clearly meant that he thought the question was stupid.
Samrat pursed his lips and tried not to glare at his uncle.
Bhanu pratap went on.
"It is a saying in our underworld. If Gabriel took the job, the job is done. So think before giving him a contract because once he accepted the contract he wont give you the time to think again. He goes, Hits, kills, and comes back. No fuss, no mess, no bloodshed of innocents just a dead body left behind. In our language we call it a clean kill. If it is not clean rest assured it is not his handiwork. And name is synonymous with Cleans Kills."
Samrat could taste the bitterness of bile rising in his throat. He wanted that name, fame and reputation for himself. Wanted it so badly. But one thing he never tried to understand that mere wanting is not enough. You need to EARN it.
Uncle! get on with the story" He snapped completely annoyed now.
Bhanu pratap was not offended at the tine used by his nephew. he always understood Samrat's many and varying moods. So he raised his palm in a gesture of peace and said
"Ok Sammy lets get on with the story. So what i was saying is that the question is not whether the job was done. Off course it was done. The question should be how it was done. And that my boy is the story legends are made off."

Chapter 12:

"So the meeting dispersed and we all went off back to our daily lives. Life went back to normal or as normal as it could be in our world. then three says later our world was rocked. Equations were changed, myths shattered and announcement of arrival of the best among the bests Assassin was made and that was some arrival Sammy. What do you youngsters call it! Oh yes! Arrived with a BANG!" yes that’s it. arrived with a BANG! For three days later early morning we all looked at the headlines of the leading newspapers screaming that 'High profile leading businessman Jogindar Singh
Bhanu pratap stopped the tale. He said nothing for a full minute.
It took a moment for Samrat to react then he said bemused
"that’s it! just a newspaper news. Just an article announcing Jogi is dead and no idea about the killer. What the..?? " he swallowed the expletive looking at his uncle and then choked out " that’s it. I mean no nothing how he died and how that that.." he struggled " Gabriel killed him?" then added nastily " if he managed to kill Jogi at the first place that is. You guys have no idea how the murder was done and by whom ha?Are you saying that you don't know the story?".
"And who says that we don't know the story" Bhanu pratap replied calmly stressing each word "Off course we know the story. Everybody knows. Stories like that are written in golden ink in the history of our underworld. So yes everyone knew the story. Heard, talked and wondered about it for years to come."
"So would you kind enough to TELL the story please! Samrat voiced in thinly veiled sarcasm.
Bhanu pratap raised his eyebrows, then smiled lightly and started telling the story.
“Joshi was right. You would need a cavalry to attack Jogi at his house. He is surrounded by the best of the best security personnel and he is suspicious of everything and everyone with a good reason i must say so he is always on guards. So where would one attack him and most importantly how should one attack him. You get only once chance in jobs like this. No errors and no corrections. Hit, Kill and Run. That was the only thing to do and that was the thing He did.
"He? It was Gabriel!” Samrat asked but it was not a question. He knew the answer.
"Yes!” affirmed Bhanu pratap “ it was indeed Gabriel. Who else could be a ghost and devil rolled in one. So yes Sammy Gabriel is the guy who conquered the quest which left so many lesser mortals dead by the sideways. Now would you like to know how he did it”.
Samrat gave a short nod.
“Jogi always travelled in his armoured car with two jeeps covering him. One in front one at the tail end. Toughest and meanest guards in both the Jeeps and two best guards travelled in the car with Jogi himself. On gaurd was the driver of that car. Jogi at times travelled along a forest way to reach for the city. A road surrounded by thick forest on both sides. A dangerous forest. That fateful day he was travelling by the same road. Then came a blast and the jeep in the front went flying in the air. Screaming,burning and exploding and crashed right in front of Jogi’s armoured car. That car being a toughest one survived with out a scratch. Bodyguards poured down from the remaining jeep and started to fan off. The two guards with Jogi stayed back in the car. It was their job to protect him at any cost. Rest all can wait. So they said put. The others moved out. Generally when a bomb is planted, the bomber stays back to check out his handiwork and this bomb was a remote controlled one. So the bomber surely is around for he has to press the trigger when the target arrived. That was a good thinking but may i add proved unfortunate for all. They entered the forest area and there He was waiting. The devil or angel of death whatever you call him. Gabriel! He then started taking all of them out one by one. Sometimes with gun, sometimes with knife and then with bare hands. No one was left standing. Those guys are trained to take any man anytime but then who is trained to take on devil himself. Poor b*****ds. And when none of the guards came back,the guards in the car started worrying. Best course would have been starting the car and running the hell out of there. But i think they were frightened and confused. They have never seen or heard such a silent and complete unknown danger anytime before. So when they saw a man wearing a same all black gear as them his face smeared with blood they thought it is their own man coming. And so when he knocked on the window they rolled it down. Their last deed of the day. The man was Gabriel and he shot them point blank. They had no time to even register surprise. Jogi meanwhile in the backseat was reaching for his gun and then he made the mistake of looking into the eyes of the killer standing out and looking straight at him. And then all he could do is stare in horrified fascination too paralysed with fear to react. Then same way a deer would look into the eyes of a lion knowing that the death is near, death is coming. Then Gabriel fired. A bullet which took half the forehead of Jogi, his brain, blood and yes his life. A bullet which announced the arrival of the best of the bests killer in our world. A bullet which wrote his name as the Angel of Death. Jogi died and Gabriel was born.”
Samrat was expressing myriad emotions none that he could define with clarity. So he said nothing. Just kept on looking mutely at his uncle.
The older man went on
“ that was the day the man called Gabriel packed his bags and left the mansion. Saabji paid him handsomely. He even requested him to stay here or near by. But he choose to live on his own and away from this place. Fromthat day he was on his own. He comes here when called for a job accepts it if he likes or throws it back on the face if he doesn’t. His game; His rules. One style : Clean kill. And the reputation that lived on : if you give a job to Gabriel; it is Done.”.
He now is the highest paid shooter not many can afford. And even if someone is able to afford him he may just refuse the job if he doesn’t like the look of it or if it is not challenging enough.
You know Sammy! In the underworld every shooter has a code name. Nothing unsual about him. Example sasha, victor, Dj, atif, Krish they all are professional snipers and they go by their code names when on job. Say victor is known as Viper. That’s how it is done. Code name on job and own name outside. But Gabriel is the unsual one here. He goes by only one name. Just one. Gabriel!”.
He is the bloody best and he knows it. Our whole world knows it. It is that unwritten rule here; there is nothing he can’t beat. And there is no one who can beat him. When he comes just Give Him Way.”
And then Bhanu pratap stopped. The tale was finished.
Samrat was sitting holding his his whiskey glass so tight that his knuckles turned white. The fiery liquid untouched and sitting flat in the glass. There was a total silence in the room. Bhanu pratap said everything and Samrat could find nothing to say. The silence contined for what seemed like an eternity. Then Bhanu pratap cleared his throat and exclaimed
Oh my! Look at the time Sam. Didn’t realize it was so late.” Then he smiled “just like old times eh? Past midnights and our story telling sessions wont end” he gave a laugh which sounded a little strained maybe marathon narration took toll or may be he found the silence of his nephew disturbing. To break the oppressing silence he then said
“Right Sam bed time!”
Samrat looked up at the older man with blank eyes as if he is lost in some world of his own.
Bhanu pratap reiterated with a smile “ it is late kid even by your standards. So off you go. Hit the bed and sleep well. See you in the morning” .
Samrat nodded and go up from bar stool and stared walking towards the door on automation when he was stopped by his uncle’s voice.
“Goodnight Sammy!”.
Samrat did not even try to smile. He just nodded and went off leaving the older man staring at his back in worry and concern. He walked off to his room as if he is sleepwalking. His legs took him to the room on their own. Samrat was way too lost in his thought to register the way. He entered his room. A huge room brightly coloured with the pictures of pop icons and cars and bikes adorning the wall. A room fit enough for a prince with a splendid view through its bay windows. The wall on one side of the room was completely covered with huge mirrors. Samrat sat down on the king size chair in the room and reached for fist sized crystal paper weight from the dressing table. He stared staring at the rainbow colours being reflected by the crystal’s facets as if he is mesmerized by the play of colours. He was not. He was just lost in his past. He remember what his uncle asked him back downstairs near the bar.
“ Sam! You ever met that Man or heard about him. I never asked you?”
And he remembered his own reply
“No! I never met him. Just heard about him in whispers”.
He lied. He met that Man. He talked to him, he heard of him and he hated him. Samrat kept gazing at the crystal as if he could see his past right in the reflective surface of the crystal in his hand. In a way he really was seeing his past, for today the past just wants to comes to the present and meet up with that 16 years old boy of yesterday who is now 27 years old young man gazing at the crystal and remembering that yesterday.

Chapter 13:

A handsome, lanky young man of 16 years with a man of floppy silky hair, dark brown eyes and a charming smile walked into the banquet hall as if he owns it, which technically he does. He was hungry. He could have had a princely spread in the dining area of his mansion but he wanted to have his lunch along with the other members residing in the mansion. He loves being treated as a prince the moment he enters the common area. After all he is the son of the King of the house and God for the men. He walked in tossing his head in the air with hands in his pockets. Wearing a pristine white t- shirt and blue jeans he looked every inch the royalty. The moment he entered people chatting, people having their food, even those who dozed off suddenly were jolted to attention.
“ hi! Samrat babu.”!
Namaste Babu!
Welcome Babu!
Resonated the whole area. Samrat smiled proudly and waved his hand at the people around in the imitation of royalty and then he started walking around. Suddenly he stopped reverted by a sight which never happened in front of him. A boy of close to 18 years was calmly eating his lunch from his plate on the table right in front of Samrat without paying a least attention to anyone or anything around him. A boy one would call attractive though may be not technically handsome, lean body, serene face, shock of black hair and black eyes and that cleft on the chin. An unusual boy in all.
Samrat stared at him. He couldn’t believe someone actually had the gal to ignore Samrat Virendra Thakur. He choose to think that maybe that other boy is either dumb or too busy in eating that he failed to notice the prince of the house making his entry. So Samrat thought of correcting the boy and to make that boy understand the rules around the house. You always salute Samrat no matter who you are or what you are doing. People nearby stopped whatever they were doing and started paying attention to the scene that was about to unfold in the room.
Samrat went near the table where the boy sat and slammed his fist on it. The table shuddered at the impact. If Samrat thought the boy would be frightened he was grossly mistaken. The boy was neither scared nor did he even show a least bit of interest at the angry young kid standing in front of him..
He merely raised his eyebrows and said in a mocking tone.
“Any problem? Kid!”
That sarcastic tone and above all being termed as Kid by someone who is no more than two years older to him rankled Samrat.
“I will show you problem you insolent pig” Samrat hissed through clenched teeth.
The boy was not offended on the contrary he looked amused. He merely gave a lopsided smile and the expressions on his face told more clearly than any words.. “oh really?”
Samrat was incensed.
“do you know who i am?”
The boy simply folded his hands in the crook of his arms and sat back in the chair with supreme nonchalance said in that same mocking tone
“No i don’t know. And not interested either.”
Samrat exploded
You b*****d! How dare you?
By now the silence spread throughout the banquet hall. People stopped chatting, eating and were jostled to attention. Those who were jut lounging sat up in attention. Everyone was playing the role of a spectator. Curious to see how and where this encounter between the prince of the House and the boy everyone secretly feared, would lead.
The boy merely gave a lopsided smile at the expletive used by Samrat.
“Kid! Why don’t you save the bother and time and just get to the point?”
Samrat was turning red with rage.
“don’t you dare talk like that to me. You don’t know who am i”
Ok” drawled the older boy “Now you got me interested. So go ahead enlighten me. Who are you?”
Samrat announced loudly in a voice full of pride
“I am Samrat Veer Pratap Thakur. Son of Virendra Thakur. The King of the underworld and your God.”
If Samrat thought the Boy would jump on his feet and show respect and fear at this announcement he was mistaken again.
The Boy looked amused.
He said in cold amusement.
“glad to meet you Samrat Thakur. Will chat with you other time. Now why don’t you” He gestured with his hands towards the exit in indication for Samrat to leave “and let me” he gestured towards his plate “ finish my lunch. Unlike you I am busy”.
He gave that mocking smile again and slowly started to reach for the food in his plate.
Samrat was blind with the rage. Nobody ever so much as raised their voice at him in this house. Now he is insulted, mocked and dismissed by a boy, a mere nobody of no standing. He lunged.
Samrat swept the plate in front of the boy with his left hand in full force. The plate slid across the table and fell down on the ground with a clang and the food in the plate was thrown all over the table and the ground.
That got to the boy. He slowly looked up at Samrat. And for the first time in his life Samrat was scared. Looking into those eyes, that intensity of gaze Samrat was paralyzed with fear.
The boy did not waver his gaze. He was looking straight at Samrat in a way which told everyone including Samrat that he is now angry and the younger boy is gonna pay.
He reached for the table bottom with his right hand and simply tossed the heavy table out of the way. The table made a total 180 degree angle in the air and fell by the side upside down.
Then he slowly took a step forward towards Samrat. The younger boy involuntarily took a step back his gaze struck at the Boy’s eyes in fear. The boy who a moment back looked amused and calm is now looking menacing. His face arranged the expressions to a hard mask. He gaze was still intense and still frightening.
“What the hell is happening here” a booming voice reverberated throughout the hall. Everyone knew that voice and respected its owner. They all slowly turned towards the direction the voice came from and looked at the man standing by the door.
Virendra Thakur, the king, the ruler, the God. And he was angry. With above average height, stocky and fit, face that is moderately well structured and big eyes that flash fire when in deep emotion he was a remarkable man. Dressed in light coloured kurta standing by the door with his expressions slowly turning to anger he glared at the entire room and boomed again.
“can someone tell me what the hell is happening here”.
No one did. No one dared to.
He glared at the people around again and slowly walked towards the main players of the show. Samrat and the Boy. Both were standing in the same position as they were a moment back.
Virendra thakur or Saabji as he is called by all looked at the upturned table, the food all over the floor, then at the Boy who was now in control of his anger and looking more dangerous for that. Then he looked at Samrat. Before he could ask or say anything Samrat reacted. The young boy raised his hand and pointed his forefinger at the Boy standing in front of him and said in a voice that was slightly stuttering due to fear.
“He started it all”.
To his utter consternation his hand was shaking. The Boy in front of him merely looked at him with no change of expressions. Despite his current state of mind Samrat couldn’t fail to notice the boy was neither looking frightened or even awed by the presence of the great man himself, Samrat’s father Virendra Thakur. If anything he looked as if now he is getting bored.
He started it all” Samrat reinterated. Then added “ He was about to attack me Dad. He is crazy. I tell you Dad this boy is crazy”. He went on speaking fearfully in quick fashion words running one against the other.
Saabji stared at Samrat without blinking for a moment then he turned and gave another look to the boy who by now is openly looking bored. Then Saabji looked back at Samrat again and said in voice that was stern
“Apologize!”
If anyone was expecting anything it certainly was not this. Samrat couldn’t believe his ears.
He stuttered
“but Dad He is the one who started it all. He should be the one to apologize”
Saabji said calmly but sternly
“give you father some credit for having good sense of judgement Samrat! I can see for myself who is right and who is wrong. The boy who is standing with no fear and the boy who is shivering.”
Samrat felt a sense of shame.
“anyone can see who is guilty. So one more time.. Apologize!”
Samrat looked around at the people standing nearby watching the drama, in shame and humiliation. None voiced any opinion and certainly no one came in his defence to offer a counter idea.
He looked back at the Man, his father standing in front of his staring at Samrat in something close to anger and disappointment. Samrat respected his father and feared him. But apologizing to the Boy is something he cant do. He wont do.
His expressions turned obstinate.
“I wont!”
Each one of the spectators was aghast. No one ever disobeyed Saabji. Never.
Saabji’s expressions didn’t change. He said in a smooth tone which he used when in extreme anger
“ I think you have not heard me Samrat. I said apologize.”
Samrat started wavering. He was already scared now he was getting petrified. He saw his father occasionally for he stays far away in boarding school. He rarely dealt with that legendary anger. The instances where he did he never forgot.
NOW!” Saabji finally yelled.
Samrat flinched. He tried to look in his father’s eyes pleadingly but those eyes were unforgiving.
He then looked at the Boy. Among all those who were present in that room, only that Boy was calm,collected and supremely unfazed. The Boy gazed right back at Samrat. He was not expecting any apologies. Just felt no need for it. He couldn't bother less with the drama unfolding right before him. His expression said it all. “fine get over it. I am bored”.
Samrat whispered.
“I am sorry”.
Loudly!” Saabji said sternly.
I am sorry! Samrat almost shouted.
Then unable to take it anymore he ran off from the room. Away from the gazing eyes of the people watching him, his humiliation, his retreat. Some eyes were pitying, some amused. Samrat did not want to look at any of those eyes. His sense of humiliation and shame was too much. He ran.
He ran towards his room, ignoring the voices outside the room..
Babu! Why are you running.
Samrat babu slow! Wait! What happened?
He ran till he reached his room and slammed it shut after him. Then he stopped. He started breathing heavily trying to take in as much as air as possible into his screaming lungs. He calmed down and then he remembered it all. The insult, the humiliation, the sense of betrayal, the shame and above of the Boy who is responsible for this all.
Samrat screamed and started throwing things all around his room. Breaking them against the wall, on the floor with complete and utter disregard to their value or his own safety.
He raged on and on.
Then finally as the storm in his heart reached its peak he broke down. Sitting on the floor against his bed he wept.
He wept till he could weep no more. Then finally wiped his eyes on his sleeves and remembered that Boy again. At that moment Samrat knew he would hate him forever. His hatred towards the Boy was complete, total and absolute. What he did not know that the Boy will not hate Samrat. Hate is a strong emotion and that Boy rarely invested in emotions. He is untouched and uncaring of surroundings, of people. For him Samrat just doesn’t matter. But for Samrat the Boy would forever remain as someone he would hate with passion. Someone who will pay someday for humiliating Samrat Thakur. Someone who will admit that Samrat is to be treated with respect and fear and someone who will be beg Samrat to forgive him.
Samrat took a deep breathe and stared right ahead unseeing, overwhelmed, fraught with emotions.

Chapter 14:

Samrat was gazing at the crystal seeing that 16 years old boy of yesterday sitting in the same room broken and emotionally bruised. His gaze was unblinking and heart unfeeling. He slowly kept the crystal back on the table then leaned back in the chair gazing at the ceiling. Over the years whenever he came back to the house he heard the whispers. The whispers of the mysterious boy who is being trained by the best, then whispers of how he is now one of the best and then came the whispers that tore Samrat.
Samrat closed his eyes and went back to that day in the past that haunted him since then and is still alive and burning now.
A lanky handsome boy of 19years was walking by the corridors of his home going out to hang out with his friends. Then he heard two men who worked in the lower rungs of his father’s kingdom talking and laughing. He still doesn’t know what made him hide behind the door alongside the corridor and hear the conversation of those two men. Maybe he shouldn’t have. May be he should have walked away. The pain would have been less then. But he choose to listen in.
First man said.
“i told you! Didn’t i? Nobody agreed with me! I told you!”
Second man waved his hand at him and said
OK i believe you! Now stop saying “i told you so”. It is getting on my nerves.”
First man agreed.
OK i wont say it again, but hey i was right, wasn’t I?
Second man agreed this time.
That you were. But i guess we all knew deep down that boy would do it.
First man..
Not the boy. he is Gabriel now!”
Samrat’s ears pricked up at that name. He too heard the christening of the boy, his arch enemy and was none to pleased. And he certainly did not asked anyone to narrate the glorious tale of that boy’s first kill. He choose to assume that it was an easy kill. After all it was the first time. It had to be an easy one.
Second man said.
Yeah he is Gabriel now. Cant say i understand why Rana gave him that name. But great man he is. If he says the boy sorry Gabriel will rule who are we to doubt him. And just between us i think this Gabriel soon would reach the heights scaled by Rana himself. Fire that boy has fire in him”
There was lot of admiration in that voice. Samrat’s lips curled up in disgust.
First man readily joined his companion in singing that boy’s praises.
True! You just have to look at him to know that he is born to rule. In fact” he lowered his voice “ i think He Gabriel is the true son of Saabji.”
Samrat reeled back in shock.
Second man paused for a second then slowly said.
I think you are right. He could be the son of saabji”
What could be? The first man rallied on “ i tell you he is the real son of Saabji. The true heir. Now see both have same strength of character. Both have the same world is their attitude.
Yes! Yes! Agreed the second man. “now that you mention it even i feel Gabriel looks more like a son to Saabji than our Samrat babu”.
Samrat was listening in with horror totally shocked to react.
Samrat Babu! First man said in scorn. “ that kid have no similarities with our great Saabji. I think even Saabji knows that. No wonder he packed that kid off to another country for studying. I mean studying.” He asserted the word studying as if it is something beneath his brethren.
“And” he went on “ you remember Saabji brought that Gabriel home here from nowhere. Nobody knows who that boy is or where he came from. Maybe... you know” he whispered “ he really is the son of Saabji. I mean like illegitimate or something.”
Naayy! Second man disagreed. “ Saabji is not a man like that. Whatever he did or does he always did it openly. He is an honourable man. So no i don’t think Saabji is the real father of that boy. But” he held his hand up to stop the first man from speaking in “but that boy looks like his son and true heir more than Samrat. And yes i feel that even saabji thinks the same otherwise why would he choose that boy over his own son to train under great man Rana. May be he readying that boy to take over after him”.
You said it buddy! First man said in admiration. “even i think the same. And i for one would want to work under Gabriel than that Samrat. That kid cant hold a knife properly forget handling a gun”
He guffawed.
Second man shushed him. “ hush! What if he hears you! You dummy! He sissy or no sissy he still is our boss’s son”
Oh what would he do? Said the first man still laughing “run off to complain about us to his uncle”
“Bhanuji dotes on Samrat” the second man said sternly “he will have our heads if he finds out we are making fun of his precious nephew”
Lets Go!
And they went off leaving samrat shocked rooted to his spot. He was horrified and in state of disbelief. He slowly walked off to his room like a zombie thoughts whirling round and round his head. He slowly entered his room unseeing anything. He sat on his bed.
“so thats why” suddenly a thought popped in his head. “so that's why, Saabji, the great Virendra Thakur sent samrat far away from his home and world and brought in that boy to stay here in this house, to be trained under the best, to finally take over”.
Is that boy really the son and true heir of .....
NOOO!!!! Samrat eyes flew open. He started at the ceiling then looked around the room disoriented. He got up with a jerk from the rocking chair. And keep looking around the room then finally convincing himself that he is now no longer the same 16 years kid or that 19years old young boy. he now is 27years man who wont sit in room and cry or simply sit here and wonder. He is the son of Virendra Thakur. That's the fact. And it is time to make others realize that He not that Gabriel is and will be the true heir to this underworld. It is his right by birth. Years he spent years under the poisonous shadow of the boy now it is time to come out and reclaim his place. Dark though, reeking with death though this world is his. Samrat’s. And no one will take it away from him. Time to crib and complain is over. It is now or never. He wasted years sitting in the shadows mopping and moaning. He now has to go out and take what is rightfully his and his alone. His place under the sun. As the heir of Virendra thakur, the king of underworld.

Chapter 15:

He slowed down the car in front of the closed gate. There was no watch man around. He employed no one to guard the house. Who will guard the devil’s den. He allowed himself a slight smile. Then reached for his keys and pressed a button to open the gates. The automated gate slowly slide sideways on the rollers allowing the access. He forwarded the car and entered the premises of the house. It was a quaint house not a sprawling one but spacious enough. Built almost of stones it looks a house which possess character. The lawn was well moved and the garden comprised of every known plants right from roses to cactus to croutons to palm trees. Peace and serenity was felt by anyone who entered the house. But no one enters the house unless allowed by the owner and he allowed no one inside his private sanctum. Only a maid for cleaning during weekends when he is in the city. Otherwise his house is off limits to those who know where he lives and to strangers alike. No one dared to invite themselves to his dorm. And he invited none to intrude his private space. He likes to be left alone. And everyone obliges him. Alone but not lonely.
He opened the garage with another push of button and entered it to park his non decrepit car. The garage has other vehicles too. Some regular cars which wont merit second curious glance, a mountain bike and there was his pride and joy. His Lexus LFA sports car. Upgradation from his earlier Lamborgini Murciela of 2006. This new baby of his is Japanese make, completely hand assembled 562 horse power beast. And he absolutely loved it. If anyone dares to some much as put a smudge on it forget scratching he would probably take a contract on them without any monetary benefits in the end. For a man who claims to love no one he surely loved his possessions. His gun, his car, his house.
He gave a thorough look to the surroundings, smiled at his vehicles especially his Lexus then closed the garage and entered the house. He tossed his gun loaded briefcase on the couch and sank in the sofa and slowly loosened his tie. He was no fan of ties. He is more comfortable in his casuals. Mostly prefers wearing his blue denim shirt. Too bad it needed to be washed now and then otherwise he would happily wear it everyday.
He checked his hands. Time to hit the shower i guess! He mused.
I think i am smelling of death! He pursed his lips, then shrugged his shoulders as if it is a no big deal and slowly got up and went to shower.
The automatic hot water system got the water right at the temperature he prefers. He allowed the spray of water to fall all over him. Right from his mane to his bare back. He slowly keep his hands on the tiled wall and twirled his head allowing the water to completely drench him. He stood for a long time under the jet, breathing in deeply. Then closed then shower knob and went to stand in front if his mirror. He used his hand to wipe the fog away from the mirror then gazed at his refection.
A man with black eyes and an arresting face stared back at him. He was oblivious to his looks. He never felt any need to categorize himself to good looking or handsome. Though anyone one would have told him that he has got a face and personality that strikes the onlookers and makes impression immediately he probably wouldn’t have believed them.
I just killed a man! He thought looking a his reflection. Should i feel anything. Maybe remorse, guilt, Ok if not that atleast happiness and pride that he completed the contract and terminated his kill!”
“Nothing!” He answered himself.
“I guess the thrill, the adventure is missing. Jobs, kills are no longer exciting.” He shook his head at the thought process.
“Yeah people really should think of making it more exciting and adventurous to kill them. I mean allowing themselves to be killed so easily is soo boring” a voice in him mocked and he openly smiled.
“Gabriel boy! i think you are getting old!” he reached for his red towel, wiped himself and entered his bedroom. He selected a blue jeans and crisp white shirt and wore them. They perfectly complimented his lean frame.
While closing the cupboard his eyes fell on an old fashioned jewellery box. He slowly reached for it, held it in his hand almost reverently and brought it out. He then walked towards the sofa in his room carrying it and slowly kept it on the table. He opened it and very slowly reverently took out an old fashioned gun. His first gun. His first weapon. He wiped its barrel with his long fingertips and then held it in his hands. He killed a man with it. He committed his first murder with it. Delivered total and complete death. In one way it shaped his life. He can still see the blood in his hands. But it doesn’t bother him.
“the blood that i can see in my hands don’t bother me.” He was talking to himself. “but the thought that may be it should bother me but it doesn’t should bother me. No it doesn’!”
Gabriel! I think you really are getting old.” He smiled at himself. Then kept the gun back in its nestling place, kept the box back in the cupboard and closed it.
He went to the bar in the living room, poured himself a swift drink, watched the amber colour liquid pouring in the glass, listening to the sound. He twirled his forefinger around the rim of the glass, then lifted it and finished it in one gulp. He could feel the fire and the path that it chartered from his throat to chest then settling in the gut.
He kept the glass back on the bar table then reached for his guitar kept near his bar chair and held it in position. He raised one knee, nestled the body of the guitar, held its neck in one hand, made him self comfortable and in tune with the instrument in his hand and slowly started strumming. And the music flew. Spreading all over the rooms, washing away his thoughts, the past ,the future and the present. He played on.

Chapter 16:

The beginning:

At the mansion:

Bhanu pratap singh was sitting in the same room near the bar nursing a drink in his occasionally glancing at the door Samrat left through. He was having misgivings about narrating the tale of that boy Gabriel to Samrat. His nephew looked quite disturbed and subdued while leaving and that was worrying the old man. Maybe he should have left the past alone. Samrat needs to stay away from Gabriel for his own good. He has this corrosive hatred towards that Gabriel and Bhanu pratap was worried his nephew may end up doing something under his emotions that would put him in trouble. He just wanted his child Sammy to be safe and away from any kind of trouble. And crossing Gabriel’s path would not only be inviting trouble but it is potentially dangerous. Lost in his thoughts he was about to sip the drink when a stocky, middle aged man with a strong face and matching personality entered.
“Ahh Apte!” welcomed bhanu pratap “ What brings you here?”
Apte, the right hand of Saabji, the bodyguard of the great man himself as well as the protector of the entire Thakur mansion. The chief of all the men working under Saabji. His major duty is protecting Saabji and Samrat too if need arises and there would be not doubt among any of the men that Apte would do his duty to death. His loyalty is unmatched, unquestioning and legendary. He was fiercely protective of his boss and boss’s son. Any man foolish enough to even think of hurting them would have to go through Apte to reach them and will end up dead or worse in the process. Apte would kill without mercy and remorse in the line of his duty. He may not look fit and agile but has to be underestimated under owns peril. His devotion to Saabji is blind and his loyalty total.
“Bhanuji!” Apte exclaimed “ You here. I was looking for you everywhere. Tomorrow Saabji has called for the meeting. He wants everyone to be present. Just wanted pass on the message.”
“Meeting?” Bhanu pratap furrowed his brows. Meetings are not unusual. Saabji conducts them once a while, but what is unusual is the order for everyone to be present. That rarely happened and when such meeting happened it was for a very strong reason.
Any particular reason? He asked Apte.
“I don’t know Bhanuji but Saabji’s order are to be allowed anyways. So kindly be present at the meeting tomorrow morning.”
Bhanu pratap looked at the man standing in front of him. Maybe true that he doesn’t know the purpose of the meeting but even if he knows he will never tell another soul what his Saabji told him in secret. He would kill or die first.
Ok! Bhanu pratap nodded his assent and after bidding goodnight Apte also fondly called The Protector walked out of the room.
Bhanu pratap slowly finished his drink and went to his room to get whatever sleep he could in this wee hours of morning.
At Gabriel’s house:
Gabriel was still playing the guitar lost to the world when his phone rang in. He wrinkled his eyebrows and looked around for the phone. It was on the table far off the room. He carefully kept his guitar down and walked towards his phone and picked it up. Apte! The number was flashing.
That's strange! He thought “ Apte never calls unless it is absolutely necessary. He just terminated a kill so what could be this sudden emergency for Apte to call him at this hour of night.
He pressed receive and said.
“yes Apte!”
“Saabji called for meeting tomorrow morning. You be here in the mansion for the meeting”. Voice of Apte came clear throught the phone.
“meeting?” Gabriel was little surprised. “you know i don’t attend meetings!”
“yes!” Apte asserted “ but Saabji specially asked for you to be present. So be here.” He kept his tone neutral. Any other man but Gabriel he would simply order that guy to get his backside at the mansion without questions but he knows Gabriel doesn’t take kindly to orders. Not even that of the Boss himself.
“hummm!” Gabriel gave his assent then disconnected the call without further conversation.
Meeting! He thought out aloud then shook his head “forget it. Will see about it tomorrow. He went back to his bar chair, took the guitar back in his hands and played for one last time before calling it a night.
Morning At the Mansion:
Bhanu pratap was walking to the meeting room when suddenly he heard he was being called by samrat. He turned back to see Samrat walking briskly towards him.
“goodmornign uncle!”
Goodmorning son!” he greeted back “what are you doign os up and early?”
Just heard that there is a meeting on.” Samrat said with a wide smile. “i want to attend it” he then diffidently added “ can I?”
Bhanu pratap gave a worried expression.
“son! You know this meeting is called by Saabji and maybe for a very strong reason. I don’t think you should be attending it without his permission.”
But uncle!” protested Samrat “ how would i ever learn about the working ways of our world and the important players in it if i never get involved in anything. This meeting would be a great time for me to meet the important people, get to know them and maybe to announce that you know that maybe Samrat thakur has arrived”. He gave a very charming smile but there was lot of uncertainty and lack of confidence there.
The older man gave the young lad all over look. Then focused on the face. There was a new found glow in the younger man’s face as if he found out what his destination would be and how he will start his journey. From the carefree charming lad who would only party and change girlfriends, he suddenly became a man with purpose.
Bhanu pratap touched the shoulder of Samrat with pride. He then said “lets go” and still holding the younger man’s shoulder both of them walked towards the meeting hall.
The meeting room:
Most of the men were assembled and sat in their designated chairs around the huge oval shaped mahogany table. Some where talking in whispers, some loudly but all wondering about the purpose of the meeting. Then Saabji walked in along with Apte and there was hush around. Saabji gazed at the entire room then tilted his head towards Apte and asked softly
“where is Gabriel?”
“I already informed him. He will be coming soon!” answered Apte.
And Rana too..” Saabji asked again.
“there he is.” Pointed Apte to the man who just entered the room. 6 feet tall, still handsome with the same strong captivating personality Rana stood out in the crowd. People greeted him deferentially. He nodded his head to all, then looked at Saabji jerked his head in greeting and took his place near the pillar in the shadows, standing.
Suddenly a fat man clad in khadi white kurta pajama entered the room with lots of noise. He has this “i am a powerful Politician look” all over him.
“Ahh Vir!” he reached Saabji, who got up from chair to greet his guest and then hugged him profusely. “so you are have meeting today. Sorry to barge in. Hope you don’t mind”
Saabji smiled. “not in the least Rane Saab. Our pleasure to have to have you here. Actually i even thought of inviting you.”
Rane laughed loudly.
“see i keep telling everyone that we are such a good friends.”
Good friends maybe an over statement but Rane and Thakur do share a cordial friendship.
“Ok lets get the meeting started then” boomed Rane.
Sure will do. Kindly take your seat” Saabji offered seat next to him to the politician then took his own chair.
And then entered Bhanu pratap with Samrat in tow. Saabji stared at Samrat opening his eyes wide.
Samrat! His deep voice boomed “what are you doing here?”
“i want to attend the meeting Dad” answered Samrat with a little hint of fear in his voice.
And who invited you? Slowly anger was creeping into his voice.
Samrat was slowly shivering. Then he felt a hand slowly but firmly holding his own hand. He turned sideways to look at his uncle who held Samrat’s hand in gesture of support and encouragement.
“No one Dad” he replied with forced confidence. “but this is my house to and I surely need no permission to enter my father’s meetings. Besides i have to learn about our business and meet our friends and partners. What could be the better place and time than this”.
He smiled at the people sitting around. Some smiled back.
“You..” Saabji was about to say something angrily when Rane held him back.
“oh come’on Vir. Your laddie wants to join your business and best part is he is willing to learn. Now this current generation only wants to party and spend their dad’s hard earned money. You should be proud at you son my friend. Let him join in”
Come come sit down my son” Rane enthusiastically called Samrat. Bahnu pratap released Samrat’s hand and both of them sat in the chairs.
Saabji wanted to say lot many things but he took a deep breathe, gave an intense look to samrat then slowly sat down in his own chair.
Everyone visibly relaxed. Slowly room started to come alive.
“who are we waiting for Vir? Lets begin the party” guffawed Rane.
“just a mom..” before Saabji could finish Gabriel entered the room. And this time there was a total hush in the room. Gabriel in the meeting. It rarely happened. Rana being here was a surprise but Gabriel being here was a shock. For both men dislike meetings and the endless talks. They are men of action. They get up and get the job done. They don’t sit down and discuss how to do it. And both are present. Sure this meeting is called for a very very strong reason. That thought was at the top of everyone’s mind. Samrat tried not to glare or show his true feelings at Gabriel. He tried to keep his face neutral.
Gabriel too choose to stand instead of sitting. He leaned casually against pillar, crossed his arms, looking supremely cool and composed.
Ok!” now we can start the meeting” Saabji announced showing slight relief.

The middle:

As you all know” Saabji voice reverberated around the room. There was an absolute silence around the room. Each and every man was listening to Saabji with total concentration “ we always call for a meeting when there is an absolute and valid reason for it. This time too for this meeting we have a genuinely strong reason behind.”
All the men including Samrat and Rane too very listening with rapt attention.
Saabji took a deep breathe.
“so men without further ado let me tell you the reason for which you all are requested to gather here.” He looked around at all the men.
“we have a very vast not to mention a very dangerous business to run. And i must say all my men and friends are doing a great job in their fields”.
Many men smiled at that praise coming from their great boss. Some even sat up straighter with pride.
“for years you have honoured me with respect, your love, loyalty and devotion. You gave me the honour of leading you. And i think i did this job to my limits. How successful that's for you to decide”
People started speaking at once.
“you are the best Saabji”
“Great!”
Honour serving under you”
“Pleasure.”
Saabji held his hand up and people stopped speaking. Slowly the room became totally silent.
“thank you!” Saabji said with genuine feeling of humility.
“Thank you all my men, my friends. You all are responsible for making our business successful, for keeping lot of safe, for vanquishing the enemies and for making us stronger than all.”
“But” he paused “but my friends i think the time has come for me to step down.”
There was shock and instant uproar and protests all around.
Saabji held up his hand again and brought the room back to order.
“please please listen to me. Listen my men. Please. This profession of ours is tough. We have no place for weak. Our leader needs to be stronger than all, standing heads and shoulders above, one who can lead from front, one who can look in the eye of death everyday and defy him. One who can think smartly, act swiftly and kill smoothly. And i am no longer that man anymore. Please listen” he hushed the room.
“ i am no longer strong nor can i think so clearly anymore. The need of the hour is a new leader. One who could take after me and give me the freedom to step and watch the business from backseat without worries. It is time my friends to choose our new leader”.
This time the silence in the room was deafening. People have varied degree of shock in their faces. Yes leaders do step down for next strong one to take over but none of them thought they would see their Saabji retiring. For them he was ageless and all powerful. They started looking around willing for someone to say something, anything. Samrat too was sitting in shock. He thought process was under total shutdown.
Finally Rane cleared his throat.
“Vir! I have known you for years. And i have absolute faith in your decisions. If you think it is time to let new blood come it, then...” he cleared his throat again and looked all around the room.
“Then i am with you. Your decision is my decision. And if i may say so... your decision will be OUR decision. He looked all the men present in the room”.
Yes Saabji! Slowly one by one all men joined in the chorus. “your decision is our decision.”
Thank you again! Saabji said with pride.
“I have selected a man to take over the mantle from me. And i think you all would abide by my choice. If not you can very well place your objections. But i think this man is perfect. Much better than me if i may say so” he smiled.
The whole room held their breathes. Who would be the one. The man who could take over Saabji himself. He has to be a titan himself to replace a Titan.
“the man i choose to become the leader to lead, guide and rule is..
The silence, the tension, the suspense was thick enough to touch and feel..
“Gabriel”
It was a sort of explosion that don’t make sound but impact if complete and total.
Gabriel! Gabriel... slowly whispers started and then they took frenzied pace.
I mean Gabriel.. like Gabriel.
And the man himself was standing frozen in his spot by the pillar, being started at by all the men in the room. It takes a lot to shock him. He doesn’t show expressions normally. This time and this news were different. They managed to shock him and for a moment he has to rethink the entire scenario to make sense of what he heard.
“me! Taking after Saabji! Woah!”
Saabji looked around the whole room, gazed at the men discussing among themselves with furious pace and tried to smother the worry that slowly started reaching his mind.
After what seemed like eternity he said
“Friends! My men! People! I gave you all my decision. I want to know what you think of it. You want to be led by” he gave Gabriel a look then again stared back at the men “ led by Gabriel? If not” he paused and slowly said “ if not you make choose your own leader”.
He then sat down, leaving the decision to the room.

The beginning of the End:

The men started looking at each other willing for someone to speak up. Finally one old timer got up. Every one started looking at him. He cleared his throat and said.
“Saabji! You have been a true leader. Strong, fair and someone any man would trust with life.”
All the men nodded at that statement and they started listening in with total concentration and silence.
He continued
“ And by choosing to step down when you thought time is right, you earned my enormous respect. Your throne is power and not many men can give up on power. For that i applaud you” he started clapping and rest of the room joined in.
Saabji smiled at all.
When the applause died down the old timer continued.
“the successor you chose” all the men held their breathes “ i must say is.. “ he paused “Unconventional!”
Some people nodded in assent, some still analyzing that thought. Gabriel gave a slight lop sided smile at that. He now was curious at the happenings around him. So he leaned back against the pillar casually again and started paying attention to the meeting.
If anyone looked at Rana who was standing in the shadows at that moment they would have been surprised to him smiling too.
“but!” the unofficial spokesperson continued “but no denying that He Gabriel is a man beyond extraordinary potential.”
No one in the room could openly deny that.
He continued
“ though he is young, he is sharp and as we could make out from the many contracts that he carried out a good strategist. He record is 100%. Failure none. That would make him a smart a very smart asset. He could be inspiring, can push people to do better than they are capable off and defiantly he would lead from front. I personally would want to reach my limit and enter any war zone if i know that a man like him is watching my back.”
Now all the men were openly nodding there head, some even murmuring their assents.
“but!” he continued “ but we all know he is a loner. He works alone. To be a leader he has to walk with all. To make everyone walk alongside him. He has to listen to people. And Gabriel...” he looked apologetically at him “ the only person Gabriel listens to is himself”
Gabriel gave a broad smile and there was mild laughter in the room.
“so” the man continued “ considering everything i would say Gabriel is a great choice Saabji but he would need polishing to become leader. And i for one would want him to become our leader with the faith that he would learn with time. I know he would be a great leader” he said with total conviction that no one in the room could challenge. “and may be we all would learn something for him too.”
He sat down. There was total silence in the room for a moment, then people started clapping first few men then all joining in.
Rane, the ever politician, banged his fist against the table and said..
“Lets give our vote to and against the motion to select Gabriel” he pointed at Gabriel “as our future leader. Say aye or nay after me”.
He then banged his hand against the table again and bellowed
“its aye for me!”
One by one each man banged his hanged against the table and said..
“Aye”
Aye... aye it is..
Aye for me too...
Saabji watched the whole proceedings with utmost pride smiling broadly. Gabriel on the other hand was watching with utmost amusement.
Finally Saabji lifted both his hands in the air and brought the meeting to silence.
“i thank you my friends for your support and approval. And with the blessings of everyone present here i hereby declare Gabriel as my successor. He will take over from me to...”
NO!!!” a voice rang out throughout the room. Every head slowly turned to the source of the sound.
Samrat was standing ram rod straight shivering with suppressed rage.
No! You cant do this Dad. You just cant!”
Saabji slowly got up from his chair and held the table strongly with his palms.
“if anyone” he said softly in a deadlier voice “has a problem with the happenings in the meeting, they”he stressed on the word “They are free to leave”.
To everyone’s surprise and shock Samrat held on.
“how could you do this to me Dad. I AM YOUR SON” his voice raising with every word. “the rightful heir to this business to carry forward this legacy. You cannot hand it over to a stranger” he glared at Gabriel who merely rose his eyebrows at Samrat’s outburst “to a nobody from no where. How could you leave your son out like this. How could you Mr. Virendra Thakur?”.
Enough!!!” Saabji’s voice echoed like a whiplash inthe room and most of the men flinched. So did Samrat.
Leave!” he glared at Samrat. “NOW!!!”
And why should he?” bhanu pratap got up from his place. Everyone stared at him in amazement. Bhanu pratap, also called as The Professor, for his mild demeanour, wise thinking and abhorrence to violence is now standing up against the most powerful man known to the men present there.
“Yes! Why should Samrat leave?” he repeated “ because a asked a just question. Because he finally stood up for his rights. For asking for just and rightful place. HE is your HEIR. HE should be your successor. He earned that right by birth. You just cant deny it. He wants the answers to his questions and YOU need to answer him” he gave a look of anger and defiance to Saabji.
“I AM ANSWERABLE TO NONE!” Saabji stressed on each word. “You both crossed your limits and before i forget that i have a relation with you and that boy of yours LEAVE and take him with you.” He stared at Samrat and Bhanu pratap with total and towering rage.
Samrat couldn’t take it any longer. He stormed out of the room. Bhanu pratap watched him go then turned to give a final look of disgust at Saabji and held himself up with dignity and walked out to the room.
The silence in the room was defeaning. No one wanted to be the first one to breathe loudly, speaking up was last thing in the mind. The day turned out to be full of surprises. Samrat who always partied and stayed out with friends came to meeting, then Saabji explosive announcement of retiring, then the shocking choice of successor, and then Samrat speaking up against his father, against the man no one ever tried to defy and finally The Professor questioning Saabji himself. The day surely packed lot of surprises.
Saabji held the table so strongly that his knuckles turned white. He took lot of deep breathes. Then finally held himself up with iron control and looked up. No one tried to meet his eye.
“My apologies!” he controlling his voice.
People in the room tried to relax, and started slowly exhaling. They were holding their breathes till then.
Ok then!” he continued “ Gabriel! Step forward please!”
Gabriel walked in the middle of the room slowly.
“so!” Saabji pointed at Gabriel with his palm “he will now take over...”
Before he could finish Gabriel spoke up.
“my apologies Mr. Thakur. Honoured though i am with your gesture and for the support here but” he paused then looked around the room meeting the eyes of the men then finally held the gaze of Saabji.
“But i cant accept it.”.
The men watched him in shock. The throne of the underworld is being offered to him on silver nay golden platter and this guy is saying no to it without even battling an eyelid. Even Saabji was taken aback.
“but why?” he asked Gabriel totally confused.
“because i work alone. My Game, My Rules. No offence to anyone here” he stared at everyone “ but i love my privacy and want my space. And being a leader i have to give up on that. And i cant see that happening. I play my game by my own rules and with my life on fire. If bored i may just pack my bags and hit the road. Sorry everyone but i am not cut out to lead.”
The men in the room were wearing varied expressions. Awe, disbelief, shock. The day surely is full of surprises and surprises are yet to end. The kingdom of underworld at his feet and he choose to kick it off because he wants to play his game in his own way. What a Man!
Saabji stared at Gabriel for a long moment. They slowly nodded his head.
“if that is your decision so be it. But before refusing the leadership i want to think over it. Then whatever will be your decision we all shall abide by it. But do think about it first.”
But” before Gabriel could protest Saabji added “Please!”
And to keep the word of the elder man Gabriel gave a curt nod of his head.
“Hummmm!”
Saabji too gave a slight nod and then looked around the room.
“gentlemen! I thank you all for your kind words for me and your support. I am grateful to you all. And i am proud to call you my friends, my men. Thank you all. The meeting is now over. Have a good day gentlemen” and then holding himself tall he walked out of the room from other door.
The men slowly started getting up and started walking out of the room giving smiles to Gabriel. He gave a slight smile to all and then he too walked off the room.
The meeting has officially ended.

The middle of the end:

AHHHH!!!!!!” flower vase hit the wall violently and broke into pieces and fell down making tinkling noise.
Samrat held the rocking chair and threw it as far as he could in the rock. It too fell sideways. He then dragged the bed sheet with full force and forcefully dumped it in the middle of the room allowing it to fall in heap.
“AHHHHHHH!!!” he screamed again.
WHY? He screamed at the ceiling.
WHY DID YOU DO THIS TO ME DAD. WHY?
May be because he thinks of that man as his son more than you!” samrat heard a voice mocking at him. He whirled towards the source of the sound. It was coming from his own reflection in the mirror.
Samrat in the mirror gave a mocking smile.
“like everyone else Virendra Thakur too thinks YOU” he pointed at Samrat standing in the room watching the mirror in horrified fascination “are a looser. And that Gabriel” the reflection smiled “is a leader, a winner and a MAN”
No! Samrat mouthed loudly.
Yes! Samrat!” the reflection went on mercilessly “you cant deny that. Now the whole world will know that YOU are not the real son of Virendra Thakur, the king of underworld. YOU are not the real heir. YOU are just nobody” and he laughed.
NO!!! Samrat yelled loudly and picked up the crystal paper weight that lying around and threw it at the mirror. The mirror broke into pieces and the pieces fell down making loud noise but the laughter kept on ringing around the room.
“NO! NO! NO!” Samrat closed his eyes and kept yelling.
“No! I am the real heir. I am the son of my Dad. I am Samrat Thakur, son of Virendra Thakur. I AM”.
Suddenly the room of the door flew open and Apte walked in. He looked around the condition of the room and then at Samrat who was standing in the middle of the room looking at him but probably unseeing.
Samrat! Babu!” Apte slowly reached for Samrat. “what you doing babu?” he asked in concern.
“kaka!” Samrat said in choked voice “kaka! You tell me. Am i the real son of dad?”
You are Kid! Offcourse you are!” Apte said in a strong voice.
No! I am not! Samrat’s face crumpled and slowly he started crying.
Apte felt truly sad for the young man and he hugged him.
Samrat totally broke down.
No! I am not!”
Hush! Don’t say that kiddo. Offcourse you are our prince, prince of this mansion, son of our our Saabji”
Samrat suddenly and violently pushed Apte away.
“You LIE!” he screamed “if I am the heir of this”he spread his hands and slowly twirled around “this kingdom then why?” he pointed his hand at an invisible man “why was that .......... chosen as the leader. Why?”
I should have been ME!” samrat pointed at himself. ME! SAMRAT THAKUR!”
ME!!! He screamed.
Apte tried to reason with the angry and out of control Samrat.
“Samrat! Babu! Your father did what he thought was right. He..” before he could finish samrat exploded.
“WRONG! What my Father did was WRONG!” suddenly he paused and slowly a maniacal glint entered his eyes.
“but i know a way to make it right! I know!” the last word he almost spoke to himself.
“what are talking about Babu?” Apte asked in confusion. The older man was now totally worried about Samrat.
“I know!” Smarat was speaking to himself. “I know how to make everything right!”
What are you going to do babu?” Apte asked sick with worry.
“I will Kill him!” Samrat said with a smile which has none of the charm that it usually held. The smile was maniacal.
“I will kill Gabriel!” he repeated now smiling broadly.
Apte watched him in horror.
“samrat Babu!” he pleaded “please babu! Do you even know what you are saying?”
“I know what i am saying Kaka.” Samrat smiled again then his smile faded and an angry frown marred his features “Or you think i cant do it!”
Suddenly his face fell down again.
“maybe i cant do it!” he sat down on the bed “maybe i should just kill myself”
No babu!’ Apte ran towards Samrat and sat on his knees holding Smarat’s hands in tight grip “ No! Babu! Please don’t say things like this. Don’t kind!” he begged.
Why not kaka!” tears welled up in Samrat’s eyes “it would simplify everything. What is the point of living anyways. I am always on the loosing end, i will never be a winner and then nobody loves me anyways.” He was now crying softly.
Apte shook his head “ no babu! You ARE a winner kid. For us always you are the winner. And why are you thinking that no one loves you. We all love you. I love you kid. Stop saying things like this. I beg you child”
“you love me!” samrat asked in small voice looking at Apte with film of tears in his eyes.
“you know i do babu” Apte asserted strongly “ i carried you on my shoulders when you were small, always travelled with you to leave in your hostel, played with you, i even taught you to hold guns kid. I watched you grow in front of my eyes babu. Offcourse i love you child!”
“can you do something for me kaka?” Samrat asked in a child like voice.
“anything for you babu. Anything for you?” Apte replied.
Samrat then looked straight in the eyes of Apte and asked
“can you kill him? Can you kill him for me?”
There was no need to say who the “Him” was. Apte understood in a second.
Babu!” Apte was aghast “do you even understand what you are asking?” he got up in a flash.
Kaka please!” Now Samrat held Apte hands “please kaka! As long as that man lives dad wont learn to love me. He wont even look at me. I have to prove myself a worthy son of father. But that man wont let me. If i have to win back my dad, my rightful place and my life back kaka that man has to go.”
Apte shook his head and said helplessly “ Babu i understand what you are saying but i cant child i just cant.”
“Please!” Samrat begged “please Kaka! From childhood you never said no to me. Never. Dad never liked me playing with guns. But you taught me how to hold them when i asked you. You always gave me whatever i asked for Kaka. You always did.”
“yes babu!” Apte said still helplessly “but what you are asking now is something i cant do”
Cant!” samrat asked “can’t do or don’t want to do!”
What do you mean Babu? Apte asked in confusion.
“Maybe even you think HE is better than me. He should be the leader and rule and i should just sit in the shadows and die.”
No Babu! The older man protested.
“then kill him!” Samrat got up and said in a firm voice. “kill him! Or i will try to kill him and kill myself in the process. Either ways only one of us will live!”
Apte looked at the younger man eyes. There was a firm resolve in his eyes. At that moment Apte realized Samrat has reached point of no return. He will do what he said and the older man knew left to himself Samrat will not come out alive. Many strong men tried to charter the same path of being the one to vanquish Gabriel and all of them perished. He cant let his boy to perish too. If the job has to be done he will do it himself. If death has to be faced he will face it himself to keep his babu safe.
“I will do it! I will kill Gabriel” Apte voice rang out in the room.
Samrat watched him in wonder for a moment then hugged him tight.
“thank you Kaka! Thank you soo much!” he wept. Suddenly he fell silent and released Apte and watched the door in horror. Apte too released Samrat then looking at the expressions on younger man’s face he whirled around to look at the door.
Standing by the door with total and absolute anger was Bhanu Pratap Singh.
The Death Knell:
Mamaji!!!
Bhanuji!!! Both Samrat and Apte said at once.
Bhanu Pratap entered the room. His rage was coming in waves and Samrat watched his progress with apprenshion.
Tell me!” bhanu pratap said with controlled anger “please tell me what i heard is not true!”
Mamaji let me explain!” samrat took a step forward and Bhanu pratap stopped him by holding his palm up. He then glared at Apte who held his fierce gaze back.
“i cant say anything to this young immature boy but YOU APTE!” he pointed at Apte “You should know better. How could you just just” he was struggling with words when Samrat lept in Apte defence.
“please don’t blame kaka mamaji. It is my decision. I forced him to abide by it. You want to say anything please say it to me.”
YOU!” exploded Bhanu pratap “ i thought you were an intelligent child. How could you think such a dumb thing. I mean you are actually thinking of killing a man and not just any man Gabriel.”
“yes mamaji! I just want him Dead!” Samrat said simply.
Bhanu prataps anger reached high point.
“yeah you want him dead and he will just drop down dead in front of you. Samrat Grow UP! It is Gabriel we are talking about. If he even gets to know that you are thinking of killing him he will strike and when he strikes he always delivers a deadly blow. And have you thought of what your father would do if and i mean only if you could manage to kill Gabriel”
Maybe he will learn to love me!” samrat said in a broken voice.
That got Bhanu pratap attention and softened down.
“Sammy!” he said softly “i know how you are feeling. But killing Gabriel is not the solution kid!”
It is the only solution mamaji! The only one!” Samrat said urgently.
Bhanu Pratap’s anger slowly left him and he was now looking suddenly aged. He reached the bed and slowly sat down on it and held his hand in his palms.
Samrat walked to the older man and held his hands in his own and looked straight in his eyes. The older man held his gaze.
“i know mamaji it is tough and may be insane decision but as long as he is alive i wont be able to live the life that i deserve. He would be living it Mamaji!”
Bhanu pratap said “but Samrat! I just heard that Gabriel refused to take over the controls from Saabji. So..” before he could finish Samrat released his hands violently
“so you want me too accept the position that he refused. You want me to live on his charity my whole life. I want to earn that position mamaji. I want to snatch it away from him. Please mamaji allow me to earn my life back. Allow me live my life. !” he held the older man’s hands again “please!” he pleaded.
Bhanu pratap removed his hand from Samrat’s grip and placed it on the younger an’s head. He then caressed his cheeks and then looked at Apte who was standing in silence in the background. He looked back at Samrat again.
He took a deep breathe and said
“if this how it should be.... so be it!”
Samrat eyes lit up in happiness and he was about to hug the older man when he stopped him.
“but!” bhanu pratap continued “but we will do it my way.”
Both Samrat and Apte looked at him in confusion.
Bahnu pratap got up and started pacing in the room.
“for a hunter to announce his arrival he has to hunt down the lion. And in our jungle Gabriel is that lion.”
Samrat and Apte were listening to him with total attention. Apte imperceptibly nodded his head at that description. He knows Gabriel and he knows how deadly and dangerous he can be. And he respected his skills.
“many hunters wanted to make that announcement but lion tamed them all. Gabriel is the predator . he doesn’t like being hunted. He hunts and he does the killing. You cannot kill him with bullets and bombs. Brawn wont wont here. We have use brains here. He is one very intelligent creature and we have to think smarter than him.”
He stopped pacing and suddenly clicked his fingers.
“and i know the exact way to trap and hunt our lion.”
Samrat and Apte stared at him.
“But!” he continued “I want you complete and total co operation in this. No questions asked. No job refused. You will do it my way.”
Samrat you agree!” he gazed at Samrat and the younger man nodded enthusiastically smiling all the way.
And you Apte!” he looked at Apte who nodded reluctantly. He was hating everything that is happening around him right now but he already gave his word to Samrat and being an honourable man he has to see it till end.
He nodded his end.
Bhanu pratap smiled grimly.
“so lets get the show on the floor.”
Samrat ran towards Bhanu pratap and hugged him tightly.
“thank you mamaji! Thank you soo much!”
“don’t thank me yet son!” Bhanu pratap said seriously hugging Samrat back“we have lots to do!” he looked at Apte who slowly nodded his head.

Chapter 17:
And then came a gunfire:

Time: 11.30 night.

Beep! Beep!
Message alert on the phone. Gabriel who was watching the news on TV reached for his phone without taking his eyes off the screen. He then casually checked the number and suddenly sat up straight. This time at night. He glanced at his watch on the wall. His brows furrowed. That person never sends message unless it is absolutely necessary and he is an early bed time one. He should have been in the bed by now. Messaging at this hour for him is unusual and odd.
Gabriel felt apprehension and he opened the message trying not to think anything worse.
“HELP! Shipyard. Mermaid!”
Gabriel felt a swooping sensation in his stomach.
No!” he said firmly to himself.
No! Don’t panic. He should be fine. He has to be. Hell he is the bloody best around.
Then what about the message? A voice was panicking inside him.
“think Gabriel! Think!” another sensible and logical voice spoke up.
“think! Don't rush!”
He has too! Gabriel thought to himself. He cant let anything happen to him. He opened the cupboard and changed to black shirt and black jeans. He opened the draw he allowed for weapons exclusively and selected handguns. He kept one in his waist band and one resting resting at his back above hips. He slid his watch on his wrist and raised his leg and placed on the chair. He inserted serrated knife in the sheath tied around his ankle. He covered it up by pulling the leg of jeans over it. He grabbed what he called “fight pack”, his back pack which held all the things he may need on the job. Rappelling rope, hook, flares, smoke bombs, powerful binoculars and so on. He stood in front of the mirror and took a deep breathe.
“No! Gabriel! Don’t rush! Think! A person like him wont be taken in and captured by anyone. He is too powerful and he is above all. What if this message from him is a trap by someone else!” the logical voice persisted.
“and what if is true?” the panicky voice went on “what if he really in in danger. Hurt or worse.”
“shut up!!” Gabriel said aloud. He slammed his hands on the top of the tall dressing table and bent his head down. He took few deep breathes, then lifted his head up and stared at his reflection.
“trap or no trap” he thought to himself “his will find out by reaching the place. And if it turns out to be truth and that person is really hurt he will make sure that those responsible will be meeting their maker in the kingdom of hell. And it it turns out to be a trap for himself then” he smiled grimly “those part of this all will meet their maker in the kingdom of hell anyways”.
He grabbed his pack and ran out the door.

Time : 11.40 night

He drove his car out of the gate. He revved it up and drove as fast he could on the road. At that hour of night though the traffic was sparse he had to take few dangerous cuts to maintain the high speed. He broke all the speed limits whenever he could and reached the dock yard in record time.

Time: 12.05 night

He left his car outside the gate of the dockyard and entered it. The security was lax. Only one security guard was there and he was sleeping in his cabin. Gabriel entered the guard’s cabin and woke him up.
“hey! Get up!” he shook the guard.
Who?who is this? The guard woke up disoriented.
“I need the location of Mermaid!” Gabriel asked in urgent voice.
Mermaid?what mermaid?” guard asked now slowly coming back to his senses.
“it could be a ship or yatch!” answered Gabriel “and i need the location of her now!”
“well pal! Then find out if she is yatch or ship and come back int he morning. Is this the time to disturb..” before he could finish Gabriel reached across the table and grabbed the collar of the guard and jerked him off to standing position.
“i said i need the location of Mermaid AND i want it NOW!!” he said in soft and dangerous voice.
The guard was frightened out of his wits and he nodded. Gabriel released him and the guard reached for the record book and opened it with shivering hands. He turned the pages looking for that name.
Hurry! Snapped Gabriel and the guard gulped and bobbed his heard. There got it.
He said with obvious relief “found it!”
Gabriel curtly asked him “what is it?”
The guard answered “yacht!”
Owner?”
He told a name of the company the yatch was registered under but Gabriel felt that was fake. He was sure of that.
“location?” he snapped again.
The guard gave it to him and Gabriel ran off to his car. He honked once and guard opened the door now shivering in fright.
The car zoomed in. The guard watched its fading tail lights and contemplated his next course of action. Should he call for coast guards. Then he remembered that man’s face and voice. No! He should forget about him and this incidence. Hopefully nothing happens. By tomorrow morning he would find out that everything is fine. He ran towards his cabin and reached for the brandy he kept in the drawer and took a long shot. Then he sat on his chair, remembered his favourite god and started praying.

Time: 12.18 night

Gabriel stopped the car few feet away from the location told by the guard. He switched off all the lights then grabbed his pack, strapped it on his back and started jogging towards his destination keeping himself in shadows. Barring few workers in blue overalls wearing red helmets and radium reflectors the dockyard was almost deserted. He reached the exact location of the yatch that he was looking for. Mermaid was a big yacht with 2 decks. The were no lights, no movements on board. He observed it from distance then looked around. A smaller yacht was anchored next to Mermaid and by the looks of it unoccupied. He grabbed the rope ladder and boarded it under the shadows. He opened the locked doors by picking them with pin and ran towards the bridge. On reaching the bridge he found himself a vantage position and sat down to watch Mermaid. The air was sticky and hot. He looked up at the black sky. Clouds were gathering thickly. It is going to be a stormy night. He removed binoculars from his pack and brought them near his eyes. No light on mermaid and nothing was visible. He switched it to night vision mode. He could now observe things that normal eye would not in the dark. The world is not looking green. He focused on the decks and bridge of Mermaid. There! In the greenish glow he found 2 men carrying machine guns patrolling upper deck. And one on lower deck. No one on bridge. There could be more men inside. But first he has to take care of the men with guns outside.

Time: 12.27 night

He waited till the two men in the lower deck went to the other side of the yacht for patrolling then he removed his rappelling rope from the pack and unravelled it. He then attached it to hook, then supported the hook on the base, took position, aimed and fired .the hook flew off the base and with a dull thunk lodged itself on the metal port side of the yacht. Gabriel pulled the rope with all his might. It held on. So far so good.
He waited for the armed men in the yacht to go to the other side for watch and then stood on the railing of the bridge still holding the rope. He slowly let go of breathe and then jumped. The rope stretched but held on. He was now hanging on the rope between the ship and the yacht. Not wasting a single moment he moved forward on the rope supporting his entire weight on his hands. Unless some one from upper deck looked down and paid real close attention one can’t see him. It was really dark there.

Time: 12.30 night:

He grabbed the railings of the yatch, pulled himself up and jumped on the floor. He removed his knife from his ankle sheath, took a deep breathe and entered the battle arena, all his senses on full alert. He slowly moved forward in stealth mode making absolutely no noise holding the knife tightly in his fist. Just round the corner he saw his first victim. One armed guard was standing with his back towards him, surveying the area. Gabriel slowly moved forward and then suddenly and swiftly like a predator that he was called, he grabbed the guard from behind and slit his throat with his knife. The man made inaudible noises of pain and fell on the floor. Gabriel stood above the dying man looking at him when he sensed someone behind him. There was a click of safety latch of gun being pulled back and Gabriel whirled back and struck at the attacker with his sense of sound. The man collapsed. Gabriel walked towards him and saw his knife protruding from the gaurd’s throat. He was making choking noises being choked by his own blood. Gabriel bent forward and pulled his knife out from the dying man’s throat. The blood flew out in torrents. He then stepped back and attached the bloodied knife to his belt buckle. Then removing his gun from the wait band he attached silencer to it. Silencer may be affect the trajectory of bullet but since he would be using it in close quarters it wont make much of a difference. He cant afford to make any noise. He moved forward towards the door and pulled it. It was open. He then entered the yatch. Firstly he had to take care of the armed guard in the upper deck so he swiftly climbed the stairs and reached the deck. He then slowly opened the door and holding his gun hand steady and pointing forward he entered the deck. There! He saw a guard and the guard too saw him at the same instance. But Gabriel was faster. He shot the guard at his head before he could even reach for his gun properly. The guard fell down and another guard came running. And before Gabriel could shoot him down he started firing his hand gun. Gabriel moved to the shadows taking shelter near the pipes. The bullets whizzed past him, some striking the metal surface near his head and shoulders. Sparks flew and the noise was enormous. Gabriel pulled his elbows together and got down on his knees. Then rolling on the floor he suddenly sat on his knee and fired a shot. The bullet hit the guard and he too fell down dead. Gabriel bared his teeth in vexation. By now even the dead would have heard the gun fire. Time for subtlety is out. He removed the silencer and threw it. He then took out his second gun and held both the guns in his hands.
“let’s rock and roll!” he said aloud and started running down the stairs. If he were to kidnap anyone he would want to keep the hostage in lower deck, far away from prying eyes. So it would be safe to assume that others too would think like him. Chances are that the person he cam for would be held in galley and the surrounding areas in the lower deck. He ran as fast he could almost sliding down holding the rails of the stairs.

Time : 12.42 night.

He reached the galley area then suddenly heard his name being called in a faint tone.
“Gabriel!!!!”.
He froze. That was the voice he knew alright. He is here for the person calling him. He ran towards the voice. It was coming from a room father away. He skid to halt in front of the room and pushed it. It was locked. He moved back, pointed his gun at the lock and shot it open. He then opened the door with haste and entered the room.

Time: 12.45 night

The room was dimly lit with a single bulb and empty barring a huge chair at the farther wall facing away from the door. Someone was sitting in the chair but Gabriel couldn’t see that person.
Gabriel!” the voice was coming the person sitting on the chair. There was so much pain in that voice that Gabriel felt a flash of fear. He was totally worried and that closed his normally alert senses.

“Baba!” he screamed and ran towards the chair without pausing and without thinking.

The chair whirled around and the person sitting in it faced Gabriel. Gabriel skidded to halt in shock when he saw the person sitting in the chair. He stared at that person wide-eyed, too shocked to react for a moment. A fatal moment.
And then a shot was fired.

Time: 12.46 Night

The man got up from the chair and walked slowly towards the man lying face down on the floor in the middle of the room. His boots made tapping noise on the floor. He bent down and sat on his knee on the floor in front of the man prone on the floor. He prodded the man with the barrel of his revolver. The man did not move. The man with the revolver then twirled it slowly, watched the lying man and then he smiled.

Time: 12.49 Night.

Samrat was happy. Wildly happy. More happy than he has ever been in his life. The man he hated above anything and anyone is now lying near his feet. He did it. He actually did it.
He smiled broadly. There was none of the usual charm and sweetness in that smile. It was evil and maniacal. The plan worked. It worked perfectly. Mamaji was right. As always. But Samrat changed the plan slightly at the end. Mamaji and Kaka were none to pleased at that change. They tried to talk him out of the plan of his but he struck to his guns. He wanted to do it his way. After bullying, cajoling, threatening his mamaji and kaka he finally had his way. He did it.
He glanced down at the man near his feet. Gabriel!.

Samrat was now grinning broadly wildly elated beyond his wildest dreams. Years! He waited for years to see this day. To see Gabriel eating dust in his feet. To finally win. And the day has come.

He yelled for the guards and they came running in the room. They halted and stared at Gabriel lying on the floor with horrified expressions.

Samrat thought to himself.
“i guess they never expected to see Gabriel beaten and out!”

He laughed out loudly. The guard were startled and they stared at Samrat with horrified fascination.
Samrat then gave them instructions and after a moments hesitation they got down to work.
Samrat stepped back and watched the guard doing their work with utmost satisfaction. Time is now his. It is the turn of Samrat Thakur to shine. It is the time to tell the world that he has arrived.
And it is now the time for revenge....

Time: 01.11 night

He opened his eyes. It took quite some effort. His chest was hurting as if struck by something powerful. He tried to keep his eyes open and pull himself together. He realized that he was lying on the floor. There was a strong wind coming from somewhere very close to him. He tried to move. He couldn’t. First he tried his hands. Then he tried to move his legs. He couldn’t move them at all. At the precise moment his senses woke up widely. And he finally realized he is now lying on the floor of the bridge, with a dim light coming from the port hole, with his hands tied behind his back and legs too tied together and with a mother of ache in the chest area. With duct tape. And the wind is coming from the sea. He was technically in the open air just a few feet away from the railing of the yatch. Other side was wide open sea. The storm was now gathering at full speed. And the sea water was churning wildly to give the errant air some company. The night has turned bad and it is about to turn worse.
He looked around. Their were a pair of legs wearing boots standing right opposite to him. He followed the length of the legs, to the waist then them focused on the face of the man.

Samrat!” he said softly.

Hello! Gabriel! Samrat said mockingly.

Gabriel grimaced. Turns out his instincts were right after all. This was a trap. He was too busy worrying about the person in question that he failed to listen to his instincts. And now he has to face the results. Damn it! He was truly and totally taken in. The fact that he was tied like trussed chicken and is right now under the mercy of one person in the world who would want him dead and only dead, didn’t bother him as much as the thought that he failed to beat the trap. He thought he was better. Too bad the other party played dirty. They hit him where he was vulnerable. His Baba. And he, the great Gabriel played along. Next time, if there is a next time, he would think first and then act. Come what may!

“So how are you?” Samrat asked politely with an evil smile.

“Been better” Gabriel replied in the same tone.

So what do you think?” samrat asked again. Now excitement creeping in his voice.

“about what?” Gabriel pursed his lips “oh! Your plan! Must say i am impressed. Pretty good!” he answered.

“Pretty good eh!” Samrat grinned “i thought so. Hell i would call it is brilliant!”

So! Whose plan is it? It is too intelligent for you to come up with!” Gabriel retorted.

Samrat’s face turned red.
“watch your mouth Gaby boy! or i may have to shut it for you!”

“if you don’t wanna tell. Fine! But i am kinda curious. How did you do it?. How on the earth you manage to send that message. Baba would not send that message by himself. Never. So just how the hell did you arrange this game.” Gabriel asked.

Samrat was silent for a moment. Then he said.
“ok! Considering this as your last request i will tell you.”

Time: 4.00 afternoon

Bhanu pratap called Apte to his room. Samrat was present there.

Apte! He told the man “i need you get me a record of the voice of” he told the name of the person and Apte eyes flew wide open hearing that name “ the voice should be such that you should feel that the person is in pain. Can you do it?”

Apte curled his lips trying to hide his feelings. He was hating this entire plot. He is a straight shooter. Whatever he did he always did it in open. Underhanded methods are not his style of working. He hated such methods. And Gabriel is one man he wanted to leave well alone. He truly was hating was he was doing and was he was being told to do. But for Samrat and his own promise to that kid he would have quit. Had it been anyone else suggesting such underhanded stab in the back plan, Apte would have told them where they can shove their plans and would have broke couple of teeth of those guys even suggesting such ideas to him. But now he had to do it. He really have no choice. But that doesn't mean he has to like it.

Apte nodded his head.
“yes! I know a man who does such works. Will get him on job. No worries Job will be done.!”
He did not ask what bhanu ji wants to do with that record. And he was not sure if he wants to know either.

Time: 8.10 night

Bhanu pratap saw that man walking out of Virendra Thakur’s room. He knew that person visits Saabji on this day almost every week. Bhanu pratap flicked his phone open and started talking.
Hello! Yes! About the work... helloo....”
He stopped.
Damn it! Battery down!”

The person looked at him. Bhanu pratap gave him an apologetic look and said
Sorry i need to make an urgent call. Can i borrow your phone for a second, if you don’t mind?”

The other man gave a slight nod of head and took his phone out. He then gave his phone to bhanu pratap.
Bhanu pratap made a random call and started walking away from that person. The other man turned his back and walked toward the open window near the corridor to gaze outside giving privacy to bhanu pratap.
Bhanu pratap checked whether he is being observed. He was not. The other man was still looking outside.
Still chatting to no one in particular, he turned his back and then removed the SIM from that person’s phone. He quickly inserted a new untraceable SIM in that phone and arranged all the features of the phone, even the clock to exact seconds. He pocked the original Sim, then made a show of disconnecting the call and gave the phone back to its owner. Then said a polite thank you and walked out of there.
He knew that person is an early sleeper. Besides he doesn’t receive many calls. So hopefully he wont notice the change in his phone. And he if does Bhanu pratap shrugged “will cross the bridge when it comes”. He just needed the Sim for tonight. Tomorrow he will make sure the Sim goes back to its original place.
He walked off.

Time: 11.29 Night.

Bhanu pratap sent the message. He was now aboard the yatch, along with Apte and Samrat. He knew Gabriel will come. And he was hoping that Gabriel feelings for that person will stop his from thinking clearly and that Gabriel would react before thinking. And that is always fatal in the line of their job. One has to think first. Act later. Gabriel is the smarted predator in the jungle. And to stop that creature from analyzing and reacting as per his perfect skills he has to be hit where it hurts most. Bhanu pratap did exactly that. And he succeeded.

He even kept the guards for security to make sure Gabriel wont find it easy to enter. Too easy and Gabriel would be suspicious. He knew those poor guards will die in the hands of Gabriel. But their sacrifice was necessary. The plan demanded it.

The last minute change by Samrat worried him. He refused out rightly. So did Apte but Samrat held on. And they had to give in. Again.

And so the plan was put in action and the wheels of motion starting turning. Everything went smoothly. Gabriel reacted as they thought he would. He came, he attacked and then.. he was taken in.
The plan was perfect.

Time: 12.45 night

Gabriel shot the lock of the door and charged inside the room.

Gabriel!” a voice in pain called out to him. It was coming from the person sitting in the chair turned backside to him.
Baba!” Gabriel screamed and ran towards the chair. The chair whirled around and the person sitting in it faced Gabriel. The person was Samrat and he was holding a mini recorder in his hand. In other hand he was holding a gun.

Gabriel! The voice was coming from that recorder. Samrat smiled wickedly at Gabriel.
Gabriel was taken aback at the entire scenario. He was so shocked that he froze for a second and failed to react. A fatal moment. And Samrat fired a shot at him. The bullet whizzed in the air and hit Gabriel at his chest. The impact of the bullet was so hard and so harsh that he collapsed on the floor at the very instant.

Time: 12.46 Night.

Samrat got up from the chair and walked slowly towards the prone figure of Gabriel. His boots making tapping sounds on the floor. On reaching the man, Samrat bent down and sat on his knees in front of him. He then prodded Gabriel with the barrel of his gun. There were no movements from Gabriel. He was still. Samrat twirled the gun with his fingers and gave an evil smile. Years! Finally after waiting for years and years this day has come. Gabriel is done. Beaten by the one and only Samrat. Wish his dad were here to see this moment of triumph of his. He, Samrat, the Son of Virendra Thakur won over Gabriel, the so called angel of death. His smile broadened. He called for the guards loudly and they came running. And when they saw Gabriel prone and still on the ground they were shocked.

Samrat thought to himself.
“i guess they never expected to see Gabriel beaten and out!”

He laughed out loudly. The guard were startled and they stared at Samrat with horrified fascination.
Samrat then gave them instructions and after a moments hesitation they got down to work. They started tying hands and legs of Gabriel with duct tape, one of the strongest means to tie a man.
Samrat stepped back and watched the guard doing their work with utmost satisfaction. The guards then under the instructions of Samrat carried still unmoving Gabriel to the bridge and them slammed him down on the floor. Samrat ordered the guards to leave. They left, some of them reluctantly and all of them curious. But they left Samrat alone on the bridge with still body of Gabriel.
Samrat stared at the tied up and still figure of Gabriel with maniacal glee. He felt a powerful sense of elation coursing through him. The time is now his. It is the turn of Samrat Thakur to shine. It is the time to tell the world that he has arrived.
And it is now the time for revenge....
He gave a twisted smile, kept staring at the still trussed up Gabriel and waited. And waited.

Time: 01.11 Night

Gabriel opened his eyes with quite some effort. His chest was hurting like hell where the bullet has hit him. He tried to focus on the surroundings. He took him a moment to realize that he is tied up like a chicken, on the bridge just few feet away from the angry sea and that he has been totally trapped by the plan conceived by a brilliant mind.

Samrat was watching Gabriel from a distance.
“Finally the oh so great angel of death is awake.” He smiled wickedly. “Took some time to regain his consciousness, Didn’t he?.” He grinned. “Looks like he is back in his senses. Time to have fun!” Samrat was delighted. He felt a wicked sense of excitement in his entire being. Maybe he should have used a live cartridge instead of blank one in his gun. But then that would have been too easy. One bullet and the object of his corrosive hatred would have been dead. No! He waited for the day when he would bring down that boy, the man, one who is called Gabriel now, down and at his mercy. And when the day finally arrived he wanted to savour each and every minute of it. So he changed the bullets in the gun and merely chose to stun the man, Gabriel. And the bullet did its job well. Gabriel was down and unconscious in a flash. The impact was that harsh. And now look at him. Tied up, helpless and totally at the mercy of Samrat Thakur. Well! Bhanu pratap and Apte were totally against the idea of Samrat but in the end he triumphed.
Samrat grinned again and watched Gabriel with acute sense of anticipation.

Gabriel looked around and finally saw Samrat standing right in front of him at some distance and staring intently at him as if he is a hunter waiting for his prey to wake up so that he can enjoy killing it and watch the death and fear in the poor victim’s eyes.

“Samrat!” Gabriel said softly.

Hello! Gabriel! Samrat said mockingly. He was wearing a smile so evil that marred his usually handsome features.

“So how are you?” Samrat asked politely with the same evil smile.

“Been better” Gabriel replied keeping his tone polite.

“So what do you think?” samrat asked again. Now excitement creeping in his voice.

“about what?” Gabriel pursed his lips “oh! Your plan! Must say i am impressed. Pretty good!” he answered.

“Pretty good eh!” Samrat grinned “i thought so. Hell i would call it is brilliant!”

So! Whose plan is it? It is too intelligent for you to come up with!” Gabriel retorted.

Samrat’s face turned red.
“watch your mouth Gaby boy! or i may have to shut it for you!”

“if you don’t wanna tell. Fine! But i am kinda curious. How did you do it?. How on the earth you manage to send that message. Baba would not send that message by himself. Never. So just how the hell did you arrange this game.” Gabriel asked.

Samrat was silent for a moment. Then he said.
“ok! Considering this as your last request i will tell you.”

Samrat ended his monologue. He told the entire plan right from the beginning to the end with wild enthusiasm. But he choose to keep the names and roles of Bhanu pratap and Apte as secret. He just wanted to take the credit for the whole plan all for himself. He wanted to tell Gabriel that it was he, Samrat Thakur, who planned this brilliant trap and single handedly brought down the mighty angel of death. Samrat is the one to beat Gabriel in this game.
He gave a wild grin to Gabriel, waiting like a child for the applause and encouragement from it’s audience.

Gabriel pursed his lips again.
“very very impressive!” and before Samrat could take that as compliment he added “but you didn’t tell me about the master mind Sammy boy! You really are too stupid to think of it.”

Samrat’s face turned ugly with rage. He aimed a kick at Gabriel and his feet connected to the ribs of the man. Gabriel grunted but took the pain in silence.

“I told you to keep that mouth of your’s SHUT!” Samrat kicked him again and Gabriel bore the pain without a word.

Samrat took a deep breathe and walked around the prone figure of Gabriel watching him intently. Suddenly he stopped and laughed.

“Look at you!” he mocked “just look at you! I was told ‘to be a hunter you have to hunt a lion’! but YOU!” he pointed at Gabriel “you are no lion.” He said in a baby voice “you my poor baby are a deer. A dumb deer. Or should i say lamb. Foolish lamb!” he laughed aloud.

“and YOU!” Gabriel stared at Samrat and said in a firm voice “You are a jackal who feeds on the carcass left behind by the lion. A coward jackal!”

Samrat felt as if he has been kicked in the gut. He lashed out again at Gabriel, this time aiming at the face. His boot connected with the jaw of the man. Gabriel could feel the inside of his mouth tearing up at the impact and blood seeping in.

“SHUT UP! SHUT THE HELL UP!!” Samrat shouted.

He kicked the man again. And again. With his hands and legs tied there was nothing Gabriel could do. The onslaught was brutal, the pain intense. He could feel his muscles tearing, getting bruised, ribs cracking under the assault but he took the pain gritting his teeth without uttering a word of pain.

“so you think you are tough eh?!” Samrat was breathing heavily “how tough are you” he mocked “Gabriel!”

“free my hands and see for yourself!” Gabriel replied in a strong voice.

Samrat took a step back in shock. His brows furrowed. He dreamt of this day when He, Samrat would beat Gabriel and the hated man would be lying at his feet defeated. That looser would be whimpering, scared and would be begging to spare his life. He would be begging Samrat. Every time he had that dream he visualized the same scenario. But now when that dream came true, Gabriel indeed is lying at his feet something is entirely going wrong. He is not whimpering, there is absolutely no fear in his eyes. If anything, he was looking as he always did.... as if he owned the world. as if he is still the most powerful one around. As if he is the same jungle predator he is named after in the dark world. The Lion.

Samrat felt a wave of corrosive hatred coursing through his entire body. He took a deep breathe and tried to control himself.
“Attitude!” he hissed “why do you have so much of attitude buddy?”

“I guess i comes from the knowledge that ‘I am the Best!” Gabriel gave a casual shrug and added mockingly “buddy!”.

Samrat’s face changed colours. He took couple of deep breathes, staring continuously at Gabriel.
Gabriel met his stare without any emotion of fear.

Samrat glared at the man and suddenly a thought passed by him. He paused and concentrated on that thought. Suddenly he smiled again. A malicious sort of smile and a glint entered in his eyes. He looked at Gabriel with the same smile.

“i have a plan.”

“oh good!” Gabriel retorted “you delighted me enough with your company. Get down to the brass tacks.will yaa?!”

Samrat tried not to get riled. He gave a forced smile.

“how about You!” he pointed at Gabriel “getting down on your knees, rubbing your nose on My” he pointed his own shoes “shoes, begging me to spare your life. And I” he smiled again “will let you go!” his eyes shone with pleasure.

Gabriel was silent for a second and then he laughed. The man actually laughed. Samrat stared at him in disbelief.

“Good one Sammy!” still laughing softly he added “ now stop being so delusional.” He continued “i have a better plan. You just shoot me and get over with it. You really are beginning to bore me!”

Samrat saw red. He rushed towards Gabriel, grabbed his collar and pulled him up. Then he started to punch and pummel wherever he could reach. This time his assault was brutal. Gabriel almost bent down in pain. He gritted his teeth again and bore on.
“I SAID ‘BEG ME!” Samrat hissed bringing his face closer to Gabriel.

“F*** Off!” Gabriel spat the words out.

Samrat bared his teeth in extreme anger and dragged Gabriel to the railings of the bridge. He slammed Gabriel against the metal barriers and almost bent him half ways towards sea side. Gabriel could see the dark and angry water just below him. His legs were on the bridge and half the body over the churning sea water.

“I said ‘Beg Me!” Samrat hissed again. “ Say ‘Samrat you are the best’. Beg me for your life. Plead. Whimper. Pray. And i will Let. You. Go.!” His anger crossed all the borders.

“for the last time Kid!” Gabriel said through gritted teeth “Go. To. Hell!”

Samrat released the collar of gabriel’s shirt with a jerk and moved back. He took his gun out. This time his gun had live bullets. They are meant to kill whoever came in their way.

“I will shoot you!” he aimed at Gabriel. His hands were completely stretched, gun held in both palms and total rage in his eyes.

Gabriel held himself upright leaning against the railings.

He gave an intense look to Samrat and then lifted his chin in defiant angle.

“Shoot Me!” he said in a strong voice “but make sure you kill me.” He spat out the blood that seeped in his mouth “ because if i live” he looked straight in Samrat’s eyes “there will be no place for you to RUN! There will be no place for you to HIDE! And there will be no place for you to...” his eyes were intense like never before “Live!!!”

Samrat recoiled in shock. He was frightened out of his wits. More scared than he had ever been in his life. And so he stared shooting in sheer reflex screaming all the while.

“ARHHHHH!!!!!!”

The bullets whizzed in the air and chartered their deadly course. Towards Gabriel. The blood exploded in splashes the moment they tore into Gabriel. The impact of the bullets being shot at close range was so hard that Gabriel was lifted off his feet. He flew over the railings, into the sea, fell into the unforgiving harsh lap of angry sea with a splash and got swallowed by her.

Samrat was still shooting wildly. Even when he started firing, a part of his mind detached itself and watched the unfolding drama in horrified gaze. It was a surreal experience.
He could see the shape of bullets, the outline of their journey, the squirt of blood, gabriel’s blood when they tore into his body, the colour of that life fluid, the dark reddish splash of blood in the air, Gabriel being lifted off his feet, slowly and almost gracefully flying over the railings of the yatch, in the air, then slowly dropping into the dark waters of the waiting sea. The hungry waves of sea reaching out to catch him and taking him inside. And then Gabriel disappeared.
Then there was silence.
Click! Click!” all the bullets were gone but Samrat was still shooting. Wildly. Unseeing. As if he is still in dream.
He went on shooting the empty gun at the air. Eyes wide-open.

Chapter 17:

There were sounds of urgent footsteps on the bridge. Suddenly the door flew open and Bhanu pratap and Apte charged on the bridge with armed men in tow. They froze at the sight of Samrat still shooting his empty gun at air. Unseeing and not even reacting towards the sounds of their entering. He has not even noticed them now standing a few feet away from him.
“Sam!” bhanu pratap rushed towards his nephew. Apte the man prone to action took charge of the situation and started taking the survey of the place.

“Sam!Samrat!!” Bhanu pratap held samrat closely and called him.
Samrat was still staring wildely at the air far away, staring at the railings where Gabriel was last standing.

“SAMRAT!” bhanu pratap shook him with force and suddenly Samrat jumped. He blinked hard and started at the older man. First he could not focus then slowly he recognized Bhanu pratap then he looked around wildly and saw Apte now bending down over the railings and surveying the black sea waters. The armed men were all standing in attention waiting for some instructions. They were wearing confused expressions.
Apte turned and looked at Samrat.

“Samrat!” Bhanu pratap held the face of the younger man in his palms. “what happened?” he asked softly.
It took a moment for Samrat to register then question.
“I killed him!” he heard himself speak.
Then he added urgently “i did!” his words were coming in a rush, running one over the other. “He is dead. Just flew over. I killed him. Dead!”

Bhanu pratap gave him a worried look. Samrat was getting agitated.
“I did! I really really did! He died! DEAD! I KILLED A MAN!”

Bhut!” bahnu pratap was about to sya something soothingly when Apte asked from where he was standing, near the railings.
“Where is the body Samrat?”
Hu? Samrat started at him with wide eyes, uncomprehending the question..

“Body! The body of Gabriel Samrat? Where is it?”

There!! Samrat pointed his finger at the railings where Apte himself was standing. “He fell down from there. Just flew over!” he still had that wild look in his eyes. As if he is truly frightened by what happened in past few minutes. Frightened out of his life and wits.

Apte bent down and checked the sea waters again. Then straighted himself up and shook his head looking straight at Bhanu pratap.
Bhanu pratap by now was having deep worried frowns on his forehead. He looked at Samrat and asked softly.
“You sure...” before he could complete Samrat blew up.
“Offcourse!” Samrat almost shouted “yes i killed him. I” he showed the gun he was holding in his hand to his uncle “shot him with this gun. All bullets. I saw the blood” he voice cracked. The reaction was fast catching up with him. “the blood” he repeated “the man just went off the boat!” he made waving motion with his hands towards the same railings.

Apte and Bhanu pratap looked at each other. Both exchanging worried looks. Samrat noted the exchange and by now he was totally agitated.
“I AM TELLING YOU!” he screamed “I KILLED HIM.” Hysteria crept in his voice “DEAD! GABRIEL IS DEAD!”

Apte and Bhanu pratap could not fail to hear the hysterical note in Samrat’s voice. Nor did they fail to understand that Samrat is on the verge of breakdown. They reacted accordingly.
“Offcourse you killed him Babu!” apte said in a soft voice.

“Yes! Yes!” bhanu pratap joined him in saying.
“Yes Gabriel is dead. He died!”
Samrat was looking at both of them with wide eyes. He slowly started to shiver.
“No! You don’t believe me. You think he is alive. Isn’t it?”

Bhanu pratap answered quickly.
“How can he be alive Sammy? You shot him. He flew over the bridge and fell down in sea. Who can possibly survive after that!” he looked at Apte and then again at Samrat.
“you know what Sam! You should go to your room, just freshen up and take some rest. You need it. Tomorrow will be a big day. Just go kid!”
Samrat didn’t move. He kept staring at the older man unblinkingly.

Apte too urged samrat.
“Yes Babu! You look tired. Just go to your room and take rest. We will talk tomorrow. Go!”

Samrat finally moved from there and proceeded to go to his room after giving Bhanu pratap and Apte a long stare. They waited for his back to disappear from the door. They Apte sprang into action.
You! He commanded his two of his men “Go switch on the flood lights and light up the waters!”
And You! He pointed a finger at the rest of the men “search the seas from here. Check out any moment. If you see anything! And i repeat ANYTHING in the water... SHOOT IT DOWN!” he gave an intense stare to his men.
The men, who were just standing in confusion as if watching a drama they did not understand, immediately sprang into action. They went out running to do the jobs assigned to them.

Apte then turned towards the sea and kept staring at her with a deep thinking expression. Bhanu pratap slowly walked towards him.

Samrat entered his room covering the distance between bridge and the room by walking like a zombie. It took him a moment to realize that he is now inside his own room. He stared around and suddenly saw Gabriel going over the bridge in a flash. Samrat blinked. He was inside his room far away from the bridge and far away from the place where Gabriel was standing last time. He gulped and closed his eyes. He saw the bullets tearing into Gabriel and the squirt of blood from his body. He opened his eyes in flash and looked around wildly. He was still in his room, clean and neat room. No sight of blood anywhere. No Gabriel.

“He can’t be here. I killed him!” Samrat muttered to himself.

Suddenly he heard a chilling voice from behind
“There will be no place for you to live!!”

Samrat whirled around in fear. No one. No Gabriel.
“Arghhhh!!” Samrat clutched his head in frustration and fear almost pulling his hair. He then covered his face with his hands and then slowly opened his eyes. He removed his hands from his face.

Blood!! There was blood all over his hands. He recoiled in fear. Bright, red glistering blood. He ran towards bathroom, skidded near the sink, opened the tap and allowed the water to run on his hands. Now the entire sink and the water flow were turning red. He rubbed his hands but the blood won’t wash off. He started rubbing his hand furiously. The water was turning red but the blood on his hands remained.

What Samrat failed to recognize was that he was having after effects of shock. His hands were clean, pink and smooth. But he was hallucinating blood all over them. He pushed the sink and took two steps back in frustration then looked up to see his reflection. Gabriel started back at him from the mirror. He gave his intense stare then spat blood from his mouth. Samrat was watching in horror. Then Gabriel’s face turned to Samrat’s. Samrat from the mirror gave a wild laugh and said.
“They were right after all. You don’t belong to this world of death. Look at you. Scared. Frightened. Shivering.!!” He laughed.

“I am not scared.” Samrat replied watching the reflection without blinking his eyes. Fearfully.

The reflection laughed again.
“Then why aren’t you celebrating. You killed the man you hated for all your life. Where is the sense of elation? I will tell you why. Because you are scared. Your first kill and you are shaking like a leaf. And you want to rule the underworld?! No! Samrat! You don’t belong here.”

“NO!” Samrat suddenly shouted “I belong here. This is my world. Mine. I am the rightful heir and i will rule it.”

“Then get a grip!” hissed Samrat in the mirror “that Gabriel haunted you all your life. Don’t let him haunt you after his death too. You want to be a ruler THEN act like ONE!”

Samrat slowly nodded his head.

Apte was standing near the railing watching the angry sea with almost painful concentration. The dark water was light up with harsh floodlights. The guards were watching the waters from all directions waiting anxiously for anything to surface so that they can shoot it down. Bhanu pratap stood near Apte and held the railings and then enquired.

“Can’t you send your men down there?” he pointed at the sea “for thorough and better search.”

“In this weather?” Apte shook his head “we can even get our jet skies down on the water. Searching is out of question. Can’t do anything till the weather clears up. At least a little.”

Bhanu pratap then asked him softly.

“You think he is dead?”

Apte paused for a second. He then turned and looked at Bhanu pratap.
“Let me put it this way. For me to believe that he is dead, i need to see his body. Even then i will empty my entire magazine in him to make sure that he is actually dead.”

Bhanu pratap nodded his head. Then asked again.
“You know why he is called Gabriel?”

Apte shrugged his shoulders.
“I am not much educated but i think that name means angel of death!”

Bhanu pratap was silent for a moment then spoke almost to himself.
“Yes! He is named after angel of death. But i think he is death himself. Can Death die?”

Suddenly they heard a choking noise behind them. Both the men whirled around to see Samrat standing there. He was pale with fright and was watching them with horror-struck eyes. He heard their conversation.

Apte and Bhanu pratap reacted at once.
“Samrat! When did you come Babu?”

“Sammy you here?”

“He is alive. Isn’t he? Samrat asked fearfully wide-eyed.

“No! Sam. He is dead. You killed him child!” Bhanu pratap answered.

“NO!” samrat shouted “he is alive. You think he is alive!”

“Samrat! Sam! Listen to me!” Bhanu pratap went near the frightened young man “you shot him and he fell in the sea. Just look at the weather. The water must be freezing now. If your bullets won’t get him trust me the sea will. He is dead. OK. DEAD!” he said firmly, gripping samrat’s shoulders and giving a little shake.

Apte smiled at Samrat
“Dont worry Babu! He can’t touch you now. We old men are habituated to worry. Let us do that. You go to your room and rest. Leave your worries to us.”

Bhanu pratap nodded his head.
“Go Sam! Sleep! Today has been a big day for you. You need rest. Tomorrow on it will be a new dawn in your life. So got son and dream of it. You will be fine. We will see to it.”

Samrat gazed at Apte then at his uncle. He loved both the older men and knew that they loved him back. He suddenly felt safe. Reassured. He smiled and with a slight nod of head turned his back and went out of the door back to his room.

Bhanu pratap stared for a long moment at the door from which Samrat left.

“Promise me you will keep him safe!” he looked at Apte.

Apte nodded his head with firm resolve.
“With everything i have got!”

Bhanu pratap asked him
“You scared?”

Apte shook his head in negation.
“For me No! For Samrat Yes!” and then added as an after thought “and you?”

Bhanu pratap smiled
“Scared? Me? Why should i be scared? I lived my life. I just want my little boy to be safe. Just keep him safe. Will you?”

Apte said in a firm voice.
“To reach Samrat Gabriel has to go through me!”

Both the men then fell silent and stared at the now violent churning sea. Both knew but did not say it aloud that if there any man who can go through Apte and anyone and anything to reach the one he wants... that is Gabriel.
They felt it in their bones that he would be back and this time he will be having vengeance by his side. One of the oldest and powerful motive of death.
Gabriel will be back as avenging angel. He is dangerous but now he will be deadly.
He sure will be back.. With Vengeance.

Chapter 18:

Fire and Ice.
He whole body was on fire and ice. He gritted his teeth and used all his will power to stop himself from screaming aloud. The moment he hit the sea and she swallowed him, the moment the cold harsh and salt water touched him the pain broke all the barriers. The pain of bullets entering and tearing up his body was harsh. But with freezing salt water entering the wounds the pain was unspeakable.
Gabriel clenched his jaw painfully.
“Focus! He screamed at his mind. “Assess the situation!” he commanded.

He is having bullets in the body, losing blood, probably broke his ribs, his hands are tied behind his back and legs are immobile too. And he is now couple of feet under the sea water. A very angry sea water. Not to mention freezing.
“Well situation is bad! He thought “but it could have been worse.” He told himself “I could have been dead.”

“Well Gaby boy time to make sure that you don't end up dead. Focus on the game!” he closed his eyes. He remembered his training under his teacher, mentor and master. Rana. Gabriel smiled. Call it irony or wicked sense of humour of thing called coincidence but the most favourite training method of Rana was to dunk a seventeen years old boy in the pond near his farm house. With both hands and legs tied. He then used to start the stop watch to clock to time that boy would take to come out of the water... alive. That boy hated that part of the training. He thought of running away and then he realized that’s exactly what Rana wanted to see. If he would run or fight back. He chose to fight back. Days, weeks and months he allowed himself to be chucked in that cold water, his limbs tied. And then came a day he broke the record of the master himself. He would never forget the look on the face of Rana that day.

“Ok Gabriel! Time to break your own record.”
He bent himself in almost impossible angle both the legs in front of him like bow. Then slid out of the crook of his tied hands. His hands are now in front of him.

“Always keep an ace in your sleeve. You will need it someday!” he remembered the words of Rana.

He bent down and removed the sole of his shoe. His ace, a knife was lodged there. He removed it from its hiding place. He could feel the rapid depletion of oxygen from his lungs. No time to waste. He got down to work. He started cutting down the tape binding his hands. The position and angling of the hands and knife was awkward but he worked furiously. He could sense that the surface of the sea was light up. Flood lights. He keep slashing.Suddenly his hands were free. He then ripped open the tape binding his feet.
He is now free. The urge to break out on the surface and take deep breathes of air was overwhelming. But he knew if he went up now death will come knocking on his door and this time he will have to open the door. He started swimming. His entire body screamed in protest.
“thats good!” he thought to himself “pain is good. When the body feels numb nothing THAT is the time to worry buddy.” He swam on.

His lungs were screaming for the life saving air. One more stroke just one more. He kept stroking his hands and slithered through the water. And then he resurfaced.

Uurrggghaaa!! He broke on the surface and breathed through his mouth. Precious air. He focused his gaze and saw the yatch far away from him. The flood lights were on. Men on board were keeping the search on but he beat them. They can’t see him now.
He floated on the water and stared at the yatch for a long time.

“Samrat!” he spat the words “I will come for you. I promise!”

He then started swimming away from the yatch. He had no idea where he should be going. The weather and the sea have taken the turn to worse. So no sense of direction was left. All he knew that he had to keep moving. So he plodded on.

He lost his sense of time now. He had no idea how long he has been swimming in that sea water. He could see orange sun slowly raising heralding the new morning. But he sensed the darkness snapping at his heels. Racing to catch up with him. He was loosing his strength. Fast. His body is finally giving up on him.The darkness was close.

“One more! Just one..” he felt the cold hands of darkness catching him. Grabbing him. Then it claimed him.
And then there was silence.

Chapter 19:

Standing on the deck She was steering the small motor boat with expertise. Her hands steady, her posture relaxed. Wearing ¾ cargoes and a black vest, her petite frame and unruly shoulder length hair falling all over her face she made a pretty picture against backdrop of deep blue sea.

ANNE! Some one shouted her name.

Anne! Ananya Sehgal, journalist, field operator, chief reporter “” , turned back tucking her unruly hair at the back of the ear away from her eyes.

“Whats up Bozo?” She tossed her head. Her beautiful eyes twinkling with mirth at his disgruntled expression.

Bozo, Bhasker Sharma, her camera person, unethical hacker, computer genius and her best friend, waddled on the deck with heavy foot steps.

“Tell me one thing! Just one” his pointed a finger at her “what are we doing here in this god-forsaken place at this God-awful time in the morning?”

She took a deep breathe and spread her arms.

“Enjoying the Nature my friend”

“Nature my..” he tried to reign in his temper “Ann! My dear! You know it was thunderstorm yesterday. Any idiot would be staying at his home this time. What if there are after shocks kiddo?”

“After shocks pal?” she raised her eyebrows. “It wasn’t tsunami or earthquake just a storm. So chill!”

“Yeah! Just a storm!” he said in disgust “what if there is rain and storm and tsunami right now. I can’t even swim. And i doubt this heap of metal of yours will last even a mild shower!”

“Dude!” her eyes flashed fire. “DONT ever say ANYTHING against my boat. Her name is pixie. Give her respect. OK!”

“Fine!” He raised his hands in hair “Your pixie is the bestest boat in the world!.”

She smiled.

“Now you are talking. And don’t worry i checked the weather reports. We are good. No problem!.”

No problem? Bozo exploded again. “Yes there is a problem. Problems actually. This hea..” he changed the track midway when he saw her expressions “this pixie of yours doesn’t have any Internet system, no gaming consoles, network problems.. Hell it doesn’t even have a well stocked fridge. Not even good magazines to read!” he complained whining.

She crossed her hands.

“The whole point of coming here is to get out of the maddening chaos of nets, mobiles and work Bozo. And why do you need gaming console here. You have already wasted quite a many precious years of your life on those stupid macho games. And my fridge was well stocked.. Till you raided it an hour back.”

He gave a disgusted snort.

She continued

“And i know what kinda magazines you read. Those bhabhi’s and playboys and...”

“Oh come’on i don’t read them” he protested uncomfortably.

“Yeah right! This is me you are talking you dude. I know exactly where you hide your collections of those mags.” She gave a wicked smile. “By the way does Aunty knows about your literary preferences?”.

He gave her a horrified look

“Lets keep my mom out of this OK?!

She shrugged her shoulder giving the same mischievous smile.

“And Yes!” He added defensively “i do have collection of other educational and informative magazines too.”

“Like what?” She raised her eyebrows “Femina, Woman's era?”

“They are” he pointed at her again “very educational reads. You know they carry these surveys when women tell them where good men are found.”

“SO?” she pursed her lips.

“THAT gives me information as to which places i should be present to be found by the women.” He said.

She laughed.

“And you know what” he continued “they also ask what qualities a woman would prefer in man and guess what? i score on all the fronts.” He declared proudly.

“Really?” her brows were touching her hairline.

“Yes!” he puffed himself up “I am smart, intelligent, warm, friendly, ..

“Whatever happened to good old fashioned tall dark and handsome” she cut in looking at his short, very healthy frame. With a French beard, curly mop of hair and a pot belly he looks more like a teddy bear than Casanova.

“Those parts i skipped!” he admitted.

She grinned.

“No but seriously ‘Shrimp’( his pet name for Anne) “What am I doing here with you when i could be doing something productive with my system sitting safe and sound in the office?”

“Productive work?” she smiled “it would be more like hacking into someone’s account and poking your nose where it doesn’t belong. And i told you we are here to enjoy nature. Feel the breeze”

“I have a screen saver of nature and i am totally enjoy it. That should count right. And our AC in the office does pretty well on the air part too.” He whined.

“Ohhh!! Stop complaining.” She waved her hands. “Think of this as a break from our Dragon.”

Hey! You better talk about my mom rather than that Dragon.” He glanced around as if to check that the dragon materialised from thin air on the deck.

“Dont worry she can’t come here.” Anne reassured.

“And do you know that. Dragons don’t need boat to ride.” He pointed it out.

“Yeah that’s true!” she agreed “This dragon surely can haunt anything anywhere.”

Dragon, their chief editor. A thin above average height lady with angular and bony face, no a single hair out of place from her severe chignon, crisp suits and pointed heels, a terror in the news room for all the employees. They say she smiles only twice. When she has good story on her desk or when she is firing someone. She is married to her desk, breathes breaking news and dreams of sales figures.

Anne continued

“And i don’t understand her fascination with ‘human interest stories”. I mean there are so many important national and international news happening and she is like.. Gimme a good human interest story. When i brought her that corrupt cop story she said. ‘Whats new?. Everyone is corrupt. When i brought that creepy polician’s story she dismissed it saying ‘policians have to slimy and creepy. People already know that. Bring me a story that would make them sit up from their couches and grab them.’ Grrrrrr! Anne bunched her fists.

Bozo nodded sympathetically.

“Yeah remember our Afghan assignment! She blasted us for failing to get a Talib on the camera. And to think of it we were happy to be back with our lives and limbs intact.”

“I think that was the problem Bozo.” Anne replied “had something gruesome happened to us there she would have been ecstatic and would have hopped skipped and danced on her desk singing “oh lala”. She would have got her ‘human-interest story. I guess we broke her tender heart by coming home in one piece.”

Bozo laughed.

“Be happy Anne Bin-laden died. Otherwise our dragon would have packed you off with strict instructions to not come back till you get his interview.”

Anne gave a slight smile.

"You know Bozo” she continued with a wistful expression in her eyes “i wish i could get my hands of a real good story. Maybe an interview of someone different. Powerful. A story with lots of action, violence and drama. I would then slam it on that Dragon’s desk and tell her to kiss my” She suddenly paused "hey! Whats that?” she scrunched up her eyes and stared at the sea.

“What?” Bozo turned back to to check.

“Nothing’s there in the sea Anne!”

“I saw something move” Anne was still staring at the waters.

“Yeah!” Bozo rolled his eyes “Our dragon must have taken the form of sea serpent and is paying us a visit.”

“No wait!” Anne reached for her binoculars kept on the engine console.

She focused.

“Holy S***! A Man aboard!” she breathed.

“What rubbish!” Bozo dismissed her claim.

She passed him her binoculars and he checked for himself.

“What the!!!!” He almost dropped the instrument in shock.

“What do we do now?” A note of panic crept in his voice.

Anne bit her lip, thought for a long moment and came to a decision.

“I am going in.”

What? Bozo stared at her.

I am going to get him here!” she answered her gaze firmly lodged at the now visible figure of the man in the sea.

“No we are not fishing any dead bodies Ann!” Bozo protested.

“He is alive. I have a gut feeling.” She replied firmly.

“your ‘gut-feeling never bode well with me Anne!” and what are you doing?”

She was bending and busily removing her shoes.

“NO ANN! Listen! You are not going in there OK!” he protested strongly.

“Dont worry Bozo i will be fine.” She replied without lifting her head.

“Who’s worried about you? I am thinking about me. If you too decided to join that man in the never land how am i to get out this blasted sea. I cant steer this hea.. pixie” he wailed.

Anne got up.

“Your concern is touching Bozo. Don’t worry you will be fine. I will come back from death if you so much as touched my pixie.” She smiled “Don’t go near the engine, it is on automation. And hey here catch!” She tossed her canvas shoes at him and he grabbed them in reflex again.

He stared at them and when it registered immediately dropped them “sheeee!”

Anne grinned and took the position to dive in.

“Ann! Shrimp! Listen!” he implored.

She rolled her eyes and turned to look at him.

“What?”

“You take care OK! And come back safely!” there was a world of concern in his voice.

She gave him an affectionate smile and then a curt nod and dived into the sea elegantly in a fluid motion.

Bozo stood near the railings watching the retreating figure of his best friend, a sick worry settling in his stomach.

“Come back safe Shrimp!” he kept on watching almost without blinking.

Chapter 20:

She sliced the water and moved forward with grace. “My little mermaid!” her father Col. Vikram Sehgal used to call her. He loved nature especially sea and he passed his passion to his daughter. He taught her well. The motor boat “pixie” was his gift to her and was named after her. Pixie! Nick name for his darling daughter.

She swam with fast stokes, hurriedly and elegangly and reached the place where she last saw the man.

“There!” she could see him floating face down.

She took a deep breathe and dived in and with few strokes reached him.

She surfaced and grabbed him and almost disappeared again into the sea at the sheer weight of him.

She steadied herself and then grabbed him again. The salt water entering her eyes made her vision blurry and she couldn’t see his face properly. She took a deep breather again started swimming with one hand and holding him with other, back to her boat. It took almost a super human effort to hold the man and swim at the same time and the distance to the back looked like miles. But she held on.

Bozo was watching her progress with worried expressions and when he saw her coming back and now close to the boat he released the breathe he was holding for long, through his mouth loudly.

“Finally you here!”

Anne reached the boat and started floating, one hand holding the man in strong grip.

“Pass me the rope will yaa!” she yelled.

Bozo ran towards the engine and brought the rope.

“Ok now make a loop and toss it down!” she instructed then added “you know how to make loop right?”

“Off course i do!” Bozo replied “I was a boy scout!” He made a loop and prepared himself to throw it down.

“Careful!” Anne yelled again “make sure you don’t strangle him.”

“Trust me kiddo! If i wanna strangle someone i would aim at YOU!” bozo yelled back and tossed the rope down.

She grabbed the rope and with lots of efforts made it fit around the armpits of the man. She almost lost her grip on him and went inside the water herself but finally she tied him up properly.

“Ok PULL!” she ordered Bozo.

Bozo strained himself and started pulling. Slowly inch by inch the man was raised from water.

Anne was watching his progress from the sea, worriedly.

Bozo finally pulled the man almost upto the railings then bent down and grabbed his arms and with a massive heave pulled him onboard. He toppled on the bridge loosing his balance, along with him the man too fell on the other side of water.

Anne watched both the men disappearing from her vision and she immediately grabbed the rope ladder and heaved herself up. She expertly climbed upto the deck and landed on the bridge lightly and immediately got stopped in her tracks when she saw the scene in front of her.

“Help me!” Bozo whimpered pleadingly.

He was lying on his back with the body of the man covering him flat, lying on TOP of him.

Anne immediately got down on her knees and pulled the man away from Bozo and rolled him on side. Bozo almost slithered on all fours to a far away corner and whimpered wide eyed.

“Dead Man! I had dead Man on me. Lying on TOP of me!”

“Shut up Bozo!” Anne replied “He is NOT dead!”

“Just look at his face!” Bozo was staring at the man with horror-struck gaze.

Anne looked down and finally saw the man’s face for the first time. And her stomach dropped down. Swoosh!!! He was SO Pale. As if life has been holding onto him grabbing his little finger and is now slowly loosing her grip. His face was so serene, calm. Almost angelic.

She had to jolt herself to action. She bent down and put her head on his chest and tried to hear his heartbeats. There were none.

She frantically tried to open his shirt buttons but here hands were numb with cold and the wet shirt posed difficulties.

“Get me the knife!” She ordered bozo who was still in state of shock.

“Oh No! You are not stabbing a dead body!” He shook his head.

“Just get me the bloody knife Bozo or else i will show how to stab punctures with knife. IN YOU!” she hissed.

He waddled off and brought back a sharp edged knife, passed it to Anne and stood back at a safe distance.

She tore the shirt with knife and then ripped the fabric with bare hands. And recoiled in horror.

Washed cleanly by sea water the bullet wounds presented a grotesque picture on the pale body.

Bozo swore loudly.

She covered her mouth with one hand trying to stop the panic attack.

“THIS is bad Anne!” Bozo said softly.

“Yeah!” she replied “he is bad shape alright!”

“I am not talking about him. WE! He pointed at himself and her “are in bad shape Shrimp. This man is TROUBLE! I told you not to fish him out. I TOLD YOU!” he insisted.

“Bozo!” She looked at him “cut out the doomsday conspiracy will yaa?”

He crossed his hands with “hurrhhmmmpp!”

She bit her lip, thought for a moment and came to a firm resolve. She took a short breathe released it through mouth, then slowly bent down and put her head over the chest of the man.

After what seemed as an eternity

“Thud!” she heard a faint heartbeat.

“He is alive!” She felt a smile spreading all over her face.

“What?” Bozo uncrossed his arms and stared at her in disbelief.

“He is alive!” she repeated feeling a strong sense of elation.

She sat upright and stared at the man for a long moment, then collected her thoughts.

“Bozo!” She looked up at him “you said you were a Boy Scout right?”

“Offcourse!” he replied proudly “I was the best scout. I even won a medal for being the strongest, the fastest...”

“OK i will try to swallow that!” she cut in “get in here and start the CPR on this man. I will go and call for help.” She rose on her feet.

“CPR what CPR?” Bozo asked her in confusion.

“CPR dodo!” she replied “you know cardio pulmonary resucsiation! Mouth to mouth respiration!”

“Oh no!” Bozo protested. “I am not kissing a man.”

Anne rolled her eyes.

“I am not asking you to smooch the man you idiot! Now cut the comedy and start the process.”

“Why cant you do this CPR thingy. I will go call for help” he pleaded.

“Do you know the number?” She asked raising her eyebrows.

“Wellllll no!” His face fell.

“I thought so!” she shook her head “now get to work and let me do mine. Trust me i know the drill.”

She started running towards the exit then stopped suddenly and turned back.

“And yes Bozo, just remove all his clothes please. We dont want hypothermia to set in.”

“I am NOT kissing a naked man.” He protested vehemently.

“Pretend he is your play boy bunny!” She shot back in exasperation and started running.

Bozo glared at her retreating back and then started back at the man lying on the deck. He took a deep breathe and then slowly moved towards him.

Anne ran inside and grabbed some blankets from the cupboard. She then started dialing the helpline number of the shore through her satellite phone in the boat. The line was connecting.

She yelled for Bozo.

“Bozo! Could you come in here and take the blankets for our man please!”

“I am busy!” he yelled back “you haul your butt in here!”

I am on call you dodo! So YOU haul your butt in here. NOW!” she yelled back.

The line got connected.

Bozo walked in with heavy steps, grabbed the blankets and glared at Anne who paid no attention to him. She was busy with the call. He walked out.

“Hi!” Anne started talking. “I am calling from “pixie” Motor boat” she gace her location “we found a man aboard and got him on board. He looks in pretty bad. We need medical assistance the moment we dock in.”

She heard the person talking from the other end and then replied back herself.

“No! I have no idea who is he. And i don’t think he was carrying any identification.”

She paused and heard then replied back loosing her patience.

“Listen lady! I repeat i know nothing about him and i certainly wasn’t the one who pushed him in. So could we continue our Q/A session later please? I have work to do. Just make sure you get the ambulance ready when we reach ashore.”

Thank you!” she disconnected the call and ran back to the deck.

She skidded to halt near the man who was now wrapped in the blanket from head to toe with Bozo sitting near him.

She stared at him. Was that her imagination or he really was looking a little less pale. As if life is slowly coming back to him. She tilted her head to one side and started at him intensly. The man surely had a remarkably striking face.

“So what do we do now?” Bozo’s voice cut into her thoughts.

“Let’s get him inside!” she replied and then both of them half dragged, half carried the man inside.

They almost slammed him on the bunk of Anne and collapsed on floor with exhaustion.

“turn on the heater Ann!” Bozo huffed draggin deep breathes in.

“Sorry heater not working!” Anne gave an embarrased sort of smile.

“this stupid heap of metal ..” Bozo swallowed rest of the words under the furious glare of anne.

Ok! He cleared his throat. “you have brandy in here”

“Not now Bozo! This isn’t the time!”

Not for me you nut! We can rub that liquid in his feet and hands and warm him up.!”

Anne gave him an impressed look.

“That’s a damn good thought Bhasker Sharma. Wait i will get it.”

She brought a bottle of brandy from the cupboard and passed it to Bozo. He opened it and poured some of the fiery liquid in him palms then passed it to Anne. She too took some alcohol in her palm and passed it back to Bozo. They rubbed the liquid on the icy cold feet and palms of the man lying peacefully on the bed.

After a long moment of silence anne spoke up.

“I got to go to steer pixie. You take of him OK!”

She looked up to see Bozo busily gulping down the brandy.

“BOZO!” seh screeched and lunged at him. She grabbed the bottle in his hands and both palyed tug of the war with the bottle which she won by snatching ht bottle away from his hands.

“you bad boy!” she hissed through clenched teeth closing the bottle “Very bad boy! pull a stunt like this again and i will personally toss you out in sea.” She glared at him .

“Bloody tyrant!” he muttered without meeting her eyes.

She stormed out of the run but not before throwing her last word.

“You take good care of him. If anything happened to him i swear you will have to learn swimming starting the very moment. You will be going out in sea buddy.”

He glared at her back.

Anne expertly docked her boat on the shore. The ambulance and the medical personnel were ready. So the lady at the helpline got her act together’ she thought to herself and jumped down to help the personnel to get the injured man on the stretcher with the help of Bozo.

They boarded him the ambulance. Then one medical person asked

“who is coming with the patient?”

Anne took a step forward

“I am!”

“Me too” Bozo came forward.

“No dude!” Anne started talking to him “buddy you look dead on your feet. You really need rest. Go Home. I will manage”

“I can’t leave alone at this moment kid!” he replied firmly.

She smiled.

“Partner! You have to cover for me tomorrow if in case i won’t be able to reach the office. Trust me you need all your strength to tackle the dragon on your own. So go home. Take rest. Don’t worry about me!”

Bozo gave her a stern stare.

“Fine! But you promise you will call me up if there is any problem.”

“I will!” she smiled and gave him an affection hug.

She the boared the ambulance and it started its journey to the hospital. Bozo watched the vehicle till it disappeared out of his vision.

Chapter 21:

The ambulance screeched to halt outside the hospital. The medical personnel immediately got down and got the man on the stretched and took him inside. Anne ran alongside them. They stopped in the corridor and one guy told her to get the form filled.

“What?” she started at him. “You want me to fill the form NOW!”

Thats the procedure!” she got the reply.

She shook her head in disbelief but ran towards the reception and asked for forms. She filled them up with furious speed and passed them to the receptionist. The lady behind the counter then paged for the doctor.

Anne started stamping her foor impatiently and ran towards the doctor when he made his entry.

“Doctor!” she implored “please! We really need your help. Do something!”

The doctor raised his palm in peaceful gesture and said.

“Relax lady! Let me check! He took his stethoscope out and asked “what happened!”

Anne replied, now frantic with worry “i don’t know doctor. We found him in the sea. Looks like he has been shot.”

Doctor took a step back.

“Did you say he was shot?”

Yes!” Anne replied “he has bullet wounds on his body.”

That makes this a medico-legal case.” The doctor replied. “you need to contact police station. They will file and FIR then only we can start any procedure.”

Anne stared at him in disbelief and shock.

“You want me to go to police station now. But by the time the whole procedure of filing case is done this man would be dead.”

The doctor shrugged his shoulders.

“Sorry! I can’t do anything!”

Anne crossed her hands and started at the doctor for a long moment. She then asked softly

“You can’t do anything?!” a dangerous note crept into her voice. Her friends and collegues would have run for cover hearing that note. They knew it meant impending storm. The poor doctor had no idea

“No! I can’t!” He replied back.

“Fine!” she started speaking in the same tone.”then i suggest you go home and turn on the TV. You watch news right?”

The doctor was slowly getting confused.

“Yes i do!”

“Good!” Anne continued “then you should tune into “.....” channel. You see you are going to get real famous an hour from now.”

How? Why?” the doctor fumbled around words.

Anne had no such problems.

“Because I am going to make you famous. How does “Duty doctors turns down Man on death bed” sounds? Ummmm how about “Doctor turns murderer” or maybe “Doctor... God or heartless human. Wait i guess this one is perfect. “Doctor... have your ethics died?.”

“YOU Doctor” she bent and grabbed his lapel to read the name tag “Shukla! are going to be breaking news all over the country. Meet me Ananya sehgal, Reporter, “ TV 24/7”

Doctor Shukla gulped in fear. People around them were watching the drama with horrified fascination. She released him and moved back and crossed her arms again and continued almost in lazy fashion.

“you walk out of here and i promise i will whip your ass all over the news channel. And by the time i am finished with you Shukla ji the only thing you will ever be allowed to operate upon will be YOUR DOG! Even THAT would be a distant dream if i could help it.”

Her eyes started shooting sparks.

From a petite, barely 5’2”, sunny, sweet tempered gal with a charming smile she was now looking ferocious. Her towering rage made her look every inch her work name, when she gets into rage. “Hell Cat!”

Doctor stared at her for a long moment then his survival instincts kicked in.

“Nurse!” he yelled “get the operation theatre ready.”

Everyone jumped into action. They almost ran steering the stretcher towards the operation room, the doctor jogging with them.

Anne took a deep steading breathe trying to rein in her temper. She too then joined the procession with rapid footsteps.

They reached the theatre within minutes, then wheeled the man on the stretcher inside it.

Ananya watched the man focusing on his calm, serene face. She kept on staring till they closed the door of the operation room. Red light blinked above it. The operation had begun.

Anne took few steps backward and sat down slowly on the chairs near the wall of the corridor, facing the theatre. The reaction was finally catching up her. The whirlwind of emotions over past few hours staring taking toll on her. She leaned back, slowly closed her eyes, clasped her hands and sent a short prayer to heavens above.

“Dear God! Please! Let him be alright! Please dont let him die. Just help him! Please!”

She slowly allowed herself to fall in much needed but deeply disturbing meaningless dreams.

The light above the operation theatre kept glowing blazing red.

After hours the red light finally switched off and the doctor came out. Anne was awake and she jerked herself up from the chair the moment she saw the doctor coming out.

She ran towards him.

“how is he?” she asked him sick with worry.

The doctor removed his mask. He was looking tired but his eyes were gleaming with pride.

“he is fine!”

Anne felt dizzy with relief.

The doctor continued.

“ it surely is a miracle. That man has two bullets lodged in his body. One of them at touching distance of his heart. And a third bullet cleanly went out of the body. Surface wound. He has couple of broken ribs and he lost lot of blood. The physical exhaustion and the sea water took toll on his body but He made it.” He shook his head in wonder.

“I must say either God loves him or Devil is scared of him!” he chuckled at his own joke. He has no idea THAT is the reputation of that man in the dark world of murky underworld. The man he just operated upon. The man he just pronounced as fine. The man called Gabriel.

Anne managed a week smile.

The doctor gave her a reassuring pat on her shoulder.

“you don’t worry. He is resting now. He will regain his consciousness maybe in couple of hours!”

Anne smiled and then said.

“thank you doctor and ummm sorry about threats that i made to you.”

Doctor smiled back.

“you really scared me lady! Now if you promise that you wont make me famous anymore, i will go home and rest in peace.”

Anne grinned.

“i wont! But only if you promise to treat the patient. Any and every patient immediately next time.”

The doctor solemly nodded his head.

“I promise!”

Anne asked him.

“can i see him now?”

The doctor replied.

“No! Sorry you cant. He is under medication. You can meet him after few hours.

He then smiled.

“you take rest too. And don’t worry. Your man will be back soon!” he patted her shoulder reassuring again and walked off.

Anne watched him go and then smiled at herself remembering the doctor’s words “YOUR man!”

She shook her and started at the closed door. The man is resting behind it few feet away from her.

She moved back when the remaining medical personnel started filing out. She went back to her chair and sat down. She then bent her head, clasped her hands again and sent a short thanks giving prayer to God again.

Anne then leaned back and started her wait again.

Chapter 22:

Present day:

Drip drip drip……

“Damn it!! Somebody shut the sound!” the man thought in frustration.

Beep beeeep beeeep…

“Goddamn it! Stop it just stop this racket! Is nobody listening?”

“Where the hell am I???”

He tries to open his eyes but fails.

His eyes refuse to obey his command. As if they are welded shut not willing to watch the world around.

He tries to move his body but fails. As if it is made of lead. Solid and immovable.

“No!!” he roared in frustration. “This is not happening. I am the master of my mind and body. They are MY slaves. I command you to obey.”

They said “We don’t recognise you as our master. We are not your slaves anymore”.

And then there was pain. An explosion of fierce unforgiving pain. An unstoppable pain coursing through out his body hurling, hunting and hurting.

“Agghhhh!” A part of him voiced in pain “I am hurting. Somebody please stop this pain. This pain is hurting my body. This pain is burning my Soul”.

“Haa!!” Snickered another part of him “Soul? What soul are you talking about? You DON’T have a SOUL”.

“Then why am I feeling this pain, this burning, hurting, killing pain?”

“Pain??” Mocked the unrelenting voice “pain is for humans. YOU are beyond pain”

“Yes!!!” Agreed the man.

Both the voices stared at him.

“I am hurting.”

“I am in pain.”

‘But it feels good.’

The voices were staring at him in confusion.

“You know what does this pain means??” the man mockingly asked the voices.

They kept staring uncomprehendingly.

“It means…” said the man

“I AM ALIVE”…….

“Holy shit! DOCTOR!the machines are going haywire!” a musical voice chimed in from a distance. A very long distance.

Who is that? The voice is so sweet. Musical. Is is coming from other world?

He felt a fresh bout of pain. He had to grit his teeth to keep himself from shouting out aloud.

"Focus Gabriel!" A voice in him commanded “think away from pain!”

Don't focus on pain! Good idea! Where else should he focus? Where the hell is he sounds like a good idea to focus upon.

He shifted all his concentration to the subconscious part of his brain storing memories. He started sifting through them. One by one the memories started flashing in front of his eyes.

The Message at night.

The yacht.

The fire fight.

The empty room.

The chair.

The whirling of the chair and person sitting in it facing him.

The first gun shot.

The pain.

Then the cold hard surface of the metal bridge.

The harsh biting air.

And then there was a face.. Samrat.

Gabriel opened his eyes in a flash. His eyes were dazzled at the brightness of the light around him. He squinted his eyes trying to adjust to the new surroundings. Suddenly a face peered at him from above. A face of a girl. She was watching him with wide shocked eyes.

She chimed in again in that musical voice he heard before.

“OMG! Doctor! Nurse! Someone Anyone! HE is BACK!”

Keeping his eyes open was getting hard for him. He closed them back. He heard the hurried soft pads of footsteps running out.

OK! Who was she? The face was so beautiful, soft almost.. Angelic. Shit! Does that mean he died after all and in now in heaven with angels for company?

"Oh! Come’on Gaby!" A voice in him pipped up “A man like him wont be allowed heaven forget having angels for company. Wasn’t St. Peter supposed to guard the gates to stop someone like him from entering?"

Oh yeah St. Peter. May be he scared that holy saint. Poor guy must have run off seeing him coming to protect his pure soul from corrupting presence of my soul.

"Sheessh!" A voice mouthed in disgusted. “killing pain here and he has to find the situation funny!"

Another voice was openly laughing in amusement.

OK Gaby lets get back to business. Where the hell is he?

He focused on his memories again.

Samrat walking towards him.

Talking to him.

Gloating.

Then hitting him.

Then shooting him.

The bullets whizzing in the air.

Slamming and entering his body.

The impact.

And then the cold harsh unforgiving dark waters of sea.

Gabriel slowly opened his eyes. There was bright light all around him. He slowly looked around. The white surroundings, the smell, the myriad machines and their beeps.

Hospital! I am in hospital. And the machines are connected to me. That ear splitting racket was coming from these machines. How did he end up here? And where is that girl with angelic face and musical voice. She existed or i imagined her?

Anne entered the room with Dr. Shukla and a nurse following her. Gabriel turned his head and looked at the company. His eyes widened at the sight of Anne.

So she exists after all.

Hello! How are you doing? Dr. Shukla asked Gabriel.

Gabriel stared at the doctor sizing him up.

“Welcome back! It really is a miracle that you are back. We thought we lost you for sometime. Err you must be in pain. Wait!”He turned and looked at the nurse and she understood the unspoken command and produced an injection and placed it in his palm.

The doctor tapped the injection in the air and smiled at Gabriel and then bent down to inject it into the veins of the patient.

Suddenly a vice like hand held up his wrist in death grip. The doctor was startled. So were Anne and the nurse. They stared at Gabriel.

Gabriel tightened his grip on the doctor’s wrist and ordered softly but strongly.

"NO!"

"But” the doctor spluttered “this is pain killer. It will help to ease the pain. You wont be able to handle the pain otherwise."

"Pain!” Gabriel replied “is good. I can handle that. So put that injection away.”

Doctor stared at Gabriel for a long moment then slowly nodded his head. Gabriel released his wrist and almost unconsciously the doctor rubbed his wrist. There were red welts on his hand where Gabriel held him.

Anne was watching the entire scene with wide eyed fascination. And when she saw the red welts on the doctor’s wrist she was shocked.

"MY! A near experience, a life-saving operation and the man lost none of his strength. Is he for real?.

Gabriel asked the doctor in firm voice.

"How damaged am I?"

"How damaged am I. Not what happened to me?" Anne wondered “that means he knows exactly what has happened to him."

Doctor replied in his most professional voice regaining his composure.

“three bullets. One near the heart which i must say almost got you. One miraculously escaped lungs. And one was surface wound. Couple of broken ribs. And severe loss of blood. But don’t you worry. A week in here and you be good as new.”

“Who says i am staying here for a week?” Gabriel asked politely.

"Wha..?" doctor looked bewildered. So were the rest of the audience.

"Get my discharge papers ready good doctor i wanna get out of here.” Gabriel announced.

"But” the doctor pleaded “you just regained your consciousness. And believe me YOU are not allowed to move your body much. You will do further damage to it. You really have to stay here. You cant just walk away.”

“DONT” Gabriel replied “tell me what i can or cant do. I say what i mean and i do what i want too.”

Doctor looked at him pleadingly.

"Please listen.."

“Get going Doctor” Gabriel pointed to the exit.

The doctor looked around helplessly and gave Anne a mute look of appeal.

Anne stared at him in amazement. And then she stared at Gabriel who was lying on the bed connected to all kinds of machines still looking as if he is the boss there.

She stared back the doctor.

Wasn’t he the same guy she has to threaten with murder and mayhem to get his butt moving. Now look at him. Ready to click his heels and say “yes Sir!”. Getting bullied and ordered around by a patient strapped to bed.

She found the entire situation hilarious. She gave a wide smile and entered the arena to rescue the doctor.

“Dont worry Shuklaji your patient won’t go anywhere. We are staying here as long as he needs to be under observation.”

Doctor was visibly relieved and Anne had to stop herself from laughing out aloud at his relieved expressions. Then she made a mistake of looking at the man lying on the bed.

Gabriel inched his head slightly downwards and stared at her intensely.

For a moment Anne was taken aback at that intensity. The man surely had remarkable eyes. Infact when he opened his eyes for the first time and looked at her she was awe"struck by them. Intense and remarkable eyes.

"Anne! Are you going to allow him to scare you too.” She chided herself “Noways”

She took a deep breathe and threw a wide cheeky smile at him.

Gabriel blinked.

“Trouble!” all his survival instincts went on full alert “Gabriel this girl is trouble. Get away from her.”

The doctor cleared his throat and addressed Anne.

“ok that's it i guess. I will get going. You take care.”

Anne turned and charmingly smiled at the doctor.

The doctor left the room with nurse in his tow. Anne suddenly realized she is alone with the man in the room. She too moved towards the door to make a prudent exit when Gabriel stopped her.

“Hey You!”

Anne slowly turned around and held her hands on hips.

“The name” she drawled “is Ananya!”

"Now where have i heard that before” he wondered “wait a minute. Wasn’t that HIS dialogue?”

He stared at Anne and she stared right back. He almost smiled and made himself sit upright leaning against bedpost wincing in pain during the process.

“Would you mind terribly if i ask you some questions?”

Anne deliberated.

Was that a request? It sounded more like a sarcastic order.

She shrugged her shoulders.

"Fine!"

"Would you mind sitting down.” He pointed to the chair kept nearby his bed. “you are making me nervous standing like that.”

This time Anne was sure that man was being either sarcastic or funny. Nervous and him? He probably never heard of such concept as nervousness or fear.

She marched towards his bed and pulled the chair and sat down.

He stared at her for a long moment. She was again struck by that stare as if he is reading her inside out. That made her nervous. And she started doing what she always does when nervous. She started talking.

"Hi! I am Ananya sehgal. Chief reporter. “ Tv 24/7” . And you are?"

Before he could reply she went on.

“Must say you are a very lucky man. The doctor was saying it is miracle you survived. In fact Bozo.” She stopped and looked at the man “Bozo my friend” she enlightened him “he said you are dead. But i knew you weren’t. Dead. I mean. But you sure looked dead. Not dead exactly but very close. You know what i mean. Dying but not not exactly dead. By the way how did you ended up in such a state?

She went on without waiting for reply.

“bullets, broken ribs and all. Sounds like an interesting and pretty violent story. You see i am interested in such stories. In fact i absolutely love such stories. Would you mind sharing your story? I..” She suddenly stopped when she saw his look.

He crossed his hands and was staring at her with deep concentration.

She cleared her throat.

“What?”

He pursed his lips.

“Just waiting and watching.”

"What?why?" she looked at him in confusion.

“waiting” he replied with utmost patient expression “with hope that you would pause sometime to take a breathe and i could insert my words edgewise. Watching so that when that historic moment presents itself i don’t want to miss it.”

It took a moment for Anne to realize that she was watching him with her mouth open. She was so taken aback at that reply. She immediately closed it.

She then crossed her hands and added sheepishly silently fuming inside.

“Go ahead. You ask the questions now!”

“I am in hospital so one question less. Other question is how I ended up here?” he asked in polite tone.

She looked at him suspiciously at that change of tone then she decided to give him benefit of doubt.

She smiled and animatedly waved her hands.

“You see it is a big story. Actually what happene..”

He held up his hand in air stopping her midway.

“Could you shorten it? Cut, trim, condense. Feel free to use the juicy parts for parties.”

“No wonder he got tossed overboard.” Anne thought in disgust “with attitude like that even SHE would have tossed him overboard. With pleasure!”

She pursed her lips and glared at him.

He elegantly and regally twirled his hand in air making it obvious that he is saying continue with the story.

She decided against storming out of the room and tried to rein in her temper. She took a deep breathe again and started narrating her story. She kept it as short as possible secretly wishing he would stop her to clarify some points or discuss something in detail. But to her disappointment he heard the entire tale without changing his polite interested expression at all. He asked no questions in between .

She went on with the story without interruptions and finally ended it at the point where she brought him to the hospital.

She concluded and inhaled deeply and waited for him to speak.

And when he actually asked his question she was too shocked to reply for a moment. It took her by surprise.

“How tall are you?”

"Hu?" She stared at him in confusion.

“Tall? Height?” he obliged by repeating his question.

"5 feet 2 and half inches” she replied almost automatically without thinking.

“And a half” he rose his eyebrows clearing mocking.

“and a half” she bristled.

“Weight?”

“47kgs” came the automatic reply then she stopped herself.
Hey should she be offended or something. What sort of questions are these?

"You know” Gabriel said almost taking to himself “i am 5’11” and considerably heavier than you”.

Anne gave him “so!” sort of look.

“What’s the point?”

“The point is” he mused “how did a 5’2” petite girl rescued a 5’11” not exactly light weight guy from the clutches of deadly waters.”

She bristled all over her petite frame.

“Firstly don't forget to add ½ inch. It is 5’2 and ½ inch. And secondly i think you are one of those MCP’s who gets offended because a girl happened to be tougher than they thought. I guess you are sorry that you got rescued by a mere girl.”

She was building but more steam but he deflated her with a simple statement.

“I am neither offended nor my ego is hurt. And i certainly am not sorry that i got rescued. I am merely” he paused “Intrigued!’

Err! Umm! Ok! Should she take that as compliment? She wondered. Then suddenly she was struck by a thought.

An impish glint entered into her eyes.

She crossed her hands, tilted her head slightly downwards to left and stared at him intensely.

It took him a moment to realize he is being stared at. He looked at her then to his left and rights self consciously and tilted his head forward and asked

“What?”

She replied with a straight face.

“Just waiting and watching!”

"What?why?" Now he looked at her in confusion.

“Waiting” she replied with utmost patient expression “with hope that you would realize that you are yet to thank me for saving your life and you might start thanking me.Watching so that when that historic moment presents itself i don’t want to miss it.”

Touché! Not bad lady.

She elegantly and regally twirled her hand in air imitating his earlier gesture making it obvious that it is now his turn to speak.

He gave just a hint of smile and said.

“Thank You!”

"That’s it!" She watched him in mild disbelief.

"What? You want me to something more?”

Yeah! How about teary eyed thankyou’s, profuse gratitude, you saved my life how can i repay you, you are so wonderful. I could do better than this bland thank you note. It sounds like oh thank you could you pass me the salt please! Sheesh!

"Nothing!" She shrugged her shoulders. Then got up and pushed her chair back.

“ok"! If we are done i have to leave now!”

"Where are you going?" He asked.

“to my home. Will freshen up and need to pick some essentials. You want me to bring you something?”

"No!" He replied and then added “but you are leaving me all alone here?”

She looked at him suspiciously. He looked at her with innocent expression giving nothing away.

She grudgingly said.

“i will be back in maximum an hour or so. You take rest. I will be back before you know it!”

Then she moved towards the exit. She almost reached the door when he called from behind.

“Hey You!”

She rolled her eyes and turned back in slow motion and kept her hands on her hips again. But before she could tell him off he stopped her in her tracks.

“Thank you for saving my life!” he added softly “Ananya!” he twisted her name round his tongue. The name surely had a musical ring to it.

She was taken aback at the soft but deep tone and his sincere expressions.

Anne! He is not bad after all.

She gave him a bright smile.

“You are welcome!”

She turned towards the door again when he called her back.

“And one more thing!”

She turned to look at him with smile on her face.

He continued.

“I said i wanted to get out of here today and you overrode my decision.”

She stared at him unable to make out where he is leading now.

He gave a curt nod.
“don’t do that again. EVER. I don’t take kindly to those who challenge, question or overrule me!”

He said it in matter of fact tone but there is no missing that authority, command and hidden menace in those words.

She felt a flash of anger erupting in her.

There he goes again. Looks like she celebrated too soon.

She pulled herself up to her full height, clicked her heels together and gave a mock salute.

“Aye! Aye Sir!”

Then she marched out of the room.

Gabriel watched her retreating back with a slight smile.

“Intrigued is the word alright! But so is Trouble!”

Chapter 23:

Anne stormed out the room.

“That man! That arrogant ungrateful bossy rude.." she was still struggling with words and temper when her phone rang.

“Yes!” she almost shouted in the speaker.

“Woah! You broke my tender auditory system girl!” Bozo’s voice came in. “Bad time sister?”

"Bozo!” she tried to control her anger “Sorry about that! What’s up?”

"I should be asking you that. What’s up? How is your man?”

"He is fine!” she said through clenched teeth.

"You don’t sound too pleased about it!” Bozo said; perceptive as usual when it comes to her.

Nay!” she rubbed her forehead subconsciously “I mean yeah i am pleased he made it but!” she paused then pipped “you were right!”

When was i not?” came the smug reply of Bozo “but what is the context this time!”

Any other time Anne would have taken offence at that smug tone of her friend but she choose to ignore this once.

“The man is trouble alright!”she added in disgust “actually he is also Rude, arrogant, dictatorial, cocky, ungrateful, bull-headed man with an attitude that says ‘Sun raises at my behest!”

Bozo guffawed “You are talking about just one man?”

Yeah!” Anne replied “even i am finding it difficult to believe that one man is paragon of all such wonderful virtues.”

Interesting! Bozo was still grinning “i should meet him”

“YOU can HAVE him!” Anne snapped back “OK how are you holding up with dragon?”

“Our dragon started breathing fire when only i made it to the office and you nowhere in tow. I fed her some story that you are working on case of your life, hard hitting, lots of drama, spice and all that jazz. And that you will report soon. So try and get some knock out story before finding your way in here. Or else you are a grilled meat.”

“Gee thanks mate! I will try to murder someone, or steal a bank or blow a building and create that ‘story of my life time’ for our dragon by tomorrow. OK you take care bozo. Gotta go!”

Take care shrimp. Call me if you need anything”

Anne disconnected the call, gave one last look to the ICU unit the man was resting in and she then started walking out of the hospital.

Thakur Mansion

“Get more men on the job!” Apte ordered in the phone “search all ports, hospitals, nearby bastis. Question everyone working in the shipping yards. But remember “Be discreet!” i don’t want any leak about our mission. I want Gabriel! Dead or Alive!”

He disconnected the call and acknowledges Bhanu pratap who just walked in the door.

“So you think he is alive?” Bhanu pratap questioned.

I KNOW he is alive!” Apte replied “I can feel it in my bones. Gabriel is out somewhere.” He took a deep breathe and diverted the topic. “How is Samrat?”

He is fine now. Slowly coming out of shock. He believes he finished Gabriel. And i don’t want to tell him otherwise. Poor kid. Let him be happy and care-free. We will deal with dark force.”

Apte nodded “so what do we tell Saabji. Gabriel is missing and this fact can’t be hiden for long. He would want answers.”

“What can we tell him? Bhanu pratap pursed his lips “that we tried to kill his blue-eyed boy. Saabji will have us thrown out or even killed. I am not worried for myself but right now my priority is safety of Samrat.”

Apte nodded in agreement again but he was hating the entire scenario. He was the man who always showed unswerving loyalty towards his master. So acting against his wishes, underhanded methods and hiding truth was piercing his conscience.

Triingggg!

The harsh ringing of Apte phone broke the grim atmosphere in the room.

“Yes!” apte barked in the phone. “When? Were was he taken?” he paused for a moment “Good! You take your men and go to that hospital. Don't use excessive force. Be discreet. Take him in custody or kill him.” He shouted loudly “YES! You moron! I said KILL!. So get going. I want no mistakes. I will be joining you as soon as i can make it there. Take him or finish him!”

Apte reached for his gun and gave a bark of command to his trusted men and started running for the door. Then he suddenly remembered Bhanu pratap who was still in the room and in confused state.

“Gabriel is found!” Apte told the older man “he was fished out of the sea and is now in hospital. I am going there. Don’t worry. I will make sure he is dead this time” and he raced out.

Hospital

Anne parked her car in the parking area and walked in the hospital. After shower and change of clothes and snacking on drive she was feeling her cheerful self. She was about to turn for ICU unit when she heard something that made her stop in tracks.

“Yes i believe the man was shot!” a harsh voice was coming from reception area.

Anne turned back. There were 3 men near the reception area almost arguing with the receptionist.

“His name is “Gabriel”. NO! We don’t know which room he is in. But i guess he was fished out of the sea. Come’on lady! We are his friends and We want to know where he is right now!”

Aahhh. So the mystery man indeed has some friends. And they are here already. That was fast!

Anne walked towards them.

“Hi!” She chimed in with bright smile. The men turned back. Her smile almost slid from the place looking at the rough exterior of the men.

Yes! The leader asked her cautiously.

“I think i know your man.” Anne said hesitantly.

"Gabriel?” the man asked hurriedly.

“Yes! I guess the same one. I should have contacted you or his family but everything happened so suddenly and...”

“Where is he?” The man cut in.

Anne was taken aback at that tone. She started to point at the direction of the injured man’s room when she saw something that turned her blood cold.

The man standing left to the leader just shifted his weight on foot which made his jacket move from its position and there was black shape lying snugly in his belt. Anne couldn’t miss its ominous implications. It was a gun.

Where is he? The leader asked almost menacingly.

Anne gathered her wits back and pointed towards the stairs.

“there!”

The man turned towards the exit and gave a short nod. That when Anne noticed three more men lounging by the door who moved in with rapid gait and joined the gang. They moved with purposeful strides they almost ran towards the stairs.

Anne watched them moving away and then she ran in opposite direction.

ICU

Anne almost skid into the room. The man was sleeping peacefully looking almost angelic. Anne reached for him and shook him.

“wake up!”

What?” Gabriel slowly opened his eyes.

“WAKE UP! THEY ARE HERE!” she waved her hands agitatedly.

Any other time it would have surprised her how his sleepy eyes suddenly went alert and his entire body went taut. He sat on the bed with a jerk.

There were six of them. Big, mean guys. GUNS! They were carrying guns.” Her words were running one after other and eyes widened when saw what he is doing.

He was ripping off all the connections of the instruments attached to him. He stood up then. And reeled.

Gabriel closed his eyes, clenched his fists and took a deep breathe bringing his body back in his control. He then opened eyes and started right ahead. At Anne.

Woah! The man is tall. And i guess it i am sounding stupid but he looks more menacing that those men. Despite his good looks. Wait a minute. Did i say good looks?

Anne was lost in the thoughts that she didn’t notice Gabriel moving swiftly towards her. He grabbed her and started running towards the door. She ran along with him not understanding whats going on but just following his lead.

They ran in the corridors Gabriel taking in his surroundings with sense of a predator. He then found a room which would suit him at the moment.

Here! Get in!” he almost shoved Anne in to the room.

Anne looked around.

“Storage room! Want are we gonna do here?”

“Not WE just you! YOU are going to stay here and i am walking out.”

“Walking out? Why not stay here? You cant out run them in you condition...” Anne was protesting when Gabriel cut in.

Who says I am running?” He sounded amused.

Anne looked at him in shock.

“Dont tell me you are thinking of fighting. There are six of them. Big, mean guys. Not to forget guns are involved too.”

Gabriel stared at her in amusement.

“dont tell me lady you are worried about me!”

Anne opened her mouth to protest but closed it again riled at him and his amused expressions.

Gabriel smiled.

“if you want to worry about someone it should be those guys. Not me. You see I am allergic to dying. Unlike lot many other i know.”

Anne stared at him in disbelief.

Gabriel smiled again and walked off to the door. He turned the knob and looked back at the intriguing girl who saved his life.

“Thank you!” He paused and pronounced her name in lyrical tone “Ananya!” and then he walked out closing the door behind him.

Chapter 24:

“Damn it! Where the hell is he?” the leader clutched his gun close to his chest and muttered in frustration.

The others watched him waiting for his orders.

“Ok! You two! And you! Go in different directions. Keep you phones on. Be in contact continuously. And if you see him Capture him or kill him” he gave sharp orders to his men.

They looked at each other uneasily but like trained men that there were they took off to do the job. The leader and remaining one lieutenant went on with their search for the man. Gabriel!

The two men were holding their guns in defensive positions ready to shoot at anything that moved. They pointed their guns at corner and whirled into positions.

There was no one there.

Both the men stood close, their shoulders almost touching, guns run to fire, staring right ahead for their prey. And unknown to them the man they were looking for was in hunters position right above them.

Gabriel inclined his head slightly and looked down at the two men right beneath him with a slight smile on his face. He was pressing the walls of the corner with his feet and roof with his hands supporting his whole body in the air. And then he jumped.

The men fell down at the impact of the body hitting them at full force. Gabriel sprang to attack mode and pushed one of the men further down by pressing his knee against the man’s back and he then grabbed the doomed man’s head and twisted it breaking his neck effectively with a sickening snap. The second man was reaching for his gun fallen on the floor when Gabriel lashed at him with his foot. It connected with his nose. The man grunted in pain and grabbed his face, blood squirting out of his broken cartilage. Gabriel grabbed the weapon from the floor and used it’s butt to hit his second victim. The man fell down unconscious.

Gabriel got up and looked around cautiously. No one was peeking out of the rooms or walking into the corridor. The attack has been silent and deadly. He tucked the gun into his waist band and rested his fingers lightly upon it.

And then he moved with rapid footsteps towards the second stage of the attack.

It took his more than ten minutes to reach the second pair of his attackers but this time his luck did not held out. It was the attacker who saw him first entering the corridor. He immediately raised his gun to shoot at him when Gabriel shoved the stretcher kept alongside the corridor at the man with full force. The man stumbled down and Gabriel ran towards him and grabbed his weapon, twisting it and breaking his hold on it. The man moaned in pain. Gabriel then threw a punch at his temple rendering him unconscious. He slowly got up surveying the man lying motionlessly at his feet when he heard a loud thud. He swiftly turned back and saw a big man tumbling down in almost slow motion with a blank expression on his face. And right behind the man was Anne. She was holding a slightly dented bed pan which she clearly used for putting the big man out of action.

Gabriel stared at her in shock. Anne smiled at him

What the hell are you doing here?” he felt anger raising in him.

Anne’s smile faltered. She shrugged her shoulders trying to control her own raising anger.

“Saving your life i guess” she added impishly “Again!”

“I was doing FINE without your help” he exploded “ and didn’t i tell you stay in that room?”

“I thought you might need my help!” Anne replied oblivious to his murderous expressions “and Boy! i was right! And hey! Aren’t you gonna thank me?”

“Thank you? For what?” he gave bewildered expression.

“For saving you life!” she gave a triumphant smile “Again!”

At that moment he wanted to say lot many things and thank you wasn’t one of them. He struggled to not to say them. Two reasons: one. She was still holding the now deadly looking bed pan in her hand and he would put it past her to bop him if he chooses to annoy her.

And second. The danger leaped at them from behind.

“WATCH OUT!” he screamed a warning at Anne before pushing her out of the danger. And he took a blow right on his head.

Another one of the attacker heard the commotion and entered the battle field stealthily when Anne and Gabriel where arguing. He was about to attack Anne from behind with a rod when Gabriel took the blow meant on her.

For a moment Gabriel saw dark. He shook his head furiously trying to regain his senses. The attacker raised the rod again. This time Gabriel was ready. He grabbed the weaponed hand of the man with one of his hand and then the attackers face with his palm.

He bared his teeth and shoved the man backwards, still grabbing his face, both their feet dragging on the floor.

Gabriel smashed the back of his attacker’s head on the wall behind.

Anne clutched her face and let out a silent scream.

Gabriel released the man and the body slowly slid down rubbing against the wall, the battered head making a grotesque pattern of blood on the pristine white surface of the wall as the slide continued.

Anne was horrified. As a reporter she has been to many crimes scenes and sometimes was present on the scene when the brutal events were happening. But never before she has seen such a sheer brutality and violence up, close and personal.

Gabriel shook his reeling head again and turned to look at Anne.

And there were two of her.

Dear God! Two of them. One was bad enough! But two?”

He felt a momentary panic. He blinked furiously trying to clear his vision. He realized he is concussed.

Anne watched the changing expressions on his face and her horror turned to concern.

But before she could reach for him, the leader of the men entered the battle field.

Gabriel whizzed around, but before he could react he got slammed down on the floor by the charging body of the big toughened leader of the gang. Gabriel gritted his teeth at the pain on the impact. And felt the pain escalate to maximum level when his attacker threw a punch at his already broken ribs.

The man was getting ready to throw another bloody punch when Gabriel bunched his fist and threw a calculated punch at his chest. The man clutched his heart and Gabriel took that momentary advantage to throw the man off him. The man recovered fast and the battle begin.

Anne was watching the bloody battle with mounting apprehension. She could see Gabriel is far superior in skill and precision. But he was rapidly loosing his strength. He was far too injured to begin with. The big leader though poor in skills was making it up with her brute strength and was aiming to hit the already battered body parts of Gabriel. Any other time the fight would have been over in minutes with Gabriel emerging as winner but now time was against him.

Gabriel threw a vicious kick at the man solar plexus and he reeled. That moment he realized he can’t win the battle without help. So he took his gun out. Gabriel watched the end of the gun understanding the end is near. The reason they were not using the weapons till now was to avoid awakening the whole hospital which would blow their cover off and cut off their escape. But now the attacker was ready to take his chances. He raised his gun and took aim at Gabriel.

BANG!!!

The Jeep screeched to halt in front of the hospital burning the rubbers of the tyres. When the men in the vehicle heard the gun shot they raced to the building with Apte leading from the front. For a stocky middle aged man he moved surprisingly fast.

Anne watched in horror as the leader slowly reeled on his feet and collapsed down. She raised her head and looked at Gabriel. He was holding a gun in his hand pointed at the now dead body of the man. His gun was smoking slightly at the gun due to the recent discharge of the bullet.

“Damn! He is good!” Anne thought watching Gabriel “it took just him seconds to take his gun out and shoot the man down. The man was ready to shoot still he didn’t stand a chance!”

Gabriel tucked his gun back in its place and clutched his head. He was feeling his strength slipping by. Unconsciousness was just a step away.

You alright!

He heard a musical voice chiming at him from a distance. He raised his head to check the source of that sound.

And saw three Anne’s swaying in front of him.

Dear God! Three now! Triple trouble!!

Anne reached for him and almost toppled down herself trying to support him from falling down. He was loosing his consciousness; she realized that from the dilation of his eyes. She had to get him out of this place.

Anne half dragged him towards the exit of the hospital. She heard him muttering something about ‘three’ and trouble’.

No time to analyse Anne! Just move!!

And she suddenly halted when she saw a gang of men bursting into the hospital. The whole area was coming alive. The gun fire broke the stupor in big way. Nurses, orderlies, patients and relatives are now running in corridors with no sense of order.

She pulled Gabriel in shadows just in nick of time. The armed men ran inside the hospital taking different directions. She waited till they disappeared from the vision then hurriedly dragged by now almost unconscious Gabriel out of the hospital exit.

Chapter 25:

Sunlight poured into the room as Anne pulled the curtains apart. She turned to look at the man sleeping peacefully in the bed. She felt a smile coming on her face at the sight of angelic face of the sleeping man. Then she remembered him smashing the head of a man and the grotesque stain of blood on the wall. She tried not to shudder.

Who is this man? Man, devil or death himself??

She was startled out of her thoughts when she felt herself being stared. Gabriel was sitting on the bed with arms crossed staring intently at her.

“Good morning!” Anne gave a bright smile.

“What” he stressed “am i doing in a pink room, on a tiny bed, wearing a Winnie the pooh blanket?”

Anne felt laughter bubbling inside looking at his semi outraged expressions. Indeed the whole scene looked hilarious. The bed was indeed tiny. He was barely fitting into it. And his battle scarred body was half covered with cartoon printed blanket.

She pressed her lips trying not to smile. And he was further disgruntled reading her expressions.

“I am glad you are amused. Now mind telling me what happened?”

You don’t remember?” Anne asked back.

“I wouldn’t be asking if i remembered would i?” Came the sarcastic reply.

Sheesh! Can’t he converse without being so obnoxious?

She forced a sweet smile.

“You are in my house!”

Gabriel almost jumped in surprise.

How did i ended up in HER house. Safest place for me is miles away from her.

“Yeah!” Anne continued “I thought this is safest place for you at the moment. Your ‘Friends’! she added delicately “wont be looking for you here.”

Gabriel wanted to contradict her but knew she was right. When he himself doesn’t know a thing about this nutty little girl in front of him, the men who want him dead will need some time to track her down.

Time he really could with. The last fight surely rattled him. He needs time to regroup and regain his strength back.

He nodded his head grudgingly. Anne watched his expressions in amusement.

And with an impish smile she asked.

“Aren’t you gonna thank me?”

“Thank you? For what this time?” he looked at her cautiously.

“For saving your life!” she added with a bright smile “Thrice!”

Gabriel gave a horrified look

“since when did we that number? That was supposed to be twice.”

Yeah!” she explained patiently “but had i left you there in the hospital your other friends who joined the party late (his eyes went alert at that remark) would have err finished you off. So that means i saved you life. Again. So go ahead and thank me.”

Gabriel gave a resigned sigh!

Thank you!

Anne waved her hands dismissively in the air.

“ah! Don’t mention it!”

He tried not to glare at her.

Anne pointed at the covered plate next to the table near the bed.

“I made you some breakfast. The toast is little burnt i guess. I scrapped it. So it should taste fine(she ignored his raised eyebrows). I need to go my office. I wrote my number down for you. Call me if you need anything. Will try to come back soon. Can you manage here?”

Without her near his vicinity; hell! He will more than manage!

Yes! He replied.

Great! She smiled again and walked near the door then looked back at him.

Do you want me to call anyone you know? Friends? Family members?” she knew his answer even before he said it aloud.

NO!

Anne nodded her head and walked out. Gabriel stared at her retreating back trying to understand the strange situation he landed himself without his consent.

Ahh! Look who found her way back here!” Bozo got up from his chair and gave a light hug to Anne.

Anne grinned at him.

“Looks like the office is still standing. I thought dragon would be breathing fire all over it by the time i make my grand entry.”

“She is busy with calls. Give her time. And she will be raining fire.”Bozo grabbed Anne lightly and made her sit on his chair “we will deal with fire and brimstone later but tell me about you and your man. What were you up to since yesterday?”

“Firstly he is NOT my man!” Anne snapped “and secondly! It is a long story.”

Damn! I love stories!” Bozo rubbed his hands in glee. He parked himself on the edge of his table “Come’on! Spit it! Don’t leave out anything. Gimme all the dirty details.”

Anne tried to glare at him but ended up grinning.

“Ok! Brace yourself. This is a racy story. And and keep up”

And she told him the entire happenings of the day that was yesterday. By the time she finished his eyes were standing on their stalks.

“God almighty! What unholy mess you have landed yourself into kid!!”

“Damned if i know brother!” she said with feeling.

“Hey! It’s OK. Relax. Everything will sort out.” He tapped her lightly on her head.

“You know anything about that man. Name? Address? Job?”

No!” Anne replied then paused. “Wait! I heard those men saying his name. It was a nice name. Damn! What was it?” she started racking her brains.

“Got it!” She clicked her fingers.

“Gabriel!”

Bozo looked as if he is choking on a frog. Anne leaped from her chair and started patting him on his back.

“What happened?”

Please! Tell. Me. You. Didn’t. Just. Say. Gabriel!” he gasped between breathes.

“I won’t say that. Coz i just said he is Gabriel!”

Bozo blanched. Anne looked at him in worry and exasperation.

“Would you mind telling me whats wrong with that name?”

“Not name. The Man!” Bozo was looking pale.

“Could you stop the theatrics and decorations and get to the point!” Anne snapped “who the hell is Gabriel?”

“Gabriel! My little friend! IS an assassin” he said in a hushed whisper.

Any other day Anne would have laughed at the reactions of her friend for he has the habit of exaggeration but this time she didn’t for Bozo for looking genuinely spooked.

“Assassin? You sure?” she asked cautiously.

“Absolutely sure! He is top rated assassin at the current times. In fact he is ranked among the legends in the killing business.”

Anne felt faint.

That surely explains his killer instincts and the murderous spree.

But is it possible that you are wrong? Maybe he is umm you know law enforcer or something and those men tried to kill him because he is threat to them. Something like that!” she trailed off lamely. Her words sounded unconvincing even to herself.

Bozo looked at her almost sympathetically.

“Shrimp! How do you think i got to know about him? By hacking into that very law enforcer’s website. Gabriel is the most wanted man in their list. No one knows him by his face. Just name. It is the most dreaded name within and outside the law. And i believe YOU have got the owner of the name tucked in your little bedroom at this very moment.”

Anne was listening to him wide eyed turning paler.

“Yeah! It surely sounds like him. No wonder he was so bloody good in killing those men. Oh god! What do i do now? Bozo! What do i do?”

Bozo tried to gather his wits.

“You have your passport with you?”

Anne nodded.

“My desk. I guess!”

“Great! Then catch a plane to Timbuktu. Or Antarctic if plane goes there. North Pole or something. Or even better. Contact NASA and see if they could beam you up to Moon or Mars!”

“BOZO!” Anne almost yelled “could you be a little more serious here!”

“I have never been more serious in life buddy!” Bozo replied.

Anne opened her mouth to say something when peon of their office interrupted them.

“Anne M’aam! Bozo Sir! Big Madam is calling both of you to her office!”

Dragon!” Anne and bozo mouthed at each other.

This keeps getting better and better!” Anne muttered under her breathe in disgust.

Anne and bozo looked at each other silently agreeing to continue the discussion later and to keep their secret among themselves for time being.

They both walked towards what they call the ‘Dragon Den’.

“Aha! Welcome! I am glad you could find sometime for us” Ms. Saxena a.k.a dragon gave a snide smile to Anne.

With tiny structure, bony face and sharp nose she reminded Anne of a vulture and she had to resist chucking the paper weight from the table at her beak.

Anne gave a forced smile. Bozo tried to make him blend into furniture in the room.

“So!” the dragon waved her hands in air “where is that “story of your life?”

Anne cleared her throat.

“I am working on it M’aam.”

“Could you give me a hint as to what exactly is this story about?”

Anne looked at Bozo who was pretending he doesn’t exist.

Anne looked back at the dragon who was waiting with expectant expressions as if expecting Anne to falter so that she can be trapped.

“It is umm story with lots of drama, action, violence, something never done before.”

“Excellent! When can i expect this oh so wonderful story on my desk?” and before Anne could say anything the dragon went on with a victorious smile “how about tomorrow?” and ignoring Anne and bozo’s horrified expressions she waved her bony hands “Ok! Shoo! Off you go! Don't let me stop you from getting back to your story. Remember! Tomorrow is the day!” she finished off in a sing song voice.

Anne and Bozo looked at each other, slumped there shoulders and were walking towards the door when they got stopped again.

And Anne!” Ms. Saxena made a bridge with her fingers “one more thing!”

You always wanted to go for hard hitting news right! So here is the deal. You gimme a great story and 9’o’clock prime time slot is yours!”

Anne eyes lit up.

“But!” the boss continued “if you fail to give me that wonderful story you claim to have then YOU and your cameraman” she looked at Bozo “will be shifted to entertainment section. You know! Mostly dealing with page 3 parties and all!”

Anne and Bozo looked as if they were hit on their heads with something hard. Both looked at the birdlike woman sitting in front of them wearing identical gobsmacked expressions.

The dragon allowed herself a slight smile and shooed them off.

Both of them dragged themselves back to their desks thoroughly dejected.

DAMN!” Anne kicked at the table then winched in pain and sat down on table holding her throbbing toe.

Bozo slumped dejectedly on his chair.

“I will kill myself before attending those never ending air kissing Hi-fliers parties. You know! They don't serve beers and the food servings are meant for toddlers and horrors of all! Sometimes they even ask to wear suits and ties.”

“Tell me about it!” Anne said with feeling “here i was dreaming of going to war torn areas, reporting about hardcore crimes and hard hitting news and there i probably would have to grin like an idiot for hours together asking most inane questions and report who is wearing what!”

“But it is not bad job per Se!” Bozo added fairly.

“Yup! But it is not meant for us.” Anne finished his sentence.

“so far this has been the shittiest day in my life. On one hand we are harbouring a criminal. And what kind of criminal? A professional assassin. On other hand this low-blow blackmail of that dragon” muttered Bozo.

Shoot! Anne hit her head with hand “that tiny weeny matter of assassin in my bedroom slipped out my mind. Hey wait a minute!” she snapped her fingers “how about we informing the police about this Gabriel guy? They will arrest him and we will have a fantastic story in out hands.”

No! Absolutely not!” Bozo shook his head vehemently. “I am not ratting on a criminal.”

Oh! Come’on we not ‘ratting’ on him. We are just doing out duty as good citizens.”

“And we will be “dead citizens” if we do that duty. There are no records of his face in police files. Just his name and stories of his kills. Now we call the cops they would either think we are loony or worse conspiracy hunting birds and arrest us. Or they actually arrest the guy but he would be out due to lack of evidence. And when he is out I would rather be in jail than face him. These guys hate informers. Cold and dead! That’s how they like them.” Bozo finished his passionate speech.

So what do we do now?” Anne almost whined. Both the friends started thought process again.

Anne’s eyes suddenly lost their focus.

“Got it!” she gave a shout.

Bozo gave her a startled look.

“what ever it is; i want no part of it” he announced.

“Come’on you haven’t even heard my plan!”

“Oh! No! Whenever you have that look in your eyes it never bode well with me. Remember that sting operation on that politician; he almost got us shot. Then that police officer corrupt case. We narrowly avoided been thrown in slammer. So no lady! I want no part of your ‘plan’!

Anne waved her hands dismissively.

“you are still touchy about those cases! Listen to my new plan. It is fantastic. And safe. I guess! She added slowly.

“You guess?” Bozo questioned.

“Oh! I am sure. Its safe!” Anne injected confidence in her voice.

Fine! I sure am gonna regret it; but go ahead tell me about you ‘plan’!

Anne gave a winning smile.

“We will convince this Gabriel guy to give his story to us. How he came into this line, his background, how does the underworld works and all that. Imagine! it has all the elements in it. Action, drama, violence, blood, gore and all that. Dragon will go dizzy. Damn! She would love it.!”

Anne looked pleased with herself and threw a look at Bozo. He looked far from pleased. Actually he looked at her as if she grew two heads.

“Ananya! There is difference between taking risks and being dumb. And you my dear are being DUMB. No seriously! How do you propose to get that man tell his story to you? You want to shove a mike on his face and he will start spilling his guts right?”

“Not exactly that” Anne said calmly “But yeah! I could ask him if i can get an interview. Try to persuade him maybe.”

Bozo shook his head.

“Gal! Right now i don’t think he knows that you know about him. Go tell him “Hey! Mister Gabriel! I know who you are! Mind telling our viewers too! And then two scenarios will happen.

One: he would laugh at hilarity of your statement.

Two: he would knock your pretty head down.

And i think he would opt for option 2.”

“But what if he agrees?” Anne persisted.

“Why would he agree?” Bozo replied rationally “he is not in some noble or pretty job he would want to announce to the whole wide world. He belongs to underworld for crying out aloud. Those men! They love to be in shadows. They have to stay that way. Or they are DEAD!”

“Humm!” Anne agreed “Ok! We will give him option to remain anonymous. He can just tell us about his background and entry into the underworld. Maybe about his victims too! After all i saved his life! Thrice! That’s the least he can do for me.”

“Anne! You are being too optimistic; to the point of being an idiot! Hell! Why are we even discussing this harebrained idea of yours? Why is it so important to get this dumb story? We can do well in entertainment section too if dragon throws us there.”

“It is not question of E-section Bozo. It is we FINALLY getting out shot at prime time. It is WE who hunt the news. Hard, tough, trying ways. Half the time our news get trashed for not being TRP fetching and the news which our superiors deemed good will be give to those sitting in the studio. THEY get the credit for the news, never mind if they never stepped out of their AC cabins. Our names are mentioned at the end. Sometimes not even then. Think Bozo! Finally WE will be telling those stories WE shed our blood and sweat to bring to light. Not that suited jackass KC but YOU and ME!”

“I get you shrimp!” Bozo said in a soft voice “but this is too dangerous. We can think of something else.”

Anne shook her head.

“This story has the potential of knocking the socks of our dragon. It is her favourite genre. Human-interest story. Come’on have you ever heard or seen any interview of an assassin. Dead or alive?”

Bozo was silent for a moment then he shook his head to free himself of temptation.

“The answer is still NO!”

Bozo!” Anne pleaded “You are my best man. My bouncing board, trouble shooter, Mr. Fix-It. YOU and ME are a team. I can’t do it without you!”

He shook his head firmly.

“Flattery will get you Nowhere! I don’t want to be anywhere remotely in the vicinity when you put this lame brain idea of your into action.”

FINE!” Anne crossed her arms “you wanna play hard ball. Then let’s play. Here is the deal. YOU help me with this story or else i will tell your mom about your playboy mag collection”

Bozo gave her a horrified look.

“And” she continued relentlessly “Remember that cute gal in the reception you have been eyeing since ages! I will tell her about your habit of bed wetting till you were twelve, and that you snore, and that you own mickey mouse underpants and that..”

“FINE! I WILL DO IT!” Bozo threw his arms up. “Traitor!” he muttered under his breathe.

Anne jumped from the table and gave him a tight hug. He hugged her back still wearing a disgruntled expression.

“But remember! If i die while putting this crazy loony bin idea of yours to action then I will be back as ghost and haunt you for the rest of your life!”

Anne grinned at him.

nimmi's corner

Wednesday, 8 February 2012

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