The orientation programme ended with a huge success , especially with Aahil's participation and speech.
It was short and crisp but was able to create an image of a force to be reckoned . the students couldn't have enough of Aahil. His mischief with Ayaan made him much more approachable to the other students . After the orientation programme the students surrounded them to ask more questions and know more about them .
By the time everyone was able to return back to the guest quarter it was already seven thirty in the evening. They all gathered in the dinning hall of the guest quarter and were excitedly chit-chatting as they waited for dinner to be served ; the energy of the students were rubbing off on them as well.
But not everyone was in the mood to chat, that was mostly applicable for Father. At the moment he was on pins and needles as he shouldered the task of revealing his plan to Aahil.
Seeing Father lost deep in his thoughts in dared to bother him. Kady and Vikram assumed that he was waiting for the right moment to deliver the bomb while Brother Ashwin assumed that he was waiting for the arrival of his main guests.
Few minutes later Aahil's phone got a notification message. It was from Dubai airport confirming that his private jet has landed safely.
The notification suddenly reminded Aahil of his weird dream which he forgot to mention it to Father. He was about to tell Father about it when the cafeteria staff walked in with the food .
His mood darkened immediately.
After the food was served everyone dug in except Aahil. He didn't even touch his food and his appetite was long gone.
Lost in his own train of thoughts Aahil didn't realise that he was dipping his spoon in a glass full of water.
His unmindful actions didn't go unnoticed to crowd around him.
" Aahil!! Are you ok?? You look a little lost. "
Father asked with concern pointing at his unmindful actions. Aware about his student's personality Father didn't ask anything directly but opened and opportunity for Aahil to speak up.
" Sorry Father... It's just that I have a lot on my mind given everything that's going on with me for the past two weeks. And the more I try to figure things out, the more I find myself lost. "
" Is this about the nightmares you're having Aahil ?? "
" If you feel like, then we are all ears ." commeted Brother.
" Nightmares!! You know about them Father??"
" Why do you think I called you here Aahil?? "
" Well the credit goes to Yuma. If not for him informing Father about your nightmares then we won't have this meeting today. "
Vikram complimented Yuma only gain an evil smirk from Aahil .
" So you knew everything all alone my friend . " Aahil commeted remembering their meeting at the airport waiting room.
" Well..
I should have guessed . After all you can't clap with one hand now, can you?? "
"..."
" Don't worry Aahil. I doubt he knows heads or tails of anything at all. "
Feeling infuriated at Vikram for praising Yuma, she lead the conversation into a cold war.
" Okay.. Okay... Can we get back to the topic ...Please??? "
Brother Ashwin tried to salvage the situation feeling sorry for Yuma.
' What crimes did you do in your past life child to have Kady on your case round the clock. '
Somewhere over the Arabian Sea Yuma kept sneezing continuously in the charated flight .
On Brother's insist they got back to the topic but were still holding some hostility against Vikram.
Vikram wanted to say something but before he can even utter a sound Brother Ashwin chide him off.
" Keep your expert comments to yourself Vikram. I don't want to hear another word from you. "
Unbelievable !!
" Anyways Aahil can you describe your dream??"
Father asked with an expectant look.
Aahil gave off a firm nod and began to recall his dream.
His dream didn't show him the entire incident but gave him bits and pieces.
He recalled the blazing woman, the two gun shots and the feeling of falling from a great height.
Everyone intently listened to Aahil's description, not missing out a single detail. They all came up with different conclusion at the end.
Kady on her end was visible shaken at horror of the incident while Vikram's mind recalled the sight of Aahil in the flight tossing and turning in pain. As for Father and Brother, they easily concluded the incident as the vision of the past.
As Aahil concluded his description Vikram wanted to say something but couldn't under Father's gaze.
" Hmm..... It is indeed as Yuma said.
The vision of the past . "
Father described Aahil's dream in one phase.
" Vision of the past?? What does that mean Father?? "
Aahil helplessly asked hoping for some information that would give him some answers to his questions.
" Aahil I believe it is time I reveal you a part of your life that you were forced to forget as time today so demand's. "
Father Fernandez let out deep breath which he was holding unconsciously as he spoke.
" What do you mean by part of my life??? "
Aahil asked
His confusion and desperation was on full display. Clearly this was not what he was expecting. Slowly his deep fears were surfacing themselves, which was eminent in his pale yet fearful eyes.
This was the first time in twenty years that Aahil truly felt fear in his heart.
Seeing fear in Aahil's eyes Brother Ashwin comforted and encouraged him gently.
" Aahil you too have almost guessed what we are about to reveal . You can't avoid it forever. These are desperate times and you are the only one who can help us at the moment. But in order to do so you must regain what you have lost. "
" Aahil courage is not the absence of fear but a judgement that something is much more important than fear. You have the right to be scared but what you choose do do with your fear is what stands out about you from the rest. You can either face your fear in order to help the needed ones or you can turn your back and let fear rule your path. I understand that it's a tough choice given that what's about to come your way is not something that can be expected easily but heavens have left you with no other choice. "
From Father's words were clear yet had a deep meaning to them. Even though Kady and Vikram were aware of Aahil's past they too felt that this was nothing sort of an accident or a simple case of murder the way Father has placed his words.
This intensified the already tense atmosphere of the dinning hall.
For a few minutes there was pin drop silence.
Closely observing the minute changes in the expressions of his former students Father continued.
" A war has been going on for a more five decades. We are soldiers in that battle. Till date many have scarificed themselves in order to protect good from the evil forces . Thirty years ago a couple made a grave scarifice in order to buy us sometime so that we can repel them. It left them devastated and nearly destroyed them. There scarifice not only brought us sometime but also lead the foundation to bring an abrupt halt to the on going war.
The couple was actually our leader and we and many more of your known faces are the warriors who were fighting the war.
But then something very unusual happened...