Chapter 10:
The early morning Sun was blazing the highways of Khuldhara to Jodhpur. The travelers in the wagon were neither chatty nor happy. Andy just wanted this to end. From the beginning of the journey Pratik seemed to be in deep thought. Andy wanted to know why, but he said he would tell Andy when he was ready. Silently the wagon was galloping along the road. There was a small coffee shop near the gas station. Andy was sure they needed fuel as much as the wagon. Pratik bought a cake and a cup of strong coffee. Andy replicated him. They set off after a brief 10 minutes. Now Pratik seemed all right. He was drumming of the steering.
"Do you feel up to it?" asked Pratik.
Andy thought for a while. Was he aware of the consequence? Yes of course he was! Whether they succeed in sending Senlings to their planet Sengodan or fail, He was going to be arrested later. Once the case was filed his registration for guide would be cancelled. Rani and Andy would never build their dream home. Rani might even leave him. (But he was sure she would not). Yes! he was aware.
Nothing was said or asked after that. They travelled in silence for the rest of the distance. It was 9:30 when they reached Dr. Naresh Puri's residence cum lab. Pratik looked nervous. It was nothing but natural thought Andy. Pratik was not getting down. He was simply sitting in seat staring at the entrance. He called Andy.
"I think it is better if I go alone. Because he knows me. You be on guard nobody notices me talking to the professor" said Pratik in a whisper.
That seemed logical. Andy was relieved he did not have to shove an old man into the couch. He nodded his head. Pratik took a deep breath and went towards the entrance. Andy stood near the coffee shop and was watching the entrance attentively. Time was ticking slowly. 5 minutes, ten and half an hour rolled by. There was no sign of either professor or Pratik. He started worrying. Was something wrong? Did the crazy fool shot Pratik and was in the process of hiding the body? He had enough chemicals to do that easily. His imagination ran wildly. He missed Rani. If she had been with him, she would come up with brilliant idea. Now what was he to do?
Andy decided to wait for half an hour more. Because getting big barrels of chemicals was not easy. Also, the old man might put a fight. Now the shop keeper eyed him suspiciously. Andy came out of the shop and stood in front of the house. The wagon was parked at a distance. It was the busy hours of the morning. People were buzzling around that place. It was 10:30. It was the time they should start toward Khuldhara. Any delay would mean lesser time for Xezo and crew to get prepared. He missed the absence of his cell phone. Cursed himself for choosing to live in Khuldhara. He thought what Rani would do if she was here? The answer was easy. She would go inside and see. So, Andy gathered courage and went towards the entrance. Inside it was dark and silent. It looked nobody was there.
Andy tiptoed to the French window. There was thick drape. Silence prevailed inside. He did not like this at all. Pratik was not to be heard or seen. Andy went to the back side hoping the kitchen entrance might be open. Unfortunately, it was tightly shut. Every instant Andy's anxiety and fear grew. There was something sinister about that house. He was wandering around and around the house without any result. Suddenly out od nowhere Pratik appeared.
"What are you doing here? I asked you keep guard" barked Pratik in a small voice.
Andy nearly jumped out of his skin. He would have let out a yell but controlled it with supreme efforts. He looked at Pratik, He was deranged and looked aal worked up.
"Where were you? I was looking for you everywhere. You were to meet me an hour ago?" said Andy after a small pass.
That made Pratik shook is anger down.
"Is it that long? Sorry! I have been searching the entire house for the professor. He was nowhere to be seen. And the chemical is also gone." Said Pratik.
Andy was lost. He could not make the meaning out of it. His mind was too numb! What was the meaning of chemicals were gone too?
"What do you mean Pratik? Don't talk in riddles. I am not able to decipher them." Andy's voice was shaking with fear.
"Please calm down Andy! I will explain the situation we are in now. Fortunately, I have come up with the solution also. So please relax and listen to me." Said Pratik.
Andy took deep breaths and calmed a little bit. Pratik went on to explain what he found.
It looked like the professor had already left to meet the ISRO persons. He was not in the house. Probably he expected this stealing thing. So, he had taken all chemicals with him. Maybe he along with the ISRO scientists were planning something.
Andy's body shook. The thought of betrayal was too much for him. Here they were staking their career, life, and everything for Senlings. The professor a well-established man went behind them back to destroy everything. Andy felt a surge of anger within.
"I know how it feels Andy! Don't worry. We can beat him." Said Pratik.
Those words were like honey to him. "How? How can we beat him? Tell me Pratik! I am prepared to do anything!" said an anxious Andy. Pratik went on to explain.
He Pratik knew a dealer of chemicals who would sell Sulphur di oxide and nitrogen without many questions. His price was high, but this was not a time to bargain. Pratik would go to him get the chemicals come back here and pick up Andy. They would hit highways in less than 2 hours. The plan seemed ok. Andy had 2 questions. whether Pratik could keep up the time? And why can't Andy come along with him to the dealer? For this Pratik convinced Andy the dealer might not prefer two many people. There was also a possibility that the professor might return to his house with his ISRO friends. If he came Andy had a chance to lock them in the house. On these words Andy felt a pit in his stomach. The pit of terror. His adrenaline was on over time. Andy simply nodded his head.
With words of warning Pratik went to the wagon and started driving it. Andy stood there in the middle of the road watching him.