Chapter 6 - 3.3 Aftab's Allies (Part II). The Twisted fate

Many days has been passed since I have been delivering the letters ,documentations and various packages across the Ashutosh village . The village is no more strange to me nor even the people are . I am bumped several time by a certain village boy . His name is ' Vardhan ' . I don't like him a bit but I even don't dislike him 😂😂😂.

I am not diplomatic nor sarcastic but this boy's words and his temptation to make me the part of their friend group is at whole new level. At one end I do wanna join him not to mention his group doesn't likes me a bit . Especially Riece, Roy and Vaishnavi. I don't care about such stuffs . I have a very bad past of regretting to carry a relation that was just a sham from very beggining.

Grandpa and old lady has been keeping good care of mine . Though their overall behaviour is very strange sometimes. It seems something is not right . It's true they has been giving me food and shelter and I am working for them for it but the whole scanerio, their actions, paradigms and behaviour doesn't goes together. Yes , but I would be just focusing on my job . To be honest this is the job that keeps me busy and don't let me wheep in memories of my mother .

Many letters that I carry with me has (X) mark on the envelope or cover that always roses my curiosity. Why (X) ..It's not the logo of offical White bandians or Kingdom and if they claim to be of royal Kingdom this all doesn't make sense . Also , whenever, I deliver packages or letter to houses ,they give very hostile view and reaction and most probably none of them doesn't knew the source and why letter has been delivered . At the end everyone ,though never rejected letters or packages.

One evening when I was returning to home after completing my job of the day I heard that nearby house has caught some fire and the person inside has been severally injured.It was chaos everywhere. At first , I wanted to learn more about it but fatiguness of the day made me take a call to forget about everything and just focus on going home and having dinner with the lovely Grandpa and evil old lady 😂...

" Village head , Village head " came running one of the guards who was breathing heavily and stood at the door of the village head . The village head of Ashutosh village is ' Badrinath ' Badrinath looks could be said as he is having a long cylindrical face with full white hair and full grey moustache that still has some black hair , deep and experienced eyes and constant anger on his face . Not to mention he is already father of 3 sons and 4 daughter and maybe another one will be born soon as his wife is pregnant once again .

" What is it , don't you know I am busy right now? " 😡

" Sorry your highness " " There is; there is a huge explosion in Dhumketu's house " muttered the guard .

" Dhumketu ha , that scientist of our village , what one of his research blasted or what ? " Village head questioned

" It seems one of the guy who has been hanging with Vardhan this days has delivered some package early this morning at Dhumketu's place ...

" Vardhan , you say " Suddenly Badrinath's anger look turned to happy one ... And he dialed someone's contact via telephone.

" So Son the puke to whom you want to eliminate this long seems possible now , you will be free from now . Hahahaha" Badrinath talked to someone regarding Vardhan . As if Vardhan is long hurdle before them .

Badrinath ordered guards to catch this guy who is hanging with Vardhan . Meantime we will free him by making him to say that it was all Vardhan's doing . No-one hates freedom even if it  is in the cost of someone's else innocence 🤣🤣🤣. I am enjoying this now . Ashutosh village will be a sightseeing now in this Chaos and menace.

I reached my home , I knocked the door few times . No one responded, I waited for a minute and knocked again for few times but response was the same i.e no response. I wonder what to do , I shouted loudly Grandpa ... Grandpa, Grandmother grandmother but to my utter surprise no one ever responded. I had a spare key given which has not been practically of any use this far but grandfather specially gave this to me . Maybe he saw , Situation far more back and not to mention old man has some strange but colossal ability.

I found  keys after looking in my every pocket and opened the door . No one was inside not grandmother, not grandfather ,all were out which is pretty unusual. It had never occurred before . Something doesn't seems right . Maybe I will ask them once they are back about everything, EACH & EVERYTHING.

I was drinking water when suddenly I realizes someone is banging the door . I thought it would be grandfather and old lady . Banging of the door was getting more intense and harder with every new minute. When I opened the door , it wasn't grand mother or grandfather but group of strange people .

" Are you Aftab ? " asked one of the man .

" Yes , I am " I replied still perplexed with not getting much of how things were turning around .

" You are called upon for a investigation you have to come with us " .... said a tough looking rough guy who was 6 ft 4 inch easily in height.

" What for ? " I told in petrified tone ...

" We will let you know everything"

I was pulled forcefully by one of the person .

Earlier I resisted, later realizing it if no use , I gave up ...

I lost my consciousness and next memory was ...

I woke up to a room that was dark with only light source that was a lamp which was somewhat kept at distance. As soon as I opened eyes certain group of men looked at me with a intent that they are gonna kill me . Someone called to someone and in no time I can hear someone's steps approaching, as I was scanning the environment and vicinity near me . I heard the voice of steps approaching at our side . It was getting intense and sharper with every passing minute . I wanted to shout my frustration out but my anger was totally covered by surprise and terror of the situation. 

In a no time a known figure stood in front of me . Looking him and his mean look just  rose my anxiety more . I called , " Village head , what's the matter ?,why I have been called here?" "I really hate it when people of other village act so innocent in front of me . If you don't wanted to be killed just spat out everything why have you been delivering explosive, warning letters and other sensitive information across the village."  " What ? when? did I delivered all those ? ". Badri looked towards two men and as soon as he did two man caught me roughly with each one of them holding my hand and pulling towards them roughly. Unable to sustain pain I shouted stop and tears were already resting at my eyelet. 

Badrinath ordered them to stop otherwise my hand would have been teared that day . He told if you don't tell me the truth your next punishment would be burning your body with wax of candle . I was startled and got cold from fear . As if a peaceful life was never meant for me . I was getting to understand everything about those X mark, that envelope that weird old couple and they used me do something bad. I thought I am as good as to be only deceived first it was my parents , my friends  and now this old couple . I told  Badrinath each and everything from very start till now . The tears that were resting at eyebed soon began to move down like stream . I was ocassionaly feeling the saltness of the tear when it got into my mouth while speaking. At that moment  I didn't knew if they will trust me or not or I am just going to get killed . 

"Badrinath gave the laugh hearing my story " . Good story he told and continued to laugh and in fractions of second he got back to in his mean look and told I don't trust your story but if you agree to do some modification in the story , I will trust it . Modification ? I questioned , and continued by saying this is the true . He told do you have any evidence proving yourself innocent and the old couple you mentioned as a culprit . Fact is no one ever saw them . No one knows whether they exist or not for the people to whom you have delivered those stuffs admitted they just knows you and even the source of letter is  unknown. That concludes you to be the culprit.

My head was busting from pain . Pain of everything . I cried out , " kill me." Don't you want your mother to be free ? asked Badrinath . I don't care about her anymore but to be honest I know I do . so, in order to bring back your mother and assurity of giving you a peaceful life here in Ashutosh village, I want you to shift every blame on Vardhan , and once you will do that , I will keep my promise . At that moment .... I was blank . What I was suppose to do? not thinking the rigidity of situation . I told , " I accept ."

[ Next chapter will mark the end of this Aftab's monologue part ... I hope till far you have enjoyed this book ... It's just a starting we will be embarking to one of the most exciting journey do share some love ]