Manish looked at Ajmal with a mix of curiosity and concern. "What should we do, Ajmal Dada?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly.
Ajmal, calm and composed as always, replied, "Just an observation."
The group leaned in closer, sensing something important was coming. "According to available information, he has not climbed Muthimala until last night," Ajmal continued. "Besides our usual day surveillance, we will start night surveillance from 9 pm to 3 am starting today. We will venture to Hanuman Hill, the most dangerous peak, which we haven't attempted until now. It's believed to be the habitat of the king cobra."
The mention of Hanuman Hill sent a shiver through the group. Ajmal's eyes gleamed with determination as he added, "We will leave here in my jeep to reach there by nine o'clock. Neeraja and Celine shouldn't be included in this action."
"Alas... Why, Ajmal Dada?" Celine's voice broke the silence, frustration evident in her tone. She was voicing not only her own feelings but also Neeraja's, who stood beside her, equally disappointed.
Ajmal sighed, understanding their disappointment but firm in his decision. The boys, on the other hand, couldn't contain their excitement for the new and dangerous journey ahead.
****************
Two days later, at the foothills of Muthimala, Ajmal called an emergency meeting of the Blue Dragons Music Band under the sprawling banyan tree.
"Today's meeting has been called to discuss something very important," Ajmal began, his voice steady. Everyone looked at him with curiosity, sensing the gravity of the moment.
Ajmal stood, his gaze drifting to the peaks of Muthimala in the distance. A slow smile spread across his lips as he turned back to his friends, who sat in anticipation, clearly puzzled.
"You don't need to be so tense," Ajmal said, his tone lightening. At his words, the tension in the air eased, and everyone visibly relaxed.
"I've called you all together to share some good news," Ajmal continued, his eyes twinkling.
His friends leaned in, curiosity piqued.
"Our princess lands at Durgapuri tomorrow."
The foothills of Muthimala were alive with the vibrant energy of the Blue Dragons Music Band. Under the shelter of the ancient banyan tree, Ajmal stood before his friends, who had just received the news with a shout of joy. The excitement in their eyes was infectious, and Ajmal couldn't help but smile at their reaction.
"She didn't call you all because I told her there were security issues. I didn't share this news in our WhatsApp group," Ajmal explained, his tone calm but serious.
Manish, always the inquisitive one, furrowed his brows. "It hasn't even been a month since she left... What's so sudden?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity.
Sachin, unable to contain his amusement, laughed. "She'll deliberately sign something wrong to create a reason to come back. The principal will give her a transfer certificate and let her go."
Ajmal nodded, acknowledging Sachin's guess. "Exactly. According to the astrologer's new prediction, Shatru Dosha is now in the North. This means the threat has shifted. Aunty will influence Varma Uncle to bring Shivatmika back."
The group fell silent for a moment, absorbing the implications. The astrologer's predictions had always been taken seriously by Shivatmika's family, and this sudden change in circumstances meant that she could return sooner than expected. It was a relief to know that the threat had shifted, but it also meant that their vigilance had to be redirected.
"We need to be prepared for her return," Ajmal continued. "The security issues might have changed, but we can't let our guard down."
His friends nodded in agreement, their faces a mix of excitement and determination. The return of their princess was a joyous occasion, but they knew it came with its own set of challenges. The Blue Dragons would have to stay vigilant and ensure Shivatmika's safety upon her arrival.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the hills, the friends made a silent pact to protect Shivatmika at all costs. The banyan tree, with its sprawling roots and ancient wisdom, stood witness to their resolve. They would face whatever dangers came their way, united in their purpose and driven by their loyalty to their princess.
****************
Shivatmika stepped off the B1 compartment of the Mangala Express and was met with an unexpected sight: Ajmal Dada and her friends waiting for her on the platform. Surprise lit up her face as she waved happily, their enthusiastic waves meeting hers. With a full smile, she approached them, her friends unable to hide their admiration for her beauty.
"What is this, Ajmal Dada?" Shivatmika asked, a playful lilt in her voice. "Am I Modiji to receive such a welcome?"
Ajmal laughed. "When you said you were coming, everyone jumped."
They walked out of the station, where Ajmal's Scorpio was parked. They climbed into the jeep, and Shivatmika turned to Ajmal with a curious look.
"Where are Vaishnav and the other two fat men?" she asked, referring to Deepak and Naveen.
"All three of them are at the foothills of Muthimala," Ajmal replied.
Shivatmika's face wrinkled with concern. "Still at Muthimala? Is there any scene, Dada?" she asked anxiously.
"No scene at the moment. Just a little observation to avoid one. That's all," Ajmal reassured Shivatmika as they drove away from the station.
As they settled into the car, Ajmal gave her a brief summary of the events that had transpired since she left for Delhi. "Surya and his friends were arrested," he began.
"Aha... So Surya and his friends were arrested?" Shivatmika couldn't hide her happiness.
"Not only that," Ajmal continued, "Vasudeva Menon resigned as a minister and as an MLA. The police later raided their establishments and recovered more drugs from their possession."
"Steps are being taken to arrest Vasudeva Menon too," Sachin added from the back seat.
Sanju grinned. "That's all. Anyway, let's celebrate your arrival."
Shivatmika nodded, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Then let's head straight to my house. Tell Vaishnav, Deepak, and Naveen to come there."
Ajmal smiled and nodded, shifting gears and taking the car forward. As they sped down the road, the air in the car buzzed with anticipation. Shivatmika's return had brought a new wave of energy to the group, and they were ready to face whatever came next, together.
******************
Two weeks later, the vehicles of the Blue Dragons gang members pulled up at the riverbank. The group settled on the grass and under the trees, a sense of anticipation hanging in the air.
"We've seen him, Akhil Viswanathan, many times at Muthimala, day and night," Ajmal began without preamble.
The group listened intently, their excitement building. "That makes one thing certain: he's here for the treasure. We're going to repeat the punishment we've given others before," Ajmal continued, his words stirring a sense of resolve among the members.
"He's at the club now," Ajmal added, his tone decisive.
"What's the plan?" Abid asked, leaning forward.
"We're going to the club now," Shivatmika interjected, her voice firm and clear.
"We'll call him out," she explained. "First, we'll try Gandhiji's non-violence approach. We'll ask him to understand and vacate the place today. If he doesn't agree, then we'll resort to Guevara's armed revolution. His name will also end up on the government's disabled pension list."
Her friends rolled up their sleeves in solidarity, their excitement and resolve matching hers. The plan was set, and they were ready to confront Akhil Viswanathan, united in their mission to protect the treasure and uphold the Blue Dragons' legacy.
Shivatmika's eyes flashed with fierce anger. "He must not have the legs to travel to Muthimala anymore," she said, her voice cold and unyielding. "I want to see that gentleman struggling to walk while his hand rests on Uncle Balachandran's body."
Her eyes narrowed further as she continued, "First, we need to confirm if he came for the treasure. If that's the case, we'll beat him to death-so thoroughly that even the mother who gave birth to him won't recognize him."
Sanju nodded in grim agreement. "Sometimes he might have a force with him. So, we should expect the worst."
Ajmal, ever the strategist, reminded them, "Stay sharp. Expect the unexpected."
With that, they mounted their bikes, their expressions hardened with determination. As they arrived at the club, their presence was anything but subtle. They dismounted with purpose and stormed inside, their swift and aggressive approach catching everyone by surprise.
Inside, murmurs rippled through the crowd. "Someone has come to Muthimala in search of treasure," one person said, their voice filled with apprehension.
"Ah... then let's prepare for a funeral today," came the chilling response from another, their tone laced with a dark sense of foreboding.
The Blue Dragons stormed into the club, their entrance as commanding as it was sudden. They sprinted down the dimly lit corridors, their footsteps echoing off the walls, before bursting into the main hall. The room was packed, the air thick with cigarette smoke and the pulsating beat of a catchy English song. Laughter and loud conversations filled the space, creating a lively, chaotic atmosphere.
Ajmal and Shivatmika led their team into the heart of the bustling hall. Shivatmika stood out with her blue jeans, red t-shirt, and yellow jacket. Her sunglasses and cowboy hat gave her an unmistakable air of authority.
As they entered, the hall fell into an uneasy silence. Patrons paused mid-sentence, their eyes widening as they took in the imposing group. Ajmal, Shivatmika, and their team made their way through the crowd, their determined strides cutting through the murmur of confusion.
Shivatmika halted abruptly in front of a table where a man sat, his gaze fixed on her with a mix of awe and trepidation.
"Uncle Prabhakaran!" she called out, her voice cutting through the tense silence.
Prabhakaran Nair, a close associate of Satyanarayana Varma, looked up, his face a mask of suspicion and bewilderment.
"Uncle, where is Akhil Viswanathan?"Shivatmika asked him curiously.
After a moment of hesitation, he gestured toward the far end of the hall.
"There…" he said, his voice barely audible over the hushed whispers that had started to ripple through the crowd.
Ajmal and his team turned to follow his gesture, their eyes landing on a man seated at a distant table, his back turned to them, seemingly unaware of the commotion unfolding behind him.
Prabhakaran Nair's voice cut through the charged silence, his question a mere whisper. "What, honey?"
But Shivatmika did not hear him. Her focus was entirely on the figure seated at the distant table. With deliberate steps, she made her way toward him, the Blue Dragons following closely behind. The crowd in the hall fell into an anxious silence, the atmosphere thick with anticipation.
"Mr. Akhil Viswanathan…" Shivatmika's voice was sharp and commanding as she addressed the man who had his back to her. Slowly, he turned his head, and as his eyes met hers, Shivatmika's gaze remained unyielding.
He rose from his seat, moving into the beam of light that highlighted his features. As he faced her, Shivatmika felt a jolt, a sudden rush of electricity coursing through her. It was as if a bolt of lightning had struck her heart, sending shockwaves through her very core. The sight of him was like an iceberg crashing into the depths of her consciousness, stirring up memories long buried.
"My God…!!!" she whispered, her breath catching in her throat. The sensation was overwhelming, as if time itself had momentarily stopped.
"God!" she repeated, her voice barely audible.
Shivatmika removed her sunglasses, her eyes locking onto his with an intensity that spoke volumes. She could sense that he too was searching for answers in her gaze.
After a pause that seemed to stretch on forever, he finally spoke. "Yes… I am Akhil Viswanathan."
Shivatmika slowly removed her cowboy hat and handed it, along with her sunglasses, to Manish, who was standing behind her. She took a few deliberate steps closer to Akhil Viswanathan, her eyes locked on his as she approached. With a mixture of resolve and reverence, she folded her arms across her chest and then, bending slightly, extended both her palms toward his feet in a gesture of profound respect.
Ajmal and his team watched in stunned silence, their eyes wide with disbelief as Shivatmika performed the unexpected act.
Straightening up, Shivatmika gave him one last intense look before turning and backing away with her hands still clasped in front of her. She maneuvered through her astonished friends and the crowd, making her way out of the club.
"Shiva…" Ajmal's voice rose above the murmurs, but Shivatmika, lost in her own tumultuous thoughts, didn't hear him.
"Oh my God, Daddy should be home…" Shivatmika murmured to herself as she sped away on her bike, racing towards the bungalow.
Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts about Akhil Viswanathan. His appearance, his gaze, his voice—all consumed her senses. The image of him, etched against the backdrop of the club's pulsating music and hazy atmosphere, clung to her like a haunting memory.
As she sped down the road, her surroundings seemed to blur into oblivion. The green landscape and passing people, who waved at her as she zoomed by, were mere shadows in her peripheral vision. It was as if the road had vanished and only the vision of Akhil remained, an indelible mark on her consciousness.
Will continue...