"Time is timeless..... except in the watch of life."
I was sitting on the bed of my newly allocated room by the UCID. I looked at the wall in front of me and sighed. Memories of Cathy were still circling in my head. It took me a lot of time and courage to get out of depression caused by the past events, but now it looks like my depression is coming back and this time even more severe. I switched on the television and the news anchor started saying the news. I was too absent-minded to follow every word that she uttered, but a significant paragraph caught my attention.
She said, "Thousands of innocent children and women are facing the wrath of the silent war that has been ongoing for the last three years. The Government asks for new soldiers whenever the old ones are either dead or no longer able to fight. But, what will the families do? Can they also ask for new sons, fathers, husbands and brothers? Will there be any end to these barbaric bloodshed? Will there ever be justice?" She was right. The people who sit somewhere safe and let others fight wars for them will never understand the pain and sufferings of the people who sacrificed their everything for the war. I lost everything too and honestly even though I never asked for any medal or compensation, UCID could have at least shown some gratitude towards me. The only reason they are calling me now is because they don't want their own hands to get dirty. I switched off the television and closed my eyes.
A knock on the door opened my eyes and I opened the door. Sir Lorenzo and Ms. Maria entered my room and sat on my bed. Ms. Maria smiled, "I hope you haven't made the bed dirty." I chuckled, "My days of making the bed dirty are long gone." Ms. Maria smiled, "Just teasing you." Sir Lorenzo said, "We brought some snacks and beverages for you. I wanted to come empty-handed but Maria insisted on bringing something." Maria smiled, "Yes. That's basic decency. First time guests shouldn't come empty-handed." I smiled, "There was no need for that. You guys are not guests. You are my family. At least, Sir Lorenzo is." Ms. Maria smiled and hugged me, "Oh, cutie pie. You are so sweet."
Sir Lorenzo said, "Sir Joseph told us or more precisely, instructed us to behave more professionally, but what he knows about anything anyway. I'm retired so I am not at least taking him seriously." I asked grimly, "You retired?" Sir Lorenzo smiled, "Don't be so shocked, Harsh. I was already half retired four years ago. They specially called me to solve the case, but the case died even before any major breakthrough could happen. It was Maria who insisted that I retire." Ms. Maria smiled, "It was for his own benefit only. Things started to worsen rapidly and I didn't want him to deal with those reckless people anymore. He is better alive than being a statue in front of UCID."
Sir Lorenzo nudged her and she looked at me and realised. She said in an apologetic tone, "Sorry if I hurt your feelings, Harsh. Cathy and Captain were great agents and whatever happened with them was inhumane. But, their deaths were not in vain. Martin Doug is still rotting in the prison and the punishment you gave him was beyond appraisal." I smiled. Sir Lorenzo said grimly, "Evil never dies. Four years ago, two brothers started a war against the High Table and even though no one thought they would succeed, they wiped off half of the Underworld. Power moves like a ball of lava, whoever falls in front of it burns, but whoever stops it, rules." I said grimly, "People often worry about the big diseases that are happening in their body, but often ignore the small ailments that have the potential to become life-threatening. No matter how big these criminals become, there is always a small gap that destroys them." Ms. Maria said, "Yes. There is." Sir Lorenzo and I looked at her.
Ms. Maria looked at us and said grimly, "UCID doesn't want unnecessary attention from both the Government and the media houses, so it has buried many files in the dark of the past and one of them belongs to VPS too. VPS was born in the district of Rohtak and did his primary education from some nearby school. He was always a bright student and showed good marks and good manners from an early age. His father, Amrinder Pratap Singh was a professor of Engineering in Delhi University and his mother, Sushila Pratap Singh was a housewife but had a trivial pickle and papadum business.
Vikram was the second child after his elder sister, Ambika Pratap Singh and his younger brother, Bhushan Pratap Singh. Ambika is pretty much unknown to me, maybe because she was insignificant to us. Amrinder Pratap Singh could hardly earn enough money for three kids and he always had a fear of not being able to arrange dowry for Ambika's marriage. He thought that Vikram could study much higher and become a rich man and arrange money for his sister's dowry. So, he invested most of his money in Vikram's education and sent him to the Delhi University for his higher studies. Vikram got a scholarship and also used to tuition his juniors for his pocket money.
Amrinder was very happy with his first son, but equally unhappy with his second son. Bhushan was never studious nor did ever try to be. He would often indulge in mischievous acts with his rowdy friends. He was first arrested at the age of 14 when he was caught smuggling liquor bottles in his school bag. Vikram had to come home and give his hard-earned money for his brother's bail. Amrinder got furious with Bhushan and threw him away from home. Bhushan lived in his maternal uncle's house till his puberty and then ran away to Benaras. He stole almost five lacs worth of jewelry and Vikram had to pay that too. Amrinder and Sushila were getting old and soon they started worrying about Ambika's marriage.
Many suitors came but none selected her, not because of dowry but because of her two brothers. One was a criminal and another was too educated. Ambika remained a spinster. Vikram finished his studies and then one Dr. Fardeen Khanan chose him as his apprentice and took him to Germany for his research in Chemistry. Fardeen was a chemical engineer who was working on some chemical bombs for the German Government. Vikram and Fardeen stayed in Germany for three years and then went to Egypt. Bhushan's whereabouts were still unknown then. Then, after just five months, Fardeen was dead and Vikram was declared a terrorist. Whatever happened after that is even confidential to me."
Sir Lorenzo drank his last gulp of beer and said, "Every criminal has a sad backstory. That's not something new. Life gives everyone a chance to choose between right and wrong. But, only the ones with pure of heart choose the right." I smiled, "I can't vouch for that. Every decision has its own consequences. Without knowing the full story, it is unjust to judge someone." Sir Lorenzo smiled, "You are still new to many aspects of the world. Anyway, you still have time for that and have to learn many new things and experience many adventures still. Tomorrow or maybe, the day after tomorrow you and Sumeet will go to India and do your work. But, remember one thing, my boy. Definitely try to mend the fractured ones, but never try to mend the demolished ones." I smiled, "I will keep that in mind." Ms. Maria took Sir Lorenzo on her shoulder and said, "He is quite drunk. We should head back home now." She hugged me and then went away. I looked at the door and sighed.
I entered the room and saw Ms. Maria and a tall, lean man in his late twenties sitting. I saluted Ms. Maria and she smiled, "You don't need to salute me, Harsh. In UCID, we have no strict rules for such obligations. Anyway, meet Mr. Sumeet Kumar. He is a Harvard University graduate and currently works as a part-time officer in UCID. He has earned quite fame in the training and according to Mr. Joseph, he will be the perfect person to be with you." I shook hands with him, "It will be a pleasure working with you."
Sumeet smiled, "I have heard quite a lot about you, Mr. Bhardwaj." I laughed, "I hope, all the good things." Sumeet smiled, "Yeah. A mix of good and bad. You don't have much experience in the field if I am not wrong? Have you killed someone?" I said grimly, "Not that I wanted to, but when necessary I have killed some miscreants." Sumeet smiled, ""Miscreants?" The people we are going to deal with are more than just some "miscreants". I hope you understand that and are ready for that."
I smiled, "Yes." He walked towards the board and said, "Two big names are currently in talks in Kerala and Chennai regions. In Kerala, there is Murli Venkatesh Iyer, a local liquor kingpin and a major exporter of drugs and locally made guns. He is illiterate and most of his work is managed by his son-in-law, Sarla David. Sarla David is a cunning and ruthless man and we have to be careful of him. In Chennai, through the Bay of Bengal, many young girls and boys are illegally smuggled to Sri Lanka, where they are kept for three weeks and then sent to Bolivia by plane. The whole operation is controlled by Balaji Reddy and Bhushan Pratap Singh. Both are brutal and often indulge in merciless killings of innocent people."
I asked, "Bhushan Pratap Singh? Isn't he VPS's brother?" Ms. Maria said, "Yes. He is VPS's brother. But, apparently there is a huge rift between the two brothers." Sumeet said, "We will first land in Kerala and dissolve the empire of Sarla David and his father-in-law, Murli Venkatesh Iyer. Sarla and Balaji have been sworn enemies for a long time and we can use this enmity to end both of them." I asked, "What is your plan?" Sumeet said, "We will take a flight and land in Kozhikode and then travel to Kochi. There we will act as vagabonds looking for jobs and will try to enter inside the house of Sarla David. Sarla always needs new men as he is planning to expand his empire towards Coimbatore and needs educated people to do the dirty work for him. We sure have people who can give us ammunition and vital information, but cannot help us if we blow our cover. So, tread carefully, Mr. Bhardwaj." I nodded in approval. Sumeet asked, "Do you have any questions?" I said, "No."
Sumeet said, "Good. Now, we have to look like vagabonds and clearly both of us aren't very homeless-looking, so I have an expert make-up artist who can make us look a little on the poverty side." Sumeet walked towards Ms. Maria and whispered something in her ear. Ms. Maria looked at him and nodded. He then quickly walked outside the room. I looked at Ms. Maria who smiled and walked outside the room. After almost half an hour, they both returned and Sumeet looked at me and said, "We will depart tonight. It will be best if we can reach Kozhikode at night." I smiled, "Okay." Ms. Maria came towards me and said, "Here, take this gun. Lorenzo gave it to me to give it to you. The gun will keep you safe." She kissed my forehead and walked away. Sumeet looked at me and said, "The mission is very important and please don't try to mess up it like the last time. You might not get another chance." He gave a cold smile and walked outside the room.
I looked at his direction and then looked at the gun. A note was attached to it. It read, "This is my first gun. I earned it after completing three weeks of rigorous training and hard-work. I hope it helps and protects you like it did me. All the best, commande." I smiled and pushed the gun under my waist. A new adventure was waiting for me and I was ready for it.....