Chapter 3
The starting point
[2006]
(arnav) past
I have been restless for so many days, I have hardly slept in last two months My heart is aching and my brain can't stop throbbing. I enter my apartment, it big, equipped with modern style and technology.
I need to know. I enter the bathroom and splash cold water into my face . I look at my reflection in the mirror , i find someone that i can't recognize anymore. Red puffed eyes, sullen face and defeated soul. Anger flow through my veins, gritting my teeth, I punched the wall again and again leaving my hand bleeding. Why my life what to be so complicated, why? Why? Damm it!
I went to my bedroom, holding my head within my bleeding hand. Stop feeling! Stop it! Stop! I punched my chest with bleeding hand.
I jolt out of my anger, by sudden ring of my phone. I look at caller ID,its
aman. I take a deep sigh, controlling my anger took his call.
"yes! Aman tell me." I say.
"are you alright?" aman asked worried. He can understand me like back of his hand.
"I am fine. Just tell me his name. He is my last hope, I need to find her. I need to make sure she is safe. I will pay anything to find her."
"arnav, I still asking you to leave it alone. Let police do their work. They will find her soon. You getting involved in such matters will make it only worse" aman tried to change my mind. I know what I was going to do is danger. But police has not been able to do anything.
Those leaches they don't move a muscle without money and probably bribed the person who is holding her captive. I can't wait anymore, I need to save her.
"just.tell.me.the.name.aman!" I growl making Aman flinch at my anger.
"His name is Kaku. He will meet you Park, near government school in Rajeev Nagar. Be careful arnav" I cut the call before he make me go back on my decision.
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I have worn faded blue jeans with a red t-shirt with rebook shoes. I am feeling so out of place here. I can feel everyone's eyes on me. Some curios, some malicious, some checking the amount money they will get by kidnapping me.
I stand near the old Teal stall in the park near, the government school gate.whole area is surrounded by old buildings, half collapsed houses. One alcohol shop few feet away, God! What kind of place this. Seeing bad side if the world so close make me angry and sad.
I have been waiting for half an hour . Every second seems like an eternity. I feel so anxious all of sudden. What if that man doesn't come. What if he never finds her. What if he has lost forever.
Kaku, aman has said that, this man knows every information it is to know about Delhi especially concerning the dark corners of this darkest place. I take deep breath controlling my nerves, I need to get to her fast.every second is crucial. I am nearly running out my patience here.
I feel tap on my shoulder, i turn around and see a kid of around 15 year looking at me. He has big doe hazel green eyes ,army haircut, pale white complexion, malnourished.
He got some really sharp features, quite a girlish face too, he must really got bullied by other boys, I thought.
His clothes looks like 2 decades old torn at various places but his confident face and nonchalant attitude, gives him a mysterious and don't f**k with me look.
"what do you want?" I asked in stern voice. Because no matter the age, you cannot trust anyone in this part of city. The most innocent they seem, most dangerous they are.
He voice comes as a sweet melody ' "app arnav Hai."(are you arnav ?)
I look at him shocked how do he know my name. I look around suspicious than I put two and two together,maybe the man I am here to meet has said this little boy, so that he don't get caught with wring person.
I nod my hand in Yes.
He give me a small smile and deep sigh.
He says immediately " mei kaku , bolo kya pata lagana ? ( i am kaku , tell me what you want to know ?).
I feel shocked at his revelation, I gap open mouthed at him. I certainly was not expecting a kid as the informant of the dark world. I was hoping for a more mature man , who according to buzz around can find out anyone in this complex city Delhi. I rub my head with my hand. This must be joke. It can't be true.
His voice pulled me out of my thoughts " kya hua shab !! Kam batao , paise do aur chalo . Jayada time ne h mere pass ( what happened sir !! Just tell me what to do & give money & move . I don't have much time .)
I finally reply "tum kaku ho. Rehne do mujhe kuch kam nahi karna ( you r kaku. Leave it , i don't have any work for you ). I can't deal in such think with a kid. It's must be joke. I turn and walk away but his voice stops me mid track.
Kaku 's confident voice stops me in my track " kad chota h , akal nahi , kuch chize jaise hote hai, waise dekhte nahi " ( my height is small not my mind . Some things are not as they appear ).
I turn toward him, his confident gaze meeting my mine. His voice is childishly sweet, but his face stern, eyes showcasing his experience.
I don't know what stired my mind or my heart. Maybe i was desperate or maybe i just for a second saw myself in that little boy. I bit my lips, deciding about what do to. I was eighteen myself and I knew how it felt when someone look at me as of I am weak and not independent. How I use to feel when I was his age,how sad, depressed and angry.
Even if he is not able to find her. At least this little money might help him, help him get food, better clothes or medicine. Maybe he has an ailing sister or brother who needs his help. He must probably be the eldest living in slumps trying to feed his family. My stupid heart, it always get so sensitive. I can't see people pain at least not when I can do something about it.
With a new resolution in my mind i said. " thik h !! Ye lo photo aur naam bhi likha h uspe . Kal sham tak iske bare m sab janna h mujhe . Ye rahe passe .
( fine !! This is the photo &name is also written there . I want every information about it till tomorrow evening . This is the money)
Kaku smiles at me and take the money and picture from my hand . He speaks the name on the pic 'Anjali Jha' he looks at me, trying to guess who is, what she means to me.
I put a little smile on my face, bring my hand forward for a handshake. This little boy is trying to act as man,his situation probably grew him up before his age. He looks at me a little shocked at first then smilingly put his hand in mine for the shake.
I shake his hand, holding his confident gaze. I see his cheeks turn red in embarrassment, I don't why though.
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Edited by dhakad_chori - 7 years ago
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