Unpredictable Lives: Link to T2 Page 152 - Page 8

Zoya and Aarav were the only two out of their group who had chosen to do an extra module in Criminology, something they both were keenly interested in. Zoya had chosen four areas to study within the module:

Psychology, Crime and Criminal Justice

Drugs and Society

Crime prevention and community safety

Organising Crime: Migration, Trafficking & Smuggling

Of the four she had to choose one to base her dissertation on, as she was going through the titles Asad's face flashed before her and as it did she held her breath and it was at that very moment she decided that she would do her dissertation on Drugs and Society. There was certainly something about Asad that intrigued her, even though he was callous in his demeanour there was a force that pulled her, a force that was taking her towards an unfamiliar terrain.

The more she thought about it the more excited she became, after a long session of brainstorming ideas she came up with her aim. Her aim was to develop a multi-perspective understanding of drug use, drugs markets and drug policy in India and internationally by applying sociological, historical, psychological and cultural perspectives. Her main outcome would to develop a theory-informed understanding of drugs, to put together a piece of research and analysis that was informed and critical.

Once Zoya's tutor had approved her title she was free to start working on it, something she would need to finish and submit by the end of the academic year. The international students had settled in extremely well, and had formed very good friendships with one another, other than Najma and Rehan who Zoya had known for years she had become very close to Aarav and Rhea. Can you believe we have been here for nearly a whole term...where the hell did the time go?' Rhea mused as she ate her feeble salad she called lunch. You do realise what that means...we only have two weeks until we break for the Christmas holidays...oh my gosh...full on party time' Soniya said clapping her hands in excitement what do you guys do around here for Christmas and New Year?' Zoya asked Aarav party all the way through...and eat more food than you could possibly imagine...and then drink ourselves silly' he answered raising his eyebrows in an animated way. It didn't matter which part of the world you were in Christmas and New Year's was always celebrated elaborately a time of year that truly was festive and full of joy no matter what your creed was.

After the last fiasco Zoya had made up her mind not to be going anywhere where there would be more alcohol than sense. As time neared the excitement became more evident, all students ever talked about was what party they were going too, who they were going with and what they were wearing. As the youth planned their evenings, not so far away the NIA planned their new missions. For reasons better known to the people that involved themselves in the life of narcotics Christmas and New Year's was a high time for their operations. Asad had been tipped off that Victor's men were targeting various clubs and party hotspots around Mumbai supplying anyone who was willing to buy their lethal cocktails.

I want five teams dispersed, you cover as much ground as you can...you show no mercy, I want these bas***ds caught' Asad commanded his teams.

Asad, I know you have delegated everyone their patches but I want you and Ayaan to cover the main colleges in the south, Dev Raaj will definitely be scouting with his gang, I need him to be caught red handed...he is a creature of habit, he will not venture out of the area, his main targets are the four colleges we have including all the clubs in the vicinity' Mr Roy knew that if anyone was smart enough to catch Dev Raaj out it was Asad. Dev's illegal activities were not kept secret but there was never a time where there was enough proof or evidence to catch him yet alone charge him, coming from one of Mumbai's most richest and influential families Dev Raaj always managed to escape, he rode high on the backing of his father's high profile business and political links.

We make these raids high profile and a regular occurrence throughout the holiday period, majority of the colleges break up on Friday, which means we start our operations from that evening right the way through to the new year' Asad was not only a hard hitting officer he was also a slave driver, as much as his team and colleagues admired him for his capabilities and liked him for the man he was, he was probably the worst team leader, he never missed a thing and never let anyone breathe a sigh of relief until he was 110% satisfied that everything had been done to perfection, and for Asad the definition of perfection was something that no one ever managed to achieve.

Ayaan, where do you think you are going?' As soon as Ayaan heard his voice he rolled his eyes in and closed his eyes busted' he whispered to himself. Ayaan turned around and gave Asad an over enthusiastic smile Asss...I mean Bhaijaan...ummm I was just going home; you know thought I get an early start to the evening'. Asad always knew Ayaan was up to no good when he referred to him as Bhaijaan, it meant he was going to do something Asad would not approve of ok sounds good, I'll come with you seeing I still owe Ammi a visit' Ayaan chocked on the air that he had just taken in Ammi...visit...yeah sure' he said looking glum. Asad started laughing he walked up to him and hit across the back of his head why can't you just say that you are going to see Humera...' Ayaan smiled as he looked away shyly go...and give her my salaam...I still don't know what she sees in you' he said walking away. Ayaan and Humera met at a wedding a few years ago, love at first sight may seem clichd but for these two it was true. Their parents were aware of their relationship and were happy with their alliance, Humera's parents were not very traditional; their business took them in and out of India a lot leaving Humera with her dad's sister who lived with them.

As Ayaan went to see the love of his life Asad went back to an empty shell he called home. Asad's life outside his work was simple; he owned a two bedroom flat in an affluent part of Mumbai, something he had worked hard to earn. His flat was the pent house of a high riser,standing at such a height looking down on the world below gave him a certain sense of power, like he had a watchful eye, like he was in control. If you thought Asad was arrogant, you were not entirely wrong, but more than arrogance Asad was principled and there was very little that would get in his way of doing what he felt, what he believed to be right.

The walls of his apartment adorned light colours with a few frames of religious scriptures; his lounge was open plan with the kitchen one side, a door to the balcony and then two doors to the two bedrooms that had en suite bathrooms. Asad's maid, Kaki came every morning to clean the already immaculate apartment; she often found she had nothing to do as Asad's OCD meant that there was never a crease out of place. The main thing Kaki did do was cook for him and to take and pick up his clothes from the dry cleaners.

As the days passed the end of term came close two more days and we are freee' Najma said she couldn't wait for her the holidays to start, the course that they were doing was more than intense, as there was so much practical work that needed to be done her time with Rehan was always limited, the holidays meant she would be able to spend some quality time with her man.

As we are breaking up on Friday I thought we could all go out for dinner to kick start the holidays' Zoya looked at Aarav with a raised eyebrow I promise it won't be like the lagoon, we can go to a nice restaurant further up town' he quickly cleared before Zoya jumped down his throat. Zoya started smiling at him I'm cool with that...as long as it is not pizza' she said narrowing her eyes at Najma who she knew was just about to shout out Pizza Hut. Najma started to pout and then folded her arms across her chest pretending to sulk pull that face all you want missy we are not having pizza' Zoya said as she walked past and ruffled her hair.