From & To Sathish #5 - Page 11

Vaanathai Pola 334

Raman who was just about to leave the Army Base which also served as Raw's Intel hub stopped and turning went back to the screen. Raising his left hand he stifled and nipped any protest that might have erupted from Major Param and spoke in an urgent and slightly raised voice, ' Preetha, you were the one who tracked and found the final location of the Mercedes carrying Prakash Malhotra before it was loaded into one of the trucks. So, while the others track those three container trucks, I want you to bring up live footage of that truck stop, and please see how much you can zoom back on the video.'

Major Param who by now was totally frustrated with the abrupt delay decided that it would be better if he took matters into his own hands and informed Raman that while he was going to stare at a screen, again and again, he would proceed to the truck site, where the car carrying Brigadier Prakash Malhotra was last seen and start his investigation.

Raman's face betrayed his irritation, ' I am not wasting time by staring at this screen but trying my best to learn everything that there is to learn about that area and the lay of that land before going there. Please, Major, kindly bear with me.'

' I am sorry Raman but as you said, time is of the essence. That is why I feel we can learn more by dividing our forces at this point in time. It has been two days since the Brigadier's kidnapping and we know that the first 24 hours make all the difference in solving a crime. Sadly, more than 48 hours have gone by and maybe it is already too late to do anything. At least, let me go and secure the crime scene, arrest a few people and see what we can learn by interrogating them.'

Raman pointed to the screen and raising his voice, ' Preetha, please bring up that footage in which we last see that Blue Mercedes before it is loaded into one of those container trucks and bring up the current live footage.'

Preetha typed the commands and the screen filled itself with both the videos and she and the others looked at Raman who turned and looked at Major Param.

' Major, look at both the videos and tell me what you see.'

The very manner in which he walked towards the screen and the way he stood staring at it revealed his state of mind.

Turning to Raman, ' Only one truck remains from the CCTV footage from two days ago ' and pointing to the last one, ' that lorry with Uttar Pradesh license plates' and shrugging his shoulders, ' so, big deal. we go and cease the lorry, arrest the driver and whoever is with him and talk to them in the way they deserve to be spoken with and we will find something about our car and trucks.'

Raman raised his hand, ' I am sorry Major but my instincts tell me that something is off and that something is very wrong here and trust me, my instincts are never wrong. So, please, let us take one step at a time.'

Major Param lost his cool and now he blew his top, ' Raman, I respect your instincts and am sure that they have served you well. But, this is not the time to dilly dally for right now, time, I fear is far more valuable than your instincts. I have been given a job to do and I am going to do it, with your help or without it. It is up to you.'

The large LED screen shimmered and both Raman and Major Param all looked at it and then looked at Preetha whose fingers raced over the keypad and then she looked up and said, ' I am sorry but I am not sure what is going on here?'

Then all of them stared and gasped in wonder as the face of a man filled the entire screen.

Major Param immediately saluted and said, ' sir.'

The deep voice filled the place as General Rudran, the head of Chakravyuh spoke.

' Good afternoon, everybody ' and then he looked at Raman, ' Mr.Raman, thank you for accepting our request to help out with this case. We appreciate it.'

Then he turned and looked at Major Param, ' what is the problem?'

Preetha, Shaji, Balbir, and Sukhi Ram all stood frozen in their places and stared at the legendary and near-mythical hero of whom they had only heard stories whispered about and who was the head of India's most secret and lethal organization called Chakravyuh.

Major Param quickly went over all the details they had gathered about the car in which Brigadier Prakash Malhotra had been taken away and finished with the three missing container trucks that were currently being tracked.

Rudran's eyes flicked to Raman who stood next to Param and asked, ' Raman, what are you thinking and where are you going with your instincts?'

Raman shrugged, ' permission to speak freely sir?'

Rudran smiled, ' Raman, it is Rudran or Rudy and not sir. Not for you brother.'

' Thank you Rudran.

He quickly laid out what his instincts were telling him, and then charted out what their next moves should be.

Rudran looked at Param with an amused smile who in turn looked at Raman in shock and said, ' But, but.. you did not tell me all this could be going on.'

' Param, you and I go back many years and have worked on many assignments. So, I ask you this. Do you trust me?'

' What kind of question is that Rudy? of course I trust you and you know that I trust you more than anybody, even my own mother and wife. Why would ask me such a question and that too now?'

Rudran smiled and replied, ' Good. If you trust me and have implicit faith in me then extend that same courtesy to Raman, please.'

Major Param nodded, ' Okay. will do' and turning to Raman, ' I am sorry but I really did not mean any offense or disrespect when I doubted and questioned your instincts.'

Raman patted Param's shoulder playfully, ' None taken and believe me when I tell you that I know you are just doing your job.'

Raman looked at Rudran, ' There is just one more thing and that concerns a lioness and her cub who right now are hunting the same prey as us.'

' What do you propose, Raman?'

' I think it will be wise to use their services since they are both flying under the radar and also there is that thing called motivation.'

Rudran nodded, ' A wise move and let them remain invisible for now and also I see no need for their whereabouts to be known to their families.'

Raman smiled and stared at Rudran who smiled back and asked, ' What is it?'

' How is it that you know about them, Rudran? It is just two days since I and my boss were even informed about them and yet here you are in full possession about them and their families?'

Rudran's smile slowly faded away and his face turned serious as he spoke, ' Blood connections. A bond has been forged between our families.'

With a gentle smile, he said, ' Raman, I am sure you are going to find out soon enough and when the time is right. You are right for thinking of using mother and son for this situation. Please go ahead and Major Param will help you without any more doubts and questions.'

He looked at Param, ' Major. I will see you soon. Bye for now Raman' and then he looked at the four, ' Preetha, Shaji, Sukhi, and Balbir, Thank you for the help and the great work you are doing for our country.Bye.'

The screen shimmered and once again filled itself with the CCTV footage of where all the trucks were parked.

What was spoken by Raman? What were the plans he laid out to Rudran?

Vaanathai Pola 335

Seeing Rudran the head of Chakravyuh sent all those present in the room into a different state of mind. Raman's mind and thoughts were all about one question, ' How had Rudran known, and more importantly how had he appeared at that crucial time?'

Major Param's thoughts were more of worried tinged with fears that he had maybe been a bit brusque and heavy-handed in his behaviour with Raman who had been kind and gracious enough to help them out. He after all was a loan from RAW and Param now began to realize that he had been indeed rude to and now stood staring at him.

As for Preetha, Shaaji, Balbir, and Sukhi Ram seeing the legendary Rudran and also being thanked by him were too much of a high to bear and they spontaneously burst into whistles and loud clappings.

All four of them slowly made their way towards Raman who looked at them and nodded, ' Well, children, you wanted it and you got him and that too live. Will that do for now?'

Preetha's eyes were wide open in excitement and on a high and she did not even realize that she was yelling when she replied, ' Now. Wow, this is for keeps and for a lifetime.'

Unable to control her need to know more about Rudran, she asked, ' Raman sir. How tall is he? Is he as tall as you?

As good-looking as you? The reason I am asking is that the thick beard he is sporting covers most of his face but for his eyes and nose.'

Raman decided to indulge them for a few moments for he knew that the next few days were going to take a toll on all of them, looked at Preetha, ' I think he is an inch taller than me and definitely much better looking than me.'

Then he looked pointedly at Major Param and with a head movement that indicated the Screen, ' Did you? ' and Param shook his head and protested, ' How could I have done that? I was here all the while and right before you and the others?'

' so, how did he know what is going on and also to call at the right moment when things were getting a bit confusing.'

' Raman, please don't kill me with your kindness for I am feeling guilty and horrible as it is.'

Raman waved his hand as if he was brushing that reply away and said, ' Major, you did nothing wrong and nobody is faulting you for anything. You were going to do what was best in this situation and it is you who is leading this investigation and I am here just to assist you.'

Major Param sighed, ' That ends now. There is no more I or me and anything singular. We will work as a team and will execute as one.'

He clapped his hands loudly, ' Now that is out of the way let's get down to business ' and then looked at Raman accusingly, ' why didn't you tell me and the others what you just told Rudran? If you had done that I wouldn't be sitting here feeling like a stupid Dodo?'

Balbir Singh was a true blue Sardar from Amristar. But an introvert and unlike the usual Punjabis who are reputed to be extroverts. Only, the other three knew that he also possessed a killer trait and which were one-liners that could never be retaliated against.

Balbir spoke now and his three colleagues looked at him and then looked at each other and slowly closed their mouths with their hands.

' Chachaji, how could Raman sir have done that for you were doing all the talking, walking, and yelling?'

' Oh, f..k. Balbir ' Sukhi squealed and then they all heard Major Param growl loudly, ' What, what did you say? say it again?'

' Chachaji, I said, Raman sir did try talking sense to you but you were not willing to listen to his words of wisdom.'

Raman himself gasped and looked at Balbir the gentle giant from the land of Punjab and looked at Major Param and both burst out laughing and soon the others joined in but Balbir who finding nothing funny about the whole situation went back to tracking the three container trucks and so it was he found the one they were after.

Vaanathai Pola 336

' Chachaji means Uncle, right. Major Param' and with nowhere to go but with the meaning, Param nodded and Raman clapped his hands loudly, ' yes, I think Chachaji Param is more befitting than the rank of Major' and burst into another round of laughter.

' uncle, how can I be an uncle when I am only in my late thirties. A few years older than you, Raman' Param said and sounded like a petulant child.

Balbir's loud baritone voice boomed once again, ' Chachaji, it is not about age but your mind, soul, and the will to be flexible that youth has in abundance while uncles become rigid and brittle as they age and rust as they become Paaji's.'

Realizing the wisdom in Balbir's voice, Param nodded and said, ' Okay, you fountains of youth. What next?'

Turning to Raman, ' Could you please explain in detail what you discussed with Rudran and in a cryptic and sinister manner' and then pausing and recollecting something, he stared intently and asked, ' what was that about a mother and her cub?'

Raman held Param's stare and then shook his head and replied, ' Oh, about that, I think you better forget that I mentioned those words. I am sorry, Major but as of now that topic is not very relevant to us.'

Realizing that Major Param might feel miffed or slighted with his words, Raman used a placatory tone and said,' Your boss will discuss that with you eventually, for, after all, you are his second-in-command in Chakravyuh. Trust me, Major, this rather sensitive piece of information was brought to my notice only very recently.'

He looked at Param, ' shall we?' who nodded, and then Raman looked at the Four and said, ' I am going to layout what Rudran and I discussed and once that is done, you can ask your questions and once that is cleared, we will go ahead and execute our plans. Is that okay with all of you?'

He looked at all of them, ' pull up your chairs and gather in front of me and the screen' and then he requested Preetha to bring up the slides that he would request as he began to lay out his thoughts.

' Preetha, bring up the CCTV security footage from Brigadier Prakash Malhotra's house entrance' and once that was brought up, he looked at all of them, ' This is the last time we see the Brigadier and then he enters this Blue Mercedes and disappears. The Defence colony camera tracks this car until the moment it exits the locality and then we lose sight of it.'

He turned and looked at all of them, ' The reason we lose sight of this car is because of the sudden malfunctioning of all the CCTV Cameras. One, even two cameras not working is understandable. But, all of them dying mean something went wrong with the machinery itself or they were jammed.'

Raman nodded as if he himself realized what had happened and he continued, ' We know now that the CCTV Cameras were jammed and they were done either by someone who was traveling in this car or by people traveling in another vehicle and close behind this Mercedes.'

Shaaji raised his hand immediately, ' Raman sir, it is a near-impossible feat to achieve sir' and when Raman asked what he was inferring to, Shaaji said, ' Camera jammers sir. They work best only within a distance of 5 to a 10-meter radius and ....'

Major Param jumped in and added the finishing words, ' and a civilian cannot buy a camera jammer as it is against the law and one can go to jail for that.'

Shaji accepting the Major's words shrugged casually and said, ' Not that it will stop someone from buying it in the black market or procuring it from abroad. But, even then the same state remains..'

Raman nodded, ' exactly, even those camera jammers brought in the black market have a very limited efficiency and work only to about 10 or a maximum of 15 meters.'

Balbir, Sukhi Ram, and Preetha looked at Shaaji and nodded and he looked at Raman, ' Sir, there are other Camera jammers who can take out not only an area but an entire city if needed. But, those kinds of resources and equipment are available only for the most elite and secretive armed forces of each country.'

Raman folded his hands across his chest and exclaimed loudly, ' Exactly. That is the answer and that is the clue that has been left behind.'

All of them gasped in shock and Major Param jumped up excitedly and yelled, ' F..kers, our own men. Our own people did that.'

Raman exhaled audibly and then looked up at Param and said, ' Major, before we continue. Please, do what should have already been done and do it right away.'

Major Param nodded and hurriedly called the capital and whispered hurriedly, ' Connect me to the defence minister.'

Vaanathai Pola 337

Raman and the four watched quietly as Major Param Singh spoke to the Defense Minister of India and with that done, proceeded to make a series of other calls before he turned his attention back to them.

' It is done and that is one less of a problem to worry about for now' he announced and looked at Raman whose eyes were wide open in surprise.

' Why the surprised look? I just followed the instructions given by the Minister himself' and now it was his turn to look surprised and confused and in a worried voice enquired, ' Raman, please, did I do something wrong?'

' No, Major. You did nothing wrong. But, I could not help being surprised when I overheard the level of the security category being provided to those men in those locations.'

Major Param nodded, ' Your reaction was correct for I too was shocked to hear the defense minister himself instruct me to provide SPG category security to all the people in those installations.'

' But, Major, SPG category security is provided only to the Prime Minister of India and to his family members residing with him at his official residence.'

' Correct, Raman. But, the situation warrants that we use that elite security category for others when it is deemed absolutely necessary and it is a recommendation from the defense minister himself and I think it is the best way forward for now.'

The answer did not seem to satisfy Raman and only served to raise his curiosity level even more as his next question clearly outlined his doubts and confusion.

' I am sorry Major Param but I am at a loss to understand the need for SPG category security for those installations and for some of the names you mentioned who were clearly high-level army doctors.'

Only now after seeing the confusion on Raman's face and the subsequent questions that he asked that Major Param Singh realized that he was not in the full know-how about the situation and was in the dark about the missing Brigadier Prakash Malhotra.

' Oh S..t. F..k me' Param cursed and they sounded as loud as thunder in Raman's ears and now his face creased with worry and his voice taking on a more urgent note, he asked, ' Major, What is it? what is it that you are keeping from us?'

It was clear to Raman that the Major from Chakravyuh was struggling between telling or not telling and then he looked desperately at Raman whose face now fumed in anger and frustration and for the first time to their knowledge he erupted giving way to his pent up thoughts.

' How the f..k am I supposed to help you solve this case when I am not in the full know-how about this missing man and what is his job is? How can I visualize what the threat parameters are right now when I am not given the full data that is required in this rather serious situation?'

Pointing to Param, ' Major, you just put a few installations which to my knowledge are Government hospitals and their staff under SPG Cover which has never been done before. Why, who are these people and what do they do in those hospitals and how is this Brigadier Prakash Malhotra related to all of this?'

Major Param nodded his head resignedly and then looked at Raman and said, ' You are right. You should have been informed about all of this and I was wrong to assume that your boss Mr. V.K. Singh would have briefed you about the whole thing. But, I guessed wrong as he did not and I suspect the reason for that is he himself is in the dark when it comes about important matters concerning this case.'

He looked at Preetha, Balbir, Sukhi Ram, and Shaaju and requested them politely to step out of the building for a few minutes while he spoke to Raman and the Four began to shuffle out when Raman's voice halted them.

' They will remain here and will hear what you are going to say ' and looking at Param, ' stop playing games and start thinking as to how it will be possible for me to single-handedly help you in this case which to the best of my knowledge is getting more serious and dangerous by the moment.'

Major Param sighed his resignation and then cursed loudly, ' F..k it. If you cannot be trusted with this then I doubt if God himself can be trusted to keep this secret.'

He looked at all of them and said, ' Dr. Brigadier Prakash Malhotra..' and was stopped by Raman who angrily asked, ' Dr? He was a doctor?'

' Yes, Raman. Brigadier Prakash Malhotra was a doctor and was the head of India's fight against Bioterrorism and was also the chairman of the board that handles the research on deadly diseases and was directly reporting to the cabinet and the Prime Minister himself. But...'

' But what, Param' Raman asked worriedly.

' Dr.Brigadier Prakash Malhotra was a pioneer in Cell Biology and his reputation is known all over the world.'

Raman shuddered in fear as something cold and clammy began to slowly grip his heart and he began to realize that this was no ordinary case but one that had global implications.

His mobile phone rang and he knew it was the one that was unlisted and one that could not be tracked by his own government and so Alpha the head of the SONS OF Gaia picked it up and spoke freely.

' Hello, Beta.'

' Alpha, Junior is in our custody and is now part of the final program.'

' Good. Very Good.'

' But, just as we anticipated, my govt has increased the security around me and the others and to the highest level.'

Alpha closed his eyes and contemplated like the Buddha and then spoke as was his trait, in a soft voice.

' Yes, we expected this but we are also ready and have all measures in place.'

' Yes. But, there is this lingering problem of the man who is in a coma and also that mysterious man who calls himself Radha Krishnan.'

It was just a sudden release of breath by the Alpha Gaian but Beta knew that his own time was running out now and so he jumped in, ' One last-ditch attempt, and if that fails then you will hear about me.'

' Beta, it pains me to hear you say it but I guess you are right for nothing is more important than Mother Earth and its future. I really hope and pray that you have good news for all of us when you call the next time. Goodbye old friend.'

Vaanathai Pola 338

Even hearing the word Bio-terrorism being spoken stunned everybody into silence and each thought that flashed into their minds was like a bomb going off.

Even though the four young and brilliant minds had never been to a crime scene, they were all well-versed with what the word meant and what its lethal implications were and all of them began whispering to each other.

Raman's ears picked up the words, ' Virus, Tokyo subway sarin attack, anthrax letters' and looked at Major Param in despair.

' you have trained elite commando units who have been formed to specifically handle these kind of situations. So, why me? I work for RAW and look into matters that concern all threats that originate from outside the borders.'

' Raman, Rudran knew that, and yet if he has requested you to be here, then it obviously means that there are forces of external nature in play.'

His eyes filling with respect, ' But, you being an agent of Raw alone is not why you are here. It is because you have this unique ability to see and understand what we cannot see and make sense of and then to top it, you are not only a good tracker but a great hunter who gets the job done. Period.'

Raman raised a finger and pointing it at Param, ' Major, flattery will not get you anywhere with me.'

Then closing his eyes in contemplation, he opened them and spoke in a soft but deadly tone, ' I am going to say this just once. If I feel that you are playing games with me or hiding something from me, then I swear, I am gone and that will be the end of it.'

' Done, Raman.'

Raman wearily nodded his head and said, ' When I said that the camera jammers used in this case were highly expensive equipment that is the purview of only the elite forces or other secret organizations, I did not specifically say that our own army people could be involved in this kidnapping. But, that other trained criminals could have done the same by procuring such

high-end camera jammers from the black market or from abroad.'

Major Param looked at him with fear, ' you mean...'

' Not just the Chinese or the Pakistanis. It could be anyone, even the Americans or the Russians themselves.'

Raman's head began to throb with the beginnings of a dull headache and tiredly he turned to the Four, ' Please, one of you get me a cup of coffee and a Dolapar tablet.'

Taking the cup that Shaji had brought him, he took a few hurried sips from it and popping a tablet, downed half a bottle of water and sank into a chair that was near him and slowly looked at all of them and with a gentle smile on his tired face, requested all of them to sit down while he gathered his thoughts about the whole situation.

A few minutes went by before Raman looked at all of them and began to speak.

' First things first. I think this case is more complicated than, what it appears to be. I don't think it is just a kidnapping of a leading research scientist but rather a case that is more sinister and evil than that.'

He looked at all of them and said in a worried voice, ' If my instincts are correct then I fear that we might have just one chance at cracking this case and if that is lost then it is up the sh.t creek without a paddle.'

' Raman, you are beginning to scare me. This is just one kidnapping. All we have to do is track those container trucks and seize them and we will have our man back, safe and secure and it will all be forgotten.'

Raman looked at Param and asked, ' do you really believe that it is going to be so easy? I am sorry Major but I beg to differ for I think this case started a few months ago with the attack on retired Brigadier Rajashekar Varma.'

' Raman, what do you mean by that? Both the cases are surely totally unrelated. One was attacked by some unknown assailants with knives on a public road while the other was kidnapped by people using high-tech equipment.'

Raman looked at Major Param, ' That is all you and the world know and are totally in the dark and unaware of the other attacks on him and his family members.'

Vaanathai Pola 339

Raman looked at Major Param, ' That is all you and the world know and are totally in the dark and unaware of the other attacks on him and his family members.'

The mention of the words Bioterrorism, cell biology, research had already made them into nervous wrecks and each one of them was contemplating the implications when connected with the sudden disappearance of Dr.Brigadier Prakash Malhotra and now Raman dropped this new bomb and the situation grew graver by the moment.

Sukhi Ram gingerly raised his hand and tried to speak but found only funny squeaks coming out of his throat. Raman glanced at him and said, ' Speak freely, Sukhi Ram and the same goes to all of you.'

They all saw that his face was tensed and his forehead furrowed with stress and worry and this was new, even for them. They had been there with him when he had hunted down the killer duo " Gulab and Jamun " and they had witnessed firsthand his pain and sorrow when he had lost his best friend, Vijay Bhaskar, and Sujatha, his sister-in-law who he had doted on like his own daughter.

' Raman sir, if this missing Doctor's case is linked to the attack on Brigadier Rajashekar sir, then the situation is much more serious than what it seems on the surface' Sukhi Ram said and Raman nodded and getting up from the chair he had been sitting on, looked at them tiredly, ' Yes, Sukhi Ram, I fear it is bad and what worries me more is the head start these mysterious criminals have had already.'

Major Param jumped out of his chair, ' Raman, those trucks are just two days ahead of us. We will find them one way or another and sooner than later. I promise you that.'

' No, Param. I am not worried about those missing trucks or even the missing Dr.Brigadier Prakash for I am more worried about other issues that cannot be answered by me or you until all this is over and done with.'

' What do you mean until this whole thing is over? we have yet to make our first move and begin out hunting of whoever is behind this kidnapping of Brigadier Prakash Malhotra?'

Raman lifted the remote and clicked a few times and went back to the CCTV camera footage in which Dr.Brigadier Prakash Malhotra could be seen waving to his wife and then getting into the dark Mercedes and driving away.

He looked pointedly at Param and then looked at the others, ' Is he being forced at gunpoint to get into the car? No. Is somebody holding a gun to his wife's head and threatening to kill her if he did not get into the car? No. Does he look sad or worried? No. Why is he looking so calm and cool even though he knows at this point of time that he is in sort of trouble?'

All of them looked at him silently and so Raman continued on, ' If the attack on Brigadier Rajashekar and if this missing case of Dr.Malhotra are related then it means the people behind all this are not just two days ahead of us, but months and maybe even years.'

The Gasps of shock were audible and Raman hearing it nodded, ' Yes, it is shocking, and believe me, I am too.'

Preetha nervously asked, ' But why, Raman sir?'

' That is the Million dollar question, Preetha to which I have no answer right now.'

Major Param's shoulders sank in despair, ' What do we do now, Raman? What do I report back and tell the people in Delhi?'

Raman used both his hands to rub his eyes and reaching for the cup of coffee that had been served to him, began to slowly sip from it and took his time doing it.

It was obvious from the way he stared at the screen and the deliberate way he sipped coffee that Raman's brain was in overdrive and was hard at work.

He whispered softly to the others, ' Reminds me of my boss, Rudran when he is at work.'

Avan, Aval Adhu 31

They could, and maybe would have sat for a longer time, chatting, talking, and sharing their thoughts with each other. But, Ravi's mother Rasaathi Ammal whose thoughts were more about the current state of her son's empty stomach gently intervened and so their reverie was broken. Just as they were getting up to their feet, it suddenly struck Gaaytri that she had spent nearly an hour sitting next to a man and had opened her heart to him and he, in turn, had bared a bit of his soul, and yet she had felt comfortable and had felt no discomfort of any sort.

Ravi said softly, ' Gayatri, please excuse me but I am really hungry' and then looked at her, ' Would you like to join me for breakfast?' and his request immediately prompted her protest.

' Thank you, Ravi. But, I have to say no ' and patting her stomach, ' if last night's dinner was heavy, today's breakfast was double that boss.'

Ravi pointed to his mother and winking said playfully, ' she is the real boss. Not me. She will pretend that I am the one who makes all the decisions but it is she who really does it and that too through me.'

Saying that Ravi left her and went into the house leaving Gayatri to slowly sink back to sitting on the step.

She thought of him and the kiss that she had placed on his lips and wondered about his reaction and the respect she had for Ravi shot through the roof and reached the skies for as a woman, she knew only too well about the dynamics that lay between a man and woman.

Her many interactions with the Male species and the resulting bitter experiences over decades had left her numb and cautious to men and to her knowledge even the best of them succumbed to desire and lust. Gayatri had rightfully blamed herself for a few of the bitter episodes but as far the rest, the men were mostly to be blamed.

Life and time spent with the Male species over the years had taught her many lessons of which one vital lesson she had learnt very early on in her life was that distance and protocol should always be maintained in a relationship between man and woman.

The simple reason for that the signals that they sent to each other could be mistaken and would somehow end in a catastrophic disaster.

Gayatri recollected her very first experience that she had gone through in college when in her second year, her much older English lecturer had made a pass at her.

When she had recoiled in fear and anger, he had rather surprisingly accused her of the incident and had told her that she was the one who had flirted with him when in fact she had just been her usual pleasant and outgoing self.

That same incident had repeated itself many a time in her life and in the workplace and worse in her own house and in her bedroom with her ex-husband.

She had fallen for Sid, short for Siddarth Roy, and their relationship had soon escalated into a wild and uninhibited affair that ended with them getting hitched. This had come hot on the heels after her dad's demise and her mother had warned her to slow down and take it easy and think things over before getting married.

Gayatri had not heeded those words of caution and had fought with her mother and had walked out of the house and into the arms of Sid. Then slowly things had started unravelling and had gone downhill and then it was too late.

The rough sex that she once enjoyed had taken on sick and sinister tones and the verbal abuse from Sid while he F..ked her had made her see him in a new light and it was not good and definitely not healthy.

The rough sex had soon turned into Rapes in which she had just lain like a corpse and this only served to increase his brutality which she later realized was his anger at being rejected.

It took her less than a year to realize that great sex and lust did not automatically translate into a great marriage and she had asked him for a divorce.

That is when he had hit her and to verbal and sexual abuse, physical abuse, and assault were added and that had all come to a halt when her mother had come to visit her and had seen the black eyes and bruises on her hands, neck and legs.

Gayatri knew her mother was strong, really strong but she saw witnessed it firsthand when she had slapped her husband Sid several times and had asked him to get out and never show his face again in Mumbai.

Gayatri remembered every moment and every word of that incident.

Her mother had grabbed Gayatri's hand and was about to walk out, taking her back to their house, when she had stopped and had looked at her son-in-law and had roared a warning, ' Mr.Siddarth Roy, I meant what I said and I also mean to carry out what I am about to say. You will sign the divorce papers and disappear forever from Mumbai. If, word, is brought to me that you were seen I promise you that I will have you killed, burnt and then have your ashes scattered and none will be wiser to your disappearance and it will be like you never existed.'

Siddarth had nodded and then he had looked at Gayatri and had said one thing, ' Am I the only person who is at fault here? Don't you realize that you pushed me to become what I have become?'

Smiling sadly and with tears in his eyes he had looked at her accusingly, ' You left. You were the one who withdrew from this marriage. Your pain, your unanswered questions regarding your family, and yes, your father's death. It is all about you and was always about you. I became angry, frustrated with your constant absence and so have become this monster that I am now. But, you are the monster. Not me.'

Men and their misunderstandings. Men and their own interpretations. Men and their justifications to justify their needs of lust rather than passion.

So, Gayatri had been careful, extra careful when it came to dealing with men and had always taken extra precautions when working in close proximity with men.

Not that she had been celibate and had a few one-night stands over the years and a couple of brief affairs that had died away like those thin streams that run into a desert instead of finding solace in the arms of river or sea.

But, what she had felt with Ravi was peace, comfort, and trust.

She turned quickly and looked into the house and saw him eating and she whispered the all too important word, a virtue that was as important as love itself and maybe the foundation of life itself. Trust.

Ravi looked up and caught her staring at him and again smiled gently and in his kind and caring smile that sparkled like stars in his eyes, Gayatri finally knew and understood what the meaning of the word Home truly was.

Home meant trust, and trust meant safety and protection

She smiled and thought, ' I am home. I have found a home. This swallow without seasons and that migrated all over the world has finally found a home, a nest for itself.'

Avan, Aval Adhu 32

' Gayatri, Please come and join us and keep us company' Ravi said and seeing the hesitation in her eyes, ' Please, there is no telling how much time you will be spending with us before you fly away from here. So, as long as you are here, please grace us with your presence.'

She knew that there was nothing else to do but join him and his mother and went in and sat next to Rasaathi Ammal who asked her if she wanted to join Ravi for another round of a mini breakfast.

Gayatri shrieked and protested loudly, ' No way. No more, please. As it is, I am slightly over-weight and all I need is a few more pounds to push me into the world of obesity.'

Using her hands, she comically pushed herself back a few steps and announced, ' I will watch, listen and open my mouth for words and not food.'

Ravi laughed and said, ' Gayatri, a young woman like you should eat nicely and not worry too much about weight and looks.'

' Young woman, me. Hello boss, I am 43 years old, Mister. 43, mind you, not 23.'

Ravi looked at her, ' I was not talking about the age of your body but in the context of your soul.'

Her eyes widened and she heard him say, ' You will always remain young, no matter how old you are. Take it from me and I promise we will talk someday when we meet again in our 60s or 70s, hopefully.'

Gayatri slowly turned to Rasaathi Ammal, ' Amma, was he born this way, like a Buddha, all enlightened or did something fall on his head to make him this way?'

Rasaathi Ammal rarely got a chance to needle and irritate her son and now finding an unexpected ally, she jumped straight in and declared, ' It was that dry coconut that landed on his head when he was young that has made him like this.'

Ravi screwed his face in mock anger and raged, ' You too Brutus. My own blood, my mother. Alas, what has this world become, full of treachery and deceit.'

The lines were delivered in such a corny manner that Gayatri erupted with laughter and wiping the tears of joy from her eyes asked, ' Thank god, at least there is one thing you are not good at and that is acting, my man.'

Ravi pretending to be really offended said, ' That does it. I am sorry but you will not be privy to our school's annual day functions for I refuse to be mocked at and made fun of.'

Hearing him declare his thoughts only prompted Gayatri to laugh more and just as they were basking in the beautiful glow that only laughter can bring, Rasaathi Ammal softly enquired, ' Ravi, what is going on, son? adding last night with today morning, it is twice in two days that you have been called by the police and I could not help over-hearing Head Constable Palani informing you that the new DSP wanted to meet you. What is going on? Is somebody from our village in trouble?'

' No ma, not from our village but from Soorapalayam and it had to do with you know who....?' and saying that, looked sadly at his mother.

' Who? who was it, Ravi? was it Adi.. again?'

' yes, mother. Who else but him and things are escalating and I have no doubt that sooner than later he is going to wind up doing something really bad and even my word will not be enough to save him.'

Her voice was polite and full gentle as she enquired as to what was going on.

' I am sorry, Ravi. But, why should the cops call you for something that happened somewhere and in which you are not involved.'

Rasaathi Ammal shook her head wearily and said, ' That is because everyone trusts him and believes that he will come running to their aid and rescue them, regardless of how dangerous the situation may be. To add salt to the injury, my son is called twice or thrice a week either by the cops or by the local magistrate who grants bail to villagers around our village who get caught in petty fights or worse, assault with weapons solely on his word and assurances.'

Gayatri asked, ' You mentioned the name, Adi. Who is he?

Both mother and son looked at her and she saw that both their faces were clouded by painful and bitter memories.

' Adi is Aditya and one of my nephews from my mother's side of the family' Ravi said and added, ' Family that we do our best to avoid, forget and erase from our lives but somehow or other they manage to wriggle their way into our lives.'

Vaanathai Pola 340

Nearly twenty minutes passed by before they saw any movement from Raman and all five of them turned and flocked to him like moths to a flame.

He slowly turned to face them and apologized, ' I am sorry for going all quiet. But, that is the way I used to work and in the quiet of my home.'

A wry smile filled his face as he spoke ruefully, ' well, one cannot expect that kind of atmosphere all the time, can he. Especially, not when our country's security and the safety of its citizens are facing danger, constantly.'

Clapping his hands a couple of times, he looked at Major Param, ' We will get at the most one shot at cracking this case, and even that I say only with a bit of hope. But, far worse cases than this have been broken on clues that were minuscule in nature and on moves that were laughed off at that time. So, with that, I am going to lay out what plans I have in my mind.'

He asked Param in a doubtful voice, ' Major, I know that the attack on Brigadier Rajashekar happened many months ago but I think we should look at it with fresh eyes before we discount it as just a random attack.'

' Raman, whatever you need, ask it and it will be done.'

' Okay, Major. I know that this might sound a bit vague and way off but I think it might just work. I am fairly certain that Brigadier Rajashekar's car has a GPS in it. What I want you to do is find out his movements going back to the night he was brutally attacked and where he was earlier that day?'

He looked at Param anxiously, ' you think it is possible to get this information?'

' With the resources at our disposal, I can get you his movements from the time he was born and began to walk' Param replied and made a call and quickly spoke into it and turned and announced, ' The information is on its way.'

Raman nodded, ' Thank you, and a good job Major. If what my instincts are telling me is correct, then that GPS history of the Brigadier's car might hold the clue to this case.'

He paused for a second, a brief moment before he looked at Param and the others, ' staying on that note, I am meeting the commissioner tomorrow morning about another matter and I will request for his full assistance and also ask for all the information that his department has on the case concerning the Brigadier.'

He looked at Param, ' Major, what about the army? The army CID, what was their conclusion in this case?'

' I have no idea, Raman. But just give me a moment ' and he quickly went to one of the computers and sitting down, quickly typed in an address and the screen went black but for the eye in the middle of the screen.

The eye blinked and then a blank space opened up and Major Param quickly typed into it and then the screen went black and they all saw a mouth appear with an eye inside it.

It did not make any sense either to Raman or to the others and they just stood staring at Param who moved his lips and spoke into the camera if that was even possible.'

The mouth and the eye disappeared and the screen lit up with the symbol of Chakravyuh and all of them heard a voice speak, ' Welcome, Major Param. Your current location is at Raw's communication hub inside the army base in Guindy.'

He quickly typed in and opening a folder pressed the option " Print all" and looked at the printer to make sure if there was enough paper in it for the printout.

The printer burst into life for just a moment and then quickly went back to where printers go when they are free and not in use.

Major Param getting up went to the printer and stopped as if he had hit a brick wall.

Even from the sound that the printer had made, Raman knew immediately that nothing much would be forthcoming from the Army's own investigation and it was confirmed with Major Param pulling out just two sheets of paper containing information about the attack on Brigadier Rajashekar and holding it up with his face marred alternately with surprise and confusion.

Raman extended his hand and taking the two sheets that Major Param handed over and quickly devoured the information on them and looked up and said in a grim voice that sent chills down all their spines.

' Two men were sent from Delhi to look into this attack. One a Major Niaz Muhammad and the other a Corporal Sam Vasanth and I can tell you right now that one or both are dead as of this moment.'

' WTF. What do you mean by that, Raman' Major Param yelled out loudly.

Raman's eyes bored into Param's eyes but his sight and thought were somewhere else as they connected the dots and saw the whole picture unfolding in front of him.

He whispered in a ghostly voice, ' Param, check it out and tell me if I am wrong?'

' No, Raman, I know better by now and I trust you as much as I trust Rudran's brain.'

' But do it anyway, Param. Humor me, please.'

Major Param nodded and hunching over the computer, typed in the names, and just from the way, his left hand gripped the table, Raman and the others knew what they were going to hear was not going to be good at all.

' Both dead. One due to a sudden cardiac arrest and the other in an accident.'

Avan, Aval Adhu 33

Gayatri unlike most people did not push or prod Ravi to say more on the topic concerning the other branches of his family. But, Rasaathi Ammal unable to bear the burden of the past took up where Ravi had ended.

' People around here are sadly ruled by their emotions and never stop to think, process, and then proceed. They act first and then stop and think about the consequences of their actions.'

' Amma, it is the same up there in North India and I fear it is the same all over our country. We Indians are people ruled largely by the matters of the heart and it has been thus and it will be so in the foreseeable future.'

Ravi looked at Gayatri, ' It is not just about the heart and emotions but largely about caste, creed, and power. People were the same thousands of years ago and they remain with the same tribal mentality to this day.'

He looked at the entrance and spoke so softly, that to Gayatri it sounded as if he was talking to himself.

' There are many a time when I think about leaving this place and moving to the city with my mother. But....'

' But what, Ravi? What stops you from moving away from here?'

' I wish it was only that easy, Gayatri. I wish it was only about me and my mother for it would be easy to take a decision.'

He looked at her and then glanced out at Kumarapalayam that lay outside his house and said, ' I wish it was only about me and my mother but it is not for it is also about all the people who depend on me and all the children who need me to safeguard their futures.'

Gayatri tried but was unable to make sense of this logic and so asked him, ' Surely, there must be many other good teachers available for the school in which you are the headmaster.'

' I wish it was that easy, Gayatri. But, it is not. I am not just a headmaster and teacher to the children. I am also ....'

It was obvious to her that he knew the right words to finish what he had been saying but had chosen not to and again it was his mother who completed him and his thoughts.

' Ravi is not just a headmaster in that school. He is more like a guardian and a surrogate father for all the children who attend the school.'

Ravi looked at Gayatri, ' What am I or what are my needs when compared to the dreams and the futures of all the children who look up to me and follow my lead and every word. Nothing.'

' Agreed Ravi. But, don't you get tired and weary and burnt out from all these responsibilities that you have taken on. Also, the question is, how long? how much longer can you go on and on?'

Hearing noises that only children make, Gayatri turned towards the entrance and saw many boys and girls standing there and they ranged from 5 to 15 and numbered in the dozen.

All of them were carrying something and they stood there waiting and Gayatri looked at Ravi who said, ' Ellaam Uzha Vaanga, please.'

All of them quietly and obediently trooped in and stood before them and Ravi asked, ' So, what have you brought home today, children?'

Gayatri watched as each one of the kids slowly and respectfully placed what they had brought with them and she saw that some baskets had vegetables and some had fruits and some had small containers and she looked at Ravi who smiled and said, ' must be either ghee or some sweet made in their homes.'

He looked at his mother, ' Hello ma'am, we have guests in our house and you are still here sitting on the floor without tending to them.'

Rasaathi Ammal smiled and asked Gayatri for help in getting up which she did and told her, ' I have made some paal khova. Will you help me serve it to the kids?

Gayatri nodded and looked down at Ravi and said, ' I get it now and I understand what you were just saying. It is not just about us and it is about all of us.'

The next thought remained as thought and was not given life in the form of words and sounds as she looked at him, ' You look after so many. Who looks after you, you beautiful soul?'