บท 18: First Contact

Aditya had a slight smile on his face as he browsed through the photo album of his childhood with his fingers, he was back in his home, no it used to be his home, Uncle Ramu had told that this home was also put up for sale now. With Uncle's intervention, Aditya got a chance to have a last look and see if he could take away some memories.

As he did not want to contact his uncle right now as he would have to explain his 'suspension' to him, Aditya used his own method to enter the house which he used to utilize when he came late in the night during his school days i.e. 'through his room's window'. Aditya had deliberately loosened the screw for the steel grill of a window for this convenience, luckily it proved useful even now.

As Aditya watched the smiling faces of his parents in the photos along with a younger version of him, he vowed that he would make those days return. He watched at the open letter lying to his side, this was a clue which his mother left him. Usually, when his parents had to attend some cultural events like weddings and birthdays, Aditya did not like to attend these events where he felt the social interactions were superficial. Aditya rather preferred to spend time with his friends, so usually sometimes when they left, his mother would pose exactly how she posed in the selfie of that British teen. By this, it was signal that his mother had left something for him in the photo album, usually, it was spending money for him to buy, sometimes it was a letter explaining some chores or things related to home.

So, when Aditya saw the photo his uncle showed, he knew his mother had left something crucial for him. Aditya took that letter and read it again. He recognized the beautiful slender cursive handwriting of his mother.

Adi,

I know you will be very sad and puzzled. You might even be angry at us for not informing you but you have to know that many things in life happen without our interference and they happen beyond our expectations. I won't make long speeches about how it all happened as there is no time and also I know that 'they' will know if I give away any crucial details which might endanger you rather than help you. So, I won't talk about the boring stuff of what, who, why, how.

I know that I don't have to coax you into a pseudo-secure feeling like we will be back as soon as possible or like it's going to be alright. I have not brought up my son in a way where he needs to be emotionally supported by lies and fake guarantees. Trouble came, let us just deal with it and get it over it. What can happen at the worst?

I know you would want to do something for us, something reckless for our sake. I know I can't talk you out of it, so I will only say, 'whatever you want to do, do it after 3 years', I won't ask you more than this. I know for sure that 'they' want your father to work for a project for them and it is a long term project. I am just collateral for them to make sure your father gives his all to the project. Actually, although it looks like they didn't touch you, you are also collateral, it is just their psychological tactic where us parents will feel that as long as children are safe, we don't mind sacrificing ourselves. But I and your father know its all false, we know for sure that 'no one' is safe. Safe and secure is just an illusion.

Finally, I want you to look after yourself well, a healthy body and a healthy mind are the most important wealth anyone can have, focus on it, your father's promise to buy you a car a year later is not possible anymore so, the contract where you have to study is nullified, so, you are 'free' haha. Don't worry about the future as it will happen anyway, did you remember the lessons of conduct I used to give you when you were young, I want you to remember them and think about them every day. As an end note…

Look to this day,

For it is life,

The very life of life.

In its brief course lie all the truths

And the realities of your existence;

The bliss of growth

The glory of action, and

The splendour of beauty;

For yesterday is but a dream

And tomorrow is only a vision,

But today well lived makes

Every yesterday a dream of happiness

And every tomorrow a vision of hope.

Look well, therefore, to this day.

Such is the salvation of the dawn.

Your loving Ma…

P.S: look after your elder sisters well at least until they marry, though they both look fierce and independent, they both need your care and affection.

Aditya hands slightly trembled even when he read this letter a second time, his heart never felt so steadfast since his parents went missing. She knew exactly how to assuage his fears and restlessness. She knew that Aditya would have really felt afraid and did things recklessly had she written a letter with rosy and flowery words like everything is alright. Most parents would think that they were protecting their kids by covering up. But Aditya knew his mother, she never tried to pose to him that everything was fine, whenever their family met some troubles, be it financial or emotional, she would always include Aditya in those discussions where they discussed solutions.

Aditya was made to think for himself about such things if Aditya was not brought up in that way, how could he have the courage and boldness to give up his studies for his goal of racing and declare it frankly in front of his parents? Now that he read his mother's letter, Aditya knew that he definitely has three years of time. As to what he had to do, he only had a vague idea.

Aditya folded that letter securely and kept it in his pocket. He smiled as he packed that photo album into his bag and left through the same window without anyone noticing. His home was a part of an apartment complex. As Aditya walked down the road, it was already evening, he went to a retail store nearby as he bought some chewing gum. Just as he was thinking about where to spend his night, he saw a tall man with a fair complexion looking at him with a small smile on his face. His eyes showed his wisdom and intelligence. His gait radiated confidence as he walked towards Aditya.

Aditya was sure he didn't know this person but he felt that the person knew him, he looked like he was in his late twenties at the peak of his youth. As Aditya was wondering, the man walked towards him and held out a hand in way of greeting, "You must be Aditya, right? You can call me Bunny"

Aditya shook his hand subconsciously as he looked at this Bunny who seemed to be waiting near his home for him. Bunny looked at Aditya's questioning gaze as he smiled and said, "I work for the people for whom your father is working too, in a way your father and I are colleagues."

Aditya's face changed drastically as he withdrew his hand swiftly, he also drew back a few steps in consternation. He did not expect that he would meet 'those' people so quickly. Bunny watched Aditya's actions with interest but did not make any moves on him. He laughed lightly as he shook his head, "Don't worry, if you were our target, we wouldn't contact you in this way as it will be too much of a hassle to do it in front of so many people, its not like we can't do it, its just bothersome, so don't worry I am only here to talk."

Aditya did not lower his guard even when this stranger called 'Bunny' assured that he was not going to make a move on him. Also, anger started boiling within him as he looked at this person who was so relaxed and talking to him happily that he was working for the people who took away his parents. No remorse could be seen in his eyes, a family had been broken up overnight just like that but he did not seem to think it was worth to pay attention.

When Bunny noticed the animosity towards him from Aditya, he shook his head as he said solemnly, "Believe it or not, although your parents were taken away by force, it is all for the good of mankind, your father's service would be remembered forever when the perfect world was created"

When Aditya heard the word 'Perfect World' and saw the fervour in Bunny's eyes when he mentioned it, he knew that he would not gain anything by talking to this hardcore follower. Also, he was not sure about the circumstance he was in right now. So, he took a deep breath as he asked, "What are you here for?"

Bunny was slightly surprised at Aditya mental stability, though he was rattled a little in the beginning, he regained his composure faster than he thought. He thought that Aditya would shout, wrangle, curse but Aditya did nothing of that but directly asked the main issue.

Bunny smiled as he took a daily newspaper of that day and passed it to Aditya, then he took out his mobile phone and took a photo of Aditya, "Nothing, just that your parents wanted to know about your safety and whereabouts."

Aditya looked at Bunny with doubt as he asked, "How did you find out that I was here, were you following me?"

Bunny scoffed at Aditya's question, "You think that you are some kind of VIP that we have to follow you all day long, we could erase your whole family property, you think it is hard for us to hack the city surveillance cameras. Just know that wherever you are, we have a way to find you, it only varies whether we find you immediately or have to put some effort. Also, I am the only person on this duty and I will be leaving this city today. So, all the best."

Aditya was again reminded of the capability of this organization, he calmed himself down as nodded. He did not want to spend a second more with this person who acted as if everything was in his control.

Bunny who had walked a few steps turned and came back. He pointed his finger towards the pocket which contained his mother's letter and said, "Your mother's letter is interesting, its different than what I expected but I have to warn you, not only for three years," here Bunny's face turned serious, Aditya could feel his hair on neck rising as if he was stared at by a wild animal, "never even think of crossing our path I your lifetime if you or your loved ones want to remain alive and happy in this world. I suggest you forget you ever had parents and become what 'we' planned for you 'an orphan'."

Blood rushed into Aditya's head in anger when he heard those words, he lowered his words in inverse proportion to his rage as he said, "Mark my words, you won't have to wait for three years, I will bring back my parents even before that from right under your nose or by walking past your corpse."

Bunny was mildly baffled at Aditya's words as he laughed while pointing at him, the surrounding people felt that these two people were friends and were making fun. Bunny stopped his laughter as he looked at Aditya as if he was an idiot, he said, "you either think too much about yourself or underestimate us, right?"

Bunny picked up a medium size gravel stone from the side of the road into his right palm and knocked the stone against Aditya lightly resulting in sharp pain, as he said, "Its okay if you overestimated yourself but think before acting against us." Aditya rubbed his head where it pained as he heard a low muffled sound as Bunny poured rock dust from his right hand. There was no stone anymore and his hand was unhurt. Cold sweat dampened Aditya's back when he watched this, if the stone was totally hidden in Bunny palm, Aditya might think that Bunny swapped the rock with dust, but the medium size gravel stone could not be covered completely so Aditya saw the whole process of the stone breaking into smaller pieces and smaller piece turning to dust. He had never imagined such a feat was possible. He did not remember seeing those Shaolin monks perform such a feat either.

"Also, I forgot to tell you, there are some people who want you dead, they don't have anything to do with us, you don't think the electric shock at the pond was an accident, right? Frankly, I am shocked how you survived such a huge current, any normal person would have died on the spot, but still, you survived, I guess every fool has a fool's luck also. If you are killed by them, I will report it to my superiors. As I have not received any orders to protect you, all the best protecting yourself in the coming days." Bunny laughed as he swaggered away.