Chapter 6

Haad had arrived at the furniture shop. He had to cut wood from the forest again today. There were three more people in the forest with Haad.

“Hey, Nasir! Did you keep the gun with you? You forgot yesterday” One person asked someone.

“Yes, brother! I have it.” Nasir grabbed the gun and showed it to him. Haad carefully looked at that weapon by which a man had shot him before.

“Oh. They call it the gun,” he muttered. He wanted to know more about this weapon.

“Why are you taking this with you?” He asked in such a way that no one would suspect that he knew nothing about the gun.

“It’s … we face dangerous animals in the forest, that's why we carry a gun to protect ourselves. And sometimes we encounter robbers,” Nasir told him.

“Robber?” Haad said, raising his eyebrows. He wanted to know more

“Yes, the robbers attack the people in the forest and loot their money but they do not come to the population area because the army posts are close here. This area is under their protection,” Nasir described him. He shook his head. Haad remembered the time he used to order the army to protect this area.

They all were sitting in a truck. Haad and Nasir were in the cabin of the truck. Nasir was in the driver’s seat while Haad was in the front seat. The truck started and walked towards the forest.

“My son is also in the army. His duty is on the Siachen Glacier,” he said. Haad knew how difficult it is to live in Siachen.

“Your son is brave,” he complimented cheerfully. Nasir was happy.

“You are very brave too. You would also go to the army. Cutting wood is the job of ordinary people.” Nasir was aware of his bravery and power. Haad smiled a little. He was an army commander in the past. He still wanted to be a soldier, but now it seemed impossible.

“Actually, the situation is not favorable, otherwise I would have preferred the army in terms of profession,” he said softly.

“Hmm. That’s right. Nowadays, you have to work hard to join the army. Education and age limits have also been set,” Nasir said. Haad remained silent. He was totally unfamiliar with this era.

“Where are you from?” Nasir suddenly asked and he got confused. He was from here but he had shown himself to be a traveler in front of him.

“I …” He thought of an area bordering Gilgit-Baltistan. He remembered once he had gone to Kashmir for a trip.

“I am from Kashmir,” he said.

“Oh good from which city?” Nasir asked another question. He was badly confused.

“Srinagar.” He thought for a moment and then replied. Nasir looked at him in wonder. He swallowed. Did he say something wrong?

“Are you from India? ” he asked but haad did not know this name. he

“I don’t understand what you’re saying,” Haad faltered.

“What? You don’t understand? Which era do you belong to?” Nasir said in surprise. Haad looked here and there and thought of a story.

“Actually, when I was little, I was abducted by a witcher and imprisoned in a cave. I have spent twenty-five years of my life in this prison and knew nothing about the circumstances outside. Now, When the witcher died, I was released from prison. I heard the names of Kashmir and Srinagar from the witcher and said the same thing to you. But the fact is that I do not know where I live.” he told him this false story secretly and with embarrassment. The story was still somewhat believable, but what happened to haad seemed a myth. No one had to believe this story.

“Oh!” Nasir stared at him in amazement for a while then took a deep breath.

“I’m so sorry to hear about you. You’ve lost half your life in prison.” Nasir said sympathetically, Haad put more pain on his face.

“Yeah, but what can I do? I don’t even know which century it is. “ At the same time, he asked what he meant.

“This is the twenty-first century.” When Nasir told him, he was astonished. He was in the seventeenth century; Meaning he had been imprisoned in a stone statue for four centuries. He started asking questions to Nasir to get more information about the current era.

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Shortly after leaving Haad, Anna left her room and started walking around the palace. The palace had many corridors and rooms. Its map was like a maze. Anna was moving with fear and curiosity. And she was fascinated by this magnificent building. After looking at several rooms, she came to a large hall in the middle of the building, which looked like a court. The large entrance door opened onto the outside. She thought she had been here before once, but could not remember when. Looking at the walls, she suddenly saw a picture with a portrait of a wolf. She was startled. She remembered the moment when the wolf ran towards her and jumped on her. The fear she had been hiding for so long had now spread throughout her body. It seemed to her that the wolf would come out of the picture and eat her. She staggered back. Then a flashback cane in her mind. She held the hand of a statue and the statue came in the form of a living man. It was just a vision of a moment. She did not recognize Haad’s face, screamed in fear, and fainted.

………………..

Sanan was sitting in his office looking at an important file when there was a knock on the door.

“Come in,” he said in a busy tone. Aman opened the door and entered.

“Got any news?” Sanan asked, looking at Aman.

“Yes sir. You guessed right. He’s a really weird person.” Aman sat down in the chair in front of him, turned on his phone, and played the recording. That was the conversation between Haad and Nasir which they did in the truck. Aman had put an audio bug device on their truck and recorded the entire conversation. Sanan listened to the recording thoughtfully. He couldn’t believe the story which Haad told.

“He’s lying.” He spoke with certainty.

“But Sir, it could be so.” Aman was a little convinced of that.

“From the way he speaks, it looks like he’s lying.” Everyone or Nasir could believe this story, but not Sanan.

“Then?”

“The matter looks like something else. What else did you find out?” He said.

“His whereabouts are known. He lives in an ancient fort in the eastern forest. Now he is in a mall, surprisingly, he is also buying women’s clothes.” Aman reported. sanan was surprised.

“What do you mean? There’s a girl with him?”

“The girl seems to be in the palace where he lives,” Aman guessed.

“But he is a stranger here and according to him, he has been in the custody of a witcher. So where did the girl come from? You try to find out who the girl is and what he has to do with her. or he kidnapped any girl. “ He ordered

“Okay, let me find out.” Aman got up and left the room. While Sanan started thinking that who is Haad.

“By any chance, is he a wild man?” When this thought came to Sanan’s mind, he shook his head.

……………..

Haad bought the clothes for himself and Anna with the money he got today and when he came home, he was shocked to see Anna unconscious in the hall. He threw the shopping bags there and ran towards Anna.

“Anna!” He grabbed her by the shoulders and patted her on the cheek, but she did not regain consciousness. Haad picked her up in both arms, quickly brought her into a room, and laid her on the bed. Then he ran and fetched water from the kitchen and sprinkled it on Anna’s face. Anna’s eyebrows shrank. She began to regain consciousness.

“Anna!” He called Anna anxiously. Some visions flashed in Anna’s mind as she regained consciousness. Pictures of the wolf and statue came before her eyes. She sat up screaming.

“Anna. What happened to you?” He asked confusedly.

“That … the wolf … and that … the statue …” Anna was stammering. Haad remained silent. Anna fainted in fear because of him.

“There’s no wolf and statue. Look, I’m with you. No one can harm you,” he assured her. But Anna was also afraid of him either. She began to cry helplessly. She could not express her desire to go to her mother even though she wanted to.

“Anna! Why are you crying?” Haad asked angrily

“I’m scared,” she said in a soaked voice.

“Why are you scared?” Haad asked. Anna could not answer. He was one of the reasons for her fear. Haad knew by her silence what she was thinking. He was ashamed of himself. But he couldn’t let Anna go. He took a deep breath and released Anna slowly. Over time, Anna will begin to trust him. She will feel safe with him when he does her no harm. He was thinking. He was right, but to gain Anna’s trust, he should have expressed his love for Anna, but he didn’t know it.

“Get up and sit on the couch.” He said seriously. Anna got up and sat on the sofa wiping away her tears. Haad picked up the shopping bags and put some shopping bags in front of her.

“I bought some clothes for you.” He said. Anna quietly looked at the shopping bags but did not touch them.

“Check it out. They are ok or not?” Haad ordered.. She reluctantly pulled the dress out of the shopping bag. There were four dresses.

“All right.” Anna was surprised. The clothes were of her size and very beautiful. But at the time, she was depressed. The beauty of these clothes did not please her.

“Go to the room and relax.” When he said that, Anna got up quietly with the clothes and left.

“I don’t know when will you love me?” Haad muttered sadly.

…………………..

As evening approached, clouds began to appear in the sky. In a short time, it started to rain. Anna was sitting in her room when she heard the sound of raindrops falling. She loved that sound and the rain. Her heart filled with joy. She got up and entered the corridor through the back door. The drops falling in the pool of water were making round waves of water with a beautiful melody. She stared at the scene in dim light for several moments. There was only one place where she could get wet in the rain. Anna went there. When the raindrops fell on her body, she closed her eyes with ease. At that moment she forgot all her worries. She had reached somewhere else. Slowly her whole body got wet. Her wet hair stuck to her cheeks. She looked like a statue of a beautiful goddess and Haad’s heart stopped beating when he saw this scene. Such a beautiful and complete scene he had never seen before. He confessed. He was approaching her slowly step by step. He stopped a short distance away and looked fixedly at her. Anna was completely unaware of his presence. After a while, she opened her eyes, spread her arms, and started walking around, smiling. Haad thought that her circular rounds were more beautiful than any other dance in the world. Suddenly she approached him by turning around. Haad came in front of her and she became stilled like a statue. She began to look at him with tears in her eyes. Her heart was pounding with fear. Before she could get back, Haad grabbed her by the arm and pulled her close to him. She screamed lightly and put her hand on his chest. Haad was watching her reddened frightened face with affection. He fell for her once again. His grip had intensified.

“H... Haad!” Anna called him trembling. But Haad watched her silently. Anna looked into his eyes. Her heart skipped a beat. There was a fire of love in Haad’s eyes.

“Marry me, Anna!” He said in a loving and passionate tone. Anna’s heart was pounding. She looked at Haad in surprise. That man looking like a prince could be the ideal of any girl. Anna, like other girls, dreamed of a prince. Haad was perfect for her but he was cruel. He had taken her away from her mother and kept her with him forcibly. If she disobeyed any of his orders, he could have killed her mother. She looked away from Haad’s face in a strange state and began to look around with trembling eyelashes.

“Look at me, Anna!” Haad said in a commanding tone and she started looking at him.

“Will you marry me?” He asked sternly. Anna had no choice. She nodded his head slightly in affirmation. There was a beautiful smile on Haad’s lips. He held Anna’s head to his chest.

“Thank you,” he whispered in Anna’s ear.

………………..

The next day the sun had risen. Haad had gone to work. He was following by two men. Noman followed him while abad stopped to inspect his house. After Haad left, abad climbed a tree, jumped over the walls of the palace, and came inside. Seeing the surrounding scenery he was impressed, he began to move forward. The front door was locked. And Haad had the key. Abad left the door and started looking for a window which he soon found. He came in through the window. It was an empty room. When Abad came out of the room, a corridor appeared in front of him in which there were doors of many rooms. Abad walked to check all the rooms. Most of them were empty. One room was furnished. Abad checked it and found man’s clothes in the wardrobe. But no girl’s clothes were there. He had to find the girl. He tried to open the front door of that room, but it was locked. He felt that there was a girl in this room. He knocked on the door. Anna, who was sitting inside, looked at the door in a panic. She knew that haad could have opened the door himself but there was someone else knocking on the door. She remembered the moment when someone was strangling her. Did anyone come to kill her now? As soon as this thought came, her heart began to stop beating with fear. And sweat came on her face. She was breathing heavily. At that moment, her heart prayed that haad would be there.

“Is anyone here?” The voice of a stranger boy came from outside. Anna could not answer.

“Please answer me.” Again his voice came.

“Who are you?” Anna barely dared to ask.

“I am a friend. I will not harm you. I have just come to talk to you. Open the door,” said Abad.

“I won’t open it,” Anna said.

“Okay. Then answer from here.” Abad said in disappointment. Anna thought what he wanted to ask.

“What is your name?”

“Anna,” her voice was low.

“Has anyone imprisoned you here?” She was surprised at Abad’s question. But she could not answer yes. She was helpless for her mother.

“No, no.” Her tone contradicted her words. Abad got confused.

“Okay. What relation do you have with Haad?” Abad asked again. Anna did not have the answer. She got quiet.

“Speak,” said Abad, and she became annoyed.

“I don’t know. Who are you? Why are you asking me questions? Get out of here,” she said angrily. Abad stared at the door in surprise. She did not know if she had any relation with Haad or if she was trying to get rid of Abad. Maybe that’s the reason. It was useless to ask her anything more now. He went back and reported to Aman and Aman then reported to Sanan. Sanan found the girl’s attitude a bit strange.

……………………..

Haad cut a thick trunk of a tree and carried it to the truck. There was already a lot of wood in the truck. The work was almost complete. They were about to leave. Haad got on the truck and put the heavy wooden trunk in one place. He was standing upright when his sixth sense signaled danger. Confusedly, he got out of the truck. At some distance, some men masking their faces came out from behind trees and pointed guns at them.

“All of you stop. No cleverness.” A masked man shouted. They all got stilled in their places. Haad understood that they were bandits. There were ten in numbers and they had guns in their hands, while Haad’s comrades had only one gun which was lying inside the truck at that time and they are lesser in number than bandits.

“Raise your hands and sit down on your knees.” The commander of the bandits ordered, then all of them, including Haad, mechanically raised their hands and sat down on their knees. Haad felt very disgraceful. He looked at the man with red eyes and thought of taking revenge on him. He just wanted a chance when they would lower their guns. He was also worried about his colleagues. Haste could have hurt them too. One bullet in a gun is enough to kill a person. Haad knew this very well now. He was WereWolf. His Healing power was very high but everyone else was a normal person. Haad was helpless because of them.

A robber gestured to two of his comrades, who chained their hands behind their backs and began to check their pockets. Some money came out of everyone’s pockets but Haad’s pocket was empty.

“Hey, you don’t have anything?” The robber asked Haad angrily.

“No.” Haad looked away in disgust. That person got angry. He went ahead and punched Haad in the face. It was nothing to Haad. But Nasir was very upset.

“Mister! This is a poor man. He has nothing.” He spoke quickly.

“I have a lot of money but I will not give it to them.” Haad made a plan in his mind and immediately said that everyone was shocked.

“Won’t you?” He started hitting him with his gun. Haad’s head was injured. Haad stared at the robber’s companions, but they were pointing their guns at him. After being beaten for a while, he pretended to give up.

“Wait. I’ll give you all the money. Don’t beat me.” He took a deep breath and the robber smiled triumphantly.

“Where’s the money?”

“Somewhere in this forest I’ve buried my money,” he said confidently. The robber stared at him suspiciously for a while. Then he said:

“Where?”

“I can tell you by going there myself,” Haad shrugged.

“Hey. you stay here and all four of you come with me.” The robber told his five comrades to stay there and took the other four and got ready to go with Haad. Haad told them a direction. His companions watched him in amazement and confusion. They were suspicious of Haad’s mental state but Nasir knew that Haad was playing a game.

Haad came a long way with these robbers, he reviewed them and started working on the next part of his plan. He looked around as if looking for something. The robbers were watching him intently.

“Where’s the money?” He asked in a thunderous voice

“Let me remember,” Haad grimaced, looking around. And then he began to walk again. The robbers started walking along with him. Their focus was now on money. And the guns were down. Haad seized the opportunity and with a jerk broke the chain of his hand. He turned towards a robber. Before the robber aimed at him, Haad grabbed the gun from the front, pulled it, and aimed at the robber. The robber’s comrades were shocked. The game was over now and they couldn’t do anything. The robber’s face had turned yellow with fear.

“Throw down your weapons,” Haad shouted, forcing his comrades to drop their weapons. Haad hit the robber in the head with the gun, knocking him unconscious, and beat all of them before they could recover. Someone was kicked and someone was punched. They were all helpless at his single stroke. In a few moments, they were all unconscious laying on the ground. Haad picked up the robber’s guns and walked back. He now had to save his comrades. He came to the place where his companions were tied up. The robber’s comrades were still watching them. When Haad’s companions saw him, their faces lit up. Haad put his finger on his lips and gestured them to be quiet. He walked carefully behind a man and placed the gun on his head. He became still. All of the gangster’s comrades were confused and pointed their guns at him, but Haad told them to drop their weapons. They had to obey Haad, otherwise, his companion would have died who was a key member of their gang.

After throwing their weapons, Haad first knocked him unconscious at which he had aimed a gun before. Then he overcame all of them very quickly without giving them a chance. All of Haad’s comrades were watching him with surprise, joy, and admiration on their faces. This was not a big deal for Haad. He was the commander of his time. He knew how to fight with his hands and feet, without a weapon.

“Wow. Wonderful. You saved all of us.” Everyone praised him and he started to untie their hands.

“Where are the rest of the people?” Nasir asked.

“I beat them some distance away. They are all unconscious,” Haad reported.

“What do we have to do with all of them now?” One asked.

“Kill them all. They are snakes. If they are left injured, they will attack us again and will not leave us alive next time,” said Nasir. A man brought a gun from the truck and shot them all. And then with Haad, he went to shoot their other comrades, whom Haad had left at a distance. When they reached there, one of them was missing. Everyone, including Haad, was anxious. The other four were also killed and buried there.

…………………