Chapter 30 A Day To Remember

”Pratham and Aparna were friends in school when Avinash got imprisoned for six years. They fell in love, Pratham proposed to Aparna, and she accepted. With her brother’s will, Aparna married Pratham. It started well. But after some time, her in-laws began taunting her. Pratham took their side as well. His temperament changed completely after marriage. She didn’t tell any of this to her father or Utkarsh and, even when Avinash came back, she hid this fact because she didn’t want Avinash to get in a new mess. She kept resisting it, all by her herself.

There was a time when Aparna’s life got back to track. Her in laws-shifted to another place, and Pratham treated her decently. But, that pure soul never knew that a storm was coming to her way.

Avinash started his job as a journalist and in some way or the other he began began to develop a conflicting relation with Lokshakti Party and Jaghdheer all because of that felon girl Chhavi. And, the bankruptcy incident of Utkarsh made Avinash expose the real face of Lokshakti Party. Then, the interview happened, which eventually led to the loss of Lokshakti Party in the elections” Ishita articulated the story. Advait wasn’t satisfied with the answer. He was curious to know more.

“This doesn’t justify the deed and the story is incomplete. Do you all have a habit of keeping things half-hidden? First, Avinash in his diary, then Chhavi, and now you. What is going on?” He got angry and irritated. He picked up a flower vase lying on the table and banged it on the floor.

This led to a little chaos, and Saanvi couldn’t really comprehend what was going on.

“I want to know the real truth. Why was Aparna badly treated? What led Avinash to choose the darkest path? Why did he commit such a heinous crime? Why are you all hiding the real story?” Advait let out a barrage of tough questions.

Ishita got up and going close to Advait, looked him in the eyes.

“Revenge is the reason behind all this. Revenge is the reason why Aparna was mistreated. Revenge is the reason why Avinash chose the darkest path. Revenge is the reason why he is on this killing spree. Revenge is the real reason behind this mystery,” Ishita said.

“The past ruins your life. No matter how much you run from it, how much you avoid it, in the end, it matters. You have read the diary. You must be aware of the kidnapping incident with Chhavi.”,

“Yes,” Advait nodded.

“The person whom Avinash shot by mistake, and because of which he went to jail. His name was Devraj Mehta, brother of Jaghdheer Mehta.” Ishita blurted out the real truth.

“What the fuck?” Advait was astonished.

“See, I told you. The past ruins your life. Pratham’s love involvement with Aparna was planned. Marrying Chhavi was planned. Utkarsh’s dubbed into fraud case was planned. And, eventually, Aparna dying before she could raise her voice was all planned. Destroying Avinash’s life, personally and professionally, was part of the plan, or shall I say, revenge.” Ishita’s voice was resounding a high voltage chill to Advait. He was utterly shocked.

“Avinash’s blood was boiling. He was completely helpless. He begged for justice everywhere. He went to the police but he was sent back. He tried to raise his voice against the Lokshakti party and he was bashed. He went to Chhavi but she folded her hands. So many setbacks in one go. His breakdown was bound to happen. You must have seen him at Aparna’s funeral. His blood was boiling. His sister, who was his whole life, was gone. He was so heartbroken, he didn’t even shed tears.” Ishita was beginning to get emotional. . She supported Avinash’s decision to fight back. There was a fire in her eyes, a fire which was yearning for revenge. Through her eyes, Advait could understand Avinash’s annulling decisions.

Advait was in apprehension. Now, he was aware of the truth. He recalled his reason for coming here. Advait had to go back quickly to India and stop Avinash’s destruction.

“Ishita, you have to come with me. We need to stop Avinash,”, He requested her.

“No. Not at all. Let him complete his mission. Let the people die, it’s all worth it.” Ishita didn’t pay any heed to him.

“Please, Ishita. Around fifty people are already dead; we can’t let him destroy the lives of innocent people.”

“But why me?”

“Because he loves you. You are the only person he would listen to.”

“I am sorry, I can’t help you anymore. You can leave.” Ishita turned down her request. Advait was afraid he was on his feet, and he finally broke the news of Utkarsh’s death

“Neither of you know that Utkarsh died last night. He was killed in an encounter,” he fell back on his last resort. On hearing this, Saanvi’s s head began to go around in circles and she fell down. Advait held her just in the nick of time. Ishita was scared and was losing her sight. He ran down to the kitchen and got her a glass of water. He sprinkled it on her and Saanvi got back to her senses, but still, she was in distress.

“Ishita, I lost my love. Don’t let the same happen to you.

Go with him, and stop Avinash,” Saanvi mumbled.

...

Since my childhood, I was always a giver. Warm and loving. I never cried and always seeked to make others happy. I lived a happy life, a peaceful one. I had everything. A small family, delighted in our own space. My mother, who loved me endlessly, my father, who was my hero, and my sweet little sister, for whom I could even die.

And most importantly, my brother-cum friend Utkarsh, to whom I owed my soul. Life was a sailing so smoothly, like a summer dance. And then, I met Chhavi, whom I loved deeply from within. I had that little spark of light that I wanted to keep on forever. I thought my future was sorted. I thought it was going to be so beautiful. But destiny had some other plans. One by one, they all kept fading away. There were times when I felt like the world was slowly disappearing from front of me.

Or maybe it was just me who was fading away. Those moments did matter to me, which I kept tackling with my small light of home. Often people sought me in times of trouble and I gave them all I had - my whole heart and showered love upon them. I came back stronger every time.

But I couldn’t fill one void in my life. The thing where I went wrong came back to haunt me and I experienced my worst fears. The black hole in my head, deep inside my soul, slowly swallowed all my hopes and dreams. That was the worst of those moments. The realization of the vacuum, the nothingness, the absurdity of my existence, and the dead body of my sister in my arms. My soul went silent and my life came to a standstill. I was feeling a chill in my blood, coldness bringing the synapses of my brain to a stop. I have never felt so worthless or disposable, never so wretched and cold. For hours I would have no emotion, only an urge to get justice; then, all at once, I’d be on the floor, shaking with grief that bled from my bones. Days became weeks and weeks became months, and in every single moment of every day, my soul asked God why this happened to me.

Those times kept me awake till dawn and made me wonder about my existence.

Maybe for me. Maybe for others. Did it matter?

And when I couldn’t find answers to my questions. I choose to go on the darkest path.

...

Ishita was now ready to go with Advait but the weather had other plans. The rough darkness sank into the marrow of one’s bones. This was followed by attacks of sand bursting on the streets and steadily making its way from one end of the city to another. The torque bolt of energy seemed uncontrollable. Originating from the desert, these sandstorms generally hit the town after some days. The sandstorm speed was around 100 km per hour, and it caused a tremendous hustle and bustle in the main highway leading to many accidents and chaos. The noise level became so intense that it rattled car windows and made each person tremble inside his chest cavity. No one seemed able to speak because fear transformed intelligible words into agonizing moans and groans. Advait had to surpass this; he only had one mission in his mind -o get back to India as soon as possible. He kept driving and he didn’t stop.

At last, they were at the airport after grinding through the dust and traffic for over two hours. However, the troubles for him ahead were no less. Advait rushed to the main counter and wanted to board the next flight to India. Ishita was along with him. The authorities weren’t listening to him. Their hands were tied too. They refused to let him aboard the flight because of the terrible weather. It made Advait upset because only a little time was left to stop Avinash before he takes out his last target. He called Debjit.

“Did you get her?”?Debjit questioned him first. ‘Yes Sir. She is with me,” Advait replied. “Bravo!”

“But Sir, we have a problem here.” Advait was anxious. “What happened?”

“All flights are canceled here, for the next six hours. The weather is going insane. Airport authorities are not listening to me and don’t know what to do.”

“Keep calm, Advait. Just wait over there. Let me do something, and I will update you,” Debjit assured him.

Debjit was having his breakfast, and along with that, he was getting ready for his duty. His wife was watching the television. On every news channel, the journalists were talking about a train launch event. ‘Bonneville Express’. The Honorable Chief Minister was to Inaugurate the train and it was set to start its first journey with around 500 passengers on board. There were 11 compartments in total and the train was a futuristic concept adapted from Japan. Very much like a bullet train, it was a modified version of the Shatabdi Express and had an average speed of 180 km/h. It offered passengers an exceptionally unique and efficient travel experience. The train was ready to make the 4-hour journey from Bombay to Thiruvanthanpuram. A lot of news channel representatives were also traveling in it to cover the story from inside. The Newsnet channel team was also present, with Vikas and Dilshan on board.

“What’s the date, Meenal?” Debjit asked, looking at the news story.

“It’s 12th of December. You don’t remember. It the launch of the Bonneville Express. A much awaited project of the Government of India. The whole of India is celebrating it like a festival.” His wife looked excited.

“Great. I am leaving. Will be a little late today,” Debjit told her and left for the headquarters. On the way, he received a call from an unknown number.

‘Debjit Bhai. Listen to me very carefully. There is a bomb on the train. I am warning you if the train goes below the speed of 100 k/m per hour, the bomb will explode. Once the

train starts its journey even I can’t stop it. Have fun. Now catch me if you can. All the very best.” the voice sounded familiar to him and and Debjit quickly analyzed that it was Avinash.

But before Debjit could reply, the call got disconnected. It scared the hell out of him. He turned his car towards the railway station where the inauguration event was taking place. He repeatedly called on the station helpline number but it was engaged. It raised more concern for him. On the way, he got stuck in a traffic jam. He was fed up. Then he saw a man on his bike. He quickly moved out of his car and requested the person to lend him his bike by showing his I-card. He hit top speed and rode off shortcutting through the narrow streets and the stagnant traffic.

He was almost there. Thirty seconds were left for the train to leave. He clinched through the entrance barrier on the main, moving ahead he went twist and turbo through the crowd, but couldn’t surpass the security checkpoint. From there, he had to run down to platform 5. He jumped off the barricade and ran at a full speed. He could see the train. Fifteen seconds were left. He thought he could quickly board it but then a luggage trolley came in front. He tried to jump through it but he fell down. The train left the platform and he was helpless.

“Fuck!” he shouted

He again received a call from an unknown number. ”I told you, you are never going to catch this one. Hope to see you on the other end.” Again it disconnected before he could say anything.

Debjit, from his language and the resounding noise from the back, was sure that he was inside the train. And he knew that he was preparing for war.

He contacted control room.

“There is a bomb on train no 2476441. Don’t stop the train. The bomb is going to explode. Around 450 people are going to die. I want to change the direction of the train.” The entire control room was overtaken by a collective anxiety on hearing this.

Debjit soon got there with his team.

...

The evil dark will follow you through your primitive drive. Any hunter will go for the weak spot of an animal, and that’s your weakness. First, they will trigger you, impulse you, and then put you down. For a moment, you will fear for your life, but you can always choose to retaliate. My mom always said morality and wickedness are the two important battles to win in our lives. The first battle of morality is when we fight with ourselves, to become a veritable master. The second battle of wickedness is fought to alter the social ether, the ego, and to compete with others. To become a criminal. My life has been the same. I have been gambling in my life. Because when I lost my baby sister, destiny had me cleared. I vowed to choose wickedness. I chose the darkest chapter of my life.

Hatred was all that was left in me. When I buried her with my own hands, her eyes closed. I kissed her before she got covered by soil, and after that one final touch, love left my body forever. Without it, all I can focus on is revenge. I want them dead, all of them, every last one who killed her. My blood was boiling. I couldn’t cut their throat or blow them off. I had no idea then for long this pain would last. All I had in my head was to retaliate.

It was time for a bloody carnage. You crossed the line, and I didn’t forget. I pledged to God that I wouldn’t rest until I succeed – even if I am beaten down or dead. I will fight till the end. There isn’t a place you can hide. I will find you and destroy you. I don’t care how it happens. I need your cold black eyes extinguished from this universe. You may think it sounds funny but you underestimated how much I loved my sister. Don’t think I’ll play by “the rules” either because I now play for revenge.