Chapter 32 Back Time

Vikas and Nirvaan were now on the run. Both of them divided the task between themselves. Nirvaan went on to look in the first four compartments and Vikas looked in the remaining ones. They both kept looking for a clue and checking passenger’s bags. Every passenger was in a state of confusion., They couldn’t pinpoint any person who was acting strange. The passengers were afraid and they wanted to get out of this mess. Even after trying very hard, neither of them could find a single person they could suspect. Both of them then, rejoined in the 2nd compartment asking for any possible target. They shook their head. And then, suddenly, they heard a loud horn coming from an adjoining rail track. Debjit was here, and the rescue train was ready to do the job. Debjit was carrying a remote control, he clicked a button of it and the 3rd compartment main entrance door opened. His team then pulled out an escalated chamber which Vikas and Nirvaan attached to the train. Debjit connected a path so that people could easily walk off and get inside the other train.

On the count of three, they started the process. As planned, they started to slowly evacuate the women and children first from the 3rd and 4th chambers. It was going smoothly. People were apprehensive at first to get through but, with the help of the officials, they were walking swiftly. A lot of noise was created near the transport chamber. Every passenger wanted to go through first. Debjit came up with an idea to fasten the process. He then opened the 5th, 6th and 7th compartment doors and attached the remaining chambers to quickly evacuate the passengers. Debjit and his team managed to pull off the task quite beautifully. But then, a little trouble came up. Almost everyone was transported but they received a signal from the control room that parallel tracks were now diverging. Debjit was in a hurry now. He didn’t have any time to close the chamber. They still had a task to de-attach the remaining train compartments. Only 30 seconds were left. Debjit rapidly moved out of the comfort zone to get inside the train with his team member. They all took a high jump.

Four of them, including Debjit, successfully landed. The chambers hit the post following the diversion leading to a massive crash. It sounded like a bomb had exploded. Debjit thank god, as he saw that there were no casualties on either side, but one person was hanging on the broken chamber part which had gotten stuck to the main door. Debjit was far from that scene when Nirvaan intervened and supported the person by extending his hand to pull him inside. Vikas followed Nirvaan. He held Nirvaan’s leg to raise his support to the person and they successfully moved the person in. Debjit rushed to the spot and helped all of them to resettle in. He thanked Nirvaan for saving his team member’s life.

“Don’t worry, Sir. It’s my duty.” He shook his hands.

Vikas then introduced himself.

“Pleasure meeting you.” Debjit found Nirvaan to be a firm and capable person.

“Vikas, did you find him?” Debjit asked.

“I am sorry to say, Sir, but I was unable to.” Vikas hung his head down.

Control Room

“Everything going good, officers?” Jivin asked.

“Yes Sir. They have safely evacuated the middle compartments. Debjit is now moving to the next step,” one of them replied.

“Great.”

“We have diverted all the trains, right? I am sure the track is clear.”

“Yes Sir.”

“Beautiful. I hope Debjit finds him as well.”

Inside the Train

“We tried a lot but couldn’t locate him,” Vikas informed, as they were moved towards the back compartments.

“What the hell! He must be here,” Debjit grunted.

“Sir, he might have gone as we were evacuating the passengers. In fact, he might be among them,” Nirvaan said.

“No, he is not going out like this. My gut says that he is still inside the train. I can feel it,” Debjit said.

Then, the trio went to the back compartments with the rest of the team members. The remaining people were transported to the chambers and Debjit instructed them well with all the precaution measures. They got the equipments ready and fixed on to the intersection point between the two trains. Then, Debjit swiftly started to turn the round paddle between the compartments. He turned it with his full strength, and it automatically started to balance the hinges. Debjit told his rescue team members to join the passengers and ensure their safety. As advised by Debjit, all five of them joined the passengers. The compartments started to go off. However, the mission was not accomplished yet. Nirvaan told them he was going back to the driver coach to check on him.

“Sir, he might be among these passengers too,” Vikas said, as the compartments were slowly parting of the track.

“He might or might not be. But for now, we have to save these innocent lives first. I’m sure of one thing. He will not leave cowardly. He is here. I can feel it.” Debjit was confident.

Control Room

“Sir, they did it. Mission Accomplished.” An officer announced.

“Bravo! Well done Debjit!” Jivin tipped in excitement. However, he controlled his nerves as Debjit had to still look out for Avinash.

“All going good? any problem at all?” Jivin was curious. “Yes, everything went good, they have successfully

separated the back compartments.”

Jivin was at peace. He was happy. Even though they didn’t find Avinash, they saved many innocent lives. But a problem jumped in.

“Sir, I am sorry to say but there is a problem again,” an officer told him.

“What happened?” Jivin asked

“An unknown train coach at a speed of 40km per hour is coming from the opposite direction of the exchange line and it can lead to a crash between the trains.”

“Fuck!”

“Have you informed its driver?”

“Sir, we can’t maintain contact with him. That’s why this trouble arose.”

The officer was looking at the graphic feed to know its exact location. He looked for a possible way in which the crash could be avoided.

“How far is the train?” Jivin asked “10 minutes, sir.”

“Okay, Inform this to Debjit. Their lives are at a risk, they have to avoid it.”

“Sir, according my calculations, this train is gonna hit the other at Number Four Compartment,” the officer sounded firm.

“If your calculations are exact, then let it happen, because the train is empty. We will shift everyone to the 2nd compartment for safety.”, Jivin instructed.

Jivin thought it was essential to tell Debjit about the crash. He conveyed the message to Debjit through the portable phone. At that time, Vikas and Debjit were in the 4th compartment only and Debjit was feeling dejected as they could not find Avinash. Moreover, he was gloomy that he wouldn’t get any clue to locate his daughter either. He thought that it might be a bluff from Avinash in his warning letter when he said that his daughter was with him. Vikas was helpless as he couldn’t do anything for Debjit.

When Jivin told him about the crash, Debjit moved out of the compartment and headed to the driver’s coach to discuss the escape strategy with him. As they entered the 2nd compartment, they both saw a man standing there. Debjit was clueless as to why he was there as they had evacuated the passengers. Then how come he was left out. He was standing with his back turned. Debjit asked him to turn. He slowly turned his face back. Debjit didn’t recognize the person nor did Vikas. The person looked strange with tattoos all over his body.

“Who are you and what are you doing here?”, Debjit asked, infuriated. Before Debjit could say something again or the man could reply to him, Debjit’s phone rang. He took it out from his pocket and told Vikas to monitor him. Advait was on the call.

“Fuck me again! I completely forgot about him.” Debjit was going mad now.

“Sir, we are here and are ready to land on the fourth compartment of the train. I have told the driver to do as you said,” Advait told him.

“No, no, don’t land here, Advait,” Debjit shouted in tension, but due to a network problem and a lot of disturbance, Advait couldn’t get what Debjit was trying to say.

“Shit, shit, shit, shit,” Debjit couldn’t control his emotions

“What happened, Sir?” Vikas asked him, as he didn’t have any idea what was going on.

“It’s my junior. He is going to land his helicopter on the fourth compartment. And that’s gonna be blasted out into ashes.” Tension was flooring in for Debjit and everyone.

“How much time is left?” “2 minutes, I guess.”

“Is he alone or is there anyone else with him?” Vikas asked. Meanwhile, Nirvaan also joined them.

“Ishita Kapoor is also in the helicopter,” Debjit groaned, which caused Nirvaan a sudden panic. His face turned pale like a whitewash. He was trembling now. Tension grew in his face and limbs. His breathing became rapid and shallow. He was growing through a hurricane of thoughts inside his head. He immediately ran towards the 3rd coach and grabbed the broken escalated chamber attached to the main door. He started to climb up the train. He was waging like a warrior. The train was traveling at a speed of 110km per hour and any mishap could have led to his death. But he managed to climb up again the heavy wind and when reached the top, Debjit and Vikas saw him peeping through the window. Now, he was walking towards the 4th coach where the helicopter was to land.

Nirvaan could see the red colored chopper coming from above. He could also see the old coach coming from a distance. The moment the helicopter landed, he called out her name louder than ever.

“Ishita!”, His voice was rebounding even in the dense wind. Ishita saw him and she jumped on to the roof. Nirvaan ran towards her and held her hand before Advait could help her out. They both ran to the top of the 3rd compartment. Debjit was going out of his mind. He was in a deep shock as he watched Nirvaan shuffle between the chambers. Advait, also ran behind them, removing his safety jacket. He tried to help the driver out, but it was too late. He had to run on his own for his life and he ran as quickly as he could.

Meanwhile, Debjit tied the rope through the main door to the window. To provide the support on which they could quickly come down. The unknown coach was here, and it crashed. The moment the trains collided, Debjit assumed they all will die. Smoke engulfed the area. The helicopter blades hit the corner and tilted towards the roof. The whole 4th coach was burning down and the fire spread to the 3rd coach as well. Debjit was feeling like his lungs were caving in… The entire event was taking place in front of his eyes. He went static. He thought everything was over.

After about fifteen seconds, he heard a buzzing noise Vikas heard it too. When the smoke eroded, he saw Nirvaan hanging on the rope with Ishita, while Advait moved forward to the roof of the 2nd coach. Vikas extended his hand and safely held him inside the train. Ishita was in Nirvaan’s arms. He hugged her and kissed her on the forehead. Debjit gave his support to Advait, and he was also inside the train now. Everyone was safe now. Vikas went close to Debjit and Advait standing near the corner of the 2nd compartment to the right while Nirvaan and Ishita stood on the left, near the exit of the 2nd compartment leading to the driver’s coach.

“Here we go again, Avinash Sampath. Or should I say Nirvaan Sharma?” Debjit took out his gun and pointed it at them.

“I am glad you can recognize me. Better late than never,” Nirvaan chuckled. He removed his disguise and showed his real face.

“You have become a master of all trades,” Debjit praised him.

“Well, thank you Bhai. It’s all because of you.” Avinash stood up along with Ishita. He hid her behind a passenger seat, and also took out his gun.

“It’s been six months now that we have been looking for you. Finally, we have got you,” Debjit firmed his hands on the gun trigger. And, handed a gun to Advait too. Debjit was expecting a tough fight.

“Yeah, I have been planning a surprise for you, Avinash sighed and called out someone. The same man with tattoos came up from the driver’s coach with a little girl in his hands, whose hands were tied and mouth was covered. The girl was none other than Debjit’s daughter, Myra. On seeing her Debjit’s eyes filled up with tears. He was looking for her for almost five months now. He was growing emotional. He was feeling relaxed from within that his daughter was alive because he and his wife had lost all hope to find her.

“Avinash, How could you?” Debjit’s emotions were all jagged, it was draining him internally. Avinash didn’t reply. He just smiled and asked him to put the gun down.

“Please leave my daughter. What do you want?” Debjit begged.

“Immunity papers,” Avinash said.

“Okay, it’s in my bag.” Debjit took out some papers from his bag which was lying inside the equipment box. He showed it to him. They made the deal. Advait was on the way to hand over the papers to Avinash, on the opposite Avinash ordered the tattoo man to walk with Debjit’s daughter for the exchange. On one hand, Advait gave him the papers and the man handed him the girl. The immunity papers were now in the hands of the tattooed man when Debjit shouted Advait’s name. In a quick reflex, Advait jumped in the air and took out a small pistol from his socks. He targeted the tattooed guy and shot him on the forehead. The immunity papers in his hands fell down and with a gust of wind flew out of the train coach. Avinash fired back at Advait. However, the bullet didn’t hit him but injured Debjit’s left arm. Vikas was just behind Debjit. Advait backed up while he was trying to save the girl. He let go of the girl so she could find a way to her Dad. The tattooed man was down. Advait fired back, but all his shots went in vain as Avinash was wearing a bulletproof jacket inside. But, one bullet grazed off his neck. Avinash was injured but still on his toes. Then he took a stance and went on gun-blazing and hit Advait several times on his whole body.

“Advait!” Debjit screamed. Advait was bleeding profusely and barely breathing. Debjit handed over Myra to Vikas and ran towards Advait. He supported him as he was falling down the rail ground.

“Sorry Sir” Advait said with difficulty, and close his eyes.

He was dead.

Debjit picked up his gun and fired at Ishita. Avinash held her hand and ran towards the exit of the coach. Debjit was firing nonstop like a mad-man. Then, the train went through a tunnel, bathe didn’t stop. He kept firing. He couldn’t see where the bullets were hitting but he kept firing till he ran out of ammunition.

...

Debjit was looking for Avinash and Ishita in the train but they were nowhere to be seen. He searched for them thoroughly but couldn’t find any trace of them. Vikas was also looking for them when he noticed the whole 3rd compartment was missing. He called Debjit to see the scene. They both saw that the 3rd compartment slowly moving back. Avinash had managed to escape once again. Debjit couldn’t believe his eyes, couldn’t believe that he took out the whole third compartment. He was shocked.

“What the hell?” Debjit was in deep remorse, he was cursing himself. He blamed himself as to why he ordered Advait to shoot. He was in pure regret and going nuts over his poor decision.

“Shit, how did he just do that thing,” Vikas said.

Debjit realizing it was his mistake blamed himself for it. “I am responsible. I got a, chance and I lost it.” Debjit

said.

“Sir, Avinash managed to escape. We also need to get

out of this mess.” Vikas said. Debjit picked up his phone and called Jivin for help. Jivin told them about the exit plan. The train tracks were changed. It was not going to hit the dead- end built the ocean in ten minutes. They had to jump into the water before the train could hit the post. Debjit made all the preparations for the significant jump. He asked Vikas to wear a life jacket and also gave one to his daughter. He asked the driver to place a heavy thing on the accelerator of the engine and to keep it going.

All of them gathered near the main door. Debjit could see the ocean now, and they were ready to jump. On the count of 3,2,1, they set the perfect timing to dive into the water. The train broke the post, and it led to a huge blast. The remains of the train were jugging inside the ocean. Everyone dipped underwater, to save themselves from the debris.

After ten minutes, everybody was swimming safely and were soon rescued by a team of divers. Vikas, Debjit, and Myra were exhaled a deep breath of relief. The danger was over. The divers took out the dead body of Advait. Debjit was grieving for his junior, his friend, sitting near his body with his daughter.

“Myra, you are alright??” Debjit asked.

“Yes, Dad. I am good. I wanted to tell you something.” Myra said, in a low sweet voice.

“Yes, my love?”

“You are the best dad in the whole world, I love you,” Myra spoke her heart out. Debjit was delighted to see her back. He tightly hugged her and kissed her.

“I love you too.”