On their way to Raghav's place, silence prevailed in the car.
Sanyukta was sitting behind sandwiched between Sahil and Vidushi while Randhir and Parth were sitting at the front, Parth behind the steering wheel. ...Each of them was lost in his own thoughts. Sanyukta's thoughts obviously went to her daughter, to Karan, to Randhir and to all those person she would be leaving behind if the worst came to the worst... but then, her thoughts went to the hundreds of innocent children her one live could save. Human trafficking was the world's fastest growing criminal enterprise with 32 billion-a-year dollars' worth global industry. Lamentable.
How could a human being stoop so low as to enslave his own kind... How could a f*cking human decide who's live was worth enjoying and who's was worse enslaving ?! Who the f*ck were they to proclame themselves above the others ?!!! Who the f*ck did they think they were ?!!! She internally screamed in anger. NO ONE ! They were no-f*cking-one ! Worse ! They were below everyone for they had no moral, no law, no limits... they were nothing.
Her heart ached thinking about these monsters' victims. Those young children, robbed of their innocence and thrown in a world for of violence and misery. Those young children abused and beaten while they should have been playing and studying... neglected while they should have been bathing in care... Today she was given the opportunity to do something for them... she was given a chance to make them feel something else than hurt, sadness and despair... to hope, to smile... those thoughts chased away any doubt she still had in her mind... her goal was clear ! She was doing that for them !
Ha ! Explain that to her nervous system ! ...While her goal was clear and her intentions were unwavering, her mental state was far from it...The neurons, the glia and other little cells composing her nervous system were bouncing up and down, pushing and hitting each other... generating and sending confusing and contradicting signals to her body. The agitation was making her feel itchy, she didn't feel like staying still, she wanted to move...like right know bouncing and swinging from tree to tree like an ape seemed like a thrilling idea.
Not to mention the atmostphear in the car...the tension was at its peek... it was not helping her anxiety at all.
Now would be a good time to crake a joke, thought Sanyukta.
Unfortunately at this moment nothing was coming to her mind... the fear of the impending danger was messing up with her brain... All she could think was Holy crap ! I'm gonna die ! Crap ! Crap ! Crap ! As truth be told, these hours might very well be her last as a living, breathing and talking person... she wondered what a person was supposed to in this kind of situation... when you knew you could die in a few hours ?... what were you do you in between ? How were you supposed to react ? Pray ? Get one last taste of your favorite ice cream ? Ask for forgiveness for your wrong doings ? Freak out ? Enjoy every minute ? Chill out ? Feed your fish one last time ? nervously wait the end of your story ? ... There were so many scenarios, she sighed.
Then a thought struck her. There was one thing a dying person just HAD to do before crossing the line ! One very important thing !
Write a will !
Her eyes grew wide, she didn't have a will... she never thought she needed one this early in her life... but sh*t she needed one now !
"OMG" Sanyukta gasped suddenly, gathering the attention of everyone in the car.
"What ?" answered an alarmed Vidushi.
"What happened ?" seconded Sahil, worried that they had forgotten something important for their mission.
"The will !" she screeched. "I don't have a will !" she panicked.
The car went silent. Sahil and Vidushi looked at her like she had grown two heads and Randhir glared at her form the rear view mirror.
"Oh" awkwardly said Vidushi.
"Guys ! guys guys guys, I think you don't understand ! ...I don't have a will, this is serious ! ...How can you stay idle ? " she insisted looking at each of them.
"Wait... do you guys have a will ?" she asked them. "I mean with you... with you being you know always under tough circumstances... you have that covered right ?...and what about life insurances ? ...those are must !" she rambled on not noticing that the gangsters were giving her funny looks.
"We don't have a will Sanyukta" said Sahil, cutting her short.
"Omg this can't be ! You guys are loaded ! You cannot not one !"
"Honestly we never thought about it" said Vidushi.
"You can't be serious, you guys know how it is when you don't have a will, right ? people around fight against each other to get the biggest piece... kitchen politics, devious schemes and even murders...sad but true." she explained...at least that's what she had gathered through all the serials she had watched, the reading of the will was a pretty big affair.
" It is important to have will... avoids all the unnecessary drama." she told them.
"Okey let's state our will" she told them. And here is her distraction.This was the best way to ease some of tension. They will thank her later...well if there is a later, that is...
"Okey" chirped Sahil and Vidushi while Randhir sighed.
"Okey leave all the technical details to me, signatures, dates, witness and all, I will take care of that, you guys just state your will." she explained them "...starting with you Sahil" she turned toward him.
"Hmmm..." Sahil scratched his neck. "I don't know...everything to my parents I guess" he said thinking.
"Ahan...anything else you want leg to someone else ?" asked Sanyukta.
"Nah, that will be all" he dismissed her and looked away...probably thinking about his family.
"Okey noted then. You Vidushi ?" she turned the other way around.
"I will donate half to parents and the other half to any association that helps woman in needs" affirmed Vidushi.
"Done, anything else ?" asked Sanyu.
"Yeah...ummm I would like to give...to give you my mother's necklace...in case something happens to me..." she said meekly. "I'd be very happy if you took it...you are the closes thing I have to a friend...to a sister..." she finished.
Sanyukta stopped what she was doing crushed Vidushi in her arms, hugging her tightly. She stayed liked that a few second and pulled away "Love you too darling" she winked at her.
"Ok, next, Parth ?" she asked him.
After a long silence he replied. "I have no one..." he shrugged.
Sanyukta awkwardly shifted in her seat. Right. "Still where you want your money to go if ummm... if something happened to you ?" she tried.
"To Randhir" he replied. Randhir looked at Parth for a few seconds before looking out of the window... even though you didn't see it openly everyday...you knew these two had walked a long bumpy path together.
Sanyukta wanted to add, what if something happened to Ranhdir ?... but she couldn't find the courage to say it. She rapidly scribbled a few charity's names on her notebook just in case...
Then she proceeded to write her own will, she spit things between Tara, Karan and a few associations, equally distributing her little fortune...finally she closed her notebook.
"There ! Done"
"You didn't ask boss' will" noted sahil.
"That's because I revoked his right to die" she answered him, while looking at Randhir from the rear view mirror. She waited for him to say something, but he didn't, he kept staring at her... when she was sure he wasn't going to reply, she she broke the eye contact.
***
A few minutes later, another car caught up with them. The hitmen. Both car drove for half an hour before coming to stop near a forest.
The gangsters were about to get of the car when Randhir's voice halted them "In case I die, I want everything to go to children care associations" he said.
Sanyukta stared at him through the rear mirror not knowing what to say... He had said it like he was going with no intention of coming back... a sense of dread filled her. His words were coated with a bitter sense of finality. It has been his lifelong mission, and she knew he would use his last breath ie he had to, hell even he hadn't any breath left he would not quit it... his determination was suffocating... as if... as if it was a one way ticket with no return. Looking around her she noticed that the rest of the gang was in the same state of mind as their boss... determined yet resigned. She couldn't let them go with that in their mind... she wanted them a go with the intention of coming back !
"You know what guys ?" she stopped everyone before they got out of the car.
"Forget about the will !" she declared throwing her notebook. "We are all comming back alive ! ...You know why ?" she paused looking at their questioning eyes. "Because our mission will not stop after Raghav's fall...there will still be plenty of lives that will need saving... plenty of corrupted guys to take down... we still have so much to do !" she asserted.
"We go there, we kick some ass, and we come back" she cheered them. "Got it ?" she asked.
The gangster looked at her and nodded. Sahil and Vidushi smiled in reassurance while Randhir smirked at her. Amusement showing in his dark brown eyes. That was exactly what she wanted to see in them... that look that said they had booked a return ticket flight !
***
The hitmen, aka team A, had taken their position in the trees while and Sahil and Parth's group, aka team B, had made its way toward the entrance. Vidushi, Sanyukta and Randhir, aka team C, had rounded the residence and were now facing the wall they had yet to climb. They had equipped the three teams with micro and earbuds to communicate with one another.
"Ready !" they heard Sahil's voice on their ears. "Waiting for your signal" he added.
Team B had taken its position, they were now waiting for team C to take its position, which was at the top of the balcony-like windows of the building, then team B would barge in the entrance and attract the attention of the men on the first floor to them. Team C will use it as a distraction to sneak in the second floor.
"Wait for the signal" replied Randhir cutting the micro from his side.
"Okey, now we climb" Randhir declared looking up at the 10 meters high building.
Lol...was the first word that came to her mind. ...Closely followed by f*ck. The balcony of the second floor was at least at a 7 meters height from the floor... if the distance was not enough to kill, it sure would break a few bone and teeth. Ewww no !
She nervously laughed. "And how are we supposed the climb that ?" she enquired." I don't see any stairs or a ladder" she asked looking around for a clue.
Randhir sighed. " Obviously... what were you expecting ? A ladder in our honor ? ...or a lift may be ?" he replied sarcastically.
Sanyukta rolled her eyes at him. "Any other time I would have praised your attempt at sarcasm, but now is really not the time" she scolded him.
Not minding her words, Randhir detached the ropes hanging at his side and threw one at Vidushi while he kept one for himself. After a close inspection, Sanyukta saw a claw attached at one end of the rope. She looked in utter horror at the deadly tool in his hands...they were really going ninja !
"Um Randhir..." started Sanyukta, tensely looking at the rope like it was going to attack her any seconds.
Sensing her nervousness, Randhir tried to reassure her "Don't worry love, you'll be climbing with me" he said throwing the claw to the window.
Vidushi copied his actions, perfectly pinning her claw next to Randhir's, they both gave it a few tugs to see it was safe to climb. Then Vidushi proceeded to climb. Randhir opened his arms, inviting Sanyukta in. He saw her hesitate for a second, before tightly securing her arms around his neck. He smiled at her display of trust in him. "You'll be fine love" he whispered in her ear, easing her fears.
"Hmmm" she replied resting her head in the crook of his neck. She felt Randhir's whole body tighten as he lifted them up. The effort he was making to hoist them up must have been colossal, she could feel his muscles constrict beneath her with each step. His breath became labored as he climbed higher and higher. Finally they both reached the little balcony where Vidushi was already waiting for them.
"Thanks" Sanyukta breathed out. As she set on foot on the steady floor, she planted a chaste kiss on Randhir's cheek.
They all took out their guns and nodded at each other, indicating their were ready. Randhir reached his micro and turned on his micro.
"Team A, Team B, in position" he commanded.
"On the count of three Team A will barge in and Team B starts shooting, ready ?"
"Positive" both other team said.
"One...two..." He said, as Sanyukta's heart started beating fast.
"THREE !!! " he shouted.
And all hell broke loose.
They could hear the commotion below them... gunshots... curses...smashing... painful screams ...man yelling at each other... more curses... All in all : Chaos... Chaos it all its animalistic and savage glory.
Hearing those awful sounds and war cries, Sanyukta felt sick... she felt like she was in a middle of a war... a sick feeling indeed, one where you knew people were killing each other like it was a common thing... where human flesh had no more value than a worn-out piece of tissue... and above all, where you were -in your own selfishness- were hoping that the gunshots were your comrades doings, and the screams of pain were those of the enemies...
But then again that would have made Sanyukta feel bad if the other side was not full of criminals and scumbags, but considering their awful deeds, Sanyukta didn't felt even fell an ounce of sympathy for them. The deserved that and probably even more than that.
"Come on, the path is clear we need to get inside" Randhir voice brought her back from her thoughts.
The three of them hurried in the little room. Two doors-like opening were craved on each side of the walls, one on the left and one on the right.
"I'll go this way to find Raghav" he pointed to the right side. "You go this way and take out the children if you find any...If not, take care of the guards on this level" he ordered them, to which they nodded.
"Be careful please" whispered Sanyukta. She was hell scared on the inside, but at this moment, she had to be strong.
"Of course" he scoffed. "You are talking of one of the most feared gangster of the area" he smirked at her.
But seeing that she didn't sass back like her usual self, he felt the need to ease her tension. He walked toward her and whispered in her ear "Don't worry love, I can't die without having a full taste of this " he gestured toward the length of her body and winked before pulling away.
In another situation, she would have smacked him and probably threatened him to hang him by his jewels in a burning hot summer day to rot... but at this moment, these crude words made her blush and a little smile made its way on her lips.
"I'll be waiting" she replied in boldness... before going the opposite way.
***
"Wait" said Vidushi as she put a finger on her mouth, ordering Sanyukta to keep silent.
They had moved to the next room, the room was almost empty apart from the few scattered sheets on the floor, the wood sticks lying against the wall and the two car tire carelessly dropped in one corner. To their dismay, if anyone was to enter, they would spot them immediately as there was no place to hide.
Vidushi nudged at her, nodding toward the opening in front of them, voices were coming from there... "I think there are four of them" she told her.
While Sanyukta had been busy assessing their surroundings, Vidushi had focused on the enemy, trying to figure out their number. Before any of them could say anything, they heard a gunshot followed by a scream.
Apparently, of the man heading their way had been shot.
"That leaves three I guess" stated Sanyukta.
She quickly thought of a way to get them out of their path.
Her eyes fell on the sheets on the floor and an idea popped in her head. Oh eyes, sweet eyes, we take you for granted... we only acknowledge your worth once you are gone... She absent mindedly caressed her little eyes. That was absolutely not creepy from an external point of view...
"Vidushi, I have a plan" she said. Vidushi looked at her for a moment before smirking, by know they knew when Sanyukta said she had a plan, she meant she had concocted a masterpiece with 100% chance of success, for having seen it multiple times, she now completed trusted her judgement.
"Okey tell me" she replied.
"Go fetch the wood sticks over there and lean against the wall on one side of the opening." she told her, while she herself bended to grab a sheet from the floor. Her hands hesitated for half a second, as her face twisted in revulsion. The thing was stinking... stinking as in it smelled worse than a boys changing room... the foul odor of socks and cow dung almost made her vomit... she could almost see a greenish smoke coming out of it... the rug was probably carrying all the disease of the world... yeurk, she made a face yet again. ... Well it was either grab the disgusting sheet or risk her life... talk about Cornelian choice, she muttered. With that thought in mind she finally grabbed the sheet and posted herself opposite Vidushi, against the other side of the opening.
They could now hear steps rushing toward them. But the way they were both leaning against the wall, they were at a blind spot for anyone entering the room. They were at advantage here.
After that everything happened in a blur. The moment, the criminals set foot in the room, Sanyukta threw the sheets on them covering and blinding them. Vidushi didn't wait a second before attacking them with the sticks... Sanyulkta instantly joined her, ...stroke after stroke, punch after punch, kick after kich, both the girls didn't leave them a second to catch their breath as they attacked them like a maniacs.
After a good two minutes of beating, they slowed down their pace, breathing heavily.
Sanyukta carefully nudged one of the body on the floor with a stick.
No movement. They had passed out.
Without a second glance toward the mess, they went to the next room.
To their bad luck they came face to face with two more criminals. One of which was really really huge if she might add, next to him she could be considered a toy. His eyes were bloodshed, and the way he was looking at her length sent chills down her spine... like... like he was measuring the size of her coffin.
Fortunately for them, just as their eyes met, the guys dropped dead on the floor. Both hit by a gunshot. The hitmen were doing a pretty good so far. With the pathway now free of danger, they moved toward the only closed door in front of them.
Vidushi leaned on the door and tried listening for something that could give their any hint on the situation inside. She heard no voices, no movement, as if no one was inside. She frowned looking at Sanyukta. Securing her gun her hand, she took a few steps back and launched herself at the door, forcefully kicking it open. Sanyukta hurried behind her, gun tightly secured in her hand.
Upon entering the room, they spotted three children lying on the floor... seemingly unconscious. No wonder they was no noise coming from the room. Sanyukta woke up the children and explained them the situation all the while reassuring them of their well being.
"Vidushi, we can't take them out right now, the floor is still not clear and we can't move them from the balcony, they are only children" Sanyukta voiced her concerns.
Vidushi thought for her second, Sanyukta was right, the fight was still going on below and making the children climb down the wall was not an option.
"We leave them here for the moment" she said.
Sanyukta looked at her confused. "We can't..."
But before she could finish her sentence, Vidushi turned on her micro. "Team A, floor two is cleared, except for the Raghav's cabin." She told them. "Shoot anyone who attempts to reach floor two from below, got it ?"
"Got it" replied one of the hitmen.
Sanyukta sighed in relief, it was indeed a good plan... considering the lack of option they had. She couldn't help but notice how Vidushi was totally in her element here, anticipating and planning, leading and monitoring. Sanyukta still had a long way to go before being considered a real gangster. If she was to use the japanese ranking system which qualified one's level of expertise within a given subject, she would say she was still a 3rd or 4th dan, 1st dan being the lowest, and Vidushi was somewhere between 7th and 8th dan, the 10th being the highest. ...You might be wondering why she was thinking about the japanese ranking system ?... well no idea ! ...May be because this whole mission thingie had awakened her usually dormant crazy ninja side.
Her thought halted as she she saw Vidushi taking a deep breath.
"Team A ?" she heard her ask. She was holding her breath, waiting to see if anyone was going to reply on the other side.
"Yes ?" Sanyukta heard Sahil groan in her ear.
"Don't approach the second floor, the area is cleared and the hitmen will shoot anyone who will attempt at going there. " Vidushi told them.
"K" was his simple reply.
After a pause, Vidushi talked again.
"Is everyone ok ?" she couldn't help but ask.
"If by ok you mean alive, then yes everyone is alive.. for now" he told her, his voice strained.
"Take care" she simply replied, cutting down the micro.
***
After securing the children, Sanyukta and Vidushi went back to check on Randhir.
Outside what they guessed was Raghav's canbin, two man were lying in a pool of blood. Sanyukta's quickly looked away and put her hand on the handle. She looked at Vidushi who nodded her. In one swift movement Sanyukta opened the door.
Wrong move.
Once again wrong move.
It was the hospital scene all over again.
Raghav and his two bodyguards were facing Randhir. Randhir had his gun directed to Raghav while the two bodyguards were pointing their's at Randhir, making the odds in their favor.
But the moment the girls entered, they created a distraction and changed the whole scenery. Everything went in a blur and any trace of the previous imbalance in power was now gone. In fact, at the moment, the scene in front of them could be considered the epitome of balance : Randhir was still pointing his gun toward Raghav, but now Raghav had Sanyukta at gunpoint... Sanyukta as for her, was aiming at bodyguard A... which in return was aiming at Vidushi. Vidushi, as you might have guessed, had her gun directed to bodyguard B... whom being the last ring of the chain, was aiming back at square one : Randhir.
Har, har, har...A to B, B to C, C to D, D to E, E to F and F back to A... Har, Har, Har...NOT.
The most perfect balance of the whole world of balances. The balanciest balance. And you know what such a perfect balance reminded Sanyukta ? ...It reminded her of a house of cards, or better yet : dominos. Yes definitely dominoes... if one was to be triggered the whole chain would fall apart.
And apparently every soul present in the room had come to the same deplorable conclusion. For they were all standing perfectly still, silently pointing their to their target, assessing the situation... and most importantly, waiting for that one single movement that could trigger the whole chain ...and eventually making every little domino standing in the room, crumble down to there doom.
After long seconds of silence. Sanyukta decided to voice her opinion on the matter... And even though in her dictionary, the most appropriate word to describe the situation was 'LOL', it wasn't going to get them anywhere...
"Well, we find ourselves in quite a predicament here..." she said sizing up everyone.
No one moved, no one replied.
Nothing.
"Okey, seriously...LOL" there she said it."So What now ?" she laughed awkwardly.
Indeed, what now ?