"Hall ticket and ID proof," said Salaar and gave Amira the papers, "Did you get your water bottle?"
"Yes, it's with me," said Haseena as she walked towards them, "I also packed some snacks since it's a long journey."
"You are not coming with us," said Salaar taking the bag from her hand.
"What? why?" asked Haseena confused.
"It's too risky," lied Salaar.
"Jijaaji....I'll feel more at ease if Appi is with us," said Amira.
"Me, Sandeep, Albert, and Einstein...we are all with you Amira," said Salaar calmly, "You'll be fine."
"But if Appi is also with us..."
"Appi is not the one writing the exam, right?" interrupted Salaar.
"...Yes...but..."
"Stop it, Amira," said Salaar slightly raising his voice and Albert stepped infront of Amira as if challenging Salaar and Einstein pulled Amira back. "Either we are going without Haseena or we are not going. Decide for yourself, " Salaar continued anyway. Amira remained silent. Einstein assured her and walked her to the car. Albert snatched the bag from Salaar's hand and followed Amira and his brother.
"Don't you dare follow us," Salaar warned Haseena and left.
"Why is he acting weird?" Haseena asked Sandeep.
"It's weird if he listens to you," joked Sandeep, "How is this weird?"
"Not with me," said Haseena, "He never says no to anything Amira asks, let alone raise his voice." "Something is off, I can sense it," she added, "What's going on?"
"Nothing didi," lied Sandeep.
"Don't lie to me," warned Haseena.
"Didi, I don't tell your plans to Salaar," said Sandeep, "and I can't tell his plans to you. Please don't force me to forgo my ethics."
*** 7 hours later ***
Albert and Einstein hyped Amira up in their sign language before sending her off. Amira looked at Salaar one last time before going in.
Salaar waved and showed a thumbs up signalling all the best while checking his phone.
"Yes Vikram?" he asked after receving the call.
"Rudra I think Rajkesh double crossed us," said Vikram, "His men are on their way to the exam center, currently in Gandhi Nagar."
"I knew it," said Salaar in frustration. "Sandeep, Rajkesh's men are in Gandhi Nagar," he said.
"Got it, let's go guys," said Sandeep and gathered the rest of the men. "Do you need anyone here?" he asked Salaar.
"No, I am good," said Salaar and all the cars zoomed past the exam center.
"Keep me updated, Vikram," said Salaar and ended the call when he noticed Amira's watch still in the car.
"Amira...." Salaar signed in frustration and took the watch and entered the exam center. He searched for Amira amongst the crowd and eventually found her in corner nervously looking around.
"Thank god," he said to himself and was about to approach her when her face lit up with joy. A guy around her age waved at her and she went and hugged him.
Salaar stopped in his feet. Angry. Shocked. Surprised!
"Where have you been?" said Raj, "I missed you so much!"
"Long story," said Amira, "Actually..." she paused when she noticed Salaar staring at them from a distance.
"Who is he?" asked Raj.
"Jijaaji," whispered Amira and slowly walked towards Salaar. Salaar didn't take his angry eyes off Raj. Raj was intimidated and tried to look away but he couldn't and started to genuinely fear the consequences.
"Oh the watch with the location tracker," said Amira trying to get Salaar's attention, "Sorry I forgot." Salaar still stared at Raj. Amira looked at Raj and back at Salaar.
"Jijaaji....you are scaring him..." she said. No reaction.
"You are scaring me," she said again and this time Salaar shifted his gaze.
"Here," he said calmly giving her the watch. "Be calm and do well. All the best," he said and left but only after giving Raj one last angry stare.
Salaar stood outside the building and looked around.
10 minutes passed by, nothing suspicious
20 minutes passed by, still calm
30 minutes passed by and Salaar noticed a few suspicious looking people. He understood what was going on and walked to the security.
"A big mob is going to attack the building," he said.
"Don't panic," he immediately added. "Police," he said showing his identification, "Do me a favor. Go inside, lock the building and don't let anyone out."
"O..okay...sir," said the guard and swiftly followed instructions.
Soon enough the mob emerged from the crowd. Civilians ran away out of fear and Salaar prepared himself to fight. People approached from different directions and Salaar managed to defeat all of them. Some using his gun and some using his fight skills. He tried his best to fight like 'Rudra' and make things less brutal for the common folk.
When one last person was left, he panicked and started running. Salaar out of instinct ran to chase him. He caught him after a while and started to hit him, however mid-way a thought occured to his mind. What if someone inside is working for Rajkesh? What if this is a distraction?
He immediately threw the guy away and started to run back
*** In the exam center ***
"Oye hello!" Raj called out Amira who was roaming outside the room. "How come you finished before me?" he asked genuinely surprised.
"Because unlike your popular opinion, you are not the best," answered Amira.
"We'll see about that," challenged Raj. "Hey, since we have time do you wanna check out the hall of fame? See where my name ends up?"
Amira narrowed her eyes.
"Our names end up," corrected Raj and Amira smiled and went in with him.
"Wow," said Raj looking around, "Amira if you manage to get in, you'll be the first women. How cool is that?"
"Very cool," said Amira and walked around. However her eyes stopped infront of a name.
"This is your brother-in-law right?" said Raj surprised, "He is Math Champ international? Winner?"
"Looks like it," said Amira equally confused.
"Excuse me?" they were interrupted by a man outside the room, "Amira Khasim?"
"That's me?" said Amira.
"Can you come along with me please?" said the man, "Need to sort out some admin issues."
"Sure," said Amira.
****
Salaar ran back to find a lot of kids walking outside. Amira isn't with them. He spotted Raj at a distance and imemdiately ran towards him.
"Where is Amira?" he asked holding him tight.
"They...uh...called her for some admin issues," replied Raj.
"Where?" asked Salaar.
"That room," pointed Raj and Salaar immediately ran in. There was no one. He checked his phone for Amira's location. It showed a near by grocery store. Like a mad man, Salaar made his way to the store, however the exact location is unknown.
He ran past the aisles, frantically looking around. Amira was nowhere. With each passing second, his anxiety increased. His heart was overpowered with self hatred, sorrow and guilt. At a point where he was almost about to breakdown, he saw Amira at a distance browsing the aisle.
"Amira," he shouted and ran towards her.
"Jijaaji what happened?" asked Amira concerned, "Why are you drenched in sweat?"
Salaar raised his hand to stop Amira as he was too exhausted to speak. "Are you alright?" he asked between gasps.
"Yes jijaaji I..." Amira was pulled back before she could finish her sentence and Haseena stepped inbetween them.
"Should've thought that before leaving her alone," she said angrily.
What do you think is going to happen next? Were you surprised by Salaar's picture in the hall of fame or were you expecting that haha
Also who would you like to be your saviour? A few options for reference
a) Salaar
b) Vikram
c) Sandeep
d) Albert and Einstein
What would be your second option?