HARBOUR
A small private harbour is located away from the city. Private persons own it by bidding and use it for fast transportation of their goods and sometimes for personal purposes. So no public is allowed there making it a safe place for carrying illegal activities.It is covered with a sheet of thick trees along making it invisible.
A superior bus with full on facilities like a vanity van and a car are parked few kms away from the entrance of Harbour. Raghuveer had to go for emergency so he couldn't accompany them.
Wearing black burkas & keeping micro phones in their ears, Sahana & Preetha are ready to get down the bus when Mahesh holds his wife's hand stopping her,
Mahesh: Anything.......if anything happens to either of you, remember there will be nothing less than a blood shed.
She clearly understood the warning behind the whisper.Preetha gets a bit afraid sensing the seriousness in his voice. She never saw her cool father in law in this mode.
Sahana nods reassuring him and he frees her hand.
Taking a deep breath & looking at each other, the ladies get down & walk ahead completely changing their postures.
To avoid doubts,they take an auto from there and stops at the gates where Amar is waiting for them.
Sameer instructed the plan to Amar and he made all the necessary arrangements. He convinced others that he would bring the ladies, also managed security.
So their entry is like a walk in the park,
Sahana: All ready?
Amar: Yes mam. Unn logon ne Sir ko ship mein shift kiya hein.Kyunki kuch der baad custom officers aathe hein isiliye.Baki log rest kar rahe hein apni cabins pe aur kuch waha Rakesh bhai ke saath warehouse pe hein.
He says showing the warehouse which is far away from them but visible because of lights. There are few vehicles infront,
Sahana: Waha kya kar rai?
Amar: Sameer sir ko msg kiya heina mam koi aadmi aaya tha bhai se milne keliye. Wahi mil raha hein wo log.
Sahana looks that side as a person walks out of the warehouse,gets inside a big car & drives away. She immediately informs it to Mahesh in a low tone.
Their microphones are connected to the speakers & computers in the bus so that they could hear each & every sound clearly. Listening what she said, Mahesh & Sameer get down the bus & stop that car at the turning to the main road.
The driver comes out and is arguing with them when the back door opens and Arun Sharma gets out. Mahesh is shocked,
Mahesh: What are you doing here?
Sharma is horrified seeing them there,he came out just to check what's taking long,
Arun: W...wo....me...me....
He tries to escape but Sameer catches him,
Arun: Chodo.... chodo....meine kuch nai kiya. Mujhe bas Karan ko kidnap karke apni beti se shaadi karwana chahtha tha lekin Rakesh ne plan change kiya.
He blabbers hastily as to how his simple plan turned into a sinful one,
Mahesh: What does he want?
Arun: Karan is a big personality. So he wanted to use that & blackmail the Govt for releasing 26/11 attack convicts.
They widen their eyes,
Arun: And he isn't planning to release him. Either Karan joins them or Rakesh kills him but he won't get a way out.
This leaves them frightened. With time,danger is multiplying.
Mahesh strangles Arun's throat in anger but Sameer stops him.
Mahesh: Even you won't get a way out. Either I kill you or you will be in jail for life.
They take him in their custody and send him away for the time being.
Running back to the bus, Mahesh immediately passes the info to Sahana.
Mahesh: Are the snipers ready?
Sameer: Yes dad!
Mahesh: Good ask them to cut the fencing. Any time they have to get in.
Sameer does what he told but he's worried,
Sameer: Dad will everything be ok?
Mahesh just smiles but doesn't give him an answer.
INSIDE THE SHIP
A mile into, they see 3 big containers, 2 fixed cranes for lifting cargo and a 200 metre long passenger ship which is able to carry cargo & passengers is rested aside for loading.
Preetha: Containers mein kya hein?
Amar: Goods aur Bache!
Preetha(shocked): Kya?
She understood what he meant but won't the Govt know about it while he's nonchalant,
Amar: Slums ke bache hein.Kisiko koi doubt hi nai aayega. Wo hamare apne logon ko apna dushman banathe hein aur ham unhe mar dete hein.
She feels disheartened at the fact,
Amar: Yeh log insaan nai hein Mam. Koi bhi.Wo jaanvoron se bhi badthar hein.
Preetha: Itna jaanthe ho fir yese kaam kyun kar rahe ho?
Amar(little smile): Jarurath hein Mam.(glances at them) Agar sir ka kidnap aapkeliye dukhi ki baath hein tho hame bahot kushi ki hein kyunki mujhe wo bachon ko aur kahi logon ko hamara zindagi wapas mil raha hein.Aap logon ki wajah se.Fir Insaan banne ka mauka mil raha hein.Kuch bhi karunga lekin yeh mauka nai jaanedunga.
His answer leaves a mark on the ladies. How hopeful he's!
There are very few people outside the ship busy in their duties as everything is already set for tonight's voyage.
The three, as subtly as possible, are about to climb the ramp when some men stop them,
Man: Ayy kisse le ja rahe ho?
He is one of the henchmen and looked all bulky infact everyone in that group looked evil. Amar tightly closes his eyes but turns casually,
Amar: Rakesh bhai bulaya hein inn logon ko.
The men frown,
Man: Bhai kab se aise logon ke saath aash karne lage hein?
They see the ladies from top to toe,
Amar: Unka man hamesha badaltha rehtha heina bhai!
Man: Hmmm......le jaao. Bhai kuch der me aa jayega.
They sense something dubious but keep silent.
Amar takes them away hurriedly while the man stares at their backs.
Amar(panicked): Yeh log militants hein. Aap jald se jald yaha se jaana hoga sir ke saath.
Sahana: Kitne honge?
Amar: 40-50. Bahot bura aur bahut khatarnak.
Climbing the ramp, they get inside the bow of the ship. Through the navigation deck, he takes them to the elevator where alphabets are placed instead of numbers.
It has A,B,C,D,E indicating there are 5 decks which means 5 floors in the ship. Getting in, Amar presses "D" and it takes them to respective deck. As they come out, everything resembled a hotel either the cabins,passageways or the bulkheads. There's barely anyone roaming outside because everyone are in their rooms sleeping as it's already 11 at night.
At the far end of the deck, they see two men guarding a room.
Amar: Iss deck pe aane ka mana kardiya bhai ne so ham peeche se safely jaa sakthe hein. Mein unn logon ko yaha se le chaltha hu. Aap andar jaake sir ko chudwane ke baad wo dusra door se bahar aa jayiye.
The ladies listen him cautiously,
Sahana(to preetha): Thum jaao.
Preetha: Aap nai aa rai?
Sahana: Mein Amar ke paaa rehthi hu.
Reluctantly, Preetha nods and both the women hide behind a bulkhead and assuring they both are not visible, Amar calls the hulks saying the sailor needs some help.As soon as they both leave, Preetha is about to sprint,
Sahana: Be careful!
Her voice is stern but her gaze is soft and Preetha nods feeling immensely happy for her care.
Preetha: Aap bhi!
Saying, she runs to that door and enters inside the cabin only to see a shabby Karan.
Sending her, Amar immediately takes Sahana to the back side warily looking around when her attention caught some mango boxes in a cabin,
Sahana: Uss boxes mein kya hein?
Amar: Mangoes.
Sahana: Mangoes ke peeche kya hein?
She is an army women obviously she could sense something fishy,
Amar: Guns,bombs etc. Srilanka LTTE keliye le ja raha hein. Consignment.
She nods taking a glance at them.
IN THE CABIN
The cabin is of medium sized just like any hotel room.Karan is tied to the chair with ropes, a black cloth is tied on his eyes and his mouth is taped. His clothes are worn out,hair is unruly,his head hung to a side totally he looked like a wearied person.
Preetha grits her teeth seeing his state. That bloody Singhal has dared to do this.Just wait till all this is over,she will make sure he saw hell on earth.
Calming herself,she scurries to him and unties the cloth on his eyes, untapes his mouth.
It's all blurry for Karan as he has been blind for the past two days and only opened his mouth for food fed by them.
By the time he has a clear vision, his hands are made free and he is startled to see the person who's struggling to free his legs,
Karan: K....k....kaun?
As she's wearing burqa,he is not able to see her face.
That stopped her actions for a second.His voice is raspy and dry.She knew if she looks at him she don't know what she would do so without ignoring she resumes untying the ropes.
Karan: K.....kaun hein a....aap ?
It's so difficult for him to talk as he's in dire need of water.Freeing him in seconds she stands on her feet, takes the burqa she's hiding under her's & starts wearing him,Karan is totally confused.
Karan: Ruko...kya kar rahe....
Ignoring him, she hastily makes him wear it when Karan stands up at once in confusion & discomfort but his legs are numb so gets imbalanced and she holds him securely.
He looks at her face, only her eyes are visible that too beneath a thin viel.He knew those eyes specifically that touch,
Karan(astonished): P...P....Preetha?
It's been two months since she heard him call her name. How could he even do that?
She's controlling her emotions when the door opens as two hulks barge in & get alarmed seeing them,
Man: Ayy Ayy kaun ho thum? Kaise aaaye ho andar?
Preetha holding Karan, is rooted to her place because of the sudden intrusion. His voice is so loud that could gather attention which stops suddenly as he falls down straight on his body.
Startled,Karan&Preetha raise their heads to see Sahana with gun in her hands. The other one yells seeing this,
Man: Kya kiya thumne?
Sahana: Bahot shor macha rahe ho!
His voice dies as his body falls beside his friend. Preetha hisses closing her eyes & ear with one hand the other holding Karan,
Sahana: Sound nai aayega. Silencer hein.
Karan is shocked to listen her voice,
Karan: Mom?
Sahana: Yes. The Super Mom!
Her heart clenches seeing his weak state but lightens the situation,
Karan(slowly): A....aap log yaha kaise aaye ho?
Now he's sure it's Preetha who's holding him,
Sahana: Pairon se.
Amar & Preetha snaps their heads at her. Is this the time to joke? But Karan sighs because he knows his mother,
Karan: K...ya hua hein? (correcting his throat) Aa...aap log yaha kaise aur (listening waves sound) ham ship mein hein kya?
He doesn't know anything since the last two days as he was constantly under anesthesia.He was not given the dose today as they are travelling on water & he can't escape,
Sahana: Haa ship me Sri Lanka jaa rahe ham trip pe.Aur yeh Amar hamara guide(he sees her meanly) Rahi baath kya hua hein ki Arun Sharma ne apni beti se thumhari shaadi karwane keliye Rakesh Singhal se thumhe kidnap karwaya lekin Singhal tho Singhal hein usne puri plan hi palat di.
Preetha & Karan gets stiffen at the info,
Karan(slowly): Kya?
Sahana: Isiliye mein kehtha hu thum thoda kam handsome lagna chahiye.
Amar tries to stifle his laugh,
Amar: Mam hame chalna chahiye. Koi bhi aa saktha hein.
Sahana: Right. Chalo beta bhagthe wakth gappe maarenge.
Preetha is amazed by her mother in law's new avatar.That's her.Normally she's a quiet woman but her humorous side appears only under pressure.
Sahana & Amar peek out to see anyone. Having a clean exit, they sign Preetha&Karan to come. She makes him wear the burqa completely without a word.
Karan still finds difficult to walk so Preetha supports him by keeping his hand on her shoulders and her hand around his back. Through the side door, the four come out of the deck and descend the stairs.It worked as a favor that the other side of the ship is somewhat dark and is facing the waters.
But they are in lion's den and menace is bound to happen.
As the stairways are open,the same group sees them from the outside of the lower most deck.
Amar: Oh shit! They are the militants. Bhaago....bhaago....jaldi.
They turn back, quickly ascend the steps & enter the same deck when Sahana sees a room. She pushes Karan & Preetha inside, asks Amar to mingle with the group while herself runs to the arms room.
OFFICER'S MESS
The room which Sahana threw Preetha & Karan is officer's mess which is thrible in size of a normal cabin. They sit behind the wooden counters where Karan tries to mend his legs and could hear the sounds of the militants who are yelling & searching.By now they knew, Karan is out of their clutches.
They are searching door by door in the deck and waking up others also. They can come inside any time,
Karan: Stay here.Do not come out!
Without waiting for her reply, he removes the burqa,walks & stands behind the mess door waiting for them to open it. Once they did the act, he pushes them back and closes it from outside.
They attack him and he retaliates.
The fight and the militants grow in number in seconds breaking in the mess door and getting inside.
Preetha is behind the wooden counter praying for four of them. She lost her microphone somewhere because of running and couldn't ask for help.
Sameer & Mahesh are tensed because no one is responding, not even Sahana.
Preetha could hear loud shouts and thuds. Her heart is thumping loudly for Karan but in the middle she heard a bullet sound.Not one but three.
Sahana is using a silencer then where did the sound come from? Did somebody else used it?
Afraid of the answer,she immediately peeks to see it's neither Sahana nor the militants but it's Karan.
Her eyes widen as she saw how swiftly he's emptying the bullets in some militants mouth.
But the barrel seemed to be over and he starts knocking down.As the room is getting crowded by more militants, Sahana appears out of no where yells for Karan and throws an AR-15, one of the best rifles in the air.
Pummeling the person in his reach, he catches it with a hand, maneuver it with ease, pulls the trigger and start shooting.
Unknowingly Preetha stands up in dread as she saw the persons falling down like toys.
Sweat forms on her whole body as she sees Karan killing infront of her eyes.
Isn't he the same Karan who looked worn out,tired and hopeless a while ago? Isn't he the same Karan who couldn't walk without her support? Isn't he the same Karan who is scared?
Then what happened now?
Looking at how mercilessly he is shooting the brains out.........everyone should be scared of him.
The deadly weapon seems like a plaything for his hands. They are maneuvering it in whatever way their master want not missing any target.
It's like he's possessed with someone. His eyes focussed, arms equipped,face cold & gaze hard.
He's not Karan.....no way! Then Who's he?
Everyone are laid dead except one who got hold of Preetha.
Militant: Don't move. Don't move. Mein usko maar dalunga.
In any other situation, Preetha would have tackled him but today she stood motionless with a hand strangling her neck, gun at point blank staring at the person infront.
While she is staring at his eyes, his stare is only on the hand around her neck,
Militant: Thu sirf ek business man ho hi nai saktha. Bathao kaun ho thum?
Karan's silence makes him shout,
Militant: Mein usko maar dalunga.
His grip tightens around her neck but she felt nothing,
Militant(yelling): Batha.Kaun ho thum warna mein....?
He threatens pushing the gun into her head making the biggest mistake of his life,
Karan: Karan. Commander Karan Luthra. MARCOS.Indian armed forces!
The single line is enough to send shivers down the spine which makes him loosen his hold and Karan is quick enough to send the bullet through his head.
Preetha's whole body gets drenched because of all the blood flowing like water and the man infront who's responsible for it and who just revealed his identity. Unable to take in, she falls unconscious while faintly hearing Rishi's voice yelling for her.
And continues in the next part.....
A big slice!