LAST MAN STANDING

CHAPTER-01

Everything around looked white, completely white. The sun shone brightly in the middle of the snow-capped peaks. Its rays passed between the mountains falling on the face of a small girl. she was enjoying and playing with the snow. The whole surroundings had an eerie silence and all that could be heard was her laughter. "Daddy, don't be lazy. Come join me. Aasim uncle, come and join.", she shouted. After they took three steps, 2 gunshots were fired. Then, the beautiful smile disappeared from her face and she fell flat on the floor.

"NOOOO.....!!!!".

suddenly, it all became a blur, and then everything became completely dark. The alarm started ringing loudly and Aasim opened his eyes wide open. It was 6:00 AM. He didn't understand what the dream was and didn't remember having a nephew like that girl. He got out of his small room to get out of his thoughts. It was Monday early morning and he was walking to his office. Aasim always collects his roll from his favourite shop, KHABIB ROLLS, and eats it on the way.

Aasim is working as an AI research scientist in the Cartel group of industries. This company chooses only 10 members per country and Aasim was chosen from Pakistan. His hard work brought him here though it was not his interest. He played the 'smart' guy role – well-combed hair, specs, average physique( lean but has muscle) and gentlemanly attitude. This was the kind of guy who would be getting most picked on a matrimonial website where the parents make the decisions.

His real interest was in creating weapons. He wanted to create weapons for the army but his mother never encouraged him. She always told, "Son, you may get into trouble if you involve in making the weapons. People will start using you for the wrong reasons. You will start to hate whatever you loved.". He never really felt worried about it but just listened because after his father left her there was no one else other than Aasim to take care of her. Aasim still used to create some weapons and sell them to the local gangsters. He tried but he couldn't stop himself from doing what he likes.

He reached the office right on time for his presentation. This was his first completed project he was going to present. " so welcome everyone, without creating further delays, let me introduce you to our very new tech, DROOVE. This software helps to identify a person's thoughts based on their previous actions and predict their future actions. For example, if there is a boxing match, this AI feature will identify the pattern of the boxer's movements and predict his future movement.". "is this tech only used for sports?", someone asked. "no, it could be used to also identify a person's psychological condition and decide whether he needs a counsellor for depression or not?"

"But we have many different kinds of software to already study the human body, even smart watches can tell your stress level." "that's where come's breakthrough. DROOVE does not just asses and provide conclusions based on one's actions but also can take certain actions. This can help in reducing human error. Cars can be made autonomous, helping work get so much easier. Smartwatches know you are stressed but they can't do anything about it while Droove is like the software which can be utilised in a robot. It's just going to create robots more human. " The whole conference room went silent. The clients still had some thoughts against it. Only one girl seemed pretty satisfied with the answer. She was admiring Aasim's face. He turned his head. He looked back and she was still looking at him focused. There was no one else.

Her brown eyes just mesmerized him into a whole other world. He was looking through her eyes, going as deep as he could to understand what she was thinking about him. "AASIM, AASIM, can you hear me...?" the client shouted. "yes, sir, tell me.". "I am sorry we are not really into the project. I feel it's not what we were looking for and I don't think it will withstand the competition with other companies. With patience, I think the bigger brands might come up with the same software. I am sorry.". the team manager closed the meeting and all the clients left the conference room. Just as Aasim was leaving, he was pulled by the side. It was the same girl in the conference room. "what's wrong with you? Leave me. We could have spoken about this in the conference room." "Shut up and listen and look at me. I am Inaaya. I can't help you with your software but I think it's amazing. My brother might need you. I read your Linkedin profile and I found you have an interest in weaponry just like my brother. He has a company called QUT which makes weapons for the Pakistan army. If you help him, he will fund your software with which you can have your start-up and company. Do you understand?" "The look at me the part I followed, rest of it I couldn't." he told. She started laughing loudly. Inaaya told "Here's the card. Come to this place and I will meet you there." He looked at the card. It had a completely black background with the company name in golden letters and the address in black letters.

He looked at the address behind. It was in Karachi.WHATTTT??... *I just settled in the USA there was no way I am going to shift there. I have everything: this beautiful house, independent lifestyle, and daily outings with my friends. The company's pressure is there on me and I don't feel much happy about the job but this lifestyle I have is amazing.* he thought. He looked back at her as she was walking away. Who was she? why did she want him?

"Aasim, why are you standing in front of the girl's washroom?". Aasim looked to his right and saw Carter looking at him cluelessly. "no, no, nothing. Just lost my way.", Aasim said. "who was that girl, Aasim.". "someone I don't know her. We were just talking.". carter knew that Aasim had something for that girl. Aasim could not cover his face from blushing as he heard her name. Carter looked at the strange card in Aasim's hand. He asked, "What is that card?". "oh, Inaaya gave me this. She told me he might help me." "Wait, let me check it out on the internet."

Carter just clicked on the search button and found the first webpage. He shouted, "This is one of the best companies for creating weapons plus it is a government organization for Pakistan. You will feel very proud of yourself. The offers are amazing just do it." " but the thing is I have to go back to Karachi and it will be difficult to take that heat after going there.", Aasim told. "why don't you understand? You will sit in an air-conditioned area for at least 16 hours there. You are not going to roam around the market for groceries there. Plus, you need to follow your true passion. Do you realise that you are nothing without your passion? Nobody even cares about your project in that room. People are dying after brand, brand. If you join in making weapons, you can set up your brand. Weapons is not about the company, it's about the dealer. Though this company will demand money people will start demanding only for you because they trust you. Rather than doing something you regret, just do something you like wholeheartedly. You don't need to ask for success, it will come to you."

That was one huge speech. Carter was gasping for air. "so you want me to go, right?", Aasim asked. "yes for your good. It's now or never" "Fine then. Tomorrow I will resign and the day after tomorrow, we will have a farewell party." Carter hugged him. "great, I will miss you. Ohh! I just remembered something else. You have to get the deal done the day after with Randall. Otherwise you know what happens". Aasim sighed. "yes, I know what happens."