𝐌𝐘 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐑, 𝐅𝐄𝐔𝐃𝐀𝐋 𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐃

CHAPTER ➊➍ • The Legend of Masked Soldier • Part : 1

September 2, 1947
Anglican Cathedral Missionary Hospital
Lahore Province

10:00 P.M.

"I see you are dressed well for your funeral..you will die, captain Esteban pointed towards the masked man... In the dark night the masked man pulled out his sword , taking a step forward he glanced at the captain, when the pupil becomes nuisance, the master has to arrive..." Nandani stopped closing the book and looked at the 8 year old Dia, who looked at her flickering her eyes.

Dia Saleem was the youngest daughter of Zufina one of the workers of the missionary hospital. Dia had been visiting Nandani since a week now. The little bambi eyed, had the only curls in the sea of pin straight hair. Her almond skin glowed in the lantern light as she leaned forward, tucking her curls behind her ear.

"Baji, what happened next.. don't stop please. " Dia said scrunching her freckled nose.
(Sister)

"You are sleepy.. we will continue it tomorrow..." Nandani replied palming her cheeks.

"Nahi baji, abhi..apne kaha tha aaj." Dia protested.
(No sister, now. You have promised)

Nandani sighed, looking at Dia who was sitting on the hospital bed cross legged. A slight smile appeared on the face of little bundle as Nandani flipped the pages of 'The Curse of Capistrano' 1919 editon. The story of the masked hero.

"You have a death wish Masked Man..? The captain pointed revolver, it was a thundering night. The masked man's sword raised, and he said... For all the common men , poor and destitutes, i have arrived. I am Zoro , you all will remember , The Legend of Zoro. With that he slashed the captain with his final kolner fechtbuch style and the captain fell on the ground. Dead." Nandani finally closed the book after completing the first part of it.

"That was amazing baji.. do you think, there is some masked man out there..?" Dia asked.

"No... It's a fiction Dia bete." Nandani replied wrapping little Dia in her arms under the blanket. Dia had been staying back with Nandani whenever her mother had night shifts in the missionary hospital.

"I don't believe you..! I know he is there somewhere. I can feel his presence. He will come baji...for the poor and destitutes. " Dia argued trying to convince Nandani.

"Theekh hai, meri jaan. Ab so jao. Raat ho gayi hai." Nandani patted Dia's back.
(Alright my darling. Sleep, it's late)

"Nahi.. aap bolo. Wo aayega , mera masked hero hum sabke liye aayega." Dia whined.
(No you say it first. My masked hero will come to save us)

Nandani sighed, "in times of need, our masked hero will come to save us.." Dia smiled and cuddled Nandani to sleep as Newton growled looking at both of them.

"Calm down, she is your sister." Nandani scolded looking at him. Newton whined, putting his head on her lap.

"MY MASKED HERO" Dia murmured as they drifted into sleep.

••••••••••••••••••••

September 3, 1947
Khan Opium Factories
Lahore Province

7:00 A.M.

The frigid air had a way of keeping everyone awake in the moment, wiking away body heat faster than it was replaced. It was one of those rainy days, where you feel thinner clothes, breathes rise in puffs, arms hug each body tightly. The briskness of the moment would melt the heaviness of air. The damp soil traced the multiple foot prints towards the Opium Factory. The soft murmuring of the gathering evaporated in air. The cloud besmeared the rising sun. It was a dark day..