A Sew Through Time [Banbudh And Budbak]

11: Strange place

Khushi slowly opened her eyes, beads of perspiration gathered on her forehead. Her vision blurred; she felt her ears ringing with a faint buzz. Senses gradually returned back. Slowly yet carefully, she tried to lift herself up, supporting herself with her hands and feet. A powerful ache shot through her legs which spread across her lower body. Her left foot was sprained.

Blinking hard, her eyes slowly adjusted, figuring out that it wasn't completely dark as she had first felt it to be. She could spot a white screen, rather many, with the faint typing of keyboards from a distance. Soft muttering wafted in her ears; people of professional levels were discussing unknown matters. Some were walking around in intervals, only to return near the screens again. Some were in white coats, busy working on a gigantic arch-like structure, whispering to each other in an exasperated tone.

A few metres away, several shadows emerged behind the structure. Her eyes darted across the big room to locate any doors and windows. But there were none. The faint light from the screens reflected on the interiors. It looked like an old building, with grey spots of cement peeking from the four corners. The air was musty, the floor covered with cobwebs of some which dirtied her palms.

Reluctant yet determined, she tried standing up.

All eyes in the room spun around and darted at her.

"Where....am I?" She mumbled, though deep inside she was extremely frightened. Clenching her fists, she felt some energy rejuvenating back into her hands as adrenaline began flowing behind her back.

A large hand hit the back of her neck. Crumbling down, she let out a wincing whimper, following a soft gasp from the strangers.

"Oh please stop!" A deep, raspy voice echoed in the room, "That's what you got?"

She looked up and detected a shadow approaching her.

"Choti hain, masum bhi!" Replied another, "Didn't the reports say she's healthy en-?"

"Chup!" Howled the first voice. The shadow walked towards her when the footsteps slowed and came to a stop.

Khushi felt was being observed. Her head was bent low from the pain, a hand was behind her neck.

The man kneeled down and asked in a soft voice, "What's your name beta?"

She didn't look up.

"Oh no! Don't be scared, you're safe" He held her arm and led her to a steel chair near a screen. Pulling another chair across, he sat opposite of her.

Khushi looked up reluctantly. The man looked like around fifty, clad in a pire white Nehru suit. His grey and black hair was oiled and brushed back. Her wore thick rectangular glasses, with a neat old moustache. Specks of white beard scattered across his lower jaw, not very noticeable. Stone rings on his fingers twinkled from the screen lights.

She gasped, finally able to recognize the face she had seen on news so much. His humongous posters were spread all over the town, merely polluting it's true beauty.

"Hey get her some water!" Vijaywada instructed one of his henchmen from the other side.

The water was kept near her side. But she did not dare to take a sip from it.

"Now we can talk more properly" Vijawada smiled.

"W-what's all this?" Her lower lip trembled.

"Oh don't mind, we are just doing a social experiment" he adjusted his glasses, "You see, all the scientists here wanted someone strong, someone intelligent and energetic to help them"

"Help?"

"Do you know what we have created?" His voice turned louder, "We have created something wonderful in the entire history of mankind. All  the world's problems, all crisises, all conflicts can be stopped forever! The weak, the struggling and the poor will get justice"