Kanyaka [Sequel to Durga] | ✓

15. Nanhe Bachche

Rudra’s eyes grew wide. “Durga, that’s why those people came to ask you about daivi astras.”

“Someone met you to take information about the weapons? I will take that information later.”

Rudra pondered. “We have CCTV cameras installed, you can definitely check them.”

Akhil gave a curt nod. “The question lies how are daivi astras, Abhilash, Raghavendra and Sahasyabhumi connected?”

The husband and wife nodded. He continued, “Abhilash is in ASI would have got whiff about Sahasyabhumi. He would have got associated with Nanhe Bachche to plan some illegal activities to surface the island.

He has close connections with Underwater Archaeology Wing, Archaeological Survey of India in Delhi. Someone is helping him to have got details and blast.”

Durga said, “But the media is saying it is-”

“Media is capable of blaming other countries like Pakistan, USA or some other country. Firstly, it is the human tendency to blame others instead of finding fault in our system. Secondly, we haven’t released any official statement from the government or ASI. It doesn’t matter to us what stories they make.

That tremor took place due to launching a small range missile at the exact position where the island was submerged. Sources tell that it was launched somewhere along the coastline. It could be any state, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra or Gujarat.”

Durga trembled in fear. How deep is this Nanhe Bachche’s connection? They know the exact position where an island was submerged? They have access to missiles to launch them without anyone’s knowledge? That’s not possible. This probably explains how deep their network is.

“So how does this relate to us and them? They came to ask about map that is related to Sahasyabhumi.”

He smiled. “That’s where you’re wrong. Abhilash gave you half information.”

“Half information?” Rudra asked.

Akhil nodded. “Yes, there were a few palm leaves manuscripts found that said about the internal battle Queen Kanyaka and some Minister of her kingdom.”

Durga added, “Prime Minister Abhimanyu. He was the only one capable of revolting against her.”

It was Akhil’s turn to narrow his eyes. “How do you know?”

“Well that’s another set of stories. I want you tell me what you know.”

His face was less grave. “Apparently, there were some miracles performed so that people would believe it was indication that Devas and Devis wanted her to be the Queen. But it didn’t go well with the Abhilash. After Kanyaka was sworn as the Queen, he was banished and he in turn instigated the Portuguese to attack Sahasyabhumi.”

“Abhilash was banished?” Durga managed to ask.

“Yes, there was some secret that Kanyaka and her family had vowed to safeguard before the curse would work. Abhilash had got to know about that secret.”

“Secret and curse?”

“Yes Rudra. Many manuscripts are discovered and a few official letters. But one of letter is peculiar. Instead of royal stamp, it has seal in other script, probably Tamil.”

“What does it read?”

“We don’t know yet. The team of archaeologists have been working without batting an eyelid. My team has been collecting information about it and that’s how I came to a few conclusions.”

Rudra took a deep breath. “What do you want us to do?”

Rudra had understood that if Akhil has revealed his identity and leaked the disclosed information, he was expecting something from them as well.

“Firstly, we have kept a close watch on Raghavendra’s secret hideout where he keeps testing the drugs. No one except for him can go inside because it is secured with layers of protection- fingerprint verification, retina scan and 8 letter alphanumeric password. He keeps testing them on various people without their knowledge.”

Durga’s curiosity had spiked. “Why do you have to keep a close watch on him? There are many other child prodigies?”

“His clinic was sealed for having tested some mind influencing drugs on humans without their knowledge. We knew that he will use his sources to restart his business again. He has set up without any permit because officially his permit is cancelled.

Secondly, it is after the map he is up to. The map holds location to some secret. It possibly could be the secret Kanyaka and her family were sworn to protect or could be something else.

Thirdly, I want you to give me a job in your company. Make a deal that they will get the map if they allow you, officially, to the ruins of the islands. Once the deal is finalised, I want you to take me to there as a part of your team.”

Rudra was visibly surprised. “Sir, I do understand. But what are we supposed to tell others, to that Abhilash and his son?”

Akhil shrugged, “That’s your job. Tell that I am your relative, distant relative, who is working as an intern.”

Relative. The very word Rudra hated. Durga clutched her head. Little did she know this was the start of the problems.

*

“What do you mean she escaped?” Raghavendra screamed.

“Sir, another lady in burkha was good at shooting. She injured us, punctured the car tyres and left,” replied one of the attackers. The bullet has just grazed his shoulder, he was in the condition to speak.

Abhilash shook his head. “I had told you not to get the fake document. I am sure that nosy Murali would have intimated police. When Durga came, he would have informed the police.”

Raghavendra banged his closed fist on the table. “The thing is how did she managed to decode it? We did multiple attempts. How did this Rudra didn’t accompany her?”

His father stroked his chin. “Maybe that Rudra had accompanied her in the burkha?”

“I don’t think so. Rudra is not some trained officer to have known shooting. It’s someone else. He never leaves his wife alone, now that she is pregnant, how did he?”

Abhilash shrugged.

His son nodded his head. “Tell them that we’re ready to accept their condition. Once we take the map we will just shoot them.”

***

Thank you for reading.