The Old Savior

Disclaimer

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner.

Statement: At the structure of the story taken from A. K. Quinnell’s Man on Fire and Humayan Ahmed’s Amanush. This book has no relation to both two books except for slight structural similarities. I took inspiration from some real life events and mythological characters.

-  Mohammad Nayim

Table of Contents

Disclaimer

Show Offs

The weird person

Existence

Holiday

Infatuation

Greed

The Kidnaping Day

Inhuman

Avenge

Death

Poster Man

Mesh

Delusion

Final Battle

Show Offs

As soon as the school was over, the little girl ran out. She is eight-nine years cute girl with a sweet face. It was raining outside. The girl lifted the hood of her green raincoat and started running. At gate number two on the north side, their driver Lankesh was waiting with the car door open. As soon as the girl sat up, the car started moving. Lankesh is driving faster than usual today. Why is he in such a hurry? The girl was suddenly very surprised. Lankesh is not the one driving the car. Who are you?" she said in a frightened voice. The man did not respond. By that time he had reached the highway. There is not much traffic, cars are moving like meteors.

The girl's name is Puja Guad. She has just been kidnapped. This is the fourth child abduction in the port city of Navi Mumbai in the past two months."

THE GIRL SAT IN A STATE of despair after watching the news in the television. There's something about the girl that makes men swoon. Something else beyond form.

Even sometimes the most beautiful girls often seem quite ordinary. This girl is not like that and she knows it about herself.

The girl's eyes are small and featureless. Cheekbones are high. Small forehead but still what a strange look. What a charm! 

She is wearing a long black dress. A lot of the back is visible. From a distance, it seems that the girl's skin color is light blue. When you see it, you want to touch it.

The girl is standing by the huge window looking away. There is no way to tell if she is thinking something or not. Nothing can be understood by looking at the faces of such girls. Their eyes are usually expressionless.

'Mammi!'

The girl turned to see Jenny enter. Grass slippers on Jenny's feet. Movement is silent.

'Jenny!'

'What mammi?'

'Didn't I tell you to enter the house by asking?'

Jenny looked at her mother with wide eyes in embarrassment. The girl looks exactly like her mom. Only the eyes are brighter, more serious.

'Jenny, you're in eleven, you have a lot to learn now, don't you?' 'Yes, mother.'

'Here I could stay with your father. Couldn't I?'

'Hmmm'

'We have many matters which you must not see or hear.'

Jenny's cheeks turned red. She could not look directly at her mother.

'Did you come to say something, Jenny?' 

‘Yes.'

'Says quickly'

'Mom, I don't feel like sitting at home. I feel very alone. I want to go back to school.' 

'You are not alone, Miss Maria is with you. Are not?'

'I don't like Miss Maria. Mom, I want to go to school.'

'You can't go. I will not send you to school unless I am sure of your safety. Go, now lie down.'

Jenny stood still. Devi was very upset. Her tone of voice did not reveal that annoyance.

'Jenny, are you going to say anything else?'

'I want to go to school mom.'

'I heard that once. Why are you saying it again? Go to sleep. I don't like hearing the same things over and over.'

JENNY WENT QUIETLY. Devi looked at the girl and let out a small breath. Her daughter has become extraordinarily beautiful. Such beauties have to grow up in many troubles. When she was only ten years old, she was forced to tie a handkerchief over her face. No, she doesn't like to think about these things anymore. Devi poured herself a little martini, glass in hand as she approached the stairs saw Ayan's car coming in.

Ayan went to Kolkata on business. He is supposed to return after two more days. Devi obviously wasn't surprised at all. Ayan does this often. Arrived at the wrong time. He has some doubts about Devi. He wants to come untimely and see if there is any male with Devi. Devi said with a smile, 'what happened, you had come before?'

'It didn't work so I came back.'

'Shall I ask for dinner?'

Ayan said tiredly, 'I have eaten. Business is going very badly, Devi.'

'I'll make a martini? There are olives.'

'Give it.'

Ayan finished the glass of martini with one sip. That means he is particularly concerned about something. About business? But his business has been going bad for a long time.  This is nothing new.

'Devi!'

'Listen, tell me.'

'Sit down. Sit in the front chair.  Have a cool conversation with you. Need urgent.'  

Devi did not sit. Made another glass of martini and stood next to him. Ayan is serious.

'You need to cut costs, Devi,' said the voice. A lot should be reduced.' Devi chuckled.

How much?'

'Don't laugh. You bought this painting after I went to Rome. How much?

'Very cheap. Three hundred thousand rupee!'

Ayan's face turned in a blink.

'Three hundred thousand rupee!'

'Yes. First See, who is the artist, Ramachandran! Isn't it strange? Ramachandran did not paint this picture again. Don't you feel good?'

Ayan managed his anger with great difficulty. It is impossible to argue with Devi when angry. Devi must be understood. Cool head, with clear reasoning. 'Devi please tries to understand one thing. My condition is not good. Bad, very bad.'

'How bad?'

'This year too I have made a loss. Meanwhile, the bank has a huge debt.'

'How big?'

'About two core rupee.'

Devi smiled quietly. Ayan couldn't understand how anyone could smile in such a normal manner.

'Why are you laughing?'

'Seeing your nervous state.'

'Get real, Devi. Please.'

Devi sat down in the front chair with a smile. How did you get into such a situation?

Why has your silk industry suddenly collapsed?'

'Our machinery is all old,' said Ayan wearily. We need to buy new spinning machine. We cannot compete with the Chinese in Hong Kong unless we install new machines. They are now offering excellent silk at half the cost.'

'Buy a new machine.'

Where can I get money? Have to take a loan from the bank but needs a guarantee.

That's why I'm telling you to reduce the expenses.'

'Do I have to change my lifestyle for the Chinese in Hong Kong?'

I am not asking to change; I am asking to reduce expenses.'

'Devi got up and closed the door. Ayan saw her standing by the closet undressing. Ayan can't turn her eyes away. Devi's age is decreasing as time passes. Devi said softly, 'Come on, let's go to sleep.'

'Sit a little. The night is not long.'

There are no clothes on, but in what an easy way Devi is moving. Ayan felt a little worried. Devi trying to enchant him. There must be a reason. What could it be? Devi lit a cigarette and sat in the chair in front of Ayan. 'Jenny wants to go to school,' she said softly.

'Let's go. You should go.'

'What if she was kidnapped like Ankita’s daughter?'

'They are the richest family in India,' said Ayan, annoyed. Kidnap their girls and ask for a ransom of two million rupee. But what about me?

Is there?'

Devi said gravely, 'the kidnappers don't know what you don't have. I myself did not know your condition.'

Ayan lit a cigarette. Keep a cool head. If you want to argue with Devi, you have to keep a calm head. Ayan said softly, 'run, the people doing the kidnapping are mafia people, you know that?'

'I know.'

'Mafia keeps track of everything. They don't know whose condition, understand? So you can safely send Jenny to school.'

Devi stood up. What a beautiful body. Who will say this girl is forty? The soft light from the ceiling seems to fall on him. Looks like a mermaid. 'There is a wonderful school in London,' said Devi gravely. Many Indian children study there. I want to send Jenny to that school. The younger daughter of the Mukharjee’s is admitted there. Excellent school.

Ayan was stunned. What is he saying? He remained silent for a long time and said, 'You don't understand the real thing. We don't have money. I cannot afford to leave my daughter in London to teach. Besides, Jenny wouldn't like it either. She is so