Chapter 11-
"Ahhh....where am I? It is so dark here. My head hurts very badly...." I stood up in the dark while rubbing the back of my head. I tried to walk a bit ahead, but I banged my right foot on a heavy metal like thing. "Ahhhhh..... what the f***! My foot. Ok, calm down, Malini and focus on your flame." I closed my eyes, took a few deep breaths and imagined having purple flames around my body. In no time, the darkness faded away by the purple flame. I opened my eyes and saw the room was stacked up with expensive high-tech equipment. Being curious, I walked ahead. I touched each and every piece of equipment. By the time I reached the end of the room, I could hear murmurs but couldn't figure out where it came from. Suddenly, a blue ray came out from somewhere, scanning me from head to toe. I was so scared that my mouth became dry. Soon, a voice spoke - "Welcome, Agent Umbra, it's been years that you came back. How may I help you today?" I was very surprised to hear such a sweet female voice out of the blue. I asked in that direction -'' Who are you? Show yourself."
Suddenly, the entire room lit up and the voice continued -" I am sorry to startle you, Agent Umbra. I am SOPHII, a computerized program who is designed to store all the information about you all. I am designed by you, Umbra."
Me -" What is this place about? And why are you calling me Agent Umbra? I am not an agent."
SOPHII-" We are actually at the secret base of the gym. I was programmed by the idea of four agents - Agent Luke, Agent Umbra, Agent Cala and Agent Astor & Agent Tushar to protect the five Elements of Nature."
Me -" I can't remember any of the things that you are saying. It feels like a tale to me. I know nothing about computers. How can I even design such a high-tech program! I am just a simple girl with some extraordinary powers, that's it."
SOPHII-" I am sorry that you don't remember me, but as Keyuri, the Divine water spirit said, you will remember everything soon."
Me -" Then help me so that I can remember you bit by bit. Tell me, what is the meaning of your name?"
SOPHII-" My name means SERIES OPERATING PROCESSOR HYPER INTERFACE INTELLIGENCE. I was designed on 31st October 2015, and I was connected with the main phase after 2 days. Agent Claret with Agent Amber could successfully connect my older version to the computers of the hidden chamber."
Me-" So you mean the computers in the chamber of the library have your older version?"
SOPHII-" Yes Agent Navy. Agent White used to command me to analyse every little information about all the dead bodies kept in those big glass tanks. He fears that the same type of attacks are happening again, but this time, the attacking species are different."
Me -" So tell me, what is this hidden room about?"
SOPHII-" This room is actually about the secret training done only by those who are chosen by Agent White."
Me -" As I am already here then I want to try to improve my skills. Guide me, SOPHII."
SOPHII-" Ok, you can start with treadmill workouts. I will record your every workout."
I looked at my watch, it was 5:30 am. and then stood up on the treadmill. SOPHII adjusted the time and the speed of it. I started to walk and and slowly, my speed increased. Soon I was running at a good speed and after a few more minutes I completed it. Then, I moved on to the dumbbells for the next 15 minutes. After that, I completed my meditation and felt refreshed as well as sweaty. " SOPHII, where can I take a shower?"
SOPHII-" You actually don't have to take a shower to remove the sweat. Just go and stand in that glass room to your left. All your sweat will be absorbed in a few minutes." I did as I was instructed. It really did work and I felt less sweaty. I came back and it stated-" Agent Navy, I would request you now to leave before Agent White comes back. I will open up the place from where you can return back to the library." A podium appeared from the floor and I stood on it. Then it went upwards and the ceiling opened up a hole. As soon as I stood on the floor from the podium, the podium went down and the floor sealed up. I looked at my surroundings and found myself in the library. I checked my watch, it was 7 am. "Time for everyone to wake up. I have to hurry up and reach my room before anyone notices me." I came out of the library tiptoed and handed the keys to Haru. It will keep the keys in its place quietly. As I was rushing towards my room, I saw Neha's window was open. I peeked a bit and saw Neha was sleeping peacefully, cuddling Anirban. My eyes widened at the scene. It felt cute to me but not to others. I immediately shut her window from outside and then ran to my room. Upon unlocking my door, I locked it from inside and plopped on my bed. It's time for my nap for at least 2 hours.
"We have to do it secretly.... they shouldn't come to know about it... Agent Navy, I will guard you, lead our way.....Wait, there's a bomb. It's a trap. Everybody run. Now..." I was panting heavily. This dream was different from those dreams. I was very much terrified when I saw the scene of the bomb blast. "But why did I see such a dream where I was wearing such gear and holding a weapon in my hand." I gulped down water as much as I could. I sat on the bed for some moment to recall everything that I had seen. "Who was that in a silver color suit and why was he calling me Agent Navy? And why was I there among them?" Suddenly, there was a knock on my door, which brought me back to my consciousness. I rubbed my sweats and opened my door. I saw Shruti was standing with a frustrated look, hands folded. I gave her a sheepish smile, and she bombarded with her words. " Oh man, this is going to be long," I thought as she continued to scold me for not responding to her while she was calling me for a very long time.
Shruti-" Are you even listening to what I am saying?"
Me -" Oh...um.. yes, yes, very attentively."
Shruti-" No, you are not. Anyways, I have come to inform you that there will be a meeting for our coming seminar next Monday and D.S. mam has requested me to inform all of our classmates personally. Within 1 hour, everyone is expected in the laboratory for the meeting. Come fast, don't be late." With that, she left in a hurry. I looked at the time, 10 am. I ran to the bathroom and it took me 20 minutes. Then I put on my fresh clothes and tied my hair in a loose bun. Some small hairs came out from the sides. I grabbed a toast & gulped a glass of orange juice as I missed today's breakfast. Then I grabbed my bag and keys, locking my door. Putting on my ID card, I ran through the common passage of both buildings to reach the laboratory on time.
Only 5 minutes were left when I reached the door of the laboratory. I was trying hard to catch my breath while coughing slightly when suddenly I felt a hand on my head. I looked up to find C.P. mam patting my head and back slowly with a smile on her face. I thanked her and went inside. A few minutes later, D.S. mam came to the meeting. The meeting was held for more than 2 hours. What to say in the seminar, how to represent our topics in the seminar?...etc etc. After the meeting ended, I made my way towards the library. " Good afternoon, Adrija, mam." I greeted her with a smile, and as usual, she gave me a sweet smile. For the seminar, I have chosen "The modifications of flying feathers in predator birds." So now I have to search for books which explain all modifications about feathers and study them thoroughly. I gathered 4 books on the table and started to note down important points on my exercise copy. Suddenly, there was a voice in my ear, " You look beautiful when you lose some hairs of your messy bun." I was startled by that voice and looked up immediately. I saw Anksh was looking at me with a dirty smug on his face. I was disgusted with that look. I ignored him and continued writing. He pulled a chair beside me and sat close to me.
- " Don't ignore me, sweetie," he whispered in my ears. I stood up from my chair," Eww.... Leave me alone, Anksh. I don't want to see your face." I raised my voice a bit. He came closer to me and caught my wrist firmly -" Oh baby girl! I know you like it when I come close to you." The next thing I knew was that he was lying on the floor. His left cheek swollen up with red marks printed on it. I looked to my side and saw Ayan was fuming with anger. He bent down and pulled Anksh by his collar and said-" If I see you bothering her again, I may forget that we study together in the same batch." Adrija mam came running to us to know the matter. Ayan stood up, and before I could react and say anything, he held my hand and dragged me out of the library.
-" Are you out of your mind, Malini? Don't you know that creep follows you everywhere!" Ayan snapped at me. I looked at him with surprise and he was showing my fault.
Me -" Why are you saying this to me? If you worry about it so much, then stop that creep. Don't lecture me for the thing which I am not responsible for."
Ayan-" Then don't walk around that creep."
Me -" Do you even know what you are saying! You are accusing me. Next you will say to wear a 'Burqa' and roam around. Get out of my sight, Ayan. The moment you came to stop him, I thought you care about me. But now you are hunting down my unknown fault. Seems like nothing has changed between us and will never change. I can fight for myself. Get the hell out of my sight."
I locked my room and stormed out of the dormitory. I was walking down the street, fuming with anger. I called Dhruv. He picked up after two rings. Before he could even say something, I said-"I want to rant about something that happened right now with me. I am very angry. Can you allow me to take it all out and listen to my blabbering?" He just hummed in response, and I started - "How can he say that it was my fault? Like, is it my fault that I am being haunted by a creep! Is he out of his mind? I mean, it's ok to react like this when you see someone being disturbed and followed by a creep, but that doesn't mean that you will behave like this. I thought you were a more responsible brother to me, but you are not. Nothing to me..." I was shouting at that time. " Sweetheart, calm down. Take a deep breath, sweetie. Close your eyes and think about us." The moment I heard his voice, I became calm. I did what he told me to do. I became happy again.
Me -" Dhruv, I love you. I love you so much you can't imagine. Sorry if I said what I shouldn't say and also I bothered you when you were studying."
He-" It's ok, my princess. I am not bothered at all. In fact, I am blessed to know that you share everything with me. I, too, love you, my sweetie."
Me-" Really! Ok, then give me a kiss on call." I immediately heard his long kissing noise. I giggled with happiness.
He -" Don't be sad, sweetie. I will come fast as soon as I get a few days' vacation. Then you will take care of me with all your love. We will snuggle under the blanket."
Me -" And..."
He -" And sleep in each other's hugs."
Me-" Dhruv...no not this."
He-" Then what does my princess want?"
Me-" I want..... uhhh ... you know it."
He-" Ahh... so my princess became naughty again, right."
Me-" Babe... don't tease me. Yes, I want all the love from you."
He -" Your wish is my command, my Lady. Sweetie, I have to go. My class is going to start. Talk to you later. Bye, sweetie."
Me -" Bye." We hung up.
Chapter 12-
While talking with him, I didn't notice when it became dark. I hurriedly took a look at my watch, 7:30 pm. I gasped by looking at it & started to walk fast to reach campus as soon as possible. With each step, I felt as if someone was following me. I was near the station, and it will take at least half an hour more to reach my campus. Suddenly, I heard a cry. The cry was so shrill that I had to cover my ears. Then I heard a cry again, "Help me." That's when I realized a person was attacked by a shadowmorph. Without thinking enough, I ran towards that noise immediately. On reaching there, I saw a little girl crying and praying for mercy from a shadowmorph who had already made her its target. I was terrified as well as furious from that sight. I shouted on top of my voice -" Leave her." It drew attention to me and screeched.The little girl ran and hid behind a tree. I didn't know if I was ready to face any shadowmorph, but in order to save a little girl, I have to do whatever I can. It came near me and tried to bind me with its sharp claws, but I was quick enough to dodge it. While fighting with it, I noticed it had the same moves and always aimed towards my neck. The next moment, it launched another attack, and I jumped up in the air to dodge it, but unfortunately, it caught my shoulder tightly within the claws. Those sharp claws were digging inside my skin. It was pitch black with sharp claws, no eyes to look at its prey but could sense them. It opened its mouth to scream, and I noticed that it had just half teeth in both of its jaws. All of the teeth were merged with each other and were very sharp compared to the butcher's knife. At that moment, Vikash da's words came to my mind, " Don't let your enemies see your weaknes." My body started to glow, and soon my purple flames appeared. As soon as my flames touched the shadowmorph, it screamed in pain, and I could see that its claws with other parts were burning. It lifted me in the air and threw me, and my back got hurt as I landed on the ground. Then it flew away in a hurry.
I stood up slowly, using support. The little girl came running to me and hugged me. She had tears in her eyes. I wiped her eyes and asked-" What is your name, little one? Where do you live?" She looked at me with a smile and replied-" My name is Ragini, and I live just 2 blocks from here. Thank you for saving my life, big sister. I was so scared, " and again I saw tears in her eyes. I smiled at her and said- " Don't cry. Your big sister will always protect you. You shouldn't roam around at night. Come with me, I will drop you home." She looked at me with concern -" But big sister, you got cuts, and you are bleeding." I took her hand in mine and replied-" Don't worry, little one, I will be fine within a few minutes. You have to promise me that from tomorrow you won't go outside once it is dark and you won't tell anyone whatever you saw today. Okay?" She smiled -" I promise." Finally, we reached her house where her mother was waiting outside. As soon as she saw us, she hurriedly hugged her daughter with tears. I was relieved at that sight. Her mother thanked me many times and offered me to stay in her house for that night, but I had to refuse her politely. She gave me a lot of blessings, and I headed towards my campus. I was running to go inside. I knew that the main gate would be closed, so I had to jump up the high wall in order to go inside. I tried 3 times to jump up the high wall, but I became weaker, and it was becoming hard for me to stand straight. I closed my eyes and thought, "I wish I could go inside now." When I opened my eyes, I found myself standing on the campus ground in between those huge lights. My legs couldn't hold me anymore, and my head was spinning. I sat down and thought, "Did I just teleport myself? That's so cool. But now I can't keep my consciousness anymore. I need help, Vikash da where are you?" Suddenly, a pair of strong arms lifted me up and carried me towards the dormitory. I looked at the face and was glad to see Vikash da. I felt safe in his arms.
While carrying me up, I saw him clench his jaws many times in anger. I knew a big storm was going to come once he saw me in perfect shape. He took the keys to my room and opened it. Then, he put me down on the bed and took out the first aid box. He washed off my blood and applied some ointment, and then bandaged it. He was leaving my room quietly, but I called his name-" Vikash da." He stopped near the door and said -" Get changed and go to sleep, " and he went out. " That was so cold. He didn't even look at his child. I guess I deserve it after today's behavior, " I thought before going to bed.