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KARTAVYA
The night was chilly and windy in contrast with the warm interior of Kartavya's cab. He sat in the parking lot of the venue with the party mask in his hand and stared at it. Kartavya thought that that this was nothing new to him he's always had an invisible mask in front of the world just the reasons varied throughout the course of his life.
In childhood he wore the mask of coal ashes and dust to hide his tear-stricken face which reflected the sadness and vulnerability of an innocent child who was tossed in the world where his childhood was snatched away from him, during his teenage years the mask of sheer hard work and long hours of struggle veiled the rage he felt as the dark realities of the society unfolded and he became more and more aware of the cruel world.
During his early adulthood the mask of determination and focus to make a name and place for himself amongst the society kept his thirst for vengeance and righteousness hidden and gave him little time to think about every time he had nightmares which were full of demons from his past and memories wherein, he was wronged and robbed of his sanity.
And today he once again tied the mask around his face to hide his true self and mask his feelings.
'Check in everyone.' Pratham's voice filled through the comms in his ear.
'Copy' Jeeva's voice came followed by Moksh's.
'Copy' Aria spoke.
Kartavya was the last one to confirm.
'Okay guys me and Moksh are entering the casino, meet you inside K.'
'I'll be right behind you both.'
Kartavya exited the cab and showed the invitation with the pretentious name of Aditya Oberoi to the bouncer at the entry; after scanning the invitation the bouncer led him inside. The interior spoke richness, from the plush carpet to the chandeliers. The bar was lavish and undoubtedly held the most expensive liquor the lightning was dim and soft music played in the background.
In the center the game table was kept and was surrounded by the players who've had their bets on the poker. The balls were rolling, bets were being made, and cards were being distributed. The overall atmosphere was vibrant full of entertainment and a zing of excitement. It was packed with people from the higher strata of the society, mafia, businessman, politicians all here gambling their black money.
There in the midst of the crowd, Kartavya spotted Moksh and Jeeva who were deep into their role of Mr. and Mrs. Bajaj, both looking like the perfect power couple with a champagne glass in their hands their faces half hidden due to the eye mask. Their vision collided with him and Kartavya gave them the slightest nod of acknowledgement.
'Aria what's the status?'
'Sansanwal has booked the private VIP room no. 2 for the dealings and while I took a stroll of the casino, I installed bugs in the room and a camera which will give Pratham the full view of the game table. Sansanwal's security will be tight today and will have around three security men positioned right outside the private room and 5 of them inside and these are trained men we are talking about.'
'Wow this information eased my nervousness Aria, it helps me a lot to know that we'll be inside in a closed VIP room with five highly trained men who will kill us first and ask us later even if they suspect the tiniest thing to be out of place, I could seriously do without knowing this.' Moksh said, hearing which Aria spoke,
'Don't worry Dr. when things go south, I'll be there to save your lanky ass,
Pratham's voice cut Aria in between 'Sansanwal has arrived, be alert everyone.'
'K, it's the right time to make your bet at the main table.' Jeeva said.
But Kartavya was already in motion, he moved towards the entrance from where Pankaj Sansanwal was entering and then came in his path and bumped his shoulder into him with enough force to falter his step. Kartavya then looked directly in his eyes and nonchalantly said forwarding his hand, 'My apologies, Mr. .....?'
'No problem, I'm Pankaj Sansanwal, the MD and CEO of the erstwhile Sansanwal Bank, and you're?'
'Myself Aditya Oberoi, I am a real estate developer based in the US, anyways excuse me.'
Kartavya could already sense that Pankaj was already intimidated by him, and he was successful in asserting his authority and making an impression in the eyes of his prey. He then moved towards the main table without glancing backwards and made a wager of 20 crores, which made all the eyes turn towards him, before the distributor could hand Kartavya his cards, he was intervened by Pankaj Sansanwal, 'why don't you join me and my wife gentleman for a private game tonight?'
This was the moment Kartavya was waiting for, for his prey to make a move, 'I would love to but tonight I'm here with my acquaintances all the way from the states and it would be rude for me to leave them and have all the fun by myself.' Kartavya gestured towards Jeeva and Moksh who were now standing by his side.
Sansanwal forwarded to shake his hands with Jeeva and Moksh who introduced themselves and made small talk with each other.
'I would like to invite you all for the private game, it would be an amazing night to make some new friends and money, Mrs. Sansanwal remarked.
'Oh it's definitely gonna be an amazing night, you just wait and watch bitch.' Aria spoke in their earpiece.
'I think that would be great, right honey?' Jeeva spoke and looked towards Moksh.
'OfCourse love, I'm sure we would love that.'
They were escorted to the VIP lounge it was a big luxurious room along with a small but classy bar, a big pool table, the game machine and a snack bar in short it was the perfect gambling set up, and Kartavya could already sense Sansanwal getting excited, over-excitement causes even the most clever men to make mistake, and Sansanwal did just that tonight by clashing with Y.A.M.A.
'Let's start the game ladies and gentlemen.' the handler announced.
Moksh, Jeeva and Kartavya played the gamble for the next fifteen minutes, losing each bet and gradually the pile of Sansanwal's money chips kept on increasing. Pratham's voice broke through the earpiece, 'About 700 crores has been transferred guys, I'm making the call. Be ready.'
'Moksh and Jeeva took a sharp intake of breath, and it seemed everything happened all at once. sirens could be heard outside the lounge and all the eyes in eyes in the room turned towards the three of them. Sansanwal ordered his bodyguards 'Take them down' and proceeded to exit with his wife, just when he opened the door, a voice greeted him
'Mera interest tho dete jaaiye Pankaj ji, abhi tho game baaki hai, raat bohot lambi hai' Aria entered the lounge and smacked him across the face, broke his jaw and zip tied and gagged him and his wife. Behind her all the guards protecting the entrance of the lounge lay whimpering, which Kartavya assumed were the handiworks of Aria.
Kartavya reached for a silverware plate and bashed the head of one of the bodyguards who took a swing at him, Jeeva was occupied too in tackling two guards, before Kartavya could reach over and help her, Aria striked the guard's head with the butt of her gun and effortlessly avoided a swing, throwed a punch square on his face and dislocated his shoulder which produced a crackling sound of bones.
When the other guard tackled her from behind, she threw her elbow on his ribs and all air whooshed out from the guard's lungs, he spitted a mouthful of blood and Aria threw his limp body over her shoulder, it fell on the carpeted floor with a thud not before kicking his abdomen.
'Damn, remind me to never piss you off Aria.' Moksh spoke and then continued to remove the TV panel which led to a secret pathway.
Once all the guards were down, Jeeva asked 'Pratham what's the status?'
'Police has reached the front entrance, quickly wipe all the fingerprints, leave the electronic evidence and make yourself scarce guys, I'll handle the CCTV.'
Kartavya dragged the still unconscious Pankaj Sansanwal through the passageway and said to Aria, 'Leave Mrs. Sansanwal on the chair and remove the gag, we're not taking her, it is not her fault that her husband dragged her into this world of deceit.'
Jeeva scoffed stepping over a bodyguard, 'Sure it was not her fault that she remained silent during the inquiry despite being fully aware of her husband's doings, knowing very well that how crucial her testimony could be.'
'We all would be needing testimonies cause if we do not get out of here, we'll be accompanying Sansanwal to the jail party, Jeeva leave her there, let's go now.' Moksh spoke gesturing towards the passageway.
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They made their escape and settled into a black SUV which was parked in the basement, Kartavya threw Sansanwal into the trunk and closed the doors and went the opposite way, 'Where are you going?' Kartavya asked from inside.
'I need to get my car; you guys get going I'll meet you there.'
Everyone led out a series of fucks and groans as the car sped off. Kartavya could see many attendees leaving the venue in a hurry as the police raided the party, and he skill fully drove the car at a lightning speed and took the lesser-known route to the warehouse.
Everyone was quiet inside the car during the drive, Aria was a women of few words provided her background of being an ex- Air force fighter pilot, but this time the silence was not comfortable rather it seemed forced, like she had so much contained inside and was waiting to let it all out, from the rear-view mirror Kartavya's eyes connected with Jeeva and she gave him a nod confirming his own suspicions.
They reached the warehouse. Aria was the first one to get out she opened the trunk of the car and forced Sansanwal out with much unnecessary force and harshness, he let out a groan and was back into consciousness. 'Who are you all, and why are you doing this to me?'
Aria grabbed a fistful of his salt and pepper hair and dragged him into the basement, the place in the warehouse whose walls have seen the justice being served and righteousness being done, they were witness to the cries of agony of monsters, they were witness to pleading of those who fathom themselves as the mighty, and they were witness to real faces when the façade crumbles.
Kartavya helped aria to tie his hands above his head and attaching that rope to the hook on the wall above, so he was in a standing position. Still wiggling he shouted, 'Help me someone help, save me, is anyone there..'
'Raise your voice all you want, no one will hear you, my money will silence all your pathetic voice, remember Pankaj you said this to Kamal Anand.' Aria spoke while circling him.
'Who the hell is Kamal Anand?'
'Kamal Anand, age 45, garment shop owner, one of the persons who protested against the Sansanwal bank's illegal handlings. You know what He committed suicide because he went bankrupt and chose to take his life rather than go to jail, you know why he went bankrupt, because his savings account was freezed and all his hard-earned money went into your pocket motherfucker.
And he is not alone, Sushma, Kapil, Gagan, kajal these are names of all those who took their lives because your action forced them to the limit that they chose death over facing consequences for merely opening and entrusting their faith in your god damn bank.'
Kartavya felt blinding rage and helpless at the same time, they were just names for Sansanwal but all these people meant something to someone, somewhere someone lost their mother, father, sister, brother because of the greed of one man, not one case registered, not one voice who dared to make a difference was spared.
It fucking crushes something inside of him, any remaining resolve it all shattered and he kicked Pankaj in his stomach, punched him until he lost of all sense of time hoping every punch and every drop of blood, he would make Sansanwal shed would somehow give an iota of satisfaction to the victim's family. Jeeva's voice broke him out of his trance, 'Kartavya stop, he'll be dead and of no use then.'
Kartavya backed off and Aria splashed a bucket of water over Pankaj and slapped him to bring him back into consciousness, 'Wake up motherfucker party's still left.' He let out a groan and started blabbering 'Please leave me, I'll give you all a share you can each take 10 crores but please spare me I'll never do it again.'
'You'll be leaving in a state where even breathing will seem like a distant possibility, forget doing anything else you cocksucker.' Jeeva spitted at his feet and slapped him hard across his meaty face.
'Bring the accessories Aria and give special attention to the fingers and we'll see if he still has them to bribe his way out of justice.' Kartavya stated.
Aria dragged a table and opened a toolbox on it which had a variety of cutters, screw drivers, metal ails, hammer and other things one should never be familiar with. She too the bolt cutter and positioned Pankaj's thumb in between 'This is for taking the life of Kamal Anand.' speaking this she cut his finger off his hand, and it dropped on the floor, blood oozing out, he led out a loud shriek and started wiggling, crying and begging.
'This one's for Sushma.' and she proceeded to cut his forefinger, Pankaj's cries were a full-grown shrieks of panic and pain, something so easy to inflict on others but hard to go through for oneself.
After some time
Once they were done with Pankaj, Kartavya called Pratham to bring in the recording equipment. The gate opened, Pratham and Moksh bought the camera, along with the stand and placed it right in front of Pankaj's almost lifeless body.
Moksh slapped him and he blinked a few times adjusting to the lights, 'please no more' he kept repeating it like a mantra.
Moksh took a seat and looked directly in the eyes of Pankaj 'Listen very carefully you pig, you will now confess to your guilt, all the crimes you committed and how you caused the bank scandal along with your intentions with the money so gathered in front of the camera and if you speak anything, I repeat anything about us trust me your fingerless hands will look like a joke in front of your headless body which you will not live to see idiot, now start speaking and we'll decide your fate remember any hint about us and....' Moksh made a scissor-cutting motion with his fingers.
Pratham start recording, 'Alright 3, 2, 1 start.'
And for the next 15 minutes Pankaj spoke in lengths about how he initiated the scam and froze all the accounts, how he misused all the deposits and how he escaped the authorities and inquiry he even mentioned the names of some officials whom he bribed, about which Y.A.M.A already knew. Next, he spoke regarding his elopement plans all the while sobbing and crying in pain and whimpering like the pathetic bastard he was.
'Finally done.' Pratham spoke and cut the recording.
'C-C-can I go now? P-please let me g-g-o.
'Who said anything about us being done with you?' Jeeva said and supplemented her words by picking up the razor and shaving off his head and eyebrows, satisfied with her work she spoke 'Now you look like you belong to the streets which is where we'll be leaving you, you fucker.'
'Aria make the delivery and Pratham take care of the anonymous tips to the Criminal Bureau of Action [CBA], I and Moksh will clear this mess and Jeeva handle the litigation charges if the CBA files a report. Let's finally be done with this pest.'
'Also, Aria please don't kill him while delivering, we want him living enough till the police reaches him.' Jeeva said.
'Alright, but what's the fun in that?' Aria said nonchalantly. All of them shook their head, snickering.
It was early morning by the time Kartavya was able to reach the Pet Daycare Centre. He parked his car and got out, before he even made it to the gate of the center, a series of barks startled him and there came running towards him his golden retriever dog, Buzo in all it's glory of light golden fur and it shined in the early morning sunlight.
Kartavya and Buzo's friendship was 4 years old now but Kartavya still never got tired of whenever Buzo jumped on him and licked his face tail wagging and an all-tooth smile flashing. Buzo is the only constant in Kartavya's life, and he regretted not being to spend all his time with his dog.
Buzo sensed Kartavya's emotions and feelings like no human could and he would not hesitate to admit that God forbid if any situation comes, he will give his life for his dog, just like Kartavya knew Buzo would do for him. Kartavya often found it strange that he found the loyalty and emotional connection he longed for in a soul which was just as lost as him when he found him.
'You missed me right, I know you did, I also missed you Buzo, see what I bought, yes yes, doggy treats, come on boy let's go...'
'I hope he was not much trouble,' Kartavya spoke to Shyam uncle, the manager of center.
'No no he was a total gentleman and woooed all the female dogs out here.' He said with a laugh.
Kartavya led out a laugh, 'a flirt you are huh Buzo' and kissed his head and gave him a nice belly rub and scratched the back of his ears.
They both were just settled in the car when Kartavya's phone light up with a call and he frowned seeing Akaal's name
'Yes, A.P all good, you called so early today?'
'Kartavya please tell me that it's a fucking rumor, because all's not good right now.'
'What rumor are you talking about, are high or something from the party last night?'
'I am not high, but the stocks of our company are certainly low Kartavya and if the news is true then we're about to get fucked, reach the office ASAP.'
Kartavya led out a frustrated groan and slapped the wheel of the car hard, Buzo led out a bark.
'Yeah man me too, I know this world sucks. This night is just not fucking ending.' And he drove from one nightmare towards another.
THE INDIAN NEWSPAPER HEADLINES OF THIS MORNING- BANKER PANKAJ SANSANWAL BEATEN BY THE CROWD, DECLARED DEAD DUE TO MOB LYNCHING, HEAD SHAVEN AND FINGERS FOUND MISSING FROM HANDS. CBA RELEASES LATE BANKER'S VIDEO CONFESSION.
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