One more time : Where Oblivion meets Obsession

#7 — THE BLUNDER

Myra slumped back on the bed and all of a sudden Rose asked lost in thoughts, "Myra… has it ever happened to you that you saw a man and the whole world stopped."

Myra smiled sadly.

—9 years ago—

—Toronto, Canada—

Bidding goodbye to my family, I set out for the world tour which I've been waiting for since eternity. Muma and Dada said I cannot travel outside the country before I was 18. Ever since they said this two years ago, I have been cutting of each day on the calendar for my 18th birthday. I long to see the world. What is it like... different climates, different clothes, skin tones, cultures, languages everything.

I don't know why but I have this longing for travel ever since my childhood days.

I am the only daughter of a wealthy family. So you can imagine what kind of a stubbornly spoiled brat I'm. I don't give up easily on my wishes. And a world tour was one of them.

If there is nothing interesting going on in my life, I travel to make life interesting, make more memories. If something good happens in my life, I travelled to remember it, to celebrate it. If nothing happens in my life, I travel to break the boring routine, and make something happen but it was all restricted to the boundaries of my country, travelling with parents which got boring with time.

***

I rushed towards the airport. As I walked outside and we saw the map, and the markings, my heart hammered against my chest.

I will be heading on a road trip and then get on a plane, land on an Asian continent and travel that continent via land. This is going to be so exciting. I don't know if it's really the hormones or I'm really feeling this ecstasy. We travelled across a few countries which took around seven weeks and then stopped at the capital city of an Asian country, Pakistan. It was a beautiful city. We stayed there for 3 days, did a lot of sightseeing, watching architectures, the Masjids especially. They're a work of art. This is amazing. I don't know why but I don't feel like leaving this place. I had travelled around six countries by now in the past two months, nothing has drawn me like this one.

We decided that tomorrow morning will be our last sightseeing session and by evening we will come back to the hotel, collect our belongings and leave.

Or so was the plan. So, we went to restaurants, visited sites and then headed for our hotel apartment. When we reached there, the site in front of us left us shocked. The Hotel floors were burning and people running in and out of the flames.

For almost six floors, the fire was extreme. Helicopters trying to rescue people from the above floors, fire brigade doing their work and people in a panicked state as they kept splashing water and slowly the fire kept coming down but still the people screaming, yelling, crying didn't lessen a bit.

Amidst this chaos, I saw him and the whole universe stopped. I looked and looked on but it was like I wanted to tear my gaze away from him but I could not. I wanted to move my feet to go to a safer place but I couldn't. Everything in the peripheral vision began to blur and only he remained.

Even with his face stained with ash, forehead creased with worried lines, eyes holding concern for these unknown people, he looked like the most handsome man she had ever seen. I saw him running towards us but why was he coming here? Why was he running towards me? My question was answered when he pulled me with a jerk towards him and I heard the loud horn and a car ran over the place I was previously standing. "What's wrong with you huh? Now along with pulling people people out of the Fire, I'll have to act as a traffic policeman too?" He hissed. But I didn't seem to care. His voice was deeper and louder than I expected. "I… I am sorry." I stuttered.

He nodded and ran back rescuing people.

***

—Present—

The next day, Rose and Bryan left for their ways. Bryan, for collecting all the information required for the mission, the people, their details, everything. Meanwhile Yousuf continued working on his innovative devices, Ronn and Yuka with their chemicals and Myra, Shermon constantly training for combat, shooting, defence etc.

They had a few days for training now.

***

“Hello everyone, meet me in the study in ten minutes.” Bryan said walking swiftly inside and everyone waited in the study for him. It’s been three days and every tick of the clock brought them closer to more destruction. Bryan walked in, “put on the projector someone.” He said shuffling through the pockets and took out a pen drive, and started.

“This is bad news. And very serious. As I combed in for more data, I got to know that there are many of the suppliers who work on a small scale which are not a threat to this organisation because it cannot provide ammunition for an entire army, or country, nor they have high class weapons. They deliver for just local goons and gangsters through the cities. So only two of the fourteen big parties remain. This one…” he said displaying a picture of the Russian mafia king, “UDF wants him alive so that B-9 can use him as a bait to trap the culprit. So this one remains. Our objective is to keep him safe and working until the balance of order is restored.” He said and clicked the button displaying the familiar face that haunted Myra’s dreams and reality. “Shahmeer Zamán Khan?” she said subconsciously in a daze.

“Yes him. I thought we would never meet up again.” Bryan said, annoyed. They didn’t have a pleasant encounter last time.

“It’s not easy you know. Last time he tracked us even despite our every precaution. Followed us all the way through three countries and got us. That’s so keen and observant he and his men are for his security. We can’t do this like Bryan does, keeping a distance. It would give an advantage to the enemy. Someone has to go closer, around him, at his home, his workplace etc.” Shermon said.

“He has seen all of us. He doubts us. It won’t be easy. Let’s make another plan.” Yousuf said.

“No time for that.” Myra interrupted after thinking a little. “Think about it everyone, twelve warlords taken down in 3 months? You see their speed. They won’t stop at anything to get him. We have to do it fast. And by fast, this is the only way. Going near him, being near him, one of us, and I will.”

“That’s very risky.” They all disagreed and started talking altogether about why this won’t work.

“Everything we did until now was risky. And I can handle it.” She said loudly through the commotion placing a hand on Shermon's to assure him her confidence. They couldn’t go forward without his permission.

He paused for a minute, everyone did and then he helplessly nodded. His tone turned all formal and commanding, “Affirmative. It'll work. History is filled with examples of how women shook thrones, triggered wars and crumpled empires."

"Thanks Sherry." She said dryly. She didn't understand either he was complimenting her or taunting.

Shermon turned to Bryan, "Bryan, make a clean history, bio of Mye, buy a family if you need, a home everything should look normal. Mye memorise it. If you’re going there you need to be well prepared for all the interrogations, suspicion everything.”

“Okay then. It’s final. Now let’s think how we place her there.” Yousuf said.

“Think… think… What would be close enough? A job at his office?” Bryan said, speaking fast. He did that a lot when he was tense.

“No, that wouldn’t give me access to his Villa. Only at the office for a few hours.” Myra responded. “Where does he usually live?”

“Well, he owns places all-around the country but this villa in Kovai is his home. His family lives here. But the problem is whatever we do we can’t get access to the Villa. That’s his home. It’s a restricted area accessible to only a few people. His trusted people. His family lives there and I recently got the report that this Villa is the Primary base for their meetings, conferences etc. There is no way you can break in or make him trust you enough to let you get in there.” Bryan said getting everyone thinking. “And this man,” he continued displaying a picture of the same turban-clad man that led them from the ship harbour, “even if you pass all his security tests, you still won’t beat the last one, Rajat Singh. A wolf in cleverness and lion in prey.”

“What if Shahmeer Zamán is afraid of something wrong happening to Myra because of him and would do anything to make up for it?” Nisha spoke and all heads turned to her direction.

“What?”

“I have a plan. But Myra has to be a little tough for this.” Nisha said with uncertainty. She spoke very less in planning but whenever desperately needed she did and made the cleverest plans.

“Anything baby.” Myra replied with the same intensity.

“Then consider it done. Would need some help from Yuka and Ronn.” Nisha said confidently.

“Okay so how will you contact us?” Shermon asked. “What if you need help, or an emergency escape? Or pass on some information.”

“He’s not a fool. If he is allowing someone in his home, he would completely assure that the person is free of any spying devices, has a clean history.” Myra reasoned. “Any device found in my possession would land me in serious trouble.”

“Then how are we supposed to contact you?” Bryan asked.

“Well let’s keep it one way. I will contact you if needed. Because anything from your side will only create problems. Yousuf?” Myra gave him a questioning look.

“Okay I could design a transmitter that can beat X-rays and other scanning devices.” Yousuf said proudly.

“How long will it take? We’re short of time.” Shermon asked.

“6 to 8 hours. I’ll do it. A transmitter smaller than a grain of rice, inject it into you and keep track of your location. And transmit information.” He revised all the points again.

“So what’s the plan Nisha?” Myra asked impatiently.

She huffed with her cute smirk. “Here’s it. But Myra can land in trouble and we won't be there for her rescue."

"Really? Does Myra need anyone to come to her rescue?" Yousuf laughed.

She smiled sadly. He never met that little girl. Did he?

—9 years ago—

—Islamabad, Pakistan—

I was taken by my friends to the car. From there, we drove to a safer place while my friend Jennifer stayed nearby to update us about the fire. Later on, we were relieved to know that the fire had destroyed only the corridor and Outer side of the building and rooms were unharmed.

"Thank God." One of my friends, Kate muttered holding her chest.

"Listen Mye. Within a few hours, everything will be cooled down. Then we will pack our bags, collect our belongings and leave." Another friend, Maria said.

But my heart was heavily burdened with an unusual feeling. An emptiness. Am I missing him? Already? How does that work? I asked my confused, boggled mind.

And the next moment, I heaved a deep breath, mustered some courage and said to my two friends, "You girls, pick Jennifer and leave. I'll catch up with you soon." I said with a confident smile

They looked at me shocked. It took them a few minutes for the words to sink in.

But I can't help. I can't leave that mystery man behind. The curiosity would kill me.

No matter how hard, I tried to shake off those Brown orbs but I couldn't.

"You're not in your senses Mye. Let's leave." Kate said holding my hand as if talking to a five year old.

Picking up her bag, Maria started to take mine in another hand when I stopped her. "I am serious girls. You should go ahead. I'll be fine. I'll stay."

They were shocked. "What?"

"Why?"

"How long?"

"What are we gonna tell your mother? She'll freak out. "

They threw questions altogether.

"Stop. One question at a time. Friends, yes you heard it right. I am staying here. This is all you need to know. And about muma, Just make an excuse for a few days. And trust me, I will be there even before you realize."

After a few hours of lot of explaining and answering questions they were finally convinced. I skipped the part about the guy.

I sat back on the bed and held my head as they left. 'Okay mystery man. Now, the hunt begins.'

Same day, I went to that place and all the people around but couldn't find a single clue about him. No one knew who he was, where was he from? One question that clawed my mind and weakened my resolve was... 'what if he was a tourist like me and left?'

No! no! no! I shook my head violently at the dreadful thought.

I have to find him otherwise this curiosity will kill me. I told myself and went back home, and continued the same thing next day. As I was walking on the bridge, I looked around and saw the beauty of the setting Sun. It is a dazzling sight to watch as this enormous, large impenetrable ball which was so sharp and Shiny for n***d eye a few hours ago, lose its Pride and calm down, turn orange and disappear. I sighed in defeat. it's been two days. My friends have started calling. They're worried. I looked around and the Area had quietened down. I felt an uneasiness as I looked around. I was too busy and engrossed in the sunset to notice when the commotion stopped. I looked at both sides of the road and there was no cab at this moment.

I just started walking swiftly in one direction, not caring where it lead, when suddenly I felt tapping behind me. I turned around a few times but could not find anybody but had this restlessness about my safety. My instincts were screaming danger and that someone was following me.