Chapter-2

I reached home.

I dropped my bag on the counter beside the door and sat on the sofa.

"And see who has decided to come back home early" his skin was like a warm cloak wrapped around me on a peak winter day.

A kiss on my forehead and I felt at home. 

"And see who has decided to welcome me without a proper hug"

"I'm not going to hug someone dirty. Eww" his expression was a mixture of fun and disgust.

Manohar. My love. It's been 6 years since I met him. He fell in love with me. It took me some time before I fell in love with but when I did, I fell harder.

I jumped on to him. We laughed and hugged for a moment before I got back and went to the bedroom. 

After a long day, all I need is a shower. I turned the shower to cold water. Unlike others, I preferred cold water to comfort me. It always activates my mind whenever I'm too caught up in my emotions. It helps me think without getting diverted. 

I quickly got into my black shorts and grey T-shirt. My comfortable outfit of all time and went into the kitchen.

I was so hungry, that I might eat the raw vegetables directly out of my refrigerator. 

But I have him. And he cooks the best food ever. Always.

By the time I went back, he made rice and lentil soup. 

The essence of it spread through the house and that was all enough to tell about its taste. 

With our conversations over the dinner, my heart felt a little warm.

Ever since Nanna's death, it was only him. He's my whole world.

He stood by me even when my relatives didn't want to. 

He left me alone in my privacy and went to sleep.

"Plan executed perfectly sir, he even saw the picture" I spoke to Prakash sir over my phone.

"Excellent... Our next plan can be executed tomorrow. I'll talk to you regarding the details" he said as he hung up.

What exactly is Prakash sir planning to do?

As if he's going to tell you. 

'Tomorrow's spot: Charminar bazaar' my phone's screen lit up from Prakash sir's text.

The bell rang just as I was about to go to sleep. When I opened the door, there was no one but an envelope with a mini card of size one-fourth of my palm. It looked like a piece of a puzzle. This is not the first time I have received this. As far as I remember, this is the 8th piece of the puzzle. I wonder who is so interested in sending me all these. 

Just like the pieces of the puzzle that I'm sending you,

 keep giving me pieces of information by continuing on your mission. 

-Mystery Man

I kept ignoring most of the letters I'd received. But I'm curious about who this 'Mystery Man' is and why he or she is doing it. I've saved all those pieces of the puzzle received till now. 

Leaving the piece of the puzzle and the envelope in the bottom rack of my nightstand, I sat on my bed.

The picture of me and my father on the mobile wallpaper takes me back to the moment when I saw him lying on the floor in a pool of blood. His blood. The wound in his abdomen is much smaller than the one that formed in my heart after seeing him without even breathing. The day he died—my birthday.

Tears start to flood out of my eyes. I roll under the sheets hugging myself tightly and sobbing. 

These silent cries were my only company since his death.

Manohar and I never shared a bed. He doesn't even know about my mission.

He's innocent. I don't want to involve him in this messed up situation when I don't want to be in this.

I will kill him. I will kill that bastard. My father was too innocent to be killed.

It's been a year. I still can't get used to living without him.

All he ever wanted to do was to educate the poor without expecting anything back. He was living proof of humanity on earth. He doesn't deserve this. Smiling at the wallpaper as one last tear escaped, I snuggled under the sheets. 

Don't worry nanna. I will avenge your death.