Chapter 1
Place: Unknown
The basement is filled with darkness. In the center of the room a man is tied in thick iron chains. Blood flows from his wounds making him wince in pain. His breath is heavy from endless torture of men who are beating him. Two men dressed like shadows are looming around him. Their hands red from holding the whip tightly. The door is watched by two guards standing there with cautious eyes. Their shoulders tense.
The smell of smoke mixing with dust in the room making everything blurred. Moonlight is the only light coming into the room from a broken glass window. Small dust particles are shimmering in moonlight. Guards of the door alerted. The left guard orders,"Stop! Rawat sir is here."
The door opens and two men enter, looking at guards behind them. They nod their heads in greeting. Kunal Rawat, he is the owner of Rawat Corporation. In his forties he already has both respect and fame in business. Behind him, his assistant follows him like a shadow. His eyes constantly move from their surroundings to the tablet in his hand.
Whimpers stop momentarily when they stop beating the man and look at their boss.
Kunal's eyes went from his men to the injured man when he spoke, "Has he opened his mouth yet or not?"
They moved back when one of them spoke, "no sir... we have tried our best, but this bastard is not opening his mouth."
A wicked smile is on Kunal's face when he mockingly says, "what do you think, someone will come here to save you? You bastard... no one will come, so if you want to live, then tell me where Siraj is... what is he planning?"
A bitter laugh without any humour, his eyes met Kunal without fear when he spoke, "I don't fear you Rawat... I know... Siraj is coming... Danger is coming... No one will save you from him... Everything is going to..."
His breath catches when Kunal shoves a gun into his mouth to cut him. Kunal jaw clenched, lips pressing in thin line, "Stop it... I want your information, not your threats." His eyes burn red, hand on trigger.
His assistant became worried and said, " Sir, no .... We can't let him die... Sir..." Before he can complete his sentence , a bullet is fired.
Kunal turned around and began to leave the room, ordering those men, " Clean this mess. "
A thumping sound. The man's body lies lifeless on the floor, blood pooling like water on the floor.
Kunal's assistant followed him outside to his car, opened the door for him with slightly shaky hands, and said, " Sir ... Now what will we do?"
Kunal stopped and looked at him, " We will go where every truth can be known... You know what I mean. "
His assistant replied , " But sir, the police... the government..."
Kunal laughs at his words, " Do you think that matters? It is not only for saintly persons ... Go and take an appointment from Cipher Nine ."
He sat in the car. The car drove away.
His assistant stood there looking at his tablet and whispered, " Cipher Nine ."
***
Place: Canteen, Noxlight University
The canteen is filled with students chattering. Tables are filled with food and gossip . A group sitting in the corner is laughing too loudly.
A girl named Zoya in the group said happily, "I can't believe we're getting the opportunity to work with Cipher Nine .... I'm going to faint. "
Another boy, Deepak, matching her energy, said, " Yeah, it's a very big opportunity..... You know I chose computers because from the start I wanted to work with it... It's my dream job. "
A girl named Ridhima rested her head on the shoulder of the girl beside her, who was busy checking something in her phone.
Ridhima said dreamily, " What if I get my Prince Charming there..... I will get my love. "
Everyone laughed at her and said, " Ridhi, you know that place is known for its strictness, so no K-drama fantasies there.... You will get a Satan- like HR who will fire you for your mistakes."
Ridhima pouted and said, " You all are jealous of my charm... That's why you don't want me to get my Prince Charming. " She looked beside her and said, " Aksi .... At least you will help me with this, hmmm?"
Aksara's eyes focus on the screen. Ridhima nudged her shoulder and said, " Akshiii ."
Aksara looked at her and said, " Yes, my baby... I'm listening... I will help you, but I'm not giving an interview there."
Everyone looks at Aksara as if the world has stopped. For a moment, there was silence in the canteen. She nervously shifted on her seat from sudden attention.
Zoya said in shock, " What? You are not giving an interview at Cipher Nine ..... Cipher Nine, where everyone dies to go?"
Ridhima looks at her as if she has personally betrayed her soul and says with mock hurt, " How can you leave me, my baby?"
Aksara chuckles at her overdramatic act and says, " I didn't leave you, silly... We're sisters; we live in the same house.... I'm just saying I'm not giving an interview for that because I'm giving an interview somewhere else... You know the university doesn't only offer Cipher Nine but more companies too, and I'm thinking of going with Microsoft.... It's safe and secure. "
Deepak said, " Are you out of your mind?.... You are really going to choose Microsoft instead of Cipher Nine, where everyone dreams to go.... You are really insane. "
Aksara shrugged off and continued, "I'm not insane ; you all are blind to that company.... That is only providing internships, not really a job; where there's a job, not an internship... I don't want to be jobless after six months of training, and you know they don't give jobs to every intern.... I'm being rational."
Everyone listened to her. Ridhima shakes her head and says , " Don 't worry, guys... She is giving an interview; she just doesn't know it... Leave it to me.... let's go home.... Byee. "
She holds Aksara's hand and drags her away from there. Aksara follows her and says, " Ridhi, I'm serious.... I really don't want to go there. "
Ridhima dramatically closes her ears and says, "I'm not listening. " She laughs .
***
Place: Bhardwaj's House
At night, the dining room is filled with the aroma of dinner. Shalini Bhardwaj, Aksara's mother, and Nandini Bhardwaj, Ridhima's mother, are setting the table.
Ridhima is trying to convince Aksara to do an internship with her. She used every tactic- emotional drama, threats to not talk. Aksara is enjoying her adorable tactics but not agreeing.
"Dinner is ready," Nandini's voice caught their attention.
Then Ashok Bhardwaj, Ridhima's father, along with Rajjo Bhardwaj, their grandmother, comes in. Ridhima and Aksara sit up straight, stopping their talks. They take a seat at the table. The food is served, and everyone starts eating.
Suddenly Ashok stops midbite and says , " Your studies are complete, so what do you think you will do next? "
Rajjo replied with a humorless chuckle , " What will... nothing ... Now let's start seeing boys for them... Ashok... I'm saying if we start looking now , we can find good grooms. "
Ridhima said, " But Dadi ... we don 't want to marry... we want to work ... and you know Dad, we both are giving interviews at Cipher Nine ... you know how big a company it is."
Aksara looked at her with wide eyes. Before she could say something, Ridhima held her hand under the table, stopping her from talking . Ashok looked at the girls with stern eyes making Aksara shivered.
Rajjo said, " Huh ... stop dreaming of jobs... you will only do the job of taking care of the house. " Ashok said, "Cipher Nine ... okay, you can do it... but both of you go together and come together... I can't let this fool wander alone."
He glared at Aksara . She looked down quickly. They finished their meals.
In her room, Aksara sat on the bed, trying not to cry. Ridhima came out from the bathroom and looked at her. She hugged her.
Aksara broke down in her arms. Her body trembling with silent sobs" Shhh ... it 's okay... see, we're together... don't feel sad from his words...you know how he is...shh baby,"
Ridhima cooed to her. Aksara looked at her with red, puffy eyes and said, " You know I don't like when mamaji talks so harshly...why he behaves like this "
Ridhima hugged her tightly, soothing her , whispering sweet words in her ear . She fell asleep . Ridhima laid her down and lay beside her. She looked at her resume and then asked Aksara. She knew that this internship could change their lives.
