In my Devil's Arms

Vinod's disappeance shocked the entire group. They all rushed back to Mumbai. Vicky was irritated.

" To see your best laid plans go up in smoke", he scoffed.

" Dipti needs support", said Riya. " She is pregnant".

" Does she know anything", asked Vicky.

Riya shook her head.

" Just that he seemed a lot worried these days", she said.

" Gaurav and I noticed that too", said Vicky.

" She was in tears. Collapsed too", said Riya. " I and Sonia took her to hospital. Dr. Gayatri says over stress is not good for the baby. We called her parents".

Riya looked tired. Vicky hugged his wife.

Gaurav and Vicky took over his duties in company. The search for Vinod intensified.

And then one day a dishevelled Gaurav came to him.

" Vicky look at these balance sheets", he said.

Vicky did. Huge sums were siphoned from the company account but not all at once. It was in a systematic manner but in short amounts and from several projects in various departments.

" But Vinod audited the finances regularly", said Gaurav.

" Get me an independent audit agency", said Vicky in a hard manner.

Two days later.

" He was laundering money from the company", said a shocked Gaurav. " But why? He could have just asked".

But Vikram had an inkling.

" Get me the dates when these withdrawls werecmade from banks and project managers", he prdered Gaurav.

By evening he had everything. And then he and Ramcharan looked at everything keenly in their study.

" Dad all these amounts correspond to terrorist attacks in city. And this one", he pointed at a date, " Is the date we diffused them in dream bar", he said. " I remember because that is the day I got engaged to her".

" What shall we do", ask Ramcharan.

" You call SP uncle and I call Sharman", said Vicky.

Two hours later

" I think he is associated with terrorists", said Vicky. He had already reverted those shares in Bhishma to his father even that of Gaurav's because now he did not trust them.

"What now", asked Duleep.

" Dream bar", said Vicky. " Lets start there. Also his house."

The police found only Vinod's broken phone in his house. Numaan was able to load the data but nothing came up.

Agni called him urgently.

" He is planning to revive a monster. You have until full moon", he said.

" Dream bar is closed for business after being involved in terrorist activities", informed Sharman.

" Manav we need to get out of here. It could be dangerous. But pilice won't let me go. You leave and I join you soon", advised Vicky.

" Numaan you have a son. I am trying to leave too but police involvement ", he said. Alok too was shipped off again.

Vikram investigated nearby bars as customer. He also as Srihari investigated nearby villages.

" He is planning something big", Vicky said to Agni.

" I can try if my earthen powers can get the location", said Riya.

And she did.

" He is somewhere inside this circle", said Riya circling a map of the city.

" I have an under construction building here", said Vicky.

He took out the map. Then he made his plans with his family.

" Remember no gltches. Its full moon tomorrow" , he said.

Riya hugged him.

" I hate you", she said.

" Love you too beautiful", he replied.

That night they made their farewell love.

" I will wait for you Sri. Do come back", she said.

" My love, my woman, my wife", he said.

Fire and Ice...

Next morning

" He is hiding in one of my under construction buidings", Vicky informed police.

" Thanks let us know which one", asked Salman. He was summoned from Delhi.

"On a condition; I join you", said Vicky.

" Its dangerous Vicky", said Sharman. " You are not a trained soldier".

Vicky could just inwardly laugh. " He is spoiling my name. Oberoi construction does not support terrorists. My presence with police gives a clear message".

" But", said SP.

" I know my buildings", he said.

At last he joined them.

At the building.

" So this is the place", said Duleep. " A perfect hide out".

" We have stopped the construction", said Salman. " No media ". He looked tored.

" Get media as mission ends", said Vicky. He needs media for his plan to succeed.

" I think its the bsement just like last time", said Salman.

Police and military moved quietly. They ambushed a few members. But they were alerted.

" He will escape", said Duleep. He moved fast inside. He was a good shot and covered fairly. But his leg landed on a land mine. And he was martyred.

" Duleep", Sharman broke down.

" Enough innocent lives lost ", thought Vicky.

He quietly separated himself from group. He knew where Vinod Joshi was. In every under construction building the trio kept a room furnished for use for themselves. He knew where it was. He reached there quietly.

Sure he found many things

" A laptop, some lost balance sheets and a poster of Riya. A photograph of Vicky crossed with a red pen.

" You wish Baldev", he said.

He collected the things and quietly hid them outside the building.

Then he saw his ID.

Vinod Joshi....

And then something struck him....

Meanwhile

" This place is like a terrorist store room", said SP.

" Confiscate everything. Arrest those who are alive", said Salman. " Where is Vicky"?

Vikram was searching furiously.

But what was he searching. Some proof. Some evidence. He had a theory on cobra boss's where abouts now. And then he got the answer. He got a ticket. And some papers. AND HE SMILED.

Time to spoil these plans. Using his elemental powers he started a fire. Then slowly he moved to the terrace. He found a dead person on his way. And swapped clothes with him. He carried the body to terrace.

" Search Vikram Oberoi", shouted Salman. The military and police were frantically searching. Media has arrived by now. The fire spread.

" Fire. The building is on fire". They all saw Vikram on the terrace.

A panic ensued.

On his way he has attracted two gang members. And started fighting with them just wearing a jacket over the dead body's clothes.

" He is on terrace", shouted Salman.

" Vicky fire", he tried to go upstairs. But was thrown away by a gust of strong wind.

THE WORLD SAW WHAT VICKY SHOWED THEM.

" It is with utter sadness we report the demise of top Mumbai realtor Vikram Oberoi. A true son of Mother India he was martyred fighting terrorists", announced the Evening news.

The business world was shattered.

Full moon night

Srikant, his wife, Ramcharan and Agni gathered around the holy Shiva temple in the blessed forest.

" Bless me Shiva", he said to his lord. He was wearing a dhoti and his Holy thread.

" For my friends, For Aditya's revenge, for Gunjan's future and for better of this mankind I Srikant pundit offer myself for the sacrifice", he said raising his hands.

" May your master give you permission", said the voice from sky.

" I set you free Srikant Pundit. Sacrifice yourself for the better of this world", said a weeping Riya.

Thunders and storm hit the area.

" The heaven accept the sacrifice", came a voice.

A hurricane lift his body as it was struck by lightning and he was immersed in depth of river.

Riya and Ramcharan broke down crying.

" Wait for your son in north", Agni informed Ramcharan.

With Shiva's mark on his chest, a trust in his Lord, His name on lips and a promise for better future Srikant Pundit made the ultimate sacrifice.