Chapter 1

Chapter 1

The year was 1984!!

As the golden yellow sunlight hit the pale sky bringing in it light. The birds chirped to greet a cheerful morning. But all was not cheerful there she stood a mile away from the corpse of her uncle her body cold and numb fear erupting from her face. A lonesome tear trickled down as the girl kneeled next to the cold corpse. She covered her eyes with her tiny palms and wept with pain.

“I will not leave his murders alive, I will not let them get away” The girl made a promise to herself. “Uncle you are all that I had in this world and now that you are gone I am lost. I will not let them get away with this.” Her expressions changed from sadness to shear anger. Khushi Kumari Gupta was a girl who lost everything who lost her uncle, her best friend her life and it was all thanks to these goons who walked in and just shot her uncle dead. The memory was fresh in her mind.

She kissed her uncle for one last time on his fore head and got up from the floor when she happened to stumble upon a small plastic card with the initials “ASR” written over it, she turned it around. In really tiny letters there was a small address on the back, Hotel Sun villa South Mumbai. This was her first piece of evidence.   

But who was ASR where was he why was he after her uncle, lots of questions on her mind she had to get to the bottom of this. All she knew was that she would find him and shoot him herself. Even if it meant that she had to go to jail or even die but she would not leave the earth without her questions being answered with her revenge being complete she had made up her mind and there was nothing that could stop her.

Picking up the phone she dialed 911 to inform the police everything. Inspector Somnath and his team reached the small building in a crowed Panjim Goa where the incident took place. People from the neighboring buildings had just got a whiff of what had taken place last night.

“Madam tell us what exactly happened last night.” Said with inspector so that he could file the FIR,

“My uncle and I had just returned home from a movie at the theater, all was fine my uncle was talking to me about this boy who he wanted me to meet for my marriage and I was telling him that I would never leave him and go we entered home laughing. Everything was perfectly normal sir and we went to sleep.

At around 3 am I could hear some sounds outside my room and I went out to the hall to see what was happening when I saw uncle talking to some men, I wondered what it was and who they were what were they doing at that ungodly hour at our house. They didn’t look like good men at all, they looked like gangsters.

One of them held uncle by the collar and told him that he has caused a very bad problem for the organization and must pay the price, Uncle Tom said he will bring the truth forward he knows all the secrets and there is nothing that they can do to stop him., I got scared sir and walked towards him when from the corner of his eye he told me to go and hide.

I nodded and went back to my room but peeped from the door and the next thing I knew was that uncle was on the floor and my whole world came crumbling, the goons walked out and I shut the door behind and cried trying not to make the noise a while later I came out of my room there was no one and that’s when I saw uncle Tom lying dead on the ground”  Khushi wept as she narrated the whole incident to the police.

“You mentioned about some kind of organization, what organization was it do you have an idea.” Asked the inspector. “As far as I recall they didn’t mention a name or anything, although one of the goons did mention at some point that ASR doesn’t spare any one ” said Khushi trying to remember.

As the inspector heard the name “ASR” he knew what was happening and his next statement shocked the daylights out of her “Madam your uncle was messed up with the underworld, ASR is a wanted mafia, He operates in Mumbai and Goa, Your uncle should have been careful he has messed with the wrong people, he should have known better there is nothing that I can do for you”

“The least you could do is file an FIR, sir I mean it’s a murder and a crime, how can you take it lightly.” Said Khushi as she looked at the inspector with shock.

“Okay even if I file an FIR who should I write it against you tell me, ASR is a mafia, but no one knows who he is, or what he looks like? No one knows his true identity mam.” The inspector told Khushi

“I don’t understand what do you mean no one knows him, you just said he is a mafia how can he not have an identity” A muddled up khushi had no idea what was happening.

“Look mam I cant do anything for you, if you want I can file an FRI against the goons, but that’s all. If you expect us to catch ASR then forget it its not happening because we can catch some one who is a myth we don’t even know that he is real or not.” The inspector said firmly.

Khushi tried to reason with him but unable to get anything the inspector left and had the body moved to the morgue. Leaving Khushi alone in her house. As the chaos cleared she went in to take a hot shower, The world outside had settled but the chaos within her hadn’t. Questions arose in her mind as the hot water pelted on her back

Who was ASR?

What did the inspector mean that he was a myth?

How could someone be so big and not be there?

What was the reason that he was after uncle Tom?

The questions bothered her to know end they drove her crazy insane. After her bath she went down to the local newspaper shops where she bought a bunch of old newspapers to read up information on who this mysterious ASR was

“The Story of ASR”.

ASR, that’s what he is known as, who he is or what he looks like no one really knows, but that does not mean that he hasn’t left a mark on the world. He is well known for being involved and executing a series of crimes. From drug trafficking, murder, black money, known to be the master of the sea he smuggles his drugs to other countries, known to be a criminal with a powerful mind and a notorious nature. Rumor has it that he started from a small street near metro theater selling movie tickets in black, in the year 1979. From there on he was involved in all kinds of trouble but made sure never to get caught to seal his identity from the world. He is a trained perfectionist in stealing, in the year 1982 he stole a number of artifacts from Indian museums one including a red ruby that was gifted to Mumbai by a British governor after independence. He is known for brutal killings. People say he is a monster and deserves to be jailed others say he is a legend and are fascinated by the fact that he has managed to conceal his identity from the world.

But some questions still remained unanswered and that is What drove him to become like this? How does he manage to hide his identity? And what is going to be his next move?

Written by Payal Sharma.

The second Khushi finished reading her article she banged her fist to the table and walked towards the window with anger wash over her face. She took a deep breath and she said “who are you ASR or rather what are you” Her thought moved on to what uncle Tom mentioned about some secrete, she wondered. Moving towards her uncle’s room she began hunting to find some kind of evidence some kind of clue. Looking through old files and papers. Khushi scratched her head, uncle Tom owned a sweet store in the market down he has been a sweet shop owner his whole life what could he possibly know about this ASR, that made his goons come all the way and kill him there must be some kind of connection. Going through all the files and some papers. She saw a big black bag at the end of the lot, opening it she saw some old drawings of coins and old letters rolled up, the ink faded hard to understand what was written. She found a torn piece of paper with some kind of codes L1R3C. what the hell was this khushi thought what does this mean. What did her uncle get into she wondered this made no sense. she was in deep thought when she heard the phone ring.

“Hello… yes I am on my way…. I know women are not aloud to burn, but he was my uncle and I will be the one to set his sole free….. I am on my way”

She made her hair and straightened her face leaving for the Agyara. As she reached she set her uncle free and made a promise to him “I will find out who he is I will take revenge this is my promise” she said in a determined voice.

Chapter 2

Looking out from the window she saw a board that read “Welcome to Bombay” She saw women decked up in short dresses and their hair tied up in a pony color splashed everywhere… The retro fashion really caught up she thought. There were posters of movies Amitabh Bachans face plastered along with Parveen Babi on every wall of the city. Cars all over the place Bombay was indeed a very happening city much unlike her Goa, which was quite, and serine.  

The bus passed swiftly and she entered into ASR’s territory, All geared up Khushi got off at the bus depo wearing jeans and a black t-shirt she decided to make way to hotel Sun Villa, this was the address that was written at the back of the card that she found. As she reached the hotel front desk she looked at the woman and thought for a second that if she just asks for ASR upfront no one would tell her anything what she needed to do is get into the system and crack it open and so she told the woman

“One single room please” she said in a normal composed voice. “Sure mam for how many days” asked the receptionist, “Actually I haven’t decided as yet for how long I would be staying here can I pay per day” Khushi explained the lady who agreed and the bell boy came to take her luggage and escorted her to the room.

As Khushi entered into the single small room, she tipped the bell boy and shut the door and leaned against it taking a deep breathe. “its too late to turn back now Khushi, I am here now.”

Removing the brief case she found back at home when she was cleaning out her uncles closet. She put everything together on the table and started to brainstorm.

Evidence 1 : ASR card with hotel Sun Villa Address

Evidence 2: Drawings of Ancient coins

Evidence 3: L1R3C, codes

Khushi went over and over this again and again, not making any sense out of it. Finally when things got to heavy she decided to walk around the hotel and see what else she could find out about. Carefully locking all the evidence in a bag she walked out of the hotel room.

***

As the sun set bringing in a purple haze across the sky, Khushi walked to the pool side of the hotel where people were situated sitting on one of the pool chairs. Girls with big earrings and skimpy outfits their hair in all these unusual styles. Men in swim shorts. She looked on and observed her surroundings, quietly trying to understand, at the back of her mind but what she was really trying to figure was which one of these people is really ASR, she knew she wouldn’t find him so easily, no one has and no one can but it was worth a shot.

As per ASR’s persona that she read in the papers was that he was a man with mystery, so he is mysterious, the fact that he is cold blooded should mean that he had mid night dark eyes cold and brutal. She picture him to be muscular and tall or may be he was short she was confused looks could be deceiving. Whatever the case she had to find him, she told herself that constantly. As she watched along with intensity, she was broken from the trance with a small voice. “Madam” she looked to her left, it was the receptionist standing in front of her. Khushi got up startled “Madam our general manager would like to meet you” she explained.

Khushi nodded her head with silence wondering why but not showing her inner feelings. As the receptionist moved away a tall dark man stood in front of her as he let out a small smirk. He was dressed in flair pants and had a curled moustache “Hi I am Akaash, the general manager” he said with a smirk on his face and Khushi’s mind instantly went into action Akash she thought the first letter to the initials  “ASR” trying not to reveal her thought she smiled back at him and greeted him “Hi I am Khushi”

“So Khushi what brings you to http://i1376.photobucket.com/albums/ah11/sheena67/a42c501d-3ac9-4eb7-93e6-919fff92684e_zps3cmfpycg.jpgyou here for business or pleasure?” said Akash,

“Well actually I am here in search of a job, you see I was in Goa a while back, but I got bored of the place and decided to venture out to try something different. I hope its okay I will find a job soon and move out.” She explained her situation.

“That’s okay Khushi, a job you said, what kind of job you looking for? ”

“Well actually I am open to learning and doing anything I am open to learn. Do you have something in mind” Khushi hoped he did because if she could get a job close to the hotel then she could navigate her way into their system.

Akash looked at her from top to bottom, the perverted smirk he gave her made Khushi want to peal his eyes out but she controlled her emotions waiting for him to reply, she remembered the old saying keep your friends close but your enemies closer. Keeping that in mind she waited for him to respond “ well actually I need an assistant for myself, you see I have been loaded with work off late and have just posted ads in the papers. If you like the job can be yours” he offered her the job.

Khushi didn’t think twice she immediately said yes, she knew what kind of people she was dealing with she had to get into the system and if indeed this Akash turns out to be ASR she has to settle scores with him. “OMG thank you so much yes I would love to work for the hotel” she said in a sweet voice.

“Perfect then you can report to me, tomorrow morning at sharp 8 am, and your luggage can be moved to the staff quarters” he told her and she nodded her head “Thank you so much sir” Khushi said o him.

“Please don’t call me sir, my name is Akash, call me Akash” he said with that same smirk. Oh how badly did Khushi want to kill him. Taking a deep breath she said

“But how can I call you by your name you’re my boss.” “Yes I am but Khushi that does not mean that you need to call me sir, please we can be friends. Call me Akash”

 

Khushi smiled back at him “Okay then Akash.” She shook his hand and then decided to shift her luggage to the staff quarters.

As she got ready to go sleep she sat on her bed and looked at her uncles old photos and said “I am going to get him Uncle Tom, ASR get ready for your worse nightmare” switching off the lights she went to sleep. Little did she know that her entry into the underworld was not only dangerous but also life changing. She had no idea what she was going to unravel next, and this just seemed like it was the beginning.

Chapter 3

Khushi took a deep breath as she took steps towards Akash aka “ASR”, at least the theory in her mind was that Akash was ASR, all she had to do was confirm it but how that is the question. Akash smiled at her seeing her uniform. A short black skirt and a black blazer, her hair tied into a high pony tail and those teastrapped shoes made her look even more ravishing. “Welcome Khushi” he smiled at her.

“Hello sir, I mean Akash” she let out a small chuckle, trying to break the ice with him. What she wanted was to gain his trust and confirm her theory. “So today what I need you to do is take down all my appointments, schedule some meetings” Akash instructed her. She sat on the desk opposite him and began to write down his meetings. When suddenly a man knocked on the door, Akash said “come in” A tall hefty dark man walked into the cabin looked like he was one of Akash’s bodyguards. Khushi wondered why Akash would need body guards if he was a general manager of a hotel what does he need protection for her doubts getting stronger. “Sir, Pakkya has come to meet you, says he has news for you about Deva” Khushi looked at Akash who was in deep thought. A few seconds later he said “bring him in” Khushi got up from the chair and excused herself from the cabin while the two men walked in. she tried to keep the door open to hear what they were talking about.

“Tell me Pakya what news do you have” asked Akash. “Solid kadak news sir, In Goa Deva’s men killed a man who lived in Pajim, on ASR’s orders.” Said Pakya

“So whats new in that in our business killing is not a crime.” “Yes I agree but the twist in the tale is that the man he killed has a niece who is out to seek revenge from the great ASR, it is said that she has the brief case that contains the part of the treasure map.” Pakya spat out what he knew. “Sir if we can find the girl who has the map and you give it to ASR, he may give you more preference much more than Deva or Kundra. Maybe you will be on the level of Aman and Ashok.”

Akash gave one of his evil grins and nodded his head “You are totally right this girl where can we find her. We need to get a hold off this map.”

As Khushi heard the whole conversation she sat on the chair with complete shock written all over her face. What the hell just happened? Trying to put the pieces together Akash wasn’t ASR, he was just working under him. The code that she found was one piece of a treasure map, how did they know she wants revenge from ASR. Who were Deva, Kunda Aman and Ashok. Were they all members of the organization or were they enemies this got more and more confusing. But whatever said and done she could not let Akash know that she was the girl and the map was in her possession. Khushi gulped down a glass of water and took a deep breath. The door opened and she looked up it was Akash standing in front of her.

“Khushi where do you stay in Goa, you said” Aksash asked her

“Akash actually I stay in cancona, why whats up” she asked him casually

“Oh nothing I was just curious anyway, I am going out on a meeting with some people, you can take the day off” he instructed her.

“Really how come, if you want I can come with you, I hope my work is okay. Please don’t fire me” Khushi said in a childish voice.

He chuckled back at her and said “Calm down, don’t worry I am not firing you m just going on a meeting so don’t stress you will get bored. So take the day off”

Khushi nodded her head and picked up her bag and left for her room. Meanwhile Akash told one of his men “Follow her we need to make sure if she is the girl or not, she said she is from Goa, I don’t want to take a chance.”

Khushi entered her room unknown to the fact that she is being followed but she knew that they had an idea of her and now she had to be careful. Locking the door and shutting the curtains she quickly took a knife and cut a small cavity in the center of the sofa that was next to her bed. She stuffed the bag that had the evidence in the center and then filled it up with cotton. Then quickly taking a needle and thread she sealed the sofa back up. Thank god for those sowing classes that she forced her uncle to send her for came handy she thought. She decided to find out about Akash and his whereabouts.

As she walked towards the front gate of the hotel she saw a shadow from the corner of her eye, it was peculiar walking further she saw the shadow follow her and it occurred to her that she is being watched over. Her sudden change of plans she went outside the hotel and asked for a rickshaw. The man behind her followed her around. She told the rickshaw driver to take her to all the tourist places, as she hadn’t really seen , thus making the hired man think that she is a regular girl. She walked along the crowed city of . As she walked along the way the hired man kept distance from her. She had to get him to believe that she wasn’t the girl he was looking for.

Walking along the seacoast of the Chawpati she watched the waves wash upon the sun golden sand. The wind blew inwards her hair flew and Khushi was in deep thought when suddenly

BAMMM!!!

She felt herself collide with a hard exterior, looking up to see his deep midnight eyes, which reflected warmth in them; she could feel them pierce through her soul       , her heart beat faster and faster, as she made way to move out of his way she didn’t realize when she tripped and was about to fall when suddenly she could feel a strong hand under her back. She was officially in his arms and she had never felt the way she did before. Unable to say a word, he was the first to say in a husky voice.

“I wish days like these come often.”

She quipped up to see him. He was strong and dark had a husky unshaven beard. His body well maintained and he was dressed in a white shirt and a rugged pair of jeans. The smirk on his face flirty. Extremely playful he smirked at her and held her hand making an attempt to flirt with her.

“God you really know how to make wishes come true, if I asked for something else I would have gotten that also” He said in a playful voice.

Khushi oblivious to what was going on gave him a confused look she said “HUH!!”

He gave her one of his cute little smile. She noticed how he had these adorable dimples as his face lit up he said in a warm voice. “That’s right madam. I asked god to send down angels and wow what timing you arrived”

“Are you trying to flirt with me.” She asked him in a irritated voice.

“Depends, Is it working or not.” he answered back

Khushi was about to reply to him when suddenly the man turned around to greet someone. Looked like his friends. As she patiently observed him she knew that he is a local, which means that he would be able to give her information about Goa, he may know the local places to hang out maybe she was crossing her fingers he may be able to tell her about ASR. Wiping her angry face off she replaced it with a smile and said in a soft voice.

“I am Khushi” she let her hand out.

He turned around to see her and with a smirk on his face he held her hand kissed it charmingly and said. “They call me Arnav”

Khushi’s eyes widened ARNAV. ASR could it be her head started churning and then remembering Akash’s theory she said to herself, “Nope Khushi I don’t think he is ASR, Your making the same mistake twice.it wont be easy finding him”

Chapter 4

Khushi and Arnav walked along the seaside. The hired man still following them keeping a close watch on the two of them.

“So angel you’re new to Bombay .” He chirped up at her.

Khushi rolled her eyes “Yes I am new, actually I was hoping if you could take me around here and show me . It would be great”

Arnav “Yes off course I would love to, in fact we can go right now if you like there is this place called Bandra it has some really cool places to hang out”

Khushi “Oh I would love that, thank you very much”

They walked over to his bike. Arnav handed her a helmet, Khushi looked scared to get on the bike. “It wont bite” Arnav smirked at her.

“Huh!, Oh yeah its just I have never ridden on such a bike before.” Khushi said in a low voice.

“Well then today I am going to give you the ride of your life, hop on and hold on really tight”

Khushi reluctantly nodded her head and then plopped onto the back seat, holding his shoulders. He started the engine and they started to zoom over the steep hills of Goa.

Arnav did jerk a couple of times, freaking Khushi out crazily. She held tighter that’s when he said “Hold my waist that would be better for you”

“Are you sure!” she asked him a nervous tone and he nodded back at her.

They zoomed off to the beach. The hired man still following them,. Khushi was well aware of the fact that he was behind her which is why going with Arnav was beneficial. It will make him think that she is just a regular girl exploring and happened to come across a local boy who became her friend.

Arnav gadded away, As he adjusted the mirror he saw a familiar face, he recognized the hired man, pretending to be oblivious as to why he was following them, He started a small chit chat with Khushi 

“So babe tell me how do you like my city” asked Arnav.

“Your city! Well its okay I mean too much traffic too much noise too much happening.” Khushi explained

“Your not use to it I get it, but  it is one city that can make dreams come true, where your from by the way?” He asked trying to make small talk. His eyes still concentrating on the man that was following them. Akash’s henchmen why was he following him, something is odd.

“I am from a small town in Goa called Canacona, its full of piece and quite.” Khushi explained.

“Goa! You said really.” Arnav’s mind clicked. So this is why Akash’s men were following them, he must have thought that she is Tom’s girl the one who was out to seek revenge from him. But what connection did she have to Akash and how does he know she’s from Goa. Arnav had to get to the bottom of this and fast, but he couldn’t let Khushi know that he was involved if she indeed was the girl who is Tom’s niece the one out to seek revenge then he has to be careful.

His gaze shifted from the man to her, he had to admit that she was the most stunning girl that he had met, and he has met a lot of women he knows. Her eyes sparkled with innocence, her lips that smile gleaming with simplicity and her face so innocent, she was indeed a very pretty girl, and if she did turn out to be tom’s niece then he couldn’t wait to see what her next move would be. Things just took a twisted turn. All he needed to do was confirm if she was the one.

“Khushi where is it that you are staying you said?” Arnav asked in a casual tone making sure not to let out any kind of hint to her. But Khushi could sense trouble she needed to protect herself, after all he was a stranger and she was a young girl she had to be careful. Making sure not reveal any information she smiled and at him and said in a sweet tone. “Enough about me, what about you, who are you All I know is that your name is Arnav, that’s it”

He smirked, she was playing hard to get, oh she was feisty, this was going to be more fun than he had expected two could do the tango. If she wanted to play this pretend game so could he. “Well there is not much to know about me, I am 25 years old, I work as a travel agent. But soon I am going to be jobless.” He said in an excited tone.

“Jobless, what why?” Khushi asked shocked and confused. “My boss is an idiot, He shouts at me too much, So you know what I said, Its time I quit.” He said in a casual voice. Khushi just looked at him even more confused with so many questions in her mind. “You cant just quit, That’s crazy, what about your house, Your family if you don’t work then how would you feed them” Khushi voiced her opinion all concerned.

But he just replied back “Sure my mother would be angry, My father would scream My sister’s marriage would break, The roof on my head would fall, But that would only happen if all of the above existed”

“What do you mean, you are alone, You have nobody!” she asked him in a low tone. Arnav smiled at her “who said I have nobody. I have you, my new friend.” After a short pause he smiled and said. “Hello Friend”

Khushi burst out laughing, for a while she forgot her problems completely. What was this Arnav. Her mind wondered to ASR, Arnav may have the starting letter “A” But he could never be ASR. That was impossible and just crazy. Arnav was so smart, so sweet and so funny.

Arnav and Khushi talked for a while at the Bandra Café, where they just laughed and laughed and laughed. Khushi was seriously starting to forget her troubles. Her worries all she did was laugh at all his silly jokes. Arnav knew he had her wound on his spell. Truth to be told he seemed to enjoy her crazy giggles she had the cutest laugh.

Khushi didn’t even realize when time flew by and it was 6pm, it was getting dark.

“Its getting late we should head back.” Khushi said it him, to which he nodded at her. “Yes, it is, Where can I drop you madam” Khushi hesitated once again she didn’t want to let him know. But after whole lot of pestering she told him, she said at Hotel sun villa.

They reached the hotel. Arnav asked Khushi “Will I see you any time soon?” Khushi smiled at him. “It was nice meeting you, and…” she paused a second and Arnav lifted his eye brow “And !!!” he questioned her again.

She smiled “And I would love to meet you again,” she blushed a bit. Arnav could see her cheeks swollen up with red. They looked adorable. He smiled at her held her hand and slowly kissed it. Khushi could swear that some one tore her heart out her chest because she had never in her life felt like this. Was her heart really beating that fast. Arnav said in a low voice. “Tomorrow evening then” she nodded and head back to her room.

Arnav watched her retrieving figure vanish into the building. He saw the hired man meet Akash giving him the information, which cleared Khushi as a normal girl who just happened to be from the same city as Toms niece That smart vixen managed to fool the hired man well.

He wasn’t surprised. He was expecting her to stay there, that’s how she must have gotten connected to Akash. 

Arnav smirked as he drove away! He reached his house picked up the telephone and said  “Alfred we need to meet!!”