The Black Lily- Chapter 3

Malhaar and Hana

I went down to the jetty which was the only calm place but perhaps not the safest. I was in full range of anyone who wanted to kill me and believe me that category would go on and on. I had so far slung 48 criminals in jail (main criminals, I don’t count sidekicks). 7 of them were political so you can say I have some experience with law (actually Malhaar fought that case for me). I have also brought down every single one of these guys (and women). I had always been the brain. Until …

Chapter 2.5

I’m not sure what this is called. It might be a chapter or a bit of a mid-book single that that I could not find a way to encode into the book. I am about to tell you something important, so you at the back – pay attention. Here goes:

 

I met Malhaar on September the 7th of 2022. I am pleased to say that at that point I thoroughly intimidated her. We were small and stupid. Our only worries were homework, exams and who was who’s best friend. So when we met she thought I was going to steal her position as self – appointed group ‘leader’. we were twelve 11-year-olds  playing hide and seek. We don’t need a leader for that!

I guess she felt intimidated because I had this confidence about my person. A sort of force if you will. I didn’t know I was anything to her. I didn’t even know her name till October.

But I guess things change. I was just playing with her as you would play with a toy, using her mind games on her. But somewhere along the way I started liking her. But I have no openness with her. I have to think so much before each sentence and when I finally voice it out it still sounds stupid. 

But she’s nice. And she’s too you know. No, you don’t know. Forget about it. Let’s just get on with the book.

I remembered that I had to call Malhaar. After I hung up :

“when’s she coming”, said a voice that could not be more welcome at such a time.

“Hana!!!”, I cried joyfully.

“What are you doing here? How are you?” I said in excitement.

Hana used to be one of my agents before she got a job in USA.

“No time for chit-chat”, she said urgently, “get in the boat.”

“its my island”, I told her

“oh”, she said “then the distress call?”

“the black lily got stolen”

“I know that silly.”, she said “are you okay?”

“yeah, somewhat”, I said, “come inside”

“nice place”

“shut up”

She giggled and followed me into the business centre.

“look ,I think I know where the black lily is”

“where?”, I asked eagerly

“With Arjun”

I slumped against the back of my chair. Arjun was too dangerous, but I had to try.

“fine”

“no,no,no,no,no,no”, she said in distress”you’re going to go there aren’t you. “

“yep”

“I’m coming with you”

“no”

“it wasn’t a question”she said in sing-song voice and flounced off.

XXXXXX

Mlhaar was due today. I had already talked to Asmi about it and she had reluctantly agreed to go.

Malhaar arrived at 6:00 pm .at exactly 5:55 pm we received a radio saying: “be there in 5. Tell the guards will you? I’d rather not be shot down.”

I know right?

So when she arrived, our conversation went like this:

Me: Hi (boring)

Malhaar: Hiiiii (sarcastic tone)

Me: we have a case (sad right?)

Malhaar: what is it?

Me: blah, blah, blah, blah (whatever the case is. I just didn’t feel like writing it all over again)

Malhaar: oh (more reaction!!!)

Me: ok (more reaction!!!)

Malhaar: where’s asmi? (her again?)

Me: inside(where else?)

Malhaar went ‘inside’ to see Asmi and I went to my room and brought my oars and went down to the jetty. I boarded my boat and rowed off. I sighed and looked forward.

I was where I belonged.