Yearnings Of Amber: 7

The next couple of weeks were a smorgasbord of anger, guilt, heated voices and quiet tears for Sheryl and her family. She already had a three-sided shouting match with her uncle and her father. Her uncle had left in a huff and there was a finality to the way he left. Her mother played the doomed part of a peacekeeper.

The same time period was a blank slate of melancholy for Mala and her parents. Her father insisted on behaving as if everything was normal. Business as usual. The only change was that Mala was grounded with no contact with the outside. Even her mother agreed with her father on this. Vincent had visited her father twice this time. Each time they retired to the study and had long private discussions. Always, Vincent left with a snarky smile while her father's mood grew darker.

About a month later, Mala heard some shouting. She thought her father and Vincent Uncle were having a disagreement. She had taken to calling Vincent as Vincent uncle and had actually found him very endearing. The fact that her father loathed him was an additional incentive for Mala. She rushed down to find Parikshit pleading with her father.

'She at least needs to know' Parikshit said in a squeaky voice.

'I am her father and I will decide what she needs to know or not' her father thundered.

Mala tried to force her way out but her father stopped her with a look. She looked at her mother who only shook her head in denial.

'Mala' Parikshit yelled 'Sherry is seriously ill. She told me that she loves you and wants to meet you'.

'You….' Mala's father roared out to hit Parikshit. Uncle Vincent caught his hand.

'Let's take this inside Captain. This is not the place or subject for a shouting match' Vincent whispered slowly.

The Captain just stared at him with murder in his eyes but he had never won a staring match with Vincent. Finally, Vincent led everyone into the house.

Parikshit hastily told that Sheryl had suddenly collapsed and was in ICU. Mala did not say a word and just headed out with Parikshit.

Her father moved to stop him but suddenly her mother came in between.

'You can beat us, you can kill us but you cannot change who we are, Captain' Parikshit said in a sombre tone.

'Let them go' Mala's mother pleaded.

Uncle Vincent handed over a glass of dusk coloured whisky to her father. He eyed the glass for a bit then downed it one go.

'See, no problem there' Vincent said as he guided Mala's father to the sofa and took his glass for a refill.

At the hospital, Mala found Sheryl sedated with lots of tube and machine whirring inside and her besides her. The Doctor had given her a full explanation of Sheryl's condition. The only words she understood were radiation poisoning and the only word that mattered to her were that if she pulled through for the next few days she may survive.

Mala stayed with Sheryl. The Captain came once to plead with her to return but Mala refused to even acknowledge him. On the fourth day, Sheryl woke up for a few minutes. She actually smiled when she saw Mala. The Doctors allowed one person inside the ICU. The unspoken agreement was that Mala should be it. Mala's presence acted as an elixir and Sheryl improved steadily. She was discharged after a week. When they reached home Sheryl's mother commented that I left with a daughter but came back with two. Sheryl's father didn't share the sentiment but he did not object to it either.

Mala's father made it very clear that he did not approve of this relationship and she was free to leave. And Mala left at that instant and Uncle Vincent was happy to drive her to Sheryl's home. Sheryl was surprised, elated and sad at the same time.

Uncle Vincent told them, 'Look girls, I do not disapprove of your choice but the world will. It's your life but you have to face the consequences of your choices. Are you ready to live this life, hidden from the world'?

Both the girls shook their heads in agreement.

Uncle Vincent just laughed and added, 'Then your uncle Vincent is at your service and with you, always'. From that onwards, Uncle Vincent became their confidante, friend and adviser. Only, they did not know that they had invited a serpent inside their homes.

The next few months passed quickly. The Captain finally allowed Mala's mother to visit her at Sheryl's house. It was always Uncle Vincent who brought her mother to the house. Project Amber was in full flow and Sheryl and her colleagues had started work on the Vanuatun nuclear material. Mala had become a regular visitor at the Lab and often had lunch with Sheryl and Parikshit.

There was just one regret Mala had, she could not officially come out to the world and marry Sheryl. They had discussed this often but could not find a way out. She often teased Sheryl that when would she get her surname changed to Varghese. Sheryl only had a sad smile for her.

Then one day things changed suddenly. Each of the scientists of Project Amber had been given a part of the nuclear material to work with. They each had been assigned a specific code for the material and were allowed to put in their initials as part of the code. Sheryl's code was MV02FK09. 02FK09 standing for the ninth sample from the second batch from Fort Kochi and MV for Maya Varghese. Instead of her own initials, Sheryl had given the initials Mala desired.

Sheryl was working on her sample, trying to synthesize a stable isotope from the material when her phone rang. She pushed a button to route the call to her desk speakers. She was careful enough to replace the twinkling amber sample in its holder.

'Hi' chirped Mala on the phone. 'Working' she asked.

Sheryl sighed, 'And what else would I do'. She continued taking her readings.

Mala just laughed and continued, 'Well for one you can get out of the stuffy lab and come home. It's raining and we are dancing'.

'What!' Sheryl asked, 'We means?'

'Means I and your Mother, dummy' Mala added teasingly. 'Hear the music'.

Sheryl heard the deep percussions of a Mridangam. Just then her readings changed and the glow of the material changed from Amber to steady dark green.

'Hello, Sherry' Mala asked and the music cut off. Instantly, the iridescent amber glow returned to the material.

'Huh' Sheryl thought, 'I will call you later' she told Mala.

Perplexed Sheryl took a deep breath and boarded the train of her thought.

What caused the sample to stabilize? The sample was behaving as usual. Then she got a call from Mala. But that shouldn't affect the sample. She had received many calls from Mala but nothing like this had happened. So what changed? 

She thought some more and then realization jolted her out of her chair.

She immediately called Mala.

'Hey, You called……' Sheryl cut off Mala, 'What was the music you were dancing too?

'Uhhh..What!' Mala asked.

'The music what was it?'

'It was Naad Mridanga 16'.

'Ok, bye'.

'What..wait..'

'I will explain when I get back, Love you, Bye' and Sheryl cut off.

Sheryl quickly downloaded the music piece and played it towards the sample and it changed as before. The sound waves had stabilized the sample. She had a stable isotope. Her whoop of joy was heard all over the lab.

'Well, that's how research goes'. Dr Shastri explained wiping his glasses. 'Nothing happens for decades and then within a few months everything changes'.

'All done by my daughter' Sheryl's mother beamed in.

'Oh no-no. Remember it was my call and dance that caused it'. Chirped in Mala.

Sheryl just smiled.

'So, we need some extra equipment from Norway and Sheryl just got selected for the trip'. Dr Shastri said.

Sheryl had many such foreign trips that year for research and Mala felt a little neglected. Sheryl promised to make it up and she did. One day Mala received a big bouquet of Margarita flowers and inside were two tickets for a trip to the US.

After a few days in the US, Sheryl found Mala in a sombre mood on a bench in Central Park.

'What is it she asked.

Mala pointed towards two ladies walking sitting on a bench holding hands.

Sheryl sat beside her and cupped her face.

'This is the US, things are better here, especially in Newyork. We can't all have all the things, always' Sheryl said.

'I know, but it still hurts' Mala rested her head on Sheryl's shoulder.

Just then a baby came stumbling towards them and Mala caught her.

'Mama, Mama', the baby squeaked.

A man came running for the baby, 'Sorry' he said.

'It's all right' Sheryl said. Mala just had eyes for the baby.

That night while in bed Sheryl asked Mala, 'You really like babies'.

Mala smiled and answer, 'Yes.

'I was thinking, maybe we can extend our trip and we can have our own'.

Mala shrieked and sat up throwing the sheets.

'We can go for a donor. The baby won't have a father but I think two mothers can more than make up for it'. Sheryl stopped and looked at Mala.

Mala had tears in her eyes but her face was all smiling. She hugged Sheryl and that was all the answer Sheryl needed.

Both of them underwent the procedure but only Sheryl conceived. Sheryl took maternity leave and they stayed back. They returned to India 9 months later with an extra passenger. A little baby girl, lovingly named Charu.

Charu was just the catalyst, Mala and Sheryl needed. The baby somehow became everyone's pet. Even the Captain showered her with love. He had started accompanying Mala's mother on a visit to Sheryl's home. Although, her mother had explained in no uncertain terms that Mala was still not allowed in her parents' home. Mala was just happy to see her father playing with her baby.

Uncle Vincent was ever-present as always. He had been having many foreign trips lately and brought imported gifts for them. Whenever anyone complained he used to say, it was due to the Captain and laughed. Mala knew something fishy was going on here but choose to ignore it in the bliss of her happy life.

Charu started growing up with her Maa and Momma. She called Mala as Maa and Sheryl was her Momma. She was the most frequent and the cutest visitor of the lab. And they often had ice-creams.

Then one day, Sheryl made another breakthrough. She had called in Mala and Charu for the official announcement as well. She had actually discovered another more stable isotope and had been allowed to name it as new radioactive material. As everyone gathered behind the radiation-proof glasses, Sheryl went inside the lab. She hefted what looked very much like a green shining sword.

'This is the new radioactive material we have discovered. Lighter than aluminium but stronger than titanium. It can be given shapes like this sword here. But, more importantly, it can cut iron, steel, tungsten, practically anything without ever losing its edge. Consider the implications in surgery, being able to make precise cuts at atomic level'.

Sheryl swung the sword and it sliced through a 10-inch steel rebar like a cucumber.

Sheryl continued, 'Consider also, the utility in destroying the armours of any and all military weapons, bunkers and vehicles.

She looked like an angel of death bathed in the green glow of the sword.

'We can cut mountains with it' Sheryl laughed.

'I give you, gentleman and ladies the Marghesium'. She pointed the sword towards Mala and gently put it down.

And then it dawned on Mala, Marghesium, Mala plus Varghese. The world would now never forget their names.

At the same time, Vincent was meeting a delegation of like-minded traders in Vanuatu. People called them smugglers but they considered themselves free traders. 

'If you can do this, then you can go far in Vanuatu, Vincent' said a crusty old man.

They were seated around a table on a beachside shack.

'Are you sure it was the Makranda' Vincent asked sipping his beer?

'Vincent you know who we are and we don't joke. We won't allow such exploitation of Vanuatun resources by the outside world' another guy growled.

'I know you are the EVIL and if there is anything to be found about such a nuclear material then believe me I will' Vincent answered. He got up and looked around the table as if trying to remember everyone's faces and then left. The foaming mug of beer left unfinished.

He returned  to India and asked the Captain, who informed him that he had no idea of any such research.

Vincent knew Sheryl worked at the museum which dealt with radiation and stuff. He decided to ask her.

The next week, Uncle Vincent met the happy couple at their house.

'So, Sheryl what do you actually do?' he asked as Charu played with a doll in his lap.

'I am just a low-level technician at the lab'.

'Lab…' Uncle Vincent asked.

'I mean the museum. Have your tea it's getting cold'. Sheryl hastily answered trying to cover her tracks.

'Ahh..' Uncle Vincent smiled. Like a mole, he had picked out the holes in Sheryl's answer.

'Momma showed me a shining sword that could cut mountains, Dada' Charu said.

Uncle Vincent just looked confused and laughed. 'You are watching too many cartoons little rabbit.'

Sheryl let out a breath thinking that Uncle Vincent had dismissed the issue.

But he had not. The serpent had gotten the scent of its prey.

Life continued as usual with Uncle Vincent bringing in more gifts and toys for Charu. The happy family even visited Uncle Vincent's house on occasions. His caretaker a teenager Ruth and his Mother Martha instantly took to Charu as well. Martha always commented that Charu looked so much like Sheryl. Mala found Ruth a little creepy but Sheryl laughed it off saying it was just teenage hormones.

A few months later, Sheryl again fell ill. This time it was more serious than before. The numbers of wires, I.V lines and machine around her increased. Uncle Vincent also came to visit her one day. He discussed her condition with the doctor and the diagnosis of recurrent radiation poisoning made him smile.

Mala was in the hospital with Sheryl until she had to go home due to an unusual request from Parikshit.

'Sorry to ask this at such a time' Parikshit said wringing his heads.

'It's all right, just tell me what is it' Mala asked.

'It's just routine security audit. I did with Sheryl many times but…' he trailed off.

Mala sniffed once but just then Charu caught her hand. The little girl had tears in her eyes.

Mala steeled herself, 'Just tell me what to do'.

'Nothing just let me walk around the house with this device' he told her. The device was shaped like a small pad and had a small satellite shaped disc attached to it by wires.

'This will pick up any spying devices around the house.' Parikshit added.

Mala just looked at him.

'It will pick any small cameras or microphones in the house'.

Mala took Charu by her hand and opened the door.

Parikshit started walking around the house but nothing happened. That was until he neared a basket piled high with Charu's toys and the device started screeching.

Parikshit perked up and moved towards a doll. He prief apart the doll's head and pulled out a small chip with a wire.

'My doll', Charu cried out.

Parikshit put a finger on his lips and looked at Mala.

Mala got frightened but cupped her hands on Charu's mouth.

Parikshit moved towards another teddy bear and this time found that one of its eye was a camera. He cut open the teddy and pried out a wire going to the little lens. He was able to see a shine go out from the lens.

A screen suddenly went black on a car parked near Sheryl's home. A man reached for the phone spilling his coke all over.

'Sir, we have a problem. The camera just went blank'. He said on the phone.

'Are you sure' a quiet voice asked.

'Yes Sir'.

'That means they know, someone was spying on them. They can trace the devices back to us. Kill them all'.

'Sir, there's a child with them'. The man asked.

'She should be easy to kill'. 

'Yes Sir'!

'See, no problem there'. Vincent replied and closed the call.

'Just a business call' he said to The Captain and Sheryl's parent. 'Let's ask the doctor if any alternative treatment is available outside India, maybe I can help'.

Parikshit was still moving the device around when shards of windowpane rained over him. Somebody had just fired at them. He immediately ducked behind a sofa and gestured a stunned Mala to move as well. His leg was still poking out of the sofa and the next bullet shot clear through it.

Mala just screamed holding a limp Charu in her hands. Her screamed suddenly stopped as she realized Charu was not moving and blood was gushing out of her head. She fell to her knees still holding Charu as bullets flew around.

Parikshit gritted through the pain and got out his mobile. He dialled the number given by the Major. A voice answered and Parikshit was only able to utter a weak 'Hello' before the phone dropped out of his hand. He suddenly found himself without any strength or feeling. He did not even feel the next bullet which went through his temples, silencing him forever.

The man from the car kicked in the door his Sig Sauer still smoking. He found Mala staring out on the horizon. Parikshit's brains were already splattered on the sofa. He did not like to kill children and was relieved to find the child unresponsive. He moved ahead and stood over Mala. As he placed his gun on her forehead Mala muttered 'Sheryl'. There was a loud bang and the happy family was no more.

As he moved he saw a man coming approaching the house. He was a good shot and the bullet took the man between the ribs. The man dropped instantly. Sheryl's father was dead.

Unaware of their loss, Sheryl's mother and Charu's parents sat outside the ICU praying that Sheryl survived.

Vincent stood beside them. His phone beeped once he picked it up and someone answered 'It's done'. He closed the phone. He was happy but he did not smile. A serpent never smiled after a meal of mice.