Golden Mask man army couldn’t fight the number. Many tribes are injured, but we reached near success. I sent a few men out of the cave and I ran into the palace with few companions.
I shot all the guards wandering him at the palace and reached his room.
“You won. You ruined my empire and now am going to ruin your life,” he shouted once I stood in front of the man, who is praised by everyone in the state to be the most powerful man.
He is an old guy with an uncountable number of wrinkles on his face. And no black hair on his entire body.
I didn’t even want to kick him; he is too old to deserve it. I pulled him out of his room and showed how slaves outnumbered his soldiers and how they are killed.
He started to tremble in fear.
“Do you think your money, your diamonds are going to save you?” I asked.
He remained silent. “Money is needed for a human; humans are not needed to make money. What is left in your life, except this death?” I asked him again.
He still didn’t have any answer; he remained silent and jumped himself into the valley.
Simon Robs, the richest man died within a plan executed in a span of six hours. Life must be crazy, I laughed at him and I felt happy that I avenged my parents’ death.
The people I sent near to the entrance of the cave, helped thousands of police and military men get in, all the Golden mask men sustained death are caught by them.
Media covered every inch in the cave and showed it to the world. Diamond mining is seized here for a while.
Varoon came to me and congratulated me for my success.
“Nothing would be possible without your support,” I praised him.
“When did you come here?” Sofia asked Varoon in surprise.
“I came into the cave last night along with 200 police officers,” Varoon relived our plan.
“I don’t get you,” Sofia asked in confusion.
“Look, it is my trap; besides me, I made 200 blameless police officers camouflage themselves as villagers and tribes in 3 kidnap localities. Those kidnappers procured us in unknowing our true identity. And we are able to fight them, and that’s why I asked you to follow us with a few more police until the cave and inform media once you reach,” I explained her.
“Oh,” she said still in confusion.
“How do you think that villagers and tribes would come out of the shell and fight with a single motivational class of mine?!” I ridiculed her.
“Yeah, I understood!” she smiled.
“What’s next?” she asked; “Aria,” I told still focused.
20. My Journey to Discover Myself
“Where can we find her? His complete empire is destroyed,” Sofia asked.
“I know where we can find her,” I said confidently.
“Mayan’s mobile is switched off,” Sofia told, scared if I could not meet Aria anymore.
“Mayan won’t harm Aria. I know his heart,” I said.
“Let’s move soon,” Sofia told.
“Aunty, where is Mayan?” I asked Mayan’s mom once I reached his home.
“He left home,” aunt told clearing her tears. Sofia and I consoled aunt for a while and I went into his bedroom to check for any clues.
“Where did he leave?” I asked the aunt.
“He said he wanted to go to his true home,” aunt said, tears still flooding from her eyes. “I treated him with utmost care, but he always lived in his world of depression and hatred towards the world. He didn’t even trust me!” aunt cried.
Sofia consoled aunt.
His original home is our orphanage. Sofia and I ran to our orphanage after getting the address.
“He left this book,” aunt gave us a book.
“Show me the book,” I asked.
The book is titled “My journey to discover myself.”
And a small note left in it
“Hi, my best friend,
I know you would be coming here, here are a few things which I wanted to tell you.
I want you to tell a truth; it was me who was about to be injected with steroids that day when were kidnapped by Golden mask me, but you saved me
You fought with them and in fact sacrificed your life to save mine, and got it injected into you; saved my life and risked yours.
It was you who were the main reason why I am in to a new house, why I was no more an orphan.
You are the perfect example of friendship but,
I always wanted to compete with you; I wanted to be like you, brave and strong enough to fight any course.
I was depressed and hated you; when you stopped talking to me because of your parents request; I wanted you to regret; I wanted you to accompany me in every party; but you never came back. You built a new happy world with a new lover, new friends and new habits.
I still hated you for leaving me alone still with all those odds.
That’s the reason why I joined Simon Robs Company, just to compete with you and make you jealous of me.
Eventually, I learnt that Simon Robs lured me for you, he wanted to collect some samples from you. I wanted to harm you because I hated you. It was me who informed Simon Robs that you were leaving to Nevara without security. It was my sin that uncle and aunt are dead.
They sent me to kill you; but I couldn’t kill you though I hated you., I couldn’t harm you.
I got you admitted in a hospital and left. But I always watched you.
I intentionally kidnaped Aria just to threaten you because I don’t want you to mess up with Simon Robs and get hurt.
But I underestimated your caliber. You ruined his empire and became a hero.
But I still hate you.
I know you will come here; your love interest is safe, my ex is taking good care of her.
Good luck; have a good life ahead and I am going to lands undiscovered; read the book for me, but when the time hits; it’s my final gift for you”
His letter moved me, I know Mayan is never a criminal he is kind from his heart and lovable. But he is innocent who moves along with the wind.
Mayan left us all and camouflaged himself. I set a target for myself bring Mayan home back with all his lost happiness.
It is a huge palace. It really seemed to be a heaven, and so many kids are playing all the way long; it’s been a long time since I am here.
Aria stood playing with a few kids there. She wore a white dress as beautiful as ever, the wind blowing her hair, and a few winds reminded her to look left where I stood awaiting her eyes to smile at me.
She made an eye contact, and tears flooded uncontrollable; she persisted still for few seconds unknowing the way to express her cheerfulness.
She ran to me and hugged me and cried until all her sorrow dried away.
“I love you,” she cried
“I love you too. I missed you a lot,” I told with equal depth.
“Where were you?” she hit me, clearing her eyes and laughing.
“I was on a journey to discover myself!” I mocked.
“I don’t know, but never ever leave me alone,” she asked me a promise.
“I still couldn’t know my name,” I asked
“Joe!” she smiled clearing her eyes.
And I finally got to know my name. And Joe it is, short and sweet.
Now, I need to kick Mayan and take him home, my inner-self told.
“Where is Mayan?” I asked Aria
“He called me last week telling that you were alive, I rushed to his place and since then he along with his girlfriend kept me a hostage all these days, but never told the reason; and asked me to wait here until I receive a wonderful gift; but I didn’t expect the gift was you,” Aria told and she collapsed down while blood flooded from her mouth.
She fell down lifeless in my hands and my world paused entirely. While tears ran down from my eyes.
About the Book & Author
Blurb
Joe is strangled amdist the good and evil in him, while h
e is on a quest for his own identity.
With no memory of his past, he sets out to find his girl and to discover his true identity, despite being confronted by deceiving dreams and skeptic company.
The complications in Joe’s journey of self-discovery includes Simon Robs, the richest man in the state and Mayan, a friend none desires to have; hid untold stories of anguish from him. But did their presence in his life prove to be a boon or a curse?
You Are Never a Stranger explores both the battles between Joe’s heart and soul as well as his battles with the strange world outside him.
Author Bio
Surakshith Markanti is a dreamer who has visionary aspirations. He is a writer who deciphers his thoughts into prose, a civil engineer who romances the hot sun at construction sites, and most importantly, he is a student who learns something new from the world each day.
Apart from writing, Surakshith loves boxing, and he cooks in his leisure time. You can reach him at [email protected].
To be continued…
You Are Never a Stranger Page 10