A New Future Unfolding

In the shade of the ancient Banyan tree, in the rear end of the school, a couple snuggled with each other. Aditya lowered his head and rested his head on Maahi's shoulder as he wrapped his left arm around her delicate and supple waist. He breathed in a lily fragrance which was elegant, pleasant and simple. Her medium length hair moved with the wind and tickled his face.

Maahi hugged Aditya tightly as she leaned her head against his chest and closed her eyes. She did not talk for a long time, and Aditya did not interrupt her. She enjoyed the warm breath of Aditya on her swan-like neck. A gentle breeze would cause rustling sounds, from time to time, as dried leaves on the ground moved.

The mellifluous call of a cuckoo punctuated the silence as Aditya slowly caressed Maahi's back. He knew that since Maahi brought him to this place, she had something important to discuss. Aditya knew that he and Maahi could converse through the bond between their soul particles, but it did not feel 'real'. Aditya or Maahi would prefer a plain and simple conversation.

After a few minutes of uninterrupted silence, Maahi raised her head, stood on her toes as she kissed Aditya on his lips. It was not an intense or a passionate kiss but rather a short and quick one. Aditya shifted his gaze downwards, stopping at Maahi's vermillion lips. They were soft with a glossy allure, Maahi looked intently into his eyes as she held Aditya's head with her small hands.

After both of them parted their lips, Aditya smiled and said, "I am fine. Sorry, if I had caused you to worry about me."

Maahi gave a small smile. She said in a clear voice along with a limpid expression, "The next time you decide to put your life at risk for others, just remember my words. If you end up dying in the process, I will make sure to kill whosoever you were trying to save before following you in your death. Got it?"

Aditya's heart quivered when he heard these words. He could tell with his 'Sensifull' ability that Maahi meant what she said. He gulped as he nodded at Maahi.

Visions from the dream world consisting of Maahi's last message surfaced in Aditya's mind as he gazed at the petite figure in his bosom. Maahi had given the reason as to why she stayed away from him for ten years. "At that time, I questioned myself if I was the right person for you, and I failed to get an absolute answer. So, I decided that I would stay away from you until the day I was sure that I wouldn't harm you by staying with you. Because I won't tolerate anyone liable to harm you in any way or form, even if it is me."

Maahi smiled when she saw that Aditya got her point and kissed him on his cheeks. "I know that you have gained a way to rescue your parents through Tya. I will not stop you in your endeavours, and I will help you to the fullest extent of my abilities. But I hope that you remember that you are the most important person in my life. I will not forgive anyone or anything that will result in driving us apart."

Aditya gazed at Maahi's face as his arm tightened around her. He knew that he was not going to change his plans just because of these words, but Maahi's opinion meant a lot to him. Aditya did not plan on dying, but the previous clash reminded him that he had little information about the Organisation's capabilities and capacities. The Organisation continued to surprise him at every corner catching him unawares.

The only viable step that Aditya was left with was to complete the supercomputer and the quantum computer. He planned to gather a few quantum cores from the enemy communication devices as well. Since the organisation had decided to take over the underworld of Bangalore, Aditya would have ample opportunity to get them. This city was his playground, after all.

Aditya knew that Tya did not reveal most of his secrets like the 'dream world' or 'Tya's origin' or the way they met. Maahi and others only knew that Tya was some 'supernatural entity' who was attached to Aditya through some accident. They had not forced Tya to answer any sensitive information. In fact, Taarini did not speak with Tya except about matters which are related to Aditya.

Suspicion had arisen in Aditya's heart about the connection between Tya and Maahi. Aditya had asked Tya whether Tya was able to detach himself from Aditya's soul particle and latch onto Maahi's or other soul particles. Tya had replied in the negative. He was only able to access those soul particles which were bonded with Aditya's. So, Aditya's soul particle was the medium through which Tya could communicate with others. In the end, it was only Aditya's soul particle which was perfectly compatible with Tya.

"The Raipath family has taken over the 'Iconic Building' project. The government has unilaterally cancelled the contract citing Taarini's dark history. The police currently want Taarini on multiple charges of fraud, drug trafficking, smuggling and extortion. This 'Government Order' was one of the first decisions taken by the government after Vandana Sharma took the Chief Minister seat." Maahi stated as she took a marker pen and started doodling on Aditya's arm cast.

Aditya deeply inhaled and nodded when he heard this news. Taarini had wanted to use this building as an opportunity to leave her dark past behind. She desired to give her elder brother's followers a new and peaceful beginning. Now, this one chance was taken away from her.

Aditya could imagine Taarini's disappointment and rage if she heard this piece of news. He had one more reason to kick the asses of the Raipath family. Raipath family would not imagine that they had provoked a 'Frost Empress'. Without Aditya, they may have gotten away with this action, but with him in the equation, things would be different.

Aditya asked, "how much did you lose because of this contract?" He knew that Maahi had also invested in this project and was one of the stakeholders.

"Not much, a little over 33 million USD," Maahi said as she finished writing on his cast. Even before Tya's existence, Maahi was a genius in managing finances and investments. But with Tya diverting a good chunk of dark energy to her soul particle, Maahi was nothing short of a monster with unbelievable comprehending and calculating powers. So, with her vision, Maahi could earn this amount in a matter of weeks.

"So, how long are you planning on remaining as a teacher?" Aditya softly asked as he played with Maahi's dark hair.

"Till your exams are completed," Maahi replied.

"Those are just two months away. How did you get the principal to accept?" Aditya asked with a grin.

"I bought the school and its parent organisation." came the reply.

Aditya opened his mouth in surprise when he heard that Maahi had bought the school. He nodded as he asked, "what are your ideas about the changes in the world?"

Maahi became grim when Aditya asked this question. She looked at Aditya with a serious expression as she replied, "I think that the Organisation is planning something big. The 'Modified Food Grains', new drugs for incurable diseases and a bunch of new civilian technology has become available for everyone at meagre costs. It is almost as if they want to create a Utopian society."

"I heard that a new chemical formula for cement had been released into the market and it is vastly superior to the contemporary composition. It has aced through all the quality barriers like temperature, float and setting tests. The construction costs are going to fall to a record low."

" I heard a new fuel is also going to be introduced, which is pretty cheap but gives more energy output than even rocket fuel. It is also eco-friendly as fossil fuels are not required to produce it. It is synthesised by fermentation of 'Genetically Modified Bacteria'. The fuel is some special structural modification of hydrogen fuel. It is currently undergoing trials in almost all major economies. If this gets through, oil-based economies and interest groups would be in for some nasty surprise."

"Then, there is the brand new range of food grains which are healthier, tastier and cheaper. I heard that they could grow in extreme climates with very less water consumption. No pesticides or fertilisers are required. I heard that a new variety of earthworms had been created and these earthworms are capable of turning barren, infertile land to fertile in two months. In brief, labour prices and cost of living are going to become very cheap, and the quality of living of the world population is going to take a giant leap."

"Also, the most critical information that I received," Maahi looked at Aditya with a sharp gaze as she continued, "is that there is talk about introducing a uniform international currency. If it is true, then the economics of the entire world are going to change forever."

Aditya's heart shook when he heard Maahi's information. Although her information was still vague, it was more than enough for him to realise that the world was going to transition into something very diverse from the 'dream' timeline. Even though Aditya knew that all of these changes were desirable, he felt intense restlessness inside his heart.

Maahi looked at Aditya's expression as she nodded, "I feel the same way. Though these changes are good for humanity, I can't even fathom the consequences of these changes will have on society, as a whole. Transformation of behavioural patterns, global economic scenario and diplomatic relations would be astonishing, to say the least. Also, this information is something I pieced together from different sources. So, I am not sure about the authenticity of this knowledge or the time in which these changes will take place."

"Well, I think that this is good as well," Aditya said as he gazed into the distance.

"Oh, how is that?" Maahi questioned as she smiled with a glint in her eyes.

"Don't you feel that the Organisation is finally opening up a little? As if the Organisation has decided to reveal itself. Doesn't it make it easier for me to grab hold of them if they come out of the shadows?" Aditya smiled as he looked at the gorgeous woman in his arms.

Maahi chuckled when she heard Aditya's words as she shared the same thoughts. No enemy is as fearful as the one in the dark. As long as the enemy surfaces, no matter how terrifying he turns out to be, there will always be a chance to defeat them.

"Well, do you think that you can take on this giant?" Maahi posed a question as she glanced at Aditya. She wanted to know Aditya's attitude towards the Organisation. Aditya's perception of the Organisation will have a subtle but crucial influence in his plans. Maahi was concerned if Aditya would let his emotions get to his head and aim for something unrealistic.

"I just want to save my parents," Aditya replied as his left hand formed a fist. It had been 213 days since his parents were taken away. Maahi smiled when she heard these words as she kissed Aditya and said, "Don't worry, we will."