An Upgraded Soul

Aditya got out of Faizal's car as he looked at the statue of Taarini's brother which he had already seen when he came here with Raghav. But he had seen the statue in the daytime as for now, it was already night and the statue was illuminated with many neon lights.

Aditya placed a lollipop in his mouth as he asked Faizal who had parked the car, "it's already night, do you think stores would be open when I get back home?" he had not expected that Taarini would ask him to come here at this time. He had kept some food for Hamsa before he came here but he knew that poor girl was always in some daze. He was sure that if he did not go back, she might forget to eat altogether. Also, he did not think that she was safe so he wanted to spend as much time as possible in the home at least for a few days so that she would feel safe and comfortable. That was the least he could do.

Faizal knew that Aditya did not want to come here now and it was not in the previous schedule either but what could he do if Big Sis wanted him to come here? He tried to soothe him as he said," Elder brother, don't worry, Big Sis usually does not call us usually during this time. So, it must be something important. Big Sis has many stores under her name, I will get them to stay open tonight so that you can take whatever you want."

"Take?" Aditya's eyes lit up as he asked. He did not have much money on him right now so if Taarini could solve the problem of buying some furniture and kitchen equipment, that was the best outcome for him.

Faizal looked at Aditya bemusedly as he said," of course, take, you think Big Sis lacks money. She usually treats us very good. Taking your prowess into view, it is already shocking for us that she did not buy you a villa and a sports car."

Aditya licked the lollipop as he shook his head, "make sure that the furniture and kitchen appliances store is open, I don't expect other things." Aditya liked big villas only if he had close and loved ones to accompany him. There had to at least ten to twenty friends and relatives, only then he might want to stay in a spacious building away from populous areas.

Otherwise, one call to Maahi elder sister and he could move into a villa the next day. It was not a big deal for him. Even Uncle Ramu's government quarters was a big bungalow in a nice green neighbourhood. Aditya since childhood always like staying around people, he did not mind even if they were strangers. He liked talking to new people, hearing their experiences, making new friends. He seldom had problems with his interactions. This was the main reason that he prefers to live in that garage. He could converse with Chakri, white buffalo, Uncle Ramlal and other mechanics. He liked playing with Chintu and tutoring him sometimes. He enjoyed looking at the crowds in the busy street as they went about their daily chores.

Once, when Aditya was just a 10-year-old kid, his father promised him that he would pick him up from school that evening but was later caught up in some work and forgot about Aditya altogether. It took his father three full hours to remember that his son was waiting for him. When his father rushed to the school gate expecting to see a distressed kid crying for his parents or an angry kid throwing a tantrum, he found Aditya sitting on the footpath with hands supporting his chin as he looked at the flowing traffic with big, wide open eyes moving from side to side with an innocent, cute smile on his face as if he was exactly where he wanted to be. Aditya smiled when he remembered how his father would recall this memory frequently.

"What happened to the children? I remember that building was filled with them when I came last time," Aditya asked Faizal as they got on a battery car as they drove towards the interior.

Faizal hesitated for a while as he lowered his voice and whispered grimly," Taarini big Sis had them shifted to a nearby village as she feels that the underworld of Bangalore was starting to get heated up. She did not want the children dragged into this gang wars as mafia does not possess morality and rules. Your enemy would happily drag the children into the conflict if he feels he could hurt you through them."

Aditya nodded his head as he was once again reminded of the brutality of the underworld which he had entered while he was also happy that Taarini got these children out of the way in time. He had not seen her in the past two days, she was busy in getting these children moved probably. He closed his eyes as he inhaled the cold and pure air in this large expanse of greenery which made him refreshed and rejuvenated. Even though he had Tya to take care of his body despite sleeping for only a few hours out in the cold and spending his night fighting or getting Hamsa treated. His mind was exhausted as well as sleep took over him.

After a few minutes of dozing, Aditya was woken up by Faizal as he felt relaxed even if he had slept for some time only. He was shocked that he had slept just like that. It was not that he did not trust Faizal or Taarini but he felt it was foolish and naive to let down his defence and guard in their presence.

Aditya shook his head as he decided to not repeat such an action again while he threw the lollipop stick into a bin and walked along with Faizal into a warehouse. On the other hand, his trust in Faizal or Taarini's gang as a whole increased a little.

"Pay attention to your words when you speak in front of Big Sis and don't talk out of turn," Faizal whispered to Aditya as they walked into the huge warehouse.

"Why? What happened?" Aditya asked as he looked around the huge cargo boxes placed in the warehouse wondering what they contained.

"Well, didn't I tell you that Taarini Big Sis sent away the children for their safety. The only time when we see Big Sis smiling is when she plays and spend time with those children. Now they are not here any more, so how do you think Big Sis is going to feel?" Faizal explained patiently.

Aditya nodded as he felt that Taarini seemed more like your friendly neighbour elder sister rather than a mafia don. How was she managing these many people? He shook his head as he stashed away these thoughts.

Aditya and Faizal slowly walked into a vast open space in the middle of the warehouse lit up by huge floodlights as he saw some fifty members gathered around. It was his first time seeing so many people with Taarini. Was this the full capacity of her gang.

"Whoa, all the care members have congregated, it looks like there is going to be a big show tonight" Faizal muttered excitedly like a small kid. He did not see Aditya's eyes opening wide open in shock when he heard his words. 'Core members?'

Aditya activated 'Slow Timing' and 'Sensifull' to note down all the people, their faces, features, clothes, expressions at once. It only took a few seconds even if he observed leisurely.

"Oh! Who is this delicate kid, Faizal? Is he one of those orphans Taarini little miss is raising?" A middle-aged man with an eyes patch came and asked with a smile.

Aditya smiled bitterly when he heard these words but did not bother to correct him as he continued observing everyone.

"Manoj elder brother, this kid is a new entry to the gang. Taarini Big Sis places a lot of importance on him. He is one of the best fighters that I have ever seen." Faizal corrected as he did not want these people to underestimate Aditya. As to his shooting prowess, he did not reveal on the orders of Taarini.

"Pfft! What are you talking about?" Manoj Elder bro did not buy Faizal's introduction as he looked at Aditya's thin physique with disdain.

"I am not joking elder brother, he had also defeated the Bulls Trio," Faizal reiterated his statement.

"What Bullshit are you spouting?" a young man with a fierce face mocked with an annoyed voice, "If this bamboo stick is so strong, I am Superman."

"Sandu, you…" Faizal was about to defend Aditya but he was stopped with Aditya as he smiled and said straightforwardly," Let's fight,"

Aditya knew that he had to establish his identity so that everyone could recognize him easily. He did not want to take the long route of slowly becoming acquainted with these people and then gaining their respect. He did have the time for that. So, he had to show these people something that would facilitate him to establish relations quickly. What better way was there except your fist. He wanted to brand his image in all the hearts of these people. As he already decided to become a rat, he had to utilize this opportunity to become the King Rat.

"Shut the f**k up, who do you think you are that I, Sandu, would fight when you want?" Sandu was furious that the new entry wanted to fight him. He was even more enraged when he saw that delicate frame which seems to move with the wind.

Aditya smiled as he said," Don't fight for nothing, since Miss Taarini has not come yet, let's play around. Lets bet who is going to win, 20000 bugs (around $300). Faizal will be the banker." Aditya winked at Faizal whose eyes started sparkling.

Faizal nodded his head vigorously as he went near a table and began shouting, "Aditya Vs Sandu the odds are 1:5, you will regret in the future if you don't participate in this exciting match." Faizal thought that Aditya was trying to scheme for some money as he did not catch the true meaning.

Aditya shook his head as he walked to the centre of the opening as the gazes of the fifty people fell on him. This was what he wanted. To be noticed and then to be recognized.

Sandu was shocked at Aditya's statement but what caused his lower jaw to fall was the odds of Faizal which clearly showed that he thought he, Sandu would lose. 'What was going on? Were these guys had so much money that they were literally throwing away the cash?'

Manoj looked at all these with narrowed eyes as he saw the lean figure in the centre of all focus. No one knew what he was thinking.

Which goons in this field did not like fighting and gambling? Within no time, Faizal hands were filled with money as he wrote down the quantities on a piece of paper. When he counted the money, he was shocked that the total amount went up to a million bugs (around $15,000). all of them had placed their bet on Sandu as Sandu was pretty famous for his martial prowess which was praised even by Taarini Big Sis. On the other hand, they did not think that Aditya stood a chance with his slender frame. Goons worshipped a masculine physique with ripped bulging muscles, so of course, they did not support Aditya.

Sandu's ego was satisfied when he saw that all of them had placed their bets on him. He looked at Aditya with pity as he said magnanimously, "the first one to fall on the ground is the loser, what do you say? After all, we all belong to the same gang."

Aditya nodded with a smile as he looked at Sandu with appreciation. This guy was not bad after all. Manoj volunteered to be the referee as he asked the two fighters to prepare themselves. Sandy removed his shirt revealing a wheatish muscular physique which caused even Aditya to envy while he did not remove any clothes but just flexed his limbs.

3, 2, 1… Go

Sandu had a complacent smile on his face as he decided to give some time of preparation for Aditya otherwise he felt that Aditya would be defeated otherwise in a matter of seconds. But his smile vanished immediately as his eyes widened in shock.