Venom: Part 7

The office was like a fortress; thick cemented walls on each side. The colour of the entire room were dull. The assistant hardly moved his eyes from the computer screen. Venom as usual didn't show any sigh of discomfort. She was used to such surroundings. The telephone on the assistant's desk rang.
'Hello?' he answered. After noting down the things he looked at Venom.
'Dr Sara Azad?'
'Yes, that would be me' Venom answered.
'Dr Narayan shall see you know'
She went inside through the door and entered an entirely different surrounding. It was a big and elaborate laboratory. Her final target stood just a few feet away from her.
'Dr Sara Azad' she introduced. The scientist was dressed in his casual tee and pants. He had a can of Redbull in one hand and some files in the other
'Oh! I've been waiting for you Dr Azad' exclaimed Dr Narayan, renowned physicist and soon to be dead.
   ***



Raina slept for long after the unexpected abduction. Meera knew that Raina would seek answers from her. She mentally prepared herself to tell Raina the entire story from start to finish. Though, it hadn't finished, not yet. She cursed Vincent for involving Raina into this whole messy business. Apart from this, she was worried what Vincent would do after opening up the flash drive. It was classified information that she had stolen from the archives of the Bureau. Next morning, Raina woke up with severe headache. Meera, who was already awake, gave her Disprin for relief.

'Okay, I know you want answers' Meera started. Raina fixed her gaze on Meera, she didn't say anything and just folded her hands and sat upright.
'For that you need to start from the beginning, Meera' Raina spoke. Meera pursed her lips because she knew what Raina meant. All those past stories had to find an escape, so she began.

'When I was seven, my parents died in a car accident. My parents were scientists in the Research and Analysis Department. I had a sister who died along with them. She was five then. I don't remember how I survived, I just remember waking up at a hospital. I was told that my family was dead and put into special custody. After completing my education, I landed up in the Intelligence Bureau. My first assignment was on Naseer Da-ul. Back then I did extensive research on Da-ul. At that time I came across a file which connected Da-ul to my parent's accident. Since then I have been fixated on thinking that he was responsible for my family's death.'

'When I got a lead on him, I worked out a plan to catch him. But unfortunately, the plan didn't work out and led to ' she gulped, this part always made her uneasy 'death of my partner. After that, I was denied any kind of involvement with Naseer Da-ul. But when two years ago, Venom surfaced and she turned out to be one of his, I couldn't help but getting involved. The man who abducted you last night was Vincent Varkova. Two years ago, Da-ul's men killed Vincent's girlfriend. He left his job at Russian Intelligence and has been chasing Da-ul since then. I seeked his help initially for finding Da-ul. Now, he wants mine' Meera sighed.

She looked out of the window. Raina stood just a few steps away. Her eyes were fixed at Meera's.
'Raina, Vincent and I seek revenge. But if we don't find him, we are doomed' she concluded. Raina came close and put her hand on Meera's shoulder.
'We'll find Da-ul' she tried to dispel her fears. Though, Raina was trying her level best to reassure Meera, she knew without Venom they couldn't possibly find Da-ul. Raina had to go beyond her comfort zone. Compounds and solutions won't give her the entire puzzle, they'll be just mere pieces. For the broad story, she needed to exert more.
'What did you give in that flash drive to Vincent?' she asked.
'The entire research work and classified drives from the archives' replied Meera.
'Can you get me the same?' her voice enthused
'What? What are you going to do with them?' Meera asked skeptically.
'You said there were drives, I think I know someone who can help us'
'Raina, our department has India's best tech guys. I am sure there is nothing of use'
'Then why did you give them to Vincent?'
Meera paused, she doubted if anything she would say make sense. The gave Vincent the files because she had to save Raina without bloodshed bargain.
'Give me one chance' Raina pleaded.
***
It was a dingy little staircase. Meera noticed she had to climb four floors. She was having dual thoughts about trusting this guy whose tech talents she jabbered the entire way.
'Do you have a crush on this fellow?' Meera irritatedly asked
'No, he is a genius. Acknowledge that at least' Raina scowled.
Finally, they reached the tiny apartment door. Before Raina could knock, somebody flung the door wide upon. A droopy face with round spectacles and a mile long grin appeared. His body fat was in proportion to his face fat. Simply put, this man was round.
'Raina!' he screamed in enthusiasm
'Hi, Dushyant' Raina greeted
'Dushyant, Meera Ray. Meera, Dushyant Khanna' she introduced.
'Call me D.K' he said with a cool accent.
'Well, get to work' Meera ordered.
Without much hesitation, Dushyant took the drives and sat on his throne.
***
She had never felt like this before, his presence made her quiver. His voice made her enchanted. The way he looked at her, she was mesmerised. He came close to tell her something, her heart skipped a beat.
All this was new to her, she was derailing from her mission. How could she kill him? How could she love him?
'What's wrong, Areem? It's been so long, why isn't he dead?' Da-ul complained.
'Papa, he hasn't showed me the plans yet' she lied.
'If you can't do it, tell me. I will send my men' he scowled.
For the first time in years she shouted back, 'No! You can't. This is my mission. I will complete it'
There was stubborness in her voice. 'Fine, but do it soon' calmed Da-ul and cut the phone.
She doubted if Dau-ul didn't notice the change. It wasn't the Venom he created, she wasn't the robot he designed. It was the heart speaking. The beating heart.