Gauravi's POVAmid the delightful chaos of the dining area, my attention was momentarily diverted. A familiar face caught my eye. I looked again.How is that possible?? Was he Shaurya Malhotra?? No!! A wave of disbelief swept over me; how could he be here, in this unexpected setting?I closed my eyes and opened them again hoping that I was imagining him. But he was here.What was he doing here?? He was the son of my dad's friend. I had never liked him and his twin Shlok. Shlok was too boring and Shaurya thinks too highly of himself and was a confirmed Casanova, who changed his girls like shirts.Was he here with some girl? I looked around but he seemed to be alone.There was something odd, though this man looked like him, he looked somewhat different as well. I was still confused if he was Shaurya or not.But why should I be bothered??I looked again, he had not noticed me till now so I thought of avoiding him and started enjoying my food again.But as I continued to enjoy my meal,
Gauravi's POVI decided to avoid him and enjoy the trip. Lakkundi unfolded before us, a historical tapestry woven with the remnants of Mallikarjuna, Virabhadra, and countless other temples. My eyes widened with awe as I stepped into the ancient embrace of Nanneshwara Temple. The intricate carvings narrated tales of a bygone era, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. Amidst the ruins, I felt a connection to the echoes of history, each stone telling a story.A short drive led us to Gadag, where the Trikuteshwara Temple beckoned. I marveled at the craftsmanship, the three lingas mounted on the same stone symbolizing a divine unity. The shrine dedicated to Saraswathi added a touch of serenity to the vibrant energy of the temple. As I immersed myself in the cultural richness, I sensed a newfound appreciation for the diversity of India's spiritual heritage.As the day unfolded, I found myself drawn not only to the temples but also to the group, I was a part of. Though I didn't want t
Gauravi's POVThe weather was so good that I didn't want to go to the room. I turned to look at Shaurya again. He was still bent over his notes.He was younger than Arun and was just two years older than me, but he looked much older here. He was not his usual one, wasn't even flirting. He was looking super dull, super presided, super boring in his neat cream Linen suit and with black hair carefully parted, there was something wrong... He looked boring, not the super famous Casanova. In fact, even his boring twin, Shlok, didn't ever look like this. I would not be able to sleep till I knew his secret. Though I knew for sure by now that he was Shaurya, because Shlok was a simple man, he could not think of doing all these things and he had never talked to me like that, I was just intrigued to know why he was using a fake name and why was he looking different?I was tempted to go and ask him but he made a face as soon as he saw that I turned to look at him. Irritating man. I hated him, b
Gauravi's POVI saw that there was a place that was like plain ground, there were some armed men there. They opened a box and took out a god statue. It looked very old and antique statue in gold, must be very expensive.My heart started beating very hard.Was it a legitimate archeological site for digging? It didn't look like... Oh, God!! Could they be handling the statuesillegally? Yes, of course!! They were smuggling the old and antique gold statues.Oh shit!!! I needed to click the picture of it to prove my point to the police. I lifted my phone to click pictures one after the other and then I moved to another place to get a better angle to take better pictures. A tree branch was coming in my way to get a perfect shot so I moved it aside and raised my phone again to click more pictures.Just then I saw that a man turned and looked at me.I was so scared that I couldn't move but just then an arm snaked around my waist and I got even more scared and was about to scream due to p
Gauravi's POVI came back to the room on my slightly unsteady legs and threw myself on the bed as I was dead tired and kept staring at the opposite wall.Did all those things really happen an hour ago?? Did he really save me?? Yes!!! I should be grateful to him but the way he was behaving was making it difficult for me to be grateful to him.I took a quick shower, changed into fresh clothes, and packed my bags. I was ready, but could not simply leave after what I saw in the jungle.Why was he telling me, not to do anything? Did he really understand the gravity of the situation or had he simply seen me leaving the hotel, followed me there, and was playing a game at my expense to amuse himself?? He was Shaurya... Anything was possible with him. Anyway, I was not going to leave the matter like this... For god's sake, I am a responsible citizen of my country and it is my duty to stop if I see any illegal activities.Yes, I have to do something. I went out taking precautions so that he
Gauravi 's POV " Your mission?? Operation?? You mean... " I could not digest what he said." Oh... I mean, I had a doubt that something fishy is going on, so thought of looking at it. Why? If you can get curious and go on a mission, can't I do the same?? " He said.." I don't trust you. Arun seems to be a good man. "" Yes, of course, you trust an absolute stranger but not me..... I mean the son of your parents' friends. Anyway, let me break your bubble. I went to that place a day before you and took a moonlight stroll last night and I confirmed what I had suspected. Your trusted new friend, Arun Nair is very much an important part of that gang. They are involved in antiques smuggling and human trafficking. "" No!! A.Arun? " I was shocked as hell." Yes, he is the boss of the men you saw there. " He said and my jaw dropped." I don't believe it... "" Of course!! You are falling for his fake charm. " He said shaking his head." I am not falling for him. Not at all interested, I hope
Gauravi's POVWe reached the airstrip, which was merely a clear ground, created there for those tourists who wanted to sample the feel of the jungle but didn't have much time to spend. And they could enjoy the trip in a day or two.Three old single engined planes were standing there.Oh, God!! They were so small. I was scared to death thinking that he was planning to try to fly one of them. He was looking at them thinking something." Now what??" I asked when I could not remain quiet as I was tensed." What?? I am thinking about which one will be best for us. " He replied."You will steal one of them?? No way! ""Well, I am not privileged like your fiance who owns a helicopter and private jet. Of course, we have to steal, they will not gift wrap it and give it to me. " He answered sarcastically." But who will fly it? " I asked further." I will. " he shrugged his shoulders." I am serious. "" So am I. " He said."Can you fly it, the real one, not the paper plane? "" I can, had tak
Gauravi's POVI was still thinking about all that when he came back and stood by me." We were lucky to be alive. " He said." How severe is the damage? " I asked." Quite severe... The wings came off when we came down and when we landed the fuel tank was already empty, or... " He stopped right there, maybe he realized that I was already scared." I hope that you will be able to mend it, right? " I asked with anticipation. He smiled." Well thanks for your faith in my capabilities, but even if I mend it, we can't use it," he said." But why? " I asked getting confused." Where would I get the fuel from?? It will not fly on the river water. " He said.Right!! I didn't think of it." Oh, sorry, I didn't think about that. " I said with a nod." You usually do or say things without thinking. " He said though I didn't like it I was not in a mood to fight with him." I am almost blank because of everything that happened since morning. I don't seem to be thinking very clearly. " I admitted.