chapter 2

In Squander, Maruk received Leon and Mannar with a hard smile on his face. Both were taken to the utterly clean Private chamber of Junta Faruk. Next Maruk introduced himself with a wide grin on his face, “welcome to Squander kids, my name is Maruk and I am the Chief Assistant of Junta Faruk of Squander. This is the world that you are going live for next three days, but not inside. I assure that you are not going to like the tour of our Squander. First, do you know the meaning of term -‘Squander’ ”?

Mannar blinked her eyes innocently, while Leon replied in undertone, “yes, it means waste.”

Maruk gigled excitedly and said, “there you go – Leon you are indeed a bright kid. Yes this is a waste land and here things and PEOPLE (he intentionally stressed on the word) stay that are considered as waste to Gorbs, so for the next three days you two are going to be with all the wastes of Gorbs and I assure you that you will not enjoy it.”

“But then, you, Junta Faruk and other few of your executives are living here too.” Mannar said in an ironic tone.

“That’s a sharp tongue you have young Mannar. First of all, know that ‘WE’ live in a private chamber which has all the luxury and amenities that one has in other advanced city of Gorbs. Secondly, you two are not going to be live inside this chamber next three days. Before I send you for short retribution, let me show you a digital broadcast on this screen.” Saying so Maruk pressed few buttons from his I2P2 and next instance, a big holographic screen presented itself in front of Leon and Mannar. Soon, the screen started showing the exterior of Squander city and its in habitants. The young boy and girl soon observed that the habitants were mainly of demented humans, Sadhus, Popes, Imans and Monks of their ancient world. There were roaming like street dogs and eating whatever expired food and drinks that they found while roaming around. They were unkempt, ugly and had long tangled beards and moutaches. Their clothes were torn and they looked demented in every way.

“Wondering how these ancient primtives are here. Let me explain you in detail; we had started resurrecting many of these primtives as experiment as soon as Esq. Mayden took his Gaffership. Many of our experiements were not successsful as our popular‘Nanonanicdote’ was not perfected. Those who failed and showed dementia, were brought here for the safety of Gorbs. They live here untill they die. Of course, they are not cared as they have no control over the human emotions. They will Squander at sometime, in here.” Faruk took a long and fresh breath of air and looked at two teens.

“But why are you showing us this?” Mannar asked very curiously.

“Good question young girl. I do have answer for that. You two were sent here because both showed too much of negative human emotions and fought with each other using your physical body. Now, understand that in advanced world, human emotions are considered as weakness. By watching this city and being here for three days, you will learn what negative human emotions can do. Of course, you will be kept outside our private quarters and allowed to roam wherever you want to go and to talk with whomever demented people you meet in the exterior of this private Chamber.”

“What if we get infected or get sick?” Leon asked at once in a worried tone.

“Do not worry about that, you will be given few nano medicinesbefore I let you out and that should keep you away from any infection for three days.” Maruk said with a big victorious smile on his face and picked up a small medicine kit and took out few small Pilule and handed three among them to each.

“Now go on, consume this and start you retribution of living in the exteriors of Squander city for three days. I only hope, when you come back you would have all your emotions in control.”

Thus the three days of Squander retribution began to Leon and Mannar.

***

Esq. Mayden has had a busy day in Paramount P. Walkova, the Cybermatic technieer has completed his task in managing to wipe out the new Opus written by Floyd. An untraceable nano cyber microbe has entered the web and wiped out many important datas, among them one was the popular and rapid attention gaining Opus of Floyd. Since there were others data that have been infected and wiped out too, the expert cyber executives just couldn’t think of any suspecting reasons to be taken seriously. All they could was to suggest to take the immediate backup of important Datas and dictums in the DataCenter. Learning all this brought a smile on the face of Esq. Mayden. Despite that he looked a bit worried as no Juntas or high Executives has come forward to take the test in new IMBAM machine. The new Gaffer just didn’t wanted to force anyone openly. The only one thing he could be able to do was to announce the surprising result of his own IMBAM test. He hadn’t let anyone know it, save the old Gaffer Esq. Jagson yesterday. Hence Mayden made a quick decision and uploaded the resultant footages of himself taking the IMBAM test for the first time. He specifically highlighted the fact that since he had maintained his record MoP of 92 percentage in IMBAM, he will be the Gaffer for another ten long years since Yesterday.

His announcement soon went viral as all Juntas, Executives and common populace watched it on their available digital screens. They all watched the big inviting words “It’s Your TURN now.” Soon many close followers of present Gaffer congratulated him and replied back that they will take the test ASAP. The three Juntas, Faruk, Bohai and Aruba too came online and announced that they will be taking the test soon. The two Juntas, Blenda and Floyd, had just returned from the Cyronic Clime and were scribing the Casestudy when the annoucement was made by Esq. Mayden. Both decided to wait for some time and allow others to complete the IMBAM test. Floyd was also worried that his Opus has been infected and wiped out and wanted to conduct a investigation on that too. Hence he just sent a private message to Esq. Mayden stating that he would take the test in a day or two.

***

Leon and Mannar prepared themselves mentally for the retribution as they were escorted out of the private chamber. It was afternoon, yet the exterior didn’t have any good fresh air. They walked for half an hour and stoped at a crashed building for a short rest. Both just didn’t know what to do. They sat at a slab like strcuture and leaned their back. Leon glanced at Mannar with concern and moved close to her. Just when he was about to touch her hand, they heard and saw something terrifying. It was the ugly screaming face of a demented Naga Sadhu of ancient Indian period. He suddenly jumped from above and stood looking at two and began to giggle uncontrollably. Quickly Leon pushed Mannar behind his back and faced the Naga Sadhu.

“Ahoyi, the new recruit ha ha ha. You two have beautiful faces.” The middle aged thin Naga Sadhu pushed Leon roughly and took hold of Mannar’s face in his both palms and continued, “such a lovely young age, you are going waste girl, let me kiss your honey lips before you waste away.” Before the mad Naga Sadhu could kiss Mannar, Leon grabbed him and pulled him back.

Naga Sadhu stared at Leon for a long time and said in sad voice, “I just can’t fight you young man. Look - you are so strong and healthy, but - but look at me, I have no strength and I am dying.” The poor Naga Sadhu began to sob with utter disappointment. Suddenly he kneeled in front of Leon and began to beg him holding his two legs.

“Please allow me to kiss that girl for once, I – I have never kissed a girl before. Let me do it before I die, please have mercy, allow me to suck those sweet lips of her – that will give me the pleasure of love once, just ONCE.” The Naga Sadhu screamed the last word with whatever strength he had left. Leon at once harsly kicked him away, the Naga Sadhu went down rolling and hit his head hard on a stone, soon blood began to gush out of his head. Mannar looked at Leon and nodded her head sideways and pushed Leon away and kneeled beside the Naga Sadhu.

“Look, whoever you are. I am sorry to see you in this state. Please don’t harm us in anyway, we are trying to help you.” She said trying to help the Naga Sadhu to a sitting position. The Naga Sadhu barely able to move, pushed her hand away and began to cry aloud, “Help! Help! HELP, no one can help me – I am mad and dying soon.” Next he looked at Mannar once and screamed, “go away girl now - NOW.” Leon lifted Mannar up by holding her hand and gestured that they should walk away. Turning back again and again at the poor Naga Sadhu Mannar followed him. Suddenly she felt something hard in her suit, it was a green apple. She ran back and gave the apple to Naga Sadhu and wiped his tears which were continually running down his cheeks. She stood up and said in a sad tone, “we have to go.”

The whole day Mannar and Leon roamed in the sinister land and meet many other dements. Some were aged Popes, who kept screaming that lord Jesus will rescue them. Some were Monks who only chanted divine words. Some were Indian Sadhus and Muslim Imans of ancient Pakistan, who kept on chanting Vedas and Mantras in their own dialect. Though all were harmless, they had given immense pain to Leon and Mannar with their desolated state and helplessness.

Leon and Mannar, already being tired and dejected found a old torn bed in what once was a living area of a house. Both slept on it as the night was closing in on Squander city.

***

Next morrning Mannar woke up when the sun was already going towards the middle of the sky. She understood that she has slept too well and too long. She quickly looked around to see Leon. He was nowhere near. Just when Mannar began to get a panic attack, she heard some heavy footsteps and turned back to see Leon walking with handful of food scraps and four bottles of already half used health drinks. He placed them in front of Mannar and looked at her with a smile and said, “worry not, I managed to get something for us to eat and drink. Here, have it and don’t worry about hygienic, we just can’t have that in Squander.”

Mannar nodded her head and since she was already feeling hungry, gulped some food scraps closing her eyes and drank a health drink to wash it down. She felt relieved, but just then, she had a strong urge to urinate. She looked at the other end of crashed living room.

“There is a wash room that side Mannar, but I warn you it is not clean, so quickly finish your job and come back ASAP, right?” Leon said warning her before. Mannar quickly walked and pushed the half broken door and sat on the dirty yellowish commode and closing her eyes and nose urinated as quickly as she can. Her inner mind was aware of the fact that the door is half broken and there was every chance that Leon could see her in her pathetic state. She quickly opened her eyes and peeked through the door, but then Leon was sitting showing his back to her in the living room. Quickly Mannar pulled her innergarment up and tried to flush, which didn’t happened as there was no water in the tank. Without worrying about it she rushed outside waving her hands to wave off the flies.

Leaon turned back and handed her another half-drunk water container and said, “here, wash your face and rinse you mouth.” Mannar did so walking at the outside vent of the living room and after a while, she looked better.

Soon both began to walk-away aimlessly. Suddenly Mannar understood that it was Leon who was taking care of her untill now. She felt ashamed and asked in a low voice, “did you had something to eat Leon?” Leon smiled at her and said walking very closely beside her, “I did, don’t worry about me.” Just as they kept walking both became aware of the fact that their shoulders and hands were brushing as they walked. None tried to aviod it, it was a small comfort in the vicious waste land.

They saw a ruined park and quickly walked towards it. They entered the park and found a big tree still living. Both sat underneath it and began to think about their future in Gorbs. They were so involved that they didn’t hear the light coughs of a demented man. As the cough increased its volume, both looked terrified and looked in the direction of it. They saw a old man lying under another tree and mumbling ‘misleta’ in his undertone.Both looked at each other. Leon gestured her that he would check the man and walked towards him and sat beside the old man.

“Are you feeling ill?” Leon touched the bare chest of old man and asked. The old man slowly opened his eyes and say Leon. After a long second, with the help of Leon the old man sat up. He peeked to see Mannar sitting under other tree. He murmured a question to himself once ‘is she misleta?’

“So, the wicked man sent you two as well.” The old man said trying to avoid his oncoming coughs.

“Who you are talking about?” Leon asked curiously.

“The one who calls himself as Esq. Mayden. Aha, what did you two young kids did to him?” the old man giggled once in spite of his coughs.

“We are the primitives of ancient world Earth, we were resurrected.” Leon replied carefully.

“But why did he sent you here?” The old man requestioned.

“Actually, we wanted to visit this place and hence we acted as if we were quarelling, it worked out well and theysent us here for three days retribution.” Leon slowly gave away the truth hoping that the old man would not use it against them.

“Why the hell did you do that? This isn’t no heaven.” The old man said showing his annoyance.

“They kept us in R-Stead A and didn’t allow us to see the outer world. We were all withheld in a chamber, and we both desperately wanted to see the outside world and hence we did that trick.” Leon said with a small victorious smile on his face.

“You young fools. Didn’t you know that you would be sent to Squander? This is the worst place in whole Gorbs that anyone with right mind don’t want to come.” The old man murmured spitting out a dark saliva from him mouth.

“Now then, you are here – be careful for another two days and go back and mind you, never dare to come here again.” The old man continued looking deeply into the eyes of Leon.

“We knew it was a risk. We took it as we want to rebel that Mayden.” Leon said looking here and there and making sure that no one is listening to them nearby. Mannar now being too curious as the conversation between Leon and old man was taking longer, came and sat beside Leon. The old man observed her keenly from his sharp eyes. Soon after a while, he began to laugh uncontrollably for a longer minute and after a couple of cough became serious and said, “look kids; I understand that you two have hot gore running, but rebel and that too, against Esq. Mayden is never possible. Well, let me tell you a short story of man who really is planning a rebel against the so called Gaffer. The man named Kentakov was one of the trustworthyassistant of Esq. Mayden and hisearlier lived brother Jayden. Kentakov did all the dirty tasks as given by the brothers Mayden and Jayden. However, the same brothers betrayed the poor Kentakov and killed his lovely family and sent him to Squander to die. The brothers just didn’t know that Kentakov was well aware of all the past secrets of them and their families. Now, the old Kentakov is plotting a vengenance against living Esq. Mayden and sitting exactly in front of you.”

Leon looked at old man and exclaimed in utter astonishment, “you are Kentakov!”

Mannar too added wisely, “and you are not demented at all!”

***

Kentakov coughed for a long period and continued to explain his story, “yes I am weak but not demented. I am the one who know all the dark and past secrets of Mayden. Yet I am wasting my last days here waiting for an opportunity to use it. I hope the dark enigma of Esq. Mayden would come to use and I get an opportunity to use it.”

“You have the opportunity in front of you Mr. Kentakov. We are also rebels like you and on your side, we could help each other.” Mannar interrupted the old man and said hurriedly. Kentakov looked at both keenly and bent his head going into a deeper thought. After a while, he lifted it up, but it had a new smile this time.

“Perhaps you are right. You two just could be my Pawns.” He said delightedly.

“Yes Mr. Kentakov, and you can surely trust us as we are going to build up a big team of rebels soon. We will not be alone, if everything goes well, there would be thousands and thousands of ancient resurrected people with us. Do tell us all the secrets of Esq. Mayden so that we can use it when the right times comes.” Leon pleaded the old man.

“I believe you. Now first understand that old gaffer Esq. Jagon is no way like Esq. Mayden, he was tolerant towards human emotions and always opposed Esq. Mayden. The brothers, Mayden and Jayden did all the dirty work behind his very back. Mayden has a family which includes his wife, two daughters and a son.” 

“We didn’t know that he was married!” Leon expressed his ignorance of the subject matter.

“Although few old people know about his marriage, no one remembers his wife, two daughters and a son. The Esq. has tactically erased it from all Data and minds of people. And most importantly, those who know about his family fear him and will never bring it up.”

“And what was her name?” Mannar asked too quickly.

Kentakov was silent for a long second as if he is trying to recall and said, “Anne Adams. Mind you, the so called family of Esq. Mayden does not exist.”

“You mean they are all dead?” Leon began to peck this time.

“No. They do not exist in Gorbs.” The old man said with a mysterious smile.

“Then, where to do they exist?” Mannar asked in utter interest.

“She is a Zarcian now.” The old man’s voice now was just a mumble.

“Zarcian?” Leon and Mannar question in one voice.

“Yes, she and her family now lives in Zars. Zars is a much advanced and human like alien living planet which is far away from Gorbs. You may not be knowing, Zars is the only planet which has aliens as people used to call. They had been visiting earth since long. Though some high profiled scientists and astronomers of that period knew it for sure, they could never express it to public because of the conduct of NASA, which was well controlled by US governament and military.”

“NASA!” Mannar explained unable to control her emotion.

“Yes. The people of your days had too much fantasy about aliens and other planets and they came up with numerable Movies and TV series during their time. Those Movies and TV series were superhits and collected a bounty of money from public.” The old man chuckled at the ignorance of ancient people. 

“But how do you know all this?” Leon asked being a little suspicious this time.

“As I said earlier, I was the assistant of Esq. Mayden. It so happened that his family lived under my protection untill the Zarcian Cheif decided to land and meet Esq. Mayden for the first time.”

“What happened next?” Mannar asked wanting to take all the information as fast as she could.

“A confidential deal between Esq. Mayden and Zarcians. As per the term, both were to live as intimates. Esq. Mayden gave something and took sometime too in that treaty”, the old man stopped and coughed for a longer period. Mannar and Leon waited patiently for him to recover and once he was well again, Leon asked, “what did he gave and what did he took?”

“I must admit that it was one of the best pact that Esq. Mayden has ever done in his life. He is as cunning as any human can be. He gave his wife Anne Adams to ZarcianBarsar Zorodocy and took permission for one Globetrotter to stay in Gorbs. One Globetrotter was to stay here for the research of Zarcians and Gorbs too. Of course, one Globetrotter can live and re-visit whenever he wants.” Kentakov explained in meek voice, he was getting tired and tired because of the long conversation.

“What does ‘Barsar’ mean?” Mannar asked not able to understand the term.

“It means as the Head, Chief or what you call as President of your time.” Kentakov said after coughing couple of times.

“And Zorodocyis the Chief of Zars. But why did he take Anne Adams?” Leon asked getting deeper into the facts.

“It seems Ane Adams treated the Barsar well, in fact too well, when he visited for the first time to Gorbs.” The old man said with a excited ironic tone.

“Does that mean both had a affair?” Leon asked again.

“Since I was the assitant, I happened to see one. Anne Adams,who was a very beautiful lady and never had sex in her life, took Zorodocy as her brief lover for one night and treated him well. Of course the Barsar fell for her too.” Kentakov revealed and for some reason looked at Mannar for a long second.

“And you told Esq. Mayden about it.” Leon made a statement.

“I had to, it was my obligation. Esq. Mayden although got a bit angry at first, soon came out of it as he also didn’t wanted a family to bind him in any way. Consequently, he thought of a pact which could help both Zarcians and Gorbs.” Kentakov said lying back with severe exhaustness.

Mannar and Leon helped him to lie on his back and placed two health drinks and a half eaten bread near his head. Mannar said soothingly to him “we will speak to you tommorow, when you feel good, eat and drink this.”

***

At Paramound P there were Newscasts all over to cover the live broadcast. The esteemed three Juntas had winged down to take the new IMBAM test. They were escorted by theHead Executiveto CoT (Chamber of Test) where the new IMBAM machine was fitted. One by one the three Juntas - Faruk of Squander, Bohai of Boreal and Aruba of Occidental, took the test bravely. To the suprise of common populace, who were watching the broadcast live, all the three Juntas did well and came up with the same old score of their earlier test done using MoP meter. The Head executive of CoT soon announced that the three Juntas are too to retain their Juntaship for another ten years as they have scored their best while being just below the Esq. Mayden. The much revealed three Juntas congratulated one another and departed in utter pride.

Next day, being the final day of their retribution, Mannar and Leon came seeking the old man. To their utter dissapointment, he was not under the tree. Mannar and Leon searched at all other streets, but the result was same. Understanding that their time is coming soon, both Leon and Mannar ran through few more streets and enquired with few demeted people. But no one gave correct information. Just when they started to go back towards the Private Chamber of Junta Faruk, a Pope beckoned them and said in a low whisper, “if you are looking for old Kentakov, he is not here – he is sent to the Privatechamber of CMP, which is inside the Personal Chamber of Junta Faruk. It was Kentakov’s last wish that he should be allowed to die inside Squander not outside. Seeing that he is near to death, they have taken him inside.” Mannar and Leon ran towards the entrance of the Private Chamber of Junta. They were made to wait for another hour long as their time was yet to finish. After the agonising hour, Leon and Mannar were escorted inside the Private chamber.  

Both Leon and Mannar soon understood that they are keenly observed now and hence when they were taken to executive Maruk, they repeatedly apologizedfor their earlier behaviour and assured him that they are not going to show any emotions henceforth and keep themselves calm. Maruk, being satisfied with them, was about to send them back. Just then Leon with a quick mind acted as if he is too weak and fell down on the ground. Maruk noticed him and asked his assistants to send Leon to the Chamber of CMP for a quick refreshing medication. Mannar understanding the plot, begged Maruk saying that she would like to go with Leon so that he doesn't feel any enmity from her side. Her wish was granted. Soon Leon was taken to the chamber of CMP and given a bed. Mannar noticed that his bed is long away from old man Kentakov, who was breathing his last. Just when the CMP were busy in administrating refreshing medication to Leon, Mannar slipped away and reached to the bed of Kentakov and nudged him gently. The old man looked at her with great difficulty. “We don‘t have much time Mr. Kentakov. Please say whatever you have in mind.”

The old man quickly gathered his last strength and beckoned Mannar to come very close to him and whispered, “I have one last wish.” After a few hard coughs, he continued urgently, “Although Mayden managed to kill my wife and one daughter, he couldn’t find another who was not at home that time. I know she is somewhere hiding herself in Paramount P city. Please find her and rescue her, if you can.” Mannar at once took his hand and whispered back, “we will Mr. Kentakov.” Just after her last word, the last breath of old man left him. Mannar stood up controlling her deep emotion and walked towards the bed of Leon.

The CMPs just had finished giving refreshing medicine to Leon and said to Mannar, “stay here for ten minutes and then you two will be escorted back to R-Stead A.” Just after they were out of earing, Mannar narrated the last words of Kentakov and sobbed. Leon quickly gestured her indicating that they have to take control of their emotion. Mannar quickly recovered and soon, after another five minutes, both were escorted towards a ZAP (a self driven bus kind of vehicle which moves on the road). Thanking the assistants, both climbed it and soon their journey began.

After twenty mintues, Leon noticed that they were in the back seat of the ZAP and there were very few passengers ahead of them. Taking the opportunity, Leon in low voice narrated his story of his ancient Greece. Mannar was surprised that he was so popular and kind in his primitive life earlier. Soon Leon understanding the sadness of Mannar, quickly recalled one of his favorite song that he himself has composed and began to hum it in low whisper.

 ---- It’s the ‘O’ that stands all above

hiding itself in the word ‘LOVE’

which can make and break the world

tieing and untieing the knots in mind

It is not just a letter, but a circle

that rules the whole universe

It’s the ‘O’ that stands all above

hiding itself in the word ‘LOVE’ ----

Mannar looked at up at Leon‘s face with her astounded lips which were, in fact, in the shape of letter ‘O’. Leon leaned closely towards her face and without thinking further kissed her O shaped lips gently.

****