It was 1:00 AM in the night. Vijay, a celebrated officer in the Intelligence Bureau of India, shuddered as he suddenly woke up  from a strange and disturbing dream. Attempts to  go back to sleep  were in vain.  He merely tossed about restlessly on the bed.

Finally, Vijay decided to get up. He looked at his watch. It was 3:00 AM, 18th March. Vijay had a hunch that his restlessness was because of the medical condition of his stepfather. His greatest pillar of strength, his guardian angel, the man who had adopted him and had given him an opportunity to lead a dignified life - retired Major Vikramaditya was suffering from the debilitating  disease of Multiple Sclerosis for almost a decade now.

His gut feeling told him something was terribly wrong. So he decided he would take the first flight in the morning to go and see his father in the  army hospital in Bangalore

Multiple sclerosis is demyelinating disease in which the insulating covers of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord are damaged. This damage disrupts the ability of parts of the nervous system to communicate, resulting in a range of signs and symptoms, including physical, mental, and, sometimes, psychiatric problems. Specific symptoms can include double vision, blindness in one eye, muscle weakness, trouble with sensation, or trouble with coordination.

The disease takes several forms, with new symptoms either occurring in isolated attacks (relapsing forms) or building up over time (progressive forms). Between attacks, symptoms may disappear completely; however, permanent neurological problems often remain, especially as the disease advances.

Loneliness and the struggle Vijay had to endure through his childhood never let him get over his biological grandfather’s death. But Major Vikram had given him a new lease of life. There wasn’t a day when he didn’t feel grateful to him. There wasn’t a moment that he had forgotten him. His mental trauma had increased since Major Vikram’s health deteriorated. The thought of the physical and mental trauma the Major was going through troubled Vijay constantly.

Vijay had completely drowned himself in work to be able to forget the guilt of not being able to help his father figure.

To distract his restless mind, he began his daily fitness routine of a three mile jog, significant number  of push ups, multiple sessions of three minute plank exercises and a huge number of crunches. After such a work-out not many can think of anything but rest, but still he hadn’t been able to put thoughts of the Major out of his mind.

He had a mind that was trained to stay focused in high-pressure situations. Even when he had to stare at death in the eye, multiple times in his career as one of the master spies India had produced, his calm and extreme high threshold to think radically under pressure had earned him the title of “The spy who had come in from the cold.” This training did not seem to help him when it came to his father’s issue.   Although he maintained a calm exterior, deep down he never could get over Vikramaditya’s illness.

At present, the only thing that could bring him peace was a cure for his father’s illness.  He remained troubled as he was unable to cure the Major. Unable to see his son suffer silently Vikramaditya had decided to stay on his own in an old age home supported by the Indian army, a couple of years ago.

Couple of months ago, as major Vikram’s health had deteriorated even further, he was admitted to the army hospital. He had lost coordination and sensitivity in his body.

Under the shower, Vijay’s mind played and replayed his father’s unbearable cry of pain and desperation..

The shrill ring tone of his mobile brought him back to reality. He saw the word “bureau” blinking on his mobile screen. Vijay picked the call and a deep voice on the other end of the line ordered him to reach the bureau in the next thirty minutes.

Vijay told himself, he would go to the bureau find out why he was summoned and then take permission to travel to Bangalore.

Chapter OneThirty minutes later, Vijay was sitting in the air-conditioned cabin of the head of the intelligence bureau, in the Ministry of Home Affairs of India in Delhi. He was being asked to pack his bag and travel to Trivandrum; to finish what he had begun five years ago; To investigate the truth behind the doors of the secret vaults in the Sree Anantha Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram where the royal family had been accused of mismanagement and misappropriation of temple assets

Four of the six vaults were regularly opened by the temple authorities. The remaining two, denoted as A and B by the court, were believed  to remain  locked for centuries.  

The earlier investigation was stopped  by an order from the Supreme Court because of public sentiments. Led by the new cabinet ministry, the Supreme Court had ordered the authorities to resume the probe into the last unopened vault of the temple, believed to be guarded by a giant serpent.

He also was informed that it was imperative that he started to Trivandrum immediately and there was no room for delay.

There began a tussle between the son and the IB officer in Vijay - the son urged him to go see his sick father and the officer in him reminded that duty called. He was in a fix, confused about which call to answer, he finally decided that he would call his father, talk to him, and comfort his father and, in turn, himself. He would assure his father that he would come  see him as soon as he finished his assignment at Trivandrum.

Later that evening at home when Vijay sat alone on his couch, his thoughts carried him back to the fag end of 2010;to his last and one of  highprofile investigation cases  at India’s ATS (Anti-Terrorist Squad), that of the terror attack at the Taj Hotel of Mumbai, now famously known as the 26/11 attack. Here he played a major role in tracking down Abu Rashid, one of the masterminds behind the Mumbai attack. Vijay went to Pakistan as an undercover agent. He was responsible for tracking down Abu’s immediate family.

This undercover assignment helped the Intelligence Bureau and the ATS   prove to the Saudi Arabian government, that the suspect was indeed the mastermind behind the terror attack that shook the world. Vijay was able to get a sample of Imran’s, Abu’son,  DNA sample which the forensic matched with that of  Abu himself.

It primarily was Vijay’s ideato track Abu’s family.  For almost half a dozen months, he was an undercover agent in Pakistan playing the role of a mochi (cobbler). He managed to get the blood sample of Imran. And this he did by pricking a tiny nail to his foot, while mending his shoe. This was only one of his many other accomplishments, post which his efforts were recognized with the Kirti chakra. Vijay was one of very few cops to be awarded the Kirti chakra, which is usually reserved for the armed forces.

After returning from across the border in May 2011, he was then transferred on promotion to the IB where he was included in the expert committee that was formed by the Supreme Court of India.

Vijay was not happy on being pulled out of action from the field and being ordered to go and solve a petty case of mismanagement of funds in a temple. But eventually he had to agree, on the basis of the many reasons given as to why he was chosen to be  a part of the expert committee.

The topmost reason for being included in the expert committee was  his tremendous accomplishments as a master spy. The nabbing of Abu Rashid by the national security agencies spoke volumes of Vijay’s capabilities and contribution to national security. His strategies and communication skills were strong enough to make many anti-nationalists spill the beans about the conspiracies and attacks they were part of.

Hence the top officials believed that his skills will prove more than useful in getting vital information from the royal family, temple priests, authorities or the locals of Trivandrum. Given the background Vijay had with security, his presence would certainly help.

The second important reason attributed to his inclusion was he being a Namboodiri Brahmin, he will be abel to access the temple and the associated authorities easily without being looked upon as an outside. His ability to communicate in the local language would come in handy, to convince people to share whatever they know about what the committee was here to investigate.

The third reason was the fact that the person who recommended Vijay in the committee knew that he didn’t believe in things he didn’t see. This would help the committee in unbiased information about sensitive matters of the temple and those  related to divinity.

The last but most important reason he was chosen was to oversee the security arrangements in Trivandrum as the security agencies and the top court of the country expected turbulence in the city and the state when the secret vaults were to be unlocked.

It was a secret the world was after, but Vijay wasn’t interested in going back to that city which parted him from his roots, especially his grandfather. However, as fate would have it, , Vijay was on the next plane to Trivandrum. He called Major Vikram and after enquiring how he was, which his daily routine was. He informed him where he headed to. 

Chapter Two                        *************************

Trivandrum was buzzing with the rumours that the expert committee was about to damage the shrine which was believed to hide limitless wealth in its womb. The locals led by the city’s so-called culture protection groups and a few rowdy politicians had gathered, at the airport.

They were shouting slogans, carrying placards and had tied black ribbons on their arms, even burnt effigies of the committee members. To protest against the expert committee setting foot on the soil of Trivandrum did not make any practical sense. Yet, the temple was such a huge matter of prestige for the locals that the act of outsiders tampering with its legends and occult powers was considered taboo.

The local police had to use force of tear gas and air shots to make sure the officials reached the government guest house safely as the protestors didn’t shy away from setting the government vehicles and parts of the airport reception ablaze.

When the committee members and the government officials tried to convince the residents of the city that they were here only to find out  the truth of the temple and not to tamper with their culture and heritage, the people of Trivandrum did not give heed. The local fervour to protect the long-preserved sanctity of the temple was so powerful that they simply did not want the committee to enter the city.

It was evident even from the behaviour of the local police officials and the comments made between their teeth that even they weren’t convinced with the Supreme Court’s decision to enter the adobe of the Almighty Anantha Padmanabhaswamy with an intent of exploring the secrets the supreme power wants to hide from all mankind.

With great care, the local police led by M.K Nair the Superintendent of Kerala police, Trivandrum made sure the team of experts reached the government guesthouse safe. That evening again, the superintendent came to the guesthouse to meet the committee, especially Vijay. He said, “Sir, as you saw in the morning the situation in the city is pretty tense. Hence with due government approvals I have arranged tight security across the city. Especially near the temple and other sensitive areas of the city. Starting today till the temple raid is successfully completed, security personnel equipped with weapons will be posted in the disguise of the local attire.

“If you think anything else is required regarding security, let me know and I will get it arranged.”

Vijay appreciated the officer’s concern and told him that he personally would go and have a look at the arrangements and then get back with suggestions, if any.

Vijay decided to take a walk around the city, well disguised with artificial beard and moustache.

He even dressed in the local attire (dhoti and shirt)as he did not want people to  know who he really was.

Behaving as if he was a tourist in the city, and did not know the way to the Padmanabha temple; he hired a rickshaw to drive him to the temple. On the way Vijay started a conversation with him. After some sweet talk, he brought on the topic of the Supreme Court sending an expert committee to explore if there indeed was any hidden treasure in the temple as it was claimed.

The driver stopped short in the busy road, angrily slapped his head and let out a stream of Malayalam curses against those questioning the royal family’s honesty. Vijay got a taste of the emotions the locals had about the royal family and the divinity of the temple and what they thought, who should take control of the assets existing in the temple if any really did.

Vijay reached the Sree Ananth Padmanabha Swamy temple street. This was a  place that was etched in his memory as a powerfully vivid image! This was the place he  resided 15 years ago. An image of  a 12 year old kid’s mind of having his dying grandfather’s head on his lap, who also happened to be the chief priest of the Anantha Padmanabha temple; Who was suffocated to death. In the house which had caught fire, for reasons unknown.

This happened when Vijay was away playing with friends, a couple of boys finally were able to find him, after looking for him in most places where he could play. When he returned the fire was burning in all its full might. The kid looked for his grandpa and when he could not find him, barged into the burning house. He Escaped from the strong hold  of the onlookers who were trying to hold him from running inside while they tried their best to extinguish the fire, he entered the house. Seeing the kid trying to save his grandfather, a few others too mustered the courage to help him.

But it was too late! By the time the old man was dragged out all he had time for was to gently caress his grandson’s cheek. He tried telling something to the boy but failed. Vijay was devastated after this tragic incident as the old man was the only family he had, after his parents had died in a train crash. The deep pain of losing the only family he had, made him numb. He couldn’t shed a drop of tear.

After performing the last rites of his grandfather with the guidance of some temple priests, Vijay had nowhere to go. He felt as if was he falling into a dark abyss and there was absolutely no one to help him get up. He felt lonely and utterly desolate.  After spending couple of days in the ruined house, beneath the oil painting of the Lord hung on the wall, he realized he had to carve his own path in life with or without help.

After all, Vijay’s grandfather always wanted him to be a self-made man. Hence, not expecting anyone to come to his aid, Vijay stepped into the dark alley of an unknown future feeling scared yet finding the strength from the life lessons that his grandfather had imbibed in him.

He tried to fetch a way of income for himself but couldn’t. When one day he was looking for  work  he fell unconscious as he was without a drop of water or a morsel of food for several days now. He had developed weakness and fever because of starvation.

An ex-army officer, Vikramaditya,  was visiting Trivandrum to seek peace at the  Lord’s feet. He spotted Vijay as he fell down. He lifted the frail light boy in his arms and gave him food and water. He then brought him to Bangalore, where he resided alone, and cared for him.

Vikram’s life situation was very similar to that of Vijay. Vikram had lost his family in a train crash when they were travelling to see him at the Gujarat army hospital, where he was being treated. The treatment was for the injuries he had received during a military  mission he had successfully accomplished ignoring his own safety. The irony of life! The healthy were dead and the injured was healed! The ways of life are, indeed, inscrutable.

All his physical pains were taken care of by the hospital, except of course, the loss of one limb which had to be amputated in order to save his life. However, the internal pain of losing his beloved family could not treated by the doctors. After all, there are no medicines to handle such huge personal tragedies.

As Vikram wasn’t able to accept the bitter reality that he had to lead the rest of life alone, he was shattered from within. The wounds and pain that he had sustained in the battlefield and during the various missions hadn’t broken his will to survive, his grit to live. Even the loss of his limb hadn’t defeated his enthusiasm and spirit towards life.  But the loss of his family did.

After being forced to retire from the armed forces, due to the loss of a limb and the loss of his kith and kin; Major Vikram felt he had nothing to live for. He had to quit the army which was the greatest motivation in life and he had no one to call his own.

Fortunately he felt the it  was Lord Padmanabha’s wish that he noticed Vijay in the state of exhaustion  and felt compassionate towards the young boy. Vikram decided to bring him home to Bangalore  and care for him. Vijay became the son Major Vikram had lost in the train accident. He would stay awake all night and take care of the boy, until the doctor assured that Vijay was fine.

Vikram soon began to nurture the dream to bring up  Vijay as his son. After a couple of weeks when Vijay’s was stable and he wanted to take leave of Vikram.

He was asked about his whereabouts. Vijay narrated his own story and that was enough for Major Vikram to be convinced that the Lord had indeed brought the two of them together so that they could become a new happy father-son family.

Vikram wanted to ask Vijay stay here and study in the army school but given Vijay’s self-esteem, he hesitated. Vikram then offered to educate and be his guardian in  return for the domestic help he could do in his house. To this,  Vijay readily agreed. The domestic help was only to feed Vijay’s self-esteem. In due course they shared a fatherson relation and soon,  Vikram officially adopted Vijay.

But it was the painful memory of earlier childhood when he lost his grandfather that had not let Vijay return to Trivandrum for such a long time. But deep within him, he knee he was never detached from neither the city nor his past. Now after ages he was standing in the street in which, one of the houses was where he was born. But he felt like  a stranger in his own city.

Vijay went to an old house, which stood charred. What remained of its door fell apart, when he pushed it open. Spiders had made the walls their own, with cobwebs all over. The entrance had no door, obviously it was burnt and broken. Vijay was guessing it could be the house, where he learnt to walk holding his grandfather’s hand.  

That moment he saw a huge oil painting  of Lord Vishnu in eternal yogic sleep, laced with many generations of cobwebs. Now, he was sure that this was indeed his house. Vijay’s eyes were moist, remembering running around the house as a kid giving a tough time to his grandpa who was looking after him; especially when he stayed out late into the night, roaming in some street and his grandfather had to come looking for him.

It was ironical that just beneath the painting of the Lord; lay a drunkard unconscious because of huge amount of alcohol consumption. This drunkard seemed to be sleeping along with spiders, cockroaches and other insects crawling around him

Vijay found it bitter-sweet to remember how his house was brightly lit with lamps at twilight till dark. How the air was filled with the rich fragrance of incense sticks. But now his house had not seen brightness for ages and was filled with the rotten smell of rodent droppings.

Though Vijay seemed to be a cold and ruthless intelligence officer from the outside he was an emotional and caring person, from within. How he wished he could have grown up in the love and care of his parents, the pampering of his grandpa. But all he was left with was a few memories and an old house which could crumble anytime and mix with the very dust it was completely in.

He could never forgive himself for not being there when his grandpa needed him the most.