Episode 44
Yesterday's laborious and strenuous work took a heavy toll on Archana's mind and body. She was lying on her bed in a supine position with left forehand placed on her forehead. Though her eyes were closed, the fluorescent light was too bright for her comfort. She wished to switch it off, but she had no control on the switches of her freaking room. It was operated from outside by the Joker's men.
A sense of fear and anxity was gripping her mind. Even though she had learned how to control her mind in the last few months, this evening her mind was acting like an unbridled mad horse. All kinds of fears were coming to her mind. She had had a lot of problems with Rajan a few months back. But now, she was equally worried about him. She was thinking about her children. If she died, how would they grow up?
At 8 PM, suddenly, the LED monitor was switched on, and whom did she see? It was none other than the frightening, frigging face of the Joker. However, there was no laugh in his voice. In a rather cold voice the Joker said,
"You know what Archana? I have always liked you. You have been my favourite participant since the inception of this year's show. But, I am extremely sorry to inform you that we have arrived at the final stage. This will happen tomorrow. You will be informed about the exact timing later on. But, I am afraid that your life is at stake once again. You will face the toughest job in your entire life tomorrow. And, if you fail, you will be killed."
It was true that the Joker had helped her. This disgusting character might have subjected her to all kinds of torture during her stay in this house, but it was also a fact that without his help she wouldn't have passed the fourth stage. So, hiding her hatred, she said politely,
"Dear Joker Sir, I am indeed indebted to you. Without your help, I wouldn't have survived. Can I get a similar help for the final test too? I will be grateful to you for the rest of my life."
"It's not like that Archana. I didn't help you much. It was your will power and survival instincts that sailed your boat. As far as the final test is concerned, we have done our part by training you hard. It would have been better, had we got more time. But, as a matter of fact, certain constraints have forced us to do things hurriedly. However, I think you are well prepared to appear at the final test.
As far as helping is considered, your job is difficult, but not impossible. You have practiced with static objects only. But, in the final test you will have to deal with moving objects. That's your ultimate test, to do something which you have never done before, and which you will never do after. So, stay focused."
The LED monitor went off, and suddenly the door opened. Ranjan entered the room along with a masked man who brought dinner.
Archana's face gleamed slightly watching Ranjan. This guy had been very amicable in the recent days. He had informed her about Rajan.
"How is my husband?" She shot the question in hurry coming close to Ranjan.
"Wait on. I will tell you the answer, but before that please take a look at the dinner. I have chosen it personally for you. Tell me whether you like it or not." Ranjan grinned from ear to ear.
Even though the dinner was not a consideration for her at the moment, she had to take a look at the dinner just to show respect to Ranjan. It was a simple veg meal comprising puri, fried rice, alu gobi, palak paneer, alu jeera, daal makhni and gulab jamoon. All the items were her favourites. She said,
"Thank you! But, pray answer my question. Is he doing well?"
"Yes, yes, yes! He is doing very well. Don't worry about him. Think about yourself only. You have reached a stage where focussing is extremely important, and I am afraid that your own life should be the most important thing for you." Ranjan shrugged his shoulders in a rather queer way.
"My husband's life is equally important to me. I will have to save both." Archana bluntly retorted.
"Okay, okay, you will do that, and if luck favours you will be successful. But, at the moment please enjoy the dinner. I know that by now your mental strength has increased so much that you will not be perturbed if I say that this maybe your last dinner if you don't perform well tomorrow."
Archana was shocked for a moment, but quickly she recovered. Indeed, her mental strength had increased manifolds in the last few months. It was not as if what Ranjan had just said was a breaking news to her, because she had been both mentally and physically prepared for this eventuality since her arrival at this hellish place. As the sense of practicality replaced her fear, she asked once again,
"Can I get any tips from you which will help me to pass the final test?"
Ranjan suddenly got conscious of the environment. His eyes kept rolling in the room for few seconds, he even constricted his throat, and coughed a few times. Finally, before leaving the room he said,
"Sorry girl, I can't help you. I don't know what will be the exact nature of the test. My job was to teach you long distance shooting in a short time. I tried my best, and you gave your best. Now, it's your luck and your ultimate choice!"
Ranjan left the room hurriedly. The door closed automatically leaving Archana alone in the room. Archana threw herself into the soft bed. She knew the masked man would come after half an hour to remove the food table. In other words, she had to finish the dinner within half an hour. But, food was not a thing that she felt any attractions at the moment. She laid on the bed with her palms on her eyes. She was contemplating all the utterings of the Joker and Ranjan.
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Rajan knew from the first day of his arrival in this deadly place that there were dogs in the compound, as he heard their barking. He had also seen a few of them while doing outdoor jobs. Besides the doberman pinschers, he saw rottweilers and pitbulls. But, all of them were very well trained and they didn't make unnecessary sounds. Rajan's current room is completely soundproof, but whenever he went to toilet last night, Rajan heard sounds of dogs, and from the sound it was evident to Rajan that they were agitated. It was already 6 AM, and no body had come to Rajan's room. This didn't look good to him, either.
While, he was sitting idly on the bed with slightly confounded expressions on his face, the LED monitor suddenly switched on on its own and the disgusting face of the Joker appeared on it. He said,
"This is our last day of the competition for this year's Survivor show. At 4 PM in the afternoon, the final will be held. So far, you have shown tremendous improvement. No body ever imagined that you could reach to the final! But, you did it. Now, it's time to show your ultimate skill to survive the last stage. No task till that time! Relax and try to concentrate."
Before the monitor went blank desperate Rajan asked,
"Sir, I have a question. Can I ask?"
The Joker hesitated for a second, but finally said,
"Okay, but remember one question only. I know you have a lot of questions in mind. So, be careful in choosing your solitary shot."
To be continued on tomorrow night
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