A wise thought from a philosophers heart, one born of the Love-Nexus, has the power to seed angel wings in the spines of the noble-brave. And, a good thought can build a web of loving intention and trust if it is given voice in the world.
Raimoti's love was poetry and unicorn, but Batuk never believed in unicorns, and so that night when they stood infront of each other with their goodbyes, it could've been both the start and end of their story. But, somethings were only real if you believe that they were, and Raimoti believed in her power of love. She was determined to encompass Batuk's soul, tethering his heart with all her alluring enticement.
She was insightful, and knew where exactly to strike, and which strings to pull.
The caressing of Batuk's hands that had cupped her face and the tender assault of his inexperienced lips had pervaded her core with a sense of victory... victory over his rigidity, triumph over his emotions, conquest over his denial.
And that night when she lay alone in her soft cosy bed, an overwhelming sensation of vanquishment enveloped her consciousness drifting her slowly into a prideful slumber.

Falling in love was the easiest part but admitting it's acceptance to oneself was perhaps the toughest. And, as Batuk rode his motorcycle at it's full capacity, tearing through the darkness of the night, his heart and mind conflicted over the possibilities of unicorn.
It was an overwhelming moment, an emotional gratification that had compelled his entire being to give in to Raimoti's aching eagerness and now as he rode silently, the thought of hurting her feelings overpowered his contemplation of love.

The night grew colder and the old deserted mansion at the edge of the city where Batuk finally parked his motorcycle, stood in a composed way, as if it had chosen solitude for itself, as if residents were a luxury it could forgo. It, after so much quiet and reflective time, had discovered the company of the trees and wildflowers that brought the gloomy moonlight right up to its doors and windows.The spirit of the house had rescued itself by sleeping in the walls, by retreating into the welcoming wood away from the dust. It stayed there with the memories of its birth, of the hugs and laughter that once were its colours and music, for that is the way of spirits. So though the floors were bare and the paint was in need of loving care, though the furniture lay still without the warmth of its family, it stood all the same, strong beneath the flakes and dirt of years. The walls stood firm, the window frames strong, glass triple glazed and whole. All in all, it looked like an abandoned movie-set, a place waiting for life to come. The only give-away was the odour, well, that and the dust.
Batuk slowly pushed the rusty iron door with his leg, as it opened with a sharp creaking cry, penetrating the silence of the night. He had held the giant cardboard carton in his arms, gently cradling it like a precious newborn.

"Cease!! Or you die.."
The hoarseness of the voice amidst the dark startled Batuk for a moment. He clasped the carton even tighter and spoke up,
"It's me... I've got medicine."

"Code?" The voice demanded.

"Um... Narasim..." Batuk's thoughts were muddled for a moment his sharp senses alerting him repeatedly to drift back from the world of unicorns.

The voice hissed.

" Hirannakasipu... It's Hirannakasipu!" Batuk yelled out.

A moment of silence, as the hoarse voice emerged into the moonlight, making his tall silhouette visible to him.

"You need to more careful Batuk." The man said calmly.

"But, Girish da you know me, don't you?" Batuk remarked, accepting his assistance with the carton.

Girish Lahiri smiled.
"We aren't suppose to trust our own shadows, didn't Satya tell you that!" He walked through the spiral staircases leading to the basement, Batuk followed.

"It's all about being alert, being aware... That's how you survive. One miscalculation, one misjudgement and we all die." He turned around flashing a smile to Batuk.

"I'm still learning." Batuk smiled back.
"Where is Satya da?"

"Down. Basement. Purno lost his left arm while tying the bombs. Satya is dressing him. He probably won't survive the pain." Girish let out a sigh as they both entered a shadowed corridor leading into a small room.
Batuk entered inside, along with Girish as they saw a wounded man lying on a wooden table biting down a gag in his mouth. Satya and Ramcharan was standing beside him, trying their best to calm him down.

"Why on earth..."

"He can't shout... " Satya Sen muttered, not letting Batuk complete his words, a little tone of helplessness evident in his voice.

"Satya da... I have something that might..." Batuk quickly took out a vile of morphine from the carton. "Here, give him this."

"Morphine!!!" Satya's eyes shone up, partly in happiness mixed with astonishment and partly in a silent prayer. He quickly punctured the small glass vile with a needle and pushed the syringe inside Purno's hot fevered body, relaxing him to slumber in a minutes.

"You saved his life today." Satya wiped his hands after dipping them in a bowl of hot water.
"Where did you get this?" He asked him.

"I have more, Betadine, Belladonna, and a lot more." Batuk smiled brightly.
"I could get more."

"From where?" Girish Lahiri enquired from behind.
"These are sealed medicines imported from England." He rolled a bottle of Belladonna and remarked thoughtfully.

"Got it from Ra... The Raybahadur's daughter. She believes in our cause. She promised me more." Batuk replied enthusiastically.

"Did you tell her about us?" Girish barked.

"Noo...  Ofcourse not!" Batuk turned towards him and furrowed his eyebrows.
"Why would you even think that Girish da? Raimoti saw the basic medicines in my bad and offered to help. The entire Medicine shipment for the British army of Calcutta is kept in her basement."

"Interesting!" Satya smiled tending to the sleeping patient once again.

"And what might have made you meet her at this hour?" Girish asked again.

"I might have... Some personal business." Batuk's face flushed.

"By the way, met your sister in-law in the morning, at the University, quite a feisty one I'd say." Girish paused, as he sat down to clean the nozzle of two black Colts.
"Can we include her in mission Brihannala?" He added looking up at Satya for approval.

"Brihannala??!! It's... It's dangerous! Dada would never approve of..." Batuk's response of prompt.

"When have we cared about your Dada's approval, Batuknath?" Girish smirked.

"It's Batakrishna... And don't forget it's my Dada who is fighting this battle from upfront, legally."

Satya raised his hand to pacify both.
"It's too early for Brihannala... And, if incase we can't materialize it, we always have Jatugriha!" Satya growled.

The little dimly lit room fell silent for a moment.
"That RayBahadur's daughter, quite a haughty woman she is! And these are priceless medicines Batuk, what did you give her in return?" Ramcharan was examining the contents of the carton all these while as he threw the question without lifting his head, and at once, three prompt different answers coming out in unison made him smile for the first time in the last two days.

"Rose!" Batuk murmured.

"Heart!" Satya teased.

"Virginity?" Girish snorted.