CIRCLE OF 12 

"LIFE COMES TO A FULL CIRCLE WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT. 12 IS THE REASON OF JOY AND ALSO THE PLIGHT. ITS FOR THE LAST IN BLOOD TO DECIDE FOR WHOM TO FIGHT."

⛦⛦⛦⛦⛦⛦⛦⛦⛦⛦⛦⛦⛦

Basu House

Nandini's POV

I was in my room talking to Mukti and filling in all the details of the day. After coming from the Lodge all I did was barge straight to my room and lock myself in and call my bestie and pour my heart out.

" Mukku I'm scared, like so very scared. That Lord is not how he shows to his people. Can you believe it he tried to manhandle me yaar that too without anyone knowing about it. Its damn scary." I still could feel shivers ran down my spine remembering that. 

Mukti-" Why didn't you tell this to anyone Nanz, these people should know whom the are worshiping is not worth it. You tell aunty about it or better your Amms she is a part of the lodge right? Tell her everything." I could imagine Mukti pacing from one corner of the room to another in anger. 

" I told this to Manik and he has stated that whatever the Lord has done is right on his part as he is just being extra careful around a new-bee like me. He just tried to warn me so that I don't do anything reckless. Also this shouldn't be told to anyone in the Lodge otherwise they will panic for no reason." As I completed I heard Mukti punching her punching bag and curse which made me keep the phone aside and close my eyes. 

Mukti-" How the f**king hell he say that it was alright? That lord can strangle you and do anything what he wishes for and you can't tell this to anyone? I'm telling you Nandini that Eiffel tower has his top floor empty. Just a hot shot with no brain." this really made me laugh and then I tried calming her down.

"Mukti, relax babes there is nothing that will go wrong and I think I will not meet him again because apparently he is already dead and this was a one time affair. I will see if I can tell this to Amms because I really didn't had any nice conversation with her as of now." We talked for some more time and then called it a day because next day again I had to go for my training. 

*******************

Next day,

Basu House, Dining table 

Everyone was present on the table to have breakfast together. It was a rule set by Amms that one meal of the day was to be done together with the entire family. Amms was sitting on the head chair with Mohini mausi and Alia sat on her left side and Mumma, Rishab and I were on her right side. Today both Mohini Mausi and Alia seemed happy and in a good mood which seemed a bit creepy. As I was having my breakfast Amms asked me about my yesterday's venture.

Gayatri-" Nandini how was your first experience yesterday to time? Hope you didn't had any trouble. You didn't come for dinner also last night." 

" No Amms everything was fine. I just happen to meet the Lord with Manik and then we came back. And sorry I was just too tired with college and then traveling so I skipped my meal." I wanted to talk about yesterday but left the thing for now. 

Mohini-" Ofcourse Nandini doesn't have that metabolism to work day n night and not get tired. Just a kid she is who is trapped in this because of her mother. huhhh..  I really wonder what will happen to the mission if she will get tired with just so little traveling." And there came a mocking remark from my oh-so-sweet aunt while I saw mumma trying to cool her self with teethes still grinding and spoon held tightly.

Gayatri-" Mohini will you keep your comments to yourself. Nandini is new to all this and we as a family should support her rather than mocking on her. Is it that difficult for you do?" 

Mohini-" I'm doing that only Mom otherwise I won't have let my daughter go to that place again to train Nandini just because the lodge people asked for her help." There went the first shock of the day. What was Mausi saying? Alia will be my trainer? 

I looked at Amms with a questioning look and then at Alia who was having her oat meal slowly completely trying to avoid my gaze at her.

Amms-" Mohini just shut your mouth,will you? Nandini today Alia will go with you to the Lodge and guide you as to what all you need to know. She had took the training for a long time and her guidance will help you a lot my dear." 

I just nodded my head looking at Alia who was having a mysterious smile on her face.

*******

LODGE

Alia walked into the main hall and greeted Mr. Raghav with her ever beautiful smile. She was really happy to be back here again even if it was not for the earlier reasons but she was getting that due attention of being the prepared girl who was just here to help the damsel-in-distress Nandini. 

When I entered the room I was greeted with a warm hug from Moloy uncle who was happy to see me again. The class started off with letting me know what all I would have to learn. 

Raghav-" Nandini you will be given basic training because we don't have much of a time. So fencing and horse-riding will not be part of your training though we had taught Alia all of those. We will start with medieval history and modern history along with your  lectures on bengali because back in time Indians use to speak their mother tongue and we being in Bengal need to know know that. So history classes will be taken by me, while your Vernacular classes will be taken by Mr. Banerjee." I nodded my head though I felt like running away from there but I knew I can't. 

Raghav-"Do you know singing? Classical singing?" 

" I know singing as I have been a part of my college band but not classical one sir. Its been long I did some classical singing. But why are you asking sir?" I was confused because suddenly he asked about my singing. Truly speaking I am a mediocre singer and mostly I sang rock or bollywood songs. Though I had been trained in my childhood but I never practiced it while growing up. 

Raghav-" Nandini you will be starting with your musical classes from next week and Alia will acompany you. It will a help for you as she knows to play mostly all the instruments and also knows the detailing of singing which will help you. For now lets start with your history lessons. Alia help her learn the basic dates." 

Alia nodded her head and stood up from the chair she was sitting on adjusting her dress and walked up to me with the books in hand. 

The session with Alia went up till 2 hours with Alia reciting the dates and the events of the entry of the Britishers in India and their colonization. I so felt like sleeping but Mr. White mouse's eyes on me stopped me from doing so. 

*********** 

Manik's POV 

The fencing practice was going well with Raj uncle. It was a routine for both of us to have a duel every sundays in the practice room. I really enjoyed these sessions because we use to talk n have fun. Raj uncle have been my mentor, guide and father figure after my Dad passed away when I was just 5 and my mother chose to start her new life with her BF forgetting about her son. Raj Uncle is my father's cousin brother.These fencing sessions were more of a heart to heart talk sessions as we use to catch up over each others lives. 

Today it seemed like something was off with Raj uncle infact I have been observing him from past two days he seemed disturbed. 

" Uncle is there any issue? I'm seeing from the day you have met Mrs. Rajvansh and her daughter you have been lost. I know we have to work all over again but is there something more which is bothering you?" I asked him while his concentration diverted a little as soon as he heard Mrs. Rajvansh. 

Raj-" No, its nothing Manik just thinking about all the messed up stuff. We will have to work real hard for things to get back on track. And about Nandini I think she will grasp things quickly as she is the daughter of Nidhi. Her mother use to be a topper and really sharp." While he was talking I could see a spark in his eyes which made me smirk. Earlier I just had a doubt but now looking at him I am sure there was definitely something between them.

" Uncle did you loved her?" My just one sentence stopped Uncle and he removed his helmet. While I too stopped waiting for him to answer. 

Raj-" It is no secret that Malhotras and Basus have had some history of falling in love. After all the Basu girls have some magical beauty in them which has always casted its spell on the malhotra men. But the final destination of their love life have always had a sad ending or say an incomplete love story. Be it Sidhhant and Sanvi or Me and Nidhi. And even our ancenstors. The basu ladies are easy to impress but hard to handle." His tone had some pain in it. I have never seen him like this before. The Raj Malhotra I know had always got what he wanted. 

"Well Uncle I think it's just luck. But exactly what had happened? Why did you two broke up? Family issues or things didn't work?"

Raj-" Nidhi and I were in college together. Her father had been my mentor and then slowly n gradually I got to know about this secret from my father who was a Co-member in this Lodge. Infact Siddhant and Sanvi were the ones who paired us up. I wanted to get in this secret business while Nidhi never had any interest in this. Earlier things were alright but then don't know what happened that Nidhi started hating all this and she was pulling me away from all this but I had given an oath to my father that I will carry on the legacy which ultimately led to fights between me and Nidhi. That was the time when even things with Siddhant and Sanvi were not going well. They had been going against the lodge rules. With everything wrong we also broke up. And just after an year of our breakup Nidhi got married. While I took up the post of the Guardian after her father's death." His story was really heart breaking. I could see the pain in his eyes while Uncle raj was lost in the memory lane.

Raj-" Ohh.. just forget it this has been like a repetative history. Earlier also things happened. This makes me give you a warning or say a friendly advice. Keep your heart at check around your co-partner. You know what I'm saying right?"

"Uncle... oh come on, Nandini that girl is so not my type. I agree she is pretty but she is really clumsy and wierd. You know like any other college going girl. A complete opposite to my taste. So you do not take any tension on that. Though I'm scared how are we really gonna train her."

We heard something felling and I turned towards that to see Nandini who was picking up the metal showpiece and keeping it at its place.She stood clumsily and looked at both of us with a nervous smile. I put the sword down and sighed looking at Raj uncle who went towards Nandini. 

Raj-" Nandini you here? Are you done with today's class?" I just went to grab a bottle of water from the table and saw Nandini talking with Uncle from the corner of my eyes. 

Nandini-" Yes Mr. Malhotra just now I got done with my classes and I was told by Mr. Banerjee to meet you as you have talk to me about something?" She looked at me and then diverted her attention. 

Raj-" Ohh yes I wanted to talk to you Nandini. Just give me some time for changing I will be right back till then Manik will take you to the projector room you both wait there I will join you shortly." He signaled me to take Nandini with me while I just gave him a look as I got an idea of what was about to happen. But was Nandini ready to know everything? And also why me with her that too after what I just said some moments back. I hope she hasn't taken it to her heart and god knows how much he has heard.

Manik's POV ends

**************

Nandini's POV 

Manik took me to the projector room which was on the 3rd floor. It was a beautiful room with a big LED screen hung on one wall. I was really not in a mood to even stand near this Bipolar monster but I was not left with any choice. What he said about me sometimes back was so rude of him.

*What the hell does this guy know about me that he is labeling me like any other stupid college going girl? so what if I'm clumsy, everyone can't be as perfect as him and Alia na. Stupid jerk, if I'm not his type so be it, even he is not my type. Mukku was right he is a hot shot with no brain.*

As I was busy in cursing him in my mind I saw Moloy uncle and Mr. Malhotra coming in the room.

Raj-" So Nandini now that you are a part of this family you should know that what the mission is about. So I got to know that Moloy has told you about the stolen chronograph am I right?" i nodded my head in agreement looking at Moloy uncle. While Manik just rolled his eyes standing near the table with hands folded. 

Raj-" Nandini this chronograph works when the traveler's blood is read in the machine. According to the prophesies it is said that once all the 12 time travelers blood is been collected in this chronograph there will some magic happen and a portion will be generated which will be helpful for the entire humanity in general. In exact terms 

            ~~~~~~~♧~~~~~~~

"When all precious stone shall unite,the scent of time shall fill the night, with the time being right it will do good to humanity in its whole while, with a man lives for eternity of life." 
~~~~~~~~♧~~~~~~~~

I looked at him as he was saying and also showing me a PPT which had 12 precious stones and in the middle it was written 'The circle of 12'. 

" So now its closed right? I mean i'm the only last time traveler right? So where is the portion?"

Manik-" It would have been the case if those two traitors had not stolen the chronograph. With the chronograph gone so has the blood of all our ancestors. They didn't want the entire nation to benefit from the portion which will actually help in curing the disease of the future generation but for their own selfish good. And now I had been going around the different eras begging for some of our ancestor's blood." Manik was clearly aggitated and huffing with anger. I got to know at once that he was taking about Siddhant and Sanvi and his tone clearly stated how much hatred he had for both of them. 

Raj-" Nandini we had to take other travelers blood again and get it collected in the new chronograph. In the last 2 years Manik had managed to collect 6 peoples blood after rigorous plead. So of them were cooperative but some were stubborn and earlier didn't believed him. But he managed to convince them. Now including you n him we have 8 stones filled. But we are still left with 4 of the ancestors which includes-

1) Mrs. Vaishali Basu ( your great-grandmother) {EMERALD}

2) Mr. Tuhin Malhotra ( Great-great-grandfather of Manik){JADE}

3) Mr. Sidhaant Malhotra ( Manik's Uncle){ BLUE OPAL}

(I have changed Siddhant's stone name to blue opal.)

4)Miss. Sanvi Basu ( your Aunt) {SAPPHIRE}

Moloy-" Tuhin Malhotra has agreed to give his blood and I think he will give it in his next meet with Manik. But we were having problem with your great- grandmother as she doesn't believe in Manik and wants her descendant to come n meet her. Which makes you the only key who can manofy her and get her blood." Moloy uncle and Raj uncle's words were making my head go burst. It would be so awkward to go in past and ask for someone's blood. This was a ridiculous thing and I felt so angry on myself for being trapped in this. 

" How does she know that I am her descendant? There can be anyone right so why she wants to meet me and how will we get the other two people's blood? Siddhant and Sanvi's location we don't know right so as it is we can't close the circle."

Manik-" You don't have to worry about those two Nandini, the secret detectives of Lord's and the guardians are doing their work of finding them in past. Once we get hold on them we won't even need to go begging in front of Mrs. basu. And about your Great-grandmother knowing you then she atleast know that her descendant will be a girl. Lets hope she atleast listens to you."

Mr. Malhotra showed me the picture of all the 4 people whom we were suppose to meet. This was the first time I saw Siddhant and Sanvi's picture. Looking at them no one can say that they were evil and had stolen a thing which could have done good to humankind at large.

"Okay, so what do I have to do now?"

Raj-" You will be meeting your Great- grandmother next week. Till then we need to prepare you a bit more." 

********************

So I'm back with the new update!!!!! My exams are over and I'm very happy so thought of making my readers also happy. Here is your update. 

Alia and Nandini together what do you think will happen now? 

Raj and Nidhi had a past. Interesting right?!

Manik is rude to Nandini. Lets see what happens. 

Finally you people know about the MISSION. Are you excited to know further? 

I will see you people next week with another update till then take care and stay healthy and happy. 

TOODLES!!!!!! 

WITH LOVE 

NEHA(SATAKSHI)