In Delhi, Gokalpuri (AYAAN & ANYA'S HOMECITY):
A quiet Sunday morning in a corner of Delhi. Outside the window, the soft rays of the sun were slowly spilling into the room. The air carried a gentle, comforting chill. Steam rose from a cup of tea on the table, its sweet aroma filling the entire room.
Anya stirred sugar into her tea, slowly swirling the spoon. The soft clink of metal against the cup echoed in the morning silence, making it feel even more still and quiet.
"So, Bhaiya… tell me about your new job," Anya said with a slight smile.
"You've been really busy these past few days… and you haven't told me anything."
Ayaan rested his hand on the back of the chair and leaned back. A strange smile appeared on his face—like he was lost in thought, or carefully weighing his words.
"It's a bit complicated, Anya…" he said softly, as if feeling a little uneasy.
"I've never seen a job like this before."
Anya looked at him with a steady gaze. "Remember how they said they had already checked my background?"
"Yeah," Anya said after thinking for a moment. "It feels like they were spying on you or something."
Ayaan took a deep breath and sipped his tea. "Their main branch is in Sanjay Van," he said, setting the cup down on the table and interlocking his fingers. "And you already know… that place is known for all sorts of strange stories."
Anya nodded quietly.
Ayaan continued his story. "There's a small, ordinary-looking hut deep in the forest."
His expression shifted slightly, as if lost in the memory. "There's a man who lives there… he's the security guard for the organization."
A slight smile crossed his lips, as if a strange memory was replaying in his mind.
"I met him on the day of my interview… he was just sitting in the waiting room… eating samosas."
Anya's eyes widened. She set her cup down on the table and looked at Ayaan with a suspicious glance. "The main branch is in the jungle?" she said, folding her hands as she sat up straight. "Are you kidding me?"
Ayaan gave a faint smile, as if he had expected her reaction. "But that office isn't actually in the forest… it's underneath it."
Anya's hand froze. The shock on her face deepened. "Under the forest?"
Ayaan took another sip of his tea, as if this was all completely normal to him. "Yeah, that hut is actually just a façade. When you go inside, you'll realize it's actually a lift…"
He pointed downward with his finger. "…and through it, you can go underground."
Leaning forward in her chair, Anya said, "Underground? Seriously?"
There was excitement in her voice. "That actually sounds pretty cool!"
Ayaan twirled his cup with one hand and pushed his hair back with the other. "Yeah, seriously."
There was a faint smile on his face, like this had become routine for him now.
"The organization is called Trinity Foundation. They operate in secret, away from the public eye—that's why they've built an underground base."
Anya tapped her finger lightly on the table and looked off to the side, as if lost in thought.
"To me, this sounds like something out of a fantasy sci-fi movie," she said, narrowing her eyes slightly at Ayaan. "It almost feels like they're involved in something illegal…" she lowered her voice, as if someone might be listening. "So, what exactly do these people do?"
Ayaan took the last sip of his tea, set the cup on the table, and pulled his chair back slightly.
"I was told they're conducting secret research to learn more about Earth," he said in a calm, steady voice. "And they're getting government funding for it too."
"Government?" she repeated, picking up her cup of tea—though she paused for a moment, gently swirling it as she thought. "So what exactly is it that they do?"
Ayaan raised his hand, counting off on his fingers. "They have me collect soil, grass, water, and…" he paused briefly before continuing, "…animal and human body samples."
Anya's hand froze on the cup. She made a strange face. "That… sounds kinda gross."
Ayaan waved his hand, trying to ease her concern. "I know it might sound like they're doing something shady, but it's really not like that," he said casually. "Besides, the place looks… pretty different from the inside."
Anya pulled her chair closer. "Different how?"
Ayaan paused for a moment, as if replaying those corridors in his mind. "Actually, the company has four floors—more like layers. But the structure isn't anything like a normal office."
Anya squinted slightly. "What do you mean?"
"I've only been given access to the first layer so far," Ayaan said with a deep breath.
"The other layers involve toxic and dangerous experiments. You need special clearance to go down there."
Anya was fully invested now. "And the first layer?"
Ayaan drew a square in the air with his hand. "The entire place is made of steel—the floors, the walls, even the gates."
He paused for a moment, then added, "Everything is automated… just like an advanced facility should be."
"Wow," Anya said, clearly amazed. "And the rooms?"
Ayaan smiled slightly. "I haven't explored many rooms… just saw the manager's office."
Ayaan fell silent after saying that, but Anya's face was full of curiosity. "Don't stop, Bhaiya—keep telling me more!" she urged.
Ayaan leaned back in his chair, trying to relax a bit.
"My first encounter there was with the security guard," he said, recalling the moment. "He was the one who introduced me to the manager."
"Manager?" Anya asked, her curiosity growing.
"Yeah," Ayaan nodded. "He's in charge of the entire organization. He sits at the top of the hierarchy. I go to his cabin every week to submit my report."
Anya took a small sip of her tea, then looked at Ayaan with growing intrigue.
"And then?"
There was a mischievous glint in Ayaan's smile.
"You can't even imagine—when I saw his office, it felt like the hideout of some underworld don."
Anya straightened up in her chair. "Why? What was in that room?"
Ayaan traced a small circle in the air with his hand. "Black walls, black ceiling, black door… It was downright creepy. For a moment, it felt like I'd walked into a maze made of shadows."
Anya's eyes lit up with excitement. "So, were you scared when you met him?"
Ayaan held back a laugh. "Scared? I don't know… but when he looked at me with those pitch-black eyes—straight and unblinking—it felt like he could see every single thought in my head."
Anya set her cup down on the table. "Bhaiya, this is a research center, right? Or… is it something else?"
Ayaan took a deep breath, as if hiding a secret. "I've only been allowed access to the first layer so far. If I want to go deeper…"
He looked at Anya, as though making a decision. "I have to complete twenty tasks. Only then will I know what's really going on inside."
Anya looked at Ayaan silently, as if trying to grasp the deeper meaning behind his words.
Anya set her cup down on the table, her eyes fixed on Ayaan. "And how many tasks have you completed so far?"
Ayaan stayed silent for a moment, as if trying to recall. "Hmm… I think 19."
A faint smile appeared on Anya's face. "So just one more? That's great! You'll be able to explore the rest of the place too!"
Ayaan took a deep breath. "Yeah… but after that, I'll have to make a decision. Whether everything I've heard is true or just a story… Only then will I decide if I want to stay… or walk away."
Anya's smile faded slightly. "It's good that you're prepared… just make sure you take care of yourself."
Ayaan was just about to say something when he suddenly stopped. His hand slowly reached into his pocket, as if he was feeling for something.
"By the way…" he said, pulling out a small metallic object from his pocket. It was wrapped in a piece of cloth. He gently placed it on the table.
Anya glanced at it, a look of confusion on her face. "What is this?"
Without saying a word, Ayaan removed the cloth.
A shiny, black gun lay on the table.
Anya's face went pale.
"A… a gun?" Her voice trembled slightly. "Is it real?"
Ayaan silently wrapped the cloth back over it and slipped it into his pocket again.
"They gave it to me for safety," he said in a calm but heavy voice. "Where I go… things aren't always safe."
"No, Bhaiya!" Anya's voice rose sharply.
"Why would they give you a gun? That means they're going to make you do something wrong!"
Ayaan raised his hand, trying to calm her down. "Anya, relax. So far, I've only collected samples. Nothing dangerous has happened."
Anya shouted angrily, "No, Bhaiya! Promise me you'll quit this job!"
Ayaan looked at Anya for a moment, then turned his gaze away. "Finding a new job right now won't be easy."
"I don't want to hear any excuses! If you don't quit this job… then I'll stop eating!"
Ayaan took a deep breath. "Alright," he said softly, as if each word was hard to get out. "After I finish this last task… I'll resign."
Anya began to cry, then stepped forward and hugged him tightly.
"Bhaiya, you're all I have… I don't want anything to happen to you," she whispered softly.
Ayaan gently patted her back and gave a faint smile. "Don't worry, Anya. Whatever's right for you… that's exactly what I'll do."
Anya nodded and began to walk away.
Ayaan silently watched her walk away.
"Anya, your concern is valid. But until I truly understand what this place is… I'm not going anywhere."
Suddenly, his phone began to vibrate. He picked it up and looked at the screen.
WhatsApp Notification:
Location: Dayalpur, Street No. 3, House No. 5, A-Block.
Sample Type: Hair from an old man.
Info:
They say there's an old man living in this area—someone who's been here for one hundred fifty years. The locals keep their distance because no one truly understands his nature. Your task is to collect a single strand of his hair so the research team can study it.
Ayaan read the notification again. A faint smile curved on his lips.
"The final task…" he thought to himself.