"Welcome home."
Risha hesitated before entering. She has definitely not lived lavishly but it was small, way too much. Even her bedroom was bigger than the whole thing he called home. Two narrow rooms and one even narrower kitchen is all it has. Nishat guided them to one of the rooms. It too was in a sorry state. The paint has long expired, a worn off mattress lies taking two third of the room and beside that a pile of wasted metal plates are gathered. If Risha is not wrong that thing is used in the place of a table.
"I know its pathetic but suit yourself." Nishat said while offering them to sit in the mattress. Risha thought about declining the offer at first but restrained herself for that would be extremely impolite.
"Thanks a lot." Risha sat down and try to make herself comfortable. Noah too sat down. Other than the first time when he try talking until Risha took over, he has kept his mouth shut completely. He is not doing anything, just observing silently. Honesty he thought he needed to interfere to help Risha get friendlier with Nishat. But now that she is clearly getting along, he finds no reason to involve himself. It is not as if he had thrown her into the sea all alone, he is always by her side, waiting to help.
"We do not have any refreshment to serve you so just speak your mind. What the hell did you mean by saying you plan on joining us? Earlier you said you wanted to meet my uncle and now you are saying this. What exactly is your purpose?"
"And of course," he added, "Do not give me some nonsense like you were moved by the injustice authority committed. I am definitely sure you are from the upper city and people like you have absolute freedom amd advantage in everything."
Other than what she said before, Risha had no clue about what else to say. So naturally Noah was the one so answer this time,
"My friend here has already told you about about our main purpose so I won't be around the bush. Prof. Arafat..."
Nishat interrupted with mockery, "He was long expelled from the university and is no longer a professor."
"But he is one," Noah's voice was calm as stagnant water, "And he deserves to be respected. I am just doing what I should do. Now back to the topic, he had an alien species in is last published research paper. We need him to research about that more in detail."
Nishat frowned, "But he is not..."
"That is exactly why we are joining the rebellion," Noah shut him casually, "We plan on supporting you guys until the end of the rebellion and make sure you succeed and survive. After that he have to help us."
"What if he disagrees?"
"Well," Noah put a heartwarming smile in his face before saying,
"Then forget the authority, I will be one to hunt each and every one of you, torture you, mutilate you and murder you. I shall continue until he agrees."
Noah, Risha's savior, who had always spoke in a kind tone hadn't the slightest trace of warmth in his voice. It was cold and utterly void . One thing was definite, that he meant every word he said.
In a single moment, any hint of heat had left the room. Nishat, Risha, both of them felt the chill in their spine. The atmosphere was suffocating. When none of them moves and inch, Grey became the savior. Searching the whole house, he has finally manage to find a few biscuits.
"Mates,food is coming."
He had grin in his face and he open the door loudly. Even as he felt the air of unease, he didn't bother and continue his rambling,
"What's up? Why so silent?" he talked as he placed the plate in front of Risha,
"Now now, don't be shy. You are in our house, not at your wedding alter."
Nishat glared at him but it didn't work at all. And no one including the host or guests touched the biscuits. Grey asked, "Nishu, did you bully them?"
"Do I look like someone who can even try to do anything to these weirdos?" Nishat gritted his teeth.
True, Nishat looked so weak that it wouldn't be surprising if he dropped dead at any moment. Without someone helping him, he wouldn't probably be able to even stand up on his own.
"I threatened him," Noah replied, " I said if he or rather if his uncle doesn't cooperate with us, I will destroy the slum along with its people."
The same chilling moment but Grey remained unfazed.
"Oh, are you telling the truth? I mean to ask if you actually have the capability to do that."
Asking? No, it was more like Grey challenging Noah.
"Trust me, friend. You don't want to know."
"But I do. You need to come clear if you want our help. Like why someone capable of destroying us even require our help or why would you even request us instead of directly forcing us. Care to explain?"
Noah bit his lower lip, "I guess I prefer doing things the hard way. Whatever, I'm not really obliged to answer."
This was something equally confusing for Risha. From the first time, Noah always proposed to help others while asking for help. To Risha, it didn't seem like Noah was exactly opposed to resorting to violence but why is he always going around making things hard for himself? But just like he said, he wasn't obligated to answer. They were merely working together for their own benefit. It wasn't her place to ask. Nishat, however had a different opinion on this matter.
"Then we aren't obliged to ally ourselves with you either. Try destroying us for all I care. I am not one to care."
"Even not for him?" Noah leaned closer and whispered something. Nishat instantly froze. Fear became apparent in his eyes.
"Grey, take the girl outside," he said.
Risha had no idea what those two talked about but after this he never once disobeyed Noah. And it continued until the end.
10 minutes later, Noah came out of the house and Grey rushed inside. Risha too headed back. Nishat was still in one piece, he just looked even more exhausted than before. When Grey asked, he didn't explain and just answered in four words,"We made a deal."
That was the day Risha got involved in a historical movement which was never included in history.