When the boys wanted to visit Jonaki's village, Vin declined reluctantly. He had given a promise to ensure that all the yields of Issac's firms were labelled well. His parents were abroad to attend a workshop and exhibition dedicated to farmers who produced without use of artificial fertilisers. 

Yet how could they visit without Vin. They joined him in packing for a day to progress it in advance and then dragged him off for a few days. The grandparents of Issac were not very happy as their other produces may be hampered but then when their old children had gone abroad, they could not stop a young boy from taking a break. They started working on it slowly, confident that Vin would return to complete the rest. 

The village must have been as beautiful thought Vin, yet to him it looked like it had gone poorer. The people looked tired and upset. "What is wrong? He asked in the dialect he had picked up. 

"Some industries have set up nearby, they are felling all the trees. Precious ones, ones that flower once in hundred years. They have no knowledge and they also stop us from going to the north. "

With a dread and a premonition, he noted that the industries were called Kumar Woodworks. When did they start the woodworks. He called his step mother after ages. 

The phone rang before she picked it up, "Vin ? "

"Mrs. Kumar, do we have a business called Kumar Woodworks ?"

She kept quiet for a few minutes, before saying, "I believe the trustees of your trust formed it to channel the profits into gainful work in the woods. What's wrong ?" 

His funds ? His mother's funds ? Into this atrocity. 

"Are you involved ?"

"Unfortunately no. I was not even allowed to join the room. Neither I believe was your father. Incidentally he is no longer a trustee to your funds. It is your Aunt Rinrini and her husband who replaced him."

They greedy people.. the corrupted people. He did not sit down with the report of Mr. Richards but now wanted to. It also had the mention of his aunt. He knew money had no relatives, yet he stumbled a little in his progress. 

Naresh who had tagged along said, "Let them keep all the records of what is happening Vin. When you get back the funds you can point it out. " The villagers complained that the police was not reacting to their complaints.

Jonaki's house however was a different story. A few years back Mr. Richards had travelled to start a major repair work in that property. He said it was his duty to his friend who always looked after him. The house was under lock and key and looked like a sophisticated lodge. He had assured that the money was something they had gathered for Jonaki, but it was never used as she was taken in by the Kumars. 

While Jonaki would have wanted to give the money to Vin, she did not express that view to him. The house opened and there were some five set of locks. She knew Mr. Richards wanted to commence on some pilgrimage and manned the school's office till she was there. This house was his act of love. She tried to call him and explain the illegal cutting of trees, but Mr. Richard was not reachable. 

To maintain the facade, atleast from the outside the harm to the forests were not detectable. 

So they sat down for a few days of rest. 

In the night Amir awoke Vin. 

"Vin .. you and I have a score to settle." 

"Are they here.. I did not read the last of the report.."

"Dont worry, I have a copy." Amir shared it with Vin. "Read it tomorrow. Just let's go for it now."

"Others..?"

"Well they will stay here and protect Jonaki.. basically they don't need to know. "

Naresh stood awake at the entrance but as they moved Jonaki stood up.. "Where ?"

Sashi jumped up, "Jonaki.. you don't have to always stick to Vin. Come chat with me.. let them look for fireflies."

They moved out. Amir brought out a map, and nodded towards Naresh, "He arranged this one from the Army." 

"Don't worry too much about the logging Vin. The army are in watch and will take care soon. But in their time. These people are one step away from stepping into army land but before that we will take care."

It was pitch dark, time for wild animals to roam. The owls hooted surprised or in encouragement. And Vin's blood boiled. 

Amir said, "The plan is this.. we know their tent. They are not in the tent now. We simply remove the nails off the tent so that tomorrow whenever they enter they crash.. into the valley below to eternal sleep."

It was meant to be a joint plan.. but Vin climbed as if gifted with eyes of the tiger and removed all the guard nails of the tents in the corner, not just the two Amir indicated. It may be foolish or brilliant but Naresh stopped Amir from stepping in and they only held the torch. 

The illegal loggers, former kidnappers and child rapists.. never came the next day. But they came the day after. As planned by Amir.. they did enter the tents.. but lured by the news that some local women desperate for money had agreed to entertain them in the tent. They fell to their end. 

Amir exchanged hand shakes when the locals refused money. "They may come back.." he reminded them. 

"We will take care." 

Naresh stood in the boundary of the valley and ensure nothing was visible. Nothing was. 

"Is this the end they deserved?" One villager asked. 

The others echoed yes.. They harmed nature and now nature swallowed them. 

Naresh nodded quietly observant and stood by as if standing in for his friend who returned in the morning to help elders with packing their produce.  Amir disappeared and appeared often, enjoying the environment. For once the villagers looked happy. The team of workers who worked under the loggers, migrant workers, displaced elsewhere possibly, became scattered. The villagers were unhappy with their presence, but some were kind enough to offer them some food and ask them to be on their way. 

"They were led by the Kumars. Such a single episode would not impact them." said Sashi. 

Naresh and Amir kept quiet, as they observed Jonaki moving from room to room gathering memories. But Vin in back in their school waiting for their final results knew that it was not Mrs/ Kumar. Hence the chances of recuperation would take time. The aunt of his called Rinrini would have his focus he thought. But then results were announced. 

Against all odds and expectations, Ashi did not stand first. She stood by her mother and asked, "Mom will I never stand first ? I am even choosing to study computers like Vin."

She patted her hand confidently, "You will stand first in the next round as Vin gets more busy with life and his business , you would have to persist and work hard though."

No.. thought Ashi. She would only stand first if Vin allowed her to. In the next round, she would be their best friend. She would ensure she never spoke a word against him and his girl. It should not be so difficult. She prayed to the Gods .. just once. Just like Naresh took over the tennis fame, let me take over the fame of being first. Let Vin .. win in all other aspects of life.. Please..  

The results were out and Jonaki surprised all with her stellar rank in medical studies. Teacher Sundareshan smiled sadly at her decision. "She would have a wonderful Maths student .. yet she wants to earn and thrive and nurture. Medicine is possibly a better choice." 

Her friends cheered. She looked for Vin in the distance. He looked tired but victorious. First all through. She wanted to know his choice of university. She had studied frantically to be able to study in the same city. 

But he was no where in sight. Ashi smiled kindly at her and said, "He just left to meet his lawyer. He is taking over his house in the main city." 

Jonaki stood alone as all celebrated around her, someone held her hand and twirled her and she laughed. Yet her eyes stayed stuck to the gates.