series: War on Navel Taboos

The next morning after Udhayagiri is killed

AT THE BLIZZARD HEADQUARTERS

The members of the Blizzard, clad in their uniform, gather around Udhayagiri’s corpse, grieving silently.

SEKAR: He was not just killed. He was beaten up black and blue by the Flower Storm.

MANOHAR: (clenching fists) Those depraved bastards have killed one of our enforcers who enforced nothing but purity. They must pay the price for this.

LOKI: (keeping his calm) May the soul of our fallen comrades rest in peace.

MANOHAR: (still clenching his fists and raises his voice) Our beloved Udhayagiri’s soul will rest in peace only after freezing a good number of Flower Storm members to death.

LOKI: (controlled anger) We will have our revenge. But not too early. Let them celebrate. Our time will come.

The other members of the Blizzard agree and they subsequently freeze Udhayagiri’s corpse.

A few minutes later.

All the members of the Blizzard gather together for their so-called motivational speech.

LOKI: Who are we?

The rest of the Blizzard replies “Enforcers” in a chorus.

LOKI: Enforcers of what?

The rest of the Blizzard replies “Purity”.

LOKI: Say it fully.

The rest of the Blizzard replies “Enforcers of Purity” together in a chorus.

LOKI: Repeat that.

The rest of the Blizzard replies “We are Enforcers of Purity” together in a chorus. And they repeat it for a few more times, promising to avenge Udhayagiri’s death.

MEANWHILE, AT THE FLOWER STORM HEADQUARTERS

After having grand breakfast, all the members of the Flower Storm, clad in their uniform, play some songs and dance in order to celebrate the success of “Operation Bloomshade”.

The female members of the Flower Storm leave their midriffs exposed while dancing.

Even the little Deepak participates in the dance.

An hour later

The dancing stops and no more songs are being played. All the members of the Flower Storm, along with the little Deepak, are panting as they are tired of dancing. All have happily danced and celebrated the success of “Operation Bloomshade” grandly.

10 hours later

It’s late evening. All the members of the Flower Storm have had their evening shower and are now in civilian clothes.

Dheena is in a dark green roundneck t-shirt and a blue jeans just like in the pic given below.

(Note:- Please ignore the talisman and the watermark. And assume that combat shoes are worn in place of the sneakers.)

Nivi is in a full-handed light beige T-shirt with her lower belly and the bottom rim of her navel peeking out, and a blue jeans, just like in the pic given below.

(Note:- Please ignore the sunglasses and the bag. And assume that combat shoes are worn in place of sandals.)

Deepak is in a green t-shirt and a blue jeans just like in the pic given below.

(Note:- Please ignore the watermark. And assume that the hair is cut short.)

Dheena, Nivi, and Deepak are on the terrace of their house within the headquarters of the Flower Storm, watching the night sky full of stars and a bright full moon.

Three of them are having a talk.

DEEPAK: Amma????

Nivi turns around to face her adopted son.

NIVI: Yes, my dear Deepukutty??????

Deepak speaks in a soft and gentle tone.

DEEPAK: Amma… I don’t feel sad he’s gone. Does that make me a bad boy?

Nivi has no clue of whom Deepak is referring to.

NIVI: Whom are you referring to, Deepukutty?

Deepak speaks in a bit louder and firmer tone.

DEEPAK: A monster named Udhayagiri. He’s gone now. I don’t feel for him. Does that make me a bad boy?

Nivi grins mildly and ruffles Deepak’s hair.

NIVI: No, kanna. It makes you someone who knows what’s right and wrong.

Deepak looks into Nivi’s eyes with a warm smile. Dheena then intervenes.

DHEENA: You’re not a bad boy, Deepak. You’re our boy now. And you’ve helped save lives.

Both Dheena and Nivi smile warmly at Deepak who smiles back at them.

NIVI: Yes, Deepukutty. You gave me the strength to fight. Every kiss on my tummy reminds me I’m loved.

DHEENA: Not just your Amma, dear Deepak. You gave the strength to me and all friends of ours to fight against the monsters like Udhayagiri. We are proud to have you with us.

Deepak’s smile gets a bit bigger and he hugs both Dheena and Nivi with his small arms. Both Dheena and Nivi return the hug to Deepak.

A few seconds later

The hug breaks.

DEEPAK: I’m really really glad to be in the good hands of yours.

DHEENA: We are always there to protect you, dear Deepak.

Deepak smiles.

DEEPAK: Thanks, Appa. I need this kind of father.

Dheena chuckles and ruffles Deepak’s hair.

DHEENA: Thanks for the appreciation, dear Deepak.

DEEPAK: You are always welcome, Appa.

Dheena and Deepak smile at each other.

And then, Nivi, with her one hand, lifts her T-shirt to reveal her whole tummy, and with her other hand, she grabs the little Deepak’s hand and places it on her bare tummy.

Deepak smiles warmly at Nivi while feeling her bare tummy with his small and soft hand.

Nivi smiles back at Deepak while holding his very hand that rests on her bare tummy.

Deepak and Nivi remain in this position for about a minute. And then, Nivi loosens the grip and Deepak slowly pulls his hand away from her bare tummy.

Deepak then holds Nivi’s bare waist with both of his small and soft hands, and gently presses his tender lips against her navel, kissing it gently and passionately.

Nivi closes her eyes, savoring the moment.

NIVI: Feels so good, Deepukutty. Can you kiss your Amma’s thoppul again? Maybe for a few more times?

Deepak smiles warmly.

DEEPAK: Of course, Amma.

Nivi chuckles and ruffles Deepak’s hair.

NIVI: Then don’t make your Amma wait.

Deepak chuckles.

DEEPAK: Of course, Amma. I’ll give you some more.

Nivi ruffles Deepak’s hair again and waits for some more of his kisses on her navel. Deepak wastes no time before proceeding to plant some more of his kisses on Nivi’s navel.

Nivi responds to the navel kiss by moaning faintly and running her fingers across the strands of the little Deepak’s hair.

After planting a good number of kisses on Nivi’s navel, Deepak slowly pulls away.

DEEPAK: We have had a wonderful day today, Amma.

Nivi ruffles Deepak’s hair again.

NIVI: Yes, Deepukutty. Today was indeed a wonderful day.

Dheena then intervenes.

DHEENA: My dear Deepak????

Deepak turns to face Dheena.

DEEPAK: Yes, Appa?????

DHEENA: Are you looking forward to have more wonderful days like this?

Deepak responds with an excited smile.

DEEPAK: Indeed, Appa.

DHEENA: You will have it for sure.

Deepak’s smile gets a bit bigger.

DEEPAK: Looking forward to more days like this.

Dheena, Nivi, and Deepak hug each other again.

A few seconds later

The hug breaks. With a satisfied smile, Dheena, Nivi, and Deepak go to sleep while the other members of the Flower Storm are already fast asleep.

5 days after the events of the previous chapter

In the morning, all the members of the Flower Storm have taken bath after intensive workouts and are clad in Flower Storm uniform. All have assembled for a meeting.

DHEENA: Good morning, comrades.

The rest of the Flower Storm replies “Good morning, Comrade Dheena” together in a chorus.

DHEENA: We recently received an intel from Vikram and Jaidev that there’s one of the Blizzard enforcers who reports everything directly to Loki, the chief of the Blizzard. His name is Udhayagiri.

The rest of the Flower Storm listens calmly to Dheena’s speech.

DHEENA: He’s the same guy who shot our comrade Vikram and tried to kill him. Luckily, comrade Vikram is still breathing and is being hospitalized.

The rest of the Flower Storm listens with controlled anger.

DHEENA: That same monster killed his own wife for letting her little son touch and caress her tummy. That little boy is now my son. His name is Deepak. And his new mom is none other than our comrade Nivi.

Nivi smiles faintly with unshed tears as she listens to Dheena’s speech.

DHEENA: I married our comrade Nivi just for Deepak and now we are taking a good care of him. He’s happy under our care and we are happy about it.

Nivi sheds a little bit of tears and eventually wipes them away. This is seen by Lux who then places a hand on her shoulder.

LUX: It’s alright, Nivi. You have made it. Both comrade Dheena and the little Deepak are yours now.

NIVI: These are tears of joy, Lux. I’m really happy about it as much as comrade Dheena and the little Deepak are.

Lux and Nivi smile at each other and then give each other a warm hug.

A few seconds later, the hug breaks and both Nivi and Lux get back to their positions as Dheena hasn’t finished his speech yet.

LUX: Sorry, Comrade Dheena. I just spotted our comrade Nivi shedding tears. I just wanted to comfort her.

Dheena responds with a smile.

DHEENA: It’s okay. We don’t mind that at all. Now let me continue my speech.

LUX: Of course, comrade Dheena. Please continue.

Dheena proceeds to continue his speech.

DHEENA: Thank you. And coming back to what we were discussing, tonight we shall hunt Udhayagiri down. This is our mission. And this mission is called “Operation Bloomshade“.

There is a distinct chattering among the rest of the Flower Storm.

Dheena then hears a voice calling out “Comrade Dheena”. Dheena scans the crowd, looking for the person who called him.

DHEENA: Who called me?

A hand is raised up and it’s revealed that it was Roy who called Dheena.

DHEENA: Yes, Comrade Roy??????

ROY: I’ll go.

DHEENA: We can’t let you go alone like we allowed Vikram. Since we let him go alone, he almost got killed.

ROY: Don’t worry, comrade Dheena. I won’t make the same mistake made by Vikram. I’ll arrange a team for this.

DHEENA: We are going there altogether except Ajay, Varsha, and Vikram. Since Vikram is hospitalized, Ajay and Varsha have to take care of him. All the others of us are going there to take that monster down. No unnecessary causalities. Just hunt Udhayagiri down. Capture him if possible. Kill him if necessary. Is that clear?

Roy, along with the rest of the comrade, replies “Yes, Comrade” together in a chorus. Then Harish intervenes.

HARISH: Dheena, may I suggest we get there as early as possible? Udhayagiri may not stay in one particular place for too long.

Dheena nods his head, understanding the situation, and pats Harish’s shoulders.

DHEENA: Got your point, pal. We shall embark our journey at the onset of dusk.

Harish thinks for some time and then nods his head.

HARISH: You better be right, Dheena. Because we must get this thing done without a delay.

Dheena nods his head.

DHEENA: Alright.

Dheena then turns his attention towards the rest of the Flower Storm.

DHEENA: Alright, comrades. I hope you all remember our mission. Till the accomplishment, we will remain in our uniform. Only after the accomplishment of our mission, we shall change to civilian clothes. Is that clear?

The rest of the Flower Storm replies “Yes, Comrade” together in a chorus.

DHEENA: Good.

The meeting concludes.

11 hours later

It’s late evening and a good number of camouflaged trucks housing the Flower Storm squad has reached the Blizzard headquarters. Every member of the Flower Storm has gone there except Ajay, Varsha, and Vikram as Vikram is still being hospitalized and Ajay and Varsha have to take care of him.

Surprisingly, even the little Deepak has gone there. It was Dheena’s idea to use Deepak as a bait in order to lure Udhayagiri. It was initially opposed by Nivi as she feared that it could put the boy in danger. Only after Dheena’s persuasion that Deepak could be used as a bait and he will return safely and unhurt, Nivi agreed, albeit with some reluctance.

Nivi and the little Deepak hug each other for some time. After the hug breaks, the former plants a kiss on the latter’s forehead. The latter smiles.

NIVI: Deepukutty?????

DEEPAK: Yes, Amma?

NIVI: Can you kiss your Amma?

Deepak responds with a warm smile.

DEEPAK: Sure, Amma. Please bend down.

Nivi, with a smile, bends down. Deepak kisses his adopted mom’s cheeks and forehead. Nivi giggles and ruffles Deepak’s hair.

NIVI: My little sweetheart!!!!!!

Deepak giggles along with Nivi.

DEEPAK: My lovely Amma!!!!!!!!

NIVI: Would you like to plant some kisses on my tummy as well?

DEEPAK: Not now, Amma. Not here. After we return home.

Nivi chuckles softly and ruffles Deepak’s hair. Dheena, who is next to Nivi and Deepak, laughs softly.

DHEENA: Nivi, if our little sweetheart wants to kiss his mom’s tummy, he can do so by all means.

Deepak then intervenes.

DEEPAK: But Appa, we are in truck, surrounded by so many people.

Dheena laughs again.

DHEENA: So what? Affection doesn’t need the right place. It needs only the right hearts.

Dheena then turns his attention to the rest of the Flower Storm in the truck and speaks in a commanding tone.

DHEENA: Dear comrades, please turn your faces away for a moment.

Dheena, along with others except Nivi and Deepak, respectfully turn their faces away.

Nivi unbuttons her shirt and knots her tank top inside it in order to reveal her bare tummy.

(Like this)

NIVI: Ready, Deepukutty?

Deepak responds with a warm smile.

DEEPAK: Yes, Amma. I am.

Nivi smiles back at Deepak.

NIVI: Then go ahead.

Deepak, with a warm smile, holds Nivi’s waist with both of his small and soft hands, and gently presses his little and soft lips against her navel, kissing it.

(Like this)

Nivi giggles, enjoying the navel kiss.

NIVI: Deepukutty, can you plant some more kisses on your Amma’s thoppul?

Deepak chuckles softly.

DEEPAK: Of course, my beloved Amma.

Deepak proceeds to plant two more similar kisses right on Nivi’s navel, not as a symbol of indulgence but rather as a symbol of healing.

Nivi quietly wipes her tear and then ruffles Deepak’s hair. Deepak then slowly pulls away. Both look into each other’s eyes with a warm smile.

NIVI: Thank you, Deepukutty. You are so brave.

DEEPAK: My beloved Amma is always welcome.

Nivi laughs softly and ruffles Deepak’s hair again. She then unknots her inner tank top and then locks all the buttons of her shirt except the collar button.

Deepak then gets off the truck.

After Deepak sets to face Udhayagiri alone despite being little in his age, Nivi prepares her sniper team and patiently wait for Udhayagiri to arrive.

5 mins later

Udhayagiri arrives, assisted by three of other members of the Blizzard. They spot Deepak standing alone and walk towards him with overconfidence.

UDHAYAGIRI: Aahh….My prodigal son returns!!!! I know you will come back to me!!!!!!!

Nivi, along with other snipers of the Flower Storm, shoot those three accomplices of Udhayagiri dead using their sniper rifles. Udhayagiri gets startled on seeing his accomplices around him die.

UDHAYAGIRI: What is this???????

Deepak angrily faces Udhayagiri.

DEEPAK: You took my beloved mom away from me. You are not my father. You are a monster.

Udhayagiri gets enraged as Deepak doesn’t want to live with him.

UDHAYAGIRI: How dare you, you little impudent brat!!!!!!!!!

As Udhayagiri is about to slap the little Deepak, Roy comes out of nowhere and delivers a flying kick on Udhayagiri, causing him to fall.

(Like this)

Roy then turns to Deepak.

ROY: Deepak, leave this spot immediately. And get in our truck. Your dad and mom are waiting for you inside.

Deepak nods his head.

DEEPAK: Sure, Uncle. Finish that monster off.

Roy smiles faintly.

ROY: I’ll take care, dear You go.

Deepak wishes Roy a luck in an assertive tone.

DEEPAK: Good luck, Uncle.

Roy continues to smile faintly at Deepak.

ROY: Thank you, dear. Now go.

Deepak leaves the spot and enters the truck where there is Dheena and Nivi. They pull him into a tight hug as they are glad that Deepak has returned safely and unhurt.

The moment Deepak has left, Udhayagiri gets up and faces Roy angrily.

UDHAYAGIRI: You think you can stop me? Try me if you are hard enough.

Roy remains unfazed.

ROY: Mister, I was made for it.

Udhayagiri then picks up a knife and attacks Roy with it only for the latter to dodge it, disarm the former, and then land a powerful kick, causing the former to fall.

(Like this)

As Udhayagiri gets up again, he charges at Roy unarmed, only for the latter to make the former bend down, deliver an elbow strike on the former’s back and a knee strike towards the face. The former then punches the latter in the face in a roundhouse direction, causing the latter to fall. The former then immediately grabs the latter by the neck using his elbow, only for the latter to kick into a wall, which pushes them backwards, leading to the loosening of the grip. The latter then delivers a backward elbow strike to the former’s abdomen and then slams him.

(Like this)

Roy wastes no time before proceeding to pin Udhayagiri down and land a furious flurry of punches on his face, causing him to bleed.

(Like this)

Udhayagiri, now bloodied and battered, can barely move. Roy then pulls away, stands like a true soldier, and faces the grievously wounded Udhayagiri.

ROY: This is for killing a mother just for letting her little son touch her tummy. And also for nearly killing my best friend. We don’t force. Flower Storm are not enforcers like you. We are liberators.

Roy then points the index finger of his right hand towards his own face, and speaks in a low but intimidating tone.

ROY: This is the face of the Flower Storm.

Roy then picks up his assault rifle and fires a bullet right into Udhayagiri’s forehead, killing the enforcer on the spot. He then picks up his walkie-talkie and makes a call to Dheena who answers his call.

DHEENA: Yes, Comrade Roy?????

ROY: Comrade Dheena, we have got Udhayagiri. Operation Bloomshade is successful.

Dheena feels happy but not too happy.

DHEENA: How sure are you?

ROY: I’m standing next to his corpse, comrade Dheena.

Roy then shoots the dead Udhayagiri right into the throat.

ROY: That’s the confirmatory shot.

Dheena responds with a satisfied smile.

DHEENA: Well done.

Roy smiles.

ROY: Thank you, comrade Dheena.

Roy stares at Udhayigiri’s corpse for some time and then gets into one the camouflaged trucks of the Flower Storm. The squad then eventually returns to the Flower Storm headquarters.

Minutes after the events of the previous chapter

Now, the little Deepak is at “New Home” in the Flower Storm headquarters along with his adopted parents Dheena and Nivi. They have a shower and then change to a fresh set of clothes (civilian).

Nivi is now in a pink tank top and pale blue denim shorts just like in the pic given below.

(Note:- Please ignore the slippers.)

Dheena is now in a white t-shirt and a shorts of black-grey camouflage pattern just like in the pic given below.

(Note:- Please ignore the shoes and the watermark.)

Deepak is now in a t-shirt and shorts, both of same camo design, i.e., grey camouflage pattern.

(Note:- Please ignore the shoes.)

Dheena comes across a story book which he got from one of the book shelves of the main base of the Blizzard. That story book actually belongs to Deepak. Dheena gives the story book to Deepak.

DHEENA: Deepak, read the story book. Keep reading until Appa and Amma get back to you.

DEEPAK: Okay, Appa. Where are you going?

DHEENA: We will be here in a few minutes. You just keep reading, dear.

DEEPAK: Okay, Appa.

Deepak is reading his story book while Dheena and Nivi are somewhere else having a private discussion.

DHEENA: Nivi, we have to be husband and wife just for Deepak. Can you do this for me, please?????

Nivi smiles confidently.

NIVI: Dheena, even before Deepak united us, I have always wanted to marry you and be with you. You don’t get my point? I have always been in love with you and I wanted to marry you. And it seems like Deepak has made my dream come true.

Dheena sighs and nods his head.

DHEENA: I see!!!!! So you have wanted to marry me even before we came across Deepak?

NIVI: Yes. You have any issues?

Dheena stares at Nivi for some time and then smiles.

DHEENA: No issues at all. We men don’t ask for any particular women as partners. We men don’t propose to women. It’s the exact opposite. You should have proposed to me earlier.

Nivi lifts her eyebrows.

NIVI: Are you serious?

Dheena continues to look confident.

DHEENA: Yes. I’m serious. Why didn’t you propose to me earlier?

Nivi looks embarrassed.

NIVI: Well!!!! You know!!!! I didn’t have the courage at that time.

Dheena nods his head.

DHEENA: I see!!!!! So it’s the little boy who gave you the courage?

Nivi still looks embarrassed.

NIVI: You could say that. Anyways, my dream has somehow come true. That itself is a miracle.

Dheena laughs softly.

DHEENA: If our dreams somehow turn into reality, it’s always a miracle, right?

NIVI: Yes.

DHEENA: Well!!!!! I can’t deny that.

NIVI: You are not supposed to deny that. Dreams turning into reality is always a miracle, no matter how it happens.

Dheena laughs again.

DHEENA: Alright. I said I can’t deny that. A miracle is always a miracle.

Dheena and Nivi smile at each other and then hug each other. After a few seconds, the hug breaks and they go to the bed where Deepak is seated and is reading a story book.

NIVI: Deepukutty?????

Deepak immediately turns his attention towards Nivi and looks at her with a smile.

DEEPAK: Yes, Amma?????

NIVI: What book are you reading?

DEEPAK: Story book, Amma.

Nivi smiles back at Deepak.

NIVI: Nice. Now it’s bedtime. Shall we sleep?

DEEPAK: Of course, Amma.

Nivi chuckles softly.

NIVI: Good, Deepukutty. Close your book and keep it aside.

Deepak, without saying a word, closes his story book and keeps it aside. He then lies down on the same bed he is seated on. Nivi lies on the bed on the left side of Deepak and Dheena on the right side.

Nivi lies on the bed with her abdomen exposed just like in the pic given below.

Deepak kisses the cheeks of both Dheena and Nivi. In return, they pinch his cheeks.

Deepak then places his right hand on the bare abdomen of Nivi.

(Like this)

Nivi smiles warmly and places her hand on the top of the very hand of Deepak that’s resting on her bare tummy.

(Like this)

NIVI: You can touch your new Amma’s tummy as much as you want, my dear Deepukutty.

Deepak and Nivi smile at each other and they remain in this position. Dheena watches this scene with a smile for some time and then he closes his eyes, slowly drifting off to sleep.

2 mins later

NIVI: Deepukutty????

DEEPAK: Yes, Amma?

NIVI: Can you kiss your Amma’s tummy?

Deepak nods his head with a giggle.

DEEPAK: Yes, Amma.

NIVI: Good. Go ahead.

Nivi looses her grip on Deepak’s hand and the latter eventually moves his hand away from the former’s bare tummy.

Deepak then leads his face towards Nivi’s bare tummy and kisses it all over.

(Like this)

Nivi enjoys the kisses on her bare tummy and ruffles Deepak’s hair. But at the same time, she is also disappointed as her adopted son’s lips didn’t touch her navel but hides her disappointment with a simple smile.

NIVI: Sweetheart, why did you ignore your Amma’s thoppul?

DEEPAK: Amma, it’s too big and deep for my lips to touch its inner walls.

Nivi laughs at Deepak’s response.

NIVI: Is it so?

DEEPAK: Yes, Amma.

Nivi continues laughing. A minute later, the laughter fades.

NIVI: You are so funny.

DEEPAK: Thank you, Amma. I can’t kiss your thoppul. I can rather dig it with my finger.

NIVI: Really?

Deepak nods his head.

DEEPAK: Yes, Amma.

Nivi thinks for some time and then agrees.

NIVI: Okay. You can give a try.

DEEPAK: Of course, Amma.

Deepak then gently massages Nivi’s navel with the index finger of his right hand.

(Like this)

A few seconds later

NIVI: Enough, Deepukutty. You can stop now.

Deepak stops and takes his finger out of Nivi’s navel.

NIVI: Maybe you can give one last try and then go to sleep.

Deepak is curious.

DEEPAK: Try what, Amma?

NIVI: Kiss your Amma’s thoppul. Your kiss should land right on the thoppul. Can you try now?

Deepak thinks for a few seconds and then nods his head.

DEEPAK: Okay. Let me try.

Deepak slowly leads his little lips towards Nivi’s navel and lands a kiss on it.

Nivi responds to the navel kiss letting out a soft sigh just like in the gif given above and then ruffles Deepak’s hair. Deepak then slowly pulls away to look into Nivi’s eyes. Both are smiling warmly at each other.

NIVI: See???? You did it!!!!!

Deepak looks surprised as he couldn’t believe that he just managed to touch his adopted mom’s navel with his little lips.

DEEPAK: OMG!!!!! I never thought I could do it.

Nivi laughs softly and ruffles Deepak’s hair again.

NIVI: You did it. You must be feeling great.

Deepak smiles faintly.

DEEPAK: Yes, Amma. I do feel great.

NIVI: With the same feeing, shall we proceed to sleep?

DEEPAK: Yes, Amma.

Deepak lies back down.

NIVI: Goodnight, Deepukutty.

DEEPAK: Goodnight, my sweet Amma.

Nivi grabs Deepak’s small hand and rests it on Nivi’s bare tummy.

Both of them close their eyes and eventually drift off to sleep.

The next morning

Only an hour left for sunrise.

All the members of the Flower Storm wake up along with Deepak despite feeling tired.

20 mins later

Dheena and Deepak are in the same dress as the last night. They simply take off only their t-shirts, exposing their upper bodies.

(Like this)

Nivi, on the other hand, is in a purple sports bra and ash-colored sweatpants just like in the pic given below.

Deepak then approaches Nivi.

DEEPAK: Amma, why did we wake up so early today?

NIVI: To do exercises. It’s always good to do exercises in the early morning.

DEEPAK: Why early morning is the “best” time for exercises?

Nivi responds with a smile.

NIVI: Because it increases our energy and we can have lot of energy to do a lot of work. Therefore, early morning is the best time for exercises.

Deepak nods his head.

DEEPAK: I see!!!!!!!

Nivi smiles and ruffles Deepak’s hair.

Deepak, in return, gently caresses the bare tummy of Nivi.

(Like this)

Nivi smiles.

NIVI: Aaaawww!!!!!!! Caressing your Amma’s tummy?

Deepak smiles back at Nivi.

DEEPAK: Yes, Amma.

Nivi ruffles Deepak’s hair again.

NIVI: Right. Can you kiss your Amma’s tummy? Right on the thoppul?

DEEPAK: Sure, Amma.

Nivi’s smile gets a bit bigger.

NIVI: Okay. Go on.

Deepak smiles, holds Nivi’s waist, and plants a deep kiss right on navel.

(Like this)

Nivi chuckles and ruffles Deepak’s hair again. Deepak then slowly pulls away.

NIVI: Thank you for the kiss, Deepukutty.

DEEPAK: You are always welcome to have more, my sweet Amma.

Nivi pulls the little Deepak into a warm hug. After about 15 seconds, the hug breaks.

NIVI: Okay. Ready to step out, my dear Deepukutty?

Deepak smiles with excitement.

DEEPAK: Let’s go out, Amma.

Dheena, Nivi, and Deepak step out for physical exercises, joined by the other members of the Flower Storm.

While exercising, Deepak is closely watched by his adopted parents who advise him not to strain himself too much.

2 hours later

The workout session ends and all go to have a shower and wear a fresh set of clothes. After having shower, everyone, except Deepak, is in a Flower Storm uniform.

Deepak, on the other hand, is in civilian clothes, i.e., a half-handed checked shirt and a blue jeans just like in the pic given below.

(Note:- Please ignore the watermark.)

Continuing from the previous chapter

The Flower Storm squard has now stormed into the main base of the Blizzard.

As the Blizzard enforcers try to stop the Flower Storm squad, the latter guns down the former multiple times.

As the Flower Storm squad goes further inside, they come across Vikram who is still clad in a housekeeper attire and they are glad to see him alive and unhurt.

DHEENA: Vikram!!!!! Is that you? We are glad to see you alive and unhurt.

VIKRAM: And I’m surprised to see you all here at the enemy base.

The Harish intervenes.

HARISH: Alright. Let’s get out of here.

VIKRAM: Of course. But first, let’s look out for any possible hostages.

The rest of the Flower Storm agrees.

DHEENA: You can’t be wrong, comrade Vikram. Let’s go.

The Flower Storm moves forward and the sniper team takes position. The sniper team kills another set of Blizzard members so that the other Flower Storm members can rescue the hostages.

However, Vikram witnesses a woman (the same woman who let her little son play with her navel in CHAPTER 4) being dragged by three enforcers of the Blizzard to freeze her to death as they got to know about her affectionate bonding with her son. Vikram is angered by this and he decides not to keep quiet anymore. He rushes to confront those enforcers alone despite the rest of the Flower Storm requesting him not to go. He eventually reaches those enforcers and confronts them.

VIKRAM: Hold on there, you palookas. Let that woman go.

Those enforcers loosen the grip over the woman, now known as Haridra, and they point their rifles towards Vikram who prepare to kill him. Luckily, Roy intervenes and shoots down those enforcers using a sniper rifle. Vikram turns around and salutes Roy who salutes him back.

VIKRAM: Thanks, pal.

ROY: Anytime, pal. Now let’s evacuate this place along with the hostages we have rescued.

VIKRAM: Of course.

As the Flower Storm moves forward to exit the Blizzard headquarters along with the rescued hostages, another set of the enforcers arrive. Luckily, the Flower Storm is equipped with guns and knives, and they take those enforcers down in the following way:

1. Vikram dusts the enforcers with chilli spray.
2. Dheena and Harish kill the blinded enforcers with their pistols.
3. The other enforcers who haven’t got blinded get stabbed to death by Roy using a pocket knife.

The path is eventually cleared and the Flower Storm moves forward along with the reached hostages. However, a screaming sound of a woman is heard. Vikram rushes to the spot despite the rest of the Flower Storm trying to stop him, only to find that the woman being dragged is none other than Haridra. It’s too late as Haridra has already started freezing and the freezing chamber is locked.

Saddened and enraged by the guilt of not being able to save Haridra, Vikram picks up his knife and kills five Blizzard enforcers, out of which two are stabbed to death and the other three get their throats slashed.

Udhayagiri, who survived the ambush attack by the Flower Storm, picks up his pistol and shoots Vikram in the abdomen after considering him as a “traitor” and then he runs away.

Roy, who’s infuriated on seeing his friend being shot, shoots at Udhayagiri only for the shots to be missed. The former then tries to catch the latter but the latter escapes. The anxious Roy then calls out to the medical team who eventually arrive with a stretcher, and he requests them to save Vikram at any cost.

The Flower Storm squad, along with rescued hostages, get in trucks while the medical team alone gets in a separate truck along with the injured Vikram. Inside the “ambulance”, Dr Ajay, Dr Varsha, and the rest of the medical team of the Flower Storm work hard to take the bullet out of Vikram’s abdomen and then seal the wound to stop further bleeding. Vikram is then given a glucose drip so that he could survive.

In the other truck, Haridra’s little son, now known as Deepak, expresses his grievances to Dheena and Nivi about losing his mother and tearfully talks about how much she meant to him. Dheena and Nivi comfort the little Deepak and promise him that he will have new parents who won’t be like the Blizzard enforcers but rather be non-judgmental towards him.

Deepak then asks Dheena and Nivi if they can be his new dad and mom respectively. Both Dheena and Nivi initially hesitate but later accept the little Deepak’s proposal.

DHEENA: Of course, my dear Deepak. From now on, I’m your new dad.

NIVI: Deepukutty, I’m your new mom from now on. You can bond with your new mom the same way you used to bond with your actual mom.

Deepak tearfully smiles and hugs both Dheena and Nivi tightly with his small hands. They both hug the boy back and wipe his tears.

The squad eventually reaches the Flower Storm headquarters and all are in the special houses allocated for every member.

Meanwhile, Vikram is admitted to a medical camp inside the Flower Storm headquarters, and his glucose drips are being continued. He is also given an oxygen mask so that he doesn’t run out of breath. Dr Ajay and Dr Varsha take good care of Vikram.

Continuing from the previous chapter

Vikram has been secretly submitting his daily report to Dheena and Harish every night using a fictional gadget called “WhisperBug” which is a covert IR-based Morse Code transmitter disguised as a cleaning brush handle.

The WhisperBug looks like a simple cleaning brush with a hollow plastic handle housing:

1. A tiny circuit (salvaged microcontroller)
2. A small IR LED (invisible to the eye)
3. A hidden button under the thumb grip
4. A coin cell battery hidden in the base
5. Optional vibration motor to confirm button presses to Vikram without any sound

This is what Vikram has been using to clean the windows of the Blizzard bases so that he could spy on the activities of the enforcers and report them to the top authority of the Flower Storm i.e., Dheena and Harish.

A month later

Vikram is still at the headquarters of the Blizzard, posing as a housekeeper named “Praveen”. On one night, he sends a long message in a Morse Code to the Flower Storm headquarters.

At the Flower Storm headquarters, Dheena, Harish, Roy, Nivi, and Lux are gathered to read the message sent by Vikram. With the help of Lux, who decodes the message from Morse Code to English, the Flower Storm reads the following words:

“Dear highest authority of the Flower Storm,”

“Day by day, the Blizzard is getting crueler than before. The Blizzard laws are getting stricter. A woman is being cruelly punished even for her accidental navel exposure. And a child is being severely rebuked for touching his mom’s stomach and also being whipped. This just makes me sick. I can control my emotions but not forever. And I can’t even exit the Blizzard headquarters. I may not live for long. Just come over there and destroy the Blizzard bases. I’ll join you for sure. In case I die, Roy will replace me for sure. Don’t worry. I’m always with you. I’m never with the Blizzard. I prefer to die supporting the Flower Storm rather than to live supporting the Blizzard. Flower Storm forever.”

The rest of the Flower Storm is worried about Vikram’s safety.

Dheena exhales hard and his voice trembles—not from fear, but from frustration.

DHEENA: He walked into that hellhole alone. And didn’t take the one man I told him to—Jaidev.

Jaidev, another member of the Flower Storm with espionage skills, steps up quickly.

JAIDEV: Don’t blame just him, Dheena. Blame me too.

Jaidev’s voice cracks slightly.

JAIDEV: I should’ve insisted and forced my way in. But I let him go alone, thinking he knew best.
Now look where we are.

HARISH: This isn’t on you alone, Jaidev. Vikram’s always been stubborn when it comes to protecting us. Even if it means sacrificing himself. He believed you’d cover him from the outside if things went south. He trusted you, man. Now it’s time to return that trust.

ROY: Let’s go there and get him safe. We can’t let him die.

Lux then gets an idea of going to the Blizzard headquarters by trucks.

LUX: Let’s get our trucks ready and equip ourselves well.

Nivi picks up a sniper rifle and arranges a team of snipers.

NIVI: We need a team of snipers and snipe those monstrous enforcers down.

Then come Ajay and Varsha who have arranged a medical team.

AJAY: We also need a medical team as Vikram could get injured.

VARSHA: Not just Vikram. We are also going to save anyone else who is being held by the Blizzard as a hostage, in case they are injured.

DHEENA: Alright. Let’s waste no more time. Let’s wear our Flower Storm uniforms and get our trucks ready.

The rest of the Flower Storm agrees and then they change from their civilian clothes to the Flower Storm uniform and equip themselves with guns, knives, swords, grenades, and medical equipments. Then they get in trucks to embark their journey towards the Blizzard headquarters.

An hour later

The Flower Storm squad reaches the Blizzard headquarters. The sniper team of the Flower Storm slowly gets out of the trucks, stand in a particular position while maintaining a safe distance, and shoot a few members of the Blizzard dead.

After sniping down a few members of the Blizzard, the Flower Storm moves forward and destroys some of its bases using grenades which results in the death of another set of the Blizzard members.

After killing a good number of the Blizzard enforcers, the Flower Storm finally enters the main base.

Operation Tempest continues in the next chapter.

Continuing from the previous chapter

3 hours later

All the members of the Blizzard gather at a mess hall at the Blizzard headquarters for lunch. The mess hall contains cold metallic interiors a strict silence is observed. A few Blizzard enforcers sit in groups, eating greedily. Vikram, disguised as a housekeeper with an incognito name as “Praveen“, quietly picks a corner table. A plate with chunks of meat, egg yolk, and blood sausages is dropped on his tray with a loud clank.

Loki smirks as he stares at Vikram.

LOKI: New guy, huh? This is your welcome plate. You better finish every bite. Or should I call it a ‘disciplinary’ meal?

Vikram keeps his calm and remains unfazed.

VIKRAM: Thank you, sir. But I have a discipline—eggs and meat only on Sundays and Wednesdays. Today is Tuesday.

Loki leans forward with a mocking smile.

LOKI: This isn’t some yoga camp in the hills. You’re in Blizzard. We chew what’s served. Or we chew you for questioning it.

VIKRAM: I clean the halls, I don’t challenge your rules. But I still follow mine. Let me be useful on an empty stomach if I must. My work won’t suffer.

A silent pause. Other members watch, surprised by Vikram’s composure. Loki slams the table and walks away. Vikram gently pushes the tray aside and sips veg clear soup instead.

VIKRAM: (mind voice only) One wrong bite, one wrong word—and I’m done. I’m here for a mission. Not for a meal.

The next day

Interior corridor outside the punishment chambers. Vikram is pushing a mop cart when he hears a woman’s cries echo faintly. He pauses, looks around, and slowly approaches an open door. Inside, he sees a woman forced to kneel, her saree barely covering her midriff.

Loki snarls at the woman.

LOKI: You think this is a dance hall? Cover yourself. The Thoppul is the gate to moral decay. And you’ve left it wide open!

He grabs a cloth and throws it at her violently. Alongside Loki, Sekar watches, arms folded, coldly amused.

The woman trembles.

THE WOMAN: It slipped… I didn’t mean to—please…

Loki stares at the woman with a cold gaze.

LOKI: You didn’t mean to invite sin? That’s what all seductresses say before the storm. One more slip, and your body will sleep in ice.

Vikram’s jaw tightens. His grip on the mop stick hardens. He nearly steps forward—but stops himself.

VIKRAM: This isn’t the time. Not yet. Rage is fire—use it too early, and you’ll burn everything… including your cover.

The woman is dragged away. Vikram lowers his head, hides his fury, and resumes cleaning the floor as if nothing happened.

The next day

Vikram is now in the residential quarters of the Blizzard where he is sweeping the floors. He walks through the hallway with a soft broom. A door slightly ajar reveals a modest room: a woman in a pink T-shirt and black sweatpants, and her little son who’s not more than 7 years old.

As the woman stands in front of a mirror to take a selfie, her little son approaches her, and lifts her T-shirt up and wiggles his little finger in her navel which causes her to giggle.

Vikram’s heart warms on watching such a wonderful scene.

VIKRAM: (mind voice only) No sermons. No shame. Just comfort. How can they call this sin?

The boy murmurs something and cuddles closer. The mother stirs slightly but smiles and rests her arm around him.

Vikram, with his eyes soft on watching such a wonderful scene, whispers faintly under his breath.

VIKRAM: Don’t move, little one. Don’t let them see. Don’t let them punish what they don’t understand.

He quietly closes the door a little to give them privacy, then walks away without looking back. The air is still, but his heart pounds with quiet fury.

VIKRAM: (mind voice only) I can’t help them now. But I’ll fight for their right to stay this way… when the time comes.

Blizzard’s central incineration zone — a massive furnace where waste, unwanted items, and even evidence are destroyed daily. Vikram, disguised as a housekeeper, pushes a bin of trash. It looks routine. But inside the bin, buried beneath scraps, is a folded piece of parchment, sealed in wax.

He glances around — two guards patrol lazily at the far end. A camera blinks red above the door. He keeps his head down, acting normal. The furnace door is open, a slow hum of fire glowing within.

VIKRAM: (mind voice only) A message doesn’t always fly. Sometimes, it burns — and rises with smoke.

He reaches under the trash, pulls out a tightly rolled parchment wrapped in oiled cloth. Then, from his shirt cuff, he takes a pebble-sized device — a tiny capsule made by Lux, the Flower Storm’s logistician. It’s a smoke beacon that briefly emits a distinct colored ash visible only through filtered scopes.

He shoves both — the note and the capsule — deep into the furnace, pretending to toss trash. He keeps his motion smooth, unsuspicious.

The capsule hisses, then ignites. A barely noticeable swirl of deep green-gray ash floats up the vent — the Flower Storm’s scouts in the outer forest will spot it through special lenses. They’ll know Vikram is alive, alert, and resisting.

Just then, Udhayagiri walks in. Vikram quickly closes the furnace door and nods.

Udhayagiri speaks in a gruffly tone.

UDHYAGIRI: Burn something personal today, new guy?

Vikram smiles politely.

VIKRAM: Just the filth that didn’t belong.

The enforcer chuckles and walks away. Vikram picks up the empty bin and rolls it out, face unreadable but heart steady.

The next day after the events of the previous chapter

It’s late evening and Vikram is in a black t-shirt and blue jeans just like in the pic given below.

Vikram is having a meeting with Dheena, Harish, Roy.

DHEENA: Tell us, Comrade Vikram. Why did you very badly want us to arrange a meeting at this very hour?

Vikram looks determined and speaks in a confident tone.

VIKRAM: Comrade Dheena, I just received an intel from Jaidev, one of our comrades, that the Blizzard is currently recruiting a male housekeeper. They’re desperate after a few of their previous staff disappeared. This… this is our crack in their ice wall. I’ll go there and pose as a housekeeper while working as a spy.

Dheena stands with his arms crossed over his chest and is worried but keeps his calm.

DHEENA: Infiltrating the Blizzard HQ is suicide, Comrade Vikram. They don’t just freeze their enemies. They torture spies. You’re not just walking into the storm. You’re becoming a part of it.

Vikram chuckles softly with a determined gaze.

VIKRAM: Then I’ll freeze with a smile and melt them from the inside.

Harish is proud and worried at the same time.

HARISH: If anyone can do this, it’s you. But I don’t want to bury another comrade.

Vikram nods his head.

VIKRAM: Which is why I need someone to hold the fort. Roy’s got the discipline. The Flower Storm respects him.

Vikram now turns his attention towards Roy.

VIKRAM: Roy, the training yard is yours now. Get them ready… for whatever comes after the storm.

Roy places his hand on Vikram’s shoulder.

ROY: I won’t let you down, Vikram. I’ll train the Flower Storm in your absence. But you better come back with intel… and your head intact.

Vikram nods his head.

VIKRAM: I’ll try my best.

Dheena sighs and nods his head.

DHEENA: Alright, comrade Vikram. You can go tomorrow in the early morning. Now go get some sleep.

VIKRAM: Of course, comrade Dheena. Goodnight.

DHEENA: Goodnight.

The meeting ends and all the members of the Flower Storm go to sleep as the sky gets darker.

The next day

All the members of the Flower Storm wake up in the early morning. Everyone exercises for about 2 hours and then they have shower. Everyone is in Flower Storm uniform while Vikram is in another set of civilian clothes just like in the pic given below.

(Note:- Please ignore the glasses.)

Vikram informs the other members of the Flower Storm, including Dheena, Harish, and Roy, who anxiously wish him a good luck. Vikram says “Thank you” to all of them and then he leaves the Flower Storm headquarters, embarking his journey to the Blizzard headquarters.

During the journey, Vikram reminds himself that he has to control himself so that the chances of exposing himself to possible dangers could be mitigated.

VIKRAM: (mind voice only) One wrong glance. One exposed word. One heartbeat too loud. That’s all it’ll take. But I’ve trained for silence… for deception… for war within a war. I have to control my emotions and preventing it from overpowering my intelligence as I have to survive days of living in an enemy zone.

An hour later

Vikram finally reaches the Blizzard headquarters. He, with a false identity, stands in a line with other candidates. Udhayagiri eyes them cruelly and then points his finger towards Vikram.

UDHAYAGIRI: Hey!!!!!!! You there!!!!!! Speak. What makes you think you’re cut out to serve the righteous cold?

Vikram keeps his calm and speaks in a humble tone.

VIKRAM: I don’t ask questions. I clean what’s dirty. Scrub what’s stained. And vanish when not needed.

Udhayagiri sneers but waves him forward. Vikram steps in… silently scanning the layout.

VIKRAM: (mind voice only) So cold… and yet it reeks of fear. Let’s see how long this iceberg lasts under the fire I bring.

Vikram doesn’t lose his calm. He instead speaks in a teasing tone.

VIKRAM: You could count on me, Sir.

Udhayagiri nods his head.

UDHAYAGIRI: I see!!!!!!!! What’s your name by the way?

Vikram lies to Udhayagiri that his name is Praveen.

UDHAYAGIRI: Nice name. You are appointed as our housekeeper.

Vikram gets excited but manages to control his excitement and continues to keep his calm.

VIKRAM: Thank you, sir.

UDHAYAGIRI: Are you okay staying here?

Vikram smiles and replies calmly.

VIKRAM: Absolutely okay, sir.

UDHAYAGIRI: You have brought all your basic materials for staying here, right?

VIKRAM: Yes, sir.

UDHAYAGIRI: Good. Now we will provide you a cleaning gear. Wear it and start cleaning. Then we will make arrangements for you to stay here. Is that clear?

VIKRAM: Yes, sir.

UDHAYAGIRI: Good. Go now. And start your duties.

VIKRAM: Yes, sir.

Vikram then changes to a housekeeper gear and starts cleaning the Blizzard bases from top to bottom. While cleaning, he secretly does a thorough research of what’s going on inside.

Vikram has to make sure that he doesn’t succumb to the Blizzard principles and rather stays true to his word.

In the next chapter, we will see how Vikram manages to contain his emotions on seeing various activities inside the Blizzard headquarters.tain his emotions on seeing various activities inside the Blizzard headquarters.

Blizzard is a fanatical cult which wants the taboos imposed on female navel shows and a child (especially male) touching mom’s navel to exist forever. Anyone who opposes such taboos, the Blizzard would freeze them to death.

The headquarters of the Blizzard is located in Vidiyaloor, another fictional coastal city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. And it’s located next to Durgapattinam, thus being its neighboring town.

The uniform of the Blizzard consists of the following:

1. Jacket: A high-collared tactical trench coat made of lightweight thermal-resistant fabric, gleaming with a faint frost-like sheen. It’s double-breasted with chrome buttons shaped like snowflakes or icicles. The Blizzard insignia—an abstract frozen eye—sits boldly on the right shoulder in subtle icy blue embroidery.
2. Trousers: Slim-cut cargo pants in the same white hue, tailored to allow agility while retaining an intimidating silhouette. Thin silver piping runs along the seams, echoing the icy theme.
3. Gloves and Boots: Elbow-length gloves and reinforced knee-high boots in matte white leather, with embedded grip tech for icy terrains. The soles leave behind a faint frost-shaped imprint wherever they step.
4. Mask: For high-ranking Blizzard agents or assault squads, an opaque white visor mask with a built-in thermal scanner and voice modulator is worn. It’s eerily featureless—just two narrow slits for eyes, glowing faint blue when active.
5. Utility Belt and Gadgets: A snow-white utility belt stocked with cryo-darts, communication modules, and vials of cryogenic serum. Some elite agents carry collapsible icicle blades or frostbeam blasters.

(Note:- Please ignore the logos on the dress.)

And this is the logo of the Blizzard:

Here are the prominent members of the Blizzard:

1. Udhayagiri, an enforcer
2. Sekar, an enforcer
3. Manohar, an enforcer
4. Lokesh alias Loki, the chief

The four of them assemble at the Chief’s Hall and they are having a discussion.

LOKI: Discipline begins at the womb. The moment a woman bares skin—especially the Thoppul—she tempts corruption. Our mission is to freeze that corruption… forever.

Udhayagiri clenches his fists.

UDHAYAGIRI: We’ve already sealed three public beaches this week. No woman dared to wear a saree below the Thoppul. Any who did—was re-educated.

Sekar grins coldly.

SEKAR: Even our infiltrators in schools have started enforcing full blouses. Boys aren’t even allowed to sit beside their mothers during cultural programs. A woman’s Thoppul must always be kept covered which otherwise could lead to impurity.

Manohar smiles with a twisted pride.

MANOHAR: And my team’s new rulebook for families? Clause 27 says: “A son must never touch or rest upon his mother’s stomach. Physical boundaries uphold purity.”

Loki, with his left fists, hits the table.

LOKI: This is not just doctrine. This is divine cleansing. Flower Storm spreads decay by allowing sensual chaos—women flaunting, boys touching, men admiring. We are the winter they fear.

Udhayagiri gives a dark look.

UDHAYAGIRI: Let them mock us. Let them call us monsters. History will call us saviors.

Sekar looks around his fellow Blizzard members in a fiery way.

SEKAR: Let’s tighten surveillance. No more ‘navel freedom rallies’. Every saree pleat, every blouse stitch, every boy’s hand must be under control.

Manohar picks up a bottle of chilled water and raises it like a toast.

MANOHAR: To silence. To suppression. To the cold law of Blizzard.

Loki speaks in a loud and thunderous tone.

LOKI: To the era of ice. Let no woman’s Thoppul warm the minds of the next generation.

The Blizzard members agree to this.

Then they go to a secret chamber below the Blizzard headquarters, lit by sterile blue lights, where the Blizzard punishments are usually carried out. And they reach out to a woman who was just captured.

The captured woman turns out to be a fisherwoman and she’s now pallu-less.

LOKI: You exposed what’s always supposed to be kept covered. You invited lust. Now, you’ll know what it means to chill the flesh… for the warmth you spread.

A massive cryo-chamber hisses. The woman screams as she’s dragged in by Blizzard enforcers. The door seals. A gauge slowly drops to -50°C.

Udhayagiri whispers to a new recruit.

UDHAYAGIRI: Every rebel’s last breath fogs the glass. That fog is our badge of honor.

Sekar then whispers to the rest of the Blizzard.

SEKAR: A street vendor handed her son a towel over her bare stomach. Freeze them both. Mercy is treason.

Manohar calmly writes the following words in his leather-bound doctrine book:

“Let this be a lesson: the touch of love is the root of disorder. Discipline must be colder than comfort.”

A few minutes later

The frozen corpse of the woman is being removed and Loki watches it with a great delight.

LOKI: Every body we freeze is a brick in our fortress of morals. We are not murderers. We are preservers of divine order.

After the frozen corpse is disposed, the Blizzard members returns to their respective bases and make plans for the next hunt of whoever opposes the cruel laws of the Blizzard.

It took nearly two years to establish the Flower Storm.

Flower Storm is a militia that aims to erase the taboos imposed on female navel shows, a woman and her male child being close to each other, and a male child touching mom’s navel once and for all. Its headquarters is located in Durgapattinam, a fictional coastal town in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Although, the members of the Flower Strom never force any woman to show her navel nor restricts her from doing so and instead leaves it to her sweet will.

And Flower Storm has male members as well as female members. Here are the prominent members of the Flower Storm:

Males:

1. Dinakaran alias Dheena, the founder and the leader
2. Harish, co-founder, deputy leader, and Dheena’s friend since teens
3. Rajendran alias Roy, a warrior and a dedicated member
4. Vikram, a physical trainer with excellent espionage skills who provides combat training, and Roy’s best friend
5. Ajay, a doctor who ensures that the members of the Flower Storm are in good health, and leads the medical team of the Flower Storm

Females:

1. Lakshana alias Lux, a logistician who leads the logistics team of the Flower Storm
2. Nivedha alias Nivi, a skilled fighter with excellent marksmanship skills who leads the sniper team of the Flower Storm, and Lux’s best friend
3. Varsha, a doctor who is a member of the medical team led by Ajay

All of them are in their mid-twenties and have lost their parents.

Both the male and the female members of the Flower Storm wear full-handed cargo shirts and cargo pants, both of them made up of cotton fabric with a blue and gray camouflage design that resembles a bunch of flowers exactly like in the pic given below. 

The members of the militia also wear caps which are of the same design as the uniform along with black combat boots.

And the pic given below is the logo of the Flower Storm.

On one day in the early morning, all the members of the Flower Storm have woken up and geared up for physical exercises.

The male members wear only sweatpants and sports shoes, leaving their upper muscular bodies exposed.

The female members wear nothing but sports bra, sweatpants, and sports shoes, leaving their upper bodies (excluding the breasts) exposed.

They start their morning exercises with a simple jog and jog around the ground at the Flower Storm base.

After 30 mins, they stop jogging and start panting.

A few seconds later, they drink water and then start warm-ups followed by drills. The members of both the genders undergo intensive training in order to condition themselves.

One of them is abs conditioning in which the male abs are conditioned with mild punches while the female abs are conditioned with soccer balls.

The other one is hand-to-hand combat training using the techniques of Indian martial arts such as Silambam and Kalaripayattu practiced by the members of both the genders, and all of them are barefooted.

After nearly two hours, the training session ends and all take a shower after which they are in their respective Flower Storm uniforms and assemble for a morning motivational speech given by Dheena and Harish.

DHEENA: Dear comrades, we are not enforcers. We are liberators. Our mission is to end the taboos imposed on female thoppul exposure to end once and for all. Also a male child touching and kissing his mom’s tummy and thoppul should never be a taboo. We can simply teach our sons how to touch mom’s thoppul and make a schedule on when to do it instead of putting full stop to it. Putting full stop to all such simple things does more harm than good. You all got the point?

The rest of the Flower Storm replies “YES, COMRADE” together in a chorus.

DHEENA: Good. And one more thing. Gents must stop forcing ladies to show their thoppul as well as restricting them from exposing their thoppul whether it’s within our group or outside it. We must leave it to their sweet will without interfering much in it. Is that clear?

The other male members of the Flower Storm once again replies “YES, COMRADE” together in a chorus.

DHEENA: Good. Now Harish, our deputy leader, would like to have a word with all of us.

Now comes Harish.

HARISH: Greetings to you, my dear comrades.

The rest of the Flower Storm replies “Greetings, comrade” together in a chorus.

HARISH: Are you all feeling energetic?

The rest of the Flower Storm again replies “YES, COMRADE” together in a chorus.

HARISH: Good. Now, let me remind you of the ground rules of the Flower Storm:

1. Respect people’s boundaries and don’t force anyone into a relationship.
2. Gents must refrain from forcing ladies to show their thoppul as well as from restricting them from doing so.
3. Kindly stay away from gadgets and digital screens except in case of an emergency.
4. Movie watching is allowed only on the last Sunday of every month, that too only one movie per month. And movies will be played in our mini theater itself as we don’t have to go to a cinema theater and get suddenly ambushed by the Blizzard. Also remember that a movie will be played only after at least 100 days of its release.
5. Kindly hit the bed at 9 pm and rise up at 5 am so that we could have enough sleep and enough time for physical activities.
6. Kindly be friendly towards the civilians.
7. Eggs and meat shall be consumed only on Sundays and Wednesdays while keeping in mind that red meat is to be always avoided.
8. Kindly refrain from consuming liquor, tobacco, and other harmful drugs.
9. Last, but not the least, no man should touch a woman’s thoppul with his tongue or genitals, nor even think about doing so even if the woman is that man’s wife. Doing so can lead to death sentence.

HARISH: Is that clear?

The rest of the Flower Storm again replies “YES, COMRADE” together in a chorus.

HARISH: Good. I’m glad you all are willing to follow the ground rules to stay disciplined. Now it’s breakfast time. Let’s go to the canteen and have our breakfast.

The rest of the Flower Storm again replies “YES, COMRADE” together in a chorus. And they eventually go to the canteen to have their breakfast. Their breakfast consists of orange juice and egg sandwich as this day is Wednesday.

30 mins later

All have had their breakfast and are now training with guns.

The training goes on till 1 pm.

At 1 pm, the members of the Flower Storm gather at the canteen to have their lunch. The lunch consists of boiled rice, murungai keerai (drumstick leaves) sambar, and pepper chicken fry.

At 2 pm, all the members of the Flower Storm have had their lunch and they resume their gun training.

At 4 pm, the gun training session is wrapped up and the members of the Flower Storm wear their sports gear to play soccer.

Both the male and the female members are in their respective jersey and shorts along with their sports shoes.

The match goes on until 6 pm after which it is wrapped up and the members of the Flower Storm have an evening shower and then wear their civilian clothes.

Not all but some of the female members of the Flower Storm such as Nivi, Lux, and Varsha bare their midriffs in their civilian clothes.

(Note:- Please ignore the sunglasses and the bag in the above pics.)

The male members don’t mind those female members baring their abdomens and those female members feel happy about it as they can be themselves within the Flower Storm headquarters without any fear of being judged.

Then Nivi, Lux, and Varsha have a private talk with each other.

NIVI: We have enough supply of arms and ammunition, right?

LUX: Yes. We have in abundance.

NIVI: Good.

Then Varsha intervenes.

VARSHA: What about medical supplies?

LUX: Everything is there.

VARSHA: Including food supplies, right?

LUX: Yes. Everything is there without any exceptions.

VARSHA: As a doctor, it’s my duty to ensure that all the members of the Flower Storm are in good health. That’s why I asked.

LUX: Don’t worry, comrade Varsha. We have supplies of our requirements in abundance.

Varsha pats Lux’ shoulders.

VARSHA: Good keep it up.

Lux smiles as Varsha pats her shoulders.

LUX: Sure. Thanks.

VARSHA: No mention.

Varsha, Nivi, and Lux smile at each other.

Meanwhile, Dheena, Harish, Vikram, Roy, and Ajay are having a group discussion.

DHEENA: We should never let the Blizzard take over us.

HARISH: I agree, pal. They want those outdated taboos imposed on women to exist forever. If the Flower Storm has to win, its members must follow its ground rules.

DHEENA: Absolutely. And I’m glad we all are adhering to those rules.

ROY: Yes. If we deviate from any one of those rules, that will give a scope for Blizzard’s victory, right?

DHEENA: Yes. Absolutely.

VIKRAM: We will do whatever it takes to make the Flower Storm to win over the Blizzard.

Dheena smiles warmly.

DHEENA: You have got some confidence, Vikram. Keep this up without letting your confidence die.

VIKRAM: Sure, comrade Dheena.

Dheena smiles more and pats Vikram’s shoulders.

Then Ajay intervenes.

AJAY: Since I’m a doctor, I know where to hit an enemy. If they are wearing armors, look for the weak spots and strike there harder.

The other four agree to what Ajay just said.

AJAY: Very well. I have got nothing more to say.

DHEENA: Alright. Shall we wrap up this meeting?

Harish, Vikram, and Roy together say in a chorus “YES”.

DHEENA (nodding his head): Alright. That’s all for now. Let’s meet tomorrow morning.

Then they all return to their respective rooms for night rest.

What is Blizzard ? What does it want? We will see in the next chapter.