Storieo

Tag: crime

  • The Last Gamble

    The Last Gamble

     

    "Mom and Dad don't look for me,I am leaving ,going away from this avaricious and malign world where hypocrites has taken its toll.

    Remorse has filled me from top to bottom.I am tired now and want to reside in a deep slumber.Your loving son Chaitanya(chintu)".These were the last words written in a short note to his mother.All this while what had happened that cajoled Chaitanya to take this drastic step?It is seeming abstruse now but the decisions inferred from the past.Let's delve into his past and sneak.

                     Chaitanya ,a 21 year adult from jaipur was a jolly and benign lad until one stormy night turned his life upside down.Chaitanya of his age was a college student,doing chemical engineering.He was the topper of his class ,a tech savvy adulated by the juniors and his mates.His wits had analysed so many problems that it had become a touchstone now .However his financial conditions were so poor that he couldn't afford a college dress.Being a rickshaw driver ,his father earned hundred rupees a day and his mother was a maid-a hand to mouth situation .It was scholarships that helped him met with his studies.His scintillating eyes had spunk in them that spoke volumes about his unmet desires and an urge to fulfill it.

         His goal was to earn so much of wealth that he could inundate his parents with it,by any means.And in quest of that he didn't realize what he was up to.

    Time fleeted and the day came.It was a stormy night as if demons were waging war against God.

    Birds were taking the flight to  their nests with omnious din.It looked as if the  weather was making prophesy for a coming mishap.

          Spooky,uncanny and tempest tossed ambience had intimidated the residents.Yet somewhere the covert affair was taking place .It was near badi haveli where few men in black with briefcases and pistols were hovering a mendicant."Please leave me,What have I done to you?" whined the poor wrath.

    "You have seen what you shouldn't have "reciprocated one of the frantic with a grin.His face was concealed with a black cloth.Loud came a thud,the bullet had ripped the poor's chest and he died.At this time,Chaitanya was returning from his extra classes in a humdrum fashion.The moment he passed the spot he saw the black squad with one of its leader instructing the gang.

    The corpse was lying at the side bleeding.Chaitanya hid himself behind the wall ,eavesdropping."We have got a tough mission tonight ,What is decided has to be done today in the destined time.You have got five hours,prepare your ammunition ,AK-47 and cyanides .Remember we would choose dying rather than surrendering ourselves .So get go ".On hearing this Chaitanya was dumbstruck  and shuddered in his grip.He was about to escape when his umbrella fell from his hand.Unfortunately he was caught ,Yes "Caught"  caught in the rattrap of his materialistic desires shunning himself from the ground reality.

        One of the member Aqib got hold of him.His eyes were bloody red with rage and terror. "This boy seems to be a genius,a meticulous one,he can be of some use " said Aqib in a didactic tone."Well boy what's your name "asked Aqib."Chaitanya "he replied. "Um! What do you do?" nudged the man in black."I am a chemical engineer "replied chaitanya in a pride tone."Well!I see he can be a great help, whats say Afzal? asked Aqib putting a sinister smile.Afzal nodded and assented to it.Afzal darted into the dark room and bought with him a brief case .

    Chaitanya was dubious about their intentions when the man arrived and handed him the briefcase."What is this?"asked the boy."See for yourself"replied Afzal.Chaitanya unlocked the mystery briefcase and was astounded and taken aback.The bag was full of cash worth fifty lakhs  as estimated by the boy.He hadn't seen such a lumpsum in his entire life.He was going crazy and amazed and had goosebumps."Why are you giving it to me?"asked Chaitanya in a surprised tone.

    "Ahaha,We want to hire you for a deadly task and in return we would pay you two crores ".reciprocated Afzal.

    "What's that deadly task?"asked the boy curiously ."As you are a chemical engineer you have to prepare an explosive for us that could take million of lives"exclaimed Afzal."How can you be so brutal and take innocent lives?Sorry I would not be a part of your venture".said Chaitanya.He knew that the amount he was been offered was so huge that he could fulfill his aspirations but at the back of his mind he did not wanted to betray his country.Initially he rejected but on being coaxed by the terroists he agreed.

    He was brainwashed by Afzal against the country and it's government,the callous audiences who sit back and watch the obnoxious crimes and the whole lot.He was so obsessed with the money that he finally agreed."I am going to make TATP,it is going to meet ur wishes."cited the boy."What is that?"interrogated Aqib.

    "It is  triacetone tripeoxide which is highly unstable and uses hydrogen peroxide and other ingredients."answered Chaitanya.

    He went to the labs and prepared it overnight and next morning handed it to the gang."Thankyou we appreciate your effort ,here is your money go live your life lavishly and we will proceed to the wrath of the city, hahahaha!"exclaimed Aqib in a hysterical laugh.

    It was one week nothing was to be heard or seen .Chaitanya bought a new bunglow and purchased a brand new car.It was the same day a terror mishap took place in  few parts of the city and blasts killed a thousand of people.Their was chaos in the city and people were been rescued and run into hospitals.Their were wailings ,shreaks and the sound of ambulance and then a deadly silence.When Chaitanya heard the news on the grapevine he rushed to the place to see the spectacle himself.

    His confrontation with the scene tremored him and he quivered under his grip.Nothing could have broken him as the howlings of mothers for their childrens and husbands .

    He was culpable for he destroyed the happy livelihoods .The scene got etched in his mind and that night he couldn't sleep .Realization dawned upon him and he was guilty.At the midnight ,out of the blue he disappeared leaving a short note and vanished into the darkness.

              Next morning when his mother went to his room and found a note they went to the police and lodged the fir.His parents were dumbstruck to found his child acts and he being the creator of the  massive destruction  broke his parents .The trust was gone now.After a few days a news broke out in the nearby village that a dead body was found.On hearing it the police went to claim the body and found out that it was Chaitanya .The postmortem report showed that it was a suicide case.His parents were in a deep sorrow  mourning as their only son had left them.As you sow so shall you reap ,this adage so fits in the scenario.Chaitanya  got paid for his deeds  and many dead souls got justice through divine venegance.This gamble took him to his death bed .

      We should be satisfied with what we have .Happiness comes with small things and with abundance come tensions grievance therefore its said "A fool and his money are soon parted".

     

  • Good things happen to good people

    Good things happen to good people

    Do good things really happen to good people? If so, why was Seth, a young boy who helped everyone and never hurt a soul, kidnapped? 

     

    When my younger son, Seth, first saw the movie, Pay It Forward, he was very much affected and inspired by it. He would get up early and make sandwiches for everyone, he would do the laundry, he would take a large lunch to school so that he could share it with the other boys, and sometimes, he would bring a beggar home to feed him and give him clothes. All this was well and good but when he started doing other kids’ homework and came home one day with the news that he had given his bicycle to a person who really needed it, I decided to put my foot down.

    I walked into the kitchen and found a plate of sandwich on the table. The little note beside it read – like it always read – ‘pay it forward’. I sighed and turned around to glance out of the window. Seth stood in the front yard, waiting for the school bus. His hand gripped a large bag of goodies for his friends. I debated going out to talk to him. I had been wondering how I would broach the subject of paying it forward and what I would say to him that would make him stop giving his possessions to other people but still be helpful to others when in need.

    The school bus arrived and I watched him hop on in glee. Maybe I would talk to him after he got back from school…

    Except, he never got back. I waited and waited but he didn’t return. I drove to the school and talked to his teachers. I called a few of his friends whom he usually hung out with. I checked with the neighbours. He wasn’t to be found anywhere. I started to panic. When my husband returned from work and found out Seth was missing, he immediately called the police. We were told that a complaint couldn’t be registered until a person was missing for 24 hours. But how could we explain to them that it was Seth, it was our little boy and he hadn’t just gotten sidetracked while coming home from school. Seth wasn’t that careless. He kept us informed of his whereabouts.

    And if he hadn’t called, then he really was missing!

    My husband and I stayed up all night, our emotions switching from anger to concern to fear for our child. Where could he be? What could have happened to him? Had he been kidnapped? Was he even alive? No, he couldn’t be dead. He just couldn’t be. The thought made me weep and I buried myself into my husband’s warmth. Seth would be okay. He was a good boy. I remembered he had once said to me, “Mom, good things happen to good people. So let’s be good, okay?” If he was right, then he would be okay. We would find him.

    I fell into a fitful sleep, and after waking up from a sleep filled with nightmares, I wept again. I tried to be strong for my older son and daughter, but by evening when there was still no news of Seth, my parents and in-laws arrived and I couldn’t hold myself together when I saw my mother. I kept thinking about how Seth must be feeling right that moment, alone without his mother to comfort him and shield him from the obvious nightmare he must be going through.

    For the next two days, I tried to keep myself busy. Word about Seth’s disappearance had spread and throughout the day, neighbours and relatives kept visiting, hoping to soothe and motivate us into thinking that everything would be all right in the end. Their words did not help me in the least but I took pleasure in making them tea and serving them biscuits as these trivial things distracted me from constantly worrying about Seth.

    “Jane, dear.” It was my mother, lightly knocking the bedroom door. “May I come in?”

    “Yes, mother.”

    She walked in and sat on the bed, facing me. She didn’t say anything and just sat there silently, looking at nothing in particular. Minutes passed and I eventually burst into tears. “Oh, Jane,” my mom sighed and scooted closer to give me a hug. I clung to her like a little girl.

    “I never thought something like this would ever happen to us,” I said between sobs. My mother ran a gentle hand up and down my back. “This happens only in movies. Why did Seth have to be the one?”

    “Sweetheart…”

    I couldn’t let her speak. I wanted to talk about Seth. I wanted to say everything that was on my mind, eating away at my insides. “He is always helping others. Did I tell you he gave away his bicycle to a total stranger?”

    “He did?” My mother was surprised, just like my husband had been when I had shared the news with him that fateful day.

    I nodded. “He makes a sandwich-breakfast for everyone every morning, he does our laundry,” I sniffed. “And I saw him mowing Mrs. Foster’s lawn the other day.” From our window, I had spied on him refusing the money Mrs. Foster was trying to force into his hands for helping her. He had said something that had confused and amused old Mrs. Foster at the same time and I am fairly certain he had told her to pay it forward. Tears filled my eyes and I roughly swiped at them. “He’s such a good boy, mother. Why did this happen to him?”

    “Dear, you don’t know what’s going on with him,” my mom said gently. “He could be safe and uninjured for all we know.”

    I shook my head. Somehow I could only imagine him huddled scared in the dark, screaming out my name again and again. I opened my mouth to tell her as much when we heard commotion from downstairs. Both of us shared a bewildered look and hurried to get off the bed and check out what was going on.

    “Jane!” I could hear my husband shouting. He was standing by the phone, looking excited.

    “What happened? Is it about Seth? Did they find him?”

    Our entire family had gathered around us, everyone asking questions at the same time. My husband said a few words into the phone and ended the call with, “We’ll be right over.” He put the phone down and nodded.

    “He’s at the police station, he’s fine.” His voice caught in his throat and I threw myself at him. Oh, thank God!

    Since no one wanted to be left behind, the entire family – my parents and in-laws, my son and daughter – accompanied the two of us to the police station. When we reached, I tightly held onto my husband’s hand. Seth was in there, waiting for us. Had he missed us as much as we had missed him? Was he hurt?

    We immediately spotted him talking to an officer. Beside him stood another boy his age but I couldn’t recall ever seeing him before. I called out Seth’s name and he turned, his face splitting into a big smile. I saw him mouth the word ‘mom’ and I literally flew to him, wrapping my arms around his skinny shoulders and kissing him everywhere. Oh my boy, my little boy!

    “Hi mom,” he said when I finally pulled back to look at him properly. There were a couple of bruises and scratches on his face and elbow but other than that, he was completely unhurt. “Hi dad,” he said, looking behind me. I let him go hug his father and siblings.

    The officer was still standing there, watching us with a slight smile on his face. “Can you tell us how you found him, officer?” I asked.

    To my surprise, the man pointed to the boy who had been standing next to Seth when we had arrived. He was still standing in the same place, trying not to be noticed. “Jack found him. He informed us and we staged a rescue.” He looked to Jack. “You want to tell them your story, young man?”

    “Uh…,” he said and hesitated a bit. He was wearing soiled clothes and had no shoes on. My heart immediately went out to him. Seth came to stand by his side and said loudly, “I’ll tell you the story.”

    We all nodded and he began speaking. “That day, I had missed the school bus home. I was walking back when a man came up to me and told me that he needed help, so I went with him,” here, I couldn’t help but roll my eyes and laugh at the same time because that is just how Seth was. I couldn’t be angry anymore, “and he took me to his house and locked me in a room. He was… he is a bad man, maa.” Seth fell silent and looked sadly at Jack.

    I reached for his hand and asked gently, “What did he do to you, dear?”

    Seth shook his head and wouldn’t elaborate. Jack wouldn’t meet our eyes either. My husband and I turned our gazes to the police officer. “He was a pedophile, ma’am,” he informed us and a gasp escaped my lips.

    “Oh my!” I could hear my mother-in-law whisper behind me.

    “Did he… did he –,” It seemed my husband couldn’t form the proper words to ask what was on everyone’s mind.

    “No, sir, your son might have taken a punch or two to his face but he’s fine,” the officer said. My shoulders sagged with relief and I squeezed Seth’s hand. “Jack, on the other hand…” he trailed off and I turned to look at Jack. So small, so innocent, he looked younger than Seth, and yet, so brave. Sure, he looked sad but he did not look broken in any way. I had the sudden urge to hug him.

    “Were you also locked in with Seth?” I asked him gently.

    He shook his head. “I go to school,” he said shyly.

    “He let you go to school?” This did not make much sense. Why had Jack been allowed to roam free?

    Seth decided that moment to break his silence. “Jack is his son, mom. He lived there, in that house.”

    “What a sick, sick man!” my father exclaimed.

    “Please tell me you got him, officer,” my husband said, looking equally disgusted with this new information.

    “We sure did,” the officer replied solemnly.

    I couldn’t help it. I asked softly, “May I hug you, Jack?”

    He looked up at me in surprise, and then turned to look at Seth as if asking for permission. When Seth just smiled, he came forward and gave me a quick hug. I chuckled, completely charmed by the little guy.

    “What made you help Seth, Jack?” I asked him out of curiosity.

    “He helped me once,” Jack said immediately, somehow eager to tell this story. “I walk almost twenty blocks from my school every day. I go to a public school, we don’t have school buses. So when I was walking home from school one day, Seth came to me and told me he saw me walk home every day. He gave me his bicycle,” my eyes widened, so this was the kid, “and told me I should ride it to my school every day.”

    “Well, it is rather far,” Seth piped up.

    “He told me to pay it forward. I don’t really know what that means, I don’t have a lot of money,” mumbled Jack, looking down in embarrassment.

    My husband and I were shocked at this revelation. Jack was the boy Seth had given his bicycle to. Jack had saved Seth by managing to contact the police before anything untoward happened. Jack had been abused. Jack was all alone now.

    I did a good job of holding back my tears but my voice shook when I thanked Jack for saving my son and asked him if he wanted to come home with us. I still had to explain to Seth that it was not right to talk to strangers but…

    My son was right. Good things do happen to good people.
     

  • The Short Cut

    The Short Cut

    When the life of an average office worker changes completely as a murder takes place in the neighborhood.

     

    The phone started ringing for the fifteenth time and I at last decided to switch it off.

    I was tired of these phone calls that I have to attend to right after I get out of work. I was carrying two heavy folders, my office bag and my purse. It was late and my cab just broke down a while ago. I am walking down this deserted road, carrying all these things, I do not have the patience to answer stupid phone calls every five minutes. All I could think of was the re-runs of my favourite tv show that I’ll get to watch and the tub of ice cream that I’ve been saving so long.

    It had been a really tough week and I have been waiting for this weekend more than anything. I know I will be buried under much more work the next week, but right now, I didn’t want to think about that. Even after living in this city alone for all these years, I still prefer walking than using transport if and whenever I can. But right now, I am cursing my luck since my cab broke down.

    Today has been definitely been one of the bad days.

    I tried to think of better things, happier things as I turned towards a short cut that I usually take when I’m on foot. The lane here is so narrow that only people and bicycles can use this lane. It was really quiet around this time and the narrow lanes looked pretty dark.

    Even though there were people living on either of these lanes, it still looked very eerie. Any other time, I would’ve avoided these lanes and taken the longer route, but right now I am so tired I am willing to take the risk of being robbed.

     I started huffing and puffing through the lanes with my heavy luggage. It was so quiet in the lanes that my own heavy breathing and my footsteps sounded too loud. I constantly kept looking around and turning back, immediately regretting my decision. But I was already inside, so I might as well just go through with it.

     I started walking faster than my body was agreeing to, thinking that someone might be following me. At the back of my mind, I knew it was just in my head and the darkness was getting the better of me, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I started panting louder and kept turning back more than I was facing in the direction I was walking. Something kept telling me there was another pair of footsteps that was close to me but I somehow couldn’t see that person in the dark. I clutched my belongings as tightly as I could and kept walking. I kept wondering if these lanes were usually as long as they seemed right now.

      After turning a few corners, I was sure there was someone following me. I could faintly smell cigarette smoke. The footsteps I was hearing weren’t the echo of mine, they were being slightly dragged on the ground and sounded a lot heavier than mine. I was definitely in trouble and this time I only have myself to blame.

    My feet were absolutely killing me and I couldn’t feel my arms anymore. My shoulders were straining under the heavy weight I was trying to almost run with, but I couldn’t stop. I didn’t have even one second to catch my breath or even slow down so that I can take out the water bottle and relieve my parched mouth. I kept cursing my stupid decision as I could feel the footsteps clearly getting closer.

    I was preparing myself to use the weight of the heavy folders to my advantage, when I turned the last corner with a sigh of relief. But my relief was immediately replaced by terror when I saw the two men at the end of this lane. One man looked thin and fragile, his tattered clothes barely hanging on his frame and the other man was big and stout, but what actually caught my attention was the gun the bigger man was pointing. This lane was dimly lit and had high walls on either side of it, and the men were standing as considerable distance from me. When I realised what exactly could be happening between the two men, I immediately walked back and hid behind the corner I just turned. What was suddenly wrong with this neighbourhood tonight?

    I had a man following me through the lanes, intending to rob me, and there were two men in the next lane with a gun. I knew the man who was following me would definitely catch up to me, but I don’t know what would happen if he tried to do anything and the men on the other side hear him. Would anyone help me? Would someone end up shooting me? What should I do?

    I hugged all my belongings together, my heart beating very loudly at my throat. This is not the way I wanted to die.

    I stood there frozen in the dark for a few seconds which seemed like hours, but no one with heavy footsteps came to rob me or anything. The lanes were actually very quiet and it gave me the unfortunate opportunity to be able to eavesdrop on the conversation the other two men were having. I was still super cautious in case someone jumps at me from the dark and tries to grab my purse.

    I could hear the bigger man asking for some “whole package” and the other man constantly saying that he couldn’t afford it. The conversation was getting heated very quickly and I had no idea what might happen in a few seconds. I wanted to get out of this situation as soon as possible before I end up witnessing something I shouldn’t. But what if as I start walking the other side, the robber comes out of the darkness? What did I ever do to deserve this kind of a luck right now?

    But there was no time to whine about my luck right now. I desperately need to get out of here.

    I peeped around the corner to look at the two men. The man with the gun was now more agrily towering over the other man who was now kneeling on the ground. He was begging so helplessly, I felt extremely bad for him. But I would definitely end up dying trying to create a diversion for him if the gun has any bullets. There wasn’t a single other person around who could help us in any way. All the weight on my shoulders and arms seemed to disappear as a quick plan sprung in my mind.

    There was small opening the in the wall on the left side of the lane between me and the men. If I could come out from behind this corner and quickly get to that opening, I might make my out and send some help for this man. I won’t be able to help this man alone. So, I took a deep breath and turned around.

    I carefully checked and saw that neither of them were facing my direction, so I started to tiptoe out of the corner. I kept looking at them and realised the conversation was coming to an end. I tried to hurry, but just before I could reach the opening in the wall, I heard the loud gunshot. It startled me so bad that I dropped my heavy folders.

    My heart stopped for a few moments, when I looked up from my folders on the ground to see the man with the gun looking right at me and the other man was lying on the road. I am as good as dead right now.

    I grabbed my folders and quickly jumped through the opening.

    I ran across the big dark ground on the other side of the wall and I could see the dim lights of the streets in the other side of the ground. The wet grass was crunching under my feet and the feet of the big man who was now following me with his gun. I did not remember where exactly this open field was in my neighbourhood and I could not understand where I would end up if I keep running like this. But I knew that if I stop, I would be shot dead before I can let out a single sigh.

    So I kept running. And the distance between me and the end of the ground never seemed to diminish. My lungs could not take it anymore.

    When I tried turning back to see the man who was running after me, I tripped on something and fell down on the ground with all my belongings.

    I opened my eyes to see myself in my bed, under my blanket. I looked straight up at the ceiling and let out a sigh a relief. I closed my eyes and stretched, my whole body feeling so sore. A really bad nightmare can really shake someone up.

    It was still dark and I decided to get myself some water since I’m already up. But when I pulled my covers away, I saw myself wearing my office clothes, all muddy and dirty. I looked around to see that my purse, my bag and my folders were nowhere in sight.

    I quickly got up and ran to the full length mirror on my wardrobe. I looked like a mess and it seemed pretty clear that whatever I thought I dreamt wasn’t actually a dream.

    I couldn’t remember anything after I fell down. What happened to me? How did I get here?

    My heart was in my throat again as I heard some faint murmuring. I have never felt this insecure inside my own apartment every before. I don’t remember coming home last night. I don’t remember getting in bed. I had no idea where all my things were.

    I gingerly followed the low murmuring to the living room where I saw that the television was switched on. I didn’t have time to wonder who has switched it on because the news itself shocked me so bad I couldn’t breathe. The news reader of this local news channel was narrating the news of a murder I just witnessed. The channel was showing the picture of the man who died.

    And then, when I thought things couldn’t get any more ridiculous, I saw a picture of myself flash on the screen as the news reader read out my name as the prime suspect in this murder. My purse and office ID card had been discovered at the crime scene and there has been an arrest warrant issued in my name. I could not believe the words as the news reader was uttering them in the plainest way possible.

    I couldn’t figure out what was happening. Everything started feeling hot and I felt like I was suffocating. I know I didn’t do this. Someone was framing me – that big beefy man who actually killed the other person. But I didn’t even see his face properly, it was so dark. There was no one else in the streets at that point of time, no one who could have seen us or helped us. There are no eyewitnesses to corroborate with me. How will I make anyone believe me?

    It kept saying in the news that the gun had not been found yet. That was the one element that might work in my favour. I ran back to the room and started looking for my phone. I had to tell someone about what happened and what I just heard in the news. I still don’t remember how I got to my own apartment last night, but I knew this was a big setup because I was the only one who had seen the murder. And I needed to be put down.

    As I pulled off the sheets of the bed in a desperate attempt to see if my phone was there, my eyes fell on something else. It was the gun. I gulped loudly.

    The loud banging on the door made me jump.

    ‘Police! Open up!’

  • Friendly disguise

    Friendly disguise

    At first glance he seemed to be a friendly sort but there was something about him that told me there was a steel  within-icy cold steel lurking behind his grey eyes,in the resolute thrust of his chin that he nuzzled within his muffler.

    "This man is not simple as he looks ,their is something erking about him "solilioquize Amit.

    Amit a young lad in his teen was innocent ,gullible and inquistive.His dream was to become a CBI officer and his gleamed with scintillating ambition.He always spent his spare time in solving criminal puzzles.The story hits the incident of an account that astounded him and accoladed his courage,an encounter with a stranger.

    Try as I might ,I could not tear my eyes away from his smiling face .He was listening to my father with great attention when my mother offered him a plate of sweets.He smiled at my mother as he took a small piece from the plate,I felt fascinated by his pale tapering fingers-definitely those of an artist;thin,soft and sensitive.I could visualize him giving life to an empty canvas,filling it with subdued shades-soft pinks,fluroscent,and lavender.Some how it was difficult to associate  him with flashy reds,greens or yellows.

    He seemed as placid as a lake ,at peace with himself;yet ,there was something about his sinister smile that made me restless!

    The man was a stranger to the circle of friends and diplomats that thronged the grand party going on in my house.My father had got promoted to CEO of the Origano company.There were garlands galore.Soft drinks ,sweets and samosas made their rounds,the guards were busy at the gate,seeing to the number of well-wishers.Among them came the dignified looking man smiling genially at one of the guards,who let him in through the side gate.He came in with folded hands and congratulated my father.My father thanked him but there was a perplexed look on his face as though trying to recollect a bygone friendship.One of my father's friends introduced me to him."This is Amit,Aggarwalji's son.He's appearing for his Boards this year and wants to go into CBI."Oh! A detective in the making!"sighed the man in the baritone.His voice reminded me of the deep rumble of a distant thunder.He shook my hand affably.I felt recoiling from the touch.Mumbling a hurried "Thank You",I withdrew my hand in haste .He looked at me with a sudden flicker of surprise.Our eyes looked for a second."Amit,Uncle Bakshi wants to talk to you."wafted across my sister's voice.I walked away from him ,my face red with embarrasment;my heart filled with unease.

    Uncle Bakshi,the childhood friend of my father was the right person to talk to."Chachu,you see that man in the white sherwani and black jacket?I began."Yes,what about him ,son?"uncle asked absent mindedly."Do you know him?"I asked grabbing his shirt sleeve for attention."Not so well"replied my uncle,looking at me sharply.I was introduced to him a little while ago.He's a scholar,Written a number of books.He's a painter too".I kept silent."Why do you ask?"quizzed uncle.Oh!Just like that.I don't know"I muttered and hung my head.

    "What's it son?" persisted my uncle."You look worried! I don't like him!"

    I said with sudden vehemence." He looks as though a masquerading something .He smiles too much but his eyes are cold !"I said feeling quite foolish."Reading too many detective stories of late?" bantered my uncle with a smile."This is a serious matter! Believe me, Uncle". I said ,stamping my foot in desperation."All Right".he said patting me but a thoughtful look came across his face as he hurriedly walked towards the gate.

    Uncle Bakshi,the Ex-commissioner of Police now looked every inch like the alert guardian of law,when he used to be in his office scrutinizing everything.With a sigh of relief,I turned my gaze to the spot where I had seen the man standing idly sipping a cool drink.I broke into a cold sweat.My throat went dry,the man was nowhere to be seen!I started running through the crowd .I got a glimpse of his jacket,as he moved swiftly and determinedly towards the circle of diplomats.I was frantic by this time.I wanted to stop him before he reached my father.Then I stumbled on a jutting foot of of a shrub and lost my balance .My head struck against something hard.It took me a moment to realize that I had plunged headlong into the chest of the man and both of us were lying sprawled on the floor.Gasping I tried to sit up and started right into the icy grey eye.But this time there was fire in them,the unmistakable glint of suppressed fury.He lay on the ground ,his right hand pinned under him in an awkward angle,someone had caught hold of his other hand.I could see the end of a metallic object thrusting from his side pocket.Instinctively,I ripped open his coat.I couldn't believe my eyes! A set of green and red tiny bulbs blinked at me  from a jungle of tiny wires."Uncle Bakshi". I shouted even as the security closed around us.

        "You beat me to it!" came the baritone ,even as the man tried to move his right hand."You will make a good officer",he said as he was being taken into the custody.

    I was still in a daze as I watched the guards take way the suave ,gentle suicide bomber.I looked at the thin ,soft ,sensitive fingers meant to create beauty.

    What!What on earth made them go for triggers!

    You get a life once so make the worst out of it ,rather than succumbing to the false habits.In this world terroism is spreading like a fire.Its tentacles are encroaching upon many nations and these forces are brainwashing youth.Instead of channelizing their energy into right direction they are getting deflected,and what is happening is "Terroism".