The Pawns

"Hey Amit... How are you man.. please come inside" exclaimed an excited Karan...
His old buddy and his school mate had come to town on business purpose and paid Karan a visit..

"So what brings you to Mumbai eh" he asked.? "Nothing just the usual bro."

Amit worked as a journalist and was covering the latest bomb explosion that had taken place in a village.

"Life is so messed up right now, what do I tell you. There is someone out there making headlines every day. And We are the ones who are supposed to cover it." remarked Amit

"I am particularly amazed that none of the bombings have been claimed by any terrorist outfits yet. Also they have not targeted the general public.. All of them were planted in the village's Sarpanch, Thekedaar and all other corrupt men, who have had a criminal record" sighed Amit

"Hmmm...so this is an operation clean up by a vigilante eh??" Karan smirked...

"You yourself watch it on TV. Let me show you some images bhai. Let me turn on ur TV" saying Amit picked up a TV remote lying on the end of the sofa, where karan was sitting.
"Oh wait wait, that  remote is dead.. Doesn't work. I have got a new one. Ye le" Karan said while handing the new TV remote to Amit.

Amit and Karan watched the TV report which Amit had covered the previous day. He was amazed by the facts presented by Amit. Sadly he knew there was nothing Amit could do to solve it.

A while later Amit took leave of Karan.

"Its been great to see you bro. Please do come again. Bomb blast hi sahi, atleast you did come here" remarked Karan while both laughed. "For Sure man.. I hope I crack this case" Amit sighed...

"I'm sure you will" Karan smiled and closed the door...

He knew Amit could never crack this. He himself did not know whom he worked for.

All Amit was told was to press the blue button on the dead remote and enter the code 38281945.
In an hour's time, he would come to know of an explosion in a Village. And subsequently he would receive a cash bundle in his letter box the next day. He didnt even know who kept it there or put it.

He was told to either do it or risk being killed along with his family.

He still remembered the cold voice on call of the man who had threatened him
"Dont even dare to report this. It takes us 10 minutes to set up an explosion, how much time do you think it'll take to blow u off". He still remembered the distinct "Jai Hind" the caller voiced before hanging up.

Immadiately his mobile phone rang

"So, a press reporter for a friend eh... Badhiyaa hai ji... Bas yaad rakho, woh waise bhi 2 wheeler pe hai.. kuch bataayaa use toh 5 minute mein woh kisi ko bataa nahi payega. Keep doing the good work bhai. This is all for the greater good. I have my eyes on you. One mistake and your house shall be a rubble the next moment. Jai Hind" saying the person cut the phone

Karan was sweating profusely and shut himself inside his Bedroom... He had to clear his mind...

While all this time his Neighbor, laughed hard at Karan's apathy... Locking his sattelite in his cupboard he was all smiles.
"Poor guy... Tries so hard to break free but can't. Doesn't understand the implications".

The smile had gone off his face.
For he remembered  the time when his bungalow was bombed down by the same set of people.

"Everybody is a puppet here,left to die. The kings are the real puppet masters, cutting us off when the game's over"

-Shraviii