Winner takes it all

His “Spidey” sense was working overtime today. “Killer Instincts" was what his friends called him.

Taking one last look at his work, He stepped on the gas and hit the road. His work there was done.

The D day had arrived. The clash of the titans for the coveted NPower football championship. The Red Giants were to take on The Royal Blues in an epic final.

Jose, the Reds coach was with his team. He was taking them through the pre-match warm up and practice. He'd noticed that the team was quite nervous. He signaled his team to round up.

"Guys, I want you All to give your 100% while playing today. I know each one of you is a bit nervous on how to tackle Micheal’s goal scoring streak. But remember, if we stick to our style of play, we can literally reduce them to shreds. I believe in each one of you, question is, DO YOU?" Jose could sense that the team looked upbeat and ready.

Just then Thomas called him on his cell. "My Office, Now!!!”. Thomas was the director of The Red Giants Football Club and also was a footballer himself

Jose knocked "May I come in"...

"Oh cut the crap old man... Come on in and sit" Thomas exclaimed.

Jose wondered what was so important just 10 minutes to the game. But all he could manage was a smile.

"So, the lads ready for the game eh?" Thomas asked.

"Of course, the preps have been fantastic. I am confident about the team." Jose spoke.

"And, you have made any special arrangement for handling Michael" Thomas winked. 

"What, No No. No special plans. Our gameplay is our strength you know that Thomas" Jose remarked.

"To hell with your game play Jose. I know Michael won’t be playing today for the Blues.They say he met with a freak accident yesterday night and fractured his toe. Now all of us know that without Michael, their team doesn’t have a chance."

"Oh yes sir, but they also do have other players!!!" and Jose sarcastically spoke while smiling devilishly.

Thomas rose from his desk, went towards Jose's chair and putting his hand on Jose's shoulder, 

"Well played boy. You, my man, are the Man of the Match today. You almost single handedly won Reds the match"

"Actually I use both my hands while driving Thomas" Jose remarked and both shared a laugh.

"By the way, did you wipe the blood off your car" Thomas enquired.

"Not a trace" Jose rose from his chair and waved goodbye, while he could hear the sound of the fans cheering Reds 2nd goal in 10 minutes.

-Shraviii

Deceptions

Akmal just kept starring at John... Their lives were so different. Yet as fate would have it, both lived under the same roof...
"U both are such Contrasting personalities", their landlord would exclaim whenever he saw John.. look at Akmal beta. So calm and composed. U on the other hand, Hopeless.

But Akmal envied john... "Such a carefree bandha he is... Look at me...
A terrorist jihadi, sent to kill people"

Akmal was slowly starting to feel love within him unto others. A year back he had so much hatred filled inside that he wanted to kill anyone in sight...
But now he wanted to live. He could not confess to anyone about his background or motive. Not even to John. For he feared repercussions.

He always kept to himself. "Not a single extra word to be uttered" were his precise orders from across the border. And he was living in Mumbai under the disguise of a Engineering Aspirant from Kolkata who was scheduled to give his entrance exams..

John also was an aspirant but he seldom cared to study.. he enjoyed his life to the fullest, but through his own simple means. He loved music and Football and always would take Akmal to watch him play..

Such was the camaraderie which got built in a matter of 7 months that both became dependant and more importantly, Akmal had changed.

One day while listening to a Lucky Ali song "Anjaane raho mein" a tear came out of Akmal's eye and he broke down in front of John... He narated his entire past...

"I wanna leave this Jihad" Akmal exclaimed when,

Bang Bang Bang...

3 bullet shots were fired.
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"Saalaa insaan banne chala tha ye akmal kaminaa. Kya training de rahe jo tum log waha pe. Abhi 4 aur ko bhej do.Aur yaad rahe, mere baare mein kuch nahi bataanaa. Parakhna mera kaam hai"
Rehman disconnected his satellite phone. Ever since his plastic surgery in Pakistan, he looked atleast 5years younger...

"John" he smirked "What a funny name I've got"

-Shraviii

Swades

Param waited patiently at the local municipality office with his son and his father for his turn. "Aaj ye flood relief ka kaam khatam karke hi jaataa hun" he mumbled.

Their town had witnessed heavy flooding recently due to a nearby dam overflowing.  He himself was quite well to do and had no interest in the flood relief which the state had declared for the residents.

"Areeee aur kitna time lagegaa sahib.Hum garibon ke pet mein laath mat maariye janaab. Poori kheti beh gayi hai aur ghar mein ek daanaa anaaj nahi bacha"
Param's attention immediately turned towards the commotion at a officer's desk nearby.

"Abbe Oye bhikari ki aulaad" The govt officer exclaimed "Jyaadaa shaanaa banega na toh saale nakli entry karke tere hisse ka anaaj aur paisa main le loonga. Jyaadaa hoshiyari na kar."

Just then as Param returned to his own file, He heard a thundering slap...

Sataaaaaaak...

The next moment though, the officer was on the ground while the farmer who slapped him stood there fuming furiously. Param immediately left the place..

On the way back in his car, he exclaimed to his son "Bade hokar tum aise kabhi ni karoge, Samjhe... Ye kisi sarkaari naukar ko maarna fully galat baat hai. Yaar kuch rishwat de diya toh kya ho jata.. ISS DESH KA KUCH NAHI HO SAKTA"

His father who was listening patiently interupted..
"Param, the last statement u made did hurt me a bit.
Tht poor farmer had nothing to fall back on. Only the govt money which he is rightfully supposed to get.. In a way, he stood up for his rights..For in his mind, tht was the only hope which remained."

When I was in the freedom movement I always had the option to choose... Either peaceful means or revolutionary methods... But all were directed in one direction... A Ray of Hope... Independence to my nation... Though our methods were completely world apart, at no point did we even think ki iss desh ka kuch nahi ho sakta...

"Badlaav aayegaa, aur tum hi ye badlaav laoge.. mujhe yakin hai"

Param smiled...It had been 15 years since that incident in the year 2013.

And his dad was as always Right... The change had indeed arrived... Though through tough choices... Neverthless....

-Shraviii