THE HEADLINE

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Standing in the crowded railway station Sandy saw the young man, sporting stubble and spiky hair, with a large guitar case with him getting down from Howrah-Mumbai express.

“Welcome to Mumbai, sir.” Sandy said, teasing his partner.

“Shut up, Sandy. I am too tired to listen to your gibberish now.”

Sandy gave him a wide grin and then went on to call a taxi.

“So, how did your last assignment go?” asked Sandy once they were in the taxi.

“Ah! It went just fine. It’s this task in Mumbai that I am worried for.”

“Don’t worry bhai, you will be just fine. After all in this task I shall be your partner in crime, isn’t it?” He exposed his pearly white teeth again.

The taxi stopped at the red light. Sandy kept on blabbering and his friend nodded unconsciously. Finally they arrived at a hotel. Sandy gave the taxi driver money and his wide grin.

***

It was 10 in the morning. Sandy was getting ready for the ‘performance’. His friend was nervous and making a joint that would hopefully clear out his mind. After a few drags, the two men went out. Sandy stopped suddenly and ran towards the room. His friend followed him.

“What is the matter now?”

“How are we going to perform without the instrument you idiot.” Answered Sandy, now holding the black guitar case with him. “Hurry now”.

***

It was 11 AM thanks to the Mumbai traffic.

“STOP !”

“What now?” said Sandy looking bewildered.

“Isn’t this the way to the famous Siddhivinayak temple?” asked his friend.

“Yes, it is. So what?”

“Lets pray.”

For the first time Sandy was silent. He could not utter a single word and stared wide eyed at his friend who was now taking of his shoes.

“B-B-But aren’t you?”

“Oh! That? I believe He is everywhere.”

After an hour they were back in the taxi.

“So how was your meeting with God?” the grin returned on Sandy’s face as he asked the question.

“Fine. Go on. Tease me. Taunt me. But you just can’t deny the fact that there is one Supreme Power guiding us all.”

“Sure I do”, replied sandy almost immediately, “It’s called Money.”

“Don’t you have enough?”

“Enough is not enough, my dear friend.” Sandy replied instantly.

“If I were you, I would have left this thing years ago. You know, I just can’t sleep at night because of it.”

“Why do you need to sleep at night when you have pubs & bars all around here? Oh! You don’t drink… its against…” Sandy was interrupted.

“No, it’s because I don’t want to drink.”

The taxi stopped. They have finally reached the destination.

Now the work starts. They will be in the Headlines of every newspaper tomorrow. Sandy thought.

The two men went ahead. Sandy was both excited and nervous. The other man stopped abruptly. Ran towards the taxi and got the black guitar case out.

***

The other morning Sandy was viewing the morning newspaper. He was right. They are in the headlines of the newspaper. It read:

MUMBAI CHIEF MINISTER ASSASSINATED

Mumbai. 21/12/2012. Friday

"…One of the two assassins was shot dead. Ballistic team have confirmed the use of a M82A1 Barett .50 caliber rifle.  A black guitar case was found which was used for carrying the weapon. The terrorist who was shot dead has been identified as one Wasim Muhammad…"