Monday, August 06, 2012

Not out...



The old man opened the door and turned his back to the young guest, expecting him to walk in behind him. The two security guards who frisked him, were walking away.

They sat in the living room. The old man stared at the younger guy who fidgeted for a few seconds, smiling nervously.

“Relax. Some water?” The older man asked and rose to get it.

A few minutes later, the younger guy looked better.

“You ok?”

“Yes..yes sir.”

“Good. Let’s begin. Let’s start with your name.”

“Sir..Vivek.”

“Vivek,” the octogenarian said, like he recognized that name from some place. But he remained quiet after that.

“Sir, you’ve been in exile for almost  15 years now. Do you still feel you have enemies who’d care to come after you?”

“Should that be your first question? You don’t beat about the bush, do you? I like that,” The older man said, chuckling.

Vivek laughed nervously. “No sir..I’m…guess I’m just a little excited to see you.”

“Why me?”

“Excuse me, sir?”

“Why a story about me? There’s so much happening in the country today. I’m just a retired hit man.”

“Sir, the fact is, along with doing a story about the underworld, I’m also doing…uh, research about the has-beens. I mean..not you, of course. I mean, you’re retired and all, but..see you still command that security. In political circles, you’re a respected man. Nobody can enter this house…”

“You did..” the old lion said, his voice almost a growl. He smiled.

Vivek didn’t know how to respond to that one. “Well, sir..I’m just a journalist. Well, anyway tell me sir. After you and Kukku fell out of ..”

The old man stiffened. “Who?”

“Kuk…umm, Desai, sir. Your arch enemy. After you two fell out, did you ever worry that he’d come after you some day?”

The senior man shifted, just a bit, his hand relaxed under the cushion. “Not worry. There’s not much to worry. I’m on my way to the grave anyway. Hmm?” He laughed.

Vivek laughed like a little school boy. “Well, yes, sir..”

Now the old man looked hard at him. “I don’t worry, Mr. Vivek. I’ve never worried.”

The air grew just a wee bit thicker as the old man’s hand came out from under the cushion swiftly and emerged with a small pistol, a silencer attached to it.


What followed, happened in a fraction of a second.

Two quick shots. Short and sharp.  Vivek’s body fell back, two button-like holes in his forehead.

The old man shook his head and rubbed his nose. He groaned, his voice almost sad.

Vivek’s cell rang just then.

“Hello? Vivek? Is it done?” The voice on the other end asked enthusiastically.

“Hello…Kukku,” the old man said softly, stressing on his name.

“Shit,” Desai said on the other end.

“How’re you Kukku?”

Silence.

“Expected something more from you, son. I’m disappointed.”

“I..I just wanted to know how you are, Dada..really, I..”

“I’m just old, Kukku. Not stupid.”

A pause.

“How did you…” Desai asked.

“Your name, Kukku. Far as I know, but for the fraternity, nobody outside knows you by that name, right? Your boy made the mistake of addressing you as Kukku. You forgot to mention that little detail to him.”

Silence.

“Your protégé’s body will be delivered to you. Don’t bother coming for him.”

More silence.

“Next time, I’m hoping you come up with something better. If I’m still alive, that is.”

He hung up and threw the cell phone on the youngster’s body.

****

29 comments:

Menachery said...

This was Fabulous Sri!!!! Loved it.

phatichar said...

Menachery: Hehe..really? Thanks.. :)

Keirthana said...

Fantastic and for once I could read it normally without my heart rising to my throat :)

Keirthana

Privy Trifles said...

Superb narration.....loved the twist in the end!!!

phatichar said...

Keirthana: :) Thanks..

Me: Thank you! :)

the little princess said...

arre sirjee, ur back! and with a bang! lovely!

the little princess said...

btw, did u realise this was ur 100th post for the year!! what a blogathon that is!!

phatichar said...

Princess: Hey, thanks.. Oh yeah..100th - never noticed. :)

Revacious said...

Gosh! I keep telling myself I'll keep your posts for another day, I'm too busy right now.. but I just HAVE to check out each post of yours. :]

Kanthu said...

“I’m just old, Kukku. Not stupid.” That underlines the complete post in a single sentence..:-)

Soumya said...

I was expecting Vivek to be Kukku's son, so yeah 'that' was unexpected.

It felt like a small cliche though. This is how old Kannada movies were, the ones at Sunday 4 pm. Damn, God bless the day when we got cable at our place :)

Vinati said...

I simply love the way how swiftly you twist stories.

Paisa vasool posts, yet again. :D

phatichar said...

Revacious: Hey..look who's back :)

Kanthu: :)

Soumya: Ha ha..of course it is cliched, what do you expect? :P

Mirage: :) Thanks, girl. Good to see you again ..

Anonymous said...

This one is the best. Loved it.

Anonymous said...

This one is the best. Loved it.

phatichar said...

GBTP: Thanks :)

Varsha said...

Awesome...jabardast!

Nirvana said...

Just awesome!!

phatichar said...

Varsha: :) Thank you!

Nirvana: Hey..long time. Thanks ma'am :)

Rahul said...

Not bad....not bad @ all...:-)

Ire said...

Good one!

cmus said...

Not out, indeed. A hitman's instincts will never die. It was nice to see that he didn't hesitate or bother about double checking Vivek's innocence.

Sounds awful, but you know what I mean.

phatichar said...

Rahul: :)

Nikita: Thanks. :)

cmus: No..why should it sound awful? He just did what he had to..simple.

Anonymous said...

I read all your stories long back aadre comment late :) Late adrunu latest biDi ! :)
You are back with a bang!! We must all hope that you are never busy so that you can churn out stories left right and centre :)

Erratic Thoughts said...

By God, pura GodFather feel agaya...
Too Good Sri :)

Tongue-fu Lady said...

Oh what a change of tale..loved every bit :)

Deepsi said...

Hey I liked this one, Short, crisp and yet v nic etill the end.. Do u watch a lot of these crime stories or read a lot of those novels? Anyway I liked this completely..Will stop by here for more such stories for sure..

phatichar said...

Toffee: I somehow missed this comment, donno how. :) Thanks, I try not to be, but you know how it is, right? Nice to see you here after so long - I thought you'd forgotten my blog. :P

ET: He he.. :P Thanks, junior.

TFL: Twist..you mean? :P (kidding).. Thanks.. :)

Deepsi: Hey, welcome here. Thanks for the comment. Yeah, I have an inclination toward crime fiction. Please do drop in more often. :)

Visha said...

Loved this story. Old, but not out ;)