No compromise
(Part 4)
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In next day’s Mary tried to clear her position
and misunderstandings in Hashim’s mind but he opted to be a bit away from her.
Gul had noted the change in attitude of his partner but could not know the cause.
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Maj Thomas while pointing at big screen said,
“The bullet on touching kit will simply leave a big permanent colored mark on
kit. That participant would be considered as dead and firing at him / her would
be a just wastage of bullet. The participant would immediately wear white shirt
and would have no further role in event. Marks would be given on killing
maximum number of opponents and less wastage of bullets” He then stood silently
as colored mark on kit was being explained in film on big screen.
Hashim lay a few moments back. Hashim sat on
chair and she laughed at him. On that He could not control his smile. She half
lay on bed with her shoulder cut golden hairs spread on white bed sheet and her
boots touching the floor. She with a usual pleasant smile on face looked at
small box in her hands. Hashim closely
watched her for some moments. He in his thoughts was forced to admire her
beauty, fitness and her art of attracting others. He jerked himself with
another feeling that she was far cleverer than his Romana.
After few moments returned back to take one
device as had forgotten to take one for her use.
She quickly said “Remember to keep device below
wrist watch while reading my messages or writing to me”
At night all the participants were given bags
containing kits, white shirts, Special designed wrist watch, binoculars, night
glasses &some other essentials for night stay. The bags also had packs of
dry food which was to be cooked by them during two days stay in jungle. Hashim
was also given two rifles with two small packs of bullets. They carefully saw
& checked rifles & bullets but could not find anything different. Gul
kept all items in one corner and went for dinner.
Next morning all teams left for exercise in
luxury coaches after early breakfast. It was a thick area
comprising of tall trees, bushes & sandy
rocks. All teams moved in different directions to select place. The area
specified had already been marked by barbed wire. Hashim stood there for a
while and closely observed the direction in which other teams moved. They then
walked with their bags and started searching the proper place. After some time,
they selected a bush in South for stay. Before hiding themselves there, Hashim
looked around carefully and ensured that they were not being seen. He climbed
on thick tree while Gul stayed down in thick bushes and branches of trees.
In the evening Gul doubted sound of someone
walking at far distance. He concentrated on sound for some moments which was
irregular. He then gave signal to Hashim who was sitting on height and could
take advantage of that. Hashim did not waste any and started looking around
heavy binocular. After some time, he noticed some movement on left side of his
back. He carefully adjusted his position on branch. He after some moments was
able to locate Siri Lankan members
cautiously adjusting their position. They probably had seen someone or were in
search of enemy.
Hashim did not waste any time and did not even
inform Gul. He immediately measured the distance, set the direction &
pressed the trigger. Soon there was a big mark on shirt which was a sign that
bullet had hit the target. Within a minute his companion was also hit. Both the
Sri Lankan happily wore white shirts and sat down to enjoy food.
By night Hashim had hit three more targets
successfully. It was astonishing for both of them that Gul had not been able to
fire a single bullet. Each time he set the target; it was hit from somewhere
else.
Next morning it was still dark when Gul called
Hashim in a very low voice to get up. They had slept on turn basis. Hashim
& Gul were discussing to go to toilet one by one that a low beep voice came
in Hashim’s ears. He recalled presence of a device in his pocket. Hashim
quickly kept the device under the wrist watch and read the message of Mar. In
order to understand, repeated while whispering” Indians are near to you in
South west direction” Gul on getting signal forgot his desire of toilet and
started adjusting his position. He lay on belly and informed Hashim that they
were his target. Hashim agreed & took his telescope to check the movement
in the intimated direction. Soon he located them and informed Gul in low tone.
Gul set his rifle & soon spotted the target in lens. On ensuring all
measures, pressed the trigger. Within fraction of seconds one of the Indians
fell on ground.
Hashim was seeing all that and was stunned on
that happening. Gul could also not believe his eyes. The distance was more so
they could not hear anything but it was clear that the person who fell down was
in high pain. Hashim whispered “What is this?” Gul was unable to say anything
as he could see other Indian trying to help his companion. He just whispered
“How is it possible?” They both were scared
as the Indian was bleeding and crying with pain. Hashim & Gul did
not know what to do next.
Within minutes a loud bell rang in jungle signaling
end of exercise. Hashim while coming down slowly asked “Are you sure that these
bullets were the same which were given to us last night?” Gul as expected told
him that they had no other bullet with them. They both agreed that the rifle
with Gul was also not special one rather he carried a routine rifle. They were
interrupted by the device beep. Hashim hurriedly read the message “Vijay badly
injured. Leave your place. Be quiet.” Hashim & Gul quickly packed their
bags and moved towards coaches. Soon helicopter sound was heard. They
speculated that it had come to air lift the injured Indian.
While walking Hashim told Gul to be normal and
should not have any signs of fear on face. Lussie came near them and in a very
low voice informed that Vijay was badly injured. She tried to continue the
topic but both Hashim & Gul kept quiet.
Hashim again advised Gul to be normal & cheerful. They tried but
could not see Mary anywhere. Perhaps she had found seat in other coach.
All the way back Hashim had many questions in
mind and tried hard to find answers to them. How Gul got original rifle with
real bullets? When & where his rifle was changed? Was there some conspiracy
or just by chance? What will happen if Vijay is seriously injured or if some
worse happens?
On
reaching their room Hashim & Gul discussed the matter for many hours and
tried to check every angle of incident but could not find turning point. Gul was right in saying that their position
had become more doubtful since everyone there was aware of the unhealthy
relations with Dilip and Vijay.
Gul
after some moments asked “What do you think about Mary?” Hashim first could not
understand his point but started thinking on it. Gul did not want to go for lunch but was
forced to join by Hashim.
During
the lunch Mary did not come near them rather kept her busy with Australian team
mates. Hashim noted the sudden change in Mary’s attitude at a point when such a
big incident had occurred and was compelled to watch her closely. There they got different reports about
injury of Vijay. Lussie informed them that Maj Thomas had called investigation
agency officers to see into the incident. After lunch Hashim & Gul once
again discussed about sudden casualty and possible role of Mary. Some of the
questions which disturbed Hashim were.
Why
Mary gave him device? How she came to know about position of Indians? Why Gul
was not able to fire any bullet at any other target? Why did not she inform of
any other target? Why only at that point?
Why Mary opted to keep herself away from them after such a big
incident?
In
evening Hashim was called by Major Thomas. They both were astonished that why
he was called alone.
(To
b continued)
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