Love & Loyalty
No compromise
(Part 6)
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On their leaving Hashim sat with closed eyes,
slightly tilted on right side and right hand covering his worried face. He kept
quiet for several minutes thinking and analyzing that at which crucial stage of
life he stood. He was forced to kill a person whom he or his institution did
not know. His own his extra ordinary skills and perfectionism in shooting had become a problem for him. He
was not sure of his future even after achieving goal set for him.
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He thought of calling his boss in Pakistan or
take in confidence some senior official in Pakistan embassy there or at least
inform his wife. Many doubts came in his mind as consequences because of any
such step. He got puzzled and then rejected all his own ideas. The innocent
face of Romana came before his eyes and he got more worried. All his thoughts
were obstructed with Mary’s voice presenting him cup of coffee.
While taking sip of hot black coffee, he left
all his future matters for his Allah to take care. At that time beautiful face
of Mary was very close but he could not find any feelings for her. He saw her
with deep eyes and thought that at one side she claimed of being in love with
him but had pushed him near to death. He had been trapped second time in
America but that time no space left for escape.
Mary opened laptop and started giving details of
the area & buildings around the marked hotel. She also informed him about
the ways of entrance & exit from that hotel. The meeting lasted for several
hours and they sketched a complete plan. At the end of meeting while coming out
of office Mary said “Do not worry, my love is with you.” Hashim smiled with the
thought that how cleverly she was playing with him. At once he realized that
the mission would have been very difficult without help of some local guy. Mary
had so far helped him a lot. Was it because of her love or was part of her
duty? Hashim did not have any answer. For the time being he was at her
mercy.
Next day Hashim & Gul remained in room whole
day and relaxed as it was Sunday. Hashim did not share anything about his next
assignment & commitment. At night Hashim had a long telephonic talk with
Romana but ensured of not telling her anything about the dangerous time
ahead. Hashim got ready early next
morning after saying his prayer. During light dry breakfast in room, He said
Allah Hafiz to Gul and informed him that he was going to New York for two days
but did not give any details. Gul kept quiet despite many questions in mind.
Hashim & Mary met outside main gate of
complex. They walked for several meters along road before Mary hired a taxi. In
about two hours they reached a small hotel in New York. Had it been some other
occasion, Hashim would have enjoyed the natural views on way and main spots of
New York. They most of time during travel had kept quiet. While walking towards
main door of small hotel in crowded area, Mary in a very low voice said “Do not
ask any question or resist on some change in earlier plan at any stage.” Hashim
did not expect those words at the very start of mission but then kept
quiet.
On entering the hotel lobby, they went straight
to elevator for desired rooms on third floor. Mary entered in Room 320 while
Hashim went in Room 321. There the trained persons were already present who
quickly changed their appearance. The faces were masked and hair style changed
with high quality wigs. Hashim had white skin masks on face and hands while
Mary looked like some African lady. They both wore new dresses in which their
other parts of body like arms & skin of neck were not visible.
They left the hotel soon after getting ready. It
was around fifteen minutes’ drive when Taxi driver stopped in parking area of a
huge beautiful ‘Four Seasons Hotel ‘. Hashim had a quick glance of the
surroundings but could not enjoy the environment. Mary stood ahead of Hashim at
reception counter. She had necessary
talk with smart girl attending them. She picked key of room already booked and
left with a lovely smile.
They slowly walked towards a speedy elevator for
49th floor. Mary had a quick glance of corridor before Hashim turned
key in door lock of room 530.
Hashim locked the door from inside & had a
quick look of room. It was a normal room with one single bed and a two-seater
sofa. They checked under the bed and found a bag under one bed. Hashim dragged
it out and sat on floor to take things out. They both checked all items and
were satisfied. There was Heavy quality
Sniper rifle of maximum range, firing table material, wind meter, two telescopes,
heavy binocular, Laser distance finder & three bullets. They both sat and
assembled them. Although all the parts were new but Hashim started cleaning
them with a piece of cloth as per his habit & teachings. They carefully
kept all items again in bag and ensured that nothing was left there. They had
nothing to do in rest of day till it was dark except taking lunch, tea in room
and watching Tv. They did not have much to talk about. Mary knew that Hashim
was disturbed and had many questions along doubts in mind about future and also
about her.
Mary had a close eye on light outside the window
and they waited in room until it was full dark after sunset. Hashim lifted the bag and followed Mary
towards elevator for roof top. A man stood at door of top floor in security
uniform. He had been deputed especially for mission. As they reached near him,
Mary & guard exchanged code words of “Bottle & Bread.” It was a big
tiled roof. Cold breeze was blowing and it was full dark. They first judged the
side facing back side lawns and quickly went to that side. There was a
beautiful view of the surroundings from the roof to although nothing could be
seen except tiny lights all around.
Hashim took a quick in detail close view of vast green lawns with the
help of binocular & night vision telescope. They then had a view of whole
roof top and found everything satisfactory and according to the briefing. They carefully marked an appropriate point on roof for next
morning and then ensured safe placement of their bag in one corner behind huge
water tank. On return once again code words were exchanged with guard.
Mary on entering room called dining hall and
requested to serve dinner in room. She had confirmed service of Halal dishes.
During dinner they talked on general topics. After some time, Hashim got up for
prayers while Mary changed clothes for sleeping. They wanted a proper rest
because of a busy and tense day ahead. Mary confirmed alarm on her mobile which
had been given to her for mission. Her own mobile set was switched off since
last day. Hashim lay on two-seater sofa. Mary watched him but did not invite
him to use bed with her as a joke.
He got up early because of multiple thoughts in
mind. He had experienced many difficult and dangerous missions in his
professional life but this time felt unknown fear. He was confident of his
capability and skills but to him the mission was just an atrocity. He had been
badly trapped and tied but had no option. He was doubtful and mentally unclear
about his future, fate, reaction of high command and at the same time
Mary’s plans on any outcome of mission.
He was worried on the possible embarrassment which his family could face on his
arrest or punishment. The more he thought the more he felt headache.
Mary closely watched him praying and getting
ready while lying on bed. She could very well feel and understand his inner
feelings because of his wrinkled forehead and other facial expressions. She
herself got worried as his bad condition could affect his efficiency.
In order to overcome his peculiar condition, she
tried to divert his attention even while taking breakfast in room and then in
wait of required message.
At 9.50am Mary received a message on her mobile
“hot water.” It was a signal that
William had entered hotel. They immediately got up and switched off Tv. They
were empty handed and went up by lift. At roof door same person in security
uniform was standing and he was to be there till completion of mission. Hashim
went straight to water tank and picked bag from there and brought to the point
where they had marked last night. Mary quickly opened the bag and picked two
heavy binoculars. They could have clear view of lawn and surrounding buildings.
Although there was strict security on the nearby buildings but all were
standing at less height. Down in lawns finishing touches were being given for
the ceremony. Hashim closely watched two high backed chairs and a small round
table in front of them. The two chairs were very close to each other. All was set in same way as briefed by col
Julie. Hashim was satisfied and decided to proceed ahead.
Mary in the meantime had set the firing table
and was busy in setting other items on floor.
Hashim closely looked for the right point of Firing Table. After
choosing it set the table there and adjusted heavy Sniper Rifle on it. All was
set to measure the actual distance between firing point and targeted chair. The
calculated distance came as 1978m.Hashim carefully read the figures as all
depended on it and the setting of rifle accordingly. It was just less than
maximum capacity of heavy range rifle. The job was no doubt difficult but he
did not have any choice. Mary before loading showed three bullets to Hashim.
They did not have any mark on them. Mary immediately read the question in
Hashim eyes and said in low voice, “100% sure.” Hashim knew that he had to use one bullet
for angle testing of heavy sniper and only two bullets for target.
The sun was just above them and light was
perfect. Mary lay on her belly and
started watching. The wind meter measured slow breeze which was in their favor.
Some minutes later Mary received a new message which indicated a slight change
in program. She repeated in slow voice so that Hashim could hear “Face wash
first.” It meant that William had decided to sign documents first before press
conference. Hashim took deep breath, thinking that only Allah knew whether Bob
would be in a position of addressing press conference or not. Hashim also lay
on roof and saw the chair on telescope He set the target and started waiting It
is always hard to wait for something but Hashim was trained of waiting for
hours without eating & drinking.
Soon
camera men started setting their equipment in lawns and they could see the chairs getting occupied. Some minutes
later, Mary gave him signal of being ‘Ready’. A fresh rush of people came out
to fill chairs in front two rows. Hashim confirmed that Mary was on long range
telescope to trace desired person.
Hashim once again got attentive to check the
angle through deflection meter and was satisfied. Mary whispered “Yes.”. Hashim
got alert as William had come out and walked towards stage in tight security.
Col Julie already stood on stage near high backed chairs to welcome him. He sat
and col Julie stood on his right side and in between the two chairs and placed
papers on small table in front of him. After some seconds she also sat most
probably on request of William. Hashim closed his one eye and started seeing
all proceedings through attached telescope. Bob bowed down his head to sign.
Mary whispered “Wind fast”. Hashim kept quiet although the recent increase in
wind had made the job mor difficult but
he had in mind words of Julie “50second.” Bob William took some more
seconds bowing down on papers. Perhaps he was having a quick look at papers.
Mary uttered “signing”. Bob after signing put the pen in inner pocket of coat
while looking down at papers. He then lifted his head and saw at Julie perhaps
asking her to pick papers.
Hashim was already waiting for that particular
moment before Julie bent forward to pick papers. He took just few seconds,
finally closed one eye, last look upper part of left eye of Bob and pressed the
trigger. He had done his job within the
ordered seconds and bowed his head on roof top leaving the rest to his Allah.
He had done that work which he himself did not know whether it was right or
wrong. He had fired at a person whom he or his institution did not know. He was
unaware of his future but had tried to save Pakistan Army from humiliation
& embarrassment.
His head was on roof tiles in front of Allah for
mercy that he heard joyful voice of Mary “Done it.” He lifted his head to see
in telescope. View of lawn had altogether changed within seconds. Bob had
fallen from chair with severe bleeding.
People were rushing here & there. Police & Security persons from
different agencies were rushing towards lawn and instructing people to be away
from there. Mary was feeling glad on being partner of a successful shooter. She
jumped on him and embraced while he still lay on roof.
. Soon sound of security alarms, bells &
ambulance spread all over. Hashim had strange feelings and did not know how to
react. He was still unaware of his future.
(To be continued)
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