Simoundou Chronicles - 4

(Continued from Simoundou Chronicles - 3)

"Rajith!" Gota barked into the phone. "Listen! Now Don't ask me any questions. Do what I say. Don't let my brother leave the place OK. Tell him there is a security risk. Tell him not to answer any phone calls. ANY PHONE CALLS YES! Tell him there is a plot to murder him ... SHUT UP AND LISTEN YOU IDIOT!... I don't care!.. I SAID I DON'T CARE!... What? DAMN! Then where is that idiot Kelum? Get Kelum to talk to the head of the presidential security team NOW and tell him they must return now. Of course with the president you idiot. If the president isn't back in his residence within the next 20 minutes then you will be sorry... And then don't let him go anywhere..... I don't give a damn... I DON'T GIVE A DAMN RAJITH!"

Gota slammed the phone down and looked at Basil. " This has to happen just when we are about the finish this war!" sighed Gota, as picked up a glass of water and gulped it down within seconds. Basil didn't say a word. He was still too shocked to speak. Gota continued.

"This is the problem with the LTTE. Every time when we are about to finish them off some idiot comes along and tries to stop the war and spoils the whole thing. That's why this has continued for this long. At first India saved them by forcing us to stop the war, Then when the Indians were about to finish them off President Premadasa saved them. Now when I am about to finish them my own brother is trying to save them. I just can't believe it. This foolishness has to stop someday. And that day has come"

And then the door flung open. Two men entered the room. A tall well built man probably in his twenties and a much older man with gray hair and a matching gray beard. The younger man wore blue denim jeans and a plain black T shirt. The older man wore a white shirt and white trousers. He looked like an academic type. He was carrying a briefcase with him. He could be a college professor or a teacher. As soon as they entered the younger man turned around and shut the door behind them.

"Sorry I am not seeing anybody today! Please leave Now" said Gota. The older man looked up at Gota. He remained silent for about two seconds and then he spoke.

"We won't take long sir." Before he finished the sentence the younger man took a step towards Gota.

It was then that Gota sensed something was wrong. Who are these guys? How did they enter his room so easily? Why didn't Palitha ask him before letting these guys in. Palitha never lets anyone in without asking him first. Has the security been breached? All the layers of security has been breached so easily? Then how come he didn't even hear a single shot? Has his entire personal security team decided to betray him and made a deal with the LTTE? The entire team? Every member? That just doesn't make sense! How do you explain this? The thoughts sent his heart pumping like mad. But there was no time for such thoughts now. The man was within about ten steps of Gota's desk now. Gota's brain switched into soldier mode. Now it is all about survival.

There is a pistol in the drawer on the left. He remembered. He always liked to keep weapons with him even after he left the army. He never imagined he would need to use it again. But he just liked the idea of having them with him, fully loaded. He felt it was part of him being a soldier at heart. Now he has to use it. It is ages since he last fired a gun. His mind was still racing as his hand slowly reached for the gun in the drawer while he was still looking straight at man who is now about five steps away from his desk. Is he carrying a weapon? Is he a.. shit!.. is he a suicide bomber? Then what is this old professor type man doing with an LTTE suicide bomber? Forget it! there is no time for that. Shooting the man might hit the explosives under his clothes and blow up the whole place. But wait a minute! he is wearing a T-shirt. A tight one. A stupid thing to wear if you are a suicide bomber. May be the explosives are in his trousers. They say that was how they did it when they blew up minister Jeyaraj! In any case it should be safer to hit his head. There can't be any explosives there. He has to be careful. He can't afford to miss. Must hit him the first time. Gota felt the cold metal of the Kel-Tec P-32 in his right hand. He tried hard to look relaxed as grabbed the handle firmly. He was still looking straight at the man. "Yes what can I do for you?" He asked, trying hard to sound casual as he prepared to lift the gun up and fire.