Page 117 - Musings 2020

ebbed back and forth. Limping, he somehow landed in front of Jai’s pharmacy store. Jai had
an unwelcome visitor.

Jai knew the drill. Hear a gunshot, cut off lights, and sit still. This was just another day. But
today was different. Jai had company. Wheezing cut the silence like shards of glass, sounding
more and more painful. Carefully, Jai opened the door to witness a wounded Imran. Alarmed,
he rushed him inside and fumbled around the store in darkness to aid Imran. By the time
blood flow stopped, Imran had passed out due to excessive blood loss. Jai sneaked him to his
house attached to the store and explained the situation to his wife. Understanding the
seriousness of the situation, she solemnly planned out the next few days with her husband.

Imran woke up the next day to a nasty surprise. He couldn't absorb the setting he found
himself in. A huge painting of Lord Ganesha adorned the wall in front of him and he could
hear the morning prayers resonating from the room beside his. His first thought was to run
away; he can’t be safe anywhere. But his leg still hurt and the fact that he was alive, was
difficult for him to believe. He was trying hard to recall all the events that happened since the
encounter. He was still in the process of this recollection when he could sense movement. His
reflex made him advance his hand to the gun in his pocket and he pulled the trigger. But he
was astonished to see a woman, in her late twenties, with a welcoming smile on her face enter
the room. She wished him, “Good morning! How are you feeling right now? Breakfast is
ready. Please come down when you feel better. Also, please let me know if there is anything
you need. Times are bad out there, you can stay here till you wish.”

Imran’s ears couldn’t believe what they heard. He was dumbfounded. He could smell
delicious food being cooked, and a bucket of hot water was waiting for him. Jai’s wife was
busy cooking breakfast for Imran. All this shook him from the roots. He questioned his entire
foundation and the principles he grew believing in. Jai was not supposed to be doing this.
This was abnormal. He couldn’t see why Hindus would house a Muslim man given the
current scenario in Varanasi. Imran couldn’t comprehend any of this and decided to run away.
Limping his way through the streets, he sneakily entered Ali’s residence to find relief.

He needed emotional peace more urgently than the relief from his pain. In the hope of having
his doubts cleared, he knocked on Ali’s door. An astonished Ali opened the door and spoke in
whispers, “Imran! Why did you come here? You know how times are and how dangerous it is
for me to step outside. If anyone sees you here, Noori and the kids, we all will be in danger.
You must get going. I’ll give you some bread and Bhaji from last night. I’m sorry but you
can’t expect anything more from me at this moment.”

Ali shut the door and disappeared inside leaving Imran’s mind in more doubts than before.
Imran didn't have the time to find answers to all the questions that were creating turmoil
inside his head as he started getting calls from the base, asking for updates on the situation
and the execution of the mission plan. All of them firmly believed this is the best time to
shake the entire Varanasi and establish the power of Jihad. Their message that they will wash
away every enemy of Islam, will echo for months they believed.

Imran started preparation for the big day. He could feel his motivation and determination
fading away, his doubts trying to overpower him but chants of “Allahu Akbar” and constant

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