Yaj called his friend Benjamin Ralph in the wee hours of a cold Sunday.
"Good morning Ben! Have you planned anything for today?"
"Anything that keeps me away from home" Ben replied in a drowsy tone.
How about a movie? Yaj asked.
“Okie Dokie boss I’ll be there by 11:00 am, well go for the11:30am show” Ben replied.
“I’ll be waiting”Yaj replied.
Yaj cut the call and threw himself on his bed.
Ben had been Yaj's friend for around 16 years; they had studied in the same school and spent their childhood with the same circle of friends, but had never been as close as they were now. They would usually meet up during weekends just to take time off their moribund corporate life.
Yaj had another friend named Gott Freeman; Gott was a very famous magician in the town. Gott often performed shows that would benefit the poor people. Everyone rich or poor were invited for his shows whoever wanted could donate as much as they wanted. All the money he made out his shows was donated to the orphanages in and around the town. People in the town treated him as someone supernatural who could perform any kind of miracle.
It was already 15 minutes past eleven; Ben had still not showed up.
“Beep Beep!” Somebody had been honking at Yaj’s gate,
As expected it was Ben and Yaj’s Dog “Goggy” started to bark furiously. Goggy loved eating flesh, and Goggy hated Ben because he’d never get him an ounce of flesh or at least bare minimum a bone to lick, though Ben so often visited Yaj’s home.
Yaj came out wearing his flowered pajamas much to the anger of Ben.
“U still aren’t ready bro! What’s the matter with you? Don’t you know show is to start in another 15 minutes...?” Ben shouted at Yaj.
Yaj was used to all this as Ben would always turn up late and so late that Yaj would have dropped the plan itself.
“Which movie is it?” Yaj inquired in a casual manner as though he had a special plane booked which would land him right at the ticket counter.
“Not sure today its Sunday alright...They must have released a new movie this week” Ben replied.
“It should be the latest flick of your favorite actor Simpu,” Ben giggled
Yaj had always hated that one actor’s movie; he preferred climbing mountains more than watching Simpu’s movies now that Ben mentioned it.
“Do you really want to watch the movie? I mean for three hours sit choked inside that big hall with those AC’s making more noise than the movie” Yaj asked in an indifferent tone
Ben had understood, He wasn’t surprised neither was he angry as it was very routine kind of Yaj to make a plan and then cancel it.
“What about going to Gott Freeman’s Shows” Yaj said with a lustrous look, strong enough for Ben to nod his head and say
“Aye we can, if you really want to”
Yaj was delighted as he’d not miss a chance to watch any of Gott’s shows; Yaj quickly went to his room changed his attire and tied Goggy to the gate.
Goggy started to bark at Yaj loud enough that Yaj had to plug his ears with his fingers.
“Good bye Ma, See you later in the evening” Yaj called on his Mother who was visible through the Kitchen window cooking..
Yaj’s mom waved him goodbye dejectedly. Yaj’s mom too was a fan of Gott’s Shows and had actually wanted to ask her son to accompany him, but she had started to get used to Yaj’s absence in the weekends as that was the only pastime that Yaj had after a long stretch of work throughout the week. Also Yaj was growing old and always liked doing things independently. She did not want to bother him much.
“See you Aunty” Ben waved to Yaj’s mother.
Ben sped through the city traffic to reach in time as he knew Yaj hated to miss a single stunt that Gott would perform. All the while on the bike Yaj had been reminding Ben about all the stunts that Gott had performed in his previous shows. Yaj’s eyes glittered at the very mention of Gott’s name.
“Do you remember Gott’s performance back in “Tipathy” when we had to buy tickets in black” Yaj asked Ben
“Oh! That was tiring wasn’t it we had to wait all day long the previous day only to end up buying a ticket in black” Ben chuckled.
“But I felt it was worth it. Remember that stunt for which Gott asked me to get on to the stage to help him with the stunt” Yaj said this with obsession.
“Yeah Gott could not have performed the stunt if it were not you”. Ben said mockingly.
“Shut up Ben” Yaj replied smiling.
Ben reached the Venue and parked his bike at the parking lot.
“Here we are finally”. Ben exclaimed
“Ah! Hope we get the tickets at the front stand, Actually the view is better off when we sit at the front row else you don’t understand what Gott is up to” Yaj said with a lustrous look in his eyes.
“Alright Gott freak lets hunt for the ticket counter first” Ben said this running towards the stand. There was a long queue at the backside of the hall. Ben ran towards the queue so fast that he slipped and fell at the feet of a man standing in the queue. Ben wore a sorry smile having kicked him and for having dirtied his pants. Yaj would never run in that manner because he considered it savagely to push people in a Queue just for a ticket.
Watching Ben fall Yaj came running towards Ben.
“I told you dint I not to run like that” Yaj scolded Ben.
“Well freako! I aint the one who wants to feel Gott at the first row” Ben answered rubbing off the dust from his shoes.
After a long wait in the queue Ben got the tickets but for the third row.
“I’m sorry about that Yaj” Ben confessed.
“Hey that’s fine Benny, I’ve got my binoculars”
“Ah! You should have told me about it before I wouldn’t have had to bruise my knees for your sake” Ben said.
Yaj was already feeling excited about the show which was to start an hour from now.
It was time for Lunch so the decided that they have enough time to fill their stomachs. Ben and Yaj together had their lunch at a restaurant nearby. All the while during lunch the only thing Yaj talked about was Gott’s feats. Ben tried to divert the topic but in vain he should have known that it wouldn’t have worked on this die hard fan of Gott. Well he had no choice but wait till he’d be back on his bike but this time riding back .
Finally the show time was nearing Yaj and Ben had been walking around the place to kill time as there was still time left for the show.
People slowly started moving towards the entrance, Ben held Yaj’s hands tight like a child would to his father and walked along. Yaj was physically stronger than him but mentally he was an arrogant kid who would not digest anyone advising him.
It was time for the show to start. People started moving towards the entrance as the authorities had started to allow people in. Slowly the crowd was piling up and was scattered in all directions and pushing past each other to their way to entrance door. Even the security guards couldn’t do much to get them move in an orderly fashion and had preferred to stay out just to avoid getting stamped themselves. Also it was known that a VIP was expected to arrive and the security wanted people to seat themselves before the VIP had arrived.
“Hey hold me tight Ben I’ve got the tickets in my hand” Yaj told Ben.
All of a sudden there was a sudden hurry in the crowd to get into the hall. Ben sensed it and asked Yaj to come out of the queue as he feared a stampede.
Yaj sensed this too and in the scuffle with the crowd lost hold of Ben’s hands,
“Ben where are you? Are you alright?” Yaj shouted out of curiosity
“I’m here “Ben appeared from nowhere.
“Yaj its better we leave” Ben said to Yaj though he knew Yaj would never agree to that one request.
“The crowd will calm down; I can see the security making some arrangements for another way in “Yaj convincingly said to Ben.
”Fine I am sure the security will make some arrangements as the VIP is soon to arrive”.
The crowd at the front door receded as the back entrance was opened up and half of the crowd took to the other way.
It was a big hall with an excellent lightning facility, Gott was popular throughout the state and a full house was always expected as it was for Gott’s creativity over his performance that gave the other magicians a run for their money.
Slowly people started moving into their seats and while they did there were couple of heated arguments over people sitting on wrong seat numbers just to sit closer to the stage. Ben and Yaj were not spared either a couple of big guys had taken their seat and refused to budge out instead they handed their tickets which was marked to the fifth row and told them to leave as if they were being kind by giving them their ticket.
Yaj got angry at this and argued back, but Ben consoled him and pulled him by his shirt to avoid any bashing as he knew they would have easily got ruffled up by those guys.
Ben pulled Yaj and was now headed towards the fifth row.
“We shouldn’t have let them sit there” Yaj said angrily.
“That’s fine it shouldn’t be a problem to you as you have your Binocular along with you” Ben chuckled.
It was already half an hour past the show time and Yaj started to feel scratchy due to the delay.
“What is Gott upto isn’t he going to start off?” Yaj said quizzically.
“You aren’t a VIP Yaj, you’ve got to wait just like others“
“Fine” Yaj grinned.
Now the VIP arrived from the special door. He was a very popular Senator namely Ritchie Kish who was accompanied with his brother along with five bodyguards with guns and were dressed in black uniform. The show authorities rushed towards him and guided him to the first row which to everyone’s dismay was left empty just for the VIP and his mates. The Senator waved his hands to the crowd and settled down at his seat
Ben found Yaj frowning and murmuring. He had understood the cause.
All of a sudden there was a loud bang, and a string of lightning’s flashed, here he was the celebrity of the town
“Famous magician Gott Freeman is here” the host screamed over the mike.
Ben jumped in excitement, and screamed Gott’s name. But to his surprise he found Yaj quietly sitting without moving a muscle on his face. This was not usual of Yaj; Ben had never seen Yaj sit quiet when Gott made his entry. Ben remembered how Yaj had been scuffled by the security for shouting Gott’s name continuously while the show was on.
Gott waved his hands towards the crowd and walked down the stairs to greet the Senator.
Ben immediately dropped to his seat and questioned Yaj his silence.
“What’s the matter with you? Ben asked.
“Nothing” was the answer from Yaj.
Ben thought that Yaj must have been frustrated because of the seat that he was sitting was way too far away.
“Why don’t you use your Binoculars” Ben asked Yaj
“Ben! Will you stop bothering me” Yaj yelled at Ben.
Ben had understood Yaj well and he wasn’t surprised at such a reply from Yaj so he chose to keep quiet.
Gott took over the mike from the host.
“Welcome everyone to Gott’s Show. I have a some special stunts for your entertainment and I promise all of you will be at the edge of your seats”
The whole hall screamed to applaud Gott’s remarks.
“Well I shall start with my show then”
“Change yourself to a tiger is my new surprise stunt today. Anybody interested to feel like a tiger?
The crowd loved listening to him on mike and many got up their seats to volunteer. One guy out of all was handpicked by Gott’s volunteers to the stage.
“Come one bravo” Gott called upon him to the stage. Gott then drew a circle on the stage.
“Step into this circle and don’t fear because after this stunt the whole town will fear you”
Crowd burst into laughter at this statement by Gott.
The guy then walked into the circle drawn by Gott.
“Get me the Magic shawl” Gott ordered his volunteer. A long Shawl painted with tiger stripes was brought to him, Gott asked the guy to sit while in the circle and then covered him with the Shawl.
“Azimo kurimo Tigero” Gott shouted.
And a thick smoke burst in front of the guy making him out of sight, everyone watched with eyes glued on to the stage.
Soon the smoke disappeared.
“GROAR GROAR!” Roared the tiger, it was a big tiger now standing in place of the guy.
The crowd stood up and clasped while the tiger roared.
“Great Gott” The crowd chanted.
“Fear him now! He is now a maneater...Ha...Ha..! …
Do you want me to turn him back to normal” Gott screamed over the mike.
“Yes” was the unanimous answer from the crowd.
Gott covered the same shawl back on the tiger.
“Azimo kurimo Humano” Gott shouted.
There was a thick smoke but now in red color now covering the tiger.
As the smoke faded away there appeared the man whom Gott had turned to a tiger.
The crowd stood up and clasped while the guy waved in the air. Yaj was still quiet. All eyes in the hall were stuck to the stage.
One by one Gott finished four stunts.
“A Short break for10 minutes and Gott will be back for his next stunt” the host said over the mike.
As the break was announced people walked up towards the canteen for some snacks.
Yaj had been quiet all the while. Ben could not figure out the exact reason but chose to keep quiet. Everyone was back to the hall after the break. Crowd settled down quickly as Gott was already on the stage.
“Is anybody ready to volunteer for my next stunt” Gott shouted over the mike.
“Me! Me!” People shouted from all ends of the hall. Expectedly Ben looked at Yaj; he was quiet though not frowning anymore. Ben understood that there is something that is bugging Yaj from the start.
A 10 year old girl shabbily dressed ran towards Gott to be accepted as a volunteer. But Gott’s authorities caught her on her way and while trying to stop her pushed her down to the ground, the girl had suffered bruises on her knees. Surprisingly Gott though watching all this chose to ignore this scene and moved to the other side of the stage to get peoples attention back, which he did manage very well, the loud chanting of the crowd had suppressed the cry of that tiny girl who was weeping all the way being accompanied by the authorities.
Gott got down the stage and asked the Senator if he’d want to volunteer for his next stunt.
The Senator agreed without any hesitation and wearing a Sheepish smile walked along with Gott on to the stage. The audience started to scream Gott’s name along with the Senator’s loudly. The whole hall was filled with people chanting their names.
This very sight angered Yaj even more because it was a known fact to everyone that the Senator had been involved in a murder of a minor girl “Rikita” who had charged the Senator of Rape against her. Yaj couldn’t control his anger and now started commenting harshly on Gott and the Senator.
“Shut up Yaj! Are you insane/ what happened to you all of a sudden? You’re the one who was crazy about getting in here. And now what made you change your attitude? Do you think that people around you are going to keep quiet while you comment on their hero or even the Senator” Ben shouted at Yaj.
“Yes I am” Yaj shouted back at Ben
“Look a person like Gott who is so popular among the people must not have invited a rape convict for his show! Don’t you think he is supporting this guy who has caused such misery to a minor girl and also murdered her”! Oh Gott! Hell with the people around, I don’t want to sit here anymore. You decide weather you want to join me out of here”
“Fine at least wait for this stunt to get over we’ll leave together is that okay” Ben said in a whispering tone.
The Senator was now on the stage, it was the same Senator whose photos had been published on the FrontPages of all newspapers and the T.V channels 5years back due to his involvements in the murder of a minor girl named Rikita but he was proven innocent after a series of investigation and the local judge had dismissed the case as suicidal and said that she must have wanted to spoil the senators name.
Rikita’s family had tried their best to prove him guilty but the might of power and money had cremated the evidence’s against him along with Rikita’s body. Soon after her family left the town, rumors spread that Rikita’s family had fled the town not able to withstand the insult that their daughter had got to their family.
Senator Ritchie was now on the stage the whole hall was silently watching Gott’s every move.
“Get me the Pandora box Nick” Gott screamed on the mike to one of his assistants.
A big box carried by four was brought and kept near Gott’s feet.
Gott then blew through the mike just to check if he was audible.
“Your highness may I ask you to please step into the box” Gott bent on his knees and asked Senator Ritchie.
Ritchie smiled and accepted with a nod. The Lid of the box was opened by the assistants and one could see a hole on the lid just enough to allow a head to pass through.
Ritchie waved his hands towards the crowd and sat in the box.
Gott waved towards the crowd and asked the crowd,
“I am going to chop off the Senator’s head right in front of your eyes and bring him back to life”
The whole crowd BOOED! at this very statement.
Gott closed the lid on the Senator just allowing his head to be visible.
“Is there anything you want to say to the crowd” Gott asked the Senator and brought the mike closer to the Senator’s mouth.
“I would want to be re-elected next year” he said with his grumpy tone.
“The crowd laughed aloud at this and so did Gott.
“Please close your eyes, your highness” Gott asked the Senator.
“Get my sword” Gott ordered his assistants.
So they did, it was a long shining sword with its shine anybody would believe how sharp it would have been.
“The sword looks fake, He better finish the stunt soon, and I don’t want to waste my time anymore” Yaj said in an uninterested tone to Ben.
“Okie boss” Ben Chuckled.
“Switch off the lights” Gott said to his assistants.
The lights went off now only a flash light was lit pointing towards the centre stage where the box was placed.
The whole crowd dropped dead silent.
“Are you ready”Gott screamed to the crowd.
“In the name of Gott, I release you from all the worldly annoyance” Gott screamed
His voice had been loud enough even without the mike. Gott then lifted the sword above his head, and brought it down in full swing targeting the Senator’s neck
”Ahh!” Was the cry heard by everyone as the blood stained knife stood motionless in Gott’s hands.
“Great timing of the tape recorder dude and even the color looks real” Ben said to Yaj.
Yaj gave a lazy smile.
“He is dead finally” roared Gott.
The whole crowd clasped their hands loud enough that they would have brought the roof down had it not been cemented.
Gott stood in front of the whole crowd held his blood stained sword upwards and cried
“Yes he is dead believe me, Rikita your soul may rest in peace my dear sister, the evil is no more”.
“What!” Yaj screamed in chorus along with the crowd. Nobody could believe their eyes Gott was Rikita’s brother who had fled the town along with his parents years ago.
Immediately listening to this the Senators brother ran to the stage along with the bodyguards and slapped Gott so hard that he fell off to the ground.
“You bastard you’ve killed my brother” Yelled the Senator’s brother.
Yaj was watching all this confused as he could not believe the scene; the whole crowd stood up their seat and were watching the whole scene as though this was a climax of a thriller.
Quickly the Senator’s brother grabbed the hand gun from the bodyguard and pointed it towards Gott.
“Dodge this you killer” he yelled at Gott who was still on the ground and quickly fired all six bullets at Gott.
Listening to the gun shots the whole crowd started to scatter wildly.
“Come on Yaj lets leave from here” Ben said to Yaj pulling him by his shirt.
“No!” said Yaj shrugging off Ben’s hands and quickly started to run towards the stage.
“Where are you going? “ Ben shouted.
Yaj ran as if he was running towards the dash point of a 100 meters race.
He was near Gott’s body; Yaj saw the senator’s head at the other end of the box and the Senators brother who dropped down wailing with the Bodyguards around him.
Gott was lying dead. The six rounds fired had done their job. Yaj lifted Gott’s head on to his arms and started to cry like a baby, Ben had reached the stage too. Ben looked at Yaj cry.
“Ben! Ben Gott is dead in my arms” Yaj said to Ben with tears trickling down his eyes.
Ben tried to console Yaj but in vain Yaj continued weeping.
Finally the cops had arrived with the ambulance to carry both the dead bodies away. Ben put his hands around Yaj and pulled him out of the hall. Yaj looked back at Gott’s body being carried by the ambulance as though Gott would stand up and smile at him.
As they neared the gate a whole swarm of press reporters barged in and one of them pushed Yaj so hard that he fell off to the ground. “Sorry Sir” said the reporter to Yaj
“Watch where you go brother” Ben caught the reporter by his collar and pointed his fist to the reporters face.
“Leave him Ben” Yaj pleaded
Ben left the reporters collar and lifted Yaj. They started to walk towards the parking lot where Ben’s bike was parked.
“Wait here Yaj I’ll get my bike out”. Ben left to get his bike.
“Ego Bendito Gott Ben! Ego Bendito Gott” Yaj cried loudly.
“What ?” Ben asked confusedly.
"Good morning Ben! Have you planned anything for today?"
"Anything that keeps me away from home" Ben replied in a drowsy tone.
How about a movie? Yaj asked.
“Okie Dokie boss I’ll be there by 11:00 am, well go for the11:30am show” Ben replied.
“I’ll be waiting”Yaj replied.
Yaj cut the call and threw himself on his bed.
Ben had been Yaj's friend for around 16 years; they had studied in the same school and spent their childhood with the same circle of friends, but had never been as close as they were now. They would usually meet up during weekends just to take time off their moribund corporate life.
Yaj had another friend named Gott Freeman; Gott was a very famous magician in the town. Gott often performed shows that would benefit the poor people. Everyone rich or poor were invited for his shows whoever wanted could donate as much as they wanted. All the money he made out his shows was donated to the orphanages in and around the town. People in the town treated him as someone supernatural who could perform any kind of miracle.
It was already 15 minutes past eleven; Ben had still not showed up.
“Beep Beep!” Somebody had been honking at Yaj’s gate,
As expected it was Ben and Yaj’s Dog “Goggy” started to bark furiously. Goggy loved eating flesh, and Goggy hated Ben because he’d never get him an ounce of flesh or at least bare minimum a bone to lick, though Ben so often visited Yaj’s home.
Yaj came out wearing his flowered pajamas much to the anger of Ben.
“U still aren’t ready bro! What’s the matter with you? Don’t you know show is to start in another 15 minutes...?” Ben shouted at Yaj.
Yaj was used to all this as Ben would always turn up late and so late that Yaj would have dropped the plan itself.
“Which movie is it?” Yaj inquired in a casual manner as though he had a special plane booked which would land him right at the ticket counter.
“Not sure today its Sunday alright...They must have released a new movie this week” Ben replied.
“It should be the latest flick of your favorite actor Simpu,” Ben giggled
Yaj had always hated that one actor’s movie; he preferred climbing mountains more than watching Simpu’s movies now that Ben mentioned it.
“Do you really want to watch the movie? I mean for three hours sit choked inside that big hall with those AC’s making more noise than the movie” Yaj asked in an indifferent tone
Ben had understood, He wasn’t surprised neither was he angry as it was very routine kind of Yaj to make a plan and then cancel it.
“What about going to Gott Freeman’s Shows” Yaj said with a lustrous look, strong enough for Ben to nod his head and say
“Aye we can, if you really want to”
Yaj was delighted as he’d not miss a chance to watch any of Gott’s shows; Yaj quickly went to his room changed his attire and tied Goggy to the gate.
Goggy started to bark at Yaj loud enough that Yaj had to plug his ears with his fingers.
“Good bye Ma, See you later in the evening” Yaj called on his Mother who was visible through the Kitchen window cooking..
Yaj’s mom waved him goodbye dejectedly. Yaj’s mom too was a fan of Gott’s Shows and had actually wanted to ask her son to accompany him, but she had started to get used to Yaj’s absence in the weekends as that was the only pastime that Yaj had after a long stretch of work throughout the week. Also Yaj was growing old and always liked doing things independently. She did not want to bother him much.
“See you Aunty” Ben waved to Yaj’s mother.
Ben sped through the city traffic to reach in time as he knew Yaj hated to miss a single stunt that Gott would perform. All the while on the bike Yaj had been reminding Ben about all the stunts that Gott had performed in his previous shows. Yaj’s eyes glittered at the very mention of Gott’s name.
“Do you remember Gott’s performance back in “Tipathy” when we had to buy tickets in black” Yaj asked Ben
“Oh! That was tiring wasn’t it we had to wait all day long the previous day only to end up buying a ticket in black” Ben chuckled.
“But I felt it was worth it. Remember that stunt for which Gott asked me to get on to the stage to help him with the stunt” Yaj said this with obsession.
“Yeah Gott could not have performed the stunt if it were not you”. Ben said mockingly.
“Shut up Ben” Yaj replied smiling.
Ben reached the Venue and parked his bike at the parking lot.
“Here we are finally”. Ben exclaimed
“Ah! Hope we get the tickets at the front stand, Actually the view is better off when we sit at the front row else you don’t understand what Gott is up to” Yaj said with a lustrous look in his eyes.
“Alright Gott freak lets hunt for the ticket counter first” Ben said this running towards the stand. There was a long queue at the backside of the hall. Ben ran towards the queue so fast that he slipped and fell at the feet of a man standing in the queue. Ben wore a sorry smile having kicked him and for having dirtied his pants. Yaj would never run in that manner because he considered it savagely to push people in a Queue just for a ticket.
Watching Ben fall Yaj came running towards Ben.
“I told you dint I not to run like that” Yaj scolded Ben.
“Well freako! I aint the one who wants to feel Gott at the first row” Ben answered rubbing off the dust from his shoes.
After a long wait in the queue Ben got the tickets but for the third row.
“I’m sorry about that Yaj” Ben confessed.
“Hey that’s fine Benny, I’ve got my binoculars”
“Ah! You should have told me about it before I wouldn’t have had to bruise my knees for your sake” Ben said.
Yaj was already feeling excited about the show which was to start an hour from now.
It was time for Lunch so the decided that they have enough time to fill their stomachs. Ben and Yaj together had their lunch at a restaurant nearby. All the while during lunch the only thing Yaj talked about was Gott’s feats. Ben tried to divert the topic but in vain he should have known that it wouldn’t have worked on this die hard fan of Gott. Well he had no choice but wait till he’d be back on his bike but this time riding back .
Finally the show time was nearing Yaj and Ben had been walking around the place to kill time as there was still time left for the show.
People slowly started moving towards the entrance, Ben held Yaj’s hands tight like a child would to his father and walked along. Yaj was physically stronger than him but mentally he was an arrogant kid who would not digest anyone advising him.
It was time for the show to start. People started moving towards the entrance as the authorities had started to allow people in. Slowly the crowd was piling up and was scattered in all directions and pushing past each other to their way to entrance door. Even the security guards couldn’t do much to get them move in an orderly fashion and had preferred to stay out just to avoid getting stamped themselves. Also it was known that a VIP was expected to arrive and the security wanted people to seat themselves before the VIP had arrived.
“Hey hold me tight Ben I’ve got the tickets in my hand” Yaj told Ben.
All of a sudden there was a sudden hurry in the crowd to get into the hall. Ben sensed it and asked Yaj to come out of the queue as he feared a stampede.
Yaj sensed this too and in the scuffle with the crowd lost hold of Ben’s hands,
“Ben where are you? Are you alright?” Yaj shouted out of curiosity
“I’m here “Ben appeared from nowhere.
“Yaj its better we leave” Ben said to Yaj though he knew Yaj would never agree to that one request.
“The crowd will calm down; I can see the security making some arrangements for another way in “Yaj convincingly said to Ben.
”Fine I am sure the security will make some arrangements as the VIP is soon to arrive”.
The crowd at the front door receded as the back entrance was opened up and half of the crowd took to the other way.
It was a big hall with an excellent lightning facility, Gott was popular throughout the state and a full house was always expected as it was for Gott’s creativity over his performance that gave the other magicians a run for their money.
Slowly people started moving into their seats and while they did there were couple of heated arguments over people sitting on wrong seat numbers just to sit closer to the stage. Ben and Yaj were not spared either a couple of big guys had taken their seat and refused to budge out instead they handed their tickets which was marked to the fifth row and told them to leave as if they were being kind by giving them their ticket.
Yaj got angry at this and argued back, but Ben consoled him and pulled him by his shirt to avoid any bashing as he knew they would have easily got ruffled up by those guys.
Ben pulled Yaj and was now headed towards the fifth row.
“We shouldn’t have let them sit there” Yaj said angrily.
“That’s fine it shouldn’t be a problem to you as you have your Binocular along with you” Ben chuckled.
It was already half an hour past the show time and Yaj started to feel scratchy due to the delay.
“What is Gott upto isn’t he going to start off?” Yaj said quizzically.
“You aren’t a VIP Yaj, you’ve got to wait just like others“
“Fine” Yaj grinned.
Now the VIP arrived from the special door. He was a very popular Senator namely Ritchie Kish who was accompanied with his brother along with five bodyguards with guns and were dressed in black uniform. The show authorities rushed towards him and guided him to the first row which to everyone’s dismay was left empty just for the VIP and his mates. The Senator waved his hands to the crowd and settled down at his seat
Ben found Yaj frowning and murmuring. He had understood the cause.
All of a sudden there was a loud bang, and a string of lightning’s flashed, here he was the celebrity of the town
“Famous magician Gott Freeman is here” the host screamed over the mike.
Ben jumped in excitement, and screamed Gott’s name. But to his surprise he found Yaj quietly sitting without moving a muscle on his face. This was not usual of Yaj; Ben had never seen Yaj sit quiet when Gott made his entry. Ben remembered how Yaj had been scuffled by the security for shouting Gott’s name continuously while the show was on.
Gott waved his hands towards the crowd and walked down the stairs to greet the Senator.
Ben immediately dropped to his seat and questioned Yaj his silence.
“What’s the matter with you? Ben asked.
“Nothing” was the answer from Yaj.
Ben thought that Yaj must have been frustrated because of the seat that he was sitting was way too far away.
“Why don’t you use your Binoculars” Ben asked Yaj
“Ben! Will you stop bothering me” Yaj yelled at Ben.
Ben had understood Yaj well and he wasn’t surprised at such a reply from Yaj so he chose to keep quiet.
Gott took over the mike from the host.
“Welcome everyone to Gott’s Show. I have a some special stunts for your entertainment and I promise all of you will be at the edge of your seats”
The whole hall screamed to applaud Gott’s remarks.
“Well I shall start with my show then”
“Change yourself to a tiger is my new surprise stunt today. Anybody interested to feel like a tiger?
The crowd loved listening to him on mike and many got up their seats to volunteer. One guy out of all was handpicked by Gott’s volunteers to the stage.
“Come one bravo” Gott called upon him to the stage. Gott then drew a circle on the stage.
“Step into this circle and don’t fear because after this stunt the whole town will fear you”
Crowd burst into laughter at this statement by Gott.
The guy then walked into the circle drawn by Gott.
“Get me the Magic shawl” Gott ordered his volunteer. A long Shawl painted with tiger stripes was brought to him, Gott asked the guy to sit while in the circle and then covered him with the Shawl.
“Azimo kurimo Tigero” Gott shouted.
And a thick smoke burst in front of the guy making him out of sight, everyone watched with eyes glued on to the stage.
Soon the smoke disappeared.
“GROAR GROAR!” Roared the tiger, it was a big tiger now standing in place of the guy.
The crowd stood up and clasped while the tiger roared.
“Great Gott” The crowd chanted.
“Fear him now! He is now a maneater...Ha...Ha..! …
Do you want me to turn him back to normal” Gott screamed over the mike.
“Yes” was the unanimous answer from the crowd.
Gott covered the same shawl back on the tiger.
“Azimo kurimo Humano” Gott shouted.
There was a thick smoke but now in red color now covering the tiger.
As the smoke faded away there appeared the man whom Gott had turned to a tiger.
The crowd stood up and clasped while the guy waved in the air. Yaj was still quiet. All eyes in the hall were stuck to the stage.
One by one Gott finished four stunts.
“A Short break for10 minutes and Gott will be back for his next stunt” the host said over the mike.
As the break was announced people walked up towards the canteen for some snacks.
Yaj had been quiet all the while. Ben could not figure out the exact reason but chose to keep quiet. Everyone was back to the hall after the break. Crowd settled down quickly as Gott was already on the stage.
“Is anybody ready to volunteer for my next stunt” Gott shouted over the mike.
“Me! Me!” People shouted from all ends of the hall. Expectedly Ben looked at Yaj; he was quiet though not frowning anymore. Ben understood that there is something that is bugging Yaj from the start.
A 10 year old girl shabbily dressed ran towards Gott to be accepted as a volunteer. But Gott’s authorities caught her on her way and while trying to stop her pushed her down to the ground, the girl had suffered bruises on her knees. Surprisingly Gott though watching all this chose to ignore this scene and moved to the other side of the stage to get peoples attention back, which he did manage very well, the loud chanting of the crowd had suppressed the cry of that tiny girl who was weeping all the way being accompanied by the authorities.
Gott got down the stage and asked the Senator if he’d want to volunteer for his next stunt.
The Senator agreed without any hesitation and wearing a Sheepish smile walked along with Gott on to the stage. The audience started to scream Gott’s name along with the Senator’s loudly. The whole hall was filled with people chanting their names.
This very sight angered Yaj even more because it was a known fact to everyone that the Senator had been involved in a murder of a minor girl “Rikita” who had charged the Senator of Rape against her. Yaj couldn’t control his anger and now started commenting harshly on Gott and the Senator.
“Shut up Yaj! Are you insane/ what happened to you all of a sudden? You’re the one who was crazy about getting in here. And now what made you change your attitude? Do you think that people around you are going to keep quiet while you comment on their hero or even the Senator” Ben shouted at Yaj.
“Yes I am” Yaj shouted back at Ben
“Look a person like Gott who is so popular among the people must not have invited a rape convict for his show! Don’t you think he is supporting this guy who has caused such misery to a minor girl and also murdered her”! Oh Gott! Hell with the people around, I don’t want to sit here anymore. You decide weather you want to join me out of here”
“Fine at least wait for this stunt to get over we’ll leave together is that okay” Ben said in a whispering tone.
The Senator was now on the stage, it was the same Senator whose photos had been published on the FrontPages of all newspapers and the T.V channels 5years back due to his involvements in the murder of a minor girl named Rikita but he was proven innocent after a series of investigation and the local judge had dismissed the case as suicidal and said that she must have wanted to spoil the senators name.
Rikita’s family had tried their best to prove him guilty but the might of power and money had cremated the evidence’s against him along with Rikita’s body. Soon after her family left the town, rumors spread that Rikita’s family had fled the town not able to withstand the insult that their daughter had got to their family.
Senator Ritchie was now on the stage the whole hall was silently watching Gott’s every move.
“Get me the Pandora box Nick” Gott screamed on the mike to one of his assistants.
A big box carried by four was brought and kept near Gott’s feet.
Gott then blew through the mike just to check if he was audible.
“Your highness may I ask you to please step into the box” Gott bent on his knees and asked Senator Ritchie.
Ritchie smiled and accepted with a nod. The Lid of the box was opened by the assistants and one could see a hole on the lid just enough to allow a head to pass through.
Ritchie waved his hands towards the crowd and sat in the box.
Gott waved towards the crowd and asked the crowd,
“I am going to chop off the Senator’s head right in front of your eyes and bring him back to life”
The whole crowd BOOED! at this very statement.
Gott closed the lid on the Senator just allowing his head to be visible.
“Is there anything you want to say to the crowd” Gott asked the Senator and brought the mike closer to the Senator’s mouth.
“I would want to be re-elected next year” he said with his grumpy tone.
“The crowd laughed aloud at this and so did Gott.
“Please close your eyes, your highness” Gott asked the Senator.
“Get my sword” Gott ordered his assistants.
So they did, it was a long shining sword with its shine anybody would believe how sharp it would have been.
“The sword looks fake, He better finish the stunt soon, and I don’t want to waste my time anymore” Yaj said in an uninterested tone to Ben.
“Okie boss” Ben Chuckled.
“Switch off the lights” Gott said to his assistants.
The lights went off now only a flash light was lit pointing towards the centre stage where the box was placed.
The whole crowd dropped dead silent.
“Are you ready”Gott screamed to the crowd.
“In the name of Gott, I release you from all the worldly annoyance” Gott screamed
His voice had been loud enough even without the mike. Gott then lifted the sword above his head, and brought it down in full swing targeting the Senator’s neck
”Ahh!” Was the cry heard by everyone as the blood stained knife stood motionless in Gott’s hands.
“Great timing of the tape recorder dude and even the color looks real” Ben said to Yaj.
Yaj gave a lazy smile.
“He is dead finally” roared Gott.
The whole crowd clasped their hands loud enough that they would have brought the roof down had it not been cemented.
Gott stood in front of the whole crowd held his blood stained sword upwards and cried
“Yes he is dead believe me, Rikita your soul may rest in peace my dear sister, the evil is no more”.
“What!” Yaj screamed in chorus along with the crowd. Nobody could believe their eyes Gott was Rikita’s brother who had fled the town along with his parents years ago.
Immediately listening to this the Senators brother ran to the stage along with the bodyguards and slapped Gott so hard that he fell off to the ground.
“You bastard you’ve killed my brother” Yelled the Senator’s brother.
Yaj was watching all this confused as he could not believe the scene; the whole crowd stood up their seat and were watching the whole scene as though this was a climax of a thriller.
Quickly the Senator’s brother grabbed the hand gun from the bodyguard and pointed it towards Gott.
“Dodge this you killer” he yelled at Gott who was still on the ground and quickly fired all six bullets at Gott.
Listening to the gun shots the whole crowd started to scatter wildly.
“Come on Yaj lets leave from here” Ben said to Yaj pulling him by his shirt.
“No!” said Yaj shrugging off Ben’s hands and quickly started to run towards the stage.
“Where are you going? “ Ben shouted.
Yaj ran as if he was running towards the dash point of a 100 meters race.
He was near Gott’s body; Yaj saw the senator’s head at the other end of the box and the Senators brother who dropped down wailing with the Bodyguards around him.
Gott was lying dead. The six rounds fired had done their job. Yaj lifted Gott’s head on to his arms and started to cry like a baby, Ben had reached the stage too. Ben looked at Yaj cry.
“Ben! Ben Gott is dead in my arms” Yaj said to Ben with tears trickling down his eyes.
Ben tried to console Yaj but in vain Yaj continued weeping.
Finally the cops had arrived with the ambulance to carry both the dead bodies away. Ben put his hands around Yaj and pulled him out of the hall. Yaj looked back at Gott’s body being carried by the ambulance as though Gott would stand up and smile at him.
As they neared the gate a whole swarm of press reporters barged in and one of them pushed Yaj so hard that he fell off to the ground. “Sorry Sir” said the reporter to Yaj
“Watch where you go brother” Ben caught the reporter by his collar and pointed his fist to the reporters face.
“Leave him Ben” Yaj pleaded
Ben left the reporters collar and lifted Yaj. They started to walk towards the parking lot where Ben’s bike was parked.
“Wait here Yaj I’ll get my bike out”. Ben left to get his bike.
“Ego Bendito Gott Ben! Ego Bendito Gott” Yaj cried loudly.
“What ?” Ben asked confusedly.
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