Sholay (Bollywood Reimaginations, Book 1)

Kidnapped

"Jai, I think we should stay here," said Veeru. "The people are the so nice to us. We can probably buy a plot of land and cultivate crops."

His comrade nodded. 

"But we do not know how to use a plough!"

"If being bad taught us how to use guns," said Jai. "Being good will teach us how to use ploughs. By the way, Veeru, even I have decided to get married."

"To whom?" 

"Radha."

Veeru was surprised. "Radha? Jai, you know who  she is, right?"

Jai nodded. "I love her, Veeru. And I understand what you are about to say. I'll convince Thakur Sahib somehow."

As they were talking, they heard mass crying from the village, and hurried to see what it was.

"Oh my God!" said Veeru, agitated. "Jai, it's Ahmed! He's been murdered!"

Jai teared up. Ahmed was the only son of the local Imaam. A boy of barely sixteen years of age.

The grief-stricken villagers began to abuse Thakur for sacrificing their children for the sake of protecting the duo.

But this statement made by Ahmed's father shook them hard.

"Veeru and Jai will definitely capture Gabbar. I wonder why Allah didn't give me more sons to be martyred in this fight!"

Jai went close to him and consoled him.

"Don't worry, Imaam Chacha. We both are nothing less than your sons. We'll make sure that Ahmed's sacrifice doesn't go waste."

Just then, Gabbar arrived there with some men.

"Hand these outsiders to me," he roared. "Or else, all your children will face with the same fate!"

"Hoy Gabbar!" bellowed Veeru. "You want us, right? Then fight us!"

"Yeah! Stop targetting these innocent people!" echoed Jai.

The tussle with the dacoits continued, and the duo killed Gabbar's men, leading to him fleeing the spot.

"What experts those bastards are," he said to himself. "And especially that Veeru! I have to do something about it!"

He sat with Sambha and the remaining dacoits, and chalked out a plan.

Two days passed.

Veeru was spending some leisure time with Basanti.

"Now that my aunt has consented to our marriage," said Basanti. "I'm waiting for you to catch Gabbar. But Veeru, what if something happens to you?"

Veeru answered slowly as he left small kisses on her cheeks and forehead.

"Nothing will happen to me," he said. "Don't worry Basanti. Jai and I will hand over that rogue to Thakur Sahib and then, I'll be with you forever."

Basanti put her head on his chest, and embraced him compactly, making him sweat at the hips.

"You're making me wet. Loosen your grip a bit!" he said, albeit jokingly.

"Never," she retorted flirtatiously, and shut him up with a kiss.

Veeru fell to the ground with her on top of him, savouring the feeling.

"I love you, Basanti!" he moaned with pleasure, as she began to nuzzle at his neck and shoulders.

"I love you too, Veeru."

She was about to kiss his forehead, when suddenly...

"Ah! Lovebirds!" yelled Gabbar's voice. "Seize them, you dolts!"

Veeru got up in alarm and tried his best to fight off the dacoits, but to no avail. They caught the two of them and cuffed their hands.

Jai, who was hiding behind a tree, was heavily aggravated. He sped and landed a turning kick on Sambha's face.

As he was a bit sounder in build, the dacoits couldn't catch him easily. They injured him badly and escaped the spot with Veeru and Basanti, leaving him to die.

"JAI!" his friend cried, unable to break free of the handcuffs to save him.