Ishq-e-Watan

Chapter 20- The Preparation

CHAPTER 20

THE PREPARATION

"Idhar aa", Karan said, looking over his shoulder.

Faizi peeked over his shoulder, eyebrows furrowing. It was the footage of one of the cameras they had set up. Some sort of meeting was in progress, and there were at least, 25 men.

A middle aged man was sitting on a chair, feet up on the table. "Yeh leader hoga", Karan muttered. Faizi nodded. "Baaki saare rooms khaali hain, except the actual club. Wahan par 15 aur log hain. Sure nahi hoon ki kitne involved hain, par 40 log hain total yahan."

"Plan of action hai tumhaare paas?" Faizi asked.

Karan lifted his head, a smirk spreading tugging on his lips. He jerked his head down in a nod. "Sanju ko bhi bulaa."

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Faizi kept the last piece of equipment down, nodding in satisfaction. They were all good. He stood up, locking the door to the armory and slipping the keys back on his chain.

'Kya haalat banaakar rakhi hai tune kamre ki?' Karan said. His jaw was dropped open in disbelief, his gaze looking around. 'Suar kahin ka! Mujhe ek suar ke saath kamra de diya hai.'

'Arey, apne taane thodi der ke liye apne paas rakho', Faizi said, frantically looking under the pillow. 'Hume chaabi nahi mil rahi hai.'

'Kaunsi chaabi?'

'Humaare bike ki chaabi.' Karan opened a drawer, pulling out a key. Faizi paused. 'Yeh tumhe kahan se mili?'

'Wahin thi jahan par maine tujhe bataakar rakhi thi. Maine tujhe paanch baar bataaya tha.'

Faizi grabbed it, sighing in relief. 'Yeh bike humne bahut mehnat se li thi. Aur yeh key chain hume humaari Ammi ne taufe mein diya tha.'

Karan held out his hand, and Faizi placed the keys back on his palm. He grabbed a locket, taking out the small piece and putting in the key. 'Important cheezen ya cheezen jo bahut pasand hain gale mein pehen le. Ghumne ke kam chances hain.' He pushed down the top of his own t-shirt, showing a chain with a key. 'Main bhi yeh hi karta hoon.'

'Tumhaari cheezen toh pataal lok se bhi tum dhoondkar nikaal loge', he commented, wearing it. 'Tumhe iski kya zaroorat? Shukriya.'

'Ab saaf kar ise.'

'Baad mein. Hume abhi jaana hai.'

'Faizi! Waapas aa aur saaf kar. Faizi!'

Faizi smiled at the memory, slipping the keys back underneath his jacket. His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he pulled it out, opening Karan's message. Baat philaa de academy mein. Mission Euphoria ki raid aaj raat ko hogi.

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"Aaj Wednesday hai", Karan muttered lowly. "Matlab, bheedh bhi zyaada nahi hogi. Agar aaj raid maarenge, toh civilians cross fire mein phasenge uska kam chance hai. Inki sabse pehli tendency civilians ko hostage banaakar blackmail karne ki hogi." It was mostly for himself than Faizi, but Faizi had come to listen quietly. He liked to mutter his logics out loud. Apparently, it was easier to notice if there was any glaring hole in it.

Faizi nodded, taking another bite of the Dal-chawal. "Masale kam nahi hai?"

"Teri aur Koel ki love life jaise. Phir nahi puchh paaya, na, kal raat?" Karan asked. "Kya chal raha hai, Special Agent Major Faizuddin Siddiqui? Aap toh badhe love guru banta phirte the. Apni baari aayi toh ek date ke liye bhi nahi puchh paa rahe?"