THE REVOLUTIONISTS

Chapter Five

21st January, we were in Reluna town. A large crowd was processing through the roads. They were supposed to meet near the statue of Lady Reluna, the woman who alone encouraged the people of this town and engaged them to fight against the British Raaj in the early days, was born here. People of the country may have forgotten her. But this town remembered their hero.

The protest rally was organized by the ruling party Bannarah. The crowd was so busy shouting their slogans, they didn't notice us when se slid between them, and we were walking alongside the marching, waiting to get to the place where the police were not waiting with their barricade and water gun or smoke palate. I designed some small sized explosive, just enough to cause enough damage and mayhem. I clutched my fingers to feel those inside my pocket as I approached.

We were taking our careful steps towards the end of the statue, and the police force seemed like they won't bother the people, as long as this was arranged by the ruling party. And that was a plus point for us. We could get closer to the offices and departments to cause a little more chaos.

We took our positions, Vijay decided to stand near the Govt. departments; I was near the statue where the security was lesser and other two followed Vijay and positioned themselves near him. As soon as our clock hit 10:31, I dropped the bomb silently near the statue which basically looked like an empty packet; fifteen seconds window, I moved away as soon as I could from the statue and took cover behind a roadside tree.

BANG!

The explosion happened. I could see Vijay and the others throw their bombs openly towards the Govt. building. The police gang noticed that and started firing. Vijay was stuck in the middle of that, the others managed to get out and they ran; without looking back.

Vijay got shot. I could hear him scream but couldn't get close. He fell on the ground and the people, who were in that procession running aimlessly, stepped on his face. But his bright eyes didn't protest this time. Vijay was dead.

That's all I could see.

...

Uncle ji was looking at the floor when I gave him the news. Some people were in the room along with me and the other team members. Uncle ji was pretty good acting, he fooled everyone with his 'how sad I am' look on his face; like he didn't see that coming. He called every one outside and waited for the people to gather around. Everyone was whispering. Uncle ji spoke,

- Be quite,' the crowd silenced. 'The rumor you all heard is true. We have lost a great hero today. They killed him.' He paused; and everyone else looked devastated. 'Will we stay quite after this?'

- Nooo' The people screamed.

- That's the spirit; we will avenge Vijay's death.' With every line uncle ji shouted, there was a louder reply from the crowd. 'We will show them what we can do.'

People shouted, 'Hail the Revolution' and it seemed like the ground was vibrating; everyone raised their guns and started firing towards the sky. It felt like it will deafen me; but thank god it was over. I needed some time to sink all the things in. Vijay's death meant that there will be no friend along with me now. He was the only one who actually was my friend.

After delivering the hot speech, uncle ji summoned me to talk or something. As soon as I went to him he asked me to walk with him. So, I did. We went to his room. I never been in his room, and I don't think anybody has so far. It was near the training ground. We walked across the field to get there. It was a small two roomed wooden hut, or something close to it. We entered the room and it was very small, messy but beautiful. Pieces of papers, maps and other things were lying around the room.