The Locksmith

Part 1

 Every kid craves for the summer holidays to begin. They would do anything to stay away from school. But after a few weeks of euphoria and freedom, the phase of boredom sets in.

And I was going through such a phase right now. 

And being stuck in my old man’s shop wasn’t helping either. My days passed by doing errands for him and sometimes helping his clients. The plus point was that I could keep the money I earned on the job. 

But anyone would feel bored doing the same thing again and again… well any teenager would anyway. But seeing me sulking, my dad said, “At least you’re using your skills instead of wasting them. And it’s not like you have anything better to do.”

I wanted to retort, but I knew that he was right. I was not the type to roam around with friends. I didn’t have a girlfriend, despite my dashing looks if I don’t say so myself. It was actually completely logical earning my living by doing the thing I am most skilled in.

So this was how I was spending the sixteenth summer of my life. I woke up that morning knowing that it was going to be the same old day. And I was right once again… or so I thought.

As I lazed around in my old man’s dingy shop, the phone rang. Neither my dad nor I reacted. But after the fourth ring, he slapped my head and said, “How long are you going to wait before you pick up the phone?”

I scowled at him and walked to the phone. I answered, “Hello, this is Ram L–”

“Lock, is that you?”

I paused for a moment and then said, “Yes, this is Lokesh. Who is this?”

“Lock! It’s me, Shreyas!”

“Shreyas? Shreyas Rao from school?”

“Does anyone outside school call you ‘Lock’?”

“Well, no. And I’ve told you not to call me that.”

“But it suits you man! Anyway, how’s your summer going?”

“Terrible. Never been so bored in my life… excluding the social science lectures of course. Just been helping out in my old man’s shop everyday and its been killing me. Well, what did you call for?”

“Well, I have a job offer for you. But if you don’t feel like it, you can always say no. I’ll understand.”

I quietly groaned. I wanted to say no. I was just not it the mood for doing it. But for some reason, you never could say no to Shreyas. He had this weird ability to coax people with his voice and words. And before I could stop myself, I found myself saying, “Sure thing. Just give me the details.

“You’re the man, Lock! Well, the thing is, a friend of mine locked his car with keys inside. And he needs to rush. He’s Nimalan’s neighbor, so you know the place, right?”

“Yeah, I do. I’ll be there in half-an-hour or so.”

“He’s a cop.”

“Make that ten minutes then.”

As I picked up my tools, my dad said, “You sure are enthusiastic today.”

“Don’t ask,” I said.

I jumped onto my scooter and rushed to Nimalan’s place. I never knew that Nimalan had a cop for a neighbor. Maybe that’s why the rumor that he was responsible for the arrest of two of the school’s teachers as well as the principal popped up.

And even without the police neighbor, Nimalan was totally capable of doing such a thing. He’s a brilliant guy, a genius as well as completely crazy.