Grenade

A blast that never happened, but hurt

Naara-e-Takbeer,Allah hoo Akbar
Hum Kya Chahte Azaadi!!
Hum Kya Chahte Azaadi!!
The slogans were resonating and all he could see was nothing, trying to force his way through
the crowd. Mast Gul was standing on Tata 407, waving his AK in air while addressing a huge
gathering. Shahnawaz was about 12. He had given school a miss and was roaming in
downtown. Mast Gul fired in air as slogans gained pitch. The crowd followed the vehicle as
Mast Gul drove away. The skinny little boy could only have a glimpse of the superstar. The
fascination of holding a gun was growing every moment.
A few days later, his cousin Maajid showed him a gun.
What is this?
Azaadi He replied.
Can I touch it?
Do you want to?
Yes!
What would you do if I gave you this gun?
I would climb on Tata 407 and fire it in air, with people chanting my name like Mast Gul
Maajid laughed and let Shahnawaz handle the prized possession. Irshad, a friend of Maajid
entered the room.
He wants to be Mast Gul. Both laughed and left.
A few days later, Shahnawaz again gave school a miss and this time bumped into Irshad.
Mast Gul how are you doing
Salaam!
Early from school? What happened?
I wasnt feeling well
Where are you going?
Home
So tell me you want to be a hero?
Shahnawaz smiled.
Right now like Mast Gul
All you have to do is throw this, showing him a hand grenade, on the bunker near Gole
Market.
The smile disappeared from Shahnawazs face.

Irshad took him to an isolated lane, handing him the grenade and let him feel it.
What is this?
Azaadi! Glory!
Shahnawaz wasnt sure about this at all.
You have to remove this pin and throw it on the bunker
What if they see me?
This takes 5 seconds to blast and you have to throw it from the lane adjacent to the Bunker.
You have enough time to run away
I will also give you 100 rupees for this
Shahnawaz was growing nervous all the time. Irshad handed him the grenade and hundred
rupee note. He explained the whole process again while walking to the adjacent lane leading
to the bunker.
I will wait for you at end of the lane, just throw the thing and run
What if it blasts in my hand?
It takes 5 seconds to blast, be brave like Mast Gul. You want to be like Mast Gul or not?
Shahnawaz walked forward trembling with fear. How difficult could this be?
He had seen enough Bollywood movies to believe that it wasnt tough. As he reached the end
of the lane and took left, he could see the bunker. The Jawan standing guard was looking the
other side. Two shopkeepers were busy talking to each other. On other side of the road, all
the shops were open but no one was standing outside. A few people were walking by on other
side of the road. There was a bit of traffic but not much. He looked back at Irshad, who waved
at him giving him assurance.
He stood there for a while. He pressed forward, took out the grenade. No one had noticed
him. He tried to remove the pin. Panic had engulfed his senses. He was trembling freakishly.
His eyes were fixed at the Jawan who started to turn around towards him. Shahnawaz was
completely nervous. The pin wasnt coming off. Panic struck and he threw the grenade
without removing the pin. The Jawan saw grenade coming. The grenade hit the net of the
bunker and rebounded on the road. He jumped for cover and shouted loud. The shopkeepers
talking also realised it and lay down on the ground. The traffic halted as everyone took cover.
Shahnawaz stood still. Irshad was growing restless. He knew Shahnawaz had fumbled.
The Jawan stood up. A few others joined him. He shouted at Shahnawaz Oye ladke, zameen
pe lait ja
Moments later, everyone got up and started running. The place was isolated. A bullet proof
Gypsy came and it was declared as diffused.

A BSF officer came to inspect

From where did it come?
Someone threw from that lane, Sir
Did you see anyone?
No Sir
Who is this kid?
He was standing there Sir. He must have seen
Did you ask him??
Not yet Sir
Interrogate. See if he tells something
Right Sir
Dont push much, be gentle
Right Sir
They took him to a dark stinking room, a heater, a battery, bamboo sticks, lots of wires,
ropes... The retina took some time to adjust, psyche a lifetime.
Fantasies often come at a price, sometimes LIFE
Those who pay...LIVE