Twenty Six-Episode Two

Udayan was stretching his legs for a reason. This was his first day at the Cricket Camp. He wanted to just ensure that all his limbs were in total sync with his mind. The terrace at his house presented him with that opportunity. However he was blissfully unaware that there was danger lurking from the other bank of the mighty Ganges.

A man in his early thirties wearing a Black Tee with Blue Jeans and coolers to provide shade to his eyes, bag in hand , made his way to top of the building. Quickly he made himself comfortable on the roof top. He then turned his attention towards his bag. There was a  M40A5 Rifle.The M40A5 is the latest in a long line of M40 sniper rifles used by the U.S. Marine Corps. He trained his rifle across the Ganges, taking aim through the long distance Telescopic lens of the rifle. In the lens appeared Udayan on the rooftop of Krishnalaya.

The Sniper had his hands on the trigger even as the scope pointed directly at Udayans head. Just then the sniper pulled out of position and kept the rifle away. From his bag he picked out the latest Canon Long Range DSLR, adjusted the lens and clicked away a few pictures of Udayan. A few pictures clicked, he walked away from the building. As he walked away, puffing a few smokes, no one could really understand why this man was targetting Udayan or what he wanted out of him. 

The Sniper made his way to the by-lanes of Burra-Bazzar. For those of you are familiar with Burra-Bazzar, this is the congested Wholesale Market of Kolkata. There are extremely narrow lanes with shops dotted on either side of the road. You can find shopkeepers selling all and sundry in this particular area of Kolkata. So the Sniper made his way across a few dimly lit by-lanes until he came across an old building. He made his way up the spherical iron ladder until he came across a green door. It is worth mentioning that there is no use of painting the walls in the area as they get painted in various forms and shapes by the Tobacco chewers. The sniper knocked at the door and entered into a dark alley, surrounded by a few suspicious looking men on either side. These men seemed to be his partners in crime as they quickly acknowledged his presence and greeted him. The Sniper covered his mouth with a cloth as there was a deep pungent smell emerging that of Urine mixed with Tobacco, so typical of this area. He quickly made his way to a small room where he knocked again to enter, "Boss Can I come in" "Yes Come in Bidyut" was the ruffled voice from inside. Seated at the other end of a Table was a portly man with his back facing Bidyut. 

"Bolo Bidyut Kaam Ho Gaya?" thundered the man.Even before Bidyut could spell out that he was there the man had clearly made out that it was him. Perhaps the place was all wired up with Cameras and there were a network of cronies all around. Smoke filled the air as he puffed away into a Cigar. Bidyut replied "Jee Ho Gaya Timur." Timur was the Big Boss and the man who dominated all the criminal activities in the area. He was the local Dada. Bidyut quickly placed all the photographs on the table. Udayan had been photographed in various places in the city. Timur was quick to circle one particular photograph that of Udayan boarding Tram Number 26. Timur added in a stern voice "Baachay ko aaj practice jaanay do aur raat ko jab wapas jaayga uska kaam tamam kar do" Bidyut added "Yes Boss will be done." Once Bidyut left Timur called two of his men and gave a few instructions to them.

This was Udayans first evening of practice at Vivekananda park. He was nervous and excited both. He quickly made his way towards the centre where the chief coach was giving a pep talk to other young cricketers. The Coach Avijit Sarkar had represented Bengal at Ranji Trophy. Just when he thought that he would don the national colours, fate had destined otherwise. His young daughter Swati was killed in a mob fury, a stray police bullet had found its way to Swatis chest. That day was the last when he had wielded his bat as a professional cricketer. However as the years had rolled by, he found the love for the game had drawn him back, this time in a new avtaar, a coach. Udayan quickly introduced himself and then went about his routine drills and time at the nets. 

Day drew to a close as Udayan packed up his kit. He got a call on his mobile, the display flashed Maa. It was his worried mother doting on her son, just to check if all was fine. "Baapi Coaching Kemon Gelo, Khiday peyechey Baapi? Aasbhar Somoy, kaachei Hindustan Parkey, South India Club Jaabi aar Dosa Kheye Baadi phirbi. While coming back go to Hindustan Park, go to South India Club and have a Dosa there, since you will be hungry." Baapi said "Sure Maa, I will be late, coming home today as I am going with my friends for a Movie to Priya Cinemas" and disconnected the phone. It was a long evening for Baapi as he and his friends made a quick round of Triangular Park and the street food very famous in the area.

Having enjoyed the movie, Udayan decided that he would take Tram number 26 back home. It was quite late at night,around 12.00am when he boarded the Tram, perhaps the last tram. He paid for his ticket to Howrah as the Tram slowly and grudgingly picked up mediocre pace. It was his only was to reach home at that point of time as the streets looked deserted and this was perhaps his last mode of transport that day. Just when the tram looked to be on course the hook attached to the electric line on top of the tram snapped away with a spark, a common occurrence in Trams in Kolkata. There was no one else in the Tram other than Udayan and one more gentleman in front of him. The electricity in the Tram was restored soon by the conductor as he deftly used his hands to reattach the hook to the electricity line above. Udayan was happy that the Tram was on its way again. Just when the Tram was about to reach Gariahat Junction, Udayan could feel something wet touching his legs. Oh My God, it was blood and it was oozing out from the Gentleman seated in front. Udayan rushed towards him, the man was unconscious. Udayan touched his shoulder. It was Bidyut. He was bleeding from a wound close to his chest. It looked as if Bidyut had been stabbed. Who had stabbed Bidyut and why? What was in store for Udayan? Had Udayan fallen into a Trap? To know what dangers are lurking ahead for Udayan read the next episode of Twenty Six