The Legend from Runisia by Vishal Kadiri (the best ebook reader for android TXT) 📕

‘Siraj said, he would deploy his team to search for the all the bombs outside the perimeter and will wait for the confirmation to diffuse them.’ Meghna informed.

‘Great, I will get you people organizing committee passes, you will be allowed to delicate places in the museum. It will be easier to find the core bomb.’ I added.

‘I have already called some colleagues, yesterday. Many of the hospital staff will be available at the location, in case if we opt for evacuation or any medical emergencies help, we’ll be ready to help.’ Ashok confirmed.

Rahim said, ‘I’ll find the core and will keep you guys informed. While Meghana will act as communication bridge among us.’

‘That reminds of something,’ Meghana gave a Bluetooth device to all of us. ‘We all can talk to each other on this device, no matter where we are.’

‘What else can I help with?’ I checked.

Rahim turned, ‘You make sure, all kids are at one place and nearer to the emergency exits.’

I’ll bring all the organizing committee into awareness of the kids’ safety being the first priority. We reached the place. School buses have already arrived. Painting competition has begun already. I’m both nervous and confident. Many lives can be saved, if we do everything the right way.

*****

Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum.

August 15th, 2011. 11:40 AM.

I felt light headed as I trudged towards the end of the entrance. I see the kids standing in lines as per their classes. I entered the washroom as soon as I got in. Walking to the sink, splashed cold water on my face and tried to be in the moment. Harsh fluorescent lights glared off the stark tile, and the museum was decorated in vibrant theme. I could see, lights flashing from every end.

Rita Vaish, my colleague from the museum ‘Thank God you came. Where were you?’ She gives me list with names on it ‘We don’t have much time. Quickly gather the kids near the park. Second Round is going to begin.’

Rahim stood near the cultural section, staring in bewilderment and searching for the core. I could see him, continuously speaking on the phone with Meghana; She is already at the park, keeping an eye on every individual accompanying Siraj. While, Ashok, making sure, if everything from his end is equipped.

Rahim, patiently scanning the entire museum. He is wearing a black batman cap, that he borrowed from Ashok; hiding from the police department. Children are impossible to handle; they don’t seem to understand simple instructions. I was running back and forth making sure, no kid is left out at any corner of the museum. Meghana gave us the live commentary over the Bluetooth device from time to time. Rahim, was constantly checking if the team has located any of the bombs and was also continuously reminding not to diffuse them; be careful. My head is whirring with voices, facing difficulty to breath. ‘Come on, Aditi. You can handle it.’

*****

The Bhau Daji Museum houses a large number of archaeological mysteries, maps and historical photographs of Mumbai, clay models, silver and copper ware and costumes. Its significant collections include a 17th-century manuscript of Hatim Tai. I fell in love, when I started working here. I used to exhibit my paintings at the Grand Gallery every year. This is a sensitive place for the attack. If destroyed, we can never recover the most prestigious cultural collection of Mumbai. Rahim planned to destroy our precious pride. Art can never be compared to valuable things; it would be a disgrace, if we price the art. It should be available to everyone. I believe, humans can cease to learn from the traditions and culture we have, art teaches us lessons in our life.

Meghana on the call ‘Siraj team had already found two of five.’ One of them was found at the iconic Kala Ghoda statue. And the other one outside the museum near the monolithic basalt elephant sculpture recovered from the sea.

‘So, he has targeted the five statues and sculptures outside the museum.’ I said ‘Meghana, ask them to concentrate on the architectural sculptures at the back of the museum.’

‘Thank you, Aditi.’

‘Guys, I guess I found the core. It is placed on the roof, just above the central statue.’

‘Great, Rahim.’ Meghana claims ‘Then diffuse the core bomb and we are done.’

‘But we have a problem here. He is smarter than we thought.’

Sound of a blinder countdown, all of us could hear that sound from Rahim’s location.

‘I detonated the bomb.’ Rahim said in disbelief.

‘What are you saying?’ Meghana screamed.

‘I have disconnected all the five bombs from the core and the timer started ticking on it.’

‘What is the countdown?’ Ashok exclaimed.

‘Rahim, seriously, you diffused the bomb without asking us?’ Meghana yelled.

‘Ten minutes to explode.’ he whispered.

‘Fuck you!’ Meghana hung up the call.

We all got disconnected. Ashok rushing the things and Meghana informing Siraj to evacuate the children immediately. Only 10 minutes left for the explosion. I hurried and informed the committee members to help everyone evacuate and pressed the emergency alarm. It set off the people to panic and run for their lives. Within seconds, everything has gone chaos. Running towards the exit at the back. The only place where Rahim can get out. Why did you do this Rahim? We all believed you. You just didn’t even care to ask. Are you really Rahim from mirror universe or just faking everything?

Only 7 minutes left for the explosion. I reached the back door and saw Rahim, getting down along with the bomb, which seemed heavy. ‘Why did you diffuse the bomb?’ I yelled.

He hurried ‘Because there was no other way, we can get rid of this bomb.’

‘What?’

He rushed towards me and hugged momentarily, everything around slowed down like it happens in the movies. ‘I love you, Aditi.’ he whispered in my eyes and broke into tears. I held him tight. His love dripping through his naked heart which felt real and nothing like the body of my husband which slithered mine in the name