Fury turned Salim’s face red. He had taken the thrashing with spunk but the slap had hit a raw nerve. Salim, to his acquaintances, was a character who never shied away from a physical fight and was known to be quite skilled in combat techniques. He was furious at being slapped around here. His ‘teachers’ had warned him against letting his anger get the better of him but he wanted to do just that at this moment. If he could free himself, he would tear the man to pieces for daring to slap him.

5. THE CONFESSION

5

THE CONFESSION

Shekhar continued with the interrogation. Salim felt like strangling him for his provocative, direct queries. ‘My men say that you are a coward, a spineless rat,’ Shekhar began in a low tone. ‘There’s evidence that you came here to kill – kids, old men and women. And to do this, you resorted to deception. You deceived your wife, what’s her name, yes, Rahat … A simple girl, who trusted you, loved you but got deceived. She, your daughters and Ali sahab do not know that you are fake. In fact, you are a killer!’

Salim flinched at Shekhar’s nerve, but said nothing.

‘But you ran out of luck. We are here to host you, Al-Cheema’s rat! Do you value your life, Farhan? Then sing!’

When Salim said nothing, Shekhar continued. ‘Apne gunaah qubool kar, warna uparwaley ko kya jawaab dega tu, Farhan? Who is your target? Which places have you visited so far? Who are your collaborators here?’

Salim ignored the questions. For a minute, he sat erect and unmoving. Then he bent his head a little, looking down at the black granite floor. Finally, he raised his eyes and met Shekhar’s gaze without blinking. Shekhar sat on a chair; he sat cross-legged, with bare feet, on the floor three feet away. His eyes were bloodshot.

‘Hath khol dein janab, aukaat dikha dunga aap sab ki,’ he said in a low tone.

Shekhar was stunned. He looked at one of the two men who were assisting him in the interrogation. The man stepped up to Salim and slapped him once, then returned to the spot where he was standing.

Shekhar said, ‘His Pakistani blood is boiling. He wants to talk to us? Speak up, save your life, Farhan.’ He glared at Salim. ‘Tell me, what’s your work here? Why did you come? ’

‘I have told you already. I did my engineering course at a college in Phulwari Sharif, Patna.’

‘Where did you stay? How far was the college from your home? Who did you know at your college? Who were your neighbours?’