Revenge is divine

Chapter 2

A sudden chill went through Ouseph's spine. No need for killings. I will give you plenty of money, abundant wealth which you won't be able to spend in your lifetime.

"How much money do you need?" Ouseph tried to keep his voice calm so the other man would not know he is afraid. He wished to see his captive's face but the night was too obscure. There wasn't any hint of light.

"Do you think you can buy me with money?" He gazed at his hostage's face. He expected to see fear but the face was hidden by the night. Both of them didn't know each other's expressions and emotions.

"Everything under the sky can be bought. That's what my life and experience taught me." The man said, staring at the half moon. He lay still, not making any movements, waiting for the perfect opportunity.

The young man was surprised at the calmness of his captive. His voice wasn't trembling, he wasn't feeling any fear but only confidence that he could walk away from here unharmed.

"Money won't save you old man. Because... I am not for sale." He looked at his knife and caressed on its ivory handle. He had to instigate fear in the man before he would cut his throat.

"Why not? You could fetch huge amounts of money. I promise that you will get whatever amount you say transferred to whatever account in any part of the world. There is no point in this death game. Neither of us is going to benefit from it." His eyes were still affixed on the half moon.

"Do you think you can lure me with your false promises like you fool the whole people who vote for you? I don't need your money. It is the least I think about tonight." He scoffed.

"A smart and tactical victor is the man who forgets and forgives even when he is capable of revenge." Ouseph was trying all his wits. "And you will always need money. You may not admit that but the demand for money will always find its way." A mischievous grin tugged between his lips. "I don't give false promises when a knife is pointed at me. Because I understand the need for money."

He chuckled. "I admire you, I really do. You know how to play with words. No doubt you made a hell of a politician. But your verbal diarrhea won't save you."

"Tell me what do you want, government job, properties, gold, women?" The old man demanded.

"I want vengeance." The young man replied in a hushed tone.

"What?" He screamed, fear resembling in his words. "Who are you and why are you doing this?" What the f**k would you take for leaving me alone? He tried to move, to break free from the knots. Just tell your f*****g price. "Vengeance ... nothing... nothing is above money, not even ... you don't want to be a killer."

"I already told you. I am death and I am here to send you somewhere free of the bonds and ties."

"Please." Ouseph pleaded. "Why are you not listening?"

The young man unbuttoned him. "Can I have the pleasure of...?" He rode the blade downwards along the old man's chest.

"I am trying to have a conversation. There are no problems that can be solved by a good conversation." A panic struck voice blurted out, the cool blade sending shivers to his body. Clearly Ouseph had no idea what he was dealing with.

"That doesn't matter. I asked you a question and I need an answer. Just say yes." He poked the knife into his belly. A shallow cut was been made and a few drops of blood spurted out. He put a hand on his mouth to prevent him from screaming.

"Yes." He winced with pain. He didn't have to think twice. Let us talk this out, please. I am wealthier than you think. My ideals are just my mask.

"That was too easy. Ah good, you should have heard the terms and conditions before you would have said yes. You just accepted to get tortured by me." He grinned monstrously.

"What?" His eyes were fixed on the masked man, he somehow started feeling that he heard this voice before, he had seen this forehead, and he wished if that face got unveiled. He wanted to know who wants to kill him.

He wants to kill me. His eyes glistened with fear. Why? Who is he?

Burning sensation of the cut on the left side of his belly confirmed that he was not just a petty kidnapper. He means some real business. But what is it? He need to talk, convince him and somehow save his life for another dawn.

"Do you really know who I am? Do you know what I can do? I can help you boy. You don't need to do anything in the hard way." He took shallow breaths; he could feel the warmth of the wet liquid on his stomach. A minor cut and a few drops of blood it would be but a searing pain still remained.

The young man gave a mocking grin. "Did I sense fear in the old warhorse's eyes? So the seasoned politician, one of the most powerful men in Kerala state is feeling fear. I know who you are and what you are capable of."

Who is this maniac? Ouseph wondered. How dare he touch a minister of the state? He noted in his mind that he will be punished for what he has done, once he could make it out.

Ouseph Valookkaran, the black mask smirked, three times MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly) and one time MP (Member of Parliament) representing Kerala is now lying on a concrete floor. He is currently a minister of the state, unescorted. The black mask snickered. So pathetic!

Ouseph wondered how he got here. He was supposed to be in a flight to America instead he is somewhere else. He looked around. The sky was dark. He was atop a building he never has seen before or he thought so. He couldn't identify his surroundings. He would never know.

Ouseph Valookkaran was a well known figure in Kerala politics. He started his political journey through campus politics. It was in 2001 when the prominent leader of United People's Assembly or simply UPA, Mathai Valookkaran who was supposed to fight the state assembly elections was dead when his heart suddenly stopped, Ouseph his heir was chosen to take his place. Though the timing of leader's death was shocking and unexpected the party used the death for political benevolence. Ouseph won the election easily with a staggering margin which even none of his successors could gain. Though he won his party lost the elections as they could only win forty five seats out of one hundred and forty. He settled to be part of the Legislative Assembly as opposition. Again in 2006 he repeated his victory by even a bigger margin. Once again he had to settle for being just a member and not part of the ministry. Seeing his support from the people he was asked to fight the general elections in 2009. He made victory a habit and went to Parliament as the state's voice. He completed five years in Parliament and returned but this time around party had other plans. The guy replaced him at the Aluva constituency in the 2009 by-election and 2011 elections neither could win nor did made any impact. Ouseph was a silent spectator from 2014 to 2016, though he has been promised to be a minster for his silence. He won again in the state assembly elections in 2016 and became a minister for public works and registration. In next three and a half years his income, bank balance and properties increased astonishingly though very few noticed his staggering growth, but it all started in 2009 when he was a member of the Parliament. He learned the dirty politics thoroughly in that five year tenure.

He never had a political enemy as he silenced even the opposition with a pretty good share of what he made. But now someone has come who wants to eliminate him. He couldn't know why. This guy wants revenge but Ouseph couldn't think of what he had done to attract his grudge.

"I am a political hero." Ouseph repeated.

The young man laughed maniacally. "Every hero is someone's villain and every villain is someone's hero."

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To be continued.....

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