Dialogue only short story competition - Winner

‘Can’t you follow simple directions? I’m going on telling straight straight… still you made a wrong turn. Have you forgotten all the roads in Bangalore? Look now. We have entered this goddamn mall’s basement.’
‘We need to change cars.’
‘Why? Did Veerendra tell you?’
‘No.’
‘Then? Was it Jeetu? Don’t simply shake your head. Say something. Will pearls drop from your mouth if you speak? Bloody fool.’
‘I…’
‘Your mother was sun-drying papads. You should have stayed back and helped her. You’re fit only for that. Now look. We are stuck in this queue. Jeetu was supposed to drive me. Why did you turn up all of a sudden like an ill omen? And this Jeetu has switched off his mobile.’
‘There’s something you should know.’
‘What? Is it about Jeetu?’
‘No. It’s—’
‘Hold on, I’m getting a call. It’s Veerendra. Boss? Yes, I’m on my way. There’s a bit of traffic. Huh uh. I’ll be there by noon I think. Yes. Keys under the palm pot next to front door. Got it. Red leather bag in the safe in the master bedroom. Yes, I remember the combination. 86. 74. 39. 19. Ha ha ha! Yes we old-timers tend to memorise. Okay, okay. I will call on my way back. Bye.’
‘Why did Veerendra choose you for this job all of a sudden?’
‘Shut your mouth and park the car. Always asking stupid questions. What else can I expect from a son who knows more about mixing masalas than all the women in the household? Look at your goddamn fancy clothes and hippy haircut and always wearing perfumes. I always wonder how my loins could have produced a scurvy dog like you. Don’t you stare at me through those dark glasses or I’ll gouge your eyes out.’
‘Veerendra is not what you think he is.’
‘Oh ho. Now Fancy Pants is spitting out pearls of wisdom. Unlike me, Mukhiya was blessed to have a son like Veerendra. Boy is a worthy heir. I get goosebumps whenever I talk to him. It’s like hearing his father’s voice. What’s that you’re mumbling?’
‘I said Veerendra is nothing like his father.’
‘What do you know of fathers and sons? Mukhiya was a lion of a man. Whenever Mukhiya and I went on a job, people used to tremble like they had malaria. Veerendra has the same kingly presence. You and Veerendra are the same age. I thought someday you’ll be the second-in-command. Just like how I was to Mukhiya. But no. My fancy-looking son became Mukhiya’s cook and nurse. You think it was easy to watch that shit? My own son gimping around serving chai and samosa as my partners and their sons sat at Mukhiya’s table?’
‘Mukhiya trusted me more than his own son.’
‘Ha! That’s why he sent you away to Bombay to cook in his restaurant, isn’t it? To wield ladles while his son took over the syndicate and wielded guns. Mukhiya treated you the same way he would have treated an injured dog, you weakling bastard. Anyway, there’s no time to jabber. Just get me out of here quickly.’   
‘Leave your mobile in the car.’
‘Like hell I will. Look, get this into your thick skull. This is just a five-minute in-and-out job. Just drive me to the address, wait with the engine running, and I’ll be out in a jiffy. No need for this spy drama stuff. Wait! Are you a police informer you sonofa—’
‘No! If something goes wrong, the mobile phone can be used to place you on the scene.’
‘No wonder everyone calls you the rabbit. Always twitchy and nervous. Fine, I’ll leave the phone behind. Now let’s go. You know the place? I want to take a nap.’
‘Appaji, wake up. We’ve reached…aiyoo! Put that dagger away! It’s me…calm down!’
‘Dammit! Don’t ever lay a hand on me when I’m asleep. What’s this? Did you miss the address, you sonofawhore? Why are we in a bleeding forest?’
‘We’re at the back of the property. The house is at the foot of these woods.’
‘What are you blabbering? Just drive me to the front of the house before I smash your head into the steering.’
‘Appaji, listen to me carefully. Mukhiya had seven lieutenants in his inner circle.’
‘I know. I was one of them.’
‘You were forced into retirement when that bullet meant for Mukhiya shattered your knee. Within a year there was a second attempt on Mukhiya. It was successful.’
‘That was five years ago. Why are you giving me this history?’
‘In these five years the lieutenant circle shrank. Rudra and Kalpesha died in an accident. Gopi and Irfan by suicide. Only three of you are left from the old group.’
‘What’s your point?’
‘No one has spoken to you in these five years.  Now all of a sudden Veerendra specifically calls you and sends you on this nonsense errand? Doesn’t that strike you as odd?’
‘He wants someone reliable to—’
‘He gives you the specific day and time you must enter the house. Why? Come on! Don’t shrug. You’ve been in this game far too long. Tell me this is not a clean-up.’
‘Look, you are a bloody cook. Stick to stirring sambar. All those mafia serials you keep watching—’
‘Do you know whose house this is?’
‘Of course I asked Veerendra. It is some revenue official’s house. Bribe money property.’
‘This is Veerendra’s whore-house.’
‘How do you—’
‘On the days he entertains women, I’m the cook. Okay? It’s also the place where he makes and breaks deals.’
‘Okay. So?’
‘Open the glove compartment and hand me the binoculars. We have to walk for about ten minutes through the woods. It’s a steep downhill. Can you manage?’
‘Bloody nonsense. Okay, let’s go.’
‘Here, this spot is good. Rest against that tree.’
‘You look like an idiot peering through those binoculars.’
‘Keep your voice low. Here, have a look yourself. Beyond the house up the road. Can you see the glint?’
‘Is that a Hoysala patrol jeep? I… oh! I don’t understand. Veerendra is chatting with the policemen. But he said he’ll be at the airport.’
‘They are waiting for our car. As soon as you enter the house, they’ll move in. Now focus back on the house. Look at the pool area behind the house.’
‘Okay… oh Mother Mookambika! Is that… is that… Raja and Zohaib?’
‘He used a fishing wire to slice through their throats.’
‘How do you know all this?’
‘There was a meeting here three days ago. I cooked. It was just Veerendra and these two. They thought he’s renegotiating new roles for them.’
‘Did you see him kill—’
‘No. He did it after I left, obviously. When I got to know that Veerendra has called you for this job, I got suspicious. Snooped around this place yesterday and saw those two bloated bastards. You were supposed to be here with Jeetu, right? The police would’ve come in conveniently to stop a robbery-homicide in progress. Two men – father and son – with a bag full of cash. Two bodies. Both of you would’ve been in for double murder.’
‘But why—’
‘The old lieutenant circle is gone, except for you.’
‘I see. It’s a messy clean-up. What shall we do now?’
‘I also like my kitchen clean.’
‘Means? Aiyoo! Why are you digging? What’s there?’
‘Treasure.’
‘Is that… is that… a sniper rifle?’
‘Look at your eyes, Appaji. Wide as Amma’s papads.’
‘Whose… when did you…’
‘There, all set. Watch through the binoculars. Should I allow Veerendra to finish his last cigarette?’
‘Can you really – uff! That just lifted him up five feet in the air. Bastard has crumpled on the hood of the jeep like tin foil. Silencer is superb, Shiva.’
‘Remington. Military-grade. I hate to waste ammo but that should take care of the tyres. Go back to the car. I have a last bit to finish up.’
‘Don’t tell me you’re going to lob grenades.’
‘No, I just have to send up a smoke signal. See that enclosure with LPG cylinders next to the pool? Time for early Diwali fireworks.’

‘That was something, Shiva! Fireworks…my balls! That was a goddamn volcano. Even the windshield cracked!’
‘Look at you, Appaji. Slapping your thighs and laughing. In about fifteen minutes this place will be swarming with firemen and police. Want to sit and watch or shall we go?’
‘Let’s go you crazy bastard.’
‘You enjoyed this thoroughly, didn’t you?’
‘What just happened back there? Who are you, Shiva? It’s like I don’t know my own son. Who taught you all this?’
‘Mukhiya. All those years everyone thought I was in Bombay running Mukhiya’s restaurant? I was in Muscat running the syndicate there. I was always his second-in-command.’
‘WHAT?’
‘You should see your face now, Appaji… I can’t stop laughing. A few years before his death, Mukhiya asked me to return because he was alarmed with Veerendra’s bloodlust. We knew his own son was hunting him down. And that four lieutenants had joined hands with Veerendra. Rudra, Kalpesha, Gopi, and Irfan. I underestimated the speed at which they struck. I couldn’t allow them to go scot free.’
‘So all of them… it was you?’
‘Except Raja and Zohaib. They were the rebels. They broke away after Mukhiya’s death. Veerendra thought you three were behind the clean-up.’
‘Why didn’t you go after Veerendra first?’
‘The only thing Veerendra inherited from his father was magnetism. When he talked people got mesmerised.’
‘Like me.’
‘Same with our partners, both local and international. Within a year everyone knew they were dealing with a disaster. The syndicate was bleeding. Too much chaos. Everyone was craving for stability. This was the right time to hit. If I had hit earlier, I would’ve risked a rebellion.’
‘So… what now, Shivu?’
‘Jeetu is on his way to Muscat. As the second-in-command. I want you to come out of retirement. Be my advisor.’
‘Means?’
‘You are looking at the new Mukhiya.’