Islam (200 words 2nd Prize winner short story)

The old man heard the safety catch click as he entered his kholi and stood stiff.

‘Switch on the light, quietly!’ The feeble voice commanded.

Old man did. He saw the rifle in lad’s hand and a lot of blood. The bullet had missed his heart closely. He was trembling of weakness. The old man flinched when suddenly the lad hit the floor, passing out.

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He found himself in the warm bed, his wound dressed. The old man offered him the steaming bowl.

‘Why did you save me?’

‘So that you don’t kill anymore. Eat and sleep. Police has asked me to claim the dead bodies tomorrow.’

‘Dead bodies?’

‘Yeah. My son, daughter-in-law and grandson. Returning from vacations. You all killed them at Shivaji Terminus today.’

Stunning silence.

‘………………………………………………………..still……….. you……. saved me?’

‘Quran, Chapter Five, Verse 32 in the end says: …..and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole of mankind…’

 ‘You are a Muslim?’

‘Yeah. My name is Mohamed Islam.’

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Terrorist Akmal Razzak surrendered next day. In his statement he said that Islam showed him the way to surrender. He was hanged on November 21, 2012.