Mani Lal and Ratan had watched that standalone home on the city’s outskirts for the past 3 months. They were professional thieves. FYI only thefts, no murder not even hitting mind you.
As far as Ratan’s knowledge, only an old man lived there with something valuable to protect. Every day or night he ensured to close the windows, lock the main gate with triple locks, and tugged at them several times to ensure it’s locked properly. Who would do such a thing? When Ratan told his observation, Mani Lal was overwhelmed. Both made a few queries about that old man.
No one knew much about him. It looked like he came to that locale a few years ago, with a truck full of curiosities. When the 6-foot big iron safe was unloaded, most people watched gaping their mouths. Many rumors circled the locale. Most of them were about the wealth that man possessed.
When he came to purchase a few things at a store, people showed him respect and greeted him. But their friendliness was not reciprocated. Instead with a sneer, he pushed them all aside. Even children could not make him smile. Some domestic helpers approached him for work, and with bitterness and hatred, they were shooed away. He was very stingy with money. He gave nothing to charity and spent the minimum on himself. Even his dresses were old.
How he bargained with vegetable vendors and grocery stores soon became the talk of that locale. People started calling him “Kadhoos” (meaning the Bitter One). The information pointed out that, the old man had no one to help him.
Mani Lal and Ratan started watching his daily routine or pattern. There was a pattern indeed.
Daily morning at 6:30 he went to get milk. He took a detour to buy vegetables and meat for the day. He bought a big piece of meat daily with vegetables like cabbage, Eggplant, etc.
“Yaar! Mani, why does he buy meat every day? Has he any dogs?” that was a genuine concern. Because Ratna and Mani were terrified of dogs. Mani touched his bum. It was still sore.
“No Yaar! No dogs! I have seen.” Reassured Mani.
So, they planned to rob “Kadhoos” on a Saturday. They always picked Saturdays for their work. On Saturdays, the office goers would booze late at night, their wives busy gossiping. Even if there is an uproar, they cannot hear because of the loud music.
Only Mani and Ratan. They never preferred any partners. The more people clumsier it becomes. They equipped themselves with a screwdriver, a pair of gloves, a plier, a big bag to carry the loot, and a small knife to threaten the old man. Once more Mani explained their plan to Ratan. He was anxious because Ratan was a slow learner.
“Listen Rattu! First, I will cut the wire of the house. He does not have an inverter. So, the house will be dark. I will be dressed in black so that I won’t be visible. Exactly one minute later you ring the doorbell. The old man will answer it obviously with a torch. You tell him, you are from the power department and want to check the fuse. He will ask you to step in. Let that man go inside first then you follow. Leave the door slightly open for me to enter. I will enter stealthily. He is an old man so we can easily overpower him. You make him sit on a chair and hold the knife to his neck. I will drill the safe and take all the valuables. We will leave the man unharmed. We will blindfold him if necessary.”
Ratan was excited. He expected at least one crore from this robbery. They called it The Mother of all robberies. It was Wednesday. 2 days to blow the whistle. On Thursday both saw the old man looking haggard. There were bruises on his face and hands. They looked deep and scary. It was obvious that the man was in pain. He limped as he walked and groaned while using his hands. But no one dared to ask him or offer help to him.
This new development made Mani worried.
“What would have happened Rattu? Any other thief had done the job or what?”
“No Yaar! No police complaint was registered. He might have slipped in the bathroom. Too stingy to see a doctor.” Replied Ratan.
That seed a probable explanation and Mani Lal wanted to believe it. So, they had to loot the old man on Saturday night as planned.
Saturday dawned without any ado. Ratan and Mani became restless as the evening approached. They wanted everyone to be inside their house drunk. But it looked like the people had turned against them. The teashop across the street was crowded even at 8 PM that day.
“Who wants to drink tea at this time Yaar? I feel like hitting all of them. Fools, buggers.” Yelled Ratan. Mani shushed him.
“No use in panicking. It’s just 8. We have time till 2’o clock. No one will be there. Keep cool Ratan. It’s a cakewalk for us.”
As the time ticked the place became desolated.
It was nearing 2 o'clock. Ratan and Mani walked towards the old man’s house. Ratan felt a cold wind against his skin. Ratan looked at Mani quizzically. Mani was walking without any expression. So, Ratan carried on. Mani wore gloves for cutting the wire. Ratan felt uneasiness.
“Mani Yaar! I am not comfortable. Please can we come some other day?”
Mani didn’t even bother to answer.
“Listen Rattu! I am going to cut the wire. Give a minute and then ring the bell.” Without waiting for an answer Mani climbed the surrounding wall of the house. Ratan stood ready.
Suddenly the house went black. After a minute Ratan approached the front door and rang the bell. Something banged on the other side of the door. Ratan was alarmed. Was the old man fallen? It should not become like “Came for robbery, ended up helping”. So, for another minute, Ratan delayed. Again, he rang the bell.
“Please, Let, me open the door for God’s sake. I am tired of moving out. Please Dear!”
The Hushed voice of the old man was audible from outside.
“Whom he is talking to? Is there someone else?” When Ratan was thinking, Mani joined him.
Now Ratan had goosebumps. The door slowly opened, and a hand, full of long nails and pieces of flesh in between the nails extended out. It grabbed both the men at the same time squeezed them. The door closed again.
The next morning the old man loaded the 6-foot-tall safe in a truck again.
