Chereads / Syed Bilal Ahmed / Chapter 2 - THE UNSETTLING PEACE

Chapter 2 - THE UNSETTLING PEACE

Gerard sat in his car and drove his car as fast as he could. He was constantly looking at his rear view mirror to see if anyone was following or not but no one was . He reached his home and parked his car abnormally. He entered his house panicking he was breathing fast and his face was all red. Matilda and the kids noticed and were worried. Matilda asked " Gerard is everything ok?" he heard the question and suddenly realized that he had ran away from school so quickly that no one had seen him and no one followed him on the way so he has probably escaped the worse case scenario so there was no reason to panic at all. He replied " oh yes everything is ok are we all ready to go or not !!!" he shouted. Yes we are the kids answered enthusiastically . Gerard went to his room Matilda also followed she wanted toi reassure that everything was alright she asked again , "honey is everything alright with you?" He smiled and said " yes yes don't worry everything is alright. do one thing keep my mobile phone in the safe its not working properly I will get it repaired when we return." After having said that he laid on his bed he closed his eyes to relax and try to forget what ever he experienced . Matilda continued to pack her stuff for the trip. Suddenly the landline rang Matilda answered " Gerard its for you principal Stinson is on the line" she shouted. Gerard woke up and was surprised as why would Principal call him at this time . He picked up the landline in his room " Hello its me sir" Gerard answered . Principal Stinson continued" Gerard I need your help can you come to my farm house?" Gerard was shocked as why would someone call him to there farm house " sir isn't that in the out skirts of the town and you would know I am going on holidays with my family for the weekend" , Principal continued " yes I know but only you can help me please come" a thought came in Gerard's mind he answered " yes sir I am coming right away" . As he ended the call he become serious and didn't talked to anyone for a minute or two and after taking a few deep breaths he went to the barn next to his own house and he spent at least 30 minutes in their alone . He got out locked the barn and went towards spikes shed the dog summer and henry rescued a few years ago and he became part of their family ever since . Gerard touched him with love and came inside. he said " honey I have to go to school something came up I will be back in a few hours you all pack your stuff and be ready " every one was surprised to listen this but it was Gerard so it was not that shocking . He hugged summer followed by Henry ,he also hugged Agustus his father " I'll be soon dad and will take you for dialysis " he said the person longest he hugged was Matilda" don't worry dear everything will be ok ". After meeting everyone he departed to meet Principal Stinson who called for help. He took a long drive outside the town to the farm house. he reached the farm house and went inside the cattle house as he was told on the call . "Hello!! anybody here?!! " he shouted the cattle house was pitch black and surprisingly there were no cattle at all the house was empty . Gerard was trying to add 2 plus 2 and was assessing the situation and again shouted" Mister Stinson !!! you there?" . Even though the cattle house was empty he could feel someone around him and probably watching him , then suddenly the door was shut and he was left all alone . Gerard heard a voice "' hello mister Gerard how are you doing this fine evening?" Gerard was shocked as where was this voice coming from "Who are you and where are you?" He questioned " oh where are my manners let me open up the lights so you can feel comfortable . open the lights please " The voice commanded. The lights opened and when Gerard saw what was in front of him he could not believe his eyes it was Arnold in front of him . "Mister Arnold its you ?" Arnold said "yes its me and you must be mister Gerard the history teacher . you are the one my men told me about ". "Your men !! your men !! you mean the goons that were trying to bribe and threaten everyone else to vote for you" Gerard argued in anger . Arnold continued " Mister Gerard I have a future to look forward too so lets not start pulling out fingers shall we . My future is certain I am here to discuss about your future". "My future ? what about it ?" Gerard asked in surprised again Arnold started in a calm voice " Well you have listened to my people in the school auditorium now 2 things can happen here either you take money from me and you and your family and myself can live in peace " Gerard interrupted " Take money from you am I crazy or something I would never let people like you succeed even though I do not vote but It is my morale obligation being a responsible citizen to expose frauds like you. I would die before taking your bribe" Arnold was again calm and relax and continued" good that you brought the second option yourself if you wont take money from me than last option is death and you do not worry about your family soon as I win the elections my government will look after them". As soon as Arnold was finished Gerard started laughing " hahahaha you do not realize what you have done you have made a grave mistake that will haunt you later on" . " Gerard you can laugh all you can and give me all those threats you want but being a stubborn man you are I am done with you. Boys!!!!" As Arnold said this his men came inside spilled gasoline all over the cattle house . Arnold took out his lighter and and smiled at Gerard and was turning away when Gerard said" Hey Arnold just so you can know the reason why I am not begging you for mercy or siding with you is because that was what old Gerard would do and this new Gerard wont let go of you that easy. This is just the beginning I will come for you to end this because you reap what you sow" . Arnold threw away the lighter and he and his men left the cattle house , suddenly the flames were all around Gerard and occupied the entire building. The building was on fire and no way for Gerard to go. Nearly after an hour of the lit up a passing by vehicle spotted the fire and stopped the driver called the fire department and reported the event. The fire brigade arrived and started extinguishing the fire but the fire was very strong and after a long fight there was luck the fire was put down . The fire fighters searched the cattle house for any survivors they found a burnt man barely breathing , they took him to the nearest hospital with the help of some identification his family was called . Matilda and the kids were all scared and frightened to see Gerard in such a dreadful condition. The doctor came out of the operation theater and met Gerard's family . Matilda wiping her tears asked " how is He now? " the doctor replied" well the condition isn't any better I have done all I can the good thing is he is alive but for how long I cannot say we are putting him on ventilator lets just pray". The doctor left the room and left the entire family in tears what had happened to them was injustice but they were still unaware of the actual story. 6 months later further deep inside the country of Atlantica in the metropolitan city New corkston . People were coming home early to watch the special transmission , people turned into Retro one news and zoomed into television. The show started " hello everyone and good evening I am your host Bruce Baxter and here with a very special transmission in front you as you all know the General elections are right around the corner it is a festival for us all where we not only get to select our President but we also celebrate the festival of democracy. " These words boosted the confidence among the viewers and they got more interested Bruce continued" and here with me I have 2 very special guests I have mister Owen Smith spokes person of National Peoples Party who's leader is Mobius Shaw and on the other hand I have Will Wilson spokes person of the Atlantica Democratic party. Bruce asks the first question to open the debate" Gentleman my first question to you both is why should people vote for you people what have your leaders done so far something extraordinary that people cast their vote for you?" Owen smith responded" The credibility of my leader and the efforts done by him and the party are an open secret we have improved the road and railway networks to promote trade with our neighboring countries our current account has been surplus in the government of Mister Mobius Shaw . The Literacy rate has gone up which is an all time high what else should I say here?" Owen concluded and right there Bruce took the same question to Will Wilson , Bruce asked" mister Wilson your leader Arnold is first time contesting in the General Elections why should people vote for him and your party ? ". Wilson began his answer" Well thank you for inviting me as our friend here said that they have done so much efforts In terms of education and trade but he failed to answer why female literacy rate is dropping and why do they have to wipe out the entire forest to pass their so called road network , but lets stick to the question. My leader mister Arnold has a heavy mandate from the western region he is very popular figure there. where ever he has won the face of the constituency has changed . Health care has been improved , people can now be treated who are suffering from chronic diseases they have to pay very little money . They are provided expensive medication free of cost. Welfare system has been improved we have opened up schools where we educate children with poor family background. The list has just started I can go on " . As Wilson finished Bruce started " Mister Wilson you said that health care system has been improved but it has been seen that there's a lot black marketing of the vital medicine's which has created a shortage and those medicines are way out of reach of the poor only rich people can afford it . secondly you said that you have opened up schools for the poor people but those children are seen less at schools but more at factories of your ministers " . Wilson interrupted " you are diverting the debate besides this is all non sense you don't have any proof " Bruce continued " I have proof I am always well prepared I have proof which I will show after the break . More coming up after the break stay tuned " . The show went o a break Wilson sat on his seat and was tensed Owen smith was relaxed and gave a thumbs up sign to Bruce. Bruce stood up and stepped down from the set for a makeup change as Linda senior editor came towards him . " why are you suddenly being biased your job is to lead the debate not to pass any judgement !" Bruce replied with calmness " relax Linda This morning a special parcel was outside my house I have to take side of Mobius Shaw on this " Linda was shocked and said " what are you talking about seriously!!!" Bruce was looking at his mobile he had received a text message . Bruce headed for the production room and after a minute came out and went for the set to resume the show. Bruce said" hello and welcome back ladies and gentle man we will pick right where we left there's one specific video I have for you all never seen before play it jerry " . The video was off Walden troy senior minister of National Peoples Party giving money to the Independent representatives of the Provincial assembly in the previous local elections . Bruce started " As you all have seen its there there is so much corruption in the NPP the question is loud and clear will we vote for a party that has corrupt ministers and do we want a corrupt leader in power and governing this country?" Owen smith was surprised to see what had just happened . " Mister smith you have the right to deny this video or call it a fake your choice but I suggest you tell the truth is he your minister? and is he not bribing? " Before Owen smith could answer the show was taken off air due to sudden law and order situation in the city . Owen smith was angry and left the studio by saying this to Bruce " you have not kept your word mister Shaw will not like this he will look into this matter himself now" This time Will Wilson was happy and at ease and brought his hand forward to Bruce Baxter " this is a new start my friend " . Linda walked straight upto Bruce are you crazy you cannot change the entire narrative just like that and I thought you were loyal to Shaw what happened?" he said "just calm down sweet pea I am only loyal to money besides Arnolds offer was much more generous and I will be taking you to dinner tonight to celebrate ," Linda smiled and said " you are crazy " and walked away. The next day in the evening Bruce was getting ready for his dinner with Linda he received a call from Linda " where are you I am waiting for you " He replied yes yes I am just getting ready I wont be late I will not ruin our special day " . He took a shower & changed clothes used some perfume on him. He headed for his car and drove towards Linda's house to pick her up . He entered the main road when all of a sudden a truck speeding from the front crashed into his car , 2 men came out and looked carefully inside his ruined car and said "this is what happens when you double cross Mister Shaw " One of the guy was talking on phone and said " he is certainly a goner" and both the men walked away.