Interim

It was a clear morning that day in Alabama, and also an exciting one for the Americans. There was a lot of hype to that day – November 22nd 2006, the American president, Mr. George W. Bush was coming to visit the poverty-stricken areas of the state. Actually, the plan was to gain popularity and support before the 2004 elections. And it was sort of successful, thousands of people gathered around to hear the president after his tour of the place.

I was there, inconspicuous among the immense crowd surrounding me. All around, blinding camera snaps and eager faces were the only things seen, and enthusiastic shouts along with cheers from the president’s arrival were all that touched one’s ears. The tour was over, and now he would come up and deliver a speech, in which he would speak about the problems he analyzed and his policies to correct them, only if he won the upcoming elections- a fair deal. In other words, it was a plot to get the public on the side of the democrats, which would be a hard blow to the republicans once more.

In the crowd, I was sweating, perhaps due to excitement, or fear, or maybe plainly due to the heat. I looked behind me, to see the strangers who would accompany me for the next three or four hours. A young lad stood behind me, preoccupied with his MP3 player and humming on some strange English tunes. Next to me was a man in his forties reading the newspaper intently, but to my surprise it was the sports section. In front of me, an elderly man in his eighties was having trouble standing straight among others, and seemed to be adjusting his glasses to have a clear view of the president when he arrived. His face portrayed his interest in political affairs, believing that his old fashioned thoughts had the power to change the country’s economic conditions. And in the middle I stood, divided among different age groups and men of contrasting interests.

“Excuse me.”, said a third man, “Could you please tell me when the president would arrive. It’s been quite a while since the time is due.”

I couldn’t understand his accent, his words were incomprehensible to me; therefore I decided not to answer it. After a moment or so, he turned back, looking at me strangely, and then turning away again.

“Ladies and gentlemen, indeed the time has come for the president of the United States to come up on the stage now and discuss the problems he saw and his measures for the better condition of Texas. I would like it if silence is maintained during the session and no disturbances are caused.”

Thundering sounds of claps throughout the audience deafened people, which died instantly when the man himself, Mr. George W. Bush arrived on stage in a blue formal suit. After fiddling with the microphone and clearing his throat, he abruptly began:

“Good morning, citizens of the United States. I am here to discuss some of the primary problems facing Texas since the last few years. Agriculture is frail, with the state now producing only 10 million tones of harvest compared to its own 268 million back in 1922. Its main cause is the infertile soil and obsolete farming methods. Industry has remained depressed and the state makes only 11 million tones of steel compared to own 109 million in 1959. Unemployment also has steadily increased in these years and the rate of….”

I didn’t have time to listen to the rest of the tedious talk, or was rather not interested in it. Stretching a little, and hearing mutters from people who’s views my hands blocked, I walked away to one side, where the rush was far lesser. My abdomen was hurting; probably due to the tight belt I was wearing, so I loosened up the metal a bit. I held my briefcase and checked all the stuff I had. One couldn’t trust the crowd here. There was a small restroom on one end, so I went there, peed and returned fresh. Behind the restroom was a staircase leading somewhere, and I climbed it. It was a long way, until I reached the edge of a building. I looked into the crowd from the aerial view; the young boy was missing.

The president was still giving his speech, and I could make out that he was talking about the crime rate and growth of terrorism in the US. I went back into the crowd, restlessly waiting for the speech to get over. Finally, it was over. The faces of people once excited now seemed surprise. Everyone began to leave and lots of security men gathered around Mr. Bush taking him towards his car. Suddenly my cell phone rang, flashing a number which I was unfamiliar with. Yet I answered.

“It’s done. He’s with me now.” the familiar voice said. It was time for me to leave.

Shortly, I hurried towards the parking lot where many journalists gathered to interview the president before he entered his car. I had reached there before them and the guards didn’t stop me from reaching the car. At last, the president arrived and sat in his car, and I sat with him, but on the driver’s seat. Simultaneously, I received an SMS from the same number saying: “The driver is no more. Just get in the car. I hope no one suspects you. You are safe to go now. Make sure it is done. Mohammed Hafeez.”

A grin spread through my face.

“Driver, get the car safely to the Texas International Airport”, said the president, “and take care, terrorist activities are common nowadays.”

“Leaving in a minute, sir.” I replied.

I opened my briefcase once more and took out a picture – Shabana, my baby, was looking cute and my Nafeesa, my love, was prettier than ever.I looked in the mirror at a handsome looking Afghani man, who was going to do a virtuous deed in the name of God. I kissed the picture, for the last time, looked around, pulled out a remote, and shouted the words:

“La illaha ill allah, Muhammad ur rasoolulah”

I looked at the bomb tied on my belt, and then turned back to see the president’s surprised face. Then I pressed the button.