The Loaded Gun

Aamir Toub could not take his eyes off the new gun. It was a new Smith and Wesson .38 calibre gun and it was heavier than he had expected. His daughter Afsana could still not believe that she had done this. They had been from Persia and were mistaken for Arabs in America and were always a subject of humiliation. Her father was always of the view that they were never SAFE in this country and it was on his repeated nagging that their antique shop was always under threat that she got him a gun and a red box with bullets.

Micheal Pena was surprised that his daughter is not in her bed. A mexican-American, he knows that he would always pass for a crook though he makes a decent living as a locksmith. He finds his daughter Venessa sleeping under the bed and smiles to her.

"Daddy, i am afraid that someone will attack us just like they did us in our previous house" says 6 year old Venessa.

Micheal "I should have told you. You know, once i met an angel."
Venessa "Really. And what did she say?"
Micheal "She gave me this invisible cloak which will prevent me from any attack on earth. See, Daddy was into so many fights and still he is alive because of that cloak. Would you like to wear it?"
Venessa "Sure daddy."
Micheal acts like he is untying the knot of the cloak and ties it to Venessa.
Venessa "Shall i take it off when i take bath?"
Micheal "No honey. Just have it on. Good Night Sweet heart."
Coming out of the room, Micheal felt embarrased that he had to dupe his child with such fairy tales.

Micheal "Your lock is repaired sir, but you will have to replace the door."
Aamir "Ok. Do it."
Micheal "Sir. I am a locksmith. Please find some door repairer."
Aamir "OK. I get it. You want to get a job for your friend who is a door repairer. How dare you dupe me?"
Micheal "Sir. Please give me my money"
Aamir " No i wont. Repair it and then i will give you the money."
Micheal gets angry and walks out of the antique shop.

The next day Aamir walks to find his Antique shop ransacked. Angry and humiliated he picks up the gun and waits outside Micheal's house.

Micheal walks nearby his house and is surprised to find Aamir outside his house.
Aamir "Give me my money"
Micheal "What money? I dont have any money"
Aamir "You stole in my antique shop and i am going to make you pay for that".

Just as Aamir shoots at Micheal, Venessa dives towards him from her school bus. Aamir is shocked and drops the gun. Micheal is full of tears and his daughter's cry still linger in his ears.
Venessa "Its ok dad. Youre cloak has saved my life"
A confused Micheal kisses her cheeks and they walk past to the house living a bewildered Aamir.

Aamir could still not believe it and tells the whole account to his daughter Afsana. He is now a releived man that he didnt become a sinner by killing a child.
Afsana comorts him and asks him to go bed. She walks to the drawer and picks up the loaded gun with one bullet less. The words "EMPTY BULLETS" seem to smile at her and she returns it back.

P.S: This is one of the stories in the movie CRASH.