SN-113.

"Angels and Demons? Interesting book, isnt it?"
"Yeah, am just half way through it.. Dan Brown's masterpiece, dont u think?"
"I dont know. I havent read it. I just thought it would be a nice pick up line." :)
"Haha.. "
"I am Siddarth".
"Hi, I am Shreya."

Air Sukkan flight SN-113 to Chennai is delayed by an hour. Air Sukkan apologises for the inconvenience...

"Yeah Right."
"Are you flying to Chennai too?"
"Yes I am.."
"It is delayed by just an hour.. that's normal isnt it.."
"Yeah, i guess so.."
"You looked disturbed all of a sudden"...

Siddarth began to sweat.. He was late. He had accounted for flight delays but an hour's delay for a domestic flight was a bit too much.. He checked his coat pocket.. It was still there..

"So, whats the book about?"
"Its a sort of a prequel to the 'Da Vinci Code', you can say"
"Well, never read that book either :D"
"So, what do you do?"
"I am a software engineer here in bangalore"....

All passengers of Air Succan SN-113 please proceed towards security check and await further information...

"Thats us.. Shall we go"
"Ya, lets beat the queue :) "...

Shreya picked up her handbag and proceeded towards security check. Siddarth bent to pick up his luggage and something from his coat pocket fell down. He immediately picked it and stashed it in before anyone could see it.. He couldnt let go of it.. It was his life..

Shreya walked into the metal detector.. *Beep*... She was taken aside for the customary frisk in the kiosk.. She placed her hand bag into the x-ray device and the book on the table nearby and entered the frisking kiosk.. She came out a minute later, picked up her handbag and the book and waited for Siddarth to finish the security check...

The line for the guys was longer and Siddarth had to wait a while , growing nervous by the minute. Shreya couldnt understand his nervousness.. "First time on the flight, probably" she thought.

Siddarth walked into the metal detector.. *Beep*... He was asked to come over for the customary frisk. He passed his coat into the x-ray device and he went over to the police guy to get frisked. He came out a minute later; picked up his coat and joined Shreya at the seating area..

"First time on the flight, is it? You look pretty nervous."
"Well, no.. I need to be somewhere in a couple of hour's time. I am just hoping I make it"
"Dont worry, you surely will make it in time"

Air Sukkan announces the immediate departure of its flight SN-113 to Chennai. Passengers are requested to move through Gate 2 and proceed towards the air-craft. Air Sukkan wishes its Chennai bound passengers a very safe and a happy journey.

Shreya and Siddarth boarded the plane and found an empty pair of seats, Shreya near the window and Siddarth in the aisle. The plane was empty. There were hardly 10 people in the flight. Five minutes later, the plane took-off..

"Hey, I need to visit the loo... I'll be back soon"..
"So do I...", she said winking..

Siddarth unbuckled the seat belt and proceeded towards the loo. Shreya followed him with a smirk on her face. Siddarth entered the loo and before he could lock the door, Shreya entered the same toilet... *BANG*... The silencer muffled the gun's signature....

Two hours ago...

"You sure you know him??"
"Yes, I have seen his photo.."
"Alrite, he must be somewhere in the waiting area.. Find him.. I need that memory stick.."
"Ok.."

She walked into the airport with grace and poise and located Siddarth sitting in front of the Coffee and Stories coffee pub.. She sat next to him and opened her copy of "Angels and Demons"..

"Angels and Demons? Interesting book, isnt it?"
"Yeah, am just half way through it.. Dan Brown's masterpiece, dont u think?".....

Siddarth didnt notice the hollow compartment in the book... THAT would be his nemesis..

Air Sukkan flight SN-113 to Chennai is delayed by an hour. Air Sukkan apologises for the inconvenience...

Siddarth's conference would start in Chennai in under two hours. Being the principal speaker, the flight delay didnt help.. He grew nervous.. The contents of the memory stick had to be explained to the professors he was about to meet. This would be the only opportunity he got. His entire life's work was in it. He checked his coat pocket. The memory stick was still there..

All passengers of Air Succan SN-113 please proceed towards security check and await further information..

Shreya walked into the metal detector.. *Beep*... The Beep was for the gun hidden in the book compartment, but as is usually the case, it was mistaken for some jewellery. She was taken aside for the customary frisk in the kiosk.. She placed her hand bag into the x-ray device and the book on the table nearby and entered the frisking kiosk.. She came out a minute later, picked up her handbag and the book and waited for Siddarth to finish the security check...

The flight took off un-eventfully. Ten minutes before landing, Siddarth unbuckled the seat belt and proceeded towards the loo. Shreya followed him with a smirk on her face. Siddarth entered the loo and before he could lock the door, Shreya entered the same toilet... A surprised Siddarth turned around to face the barrell of a gun. *BANG*...

Blood oozed out from the forehead of Siddarth.. Shreya was a perfect marks-woman. A pool of blood started forming near his body. She searched his clothes for the memory-stick. She found it in the coat pocket. She returned to her seat to hear the Air-hostess' orders to prepare for landing.

We will be reaching Chennai soon.. Please fasten your seatbelts, chairs in the up-right position, tray tables closed and the window blinds up.. Thank you for choosing Air Sukkan and we hope to serve you again in the near future.