Humanity vs. Humiliation

"Boss has called you to office", said the man. I went to him. He was sitting on his chair drinking and smoking. When he saw me he gave a pleasant smile and said," You have got a new job...It's Mr. President, Octan's Highrise, tonight 9:30pm".

"How much for the work?"

"Thirty million."

"I will do it", I said without thinking.

I was an orphan and retired army soldier. I was from the Elite Forces back at that time and had also served in Afghanistan for a few years. After retiring at the age of 35, I had come to the West to try my luck in fortune making. Unfortunately, I failed to keep pace with the crowd here. Instead I chose to get into some "easy" money-making professions. In no time, I became the top hitman and the most feared one in the West. For all important assassinations, I was the person assigned. My boss was extremely happy with me. My past knowledge in the army had helped me to enhance my profession. 

That evening, I reached the small hill located just behind the main building of Octan's Highrise. I examined the area and calculated the total number of bodyguards there. The security was tight and I tried to hide behind some bushes to avoid the light of the helicopters flying above. Then I assembled my long distance rifle, put on the scope and waited. 

At exactly 9:32pm, the President came out of the main building. I put my hand on the trigger and aimed at his head. The security personnel around the President made the place so crowded that I felt uncomfortable for the first time. The job of a hitman is not easy after all. One small mistake and I would be put behind bars...maybe even beheaded.

I kept patience. I was supposed to shoot the president right before he got into his car. 

The door of the car opened and I was about to press the trigger but I stopped midway. 

I noticed two toddlers sitting in the car and they were probably his children. Beside them sat his wife. Seeing them, I was overcome with emotion.

"I can't do it."

"How can I kill a man who is a Father, a Husband and moreover The President protecting such a big country?"

My memories as an orphan flowed through my mind .

I did not think much and aborted my mission. 

For the first time it felt good that I had not killed anybody. I had to put up the an appearance that I was humiliated in front of my boss for not being able to do the job. Of course, my boss was very angry with me and I had ended up seeing up my own assassination.