Rohit supported himself on the coffee table to crawl up from the floorboards and sit down on the sofa. He lowered his head and didn’t dare to look at the monitor, uttering gloomily, “Sana’s post-grad instructor, Professor Sen gave her an opportunity to intern at the United States Congress for six months. So Sana asked me if her passport was still valid and if she could go…”
“An opportunity from Professor Sen?” Sidharth used the mouse to open B University’s Faculty of Law website to
check Kartik Sen’s homepage and CV.
“Thoroughly investigate Kartik’s background and origin in detail, if there’s nothing wrong, help her with their passport.” Sidharth was silent for a long time, his inky eyes inscrutable, “As to whether not not to intern at the
United States Congress, let Sana decide for herself.”
Rohit agreed, then asked, “But Sana won’t be 18 until October, so she needs a guardian to travel abroad with her before then.” He studied Sidharth’s expression to gauge his reaction.
Sidharth rose from his seat to move away from the monitor and stood by the window. He had a cigarette between his fingers and lowered his head to light it, inhaling deeply. He watched Prague’s sparkling starry sky outside the window and said dryly, “If Sana chooses to go, Rohit, you go with her. It’s only six months and it’s a good chance for you to see how the goldfishes in America are doing…”
India and the United States were the only two super nations on Blue Planet. Other than normal exchanges and
trades, there were also secret tensions and all sorts of espionage. The American CIA had spies in the India and the Indian Special Operations Forces also planted men in America. Thus they were doing the same thing and neither could stand on higher moral ground and point fingers.
“Ok.” Rohit nodded at the monitor, “Sana won’t graduate for another two weeks, we’ll make arrangements then.” After they finished discussing Shehnaaz, Rohit then asked about Sidharth’s overseas mission.
Deepak shook his head at the webcam,” Just focus on taking care of Sana, don’t worry about our side. Everything is normal.”
Rohit couldn’t say anything more and cracked a few jokes before turning off the computer and going to bed.
Sidharth was still concerned and specifically asked Deepak to do a complete investigation on Kartik Sen.
As long as there wasn’t anything fishy with the professor, he could set his mind at ease and let Shehnaaz go with Rohit to experience America. Even if Sidharth didn’t say anything, Deepak would’ve dug up Kartik Sen for Rohit.
When Kartik Sen was recruiting at C
University, they had already fully investigated him and didn’t find anything illicit. They also had a third party verify his CV and everything lined up. Because it involved the United States Congress this time, they had to revisit Kartik’s information again and check if anything had been
missed. Kartik Sen’s social relations was the focus of this investigation.
“Mr. Shukla, are you really not worried?” Deepak expressed his concerns in a low voice as he browsed online,
“Sana’s grown up under our secure protection for the past six years, and even so, there has been a few mishaps. Are you sure about her leaving our turf and going to America for six months?”
The cigarette in Sidharth’s hand glowed, but he didn’t smoke from it. His gaze was heavy on the night sky out the window, “It’s because she’s been with us for six years and we still haven’t been able to find out her past, that’s why…”
That’s why it was time to make a move to see if when it is dark in the east, it is light in the west. Perhaps they would find unexpected results.
Deepak merely listened and didn’t speak again for a long time. However the sound of his hammering on the
keyboard grew much louder, tatatatatats like he was venting. The keyboard on the laptop was about to fall apart.
Sidharth turned to him and smiled dryly, “…You have a concern?”
“How could I dare be concerned.”
Deepak’s smile was nearly mirthless, he looked up at Sidharth, ready to
righteously debate about Shehnaaz. But as soon as Deepak met Sidharth’s icy gaze, he became a deflated ball and lost all bravado.
“Why aren’t you talking?” Sidharth moved away from the window and sat on the single-seater sofa under under it.
He rested his long legs on the round step stool in front of the sofa and appeared relaxed, completely unperturbed by anything.
Deepak looked at him again. Sidharth’s face was a portrait of composure, as stately and dependable as a mountain. Under the lights, he was despairingly handsome and cold enough to cause palpitations. Whenever this happened, his coldness nearly overcame his beauty–like a legendary sword that only exuded lethality that completely
blotted out its beauty.
Recalling Shehnaaz’s unquestioning dependence and trust for Sidharth, Deepak gritted his teeth and buried
his head at the laptop. He hastily muttered, “I’ll say it then! –Mr. Shukla, can it be that even though Sana’s been with us for six years that she’s nothing to you?”
Sidharth remained silent and only took another puff of the cigarette, then languidly blew out a ring of smoke. The white smoke snaked before his eyes and obscured his view.
Deepak looked up from his laptop and couldn’t read Sidharth’s exquisite eyes though the smoke. He went with his gut and continued, “Wouldn’t you miss even a cat or a dog you’ve raised for six years? How can you bear to throw her out like a lure? Just to figure out her past? Or is it because… there’s another reason?”
“What other reason do you think I have?” Sidharth stubbed the cigarette in the ashtray. He crossed his legs, one elbow draping on the armrest and the other to supporting his head, “I didn’t think you and Rohit were so rash and soft hearted. It seems like that I misjudged you. I don’t need soldiers like this.”
Deepak’s heart nearly leapt out of his throat. He quickly rose and stood at attention before Sidharth, loudly declaring, “Mr. Shukla! You asked me to speak from the heart!”
“Yes.” Sidharth adjusted his collar, “But your answer was extremely dissatisfactory.”
Deepak pursed his lips to tightly the stubble on his face stuck out and his handsome face grew uncharacteristically red, “I… I… I… I’m human! Not a robot!”
Although Sidharth was aware of this, he had always treated himself like a war machine and didn’t tolerate a
trace of humanity. Sidharth looked up and swiftly glanced over Deepak, “Fine, go finish what you’re doing.”
“Roger!” Deepak saluted him, his head rise and chest out. Before his courage dissipated, he bravely said, “Mr.Shukla! Sana’s not 18 yet, it’s hard for her too, you…”
“I know.” Sidharth raised his hand to stop Deepak from continuing, “I know what to do. But remember, the military had us take care of Shehnaaz, not babysit her. Our duty is to find out about her past. –Before we figure it out, she’s only our target and subject of observation, do you understand? I know you’re human, but to be an excellent soldier, an excellent Special Ops member, you have to overcome your personal weaknesses to be truly
undefeatable.”
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I hope you enjoy reading it.
Love you all.