There was complete silence.
No one moved.
For some, even they had stopped breathing and Gen. Abdul Rehman, he was completely frozen in shock.
He couldn't believe what Sadia had just said and he wasn't the only one who heard it. Everyone in the control room had heard it.
Gen. Bajwa was the first to react as he let out a deep sigh and looked at Gen. Abdul Rehman.
"Sir?" He called and went to him. Gen. Abdul Rehman's face was ghastly pale, his dark eyes wide and full of disbelief.
"Rehman, listen to me." Gen. Bajwa stood by his Friend's side as he squeezed his shoulder, standing close enough to whisper.
"I know that the situation has taken a turn for the worse but please, you need to compose yourself. We can't have the Chief getting involved." He informed. Gen. Abdul Rehman turned and started to walk out of the control room.
The Army Chief.
He was the last person Gen. Abdul Rehman wanted, to be involved in this because this situation had turned too personal.
And now, the situation had taken such a drastically different turn. No one had ever expected this. After they had witnessed Sadia being shot, Gen. Abdul Rehman fainted and such an act was just too compromised. Everyone understood his sentiments but unfortunately no one could do anything about it. It had been more then 72 hours and Gen. Abdul Rehman had given strict orders to trace the calls and video feed but even the most dedicated and skilled hackers couldn't do so. So far, Gen. Abdul Rehman had kept the situation under control and he didn't want this matter reaching the Chief but it seemed hopeless now. Not unless Gen. Abdul Rehman had access to the Central data servers, which could only be authorized by the Chief of Army staff and only to be used in times of national crisis, he saw no other way of getting his daughter back.
Gen. Rehman collapsed on his seat and massaged his forehead. Gen. Bajwa followed him to his office. And now that they were behind closed doors, Gen. Bajwa could speak openly.
"Rehman, I know that-"
"I need access to the central data servers." Gen. Abdul Rehman said immediately. Gen. Bajwa paled. But from the serious look that Gen. Abdul Rehman was giving Gen. Bajwa, he knew that there was no jest in his statement.
"Have you lost your mind, Rehman?" He hissed and pulled out a chair from the desk and sat down.
"Get me GHQ." Gen. Abdul Rehman demanded. "I need access to the central servers and I don't care what I have to do to get it."
Gen. Bajwa sighed. "I know that this situation is too distressing but you mustn't forget your position. Your judgement is too compromised-"
"Of course it's compromised!" His fist came banging hard on the desk as he viewed Gen. Bajwa with anger.
"My only child is in danger! She'll be killed if I don't do anything!" He shouted.
"Rehman, I understand how you feel but you also need to understand what position you're in." Gen. Bajwa tried to reason. "What position? If they want to court martial me after this then so be it but at least I will have my daughter back!"
"That isn't what I meant," Gen. Bajwa sighed deeply and when he saw his friend's defeated expression, he knew that he was going to listen to what he had to say.
"Right now, you're the commanding officer of the the military intelligence. Right now, we are dealing with an enemy that we've finally backed into a corner after years. And we cannot simply give it up-"
"So what are you saying?" Gen. Abdul Rehman growled, glaring intensely at Gen. Bajwa. "That I give up on my daughter? Is that what you're saying?"
Gen. Bajwa was quiet. Right now, he wasn't dealing with his friend rather, he was dealing with distressed father who's child was about to be killed. And the certainty of that happening was also very high. She wasn't in the hand of just any amateur gang or terrorists, she was in the hands of the MMM and they wouldn't spare her. But of course, that wasn't what he could possibly say to him.
"Of course I'm not saying that. We'll try our best to get Sadia back-"
"That isn't happening and you know it. Not without the central servers, we cannot track them."
"Rehman, you know that we can't do that. Using the central servers will not only inform the Chief but also jeopardise the whole Sikhai operation."
"You think that I care about that right now!"
"That's what I'm trying to make you understand. I know you don't care about it-"
"I'm not just speaking as a father. I'm also speaking as a CO because a citizen is in danger."
"Don't say that Rehman. You know it's not true. This matter is too personal and you're not thinking objectively."
Gen. Abdul Rehman turned away from Gen. Bajwa, his shoulders sagging in utter defeat.
"Still, she's a citizen that requires immediate rescue."
"And in any situation in which we had control, we would've dispatched SSG to rescue her but when we can't even locate them, then how are we-"
"We can locate them if only I can have access to the central servers!" Gen. Abdul Rehman shouted, his voice resonating off the walls of his office. His heart was racing and he knew that he ought to calm down but his emotions were on a whirl and he couldn't possibly think of himself when his precious daughter was in imminent danger.
"I'm sure that the Chief will understand." Gen. Abdul Rehman uttered, hoping so much that Gen. Bajwa would agree to with him. He was his closest friend and he wanted his support in this matter.
"Not when the Chief comes to know that it's been more then 48 hours. And you know that's the time limit given to us in a hostage situation."
There was silence in the room. Gen. Bajwa thought of what he had to say next but stayed quiet. He wanted Gen. Abdul Rehman to calm down since his situation and his health was frail.
"Sadia," Gen. Bajwa smiled warmed as he thought of the girl. "She's always been smart and mature for her age." He commented. "Do you remember what she had just said a few moments ago?"
Gen. Abdul Rehman squeezed his eyes shut for years brimmed behind his closed lids as Sadia words rang in his ears:
'Pakistan army does not negotiate with terrorists!'
'Do not compromise on national security for my sake!'
Yes, she is smart. And she made a decision, a decision that her father was too weak to make.
"She said not to compromise on national security for her sake. It only means that she must've figured out that she won't be left alive." Gen. Bajwa said the ultimate truth, the one that his friend was afraid to listen to but he knew that he acknowledged it. "I think that she's accepted her fate. She's willing to give up her life for Pakistan that's why she doesn't want us to negotiate with them anymore. Sadia's a brave girl. She knows what's going to happen and she's accepted it but the real question is, will she ever forgive you if she found out that you would rather risk national security for her sake?"
Gen. Abdul Rehman refused to speak but he was hearing every word loud and clear.
"The Baig family is famous for producing warriors and stouthearted soldiers for generations and Sadia is no exception." Gen. Bajwa spoke passionately, praying in his heart that his friend would see reason. It killed him to have to say this but he couldn't help but admire Sadia for such a brave and strong move. No one could be so selfless or have the heart to put their country and people before their own life except for the soldiers and officers in the armed forces. But Sadia had proved this wrong. She was a patriot, a civilian who would rather die then have her motherland come at risk of anything that could threaten its security. Proving every bit that she was Baig.
However, before Gen. Bajwa could say more, the door of the office burst open and in walked a man that made both their Generals straighten up and salute.
"Chief!"
************
Sadia groaned as she came to consciousness. A sharp pain radiated from the side of her head that made it feel heavy and Sadia couldn't help but writhe in pain. And it wasn't just her head, it was her whole body that felt heavy as lead. Willing her eyes to open, her vision was greeted by darkness. There was silence around her. However, when she moved her hands to touch her head, she froze when she felt the clink of the chains: her wrists were bound by the cold metal.
Fighting against the pain in her head, Sadia tried to sit up but failed. Looking around, she realised that she was back in the same cell that she had been before.
Sadia tried to remember what had happened. But she couldn't recall. It was all a blur.
With struggle, she sat up against the wall and massaged her head. She hissed when her legs moved. Sadia gasped, clenching her teeth tightly when she realised that the pain was coming from the wound on the side of her leg. She couldn't see in the dark but when she touched it, it felt wet. Sadia knew instantly that the wound was bleeding. It must've opened.
A chuckle rang from her throat.
Of course, she would be put back in a dungeon like a prisoner and treated like this. She was no longer of use to them especially after that outburst.
And that's when all the memories came rushing back.
Sadia's decision: she had told her father not to negotiate with terrorists.
After she had said to her father not to negotiate, she had thrown the phone receiver away and the next thing she knew, someone knocked her out with a heavy blow to the side of her head.
Sadia sighed and pressed her hand against her forehead only to feel it burning. Sadia sighed to herself. Of course, she should've known that her wounds would get infected since she had poor healing. But none of it mattered now for she knew that she would be killed very soon.
Zameer kept his eyes on her as she sat by the wall in the dark cell.
He had to admit to himself, she was probably the first woman after Anissa to have shocked him into silence.
'Pakistan army does not negotiate with terrorists!'
Her words still rang in his ears. He never knew that Sadia could be capable of something like this. He always thought that she was a scared little rabbit. But clearly, he had underestimated her.
Up till now, he knew for sure that the scared little girl would do anything to get out of danger. The rabbit had proved to be a kitten and she had claws.
But what she had done, was it truly worth it? Of course, he knew that her father would do anything to get her back then why did she say that?
Zameer was confused. But he refused to give in. Too much was at stake.
The MMM needed the northern route, they had stalled the Russians for too long and it would cause them too much loss. And with Shehryaar's compromised mental state because of his wife's condition, it was up to Zameer to get back his Saeen's trust and restore back what they had lost.
Zameer entered the dark cell. Sadia sat quietly on the cold dirty floor and made no move to acknowledge his presence.
"What are you trying to do, Dr. Sadia?" Zameer began, standing with his shoulders squared and his hands buried in his pockets.
Sadia didn't raise her head but she knew that Zameer was looking at her.
"I'm doing......what I want to do." She whispered.
Zameer chuckled, amused at her choice of words. "And what is it exactly? Make a fool of yourself? Do you really think that you needed to do that?"
"Yes, I did." Sadia's head snapped up, her eye connecting with Zameer's dark intense gaze.
"Isn't That why.....I'm here?" She said, her voice low yet strong and Zameer couldn't help but feel surprised for Sadia looked at him and spoke with conviction.
"You need me." She said as she slowly got to her feet, hissing in pain as pressure was put on her wounded leg but she fought against it. The chains around her wrists and ankles hindered her from moving much but she didn't pay much attention to it.
"You need me.....that's why I'm here. But," she swallowed hard as she looked at Zameer. She was glad for the darkness that didn't permit her to see Zameer directly in the eye otherwise the little amount of courage that she had mustered up would've dissipated.
"I will not allow you people to cause my country any harm." She murmured. Zameer drew in a sharp breath, his brow creasing as he looked at the woman in front of him.
"You people......are going to kill me anyway." Sadia whispered, her voice threatening to break but she refused to give into her fear. She would rather have her voice and thoughts heard then be left inside of her head. It was now or never.
"But.....I would much rather die knowing that Pakistan's integrity was safe rather then......then die a meaningless death." She stated bravely as she stood straight, her breath hitching in her throat. "I don't know why.....you need me." She inhaled deeply. "But I know, it has something to do with the army. And I would......rather die then let the likes of you.....cause the only standing institution of the country to compromise on the security of my motherland." She spoke a little loud and her voice was clear and full of her courage and this courage enabled her to speak without fear.
"But you didn't know, I'm a patriot. And giving up my life for the sake of my country is the greatest death that I can ask for."
Zameer was left stunned, for the second time in that same day and by the same person no less. His chest felt tight. He couldn't help but feel a sudden respect and admiration for the young lady blossom in his heart. He already respected her but for the first time, he felt his heart jolt. Her was really something else. He really had underestimated her. Right now, Sadia looked like she had won a victory and he almost felt defeated But he wasn't about to let her win. This wasn't her moment. Like she had said, she was going to die but not before he had secured his prize.
Composing himself, he let out an amused chuckle, Zameer's confidence didn't waver as he fought against what he felt for the young lady.
"I admire your spirit, Dr. Sadia." He said smoothly. "And if it offers you comfort then that's a great thing however, I didn't expect you, someone who is so smart and intelligent, to give into such frivolities." He stated, looking at Sadia with a smirk and Sadia could clearly hear the smugness in his tone.
"But the army will surrender and we will win."
Sadia smiled as a low chuckle left her lips. "Keep dreaming, Mr. Sheikh. But that's never going to happen.....Pakistan army.....does not negotiate with terrorists."
"So you say, but in a few hours, we'll come to know." Zameer stated confidently and left the cell.
Sadia withdrew back to the floor, her leg burning with pain from putting her weight on it for long.
Her heart was pounding, her face flushed and warm from the fever and wet from the tears.
But in her heart, she felt light.
She felt proud of herself.
She knew that Zameer wouldn't understand her sentiments and it was alright with her. Because only she knew of what and how she felt.
She wasn't afraid of dying. Not anymore.
Her rekindled spirit had given her a lot of courage for now was the moment of her life where she would have to prove herself. For herself and her country.
Martrydom: the most noblest forms of death.
She would rather embrace martyrdom at the hands of terrorists then die a natural death feeling like a failure.
This was a calling.
She just knew it.
Her motherland was calling her. Such an honour, one she could never refuse.
And it was enough to make her smile and give her shaking heart calmness.
***********
Chapter 16 has been updated on inkitt