The Enemy Within

Chapter 8

Noida, outskirts of New Delhi – 1st March 2020 – 8:30 p.m.

Major Kumar stares at Rohan with a tear in his eye, "I know Rahul and you were very close since boarding school. He wanted you to also follow in my footsteps and enrol into the National Defence Academy but you won a scholarship and went abroad to study further."

"That was the toughest part – being away from Rahul for all those years."

"Life does have a habit of coming full circle. When I wasn't around to look out for him due to my postings, he found support in you and you in him. Now you are here to support me."

Rohan smiles at the memory, "We were known as 'The Terrible Twins'. No one would dare to mess with us."

"I remember the complaints coming to us – but somehow you guys managed to see it all through."

"I think we actually completed each other. Both of us were lonely and found a companionship that was rare."

Major Kumar laughs, "Yes, and I made sure the agency kept an eye on your development. I always felt you could be an asset to us someday."

"I'm glad I was recruited.... Corporate life sucked!"

Both of them laugh heartily.

"Well, I actually couldn't believe it when I saw you as one of the short listed recruits for the NIA."

Rohan nods, "I nearly had a heart attack when they introduced you as the Deputy Chief... I always thought you were still in the army."

"When I saw you at training after all those years, you reminded me of him – smart, sharp and ready to give it everything." 

"Missing his funeral will always be one of my deepest regrets."

"I'm sure he would understand, son. You had just started a job in a foreign country, it would have been impossible for you to get away."

Rohan nods sombrely, "Very few people understand that. Some people say I have risen through the ranks because of your hand over my head as the deputy chief of the N.I.A. at that time," Rohan says sombrely.

"Then they are idiots," snaps back Major Kumar. "I have been gone a long time, but I still hear glowing reports about your work."

"I think this job has actually given me an outlet to vent my frustrations and the anger of my past.... I feel a commitment to ensure no other child in the country needs to go through what I went through."

"Son, you were dealt a tough hand in life and you have risen admirably through it all; with your own hard work, dedication and intelligence. Believe in yourself and no one else. You are in the intelligence business, so you should know how to separate the wheat from the chaff."

Rohan smiles and throws him a salute "Aye, Aye, Sir... reading you loud and clear. "

Both of them laugh out loud.

They drain their glasses and the Major fixes fresh drinks as Rohan walks up to the old turntable and choses a vinyl to put on.

He settles back on the sofa peacefully as he takes a long sip of his favourite scotch.