Ishq-e-Watan

Chapter 68- The Storm

CHAPTER 68

THE STORM

Karan leaned back on the couch, inspecting the middle aged psychiatrist quietly. She had a kind face, slight wrinkles- laugh lines- around her eyes. She looked up at him, their eyes meeting. She held his gaze, offering him a small smile. Kind but firm. His eyes darted to the Colonel and then to Sanju and Faizi, the room shrouded in silence.

"I am Dr. Vamika Goyal", she said. "I took your cadet's psychological evaluation."

"Special Agent Major Karan Shergill", he introduced.

She smiled. "I know who you are. Aapko kaun nahi jaanta? There is no need for introductions." She offered a smile to the others too. "I know aap log busy hain. Let's not waste time and get down to discussing her results." They nodded. Vamika opened the file, taking out a piece of paper. "My end line conclusion is that Dr. Monami Mahajan is not mentally fit to be in the field in her current mental situation."

Not... mentally fit? Karan froze. What? She said 'not', didn't she? Did... Did that mean they were going to kick Monami out of the program? Just... Just like that?

"She is not violent or volatile. If not triggered, she is capable of taking sound decisions and has shown signs of being on the path of becoming a good commando. But she does not know how to manage her triggers. She cannot control her emotions when she is pressed and this is a big hindrance in the field. Hence, I rule her unfit for field work."

"Kya field agent ke alaawa woh army mein reh sakti hai?" Colonel Batra asked.

Vamika nodded. "Definitely", she said. She paused for a moment, looking at the colonel. "I know you are short on field agents and Monami is a good cadet, so if I may add something?"

"Feel free, doctor", he allowed.

She fiddled through the file, bringing out another paper. She looked at the agents. "Aap logon ke plan ke hisaab se, when are you planning to let the cadets go into the field? Minimum time?"

"Abhi se?" Karan said. "About 8-9 months. Inki training ko 1 saal ho jaayega. Par depending on their performance, hum iss time ko extend kar sakte hain. Par at least 8-9 months. Not counting behind the scenes assistance, of course. That's not field work."

She nodded. "The only thing jo Monami ko field mein hone se unfit banaata hai is her triggers. If she can manage her triggers, toh she would be fit to go into field." She looked at the colonel. "Sir, agar aap Monami par invest karna chahte hain, then I can work with her until her time to go into the field to help her manage her triggers through therapy. But uske baad bhi, if she will be fit to be in the field or not, woh pakka nahi hai."

The colonel looked at the agents and then back at her. "We will let you know by 1300 hours hum iss baare mein kya sochte hain", he said. "If there is a need for further discussion, you might need to come again."

She smiled, nodding. "Anytime." She stood up, walking out. She closed the door behind her, leaving merely the commandos in the cabin.

Colonel Batra looked at the agents. "What do you think?" Karan opened his mouth, pausing when he held up a hand. "Tumhaara opinion mujhe pata hai, Karan." He closed his mouth, leaning back into the couch. "Faizi?"

There was a moment of contemplation. "First day se compare karein toh... Monami has gotten better. Woh zyaada confident bani hai. Woh ek achhi cadet hai, toh... hume lagta hai ki kaafi chance hai ki woh yeh kar legi. Hume achhe agents ki zaroorat hai aur woh ban sakti hai."

"Hume bhi yeh hi lagto hai", Sanju pitched in. "Pehle Monami ko kisi se baat karne kehto the, woh darr jaato thi. Ab toh dispensary mein bhi kaam kar leto hai. Pehle se behtar zaroor hui hogo woh. Aur agar therapy se aur behtar ho sakto hai, toh hume lagto hai ki uss jaisi cadet ko ek chance milna chahiye."