Op Rooppur IX: Friends

23:45

Ratnodweep Resort

Two policemen took away Naser's unconscious body. OC Das also bid Sohel farewell and left. Tahmid went to Sohel and asked, "What's the meaning of this Sohel? Why is the police taking Naser away? What did he do? Who are you?"

Sohel looked at Tahmid. Tahmid got a little soft-seeing tears in the corner of Sohel's eyes. Sohel said to Tahmid, "Talking here isn't safe. Come with me." Saying this, Sohel turned around and went towards his room without waiting for anyone.

A little while later, everyone was sitting in Sohel's room. Sohel opened the mini fridge and got a can of cold coffee. He turned around and leaned on the walls beside the door of the room. Everyone's focus was on Sohel.

Sohel told his friends everything about his reason for coming to Rooppur, Naser's betrayal, and Naomi and Jacob being his squadmates. He consciously hid the fact that Naser was the reason they were put in danger this evening.

After hearing all these, Tahmid and Ovi were shocked. Tahmid got up and ran to Sohel. He grabbed Sohel by the collar and screamed, "What the fuck are you talking about? We have been together all our lives. Why would he do something like that?"

Jacob came and took Tahmid's hands off Sohel's collar. He said, "NWO is everywhere. You saw for yourself how he almost shot the boss. Still, you don't want to believe us?"

Hearing this, Tahmid softened a little. He stopped a little, then left the room. Before going, he looked at Ovi and Mitali and said, "I'm going back to Dhaka first thing the next morning. You guys can come if you want." He also looked at Sohel but didn't say anything.

As he left, Sohel saw the disappointment in Tahmid's eyes. Ovi also got up. He went to Sohel and put a hand on his shoulders. He said to Sohel, "You did what had to be done. Don't resent yourself too much for it. I'll talk to Tahmid. I'm sure he will understand too." He left too. Mitali was going to say something, but Sohel stopped him.

Sohel locked the door and asked, "Naomi, did you ask Mitali about joining us?"

Naomi replied, "I did. But I was rejected."

Sohel sighed and said, "Mitali, we need your help. Tomorrow we are going to infiltrate the power plant. I want you to come with us."

Jacob said, "Boss, she rejected us once. Are you sure you want to ask again?"

Sohel replied, "SNA has a real lack of medics right now. Someone of her caliber will be perfect as the last member of our squad. Just imagine how more agile we can be if we have a medic in our squad and not wait for medics in case one of us gets injured."

"Oh. Okay, I guess." Sohel turned around and looked at Mitali. Mitali was also surprised.

Sohel said, "It's going to be pretty hard. We are to go in, investigate Lu Shen's connection with the power plant, and get out. We can't trust anyone. So, let me ask you again. Will you join us tomorrow, Mitali?"

Mitali was a little confused. She didn't know what to do. She didn't know what she would be getting herself into by joining. That's why she had rejected the invitation before. But now that she learnt that she would be in the same squad with Sohel, things were different. She had realised that Sohel hadn't come to Dhaka to stay. She had realised he would go away once this was over. So if it meant she could stay with Sohel, she doesn't need to think about anything else. She agreed without thinking twice.

Sohel then said, "OK then. Sgt. Mitali Roy, welcome to the team. So everyone, get a good night's rest. We'll meet at 0600 tomorrow. We should get our gear by then. We've got a busy day tomorrow."