Losing Echoes [Complete]

Epilogue

The tensed environment of the check post was unnerving, grim. Hamid settled his eyes more keenly around, looking for any movement but the stillness hadn't broken.

"They won't be attacking tonight."

Hamid sighed but his force on his weapon hadn't loosened.

"You already told me that. I'm just being cautious."

The senior officer shrugged his shoulder knowing well Captain Hamid would be on edge till this operation ended which wasn't happening anytime soon. They were here for a week now. The operation was moving on slowly. The terrorists were mingled with the local population, disguising themselves and picking them out was a task not easy. The team of army personnel which was sent to this area consisted of their best soldiers, all of whom could attack and plot as the situation demanded. Captain Hamid considered himself lucky that he was partnered with one of best in their squad. The man had a mind which would often surprise Captain Hamid. His fighting plans and strategy of actions hadn't failed them yet.

"Your aim was good today. Pretty impressive."

Hamid was startled. He had made peace with this fact about the military that getting praise was rare here. Hearing it from his role model was both exciting and confusing.

"Thank you, Sir."

"You're from Pindi, right?"

"The only. This makes us neighbors if I tell you."

The officer smiled. It was good to have some semblance of home here, be it getting acquainted with someone who belonged to the twin of his city.

"Non-Army background, eh? Wouldn't have been easy coming all the way here."

Hamid thought for a second.

"No, my family wasn't as supportive given the fact that I'm the only son. It was my dream though. Then it turned into a passion. I was preparing for my ISSB test when a case got very famous on local and national level. It was shocking at first but then it became inspiring for people like me. That incident helped me a lot in figuring out my priorities."

The officer looked away. The smile on his face had turned into a solemn look.

"Was it easy, sir? Standing against your own family?"

Zaviyar picked on the overgrown bushes they were sitting behind.

"No. It was hell. And even today I don't see if it was worth it."

"Why? You should be proud of yourself."

Zaviyar didn't say anything for a few seconds. He wasn't unaware of the circumstances under which this operation had started. The same old tale. The terrorism on the outskirts of these ranges with the help from people in power back there in the capital and around. Game of power and money. Contacts and links.

"I'm proud of what I did but the thing is, there isn't just one Yahya Duraid or Honadir Sahni in this country. Getting rid of them only wasn't enough. I tore down my whole family but sometimes I do question myself."

Hamid hadn't expected this answer. He was hoping for a long story of struggle with a gloating glint but all he had gotten was a confused afterthought.

"It's not my place to say something, sir but you inspired me to the point where I didn't care for anything. Not my background, not what I had to face. And it's just me. We don't know how many out there are keeping you in mind while coming to forces. This is something, not much but at least some consolation."

The junior of his was making him glance at an altogether different meaning of the past he'd had. Something he hadn't given much thought to but now looking at it with someone else's perspective had changed so much.