Operation Camouflage
Page 20
‘During the last twelve years, I have done many things which were required for the mission and as a by-product I personally earned a lot of power, name and fame. And before these things start getting to my head, it is high time for me to relinquish them and retire.
At this point Avanish spoke, ‘Chief, I hope you are not hinting at surrendering to the law?’
‘Absolutely not,’ said Aadi. ‘While the Action would have been wrong, whatever was done, the purpose, the intent behind it was always right. The law considers the ‘Action’ and not the ‘Intent.’ But I judge myself only by the ‘Intent’ and not the ‘Action.’ It was me who had decided what would be my ‘Action’ and if at all the time comes, it will be me who will decide what will be my punishment. Don’t compare me with a Bollywood film hero who though happy with his intent, repents his actions after having accomplished his objective or revenge. I have no remorse for what I or for that matter anyone amongst us has done.’
Right now I only intend to give up my power, name and fame. This means, I give up the position of Head of GALAXY and the position of head of all businesses. I give up my office, my apartment, my entry at the headquarter and my chopper. As far as GALAXY and the businesses are concerned, we have overcome all the anticipated challenges and are running smooth. The team can decide my successor.
‘But Chief, what happens to you once you give up your power?’ asked Avanish ‘Today the law is not able to touch you because of your power.’
Ravikisan will take care of that. The few hundred cases against me will continue as they are. I am giving up my power, not him nor anybody else. My weapon and Raj my robot continue to stay with me for my security. I want to now devote myself completely to teaching and treating and of course, spending time with my family. I will go back to a normal life. And if the situation arises, the mission ever needs me, I am just a call away.
Everybody knew that the Chief needed a break and that was possible only when he stepped down. One can run a 100-metre race at 40 kmph or a marathon at 20kmph, but if one could compare, for the last twelve years Chief had been running a marathon at a speed of a 100 metre race. While everybody did multi-tasking, roles that Aadi played were significantly more demanding mentally as well as physically. Heading GALAXY, heading strategy, heading multiple businesses, undertaking the most complex of surgeries and teaching were amongst the few that he played regularly, all days without any weekly offs. It was not uncommon for him to spend eight to ten, 24 hour days in a month while managing GALAXY and being pulled in for surgeries. They knew that retirement was the only way, Chief could relax. With a very heavy heart, everybody accepted Chief’s decision. Everybody stood up and gave a standing ovation to their beloved Chief. There were tears in everybody’s eyes.
If it was possible, their respect for him would have grown even more. But, it was already at its peak. There are people who earn loads of money and power to fulfil a personal desire. There are some who give up both and dedicate entire life for a cause. But, such people can’t use wrong means even for a right intent. Their principles come in their way. And then there are rare ones like Aadi who have the unique ability to overcome guilt in using a wrong means and yet stay grounded, stay focused on the purpose, who earn money and power for a cause, utilize it for the purpose and once accomplished, instead of basking in the glory of accolades give up everything and simply move back to a normal life.
Everybody came forward and hugged their Chief, wishing him a happy and refreshing life. Everybody felt, that it was the end of one of the biggest, one of the greatest journey’s that mankind would ever see…But, would it really be the end or just a break. If it would be a break, how long would it be? Only time would tell.
EPILOGUE
While Aadi wanted the team to decide the next head, as a mark of respect everyone requested Aadi to take this one last decision before moving and appoint his successor himself.
While the general thought was it would be Samir who was the co-founder of GALAXY with Aadi, who was the Second in Command, who had the mind reading ability and who was also the Head of R&D; Aadi chose Aakash as his successor. Everyone including Samir welcomed the decision and congratulated Aakash.
Aadi relocated from Mumbai to Munnar with his family. The Dean of the veterinary institute had volunteered to move to a different role and offer his post to Aadi. But Aadi convinced him saying that he had left his position for relaxing and did not want to complicate life by managing any administrative responsibilities now. He wanted to just teach, share his knowledge, make the finest vets and if required, perform surgeries and treat animals.
Ritu had taken up a role at PermaCure Health resort and was happy for reasons more than one. First, Aadi was now spending a lot of time with them. Second, the weather was amazing and the place extremely peaceful in contrast to Mumbai. And lastly she had seen a significant rise in her family income. Aadi had on very few occasions picked up money in his previous role. Infinity package was applicable to him, but it involved an effort on his part for transferring the amount to his account. Aadi felt Ritu’s salary was sufficient to take care of all their wants and he could always take from GALAXY, whenever need be. But for Aadi, that need never arose. But now with his teaching job there was a fixed amount coming into his account every month.
Ritu and Dhara had remained largely untouched by the power Aadi commanded in his previous role. So, the change was not very drastic or difficult for them to adjust. In spite of the tremendous power he enjoyed in his previous role Aadi very smoothly got adjusted to the new life. Thanks to his meditation, his dual identity before Operation Reveal, his experience in changing hats and managing multiple roles simultaneously and his self-restraint in not letting the power or success ever go to his head.
Just a day before, he had gone with Ritu and Dhara for boating at the lake. The particular day being a holiday was crowded with higher than usual tourists and he had to wait in queue for almost half an hour before getting the tickets. All this time he had been chatting with Dhara and Ritu saw the two of them happily cracking jokes and sharing a laugh. She was pleasantly surprised at the transformation. A person who at a time walked into any politician or bureaucrat’s office at his will without ever having to wait, now happily waiting in a queue for something as small as boating.
One more thing that changed was transition from an unpredictable schedule to a fixed one. They would now wake up at 5 am and all three would go for a walk together. After returning they would get ready have breakfast and head to their respective jobs and school. Aadi and Dhara would return at almost the same time and then Dhara would go for her extracurricular classes. By the time she came back, Ritu would have returned from her office. Aadi would spend that time in practising guitar. After returning Dhara would concentrate on her studies, Ritu would pursue her love for painting and Aadi would spend time in reading and on some occasions help Ritu with cooking. At 8 pm they would have dinner together and retire to bed by 9:30 pm.
Aadi had told Ritu and Dhara to consider this phase of life as a vacation. Something that was not permanent but could end anytime. Any moment he could get a call for duty and he would have to go, temporarily or maybe even permanently. He had hung up his boots knowing that there are people who will continue the mission. But, if ever something happens to them or the situation demands Aadi’s presence, he will have to go. So making the best of the moment and praying that the situation does not arise soon, was the only option in front of Ritu, Dhara and Aadi. And their prayers had been answered daily for the last one and a half year.
6th December’ 2020
It’s five minutes past two in the night. The mobile phone kept on the side table next to the bed starts ringing. It’s not unusual for Aadi to receive calls at this hour, as even now some emergency cases come to him at night. But… the ring tone is not usual. Aadi gets up from his sleep with a startle. The last time he had heard this ring tone was more than a year and a half ago.
Screen flashes the name of Aakash. Aadi receive
s the call. He says ‘Hello’ when Aakash speaks from the other end, ‘Chief, WE HAVE A SITUATION. Your pickup is on the way, ETA six and a half minutes…’
Action continues in December’ 2020
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Amit Sidham is a Marketer turned Management Consultant turned Entrepreneur and currently the Managing Partner at a startup. The plot of the mystery was in his mind for quite some time, but the book took a back seat due to work commitments, till one day he finally decided to start writing and bring the book to life. The delay did help in its own way by giving him additional time to think and add more surprises and interesting turns to the story.
He is an endurance runner and has won several medals in various long-distance runs. Amit is also passionate about inspirational and patriotic poetry and has created a YouTube channel for the same. He is associated with several NGOs working in the field of nature conservation, nation building and education. He lives in Bangalore with his parents Asmita and Anil, wife Mukta and daughter Saanvi.
He can be contacted through email at sidhamamit@gmail.com