A week later, Atharv called, however. It was 28 December 1999. ‘Somaiya Uncle, I thought deeply about all that you said,’ he said. ‘The details of how and why Vishu was killed came as a rude shock, let me tell you. His killer may be dead but I will be frank with you. I want to reach his bosses, the ones who run, nurture such murderers. That day, my retribution will be complete. Vishu will get true justice.

‘What you asked me to do, however, did shock me! I am a lawyer, not an army man, or a cop or a spy. But I see the point. Due to the deep personal loss that my family has suffered, life has brought me to that bend in the road where I can decide the direction of my onward journey. I am a patriot, and I can make sacrifices for the country. I also want to help in bringing to book the bastards who kill innocent children like Vishu.’

He took a deep breath and continued, ‘I and two of my friends, Anant Nair and Nirav Pillai, who share my love for the country, will join you in your mission. For a few years only. I am in my mid-twenties, as you know, and can always return to my law practice, which is currently unremarkable anyway, a few years later. My friends are both around twenty-eight. They have postgrad degrees in commerce and have been unemployed for the last few years.

‘So tell your CTC to take good care of us when we put our lives in danger by being part of this plan. We can be the tip of India’s spear.’

Somaiya was taken aback. He hadn’t expected Atharv to take his offer seriously. ‘Atharv, I cannot thank you enough. The country will not forget your sacrifice. You and your friends are welcome aboard. Once the countdown begins, you will be paid a monthly honorarium of Rs 60,000 and a golden handshake of Rs 50 lakh after five years.’

‘Sounds fair, Uncle.’

‘But first, you will have to get trained and acquire special skills. You will then enter Pakistan. If you do not survive the rigours of the training or decide to leave it midway, we will let you return home with honour. No questions asked. You will then forget all about us and vice versa.’

‘We are ready to do whatever is needed, Uncle. Just tell us where we need to go for the training,’ Atharv said.

19. NEW RECRUITS

19

NEW RECRUITS