I always liked the geeky science fiction movies that Space Oddessy, Interstellar, Martian, etc. and my favourite characters would always be the scientist who saved the day. These movies that I watched in my childhood made a huge impact in my life to make me choose a career in science. Although I would never admit that the movies were a factor in shaping my decision, I never really thought about it when I chose to be an engineer. Never did I think, my choice to become an engineer would impact the war-state we were in and also bring me my true love. The fact that I am able to reflect on it now serve as the evidence on what impact this man's love has had on me. This is that story.
_March, 23rd/The day the box arrived with the man.
"Yana, where were you?", my assistant, Tammy called me as I walked into the small crouched office space we set up with 5 computers and 10 people in a shabby, hot tent from where we would be able to observe the impact of the weapons we were testing out.
"I needed coffee, I am sleepy. What's wrong?" I asked as he turned me around and started putting my coat on me.
"Well, wake up. The Sec asked us to visit the Cube. Apparently, code blue." he said as we started walking out of the tent and into the car.
I settled in the passenger seat, starting to tie my hair up as Tammy explained that they suspect a bomb or explosive but no one is explaining the situation further and how they specifically asked for me. Tammy was like a younger brother to me at this point and I had grown used to having him around and having him continuously ramble on so much so, that his silence would tick me off.
"By the way, I got an old sci-fi movie on my drive, remind me to share it with you later. I know you will like it" Tammy went on as he parked the car in the lot. I smiled and replied, "Let's just get by today first."
We walked out of the lot leading straight into the corridors of the Cube. The Cube that was a stark contrast than the tent we had set up as our workstation out in the deserted war-stricken land. The concrete structure that was well-equipped with central air conditioning and venting system, fully automatic sprinkler system, 500 lux lighting system, fully facilitated for the officials sitting in it. Suffice it to say, there was definitely a difference in the treatment of goverment officials based on their ranking and how I wanted to be in the Cube at all times.
It's wasnt like I hadn't tried to be in the Cube. I had been trained for multiple jobs and applied continuously, only to face rejections on the ground that someone needed to be out in the desert doing the weapon testing. Unfortunately, it would only ever be some special task needing my skills for which I would be called on, more often than not by my Godfather, the Sec (Secretary of the Chief, Younsuf). Today was no different. As I entered the room full of men, I felt that even Tammy would have a greater chance than me making it into this room. Just then, my Godfather reached out for me.
"Yana, follow me, we have a code blue.", he said with a calm smile while leading us away from the prying eyes and into the corridor.
I knew where we were headed; one of the most expensive labs for weapon building technology, with the most brilliant minds running it. I had visisted the lab multiple times to diffuse bombs that we would recieve, unknown biological samples to be tested, investigating new species of food and microbes alike- all carried out at one giant glass chamber. However, never had I seen a person kept as a lab rat in it like I saw when I entered the lab. As we walked into the room, the Sec. explained the situation further.
"A man was dropped all blindfolded and tied up on the front gates of this building this morning. Unfortunately, they used signal jammers to block the cameras and we couldn't get a hit on the license plate of the car that dropped him. A box was taped to his hands and ever since we found him, he has only said three words."
The Sec. pointed us towards the still sitting with the box taped to his hands, sitting isolated in the tight sealed thick-glass chambers meant for experimenting. Our eyes met and he tilted his head blinking at me.
"What words?", I asked, turning around to face the Sec.
"Call Yana, fast."
~
The Sec. started going over the protocols of examing the contents of the box as well as interrogating the man, while Tammy helped me get into a Hazmat Suit. I had a sip of water before putting on my helmet and Tammy and the Sec. gave me a thumbs up to proceed. My heart started beating faster as I started to enter a sanitisation chamber before entering the main one. As I entered, I got a clearer look at the man seated in front of me. Calm yet agitated. I took a seat in front of him. Although I knew there were too many eyes outside the glass chamber staring at me, his stare at me made me feel as if I was the lab rat in the chamber. He looked rough around the edges, yet his face reflected warmth. His thick hair and eyes the color of the night sky, his nose long and pointy, his lips thin, red and bruised, evidently someone had punched him. That wasn't all, there were bruise marks playing hide and seek behind his tee-shirt neckline, bruise marks on his wrists, the length of his exposed forearm from where he might have been tied up and I was pretty sure I would find it on his ankles too. Judging from this and his unkempt stubble, he had been probably kept tied up and tortured for a few days before being dropped here. No matter who he was, I felt sorry that a human had to endure such torture at other human's hands instead of kindness.
I took a sealed cup of water from my waist pocket and pierced the seal with a straw, offering it up to his mouth for him to drink. While everyone outside, looked at me stunned, he drank it hungrily closing his eyes, sipping the whole cup down in 7 seconds. After drinking it, I proceeded to discard the plastic to a nearby trashcan. He spoke with the an unexpected deep voice what I didn't want to hear.
"You're kind."
I removed a pair of scissors from my pocket, showed it to him and placed it back in my pocket.
"If you will answer my questions honestly, I will be kind enough to let you free from the box." I told him.
He nodded saying, "Nice to meet you, Yana."
"Why call for me?" I asked.
"They told me to call for you."
"How do you know if I am really Yana?"
"They showed me all your photos, asked me memorize them all. Only you look better than your photos."
"Whose they?" I said dismissing his remark.
"I can't tell you." he looked pained.
I got up to leave, "Well, then you are of no interest to me. Military will take care of you. Goodbye." As I turned, he spoke something I hadn't expected.
"No, wait, what's your favorite movie?" he said earnestly, his face begging me not to go.
I looked at his face and he eyed at the box. I suspected that there was a transmission device inside the box and gestured towards my ear and then the box asking silently Can they hear us?. He blinked his eyes indicating that what crossed my mind was right.
"Why ask such a silly question?", I said while removing a pencil and notepad from my pocket and writing down
'Can they really hear us, blink once for yes, twice for no. And keep talking.'
He blinked once before continuing. "You look like you grew up watching sci-fi movies."
I nodded, "Are you hungry? Judging by how fast you drank the water, I am guessing you are hungry as well. Will you answer my questions, if I give you food?"
Meanwhile I wrote down, "Is there a bomb/explosive or toxic in the box?"
He blinked once and talked, "As long as it's not spicy." he mouthed 'Gas'
I understood and said, "Fine, let me bring you some food."
I stood up and made a few stepping noises. I signalled him to be quiet and removed a small blade from my pocket. I wrote in the notepad, 'I am going to slowly cut the tape away but do not let go of the box or remove your hand till I say so.' He read and nodded once more.
Trying to be noiseless, I cut the tape around his hand slowly, without making a noise. When the blade was too close to his skin, he breathed hard and I gave him a look to not make the breathe so audibly. He nodded and blinked, sighed and then closed his eyes as I freed him of the tape. The task was only half done. I started to cut the cardboard box open with the small blade without making noise. It felt like an eternity trying to move so slowly to cut the box through, and as I opened it, I saw the transmitter, a timer that was about to go off in 2 minutes along with a small vial of liquid which looked like a tear gas. I pulled out the transmitter, placing it on the table and removed the vial of the tear gas slowly leading it away from the explosive next to it. I removed most of the explosive, leaving small amount in for a detonantion to destroy only the transmitter. I put the transmitter back in place and closed the cardboardbox and asked the man to remove his hands. Without making a sound, I lead him out of the chamber and announced that there would be a small explosion in the chamber.
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
A small explosion, enough to destroy the box took place. It didn't startle anyone much except the man who I had just saved who was now being cuffed and carried away by the officials. And while everyone else thanked me and congratulated me, my eyes kept darting to the man who left the lab smiling gratefully.
~
Outside the lab, the Sec. spoke with me.
"You made a good decision to let the blast happen. Letting them think they won for the moment would let them put their guard down for a second and we can attack on them. Good thinking" the Sec. spoke.
"Thank you, sir and sorry, I didn't ask the officials before going ahead with the thought."
"Ah, don't you worry. I will tell them you were acting under my orders."
"By the way, what about the man with the box."
"He's being interrogated at the moment. Unfortunately, I can't allow you to the interrogation room." He looked at me apologetic. "But if you want to stay a little longer, let this old man buy you some food." he offered with a smile.
"I always wanted to see the canteen." I chimed in.
Right then another official ran towards us.
"Oh, Thank God. You haven't left. He's asking for you. The man being interrogated."
The Sec. and I looked at each other.
"Come with me and let's finish this at once to find out the people who sent that package." he requested and we walked towards the interrogation room.
Once again briefed of the agenda, I went in to the room where the man was seated with handcuffs in the dullest room. I looked around for the light switch and switched on most of the lights to brighten the place. He looked up to me and smiled with a sigh.
"You really are a kind one, aren't you." he spoke as I sat in front of him.
"We didn't exactly have a normal conversation the last time, so let's re-do it. What's your n-"
"Arki Kim. 27 years old, from the other side of this world." he cut me off.
"Why are you here?" I asked moving on.
"I am a movie reviewer."
"A what?" I asked almost chuckling.
"The one who reviews movies, writes articles about them..." he started to explain as if I didn't know what he meant.
"No, I got that but why is a movie reviewer from the other side of this world, doing here in a small country which has become the centre stage of this continent's war?" I asked earnestly.
"I came here to review the movies." He explained with a straight face.
"And you want me to believe this?" I raised my eyebrows at him.
"Yes!" he said while his eyes got all big trying to assert himself.
"That was rhetori- never mind. Tell me how you ended up here." I got to the point.
"Well, I took a flight here to review movies. And I had an invite to go to this author's book signing event at his house- Dr.Neel Park. When I reached his house, he was dead and some people suddenly attacked me and knocked me out. The next thing I know I woke up in a - in a - let's call it a garage, with ugly men with big guns discussing how they had picked up the wrong guy but now that I was already there I had to do their bidding. When I refused, they tortured me for some time till I agreed. They showed me pictures of everyone here and made me memorize their names and taped the box on me, blindfolded me, drove me here and threw me in front of the gates in the morning. Since, I was blindfolded, I didn't move anywhere and waited till someone found me, removed the my blindfold and put me in that glass room. And then you came and well..."
I listened to his story torn whether or not to believe what he was saying. I blinked for a second, staring at him in disbelief before asking the next question.
"Why me?"
"Well, I had to memorize many names, profiles and pictures of engineers. You were the only one diffusing bombs and I saw that they packed something similar to a bomb in the box. So I asked for you and also because you were the only woman in those photos and women are generally kinder than men. I have watched too many movies to know that for a fact. Had I called for one of the men, I would not be sitting here right now." he almost whispered the last part.
Kind. He really did know my kryptonite. Over the years, I hated that my kindness had always blocked me from achieving my dreams.
He was getting on my nerves. For a second, I forgot about the agenda and got up to leave, sighing.
"Wait, what about the food you said you would get me?" he said trying to stop me.
I shot him a look that said I was disinterested and turned to leave. As I opened the door, he spoke again, "Was I right about you liking sci-fi movies?"
"Why do you want to know?" I asked.
"Well, I want to know the person who saved my life today. Some connect with people by music, I connect by movies."
"If I tell you the answer, would you give us more information on the ugly men with big guns, the car which they drove you in and their approx. location?"
"That's three things, then I get three wishes too." he counted in his head before saying it.
"What are your three wishes?" I humoured him.
"Your answer on the sci-fi, some less spicy food and return ticket to my home."
"The information first," I said sternly. He sighed and started talking.
"5 men in their 20s mostly, buff, tanned with a tattoo of the wolf on their left hands. One of them is bald, may be in his 30s, taller than me, appears to be the leader. They wear biker masks covering the lower half of their face. Most of their eyes are black and brown. The car they drive is brown sedan, I know the license number partially- GA48 something. They have computers and and ammunition. They eat spicy food, mostly chicken. And I dont know their exact location but it's took us atleast about an 1 hour to get here because they played the music and atleast 15 songs were played."
I looked at him, admiring him in my mind to have captured such information.
"Anything else, they asked you to do?" I asked, "Besides, bringing the box to us?"
"Ah! They said they would kill me if I told you guys anything. So, your turn, grant my three wishes, Aladin." he smiled
I sighed and walked out of the room while he almost shouted my name, shocked at me not keeping my end of the deal.
I entered the adjacent room where the Sec. and other officials were listening to our conversation, recording it and fact checking it.
"He is not lying." one of them told us.
"His name is indeed, Arki. He is movie reviewer with a degree in journalism, employed by Magazine Troy, till this summer before he started his own blogs and became a freelancer. He did get an offical invite to not only go for a book signing with Dr. Park, but also take his interview. I have already sent the order for dispatch for survelling any isolated properties in the one hour drive range." he continued looking at the Sec. for his approval who nodded.
I looked through the one-way mirror at the man- Arki. He had thrown his head back and looked famished.
"Can we get him some food?" I asked breaking the silence.
"I already ordered something." the Sec. informed.
"What's next?" I asked.
"Come with me." the Sec. asked me, leading me outside the Cube.
~
"First thing I wanted to tell you is that I have been finally removed from the suspect list of the scandal investigation that is going on against the Chief."
I sighed in relief as the Sec told me this and smiled at him allowing him to continue.
"This means, I am cleared to hand out assignments now. So I want to give you an assignment. What happened today is making me suspect Arki even though we know he's spoken the truth mostly. I don't wish to detain him, but I cannot clear him at this instant. This incident has happened while we are only a few days away from the peace talks discussion and to tell you Dr. Park, who he mentioned earlier, was going to be a part of it. But he's dead and the police are still investigating his murder. So something about this feels fishy about all this, that's why I want you to monitor him."
"Monitor him? Me?", I raised my eyebrows unclear while taking in the information he had shared.
"He's already taken a liking to you. If you use it to your advantage, you can find out things, things that he didn't say out loud knowing he's being taped just like you didn't reveal things knowing you are being taped."
I stared into the wall trying to decide whether to really accept this assignment while I already had been tasked with other assignments related to the weapons department. Just as I was about to politely decline, the Sec read my mind and spoke.
"If you take this assignment, I will be able to be permanently assign to the Cube, referring this case. I haven't been able to this for you as we lakced a solid reason and called you here and there as we felt your need. I was not in full control of things because of the scandal investigation. But now the opportunity comes with a taped box. What do you say?" he looked at me questioning if the offer was still insufficient to change my mind
"Why me? I don't have the skills to pick up on such things and even if I do, tomorrow, so many officers will be questioning your choice." I let my anxiety talk.
"You are trustworthy to me. I know you and your skills to be able to do wonders, how you did one today. And when people will question my choice, let me answer them." He smiled at me, telling me to accept the fact that he had my back.
"Fine. What do we tell Arki and the others?" I asked giving in and accepting the assignment. The Sec. smiled triumphantly.
"Let's tell him, we would get him his return ticket in a matter of few days. Meanwhile, you are his protector and he goes wherever you go. If he turns out to be spy, this would seem like a good opportunity to him to seek out information from you, while thinking that we do not really suspect him much. So be on your guard and as soon as you find anything, let me know."
~
I accepted his offer and the assignment. I waited outside the car with Tammy and watched Arki walk out of the Cube, being uncuffed and waving out to me with a smile. We got in the car with Arki in the back and drove in complete silence, when after a while Arki started.
"You got me out of the tape, you got me out of the handcuffs and you are getting me out of the country. I have never felt so happy. Thank you so much. By the way, where are we going?"
"To the house, it's already starting to get dark." Tammy spoke after what felt like an eternity of silence. Hearing him speak put me at ease again
"Can't we stay at the hotel I was staying at? I don't want to impose on anyone." Arki continued obviously uncomfortable.
"No, didn't you hear what the Sec said? You are staying with us. We will collect your things from the hotel tomorrow."
Their conversation and the smooth drive was starting to lull me to a sleep. After a minute Arki asked Tammy for his name, which he gave and the next question was the one that put me out of my slumber.
"Are you two married?"
Tammy looked at me before answering and I decided to speak, "Why, do you like Tammy?"
"No, I actually like you," Arki's words resonated with boldness and stupidity simultaneously which made Tammy speak, "She's like an elder sister to me, so if you go near her, -" he let his eyes threaten him through the front mirror.
"I was joking. Relax!" Arki said and muttured something under his breath that sounded like 'Thank God'.
The rest of the drive was silent but I could no more go to sleep as thoughts started to pull me out of it. I kept thinking that how the box had changed my life. Although the offer I got made my future look bright and hopeful, I felt as if I had been boxed tonight with a timer, transmitter and tear gas with explosives. The timer being the deadline of the few days we had till peace talks, the transmitter being the assignment I was given and the tear gas/explosives being the man I was to live with. That's what was inside the God-damned box- my life!