Qadar got a grand welcome from the embassy chief who was waiting at the steps. “Professor, I apologise to have you called on such a short notice. I was only following instructions. Colonel Pasha wanted a discussion with you. Please come inside. Feel comfortable.” His tone was more than apologetic. Qadar was guided to the communications room and offered a seat. One engineer connected the line to Pasha.

“How are you, Professor?” Pasha’s nasal voice came through.

“May I know why I was kidnapped?” Qadar asked sternly, albeit slowly.

“Kidnapped? You must be joking. I wanted to ask you something and the boys might have overdone it. Okay. That is nothing but an occupational hazard. The more valuable a person, more chances of abductions,” Pasha said. “Anyway, may I know who is this Ling thing you are planning to have lunch with?” After his earlier experiences with Qadar, Pasha gave up playing nice and trying to convince the scientist. He wanted to show him who was running the show.

“And may I know how you knew about lunch with Ling?”

“You are bugged, professor. Don’t tell me you know nothing about this. I never expected you to be so naïve. My dear old man, let me tell you in black and white. It is a privilege that the state has chosen you for this job. Please remember, you are not the only one available in the market. There are others, and you are expendable, to put it straight,” he waited for a few moments, giving the scientist some time to reflect on the situation. “What do you say? Are we playing along or are you on the other side?”

As Pasha expected, Qadar contemplated the situation. “Don’t you threaten me, Pasha. I thought we are a team. I knew you’d bug me. Now, you should know that I function better without interruptions. In fact, you spoiled a beautiful chance now. Ask any one there who Dr Ling was and is. You’ll understand what I am saying. Even if I go to their HQ tomorrow, he’s the guy I’ll meet, pleading for the equipment you need.” He paused to light up his cigarette. Blowing smoke over the face of embassy chief, he spoke into the phone. “Now, I missed my lunch with Dr Ling. You tell me how to proceed from now on.”

He held the phone and waited for a response. He said, “I could not hear you, captain. Silence won’t serve any purpose. If you have the audacity to spoil something, you should have the ability to plan something else too. In fact, I asked you the reason why I was chosen. I knew the faith quotient I enjoy is negative. It was your decision to employ me for this assignment. I didn’t know you before you barged into my otherwise peaceful life. Do you think I have any interest left for me, at this age? My friend, Major, if you believe me, then even if you have bugged me, you wouldn’t have obstructed my plans. I assure you, there will be many more such incidents in the future. Now, I am in your embassy. You may tell the chief to send me back to Pakistan, if you want. I leave it to you to decide.” He handed over the phone to the embassy chief and continued blowing dark blue clouds, choking the atmosphere in the small room with heavy amounts of carbon monoxide and nicotine.

Suddenly the door opened and a security guard entered the room. He went close to the chief and whispered, “A big limousine has come to pick up the professor. Two jeeps of Chinese army accompany it. They want him immediately.” Stunned at the sudden development, he went out, only to see one Chinese major sitting in the lounge, smoking an imported cigar. “We are here to take Dr Qadar for a luncheon. Can he come with us?” Though the phrase was a request, the voice conveyed command. The Chief understood that he would be ruffling some feathers if Qadar was not sent. He asked the major to wait, and returned to the cabin, which almost looked like a place that had recently witnessed death. He thought it was wiser to give up Qadar now. Anyway, they could contact Qadar on their own and had the audacity to enter the embassy in uniform. Why risk regular diplomacy for the sake of Pasha? He informed Qadar that his friend has sent for him and ushered him out.

Qadar was treated royally by the major. On seeing Qadar, he threw the cigar on the carpet, stubbed it out and stood in attention, “Dr Ling is waiting for you, Sir.” He guided Qadar to the waiting limousine, leaving the embassy chief awestruck.

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