Op Rooppur I :Introduction

25th February 2031

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport

10:36

Naser was leaning to his black Mercedes-Benz, looking at people entering and leaving the terminal. He wouldn't be here on a Saturday morning but he couldn't stop himself after hearing his best friend Sohel was coming back from BMA today. His mind started wandering through the memory lane. Their school days, when the 5 of them would stay together, have fun, and just live their everyday life like there's no tomorrow. Ovi running after girls, Tahmid climbing other people's trees to steal fruits, and his and Sohel's failed attempt to stop them.

"Naser...Naser...NASER.....MR. NASER SIDDIQUE"

Naser came back to the present time hearing someone screaming his full name. He glared at the person screaming his name and asked, "Who are you, Mr? How do you know my name?"

"Why wouldn't I know my best friend's name?", The man replied.

Naser looked at the man again, this time giving a close look: 6′2″, handsome, slim but muscular body and a head full of black back-brushed hair. The man was looking at him and smiling.

"Sohel?" Naser asked reluctantly.

"Of course. Lt. Sohel Chowdhury at your service."

Naser smiled profoundly but still couldn't accept that this guy was Sohel. Yes, his face resembles Sohel's, but nothing else matches. Where's that 5'9", a little bit on the healthy side, Sohel? Naser brushed his thoughts off and said,'' Come on, get in. And put that stupid duffle bag in the boot." while getting on the driving seat. Sohel put his bag in the boot and entered the car beside Naser.

"So, how's everyone else?" asked Sohel.

Naser replied while exiting the airport, "I'm now one of the researchers in nuclear power. Tahmid's running a travel agency. Ovi works at Bangladesh Bank, and lastly, Mitali returned from training last year and is now working at CMH while waiting to be enlisted. But you tell me where were you all this time. You were supposed to return last year, but you didn't. You didn't even contact us once in these 4 years. We tried to contact you via BAHQ, but they wouldn't tell us anything about you. And last night you suddenly called and said you were in Tokyo and would return today. What the hell were you doing in Tokyo?"

Sohel smiles a little and says, "That information is classified, my friend, but I'm back now, aren't I?"

"But still....We were so worried, you know. When Mitali found out you didn't come back, she was really worried. She almost cried when no one would tell us where you were."

Naser looked at Sohel and his face became serious. So he decided to stop for now. The car ran through the elevated motorway towards Gulshan.