Chapter 10: Reunion with Old Comrades

"Well, let's head back to the dining room. Roshni may have already cooked dinner. We'll have a feast tonight."

Captain Reyaz chuckled."Looks like you're playing house with that girl."

Fayez's calm expression shattered instantly, replaced by sheer embarrassment.

He had never dated a girl in his past life. Coming from an impoverished family, he was just a gloomy, overlooked guy. Girls ignored him,treated him poorly — he had grown used to it.

And now, somehow, he was living under the same roof as a beautiful girl. The problem? She was only sixteen.

"From the outside, I probably look the same age as her… maybe a year older. But still… Am I actually a… lolicon?"

His face turned red from shame.

After the earlier chaos, Fayez finally crossed paths with Roshni again — this time with a sheepish, apologetic expression.

"Sorry I couldn't even keep my promise for a single day. But it's settled now. I talked with the Captain — things are under control."

Roshni looked surprised but smiled."You don't need to apologize. I heard you fought bravely despite your injury. If it were me, I'd have run for sure."

Her words soothed the tension between them.

"Anyway," Fayez said, "there'll be a lot of soldiers dining here tonight. You'll have to cook for everyone. I can help if you want."

Roshni gave him a light glare."No need. Raisa's helping me. You should worry about yourself — you've already been wounded multiple times."

She scolded him like a mother.

Fayez grinned."Alright. But I should let you know — most of these soldiers will be joining the security firm. The day after tomorrow, we're heading to Tongi to seize a few abandoned factories. I promised Captain Reyaz a 3% share."

He wasn't hiding anything — Roshni was a shareholder too.

Her eyes lit up."Oh! There are two factories that used to belong to our family. You should start operating them right away."

"She probably thinks legal ownership will protect them from confiscation," Fayez thought. "But it won't. In reality, only power and money can protect property. Soon, the government will nationalize everything. After Bangabandhu's death, the tide will turn again — capitalism will return but nations industries would be ruined by then. But I won't let this happen again."

He didn't voice any of that.

"Alright. I'll look into it," he said vaguely, then left the room.

Later, Fayez entered the dining area. He noticed the soldiers weren't using chairs. Instead, they sat cross-legged on a mat — a traditional Bengali style of dining. Fayez quietly joined them.

Roshni and Raisa didn't join the meal. Probably it's better that way.

"Hey Fayez! Join us here, man!" Siraj called out cheerfully.

Fayez noticed two young men, around his age.

"Not surprising," Fayez thought. "In the war, even teenagers joined. The youngest fighter was just eleven."

He sat beside them and spoke politely,"So, comrades — may I have the pleasure of knowing your names?"

The whole group burst into laughter. Fayez blinked, confused.

"You really hit your head hard, huh? You don't just forget us — you're acting like some refined gentleman!"One of them, also his age, shook his head.

"For your information, I'm Mashrafi. That guy next to me is Fahmid. Ring any bells, Mr. Savior?"Mashrafi added with a grin.

Fayez quietly took note of their names.

"So what are you guys planning to do now? The war's over. You'll be discharged soon."

"Bro, we just reunited after ages and you're already starting with serious talk?" Mashrafi groaned. "Anyway, I heard you're forming a security firm. Just make me the leader and I'm in!"

"No way! I'll be the leader — you can be my second-in-command!"Fahmid cut in, grinning.

Their childish argument carried on as the others laughed and ate.

Siraj sighed wistfully, taking a bite."This food's amazing... Reminds me of my wife."

His voice was low — almost painful.

Many soldiers shared the same feeling. Though they were fed during the war, it was always in haste, under the looming threat of ambush. A peaceful meal like this felt rare… almost unreal.

Fayez finally spoke, voice steady.

"Even though the war's over, our real struggle is just beginning. It won't be easy returning to civilian life. That's why I want you all to join me — not just for the nation's future, but for your own. The coming days…things'll get real tough."

The room went quiet for a moment.

"You're always so damn pessimistic," trying to erase the gloomy environment Fahmid cheerfully said."Can't you be a little more hopeful man?"

Then a voice replied,"Fine. I'll join. Whatever fate has in store for us — we'll face it together, just like we did in the war."

"Very well. Most of us don't have any plans anyway," another soldier added with a shrug.

"But I need to return to my village first… I don't know how my family's doing."

"A common situation," Fayez noted inwardly.

"Bro, you really want to go back empty-handed?" Mashrafi protested passionately."Let's earn some damn money first. Everyone has a family — including Fayez. Even if you go home, what's the point if they starve with you?"

The room fell silent again — but this time with agreement.

And so, just like that — the journey of the Security Firm officially began.