It had been a day since Ah Hai's return and already they could see something was wrong.The boy might be called a blank wall within his team but in front of his brothers he was an open book.When you cannot defend it was better to attack was Ah Hai's motto.But it seemed he had been traped by his brothers by and they were standing in front of all escape routes.

Ofcourse,if AhHai really wished to escape,it wouldn't even take him a breaths time to escape but he could not hurt his brothers..maybe.He schooled his expression to stay blank but this was also caught by his perceptive brothers.

Still trying to 'wing it',he went to the table and placed the coffees there and then tried to leave..in vain.He felt like a twelve year old boy who had stolen his brother's sweet again. 

Sigh! He sat down and prepared to endure the questions and already revised in his head the edited version he planned to tell them. 

But just as he had grown up, so had his brothers. Instead of questioning him, Ryu sat on the chair opposite Ah Hai and picked up his coffee while Neil picked his and sat on the chair next to Ah Hai after turning the chair to face him. After this only the sound of the clock could be heard. Both the brothers drank their coffee while Ah Hai stayed straight ahead. 

Soon a minute changed into an hour and still there was only silence. Finally Ah Hai could feel himself succ.u.mb to the combined pressure from his two brothers and growled, "What? "

The ever irritating Neil said, "You tell us what. What is with you and your sad face? Why are you suddenly leaving the army? And don't tell us you did not want to because six months back you had no intention of leaving. What

happened so suddenly that you are willing to give up the one thing that gave you direction?And do not try to get out of this by lying. We will know. And we are sitting like this until you are ready to answer."

Ah Hai had expected to answer these questions but not so soon. It should have been when he announced his intention to do business there but in country A.Maybe he could now use this news to distract them. So he announced, "I have a few months personal security stint coming up after which I am planning to move to country A to set up my own business."

The news came as a shock to both the big brothers who had thought that the family would finally be together but it seemed Ah Hai would be gone again once Matt was back. But they also knew that this was a dirty tactic to distract them so they said nothing and silence reigned once again. Finally Neil said, "Ah Hai, we understand that you were never good in studies but your knowledge in language is so poor! We are asking you of the past and you are talking of  the future.Pay attention and answer."

His brothers were not going to relent so Ah Hai had to. Closing his eyes and recollecting the past while avoiding thinking of the gruesome scene, Ah Hai said, "A soldier works with his team and for his team. My team did not survive the last mission and I was unable to mix up with another team. I was deemed unfit by the medical team to continue my service.Yes yes I know  could have fooled them into believing I was fine but I was too angry. It was the consequences of their faulty judgement that my team had to pay the prize.And that is why they were scared.They knew that when I would make the official report,there were chances that they would be court martialled if there was an investigation and thrown into prison.But I will not let them be.I just need time to regroup and then I will see to it that they never put another innocent life into jeopardy ever again!"

He could still feel his blood boil when he thought of their newest recruit.He had been too green to send on such a dangerous mission.And it had been the psychiatrist team's fault as well as the trainers.They had all known that the boy was not ready and mentally unprepared to work on such a horrendous mission but to please the bloo** general they had placed the boy in such a place.So that he would toughen up!No they could toughen up his dead body,if they would be able to find it!

He looked at his brothers and said,"I know you are worried about me and you will continue to do so even if I tell you not to.But I want you to know that what I found when I came here has brought me a peace and decreased my suffering",he looked pointedly at Neil who had finally forgiven him and continued," so if I feel that I cannot face my demons alone I will come to you like I used to when I was a little boy!"

With that Ah Hai got up from the chair and this time n.o.body blocked his exit.Neil turned to Ryu and commented,"That boy has grown up."

The tart reply that met his was,"He grew up after that incident."

Neil paused for a second in thought at the reminder of the past and said,"Yes..you are right!Now come let's say goodbye.I am off to sleep."

"What is the hurry?Neil,sit down!"

Neil sat with a thump.He knew he was next in line and had wanted to escape the inquisition.Ryu continued and asked,"Have you really let go of the past?"

"Yes brother.I hold no resentment or hatred or guilt even more.Mi Rae has cured me of all that!"

Ryu stared intently at Neil and then as if seeing something and then confirming it he said,"Yes..Good.So what are you doing to woo the girl?I hope you have confessed your love.Plan something special like she did for you."

Neil was a little stumped at himself after this question and suggestion.He was a dumbas*!He had not even thought of doing anything for his suns.h.i.+ne.