It sucked. It was just day 4 and it already sucked big time. I was so fucking sleepy and I still had an unaccounted two hour interval in my 24 hour reporting that's going to earn me four hours of hell if not less.

Norman is not going to let me die in peace. I knew he wanted me out, but I never thought he'll use inhuman tactics to make me give up.

"Evening Major Norman!" Came a young man's voice from behind as I stood motionless. It was definitely the same voice I heard on Day 1 - the one who helped me save time and dignity and reach this asshole at the correct moment.

"Evening, boy. Meet your twin." Norman said sarcastically.

"Interesting..." The new guy said and walked around me to face me.

"Introduce yourself Piglet." Norman said and I wanted to break his teeth. I wish I could tell him how much I hated those nicknames! But what's the point? He knows that already. That's why he gets on my nerves.

"Lieutenant James, officer under trial for Class-I, reporting sir." "James Dwight. Hmm. Best passing out Cadet, right?" The new guy asked me curiously.

"I don't remember telling you about him. How do you know that?" Norman asked surprised.

Now this is interesting. He had barely met me for 5 seconds and he knows that already? And he knows my last name? Or did I say that out loud? Also, he didn't sound like trying to pinch me with that statement. It sounded more of an encouragement.

"Yes sir." I said proudly, remembering Beta's face.

"That's good, James." He said gladly then turned to Norman.

"Come on, Sir. A talented boy like him - one that Colonel Reese picked up and parcelled here - it's a news, isn't it?"

I've never felt this good since the day Beta patted on my shoulder. Seems like an year ago, while it barely was a week back.

Norman gave in and replied irritated. "This boy won't give up and leave my tail. You are a mind fucker. Explain to him what is he in for, if he stays."

"I don't guarantee. But I'll try. Rest is upto him." He still looked at me curiously. Norman's words were supposed to scare me and this man was supposed to say something to make it worse. But it didn't.

"I hope we're not pulled in your job. I'd like to finish my first CT peacefully. As such most of you don't want me here." Is he for real? How could one dare to say this on this jerk's face?

This man has got to be something! He looks so young, must be of my age, may be a few years older but not much. And he's here for his CT, that means he became an agent atleast 1 year ago. How is that even possible? I'm the first case ever to be allowed, or given a chance to undergo this Class-I training without an experience. Things don't click.

"Frankly speaking, even I never wanted you around. But you proved yourself four times. So I guess, I don't mind you here. As for the rest, don't care as long as commander doesn't want to kick you out. Well anyways you aren't going anywhere for next three years. I'm still surprised they got you posted here right after sending you to four missions straight."

4 times?! He's been on four successful missions! Has he been an agent since he was a kid?

"Then why do you think this boy won't prove you wrong, too?" Norman and I looked at him with disbelief.

Nobody, absolutely fucking nobody, said such a confident statement about me ever in my life - not even me myself.

"You are supposed to wash his brain, not paint it. Get on the job." Norman got up and I went straight.

As funny as it may sound, I don't even know the name of this man I'm admiring. "I'll try, sir." he said.

"Try hard. Because the sooner this boy signs his refusal, the more time you guys will get for your own CT. Yes you will take his trial too, and don't blame me for pulling you in. Commander decided that, not me. So make him sign himself off and pack his bags."

"And you -" the finger pointed at me and my heart was 10 feets under my feet. "- have to pay for 2 wasted hours."

"Yes sir." I repeated the two words I've told precisely 97 times in past 39 hours. This was 98th.

As soon as the jerk left, I took my diary out and gave it to this new guy. He looked at me confused, then read the previous entries.

He laughed a little, then entered the details, checked time in his wrist watch and entered that too. Only when he did that, I took a breath of relief. Atleast whatever time I'm going to spend with him, is going to be accounted.

"So, battering your self esteem thoroughly?" He said and I couldn't agree more.

"It's my trial, sir." I tried to give a neutral answer.

"Oh spare me the formality, James. I know how clearly your Beta explained things to you, and how clearly you understand that this man is hitting your ego on an hourly basis." I looked at him with wide eyes.

I cleared my throat just to check how loudly I think. Or did I say it loudly? What the fuck is wrong with my words?

But wait. HOW THE HELL DOES HE KNOW ABOUT BETA?

"Sir.. I.. How did you..." "Let's just say I have a lot of birds in the sky. They see and hear things not everyone is supposed to, and that's how I get to know." He said proudly.

"You have a lot of questions popping in your brain. I can see them. Go ahead." He told me nicely and I swear I would have cried.

This man seemed harmless. But the silent frogs have the deadliest poisons. And based on how blunt he was with Norman and how, instead of screwing him right then and there, Norman left me with him with full authority, speaks volume.

Still I did what he told me - ask. "Who are you?" Three words came out of my mind before I could frame the question better.

His face turned cold and his index finger pointed at the floor. Immediately I understood I fucked up.

I dropped on my broken shoulder and started pumping. "Did I tell you to push?"

He said and I stopped mid way. Fuck my brain! Why the hell did I start pushing?! "Negative, sir."

"Then did I tell you to stop?" Norman was right. He's a mind fucker.

"Negative, sir." "Then keep pushing."

His voice was authoritative. He knew what he was saying and he meant business. Though he must have not even once said it but 'Don't bullshit me' screamed from every cell of his face.

I started pushing again.

"Don't kick every pebble lying in your way. It can hit those walking with you. Next time someone gives you a chance to ask a question, use your brain before your tongue takes over."

"Yes sir. Apologies, sir. It will not be repeated. Permission to ask the question again, sir." He didn't waste a single second and replied "a better one this time."

"Can I know your name, sir." I would have never done this at KMA, because I would be asking for not just name Pushups, but all seniors swarming over me to have guts to ask a senior his name.

As if hearing my thoughts, he broke into loud laughter. I was scared Norman would hear that and come back to kick me.

When he kept laughing and nobody came, I focused back on him. What was so funny?

"Oh boy. I think you were not taught name Pushups by your seniors properly. Don't worry, I'll ensure you don't repeat this mistake. Move left arm back and start."

What!?!

One armed name Pushups! AND HE FUCKING KNEW ABOUT THOSE TOO!

N E I L

"Change sides." I moved my right arm behind my back and started pumping on my left. God please let his second name be as short as the first!

F E R M I N

The last name sounds familiar, but I couldn't recall where I heard it.

"Neil Fermin, sir." "Knuckles."

What the hell? I did as told and didn't push till he said. I'm good at learning lessons from my mistakes and not repeating them.

"Push" Only when he said, I started bruising my knuckles.

"I'll give you two chances. Tell me why didn't I tell you to get up?" My mind was running haywire now.

"I didn't finish pushing for your full name, sir." I guessed, silently cursing myself - he can have a third name too! You dumbfuck!

"Wrong. Last chance, officer." He said sternly.

The word officer rang the bell. "I didn't say the rank, sir."

"Correct. Now, you have no clue what happens if you call a senior officer with just his name, specially for the first time you meet him. They kill you. They've earned the stars on their shoulders. You don't come out of nowhere and completely disregard their efforts. No matter how useless or stupid they are, they have invested significant amount of time and energy to earn the rank. So, remember never to miss the rank of an officer willing to hear your voice. Either call him with his Rank, Name and sir, or just sir." He paused, giving me time to understand each word.

Then he continued patiently. "In case of female officer, never, I repeat NEVER dare to go for the name. And for God's sake, don't ogle at her name plate if she doesn't introduce herself. Be smart and quick. You'll be barbiqued if any lady feels uncomfortable in your presence. Got it?" "Yes, sir."

Man, he is a genius. Based on what he said, if it was anyone else, I'd be getting my balls chopped instead of correcting my mistake and giving additional info so that I don't fuck up again and more.

"Now can you guess my rank, or should we start with jumping knuckles for the letters?" Oh hell no! Think fast, James!

Only two ranks come to my mind - Captain or major. There's no way he's a Lieutenant with that much experience after becoming an agent. And based on how careless he was with Major Fuck-You, he's senior enough to dare.

It all points towards Major. But his age - I can't take it that he's that old.

I was about to blurt out 'Major Neil', but I changed my decision at the last moment. And guess what, my knuckles got lucky.

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Me as a reader - Is that HIM?!!! Oh sweet heavens!!

Me as the writer - Who guessed it? WHO GUESSED IT?!!

There are literally so many cues! I placed atleast eight! Tell me HERE which all you could find. 😁😁😁

All those asking me the obvious question of Neil being *cough cough* - Guys, I'm not gonna reply, because the answer lies twenty chapters down the index. 😉

But I'm so excited, oh my god!

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If you guys don't comment today, I swear I'll kill you! 😁😁

*Hit the vote button if you liked Neil. Because you're going to love him soon. 😉