38. Different Idea 2
He showed some relief and appreciated her, “Thank you for that.”
She walked into the Head of State's office and the moment he saw her, he instructed, “I am aware that he is around. Ask him to wait a bit. We are waiting for Lt. Col. Smirnoff to join us.”
“I got it, Your Excellency,” she said and walked back to her office. She looked at the Commandant's eager face and passed the message to him.
Nevertheless, he was unaware that the meeting involved Ben but he informed the Secretary, “Let him know that Lt. Col. Smirnoff was rushed to the hospital a few minutes ago and may not show up any moment soon.”
The Secretary was disoriented and did not conceal it. Instantly, she asked, “What! Was he sick?”
“I think so.”
“A moment please,” she said and walked briskly back to the office.
Now, the Head of State felt disturbed and furrowed his brow. Before he would rebuke her, she announced, “The Commandant just informed me that Lt. Col. Smirnoff was rushed to the hospital some minutes ago.”
“I just spoke with him,” the Second in Command stood up and stated. Likewise, the Head of State was stuck for words and only gazed at them.
“What happened to him?” He asked when he found his bearings.
“I would not know. The Commandant just informed me,” the secretary explained.
“Usher him in,” the Head of State instructed hastily and she ran off.
The Commandant walked in innocently not knowing that Ben's condition had everything to do with him.
“Good morning, Your Excellencies,” he saluted with chin up, chest out, shoulders back, and stomach in. If only he were aware that they were not kin about the respect at that moment, he would have reserved it for some other time.
“Good morning,” they returned the salute hastily, and the Head of State gestured him to a seat. “Sit down.”
“Thank you, Your Excellency,” he said and sat beside the Second in Command.
“How did you know that Ben was sick and was rushed to the hospital?”
The Commandant looked into his eyes and stated all that he knew and ended with, “After the doctor admitted him to the hospital, I came to see you as scheduled.”
From his explanation, the duo could connect the dots and their expressions were unreadable.
“When was the last time you spoke with him?” The Second in Command asked.
“Two Saturdays ago,” he answered and searched his countenance.
The Head of State smiled dryly and asked, “Have you spoken with him since you saw the social media post about your school and students?”
“No, Your Excellency.”
The Head of State pouted and the Second in Command continued, “Who do you think was responsible for the post?”
“I wouldn't know but I suspect that the poster must be a kidnapper. Such a post could only be made by someone with evil intentions.”
“Do you mean that Ben did not call you when he saw the post?” The Head of State asked.
“No, Your Excellency. He didn't. I doubt if he saw it,” he explained and defended his bosom friend.
The two were silent for a while before the Head of State spoke, “We are aware that Ben is your close companion. Am I right?”
The Commandant was blissful to hear that and responded proudly, “You are right, Your Excellency.”
“That is good to hear. I must say that the two of you are important to the country and your bickering may cost us a lot."
The Commandant was astonished and thought within himself, “Bickering?”
His smile disappeared at once and was replaced with eagerness to hear more from him.
“He was responsible for the social media post and we are yet to know his reasons.”
Instantly, he felt a heaviness in his head as though it was going to explode.
“Ben! Why would he do that? The post was not just against me, but the entire system.”
“We will find out. I assume that he fainted out of guilt when he saw you,” the Second in Command made clear.
“No wonder he refused to pick up my call since last week. Oh, my God!”
“It is possible. If I may ask, do you have any face-offs with him of recent?” The Head of State asked.
“Not at all, Your Excellency. I recalled that both of us applied for the post of Commandant together. Afterward, we went for the aptitude test.”
“What was his reaction after you were selected?” The Second in Command asked.
He told him all he knew and afterward, the Head of State pleaded, “Find a place in your heart to forgive him. He must have learned his lessons.”
Presently, the Commandant was surprised and wished to know why Ben wished to ruin his career. Now, the two focused on him for his response and he inquired, “Did he tell you my offense?”
“No, he did not. But it is obvious. He never wanted you to apply for the seat and you did.”
“To worsen the matter, you got the job and he did not scale through the test. Just let go and move on,” the Second in Command advised him.
He looked vacantly at the wall for a while before he took a deep breath and asked, “Do you think that it would change anything? He will still be bitter if I am still the Commandant.”
The two completely agreed with him, but the Head of State advised, “Let him know that you are aware of his evil plans against you, and that will disarm him completely.”
“I agree with you, Your Excellency. Thank you for your fatherly advice,” the Commandant accepted after mulling over the advice.
The Head of State was pleased with him and appreciated him, “Thank you for your acceptance.”
“Thank you, Commandant. This is the true meaning of statesmanship,” the Second in Command said.
After listening to them, the Commandant was relieved and smiled happily, “You are welcome, Your Excellencies” he said and waited for their next move.
“Let's see him in the clinic. You can return to the school from there.”
“I got it, Your Excellency.”
The Clinic
The doctor was on his toes after Ben's admission and he regained consciousness after a few minutes. He looked around the ward and wondered how he got there and what to do next.
“Perhaps I ought to tender my resignation,” he mused introspectively. As he reminisced about the cherished memories he shared with the Commandant and his loved ones, a pang of remorse coursed through him.
“What impelled me towards this course of action? Even if he was not selected, I may not have even been considered for the position.”
“Good morning, Lt. Col. Smirnoff. How do you feel?” Dr. Morgan greeted him happily when he walked in.
“I'm fine, Doctor."
“I can see."
"Thank you for everything.”
You're welcome.”
“If I may ask, how did I get here?”
Though two people brought him to the clinic, the doctor was familiar with only one of them.
“The Commandant brought you,” he explained happily and compounded his case.