Next to the power four

The next day, Natasha and Samrat decided to split to roam around the village. Samrat volunteered to follow the blind girl, of course, and his partner rolled her eyes, said nothing as she walked away. As informed by Abhi, she discreetly took pictures and once she was satisfied that the evidences were enough to send back base, she headed towards the point where she was supposed to meet Samrat. Time passed and he did not show up, and her gut told her something was wrong. She quickened her pace, then ran like bat out of hell.

Samrat was lying in a pool of blood near a bush when she noticed him. Choking back a scream, she knelt down beside him, seeing his leg had a bullet stuck in. She could carry him back, but she can’t answer for the bullet, hence she took out a knife, closed her eyes and stabbed it near the wound. Samrat groaned in his subconscious state but did not wake up.

With as much care as she could, she removed the bullet, put that in a hanky and kept it in her bag. Then she held onto Samrat, dragging him towards the village. Once she could see people, she let out a hysteric sob, and in no time more people gathered. Women supported her as the men carried the unconscious photographer towards the sarpanch house, shouting for doctors and other things at each other. Amidst the chaos Natasha tried to see if anyone was suspicious, but found nothing amiss.

Seeing an unconscious Samrat was like living a nightmare, and Abhi observed everything going around him with detached eyes. His hand was tightly held by Sameera who was frozen, staring at Samrat with wide eyes. Nimrat patted her head sympathetically at her obvious distress and informed them it was a snake bite, as told by the village doctor. Natasha met his eyes, and they both knew the time has arrived to finish this once and for all.

Once things quieten down significantly, Abhi decided enough was enough. This has become dangerous and they needed to get the hell out of here, before any of them are hurt. He sent a SOS for forces to come here, called Veer sir to arrange for them to leave. By next day evening, they will be away. For Samrat, in case he was unresponsive till the next day, an ambulance will be arranged and then he will be airlifted to the base. He informed about the plan to the girls, held onto Sameera as they walked back to their room and immediately started to pack their bags.

“What happened to him?” Sameera spoke after a long time and Abhi halted his movements. Her eyes seem to come to focus as she looked at him. He walked towards her and sat on the bed.

“Only he can answer, but I assume he might have stumbled onto something and was shot. They probably thought he was dead.” She flinched at the word, “These people are ruthless, Sameera. The Man from the other day, now Samrat. It’s no longer safe to stay here. We need to get out as fast as we can.”

“First Disha, now him.” She whispered. He swallowed at the pain in her voice.

“Like I said, it was a dangerous path.”

The duo was silent for a long time, her staring ahead and Abhi looking at the woman beside who was stunned to silence. It hurt seeing her like this, scared and confused, and he will try to soothe her later, but there was no time. He got up to resume his packing, and when he looked behind his shoulder he saw her doing the same. Relieved at her movement, he focused back on his work.

“Abhi?” He had just finished zipping his bag when she called out, seemingly nervous. Walking upto her, he frowned. She opened her palm and inside there was a silver coin with Ganapati idol.

“Mom had two of these, one was for Samrat, and this one for me.” The two smiled at her words, “It brings good luck. I carried it in my pocket when I went to give IFS exam, when I went for PET, and when I sat down for HAWKS interview.”

“Oh, it is lucky.” Abhi commented. She nodded, then exhaled, putting it inside his hand.

“I want you to have it. I hope it brings you good luck as much as it did to me over the years.” At his surprised yet touched face she carried on, embarrassed, “Things are dangerous now, who knows what might happen next.”

“We will get home safely.” He vowed. She gave a wobbly smile, trying not to cry.

“Just do one thing, okay?” At his nod she said, “Tell my Mom I was a good officer. Make her feel good, even if its a lie.” She was crying fully now and he pulled her to a hug. If this was her way of saying goodbye, he won’t have it. The idea of her getting hurt was unfathomable.

“You are a good officer.” He whispered, their foreheads touching, “I won’t need to lie.” She smiled at it, “I accept this coin. Thank you. And I will get you home safely. I promise.”

Deciding the emotions were too raw, Sameera tried to lighten the mood, brushing away her tears, “Once we go back base, I want to go home.”

“Okay.”

“For 7 days?” She pushed, hopeful. He gave her a look of mock outrage.

“5.”

“Promise?” She lit up, and he could not help but smile. Intertwining their fingers, he nodded.

“Promise.”

There was no sleep for that night as well, the anticipation of leaving kept them awake, and yet Abhi saw Sameera dozing off in the corner of bed in the early hours of morning. Sunray fell onto her face and she moved her head a bit to duck, and he watched, enthralled at the beauty. Later, he will realize it was this moment he fell for her, completely, unabashedly, without a doubt. He kept a hand over her head to shield her from the sun, and with each moment of her waking up and giving him a slow, lazy smile, he lost his heart and soul completely to this woman.

Around 11 am, Samrat and Natasha left in ambulance, the unconscious man barely moving as people gathered. Abhi and Sameera bade goodbyes in the afternoon, and her heart clenched thinking about the older couple- the treachery of this situation, their genuine hospitality, and what will happen next to them. She prayed to God as the woman hugged her goodbye, touched their feet and walked away with Abhi, who understood her plight and squeezed hand.

The moment they were outside the village premises, Abhi turned on the radio and the duo followed the special forces storming through the village in a surprise attack. They grinned at each other at the confirmation of illegal arms storage, flinched at the number of dead people, hoping them to be all terrorists. Satisfied with the outcome, they turned off the device and walked some more till they reached a dhaba on the national highway, from where they were supposed to get a late night bus which will help to reach train station.

Abhi laughed as Sameera wasted no time to change into her HAWKS airforce uniform, ditching her saree as she tried to stuff it inside her small bag, “I missed this dress.”

“Not a fan of saree?”He teased.

“It’s uncomfortable, too exposed and it itches everywhere.” She burst out, then turned a shade of red as Abhi laughed some more. For the rest of dinner she stayed silent as Abhi kept pulling her leg, happy to see her being back to somewhat normal. The moment Samrat wakes up, she will forget this whole ordeal like it was a nightmare.

But destiny don’t work as per human whim. People have noticed a lady army officer in this remote location and words spread fast. Abhi could see people closing in and decided to move, Sameera understanding almost immediately that her urgency could have wait until they were at a safer location. The village ambush news spread around like a wildfire, and when Abhi saw a couple of people having weapons moving towards them, he took her hand and ran, their things forgotten.

They ran though jungle, over dried leaves and stones, and heard them closing in. Logically, Abhi knew they were trapped and there were practically no way to escape- they had no way to ask for backup and it was late at night. Sameera also came to the same conclusion, opening her mouth to apologize for her another deadly mistake but he shushed her, not having any of it. Regrets can wait, the priority was to keep them both safe. Or keep one safe and sacrifice the other.

In the end, it was not really his decision.

The men closed in and fired a bullet which hit his shoulder, and Abhi was the first to go down. Sameera could have ran away, but he knew her this much to understand she will never even think about abandoning him, let alone leaving him behind, no matter how illogical and dangerous that can be. They were knelt in front of the men with their hands tied, and it was obvious she held more interest due to her uniform. When they asked about the ambush, she shook her head to keep silent, lifted her chin and faced them head on.

Once satisfied with the interrogation, the men looked at each other. It happened so fast, in a blink of eye, that Abhi’s head could not comprehend what his eyes saw. They fired two shots at her and she fell down immediately, the gun shots echoing in the dark night. With the barrel of their gun, they hit him until he was lying on the ground and shot at his leg, but all he could see was her closed eyes. Once the men left, he dragged his frame towards her, and when he tried to touch her face he realized their were tied. With a inhuman roar he tore them away, cradling her head in his lap and running fingers through her hair, uncaring of his own injured shoulder or wrists. She stayed still, almost as if asleep, and Abhi hid his face in her neck, trying to block this nightmare like he did the other night. But her faint heartbeat brought him back to present, no matter how despairing, and he got up, cradling her frame close to him. Uncaring of his leg, he started walking towards the road.

He crossed roads, grasses and desert, the sun rising behind him as he kept walking and walking. He held her so tightly as if afraid to let anyone take her away, as if that was the last thing he would ever do. When he saw the army check post and national flag flying in the air, he slumped on the hot desert sand, still carefully holding the unconscious woman close. Moving back and forth slightly as if lulling her to sleep, he rested his head on top of hers, tears streaming down his closed eyes. Her heart had stopped and there was no hope, and even if he had struggled with the last strength his feeble body could when others tried to take her away, he gave up. The one last good thing had left him, and when darkness came for him nothing mattered for him.

He never wanted to wake up.

Suryakant saw his son’s eyes fluttering open, and properly took a breath for the first time in days.

Abhi was brave and has endured literal hell, and as an ex officer he could not be more proud. He had a habit of schooling his real emotions, not trying to feel much or show much, and people may look down upon him for that, but he knows what his son is to him. Nobody fought harder for Abhi when he was missing, and when he came back, nobody else was happier than him.

And then the boy had to pull another stunt like this.

He knew fleeting details of what happened back in Gira, all thanks to a dear friend and soon going to be in law Veer. Military intelligence was normally without bloodshed, but something happened and the two were identified- Sameera and Abhi. The girl was badly hurt, and Suryakant knew there was a slim chance she might make it alive. The fact that she was breathing is because of Abhi, who carried her till miles in his injured state and if, eyewitnesses were to be believed, did not let her go even in his delirious state. The Officers had to physically pull away the unconscious woman from his clutches.

Since the moment he had seen Abhi vehemently defending this girl, he had a nagging suspicion. Now it had blossomed into an almost confirmed theory, but his thoughts were interrupted when Abhi opened his eyes.

The last thing Abhi remembered was her face before darkness, and felt a numbness in him he had never felt before- not even when Abhi had died and his world had fallen apart. It was like there was nothing inside him, nothing mattered. His heart, his soul, everything was gone, and he was not even sure how he was breathing.

“She is gone.” The first words that came out of his mouth was for her, and Suryakant exhaled a breath, his knowledge sealed in that moment.

“Abhi, she is alive.” He turned his head towards his Father slowly, the latter patting his hand, “You brought her home.”

His mouth opened and closed for a few times before asking, “Will she . . . “ At his father’s silence, a single tear rolled down from the corner of his eye.

At the same time, the door of the room pushed open and Smita entered, rubbing at her red eyes. Seeing her son open, she burst into tears, clutching onto him as she spoke, her words jumbled. Giving the two privacy, Suryakant walked out, quietly closing the door behind him.

Later in the night, the husband wife sat outside the hospital, the woman sighing at the unfortunate situation.

“Sameera’s Mother, Sapnaji, is trying to keep a brave face. But it hurts to see her.” Smita brushed away the remaining tears, “She is so young, she was yet to see so much. I still can’t believe it.”

“You pray, don’t you?” At his sudden question Smita frowned, “Pray harder, especially for her. I have a feeling we are going to lose the two of them this one, if she don’t make it.” Suryakant turned towards his wife, “He carried her for miles. His leg and shoulder had bullet wounds and still he carried her for hours until he reached the camp. He probably thought she was dead, but he did it anyway. Nobody can imagine what happened back there, or what he endured.”

“What you are saying?” She whispered.

“What exactly you are thinking.” He fixed her with a look, “Pray.”

Sapna felt it was like a funeral even before the doctor had declared her daughter as dead- colleagues coming and going, apologizing, sympathising. She wanted to scream at them, but her Brother, bless his soul, handled everything. From medicines to their food, living accommodation,  handing air force officers, he took over everything leaving her to grieve. She sat beside Sameera’s bed for hours, not blinking, just seeing her. Just in case this was the last memories she would have of her.

But then, the universe was never too kind to her. Her Daughter was on death bed and it was unimaginable, seeing her soul almost going away, and then she sees him- Veer. After all these years, still living, still breathing. With a family, no less. If she had any energy left, she would have wondered how this man who was supposed to be dead for two decades was still alive, or the implication of father daughter working in the same place for all these months. She looked at her Brother who squeezed her hand, silently telling they will deal with it later.

Veer did not see her yet, and she planned to be it that way until Sameera wakes up.

Time passed agonizingly slow and fast at the same time. Sameera’s wounds healed, but her eyes never opened. She was shifted from ICU to a private room, over time doctors urgency to see her ceased, just as her friends visits become frequent to seldom. They apologized each time, especially Samrat- the poor boy had taken the news hardest that his Best friend might never wake up- but Sapna understood. They had their own life and career to focus. Her Husband (or ex husband?) had taught her duty always came first, the reason he left, never to be seen again.

Her once healthy daughter who was always smiling and talking was reduced to a shell of a person, thin, frail and pale. Sapna sometime forced her eyes to watch her, taking in every bit of her, deep in her mind knowing the difficult decision was coming soon. She can’t let this go on forever. Her daughter can’t suffer more.

Six months later, doctors sat her down and gave an ultimatum, her Brother squeezing her hand all along through the difficult conversation.

Abhi forced a smile and bid goodbye as the HAWKS members left from the gym after another gruelling session. Everyone wished, except for Samrat, who barely spoke these days apart from official work.

The team was broken, and he felt that he had failed to be a good leader. Veer sir disagrees though, always telling him how brave it was for him to come back, bring back Sameera home, handle the team and taking them forward. So brave, so courageous.

Little did he know it was neither bravery nor courageous.

Disha had wheeled him once in the hospital to let him see Sameera, and the still lying figure of his partner was enough to shake him to the core. Since the day till now, he had never set foot inside the hospital but kept enough information on her health. He wanted to remember her like he had known her in Gira- the girl who fought his nightmares, who smiled lazily as she woke up, who gave him her lucky coin. The good parts.

He had forced his mind to focus on the good memories cause the nightmare will be something else.

Abhi works like a robot. Wakes up early, runs like a beast, attends meetings and HAWKS sessions round the clock, study hard, dictates harder. Too careful to make one more mistake. Ignores whispers around him that HAWKS is missing one member, it was time to have a replacement after six months. Ignores Samrat’s dark fury that he brought back his best friend, but abandoned her in hospital. Ignores the whispers how he carried her partner miles in his wounded state and went maniac when she was taken from his arms. Ignores how he has failed to catch the person responsible for Disha’s prior attack, just as he had failed to save Sameera or even identify the shooters.

He only had two good things these days. That too, all because of Her.

He promised her he will take his medicines and seek therapy, and the moment he was released from the hospital he did just the same. The army appointed doctor was surprised but pleased that he had sought him out himself, and the thrice a week sessions helped him immensely. He did not have the random outbursts anymore, or any urge to swallow panic attacks. In fact, he don’t even have nightmares these days, especially of Muzammil’s.

He goes to sleep to dream of her.

In his dreams, she talks and talks about her life, her soothing voice makes him smile and wants to look at her face, drinking in each curve of lip, each flutter of eyelashes and blush on her cheeks. Sometimes he joins in as she listens, sometimes they fall asleep holding hands. The last one is just painful, because even in his unconscious state he knows when he will wake up, the warm feeling will be gone. She will be gone.

He wakes up with tears staining his pillow.

One afternoon, he received a call from Sapna Aunty, Sameera’s Mother. It made his heart beat fast instantly, and even though her slightly shaky voice told him everything was fine, he still broke several traffic laws to reach the hospital.

“There is no change.” He deflated at the flat words, but tried to look at the brighter side. Stability is good. If he had noticed properly, he would have seen the other woman’s stoic face and stiff spine, bracing herself for the words that will come out in the next moments.

“I had a talk with Doctors today, Abhi. I thought to inform you, I am not sure exactly what kind of relationship you two had besides being teammate and Senior . . . “

He cut her off, “She is my friend. My . . . “ He paused, then added with conviction, “Best friend.”

Sapna stared at the man in front of her for a while. She had probably seen him once or twice, didn’t remember him visiting Sameera ever, but the Doctors told he called everyday atleast two times to check on her. Asked about if she was comfortable, if any medicine is needed, if Sameera’s family needed something. Sameera had mentioned Abhi many times during their conversation, informing how the rude angry Boss had become a good friend over time. She was not sure if Abhi cared enough, but now she was.

Maybe that’s the reason she wanted to tell him, even though she did not have to. She was the blood relative, the legal guardian. Sameera’s health concerns falls on her, not on her Boss.

“You brought her back.” Her voice trembled.

“I did not do enough.” He spoke sadly, staring at the door of the private ward behind which the most important person of his life slept. Sapna hesitated, then squeezed his hand.

“You brought her home. That was enough.” Trying to put on a brave smile, she braced herself to say the words out loud.

“The doctors suggested it was time we let her go.”

Sapna will never forget the look on his face- from shock, deep sadness followed by anger. It was such that she was stunned with the force of it just as he looked down to control his emotion. In that moment, he truly hated her, just as she was hating herself to even consider this- letting go of her daughter.

“They said it’s been months and she is stable, but there was no sign of improvement. It’s like a limbo. Maybe she do not want to continue. We can’t prolong her suffering.” She sniffed, wiping her eyes with dupatta, “Her bed, it can be used for someone else. Someone who needs it. Also, how long will the Base support her? The expenses . . . “

At last, Abhi looked up, his jaw clenched as he forced the words out, “What is it then? The bed, or the expenses?”

She was startled, “She is not . . . “

“Improving, yes I heard. But she is also stable.” He got up, “If the bed is an issue, tomorrow there will be another one donated. And if Army stops supporting her expenses, be assured I will continue.”

Sapna stood up as well, indignant at his words, “She is not responding, Abhimanyu! What part of this you did not understand?”

“She might need more time!”

“How long? Months, years, how long? How long will you support her?”

“As long as I breathe!” He burst out, stunning her into silence. The place was suffocating him, making it harder to breathe but he pushed through. Pulling out the life support, it was insane. Unfathomable. He won’t let it happen.

“Aunty, you are her Mother. You have best interest at heart, I am sure. But please . . . I beg you. Don’t do this.” She opened her mouth to say something but he shook head vehemently, “If it’s the expenses, I will manage. Till she wakes up. You never have to worry about anything again. Just don’t.”

“It’s not the money, Abhi.” She slumped on her seat, full on crying now, “I will sell the very last drop of my blood if that what brings her back, but it might not be enough. I hate to think that she might be ready to go and we are just prolonging her suffering.”

“No, no, no.” He kneeled down in front of her, “I don’t believe it. She fights hard, you know? She fought so hard for her place in team, fought with me, fought with circumstances. She don’t give up. She did not give up on me when I was being difficult, how can she give up on her dreams? Her life?” Tears streamed down his cheek and he wiped them off stubbornly, “She is resting. Let her be. You know, she wanted to go home. She asked for 7 days, I told her 5. She told me how she dreamed about touching a flight. She is flying one now. She is living her dream, how can she just give it up?”

Sapna had half her mind to say he was being stubborn, unreasonable, trying not to see the reality in his emotional state, but all she could see the desperateness in his eyes. He got up to leave.

“I think we need better doctors. My parents might know some, I will talk to them. If they have given up, it’s probably better to shift her from here.” He glanced at the door again, “I . . . uh, I will just visit her and leave. See you later.”

Sapna’s eyes followed him till the door clicked shut.

Abhi held onto his emotions till the door closed, and next moment slumped on the floor against it, quiet sobs shaking his frame. He was good at that, crying without making any sound, so that not a single person can tell his true emotion.

Sameera once told him she don’t understand him. None can, cause he don’t let others.

Twisting and freeing his hands several times, Abhi took several deep breaths and calmed himself down, wiping his face to clear the remaining trace of tears and anguish. His eyes fell on his fallen partner, looking peaceful in her sleep. He took a few steps towards her bed, fingertips brushing on top of hers, cold against warm. He leaned down, dragging his lips from forehead, on cheeks, till the shell of her ear.

“Stay.” He whispered, too raw to say anymore as his throat closed up, “Please.”

Suryakant has rarely seen his son this much distraught- not when he came back after months of captivity, even not when he got the news that his dear partner had slipped into coma. But there was a desperation today unlike never seen before. He was reading in his study when Abhi entered, his frantic ‘Dad!’ shattering the silence of the house. He burst into the door, his mom in tow, and wasted no time to explain why he was here. Suryakant also did not remember the last time Abhi asked something, demanded it so fiercely. They always had a privileged life and he liked to think he had given the boy everything before he even asked for it. But today he did not ask something for him- it was for Sameera. Or maybe it was for him. The two have blurred at some point.

Abhi demanded the best doctors, better hospital, a donation of bed for the current hospital and expenses to cover for Sameera if it ever comes to it. Nothing that Suryakant can’t do, and his son’s eyes glazed with fire- he had to do it. For his son. Behind him Smita watched the one sided interaction quietly, probably coming to the same conclusion as him.

“I will give my salary in case there is shortage of money.” Abhi was just rambling at this point and the older man decided to speak up at last.

“That won’t be necessary. It will be done.”

At the calm, sure tone of his Father, Abhi looked down, blinked hard and nodded in acknowledgement. Smita stepped in slowly, rubbing his back as she tried to soothe.

“The doctors told it will be better to pull off life support.” She gasped, meeting her husband’s eyes. No wonder their son was so distraught. “How can they . . .” Pausing, he looked up with fresh fury, “She should not be at a place where people have given up on her.”

“The hospital is the best in the whole country.” Suryakant spoke carefully and the former frowned, suddenly unsure of his demand that Sameera should be shifted to somewhere else, “Besides, she is stable, but that doesn’t mean she is okay for shifting. And Sapnaji might not like it. Have you spoken to her about it?”

He gave a quick nod, “I told her.” But the decision lies with her, she is the guardian. Seeing his condition, Suryakant can only guess how he let her know and who can tell, she might not agree with him. After all, they are strangers, these are too much to accept from Abhi, even in his role as Boss and a good friend.

“Maybe a quick word that further discussion on life support won’t be tolerated will have a good use.” He suggested gently, “If necessary, a change of staff. But let the hospital be. I will personally have a talk with the Dean regarding the matter.”

After a long time, Abhi gave a nod, whispering softly, “Thanks, Dad.”

Suryakant smiled in response, running fingers through his son’s hair. He hoped these all are worth it.

Weeks passed and this time, Abhi had avoided the mistake he had done previously. Sapna had a nagging suspicion whenever the Senior officer contacted her was to gauge her reaction in case she give any further thought to the life support topic. After the outburst the other day, Abhi visited more and rapid changes were made for her daughter’s health, personally ensuring to oversee each and everything about her. On one side, she was irritated that he don’t trust her, but then, she was the one who mentioned about it. It felt as if he deserved an apology and a calm, proper talk, but the young man won’t give any. He was polite to a fault and looked after everything- her staying arrangements, food, anything else she needed. It was more than a friend can do and too much for a Boss should do. But he won’t meet her eyes or stay near her more than two minutes.

Her brother asked her many times about Abhi, but she can’t answer what she herself didn’t understand.

Between hospital, gruesome HAWKS regime and administrative work, Abhi was stretching himself to the point of breaking. There were days he slumped on couch in his uniform and couldn’t get time to properly sleep, too busy to juggle multiple things. His Father had repeatedly assured he will personally oversee Sameera’s health, but after meeting Aunty he had this underlying fear to miss out on anything. He feared one day she will pull the plug and he won’t even get to say goodbye, and he often chided himself to think so poorly about Sameera’s Mother. But he was scared and worried, afraid to lose the one last thing, good thing he had. The light was almost going out and he desperately wanted it to sustain.

He had dozed one day in his cabin when his phone buzzed, startling him awake. Rubbing his eyes, he saw the caller ID- it was Sapna aunty- and his heart sank. Closing his eyes shut, Abhi answered it, fists clenched tightly.

“Hello?”

“Too busy to meet me, Boss?” The familiar soft tone teased, and Abhi nearly cried in relief.

She was back.

Abhi was panting by the time he had reached the hospital, and banged the door open to get inside where Sameera sat up straight, pale, tired but smiling. Her Mother and Uncle was there too, the three of them jumped slightly as the former entered, standing up almost immediately.

He felt as if he was breathing for the first time.

The elders wisely chose to leave the room for the two of them, and Sameera kept smiling, her eyes sparkling. He took a few hesitant steps inside, savoring in this moment. He had thought this day may never come.

He crossed the remaining steps in a rush and engulfed her in a bone crushing hug, burying his face in her neck as he tried hard not to cry.

He felt her arms almost immediately as she laughed breathlessly in his ears, “Someone missed me alot.”

She had no idea, he thought to himself, and nodded in reply. His elevated heartbeat tried to match hers with each passing moment, their souls joining in a harmony as they synchronized.

“And still they did not come to visit, how it can be?” She complained lightly.

“I did visit.”

“You not.”

“How do you know?” He frowned, his tone raspy. Their intertwined arms swayed them back and forth softly as they remained together.

“I could hear everything.” He was not sure if she was joking or she actually heard everything. Suddenly nervous, Abhi asked cautiously.

“So, what else you heard?”

She replied after a long time and he became agitated, “That’s a secret.”

He looked up from her arms, bewildered, “Sameera!” To which she let out a hearty laugh, him joining after a few moments. The last bit of heaviness left his soul as he took her in, running fingers over her brows, under her eyes, down her cheek and through her hair.

“They had gotten longer.” She said excitedly, then sighed, “Six months, Abhi. Wow.”

His smile dimmed slightly as she looked down, face suddenly dull. Holding her chin up as to meet her eyes, he spoke firmly.

“Nothing has changed.” At her look he stressed, “Absolutely nothing.”

Others visited as soon as the news spread, even Veer sir arrived. Abhi was too busy to drink in the sight of Sameera after all this time, quietly standing in a corner and throwing in occasional smile at her direction whenever their eyes met, but even he could pick up the tension between Sapna aunty and Veer sir whenever they shared a look. It might be a mother’s emotion that her daughter’s workplace did not treat her the way they should have, and yet Veer sir looked emotional than usual, his eyes shining with unshed tears. Abhi watched with surprise when he went as far as to bless Sameera, him keeping his hand over her head.

The two of them shared look when the senior left, wondering what was up with the sudden rush of affection.

Just like when Sameera decided to become his friend and things started to fall into places, after her waking up things started to be normal. Samrat’s mood brightened considerably and he even spoke to Abhi the way he used to, sharing jokes and mingling with others. The team started to feel like before, no void in their work and interactions. The base started to feel like a second home. Personally, Abhi found himself lighter than he had ever felt before, and prayed everyday desperately to let it be this way. He visited Sameera regularly in hospital as she started on her physiotherapy, more often than not also lending her his support during her sessions.

After one particular gruesome session which left her in tears and panting, Abhi cut the session short, wheeling the woman away as she tried to control her emotion, sniffing occasionally. Once inside her room, he carefully made her seat on her bed, adjusted pillows as she laid back, and handed her over a glass of water. She finished it at once gulp, giving him a small, reassuring smile

Even in her pain, she wanted to comfort him. He wondered where does she gets this much of compassion and thoughtfulness.

Reaching up close, he brushed the remaining tears under her eyes as they fell shut, a tired sigh exclaiming, “Any reason why you pushed so much today?”

“I don’t think I have much time, Abhi.” She confessed quietly, making him frown.

“What does that mean?”

“I heard something.” At his silence she continued hesitantly, “Six months is a long time for a HAWS post to be left empty.”

He sat up straight, suddenly tensed, “Sameera, I told you . . . “

“I know, and you were generous to do so.” She smiled at him again, “But it’s time Abhi that I put an effort and rejoin as soon as possible.”

“Not at the risk of your health.” He cut her off before she could protest, “Physiotherapy takes time. Trust me, I know. And pushing your health beyond your body’s breaking point will only delay the process.”

She remained silent, looking down and he could feel the tension and sadness rolling off her, “Hey,” He put finger under her chin to make her look up, “HAWKS and your position is going nowhere. Trust me.”

“But . . .”

“Do you?” She sighed, nodding with a small smile.

“Then heal. No more pushing your body beyond it’s capacity. No hurry. Take time. Promise me you won’t repeat what you did today?” He raised his other hand, like she always did whenever she asked a promise. The familiar gesture widened her smile and she interlinked their fingers.

“Okay.” Satisfied, he sat back, the two of them engaging in small talk after a brief period of silence. Of course, there were whispers of a replacement taking Sameera’s place when she had slipped into coma and a month had passed, but he had shut those down just as he had when Sapna Aunty had informed him regarding the life support issue. Veer sir was surprised and often gently prodded him to think logically, but Abhi was adamant to keep the seat empty, giving reasons to not to ruin the team balance which was partially true. If a new person had arrived, others would have resented them, which was not fair to anyone. It was ethically wrong, he knew that, and he is sure if Sameera had not recovered by now a new recruit would have entered. He was just thankful it did not come to that, because he knew even in her absence, he was going to be in her corner.

Sameera informed him that she had forced Sapna aunty and Uncle to remain at their rented house to take rest as they were exhausted after months of stress and lack of sleep, so Abhi remained until she had dinner and medicines, ready to sleep. She made a face at the hospital food which he noticed, but brushed it aside quickly. Sleep came to her almost immediately as she mumbled in her sleep, making him smile as he strained his ears to listen.

“The food . . . is bland.”

“Hospitals are supposed to make like that, Sameera.”

She hummed at the reply, snuggling in her pillows as he adjusted them as per her comfort, “But sweet? They don’t give . . . sweet.”

That can be arranged, he smiled to himself, patting her head, “What you want?”

“Kheer.” She smiled dreamily, “Mom . . .makes the best. But she can’t . . . make.” Then suddenly, she opened her eyes, making him stumble back slightly, “You don’t dislike my Mom, do you Abhi?”

He went blank for a moment. He will take the secret of the life support issue to the grave, and trusted her Mom to do the same, “Nothing like that, Sameera.”

She did not look like she believed him, “She is nice.” He nodded at that. Pleased, she closed her eyes again.

“Kaju. Kaju is . . . nice.” Then she spoke no more, drifting into deep sleep. He ran fingers through her hair, all the while thinking the last time he spoke to Sapna aunty outside this very room, the words and emotions which made him insane. The disbelieve that she had the power to take the woman lying in front of him away and he might do nothing, the feeling of helplessness he had for weeks afterwards, rushing to see Sameera as if she won’t be there the next day. Looking back, he realized he might have reacted harshly- she was kind enough to inform him about a thought she had and she might not have done the extreme. She owed an apology, he realized, deciding to speak to the woman as soon as possible. Sameera loves her Mother, and he would not let her suspect anything, and will never let her know what had happened between him and her Mother.

He pressed a kiss to her head, gazing at the woman with tenderness.

Veer Pratap Singh was many thing- a good wing commander, a great leader and mentor, a quick administrator and principled man. What he was not is a emotional man, heck, even his wife, Sunaina can count on fingers the amount of time she has seen him in deep thoughts unless it was related to work. But something had happened in last few weeks, and even though she tried to brush it aside, she had decided to follow up on her intuition.

Veer, on the other side, was stumped at the change of fate.

The only woman he had ever loved, besides his Mother, was Sapna. Sapna Shekhawat, his first and only love. He married the woman the moment he realized he was head over heels in love with her, wasted no time to confess to her and then marrying her. Their worlds were so different- she was a social worker in NGO, him being a fast climber in the world of Airforce. Apart from dead parents they did not have much common, so they wasted no time in marrying- in a temple, then registered in the presence and blessing of her Brother. It was a blissful 2 years until he had to leave for a mission in border. There was a lag from Airforce side after his flight crashed and weeks passed, nobody came to their aid and he along with his co-pilot was declared dead. Once he was rescued he had rushed to visit his wife and child, who was barely 4 months old- but to his dismay they had left. He had spent months, years even to look for them, finally realizing they were gone- maybe she was heartbroken hearing about his death. Maybe she had moved on.

Sunaina came to his life just when he had come to term of the loss, making up his mind and strengthening his heart that he will never see his wife again. He married her because it was the logical thing to do- she came from a respected family and had the spunk to run a household. Shikha was the light in his life when she was born and Veer often wondered how his first daughter was, but thinking about past only brought heartache. With time, he stopped looking for them too- it was not fair to his new family.

Sunaina knew about his first wife in bits and pieces and often thought about them, praying they are never found.

Seeing Sapna after years, that too in middle of the chaos, was both a beautiful daydream and soul crushing nightmare. She was as enchanting as she was when they were together, aging had just made her refined, and he had almost reached out to touch her, as if to be sure himself, but then he realized the surroundings- He had a family now. His two soldier’s life was in peril.

One of them was his daughter.

It had to be some kind of past life sin that he can’t even reach out to his own daughter- daughter who had grown up and was now an airforce officer, exactly like him! Unintentionally, fate had brought the father daughter right under one roof, and he wondered where will they go next. Can he ever tell her, hold Sameera close and give her blessing like her Father, or he need to hide it like a dark, shameful secret. He desperately wanted to talk to Sapna, but the moment Sunaina had walked into the hospital, introducing herself as his wife to meet Abhi, she had withdrawn. She won’t be alone anywhere he is, she won’t look directly or speak to him. He often went to meet her at odd times, talk to her, explain his side, ask her where had she vanished, but she gave him no respite.

A part of him was so excited to know about Sameera- all he knew was that she was struggling as HAWKS. What does she like, how she laughs, what makes her happy, how did she come here, what she wanted in life. He made a promise to himself, once she is back, to get to know her better- not too overbearing, of course. As a leader. Spend some time, get to know her life before she moved here. Veer also acknowledged how secretive and morally wrong it was, unfair to all the people involved- his new family and old one, but he was hungry now. They were so close, he had been away from so long.

Sapna might not want anything to do with him, but she can’t take away his Daughter,

Sameera was sore all over thanks to the physio session and tried hard not to wince as her Mother sat opposite her. From the look on her face, she did not feel fool the older woman, and smiled a bit to soothe her worries. She had made her mother age a couple of years thanks to her stupidity back in Gira, put Abhi in trouble as usual. All she needs to do is to get back on her feet and get back to work.

“The Doctor said you made great progress!” Sapna exclaimed, making her smile more. It was true actually, the doctors and nurses were always encouraging and congratulating her on her recovery, but Sameera felt it was not enough. The longer she remained here, the harder it felt was the task to go back, and even though Abhi told her not to worry, nothing has changed, she doubted.

The door was knocked twice before the man entered, lips stretched to a smile as Sameera sat up, smiling brightly. The small tiffin box jingled in his hand as he walked around and sat, the smell of sweetness filling her nostrils.

“Kheer!” She exclaimed, making him chuckle as he handed it over. Sameera wasted no time to open it, taking a mouthful, humming at the sweetness. Then she noticed the nuts.

“Kaju!” Her eyes sparkled as he looked, Sapna observing the two quietly, questions and wonder in her eyes. Sensing her gaze, he looked down in embarrassment.

“She was talking about it.”

“I was?” Surprised, Sameera stopped eating. Abhi gave her a look.

“In your sleep.”

“Really?” Muttering, she took another mouthful, “Thank you! And do tell Aunty thanks too, this is the best.”

“Why do you think Mom made it and I did not?” Abhi challenged, crossing arms over chest, trying not to smile at the ridiculous picture of Sameera with the spoon inside her mouth.

“You did?” She asked, surprised and touched. This man was so caring- listening to her mumble during sleep and even possibly cooking, when he didn’t have to. Besides, he was always so busy, and yet he might had made time for this.

Not trying to give himself away, he replied, “I might have. I can cook.”

”Is there anything you can’t?” Sameera replied fondly, turning to her Mother at last, “He knows everything. He is best at everything, really.”

“I don’t doubt it, bacha.” Sapna replied, looking at Abhi who was caught between embarrassment and touched, “Thank you, Abhimanyu. She loves sweet a lot, but it was not possible for me to make, of course.”

“It’s nothing.” He brushed it aside, then the duo engaged in talks about the taste of the recipe, a small debate on who made it as Sameera pouted at the mystery of it. Sapna just observed the two- Sameera was always very open about her feelings. She would stand up for people whom she liked and cared for them with all her heart. The fact that Abhi was close to her was no secret, anyone can tell. Abhi too, Sapna felt, like a Mother’s intuition. He is a good man. But she feared at times- Abhi’s eyes spoke a lot about his heart, but then he would try to put boundary, or show that he cares as a friend, and Sapna would be worried. It might be her own prejudice too, especially in the light of recent days, but which Mother wants to see her child getting hurt?

Once Sameera is out of hospital and settle down in her job, she will have a talk about her. It will calm her nerves, she thought to herself, deciding to give this matter rest.

The Doctors arrived for the routine evening checkup, hence Abhi and Sapna had to leave the room to wait outside. After several moments of crippling silence, Abhi steeled himself and turned to the older woman.

“Aunty?”

Startled, Sapna looked at him, immediately at ease at his earnest expression, “I wanted to apologize for the other day. I was rude and way out of line. I am truly sorry for the way I behaved and spoke to you. If possible, please forgive me.”

Stunned won’t be a correct way to reply, “Abhi, no.” Hesitantly, she kept a hand on his shoulder, “In fact, I should have apologized way back. For even thinking about it. I should apologize to her, in fact.” Before she can finish, he shook his head, cutting her off.

“Don’t. Please.” He glanced at the door, “There is no need of her to know.”

“Sometimes I can’t even meet her eyes.” Sapna confessed tearfully, “I gave up on her.”

“No.” Abhi protested immediately, “Please don’t think that. You were given an option. You were kind enough to inform me the same. But you did not think over it. You did not get on it. That’s all.” Seeing the logic and yet feeling guilty, she shed a few tears, “Sameera suspects something is off. She even asked me about it. Let’s not worry her about this, please Aunty. Let’s forget the conversation ever happened and start fresh.” Abhi begged, and sighed in relief when the older woman squeezed his hold, nodding at the suggestion.

“I am not sure how can I return your kindness. How Sameera will . . .” Sapna started, but paused at the former’s head shake.

“The only gift for me will be when she returns to base and HAWKS.”

Natasha listened to her team mates speaking excitedly as they all sat inside Sameera’s hospital room.

Disha visits Sameera whenever she can and Natasha herself visited once or twice, but this was truly the first time the ladies had sat for an extended period of time and talking about the Gira mission or what happened post Abhi and Sameera returned injured. She stayed silent as Disha narrated each and every details, especially emphasising on how distraught Abhi had become in Sam’s absence.

She understood the intent and was wary of the repercussions. It was not exactly a secret or publicised topic that Abhi was a taken man, no less than the fact that he was soon to be Son in law of Veer sir, someone who was curious just had to ask people or listen. Apparently her team mates did not know, and if she had any inkling of how Disha was going to start this, she would have told her before hand.

But then, she took a look at Sam’s face.

She was enthralled, taking in each and every details, asking question in disbelieve, smiling hesitantly with blush on her cheeks and her heart sank. Her mind, the logic of the present told her to put an end to it, but her heart was not into it. Disha might have noticed the connection from Abhi’s side when he was in grief, but Natasha had noticed it way before- when he was angry and shut down. Even when he cared about nothing, he cared about Sameera. And when he cared about her, he cared about nothing.

“I think,” Disha said, looking at them both, “Abhi likes you, Sam. Do you?”

Natasha decided to intervene, watching Sam staring down in silence, “I think you are going way ahead in this.”

“You don’t think so?” She was surprised.

“It doesn’t matter what you or I think. Reality matters.”

Disha frowned, but it cleared soon as she turned to Sameera, speaking earnestly, “Sam, I know you care about him. You were the first person who became his friend and you two are close. I can see it in his eyes, trust me.” Sam looked up, with what Natasha recognized as delight, and, she prayed she was wrong in that, Hope, “It’s upto you. Think about it. Try to understand what your heart says.”

Sameera was not a friend to Natasha, and often the latter had thought she did not deserve to the part of HAWKS, but even she braced herself for the upcoming heartbreak.

Friends give hopes, and its a bad thing when hope hurts you.

Abhi was not sure how a day, one single day, can both be best or worst day of life.

Today was a good day, in fact, the whole week was. The doctors had cleared Sameera physically and she took both physical and psychological tests in base, both of which she cleared in flying colors. She was so excited that she hugged him, and he will cherish the feel of her against his chest till the day he dies. And then, Veer sir informed that he will throw a party in his house now that the whole team was back. There were talks of celebration as Gira mission was a success with seigeing of a lot of illegal arms, but they were all halted due to Sameera being in hospital. There was happy mood all around and Abhi felt like he could breathe for the first time since forever.

He picked the best suit he had, put on a tie and fixed it as he thought about Sameera- her smile and the new found strange emotions in her eyes, and a part of his heart hoped it was what he himself felt, and another part wanted to ignore it as that was wrong and dangerous. But this happiness meant he could be reckless, so he let his mind wander. When Sameera will arrive in the party, what they will talk, how would she look.

And then his phone beeped and his whole imaginary world fell like a pack of cards.

He arm wrestled with Samrat in the party and lost when his mind was distracted as Sameera, along with Disha and Natasha entered. She was in saree and memories of Gira flooded his mind. He drank in her, wholly as if to stock it till the last day of his life, seeing her as if it will be for the last time. There was a speech by Veer sir and he was put in the center of attention, and he gave a speech but he could not recall what he said as his focus was on her. Sameera congratulated him and he asked for a dance, almost desperately, to which she let out a laugh, surprised.

“I am not a good dancer.”

“Please.” Her smile faded at his tone, but he would not let her dwell on it. Abhi will pull her so close that he could inhale her scent and hear her heart beats- beats which he almost lost to destiny. He would spun her, grinning at her laughter, wanting and dreading to ask her about her feelings but none of them will say it.

Then the dance will end and they will separate, and Abhi will be collided with a female figure and feel his eyes mimic the shock and hurt of Sameera’s, and yet will be curious to know about why. Even though it was wrong.

Shikha was here.

He was going to be pulled back to darkness.