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In contrast to Sameera’s calm demeanour and the attitude of ‘let’s see how it goes’, Abhi was blowing hot and cold each passing second. The evidence was shocking and incriminating and the stakes were high, and day and night blended for him as he rushed to protect Sameera, co-ordinated with Sheikh’s security and kept an eye on the cell he was living in. There were talks to shift the man to another location, which he and Veer sir was against of. If the terrorists had gotten hand on the red file, they will surely try to prison break and help the man flee.

And all these mess just to check if someone from HAWKS leak anything, to rub it in the face of Ministry that look, no traitor here! How horribly it backfired on all of them, Abhi could not have imagined this in his nightmares.

There was this other issue apart from suspected terrorist roaming around in base- Shikha. Abhi’s almost maniacal energy to clear Sameera’s name has added fuel to her fire of suspicion, and they were having frequent fights. She wanted him away in the pretense of ‘take a break’, and apart from the fact that HAWKS credibility hangs in balance, how can he take any time off when Sameera was in danger? He was outraged, and it added more to her helplessness and anger.

Abhi was punching the boxing bag in frustration in base gym as his mind went through another ugly fight between him and Shikha, how officers turned Sameera and Disha’s room upside down to find bugs, how Sameera left and how everything felt so empty without her. Under the gloves, his fingers screamed and possibly bruised, and yet he could not stop. He wanted to scream- at himself, at higher power, at the world, but nobody had any answers for his torment.

“Abhi!” The sharp, scared voice snapped him out of his daze. His hands rose just before the bag can come back and hit him on face. Near the door, Sameera stood, dressed in her usual traditional attire, her white dupatta flowing softly. Her eyes were wide seeing his condition, pain coursing through them.

Abhi can never understand how just one look from her can make him calm down instantly.

Sameera ran inside the Gym, their earlier fight and her own vows forgotten. Grabbing the nearest first aid box, she made him sit down on the ground, gently took off his gloves as she winced on his behalf. Rummaging through the box, she took out a cream and just as she was about to put it over his already swollen hand, his fingers caught her wrist, effectively stopping her. When she looked up, she was met with his burning gaze which pierced through her core.

He did not know what to say- on one side seeing her after a brief period was soothing, and yet he knew she should not have been here. He wanted to ask it too, why she was here- maybe hoping she would say it was to see him, and immediately chastised himself for that track of dangerous thoughts. He remembered their fight, her anger, and came back to senses- as the Boss who was looking at the suspended suspected officer of his team.

He also wanted to ask something else.

“You should not be here.” He chose to settle. Her eyes turned immediately as her head bent.

“I was just here to grab something.” Shaking herself off, she tried to pull her wrist from his firm grip, “Your hands will hurt, Abhi. Please, let me . . . “ He did the same, achingly slow with each passing second. She softly blew over the redness and put the paste, choosing deliberately not to look him in the eye.

“Why you are lying?” He asked after a long time just as she was finished. Her hands froze on the box, “That night you were outside, and you know you were nowhere near my cabin. But you are hiding something. What is it and why?”

She almost sobbed at the question- helpless and eager, “I did not do anything, Abhi.” When he did not answer, she hesitantly took his hand, frowning at the silence, “You do trust me, don’t you Abhi?”

In reply, he glared at her, angry and accusing at once. How dare she ask him that, when she won’t say the truth herself? Did not he show faith on her, again and again? And yet, he don’t get the same courtesy from her, can’t be part of her secrets and thoughts.

Abruptly, he moved away from her, “You need to leave.” Ignoring her silent pleas and tears that pooled in her eyes, he looked away and cleared throat.

She got up, and just as she was about to move, he caught her wrist again, “Whoever you are protecting, I hope they are worth it.”

Sameera left, her reason to come to base forgotten, heartbreak and disbelief all around her. His silence made her realize what grave danger they all are in- it stung too, his silence. And watching from sidelines, she can only pray they find the original file thief so that she can be free of blames.

But destiny was not this smooth.

The immediate next day, ignoring the valid concerns from Veer sir and Abhi, the ministry decided to shift Sheikh from one state jail to another high security solitary confinement. As predicted, they were ambushed, with 3 police officers dead on duty. They barely retained Sheikh but the incident left everyone shaken. Desperate for answers, the ministry sent its best men to Sameera’s house, trying to interrogate and search the place to an inch.

Veer sir rushed to the place, and thanks to his authority and the fact that nothing was found in the house, just like back in base, they left. He took in the scene- his daughter sitting amidst the ransacked house, things thrown around her, looking lost- and vowed to himself, whoever dared to involve her in this mess, he will find the person and make his life hell. He will regret ever being born.

Whispering soothing words and encouragements, he decided to leave. But he was not so lucky, as Sapna followed him till outside, finally realizing what was going on and in what danger her child was in. She tore into the Man and of course, he had nothing to say apart from showing solidarity with Sameera.

“How can you even think she can be a traitor? That she can help terrorists?!” Her tear stricken face was outraged on her Daughter’s behalf, who won’t speak a word of how unfair it all was. Veer took a step towards her and she moved away, wiping her face.

“I know she is innocent. I trust her.”

“Does not look like it. They entered our house and questioned her like she was some sort of criminal!”

Before Veer could say something to soften the former, Sameera entered, frowning and shocked at the scene. She made her Mother go inside, apologized profusely at the way her mother had spoken to him, no doubt made him feel bad. Even after what happened, she was more worried about how embarrassed her Senior might have been and not about her own impending doom.

Veer’s heart squeezed painfully inside. If only he could do something, show something! As mentor, he had towed lines and encouraged, but as Father he could have hold her against his chest and showed his support. But alas, he could not do it, could he?

“She is a Mother, Sameera. Of course she would be in pain seeing her child in danger.” Before she can apologize again, Veer raised his hand, “I did not mind. Instead, I am even more determined to end this.”

“I am sorry for the lives lost.” She whispered softly. He patted her head- the only innocent thing he could do for her.

“I know. And I promise you, this will end soon. Your name will be cleared.”

Back in base, he along with Abhi brainstormed on the idea. Abhi gravely informed about how Sameera was inside base last night and he swore- this can’t be good.

“How the hell she was allowed inside without ID card or such?”

“The guards knew her, of course, being part of HAWKS.” Abhi rubbed his eyes, “This just pointed everything to hell. I am afraid . . . ministry will do something drastic.” Like send her to jail, the words were unspoken but they both knew it.

But Veer won’t let it get to that.

On the other side, Sameera had gone back to shell after the invasion from Ministry and the questions which made her feel like traitor. Her Mother was on her side and her angry words on her behalf was the only support she had these days. She spent her days cleaning her house and putting back things the way they were, desperately wishing the same happened to her life and career. There were some phone calls from base- Disha and Samrat. But she had no energy to speak to them, or hear their words like everything will be alright.

At night she lay on bed and stared into nothing, feeling everything swallowing her from inside. Her silence was costing her so much, making her focus of a downward spiral which is killing people and trying to help Sheikh to escape, when focus should had been to find the actual person responsible and kill. And now, the time has passed, she can no longer go back to her words and push Samrat to be the scapegoat. One way or another, she needed to see it through.

Her phone chimed days after the ministry episode, and she frowned at the message- Shikha, of all people! It made no sense.

I know things are tough, but let’s meet? No need to reply or call, just show up at . . . “ There was date and time mentioned. Sameera stared at the message for a long time, wondering what to do. Not that they were best of friends, maybe Abhi had told her, maybe it was the goodness of her heart that she wanted to make her feel better.

Sighing, she got up, making her mind to get ready.

On the other side, Abhi struggled to get through this dinner Shikha has arranged at her favorite restaurant. He had denied and made excuses, cause how can he take any break after people getting killed and Sameera still in danger? But Shikha won’t let it slide, determined and pushy. In the end, to not to make her more upset, he agreed to arrive. She was excitedly chatting away about her work and he tried to listen, to take his own mind off whatever is happening from weeks, and yet nothing was registering.

At first, it felt like a hallucination- Sameera in the restaurant? But when her own eyes met his, and he saw the similar confusion in them, his spoon clinked with the plate as he got up abruptly.

Shikha frowned, looked behind her and did the same, “You?” She was confused too, but more angry at the intrusion. Sameera was about to say something, but she marched forward and whispered to her angrily. Abhi could not hear, but before people started to take notice, he rushed towards the woman, holding Shikha gently by her elbow.

“Let’s take it outside, okay?” Shikha glared at the two, but obliged.

Outside, Sameera was the first to break. She showed them the text she had, apparently, received from Shikha, but the latter denied. Of course, to support her claim she showed them her phone, there was no text from her mobile.

“How can I even text you when I don’t even know your number.” She scoffed, “And why would I text you anyway?”

“I thought the same.” Sameera replied, still dazed.

“And still you came, why?” Abhi did not like the implication behind her words and the former did the same, her face suddenly smooth.

“What do you mean?”

“You are here to ruin the dinner, are not you?”

“Why would I do that?”

“That’s enough.” Abhi cut through, looking at Sameera, “Please leave. This was a misunderstanding.”

“This is no misunderstanding, Abhi! Can’t you see? It’s a deliberate attempt.”

“And why would I do that?” Losing her composure, Sameera yelled back. In response, Shikha became quiet, the intensity of her stare as if the former would turn to ashes.

“We both know the answer, Sameera. Don’t make me say it.”

Sameera looked like she was slapped across face, and Abhi had enough of this evening, “Leave now.” Then he turned to Shikha, feeling from the corner of his eyes that his team mate doing just that, slow and still in daze, “What the hell is wrong with you?”

“With me?” She was outraged, “She shows up ruining our night.” Her finger pointed toward Sameera’s retreating figure, “She is a traitor, Abhi.” She hissed. This was a line she should not have crossed.

“Don’t Shikha.” His voice warned her and she deflated a bit, scared and bitter at the same time how protective he was of the other woman even when everything and everyone was against her, “Just don’t. You have no right. And anyways, an investigation is going on whose result is pending. So stop.”

In response, she huffed and turned to leave. The following events were a blur for the two of them. Abhi lingered on the place for a while, and then he decided to follow Sameera, to see if she could catch a taxi or how she was here, apologize on Shikha’s behalf. When he was outside, there was none, and he realized the former must have left.

Then someone hit the back of his head, and before closing his eyes he saw the familiar white dupatta in his vision.

Veer got a hysterical phone call from Shikha that Abhi was attacked. He and Sunaina rushed to the hospital and he sighed in relief, seeing the bandage on his head and the awake officer lying on bed. Shikha quickly filled in the events of night and the mother-daughter duo cursed Sameera, together in their suspicion that the officer was indeed a traitor and she had to hurt Abhi for her mission for terrorists.

Veer glanced at his protege who was staring into nothing, face hard as brick. He wondered if he also believes the accusations- after what happened tonight, his faith had to waver. Abruptly, he got up the bed and left the room, leaving Shikha and Sunaina running after him.

Sameera was summoned to the base office in the dead of night, and she prepared herself for another attack. This never ending night just keeps doing better and better, she thought sardonically. Her Mother cast her a worried look, but she forced a smile and got inside base arranged car.

Shikha almost physically attacked her the moment she stepped inside Veer sir’s cabin, and when she looked at Abhi and his injury, she could not fault her for her reaction. Her body and mind physically shut down when Shikha ranted and raved on the accusation, and if it was not for Veer sir intervening and making her move away from her face, she would have collapsed on the floor.

She looked up after a long time, “I . . . “ Her voice cracked, “I did not do it.”

Veer sir’s eyes were sympathetic, “I heard you got a text from Shikha. Can you handover you phone please.”

“Why you are so damn polite to her, Dad?” Shikha shouted again, making Sameera flinch, “She is a traitor. She probably sold her soul for the enemies.”

“Shikha, don’t.” Abhi’s quiet voice boomed across the room. Sameera looked at him, taking in the injury and the rage in his eyes, but he won’t look at her.

It dawned on her that he probably don’t trust her. And in that moment, she did not really care about the investigation or her shaky future. It was stupid, it was hopeless, but when he did not trust her, what else matters?

She never moved on and it was pathetic.

“You still defending her?” Shikha’s voice went higher, “She hurt you!”

“You don’t know that.”

“Oh come on . . . “ But Sameera had heard and seen enough. She handed over the phone quickly, gave a quick nod to the senior and left the room as she ran, her dupatta swishing behind.

Abhi glanced at the spot Sameera was in and then turned to Shikha, “This is the last time you accuse her like that, Shikha.”

“Why do you keep defending her?” She turned to her Father for support, who was torn to chastise the officer to speak to her like this, also thankful to defend the honor of his other daughter.

“Because I know her. Better than you. She did not do anything, and she will never hurt me.” His faith was absolute, unshakable. Raising his chin, he regarded her coolly, “Last time, Shikha. I warn you.”

He glanced at his mentor, a bit embarrassed at the public display of fight. Then he rushed out of the room. Just when Shikha was about to run after him, Veer intervened.

“Let him be, darling.”

She turned to him in anger and shock, and he braced himself, channeling all the patience he could master.

Once outside the cabin, Abhi looked here and there, desperate to get a glance of the broken woman who had just left. He did not know what to say, but he needed to see her for himself, ask her if she was okay, give her confidence that this dark night will pass.

Then he spotted her, “Sameera!” He yelled, effectively stopping her halt. She turned to him slowly, her face a mixture of heartbreak and betrayal, just as he came to a halt in front of her. He just stared at her for a while, lost for words.

Sameera wiped away her tears, “How is your injury?”

“It will heal.” He replied automatically, then moved ahead to touch her and yet refrained from doing so, “I am sorry for whatever happened tonight.”

“Why you are sorry?” She looked down at the floor, “Maybe you believe in the words, too. After tonight . . . “

He was angry at her words, “I don’t believe that you are traitor, Sameera.” He shut down that train of thoughts quickly, he won’t let her feel like that not even for another second. But Sameera carried on like she did not even hear him, finally having enough of the pressure- her own feelings, this investigation, his injury and the caustic words uttered by Shikha.

“I was outside when the file was stolen. I was here and the next day three guards died out there. I was out tonight and you were attacked. Thrice can’t be co-incidental, can it?”

“Sameera . . . “

“I asked you other night if you trust me. You did not answer.” She looked him in the eye now, and he was taken aback at the despair and pain in those. As if she has lost all hope, “Tonight explains everything. It’s all over. I have lost the team, my career, and your trust.” At the last words, she turned around- unable to look him in the eye, or to not see accusations in his eyes. She accepted in that moment that she was trapped, and there was nothing can be done about this. But what took her breath away was Abhi, that the man she cared so much about may look at her the same way others do.

Putting a hand over her mouth to stop her sobs, she proceeded to move.

And effectively stopped by a strong pair of arms pulling her backwards. One hand went around her shoulder and she lowered her head, resting against it. She wanted to break down in that moment, scream and cry, but she can’t.

She had no right.

“You are innocent.” Abhi spoke softly in her ears, and her tears stopped automatically as she rapped into attention, her eyes wide, “You did nothing wrong. You can’t. I know that because I know your heart.” Pausing, he whispered, almost as if he was saying that to himself.

“We always know the heart of person we love.”

Her breath got stuck, almost wishing to see his face and yet unable to move. Abhi took the cue, slowly released his hold around her, turned on his heels and left. He will think about the words later, blame himself to say something he was not supposed to, will make plans to brush it under carpet, like he had brushed aside Abhi.

But tonight, he bared his soul to her and nothing else mattered.

Sameera physically shook herself and turned around, eyes still wide with shock but wanting to see him. Unfortunately, the officer had left the premise, and all she could do was stare at the place he was standing in, playing his words over and over again in her head.

She did not know what to do with them.

Days after that night from hell, Natasha knocked on Sameera’s door, greeted her mother with a smile so wide that immediately made the former suspicious. Dragging her outside by her elbow, Natasha started.

“Are you going to do something about this or not?”

Sameera frowned, then sighed in defeat, “They are handling it. My presence or doing anything might hamper things.”

Natasha crossed arms, “So you give up? Depend on others?”

“What you expect me to do?”

“Fight. Like how you fought me in gym. How you fought everyday for your place in team. How you fight your emotions.” The former looked away at that, “Fight, Sameera. Because this is going to dogs, and I am not having a good feeling. You do your part, and let them do theirs. But do something.”

Sameera thought for a while- she herself did not like to sit on the stands, but she has this fear that if she even moved a wrong direction, along with others Veer sir, Abhi and god knows who might be in trouble. But Natasha was here, maybe she can help. Maybe find some clues and forward them to Sir so that they can find the real culprit still hiding in base.

She made her mind, and from the look of it Natasha already knew that, “Will you help me?”

She snorted, “Why do you think I am here for? Dinner?”

But the officer did stay for dinner, complimenting Sapna and generally lifting the mood around house. Sameera just looked at her in disbelieve- where was the woman whom Samrat used to call ice queen? She never knew Natasha can smile so much or talk like this.

She whispered to her, feeling petulant, “For weeks I asked you to seat with us, you never did. And now you come to my house for dinner.”

“Maybe I like your Mother better.” She bit on a bread, and immediately started to compliment the cooking. Chuckling to herself, she shook head at the volatile woman and proceeded to eat.

The women sat inside Sameera’s room, on the floor as they went over the plans. They were jotting down points of what to do, who to look for, bouncing ideas off each other and making a solid flow of how to proceed. Natasha informed her that first, we need to look for the employees who should be around base the time the file went missing. Someone who also had access to CCTV monitor room and was able to scrub footage of the time.

“That will be a big list, don’t you think?” Sameera asked. Natasha leaned against a desk in her room, pillow on her lap.

“Do you know how many people do night shift in base? 67.” The former’s eyes widened at that, “And how many of them are supposed to be around the part of base where Abhi’s office is situated? If you are not supposed to be somewhere, people will notice. There is no excuse for washroom or anything as such.” Pausing, she added, “There is another thing, we need to also check if anyone changed his or her shift recently. Just to get an opportunity to steal a file.”

“That sounds complex.” She muttered.

“When will Ali come to use? First thing in the morning, I will put him to work. The list should narrow down to a handful of people then.”

“He will help?” Sameera sounded hopeful and surprised, and Natasha looked at her with a mixture of fondness and exasperation.

“Just because I am here and they are not, that doesn’t mean they don’t care.” She replied, “Samrat is moping, Disha is sad and confused, and Ali is holding the fort there. When the time comes, they all will help.” She added after a while, thinking, “Maybe exclude Samrat. People expect him to help you and he must be under observation as well.”

It started with him anyway, so better if he stays away. Sameera nodded at that and the women got back to the plan.

“Once we get the list, we will . . . “

“Follow the money.” Sameera finished for her and the former nodded. “Then what?”

“I am thinking once we are down to a few officers, we should hand over the list and details to Veer sir and Abhi. No need pile on stunt on top of everything. I already did that.”

Sameera nodded, agreeing, “I hope whatever we do help them to find the actual culprit.”

“Of course it will be. You know, Abhi has a hunch that it all started from that flight malfunctioning on air force day. You remember right?” The former frowned, “Then Disha was attacked. After a long time again we are attacked, and things are happening in a rapid motion.”

“Maybe something changed after all these time.” She thought, “Do you think it might be linked to Sheikh? Since that day till now?”

“I guarantee that.” Natasha looked determined, “But then, it will mean this is an elaborate plan.” She looked at Sameera sharply as she remembered something, “What happened with Abhi? How did he get the injury?”

Sameera winced at the reminder, also the night that had passed, “Why do you think I know anything?”

“Cause you do.”

Sighing, she narrated her the story- that message, Shikha’s outburst, how she thinks it was her who attacked him. Of course, she omitted the part where Abhi told her he lo . . .

Let’s not go there, she told herself.

If Natasha noticed her words faltering, she did not comment on that, “That bitch.” She hissed as the former looked up in shock, “I told you to be cautious of her. And really, Sam? You got the SMS and did not think anything amiss?” She was already feeling stupid, and the words seemed to deflate whatever energy she had gathered from the earlier planning of the duo.

“I honestly did not think it might be some joke.”

“It’s not a joke, Sam.” The former spoke sternly, “If someone was around Shikha and sent the message, then he might have . . . “ Horror stuck, it dawned upon Sameera.

“planned to hurt Abhi?” She put both hands over her head, looking at the floor, “I did not think like that.”

“Then start doing that.” Natasha softened her tone, “But you know what’s the good thing? It will narrow down list of people even further, as that person had to be around Shikha or the house in recent times. Say 1 week.”

“There are probably few officers who goes to Veer sir’s office.” Sameera looked thoughtful, “Even lesser if you count HAWKS stuff. If someone went to his house or was around Shikha who was not supposed to, that will be our culprit.”

“And add to that, knowledge of flights and IT.” Natasha was smiling now, “See, now I get why you are in the team. You generally have a positive outlook of world, but once you remove that, you have a good head to dissect deadlocks and create plans.”

Sameera looked down in embarrassment, with a sad smile, “Does not seem like I am a good fit. Since the day I have arrived, I have struggled and gave all of you grief. Maybe I need to rethink why I should be part of team.”

“Because you are glue.”

“Huh?” Sameera frowned at the former’s reply. Natasha leaned forward as she adjusted the pillow on her lap, her piercing eyes on her.

“You hold the team together. Samrat takes things too seriously. Disha has her own agenda to work here. Ali is, most of the time, distracted and joking. I don’t like to play team. You, on the other hand, have the good mixture of patriotism, personal agenda and grit to work hard. You gel will with people- best friends of Disha and Samrat, keep Ali on line. And then, there is Abhi.” She blew air. Sameera looked away immediately.

“He is a good leader. He handles team very well. I am the only one screwing up things.”

“Do you know how you reached the hospital after Gira, Sam?” The question came out of nowhere, leaving Sameera gaping like a fish out of water.

She tried not to think about Gira or the shooting much. She was scared in that moment, but it was also short lived. She knew that was the right thing to do, and it only happened because, once again, she was stupid. There are times she dreams about how they were on knees, hands and legs bound, and the way Abhi looked at her- warning, pleading, angry and determined, and she can almost feel the gun shot impact in dreams. But those were frequent- probably coma helped her brain to preserve and process that trauma.

“I . . . “ She hesitated, “Maa and Disha told me that Abhi took me to nearest army camp and we were shifted to here by chopper.”

“That’s true. But do you know what happened exactly after you shot? Or the time between he took you to base and you went unconscious?” Natasha had heard the whispers and never doubted that Abhi can be gone so far in that moment to carry Sam for kilometers, even when he did not know if she was alive or he was just carrying the body. She had seen the marks around his wrist when he had tore ropes just by brute strength, and the haunted look in his eyes for months until Sam woke up. He tried and struggled so hard that it was physically painful to be in his vicinity.

“He was shot in leg, it was bad. But he carried you for . . . I don’t know? 15? 20? kilometers. I don’t know if he knew where he was going, and it must have been hours. He did not know if you were alive or dead. But he walked and walked, and when army officers saw him and you, and tried to take you from him, he won’t let them.” Sameera was frozen, hearing the words, “He held onto you even when he had blood loss, probably delusional and out of his mind, and yet he won’t let you go.” Exhaling a shaky breath, Natasha restarted, “In the hospital, I heard his Dad saying to doctors- save her. Save you. Even he knew in that moment if you were not saved, it was as good as two deaths.”

“So Sameera, what I am trying to say is, if you don’t come out of this mess, if you go to jail, HAWKS will also lose it’s leader. Abhi won’t come back, I am sure of it.”

Sameera wiped away her tears hastily, her heart aching, “He cares . . . like he does for all people.”

“He loves you.” She said simply, “And you know what, he is doing that since ages. Even before you can ever know.”

“What’s the point of telling me all these, Natasha?” She tried to harden her voice, “He probably does, or you are probably wrong. But why you are telling me this . . . when nothing will change.” She spoke to herself softly.

“Maybe it won,t, Sam.” She closer to her, squeezing the former’s clenched fists, “He has his reasons, surely. I don’t know. Why I am telling you this is because in case you decide to think about quitting HAWKS, you need to know what impact the team will have if you gone. Emotionally, as team. People are replaceable, Sam, but we can’t replace hearts.”

She stared at the woman for a long time, “Why do you care?”

Natasha smiled, leaned forward to whisper in her ears, “That’s a secret and one day you might find out.” She kissed her cheek, startling the former. Once away, her eyes danced in mirth.

Sameera looked on as Natasha left for the base, feeling hopeful and suffocated all at once. She had dumped a lot on her tonight, and she did not know what to do with them. But she knew on thing, this was neither the time or place to process the feelings. She need to work for her career first, wipe off this investigation and come back to HAWKS.

The next day, Natasha knocked on the door of Disha and Sameera’s room, and the former came out, bleary eyed and a bit suspicious.

“Let’s go for a walk, shall we?” Without hearing her questions, Natasha almost dragged the woman outside. Once they were alone, she told her the purpose of this impromptu meeting. One mention of Sameera, and predictably, Disha was onboard. Natasha did same thing with Ali and the trio worked together to find a list of employees of base and tried to find an anomaly in them. Secretly, Natasha worked on personnel who were on duty in Veer sir’s residence, not wanting to share this just yet until she finds something concrete. Thanks to their suspended routine and people being wary of them, they had lots of time on hand and nobody cared what they did.

Ali asked the girls if they should ask Samrat too, “He will try to help.”

“It’s better if he stays away.” Natasha said, looking at the two, “He is expected to help. We are not. We have an advantage.”

It’s not that Veer sir or Abhi did not think to work on this angle- but they were more busy to deal with the fallout then keep an eye on base. Still, there were interviews of all the employees in base, thorough background checking of their activity and bank accounts. That will take time as there are thousands of employees around. Natasha knew and hoped her short cut method bears fruit.

Few days later, the trio was down to a list of 7 employees and from them, Natasha found out three of them also visits Veer sir’s residence frequently. Printing the list to Natasha, Ali prayed, “I hope this works out for Sam.”

“It will.” Disha squeezed his arm, and the duo were engaged in conversation. Natasha did not pay attention at first, then she noticed and stood in the corner of room, smirking.

“Did you talk to Sam? He asked, and Disha shook head.

“Her Mom picks up. She is upset and not talking much, she said.”

“It will work out. It’s Sam, of course she is innocent. Abhi just need to find out fast.” They were chatting for a while on topic until it died, down, and the duo turned to find Natasha looking at them strangely.

“Shall we?” She made a show of leaving, and the other two looked embarrassed.

Outside the room and away from Ali, Natasha said, “See? He did not even remember me.”

Disha shook her head and smiled sadly, “His focus was on me only when you were not around.”

Natasha visited Sameera’s house again after a few days, stayed for dinner, charmed her Mother thoroughly before the duo vanished inside the former’s room, like last time. Now, Sameera looked determined and focused. Good, she thought to herself. She gave her the list of employees and the common names from base and Veer sir’s residence, and the ladies brainstormed on the possible culprit- who had easy access to flight maintenance hanger, CCTV room, also worked in vicinity of Abhi’s cabin. It was going nowhere until Sameera pointed out something.

“How often does the shift change for employees?”

“One month, I found out.” Natasha frowned, knowing the former was onto something. Of course, Sameera circled a name and the shift timing of an employee.

“Then why this person changed his shift after 15 days?”

“I will find out.” She vowed.

And she did- turned out, the man had gave an excuse of health issues and showed doctor’s reports to change shift. He had issue with migraine and not able to stay awake in night, it seemed. And yet, he had no qualms to hang around in base at night and chattering with security guards. He had friends with every guards of base, especially the CCTV room ones and hanger.

Now that they had everything, Natasha called Sameera and both of them decided to inform everything to Abhi. But before that, the Boss was having his own issues. Post that attack outside cafe, he had asked for CCTV and it was delivered. There was this woman who, shocking, wore exact similar clothes like the suspended officer and was seen running seconds after the attack. From the side profile and those eyes, Abhi had a nagging feeling he had seen her somewhere, and he was sure it was after he entered HAWKS.

Veer sir called the team mates and asked them to look at the picture of woman and identify if possible. For a long time nobody could say anything and Abhi looked pissed at another road block, until Disha spoke up.

“She looks really familiar.” She muttered, then looked around, “I have this feeling I have seen her in Gira. What do you think?”

“I think,” Samrat spoke up, moving forward, “it’s that girl from Gira. You remember Natasha?” He turned to her, and Natasha cursed under her breath, mindful of Veer sir being in the same room.

“Yes, Yes. I remember. Sam was going through that panchayet’s room and she showed up.” She rubbed fingers together to think, “Her name . . . Shahana? Shaheen?”

Ali took over the laptop immediately and searched for something on base server. After a while, he pulled out reports, “Shehnaaz. But according to report, she was one of those seven people who died in cross fire once army arrived in Gira. How is she alive?” He was shocked.

“And she is not even blind.” Disha pointed out, “What’s she doing here?”

“She is probably helping someone in base. The person who stole the file and then led to those police officers getting killed.” Veer sir spoke up as they all turned to him, “This is good work, guys. If we find her, we find the person who’s helping her in base.”

Once the team and Veer sir left, Natasha handed over the list of names to Natasha, looking around to ensure none was watching or eavesdropping. She also informed him about the theory of someone being in Veer sir’s house and the connection of Shikha’s message. His face looked stony, and mumbling a thanks, he rushed out of room.

Now it was a matter of time until Shehnaaz or person from base is caught.

Thanks to high security alert around base and Veer sir’s house, and one track obsessive focus of Abhi as he threw caution to the wind and jumped to clear his beloved’s name, the traitor’s location was captured. He rushed with other officers to the employee’s house, chased him down the road and beat him to an inch of life until others pulled him off the bloody mess which was once a man. Hours of interrogation with Veer sir, Abhi and other ministry officials later, he confessed to his crimes- starting from flight malfunction, Disha’s injury, the file stealing, sharing information on Sheikh’s security and death of those policemen. His bank records showed money transferred to an offshore account, and he even recognized the blind girl from Gira. He was in touch with Shehnaaz and handed over his findings to her. As per him, she had left the night of Abhi’s attack.

“Why attack me?” Abhi asked. This was all tied with a nice little bow and as happy as he was that Sameera’s name is cleared and she will come back soon, he also had this nagging feeling of something being amiss.

“You were handling HAWKS and Sheikh’s details. Attacking you means rattling others, so that everyone is on edge and does mistake.” The man wheezed and coughed in pain, looking at him with disgust, “Hurting you means sending a message that they means business.”

The officer hauled away the man as HAWKS team and Veer sir looked on.

Sameera came back to base and was immediately sweeped off her feet as Samrat rushed towards her and engulfed her in a bone crashing hug. The duo laughed in relief, and others joined after a while, just taking in the happy face of the two. Ali gave a side hug, Disha hugged her warmly, and Natasha- unlike the other night’s intimacy, she was content with a firm handshake, her eyes shining brightly.

Things have changed and still remained same, and Sameera decided to go through one last thing before she puts on her uniform and batch and comes back formally to join her duties.

Abhi.

Between the planning and waiting period of if they caught the actual culprit, Sameera had lots of time in hand. Coupled with what Natasha said the other night about him, and his own confession. Deep in her heart, she knew it has to be true, and yet her mind won’t let her- she was already burnt badly that night in party, and she did not have any more courage to undergo the similar heartbreak thanks to false expectation. As she headed towards Abhi’s cabin, before she meets Veer sir and officially comes back, her heartbeat rose with each step she took. Scared to see what was in his eyes, scared to hope.

Scared to fall in love and lose herself again.

She has admitted, hesitantly to herself, that she loves him. Probably did from a long time. And it was, without a doubt, that he cares for her so much. Today, she wanted to see what was holding him back- of course, there was impending engagement and long term commitment. But when you are in love, you want to be with that person, don’t you?

If he does, that is.

Breathing deeply, she knocked on his cabin and entered.

Abhi was waiting, dreading, and waiting to see her again. The last time he saw her, in tears and pain, and the moment they have let her to know to come back, he wanted to see her so that memories of last time is replaced by a happy, confident Sameera who’s eyes sparkled. He wanted to be outside with others, but refrained- he had already slipped once, and even though he wanted to be there, so bad, he couldn’t.

“Hello.” She greeted hesitantly, and he tried to show as if it was a surprise. As if he was not looking at the door every minutes to check if the familiar footsteps will arrive. Getting up, he walked around his desk and stood near her- not too close. Not too far.

“Hello.” He smiled warmly, “Welcome back.”

She laughed in relief, shaking head, “Thanks to you.”

“Others helped too.”

But they did not care like you did, not in that way, she wanted to say, but refrained, “They did. And you did too, as a Boss.” She hesitated after that, remembering that fight in hallway. He probably sensed too, judging by how his smile waned a bit.

“As a friend.” He added cautiously. She looked relived, and nodded.

“As a friend.” She extended hand, and Abhi looked at it for a moments before taking it, “Thank you. You have saved me from the beginning, at each and every step. I am indebted to you for life.”

He wanted to say not like how you saved me, but of course, he could not. “Friend, remember?”

“I thought that was best friend?” She teased, “Maa told me you called me that.”

“You are.” He confirmed, making her heart skip a bit, “You are my Best Friend.”

“And you love me.” The words just slipped out, making both of them freeze. A part of her chastised herself for ruining the mood, for bringing up something which was probably momentary lapse and even though he cared, it was not likely as romantic. But they may not have this time again, and she wanted to find out so bad. Wanted to know and file it in the back of her head.

“Of course I do.” If she could sense, she would have heard the slight tremor of his voice. “My friend.”

This moment will haunt her for a while after that- how his eyes conveyed his feelings but lips wont. How his fingers held onto her like they never wanted to let go and yet he did. How he forced a smile but his shoulders were hunched. How he looked at her like taking in all of her yet won’t meet her eyes. In that moment, she will selfishly, wrongly think it was all about her. After all, what is she in front of Shikha Veer Pratap Singh? She was beautiful, established, had a good family name and wealth. Ahimanyu Rathore was handsome, a good leader and good man, had good chances to climb the ranks of Air force, who’s father was a decorated war hero and Mother worked with charities. Matrimony is always between two equals, and here they were evenly matched. They dated for years, and Sameera Shekhawat, the nobody struggler who was in constant need of saving, was probably a distraction. But you never forget your root, and hence, Abhimanyu will always chose what is right.

She forced a smile as if not to look bitter, squared her shoulder and gave up on the man in that moment.

But destiny had a different way to bring things together.

On the other side of this chaos which had barely ended, and yet it did not, Smita had her own worries. Sunaina was pushing for a date for engagement and as Abhi was stubborn to go through it, even when his entire being screamed to run away, the families had to agree on an auspicious day. It was more like Sunaina, who had brushed aside and deliberately ignored how her soon to be in laws looked barely interested- her priority was Shikha, and she had this hunch that if she did not move faster, all will fall apart.

Abhi has always looked at her with respect. Fear too. But these days, he never meets her eyes. When he does, she sees resentment in those eyes, as if she has trapped him somehow. The secret between the two of them was overwhelming him and she was scared that it will destroy everything, so before he can burst out, she needed to put a lid on it. Shikha was excited and distracted, Veer was happy, and she was enough for the both family for preparation.

Smita sighed to herself in frustration- as usual, Suryakant was of no use. He hated gathering and hated more family drama, and this was a disaster in making for years now. He had confessed her that he was planning to go somewhere on the day of engagement, damn what people will think. Smita pointed out what he will do for rest of functions- mehendi, sangeet, the actual wedding ceremony.

He looked at her as if she had lost it, “You think the wedding will happen?”

“Ask that to your son.” She had enough of the uncooperative men in her house, “Since when I matter to him and his decisions?”

One day Sunaina dropped by with a printed card of engagement ceremony, to ask about her opinion and casually planned about an hour regarding the next ceremonies as Smita sat stiffly, forcing a smile. Once the woman had left, she picked the card up, her eyes burning at the words - we invite you for the auspicious ring ceremony between Shikha . . .

Clenching jaw, she headed towards the base. She had enough of this.

Abhi was startled as his cabin door burst open and his mother stood there, looking like hell had frozen over. He had barely opened his mouth to ask what was wrong, when she almost threw a card on his table.

It was the invitation for engagement.

“Your Mother in law dropped by.” She spoke icily, “Thought to show you. Is the font right? The colors right? Do you want your name at first or Shikha’s name is fine?”

He closed eyes, “Mom . .. “

“What?” Her voice rose a bit, “I can’t ask your opinion? That right also belongs to your Mother in law.”

He stood up, “Please Mom, don’t say that.”

“Really? Why you are looking like you are in pain?” She closed eyes as her voice broke, “What am I even doing here? Just to sit and look pretty and be part of pictures? Or maybe that’s what you want, cause way back in time you have stopped thinking me as a Mother or more like someone who lives in your house!” The words were harsh, lies and uncalled for, but she did not care. She had enough of this, truly. If he won’t change his mind, she can at least vent her frustration.

His eyes widened at the words, immediately rushing to touch her even when she wont let him, “Mom . . . Mom please.” At the begging, she let him hold her hands, sitting on a chair, “You are my Mother. I am sorry if I made you feel that way . . . “At a loss of words, he opened and closed his mouth a couple of times, “I know I have been distant for a long time. I know you tried to help, and I appreciate it so much. I am sorry if I made you feel helpless in this situation.”

“You are sorry for everything, but you will do nothing to change anything.” She spoke coldly, wiping away her tears, “You are unhappy. You don’t want this marriage. I don’t want this marriage. You father is planning to skip town on the engagement night. When the man who is supposed to spend his rest of life with someone else is not happy, what’s the point of this charade.”

“You know why, Mom.” He replied softly.

“Damn it, Abhi!” She stood up, startling him, “You have carried this misplaced guilt for years now. Now you are taking it to limits by destroying many lives. At least, think about Shikha. Will she be truly happy?”

“She wants nothing but me.” Those were true words.

“Yes, until she knows your heart belongs to someone else.” His eyes widened at the words, “I am not blind, Abhi. And probably people who knows your heart will see that too. It’s a shame you won’t follow your heart and take the easy way.”

“It’s nothing but easy.” His voice rose as he stood up, but immediately realizing his folly, his looked down, “This was planned, Mom. I am fine. Please, be part of this alliance. I am sorry if I made you feel I don’t value your opinion, and I will do everything to rectify it. Please, don’t leave me alone.” He was like a child in that moment, holding onto his Mother to go through this storm. Smita realized it too- on one side, she had this anger inside her for years. She wanted to physically shake him to senses, and on the other hand, she was a Mother to this beautiful, hurt boy. She wanted to hold his hands and help him sail.

She exhaled, “This is another of those pointless argument, is not it?” He looked up at that, apology on lips but she rose her hand to stop him, “You won’t change your mind, I will be unhappy. You know what? You are an adult. You have been for a long time. Who am I to find fault or berate you for your decisions?”

“Mom please . . . “

“I will tell Sunaina that the card is fine. Your father will be around, I will make him stay. You co-ordinate with Shikha, let me know if anything else is needed.” It was like she was part of a stranger’s life. In that moment, Abhi was probably too.

“Don’t say like that.” He pleaded. She smiled bitterly, exhausted and defeated from all of it.

“That’s all I can do, say like that.” Sighing, she wiped over her face again so that she look presentable, “I will see you at home. Sorry for this sudden intrusion. Won’t be repeated again.”

Before he could object to that or apologize, again, she turned on her heels and walked away.

It was raining so harsh that the drops prickled on the skin and one can’t see anything else other than fog and mist. Sameera along with Disha ran from one building to another amidst rain, almost soaking. Disha was saying her something and Sameera was going to reply, when she saw the crying woman sitting on the wooden bench inside the garden.

“Let’s meet in room, okay?” Confused but not dwelling on that, Disha walked away. Sameera ran towards the woman again, and with shock she realized it was Smita, Abhi’s Mother.

“Ma’am?” She had to shout over the rain, hesitantly touching her back, “Please, let’s move under the sheds, shall we?” It was a testament to how emotional the older woman was that she allowed herself to be seen in this condition. Sameera held onto her until she felt the other woman was back in her sense, wondering what happened to her that she looks so heartbroken.

“Do you want anything? Water?” Smita shook head, leaning against a wall as she looked at the floor. Suddenly, she was nervous. Is Abhi fine? Is Mr. Rathore fine? Is it some other family issue? She wanted to ask, and yet she had no right. But the woman looked so distraught, and she reminded her so much of her own Mother, that she had to ask.

“May I ask if everything is alright?” She asked hesitantly.

“Nothing is alright.” Smita’s voice broke, the earlier anger coming back in bits and pieces. The former did not say, just waited in case she wants to say something more. The silence was probably all she needed, a sounding board- she has been alone for so long. Nobody asked her how she was feeling.

“How do you stop a man who is hell bent on destroying his life over a misplaced guilt and sense of obligation? How do I see my only child committing biggest mistake in life? I am expected to stand by him and take part in rituals which are going to destroy him.” She started to pace in agitation, fingers in hair, “I have begged, pleaded, threaten and warned him. He don’t care. He won’t let me be part of his life, he won’t share anything what he is feeling inside. When he came back . . . “ Sameera stood straight at that, ”He had this haunted look in his eyes, like he has seen so much. He would jump whenever someone will enter a room. But he won’t share with me. He will hide in his room and bury in his work but he won’t share his feelings with me. Probably I am not worthy.”

Sameera held onto her hands at that, “That’s not true.” She spoke softly, heart aching for the woman.

“No, I am not in army. I don’t understand trauma or how hard their lives are. Probably won’t be a good person to share.” She sobbed earnestly now and even Sameera was crying, “But I am his Mother, he can at least sit by me? I hurt too, on his behalf. At least he can allow me a bit in his heart? I may not advice him well, but I can at least . . .be there. Don’t I have the right?”

“Of course you have.” Sameera wondered what happened between the Mother son that made her so distraught. “Mothers are image of God, are not they? So what if you don’t know anything about army or our lives? You have lived this life too in your own way, worrying about your family, helping other families. There is no worthy or unworthy in this.” She squeezed her hand again, “I don’t know what Abhi said or did . . . but he loves you.”

“He doesn’t.” She spoke it like she knew it was true, “He loves his duty and promises more. I am fine with that, you know? Him not loving me.”

“Don’t say that.” Sameera has seen the other day how Abhi is around his Mom. There is no universe where he don’t love her.

“But I am not okay with him destroying his life!” She burst out, “How can he destroy his life like this? How can he marry Shikha?”

Sameera was frozen for a few moments, her voice grave, “He loves her.”

She looked at her sharply, “We both know that’s not true, Sameera.” Her stare won’t let her look away and the sudden tension was palpable in the air. After a while Smita removed her hand from her hold, wiped away her tears and looked at her sharply. The intensity of her gaze was such that Sameera had to physically move way from her.

“He don’t love her. He never did. He has misplaced guilt which is making him be with her.”

Sameera has heard this twice now and she frowned, annoyed, “What guilt? What guilt is so powerful that he will do that to . . . “ She bit down on her tongue, “himself?”

“That’s not my place to say.” The former sighed in frustration.

“Maybe he want this. For whatever reason. Maybe he will be happy.”

“The only time I have seen him happy in the last couple of months when he speaks about you, Sameera.” Her words made her heart skip a bit, “The first time he mentioned you was when you people came back from jungle mission. You extended your hand for friendship, and for the first time in forever he voluntarily sat beside me and spoke about his work. His eyes lit up when you said your name, he respected and admired you even then. When you were in coma, he went back to shell, he demanded the best care for you.” Smita paused at that- the life support topic was never supposed to be out like this. Wavering, she continued, as Sameera frowned at the sudden halt, “When you opened your eyes, he came back to us again. He was happy when you were happy, he was sad when you were sad. His Father says that along the line, you and him have blurred at a point. He says it’s not possible to see where you end and he began.”

Sameera’s eyes filled in tears as she took in the words, “You know, similar things were told to me by others too. The first time I let myself hope, that was the night Shikha came back. I told to myself- he cares about me like he cares about his team. Like a friend, maybe. Natasha told me that he loves me. But love means staying with the person, is not it? Fight for her. Here, the only thing he is fighting for is what he wants.” Smita listened in rapt attention, “And I have seen him, Ma’am. I am not the one he wants. So he will never fight for me.”

“You have given up on him.” She accused.

“There is nothing to hold on to.” Sameera sighed in pain, “One sided feelings don’t end well, do they?”

Smita stared at the woman for a long time. She heard the words but she knew words can be empty- there was pain and bitterness under them, sure, but hope too. Longing. And they both knew the problem is not that Abhi don’t care, but that he cares too much for things about what he should not. He will burn himself for others even when there is no responsibility of his.

“Okay, then.” She felt herself speak calmly, something she was feeling anything but. Sameera probably felt the same puzzlement too, judging by the look of confusion on her face, “But, I need to say this. Take it as plea, request, order, anything.”

“Of course.” She answered warily.

“Just . . . try once?” She sounded so earnest, on the edge, that Sameera had to swallow and nod. “Maybe it will cause more pain, maybe nothing will change. Just once. For me. One last try.”

“Okay.” She agreed.

Sameera was reluctant- probably selfish too to save her own heart from further heartache. Like, who wants to hurt again and again and stay with that for life time, right? But it was Abhi, and Smita had looked so sad the other day, that she had to try. Casually, she asked Abhi one day if he was happy.

He had to clench his jaw to answer that, “We have been together for years. It’s the obvious next step, is not it?”

She stared at him, “I don’t know much about relationship,” He frowned at that. A lovely girl like her had never been in any relationship, that was hard to imagine, “but I think taking a big step is not about timing. It’s about when it feels right.” Pausing, she asked, “Does it feel right?”

It was almost at the tip of his tongue, ready to burst out. No!. But of course, he stayed quiet and forced a smile, nodding softly at her.

Sameera realized she failed again, silently rebuking herself for this mistake.

In the evening, Disha was saying something strange.

“You ever text with Abhi?” Sameera shook her head, frowning where that came from, “He writes in proper, full sentence, with commas and full stops. No emojis, no short forms.”

“. . . okay?”

“Samrat was saying the other day that Shikha and Abhi met through facebook.” Disha tried to sound casual, focusing on folding her washed clothes as Sameera listened in rapt attention, suddenly interested, “She showed him the texts. Abhi has changed a lot- back in the day, he used to type like a teenager. Laying the charm thick, emojis in every sentence, hahaha in every fourth line.”

Sameera still did not understand, “Are you going with this somewhere?” The former gave her a look as if she was thick, but pressed her lips and said nothing.

The former tossed and turned the whole night, feeling something she was missing which was right in front of her eyes.

Weeks later, the HAWKS were cordially invited to the upcoming engagement of Abhi and Shikha, and the base was bursting with the discussion on that. The girls gave sympathetic glances at Sameera who forced a smile, as if it was not aching all over. It was easy to focus on Ali and Samrat’s chattering on how much the families will spend or who will be special guest in the functions- maybe film star, or some politicians. The men had a bet going on that at least 5 ministers will be at the party.

Natasha threw in a 2000rs note on the table, “Make it zero.” As the men looked at each other, puzzled, she winked at Sameera, a self satisfied smirk on her face. Like the facebook chat topic the other night, this also flew right above Sameera’s head.

Unable to stand the constant topic of engagement, Sameera ran away to her Mother’s house one evening, just to get away from that for a while. Her Mother was saying about going back to their town for some work related to NGO, and asked Sameera if she can take a few holidays. She had just got out of an investigation, it might be hard, but the former decided to ask Veer sir anyway. Abhi was unavailable for a few days, also it’s probably better not to face him these days when she is so on edge.

The Mother daughter duo talked for a long time in the night, and at one point she kept her head on her lap, closing eyes just to reign in the heightened emotions. Sapna understood something was bothering her daughter, and waited for her to say it out loud, running fingers through her hair.

She sighed, “I am in love with Abhi.” The quiet admission surprised Sapna a bit- but also, a lot of things finally made sense in her head. With each moment of realization, her heart broke. The history repeated itself again in the form of her daughter, and ironically, Veer’s second daughter was taking away his first born’s happiness.

“He is getting married.” She spoke cautiously, fingers stilled in her hair.

“I know. I was stupid to fall for a taken man.”

“I don’t think love sees logic or situation, bacha. It just happens.”

“I understand it now.” Sameera opened her eyes, staring far away, “It was not that difficult too. He is a good man. He cares so much, how can I . . . “ Paused, she hesitantly met her Mother’s gaze, “You think I can get over this?”

But both the women knew there was no getting over love like that. The Shekhawat women love with their all hearts, crash and burn at the alter of their feelings. Even when Sapna felt Veer was dead, she never remarried, and she knew Sameera will do the same too. She is, after all, her upbringing.

Her fingers moved through the former’s hair again, smiling sadly, “Maybe it’s a good time to go home, don’t you think?”

Before leaving the next day, Sapna asked Sameera what she was going to gift Abhi. It was strange- on one side, she wanted nothing to do with all these, and yet, she felt like she had to give him something. After all, he was starting a new life. She can at least wish for his happiness.

Hesitating, she asked, “Can I take something from your stuff?”

Sapna nodded at that.

Smita was standing outside the house, looking dispassionately at the wedding planner who was barking at the staff to decorate the house with flowers and lights. Sunaina hired him, of course, and Smita did not even bother joining the man for planning, or ask about his fees. She just let him do what he want- there is no point in fighting on anything. This was happening and she had to live with it till her last breath.

After she asked, almost begged Sameera to talk to Abhi, she would cautiously look at him for any signs- if he was thinking over this again, if he looks troubled. But there was nothing amiss. Either she did not say anything, or Abhi did not care. For the former, she can’t really fault the woman- she saw the hurt in her eyes the other day. She can’t expect her to burn herself so that Abhi can come to light.

“Hello.” At the sudden greeting of a familiar voice, she turned. To her surprise, it was Sameera. “Sorry to drop by unexpectedly.”

“It’s alright. Hello.” Smita forced her chin up, trying to be polite, “What brought you here?” Now that she saw her properly, there was a small gift in her hand, “Is that for him?”

Sameera nodded at that, “You could have given him on . . . “ The words died on her lips. Sameera might not come for the engagement, and really, who can blame her? Smita herself wanted to run far away. At least the former had the option.

“I don’t think I will be around for that.” Shaking herself off, Sameera took in the man who was shouting at the staffs for flower and lighting arrangement, pursuing her lips, “I came to know Abhi was staying here?”

“Yes, until the function.” Smita showed her the way, and sent a staff to fetch for her son. She vanished somewhere on the pretense of looking for Mr. Rathore, fooling none in order to give the two a bit privacy.

Maybe even hoping this meeting will change things,

Abhi came down the stairs, surprised at his friend’s arrival, “Hi.”

Sameera forced a smile, “Hey. Sorry for dropping by like this, unannounced.”

“It’s okay.”

“Should have called. Stupid.” For a lot of things. Abhi smiled a bit, almost reaching out to touch her, but like always, refraining.

“It’s fine, Sameera. I am glad to see you here.” He looked at the small gift box on her hand and asked, “What brought you here?”

“Well,” She drawled, suddenly afraid and shy as she tucked her hair behind ears, “you are starting a new life. I thought to give you something- as a good wish. As thank you.” She raised her hand to give him, and even though he took the box, he shook head, touched and feeling unworthy of her wishes.

“There was no need for this.”

“Just look at the gift before rejecting.” She joked, “You know how hard it is to find something for you?” At his frown she said, “You have everything. What can I give you which you never had? Or which will be of your use. I tried to think and then I could not find it, so took the easy way out.”

By the time she stopped, Abhi had carefully opened the package, his fingers delicately holding an old, brown strapped men’s watch. Surprised, he looked at her.

“This is my Father’s.” He inhaled sharply at that, “One of the few things Maa had of him. This was a symbol of the kind of man he was- brave, kind, and loving.” She looked at him warmly, “I hope this reminds you to be yourself. This is also a lucky charm, you know how big I am on them.” He smiled at that, still feeling awed, “Like the coin, I hope this brings you good luck and a lot of happiness in your new life.”

“I . . . “ He was speechless, “I am not even sure if I should take it.”

“I know it’s old and . . .” He shook head at that.

“It’s sentimental. You sure I should have that?”

Smiling, Sameera said simply, “You are one of the most important person of my life. I won’t have it any other way.”

Whatever he had done to deserve her? How much kindness she will show him, even when he gave her nothing but pain? He was touched, he wanted to cry, he wanted to show gratitude and say the three little words and mean it this time, but he just stared at the watch, thumb going gently over the dial.

“Thank you.” He whispered. Sameera smiled, and then extended her hand, he immediately took it.

“I wish with all my heart that the functions goes without any hitch, it turns out grand and you have the biggest smile on your face. I am sure it will be amazing and you two will look like dream.” He frowned at the words, heart hammering in his chest.

“You won’t be here?”

“No.” The smile was a relief this time, “Do you remember I wanted to go home back in Gira? I asked for 7 days, you said . . . “

“5.” He swallowed, “I remember.”

“So I will leave now.”

“You won’t be here?” His voice broke a little at the question. His world was falling apart and still he wanted her there. To draw strength, to face it all, or just to look at her and go through it all. And now, she won’t be here. She was leaving- maybe forever.

He did not want to let go of her hand.

“But you, be happy.” Sameera said again, suddenly her voice hard, “Abhi, you will be happy, right?” Suddenly caught off guard at the tone of her voice, he stared, eyes wide, “Tell me you are happy. Tell me you will be happy, Abhi. Because, if you are not . . . “

“Then what?” He asked too quickly.

‘Then I won’t be happy too.” She said it so simply as if her unhappiness was nothing. As if her happiness being connected to his was that easy, “If you are happy, I will be. If you are miserable, I will be too. For the rest of my life.”

He gaped at that, slightly shaking inwardly at the words which sounded ominous, “That’s not true.” When she shook head, he added forcefully, “Of course you will be happy. With . . . “

“There won’t be anyone else.” She took a step towards him, gazing deep into his eyes, “There won’t be. So think again, Abhi. Think if you are happy, because mine lies with yours now.”

With those words, Sameera let go of his hand, turned and walked out without a backward glance.

The following events occurred rapidly, one after another, like how chess pieces goes down in front of a ruthless opponent. Sameera probably did not think through her words or the gift, or the impact it will have on Abhi and things around them- she berated herself later for revealing too much- but the words has an expected way to kickstart chain of events. Abhi could not stop thinking about her words, how she will be unhappy, and how there will be none else. None else, she said, and he had hoped for this, deep in his heart, and now it was here. The feelings were mutual. It hurt him immensely that all these charade hurt her too, and the fact that if he goes ahead with this engagement, he will hurt her more too.

For the first time in years, he thought about If and not when.

2 days before the engagement, having enough of this turmoil, Abhi headed towards base to see the woman. He did not know what he will say, what he will ask or if he has that right. What he will do if she says the same thing again? Confused, hopeful and slightly scared, he headed towards women boarding, not realizing two other team mates of him- Disha and Natasha had spotted him first.

“Abhi!” Disha called out, and he headed towards them. The duo was taken aback at his look- dishelved, eyes wild and his whole posture tensed.

“Where is Sameera?” He demanded.

“She left.” Disha answered, confused. Of course he had to know she was on leave, right? But it seemed that the answer was a wrong one, as the man fell apart right in front of them.

“Left?” He choked on the little word. Before Disha could open her mouth and say something, Natasha squeezed her hand in warning, her eyes flashing to her confused ones.

“Yes, Abhi, She left. She is not coming back.” Natasha added, a little venom in her words. Abhi looked at the two women as if he can’t belief them, looked around. His eyes were red. Then without any announcement, he left, shoulders hunched.

Disha gaped at him then turned to Natasha, “What’s just happened?”

“I think he is getting the divine intervention we all wanted.” Snarking, also looking pleased with herself, she beamed.

“Did you see his face?”

“Serves him right for hurting Sam all along.” The former gaped at her- from when this protectiveness came for her best friend, she did not know.

Back in Rathore residence, Smita was trying to select a neckpiece for the function. The event planner wanted to color co-ordinate everyone, and as much as she wanted to throw everything at the opposite mirror, or at the man itself, she forced herself to stay calm and slowly go through her jewellery collection.

A knock at the door, and she glanced at the mirror quickly before looking down, “Yes, Abhi?” If she had looked closely, she would have rushed towards him. She was still cold to him, her own way to deal with this mess.

Abhi lingered near the door for a while, saying nothing as he stated hard at the floor. Just when Smita was about to ask again and sigh in irritation- he is probably here to apologize again, he spoke up.

“I don’t think I can do this anymore.”

The neckpiece slipped from her fingers and she turned around, in disbelieve that the words came out of his mouth, “What?”

He shuddered, and then almost fell over a small stool nearby, “I don’t think I can do this engagement.”

Smita rushed towards him and he immediately wrapped arms around her and hid his face in her frame, and with alarm she realized his warm tears coating her clothes, “Something happened.” She declared. Running hand through his back, she made him look at her, “What is it?”

“She left Mom.” He was sobbing now, voice cracking, “Sameera left.”

“Left?” She was in shock.

“She told me that she will never be happy in her life if I was not. That there will be none else.” Pausing, he added gravely, his voice shaking, “A part of me hoped, you know? But then I will scold myself- how can I ask for her when I was already committed?”

“You did not want that.” She replied sharply.

“Yes, I did not.” This was the first time he admitted, even to himself, “I do not.” Wiping his eyes, he looked at her, begging, “I can’t hurt her anymore. She left not knowing I . . . “

“She will.” Smita vowed. Unknowingly, Sameera had made him stop and now she has the opportunity to break this alliance. But she need to ask again, “I have to ask, are you sure?”

“Yes.’ Abhi answered without missing a beat and Smita sighed in relief. “I need to go to Veer sir’s house. Tell Shikha.” He was pained at the upcoming feud, but he knew this had to be done. He has hurt people enough, this stops now.

“Let me handle that.” Smita dropped a kiss on his head, moving aside to call her husband. He was hiding in some club on the pretense of an important meeting, and she rolled eyes internally at his antics.

“Yes.” He picked on the first ring. So much for important meeting.

“Come home.” Suryakant frowned at the triumphant tone at his wife.

“Is it good?”

“Yes. We have an engagement to break.”

The former exhaled in relief, “About bloody time.” Smita almost laughed at that, giddy in relief. Hearts will break, there will be tears and possible broken relationship between Veer and Surya, but in that moment she thought nothing but of Abhi. Once this dust settles, she need to ask about Sameera and bring her back.

One step at a time.

She made the second phone call to Veer- Sunaina will definitely try something sneaky, Smita wanted no new trouble now. The Mother Son and Father trio walked into the Veer’s house an hour later, determined and slightly cautious of the upcoming storm they were going to start. Shikha smiled and rushed to hug Abhi, teasing him about missing her that much. Before she could embrace him, he moved away, hand in air.

Veer saw their faces and cleared the room immediately, leaving only six of them in the living room. The smile dropped from Shikha’s face, and Sunaina looked tensed, sensing something was going to go down.

“Abhi?”

“I . . . “ He had to struggle for words, feeling immensely guilty for doing this to her when she had no fault in this mess, “I am sorry.”

“For what?” Shikha sounded scared, then looked above his shoulder at his parents. They had determined look on their faces.

“I can’t do this engagement. I am sorry.”

Nobody said a word for a few minutes. Sunaina recovered first, was about to march ahead but Veer held onto her wrist- he had a nagging suspicion about this and also felt his wife had something to do with this. Shikha panicked, asking if she was rushing for commitment, if this was too sudden, if he was against her career or he wanted something else. It just increased pain, and just when he was about to falter, his Mom came forward and squeezed hand, giving him strength.

“Shikha, please stop.” Gently, he took her hands, wincing at her heartbroken expression. He had dragged this for so long and everyone will hurt because of him now, “It’s not about time. No amount of time will fix this.”

“You love me.” Shikha whispered. Abhi had to close eyes as he replied.

“I don’t.”

Sunaina shook off Veer’s hold and rushed ahead, pushing Shikha behind her, “What’s this nonsense, Abhi? Two days before engagement?”

“Nonsense which has been going on for years now, Sunaina.” Suryakant spoke up, surprising even Smita. He did not like family drama, and yet he won’t be having someone else beat down his son for something in which he was not completely alone. “Why don’t we clear the air right now and save further heartache?”

“What do you mean?” Veer asked. Abhi looked at him, but immediately had to look down- not able to meet his gaze which will soon turn accusing and hateful.

“Say it, Abhi.” Smita said gently.

“Abhi.” Shikha whispered too, puzzled. And soon, her world as she knew it fell apart.

“I am not the man you love. I am not your Abhi.” Shikha paled at that, and Sunaina protested, “The Abhi you loved, he died that day in hospital, Shikha. Years ago. He was my best friend.”

“Abhi stop, you are hurting her.” Sunaina warned.

“I am hurting too!” He burst out, making the former jump, “I have carried this on for so long, betrayed my dead friend and Shikha. He was the only who used to chat with her, he was the man she fell in love with.” He turned to Shikha, holding her hands again, “You two used to text so much, Abhi will say so much about you. Shikha this, Shikha that. He wanted to meet you, be with you so much.”

“That’s not true.” She whispered in shock.

“Did you never feel why I don’t reply much to texts? Or why the writing style is different? Or why I don’t remember something we texted about years ago? Because I don’t know, Shikha. I don’t know what he talked about.”

“But he shared photos.” She whispered. Abhi almost choked in his laughter- the sound broken to his own ears.

“I told him to share a photo of him. But he wanted an aura of mystery, so he sent a photo of our friend group, and some with me in them. That brat.” The day in hospital, she had recognized him and immediately thought he was the Abhi she chatted. The similar name did not help. “He was Abhimanyu Rastogi. My best friend, the man you loved.”

Shikha took a few steps, head shaking repeatedly as she could not process this onslaught of revelations. Veer came to stand near her and she immediately hid her face in his chest.

“If you knew everything, why kept quiet for so long? You betrayed her.” Veer spoke, voice hard. Sunaina was in tears- anger and disbelieve. Abhi was silent in response to that question, and Smita came to stood near him, their hands intertwined.

“Because Sunaina said Shikha won’t be able to process the trauma. Don’t . . . “ Her voice dropped in warning the moment it seemed Sunaina will deny, “Don’t you dare, Sunaina. You think I knew nothing?” She was satisfied at the fear on her face, then faced Veer bravely who was in staring at his wife in shock, “After Abhi’s- his friend- death, Abhi told Sunaina the truth. But she won’t let him tell Shikha. She told him Shikha will be traumatized, her heart will break, that she might do something drastic. And my son- foolish as he was,” Abhi’s head hung at those words, “agreed and kept on the charade. Even when he did not have to. He was not at fault that his best friend died, or that Shikha had lost her lover. But he kept on that for years, begged her repeatedly to let him tell the truth. She won’t have it. I think the happiness of her child mattered more than mine. But this ends now. My son has been unhappy for too long, for no fault of his, and this ends today.”

“You knew everything?” Veer whispered, making Sunaina look at the Rathores accusingly.

“He had been with her for years! Is there no feelings?” She looked at Abhi, pointing finger, “If you did not want her why you agreed for engagement? You played her!”

“I did not!” He protested immediately, “I will never hurt her!”

“But you hurt her now!”

“What about me?” His voice cracked, “I have been doing this for years now. Because you said it was the right thing to do. Nobody in my family liked this relationship, they said I was unhappy. Don’t you care about my happiness? I did nothing wrong!”

His chest heaved as he stopped, and his parents came around to stand. Veer and Sunaina can only stand still, unable to form words as the Rathores broke the engagement, murmured apology and empty words which won’t really soothe any souls.

Amidst the chaos, Shikha quietly slipped away.