Chapter 40

CHAPTER 40

MEMORIES

"Karan Sir", Monami said, looking at the blood that dripped down his arm with worried eyes. A cloth was pressed tightly against it, drenched mostly in blood. He sat down on the bed of the infirmary heavily, wincing slightly.

"Sanju", Colonel Batra said. "Faizi se update lo. Agar woh wahin hai, toh go back."

"Ji, Sir ji", she said, saluting him before moving out of the room.

Monami gently pried the cloth off the wound, inspecting it. He winced slightly. "B-Bleeding r-ruk g-gayi hai", she muttered. "C-Clearly f-flesh wound hai. G-Graze hai. B-Bone aur t-tendons ko t-touch bhi n-nahi kara."

"He'll be fine then?" Colonel Batra confirmed.

She nodded. "Haan." She injected him with something, gently pressing a piece of cotton against the spot. She glanced up at him. "A-Agar woh s-stupid kaam n-nahi karenge toh."

His eyebrows raised. "Excuse me?" He asked.

"N-No e-exercise, no ph-physical t-training." She glanced at him again. "E-Exertion kam aur r-rest z-zyaada. Aa-Aapse ho j-jaayega? At l-least for a w-week. B-Baaki aa-aapki h-healing par d-depend k-karta hai."

"Tum mujhe taunt kar rahi ho?"

She shrugged. "J-Just as-asking." She gently started to wipe the blood off his bicep. He glanced down at the skin, blinking. He couldn't feel much pain. Had she given him some pain killers?

"Karan, Monami ki medical advice ko follow karna", he said sternly. "Monami, yeh nahi sunta hai, toh seedha mere paas aa jaana." She smiled at him, nodding.

Karan heaved a sigh, nodding slightly. "Yes Sir", he muttered. His gaze followed him till he was out of the door, before it darted to Monami. "Tumhe lagta hai main apna dhyaan nahi rakh sakta?"

"R-Rakh s-sakte ho. B-Bilkul r-rakh sakte ho", she said. "R-Rakhte ho ya n-nahi, n-now th-that's d-different." She eyed him. "Aa-Aapko l-lagta hai k-koi n-notice n-nahi karta?"

"Kya notice nahi karta?"

"You're a-always w-working. Always", she said. She picked up a needle and a thread, preparing them to stitch his wound shut. "S-Sundays ko bhi, k-kabhi k-kabhi. Aap D-Diwali p-par bhi gh-ghar n-nahi j-jaa rahe. You c-can tell me ki aa-aap a-apna dh-dhyaan r-rakhte ho b-but I won't b-believe it t-till I see it."

Karan heaved a slight sigh. "I have work."

"H-Hamesha r-rahega. You n-need to r-relax a l-little. H-Half an h-hour a day? K-Kuchh bhi, jo aa-aap ch-chaaho. N-Not on-once a w-week j-jab aap apne gh-ghar j-jaate ho. Th-That's too l-less."

"I relax. I talk to you."

Her fingers paused. Her gaze lifted to meet his, her lips parting in surprise. "Aa-Aapko mere s-saath r-rehna re-relaxing l-lagta hai?"

"Of course. You are... calm", he said. "Like... like I have to swim in an ocean but you're a boat, and I can rest when I am with you." The words spilled out before he could think them over. He paused. "Tumne mujhe kya diya hai?" He demanded.

"Painkillers", she whispered, a smile spreading slightly on her face. "I d-didn't r-realize aap t-tipsy hokar a-aisi b-baatein k-karte hain."

He scowled slightly. "Your fault", he accused lightly. He glanced around. "Tum yeh baat kisi ko nahi bataogi. Faizi ko toh bilkul bhi nahi. Karan Shergill aisi cheesy baatein nahi karta hai."

She chuckled. "Our secret", she assured.

"Good."

"I th-think it's s-sweet", she confessed. "Aap... Aap ko s-sach mein yeh l-lagta hai?"

He glanced away. "Maybe."

Her gaze lifted to meet his, a smile on her face. His breath caught in his chest slightly. Her eyes were... affectionate. He liked them. "You're my l-life b-boat", she whispered. "If I h-have to s-swim in an o-ocean, I know you w-would n-never l-let me d-drown. You're... you're s-safe."

His awkwardness faded slightly. "Tumhe meri protection ki, meri help ki koi zaroorat nahi hai. You're strong enough. And I won't offer it to you. But... I am sure koi toh tha tumhaari life mein jisne tumhe hurt kara hai. Bahut zyaada. I can promise ki main tumhe kabhi hurt nahi karunga. I will try, at least."

She fell quiet for a few seconds. "Aa-Aap m-mujhe ch-chah kar bhi u-utna h-hurt n-nahi k-kar sakte hain." She glanced up at his face. "But I ap-appreciate the s-sentiment." She stepped back, handing him a sling. "Yeh lo. K-Keep it on a-as m-much as you c-can. R-Recovery t-tez hogi."

He grabbed her arm when she turned away. "Who hurt you?" He asked quietly. "Kaun hai woh?"

She stared at him. "A-Ask your b-brother."

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

"Club Ecstascy", Karan muttered, typing it in his laptop with one hand. He winced slightly, feeling the pain flare up in his arm when he moved it slightly. It was apparently a chain of high end clubs. He modified the search, adding 'Mumbai' to it. He opened an article.

Amidst strictness on drug racketing by the army across India, Club Ecstascy tightens rules to entry in it.

Karan grabbed his phone, dialing a number. "Jai Hind, Sir."

"Club Ecstascy, Mumbai", he said to the DCP. "Mujhe saari information chahiye, Sir. As soon as possible."

There was a pause of surprise. "Ji, Sir. I'll get it done."

"Thank you." He disconnected the call, lowering the phone. He paused for a few seconds, before dialing another number. "Sanket."

"Jai Hind, Sir."

"Laxman ke phone ki details nikaalni hai. Ek mahina. Location saath mein dena."

"Yes, Sir. Mil jaayegi. Kal subah tak de sakta hoon."

"Okay." He kept the phone aside, staring at the screen. A knock on the door made him glance up. "Come in", he called. His eyebrows raised when the Foxtrot cadets piled in.

"Sir ji", Bala said, eyes wide. "Aapko goli lagi?"

His gaze darted to Monami, who shrank back behind Sid. "S-Sorry. M-Muh se n-nikal gaya." His gaze paused on her for a couple more seconds, briefly remembering their vague conversation from the night before.

'A-Ask your b-brother.'

"I am fine. Flesh wound hai", he said, tearing his away from the phrase his mind kept returning to. "Yahan kya kar rahe ho? Tum sab ko kuchh kaam tha kya?"

Koel gave him a distasteful look. "Aapko goli lagi hai. Hum aapka haal puchhne aaye hain", she said, shaking her head. "Karan Sir, aap bhi kabhi kabhi..." He stared at her. She faltered, looking away. "Sorry."

"Main theek hoon", he assured.

"Mujhe toh pehle hi pata tha", Bala said, grinning. "Karan Sir ji sher hain. Sher ko kuchh thodi naa ho sakta hai. Kyun?"

"Haww, #liar", Chitra said. "Karan Sir, aapko pata hai, Bala toh #almost rone laga tha."

Karan looked at him. "Mujhe goli lagi hai phir tu itna darr raha hai. Khud ko lagegi toh kitna darega."

Bala sat down next to him immediately, making Karan his head back in surprise. "Arey, Karan Sir ji, aapko kuchh ho gaya toh hume daantega kaun? Sanju Madam hain, hamesha ready, par ek hi type ki daant sunkar bore ho jaayenge. Toh do tarah ki honi chahiye."

He stared at him. He looked at the others, and then back at him. "Tu kya aaj training mein sar ke bal gir gaya tha?"

"Sir ji, meri feelings ka mazaak mat udhao. Mujhe bahut kadar hai aapki", Bala said.

"Karan Sir, aap ise chodho", Suman ji said. "Suman ji, na, aapke liye haldi waali doodh banayegi."

Karan stared at her. "Haldi waala doodh?" He muttered. He scrunched his nose up. "Nahi, koi baat nahi. Chhoti si chot hai. Khud theek ho jaayegi."

"Chhoti si chot?" Sid said. "Maana goli chhoti si hoti hai, par chot chhoti nahi lagti hai. Even if it's just a graze."

"Uchit hai", Prem ji said. "Mujhe lagta hai aapka yeh waala concept thoda hila hua hai, Sir."

"We are just #concerned", Chitra piped up. "Aap thoda toh kadar karo humaare emotions ki."

He smiled slightly. "Thank you. Par main theek hoon."

Her eyes lit up. "Can I #hug you? #Get well soon hug?"

His smile faded. He pointed to the door. "Door wahan hai. Haal chaal puchh liya? Ab nikal jao. Jao. Kaam karo. Punishment bhi poori karni hai, na? Third floor waala..."

'Third floor ke camera ki wire hi kyun kaati?'

"Sir?" Sid prompted. "You okay?"

He hummed. "Uh, punishment poori karo apni. Go", he said.

Third floor.

Could there still be something in there?

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

Param stared at the academy. His home. He hadn't come home for years. He wasn't strong enough to walk through the halls that had listened to his determined yells of being a soldier. The academy had been the witness to his passion and height. He didn't want it to witness his fall.

Barkha lightly touched his arm, smiling at him gently. "Chalein?"

"Haan, chalo, na?" Baby asked. "Mujhe Chachu se bhi milna hai. Please, jaldi jaldi."

"Baby", Barkha said, a stern note in her voice. "Maine aapko samjhaaya tha, na? Thoda chup raho abhi."

She kept a finger on her lips. "Sorry, Mumma."

"It's okay", Barkha said to her husband. "Take your time, Param. Koi jaldi nahi hai."

He took a deep breath, closing his eyes. "Hum... Hum do minute yahin ruk sakte hain?"

She nodded. "Of course."

He opened his eyes when he felt arms around his neck. He glanced over his shoulder, finding Baby hugging him from the back seat of the jeep. He smiled slightly, turning his head and pressing a kiss to her cheek. He took a deep breath. "Chalo."

He got down from the jeep, taking it in. It had grown a bit, blocks added, floors added. Even from the last time he had visited 6 years ago. He walked to the gate, holding out his ID card- not one of service anymore, but it would grant them entry nonetheless.

The guard saluted him, before opening the gate and letting the three in. He looked down when Baby clutched his arm. She smiled up at him sweetly. Barkha kept a hand on his arm, rubbing gently in comfort.

It was familiar yet strange. The smell, he remembered, but the paint was new. He walked over to the 'Wall of Fame' on instinct, pausing and staring at the plate.

Lieutenant Colonel Suraj Shergill

1992

Pushpinder Batra gently guided him in. 'Hum kahan jaa rahe hain?' A 10 year old Param asked.

'Yeh dekho', the man said. Param stared at the plate, his eyes welling up with tears. 'Tumhaare Dad... woh mare nahi hain, Param. Woh shaheed hue hain. And jo log shaheed hote hain, woh kabhi marte nahi hain. Hamesha ke liye amar ho jaate hain.'

Param reached out, touching it gently. Another memory floated in his mind.

'Karan, yeh humaare Dad ke naam ki hai', A 15 year old Param explained gently. A 4 year old Karan stared at the plate. He reached out, gently touching the plate.

'Bhaiya', he said. 'Dad ko me'e baa'e nahi pata tha, na?'

He shook his head. 'Nahi, par agar pata hota, toh bahut zyaada pyaar karte.'

He wriggled slightly in his hold, and Param kept him down. 'Aap kaise keh sakte ho?' He asked, looking up at him with teary eyes. 'Ho sakta hai woh mujhe pasand nahi ka'te', he said. He sniffled. His head bowed, and he walked back into the interior of the academy, his little body slumped.

'Karan', he called, sighing a little. He looked back at the plate. 'Dad... mujhe pata hai aap Karan se bahut pyaar karte. Aap... aap dekh kar rahe ho kya hume?' His eyes welled up with tears. 'Agar dekh rahe ho, na, toh chinta mat karna. Main hoon, na? Main Karan ka dhyaan rakh lunga, okay?' He smiled slightly. 'Haan, haan, I know. Apna bhi rakh lunga.'

He smiled. He looked at his wife and daughter. "Tum dono yahin ruko. Main Batra Sir se milkar aaya. Ek kaam karo. Tum dono Karan se mil lo."

"Yay", Baby cheered, jumping excitedly on her feet.

Barkha touched his arm gently. "Main rahoon kya tumhaare saath?"

He smiled at her, shaking her head. "Nahi, it's okay. Main theek hoon. Tum dono jao."

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

Sanju pushed through the boxes, looking around. She paused, seeing a bunch of torn up papers. "Yeh... yahan kya kar rahe hain?" She picked up a few pieces, turning them over. She frowned, seeing the part of their logo of Parakaram on one. She picked up a box, carefully putting all the pieces inside.

Back in her room, she upturned the box after turning the fan off, grabbing a few pieces.

"Commando bante samay kisi ne bataaya naa tha ki duniya jahan ke saare kaam aane chahiyo", she muttered, sighing. "Baithkar kaagach ke saath khelo ab."

It took her over half an hour to make a part of a sheet and she quickly snapped a photo of it before looking closer. Her eyes widened at the title of it.

SECURITY CODES

PARAKARAM SAF, DEOLALI

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

Karan quickly took off the sling, keeping it aside. He pulled open the door, smiling at the squeal. "Chachu!" She squealed happily.

"Aa jaa, mera baccha", he said, hugging her and kissing her head. He smiled at his Bhabhi. "Hi, Bhabhi." He bent down, touching her feet. He glanced around. "Bhaiya aaye hain kya?"

She smiled, nodding. "Haan."

His eyes widened in surprise. He let the two into the room. "Sach mein?"

"Thoda overwhelmed hain, par theek hain", she said happily.

'A-Ask your b-brother.'

'Nahi. Abhi Bhaiya se kuchh bhi puchhna sahi nahi. Woh already sab kuchh ko lekar overwhelmed hain. Thode time mein.'

"Hain kahan?" He asked. He winced when Baby accidentally touched his wound. The two females immediately frowned. "Bhaiya kahan hain?" He asked again immediately.

"Ek minute", Barkha said. She crossed her arms. "Haath mein kya hua tumhaare?"

"Woh kya hai?" Baby asked, pointing to the bed. He turned around. He winced. The sling. "Chachu, sling?"

"Woh kya hai, na... mujhe chhoti si... chot lagi. Chhoti si."

Baby crossed her arms. "Kitni chhoti?"

"Bhabhi, ise goli lagi hai", Faizi said from behind, walking into the room.

"Goli?" The two said.

"Goli kab se chhoti si chot mein aa gayi?" Barkha asked.

Karan scowled at Faizi, glaring at him. Faizi grinned, shrugging as he sat down. "Bhabhi, lagi nahi, chhookar nikal gayi. Flesh wound hai."

"Aapne humse jhooth bola", Baby said. "Main Papa ko bataungi."

"Arey, nahi nahi. Please, Bhaiya ko mat bataana", Karan said. "Bekaar mein tension le lenge. Bhabhi, iska muh band karwaao, na?"

"Naa Baby chup rahegi, naa main. Main khud jaakar bataungi", Barkha said. "Ab Param hi tumhaari class lenge. Goli lagi, aur baataaya bhi nahi. Bahut kuchh chhupaane lage ho aaj kal tum. Main aur Param dono class lenge tumhaari." She turned around, Baby in tow.

Karan glared at Faizi, who laughed silently. "Sling pehen lo, warna ek Monami aur aa jaayegi tumhaari class lene waali", Faizi said. He held it out, stifling his laugh. He grabbed it, wearing it.

"Tujhe main baad mein dekhta hoon", he gritted out, running after the two girls. "Bhabhi, suno, na?"

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

"Sir ji", Sanju said, showing the photo to Faizi. "Karan Sir ji ne hume 3rd floor dobara check karne ka kaho tha. Hume wahan tukre mile. Banaaya toh yeh bano."

Faizi stared at it. "Security codes", he muttered. He stared at the picture, zooming it. "Aaj ki date hai. Sanju, Batra Sir ke paas jao, aur codes change karwaao. Abhi."

"Ji, Sir ji."

Faizi took out his phone, dialing Karan's number. "Karan."

"Faizi, bahut pitega tu. Meri class lagwaa di tune", he complained. "Bhaiya, Bhabhi, Baby. Batra ma'am ne saath mein bina matlab aur daant diya. Mujhe pata bhi nahi kyun."

"Karan, Sanju ko kuchh mila."

"Kya?" His tone dropped into a low, alert one. "Third floor par?"

"Haan. Tum kamre mein aa jaao. Abhi."

"On my way."

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

Param stared at the apartment silently. After his meeting with the Colonel and a quick scolding to his brother, he had been encouraged to wander around the academy. He had found himself in the residential apartment they had grown up in on the fourth floor- the one that still belonged to the Batra's.

He walked in, looking around the place he had called his home. He pushed open the door to Karan's room. Memories greeted him.

'Bhaiya,' A 3 year old Karan shrieked in laughter as their adoptive mother tickled him. He wriggled out of her hold, running to his brother. Param plucked him off the ground, throwing him back gently on the bed. He bounced on the bed, giggling. 'Doba'a.' He held his arms out.

Param smiled, walking further in the room. He picked up the photo on the bedside, staring at it. A 16 year old Karan stared back, a familiar smirk stretched on his face.

He kept it down, before moving out of the room. He quietly closed the door behind him, moving to his own room. He opened the door, walking in.

'Bhaiya', A 2 year old Karan said, shaking him. A 13 year old Param groaned. 'Bhaiya!' He whined. 'Bhaiya!'

'Kya hai? Sone de, na? Khud toh kabhi bhi padhke so jaata hai.' He groaned. He buried his face deeper into the pillow, trying to go back to sleep. He groaned when he felt his brother climb up on his back. He turned on his back, making Karan fall off of him. The toddler climbed up on his stomach again, staring into his eyes. Param sighed. 'Kya hai? Kya chahiye tujhe?'

'Mumma', Karan said.

Param's annoyance faded. He hugged him close, tears welling up in his eyes. 'Chhote, abhi Mom ke paas nahi jaa sakte.'

He tilted his head. 'K'un?' Param looked away. Karan stared at him. He clutched his face with his little hands, clumsily wiping his tears. 'Mat lo.'

'Tu zyaada chinta mat kar', he said softly. 'Main hoon, na? Main hamesha tere saath rahunga. Okay? Par... Par Mom ke paas nahi jaa sakte.'

Karan nodded. He attempted to climb down, instead slipping off of him and faceplanting on the bed beside him. Param laughed a little, sitting up. Karan looked up at him, a little dazed before bursting into giggles.

Param smiled. He opened his cupboard. His gaze fell on a small box and his smile faded. He picked it up, sitting down on his bed and opening it. It was full of pictures. He picked one up. The picture of a group of army officials, clad in proud uniforms.

The woman stared at him, soft eyes inspecting him. 'Naam?' She asked.

'Param Shergill', he said.

She smiled, nodding. 'Dr. Juhi Mahajan', she introduced. 'Welcome to the team, Param.'

He picked up another picture, staring at it.

'Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Juhi Mahajan will head the mission. Second in command, Major Krishna Naidu. Third in command, Major Imran Ali', Colonel Akash Mehta announced. Param grinned, clapping as he stared at his commander. She walked to the front, hands behind her back with a familiar glint in her eyes. She had never looked more alive.

'Mission ka naam?' She asked.

'Mission Pari.'