Chapter 11

"Congratulations Manya, Ayesha, Rupa and everyone else, it's great to see you back, we missed you all!" Akash screamed pulling me into a hug; I hugged him back, if it weren't for his support when I fell in the pit or was unconscious for two weeks I wouldn't have been here alive. I smiled at him and pulled Gul into a hug as well; noticing Akash say something to Rupa; making her blush crimson red. I frowned, why was he clinging to her; after all for the past few months we were 'close'.

I walk towards everyone else and pull them into a hug; Om watches me with a peculiar expression, probably fascinated with my appearance and myself in simple form. I try to smile genuinely at him but fail miserably; I turn to walk away when he grabs my wrist and pulls me into a hug. I try hugging him back but can't seem to find the strength in my body to do so; he lets go and smiles at me, "im sorry!" and walks away. I watch him leave surprised, shocked and happy at the same time; he was sorry for what he said and did. I smiled and called out to him, "Om babua!" I scream, he glances towards me surprised as I wave for him to come near and chat with us. A genuine smile appears on his face as he rushes near us ….

"So Manya how did all this happen; how exactly did you find Akash?" Gul and Om question me; I glance towards them and smile; "I followed you guys on to the bus, what did you actually think I was going to leave just like that? Heck no, and then I waited for all of you to come back but Akash never did so I stayed behind and tried finding him; luckily we both found each other and ran for our lives…not to forget spent an entire 2 days together in the forest; you should have seen the look on his face; having to be with me, that too ALONE!" I chuckled to myself under my breath. Akash shot me a glare; "that is not funny, Manya; don't try to act all that! And yes it was scary having to live with you in the forest because you are one scary young woman!" Akash said mockingly.

I shot him a look of frustration and walk away calmly, "Akash don't be a meanie to me!" I hear him laugh behind me. Ughh I groan, forgetting him and walk into my dorm; setting my things back in place again I look around; everything seemed like home yet again, I was where I should have been a long time ago! Taking a sigh, I turn around glancing through the window gazing at the gorgeous scenery, it was almost night, yet the sunset never forgot to take me by surprise. "Knock Knock!" snapping out of my thoughts I turn around; "Sir you?" I suddenly sounded surprised and disgusted at the same time; why did he come here; probably to mock me yet once again; of course what else can I expect from him! I roll my eyes and start listening casually.

"Manya, it is a pleasure to have you back I just wanted to let you know there is an award's assembly for those cadets who have done the best; yes it is surprising but it has been six months here, just a few more weeks and you will not longer be a cadet; instead you will be a police officer; so please get ready for the evening…all are invited!" General Shashank spoke to me sounding happy for once and walked away before listening to my answer. "alright, great" I muttered sarcastically under my breath. Better get ready Manya I mumble to myself while walking towards my dresser and pulled out a plain and simple pink churidaar suit and got ready.

"Welcome everyone, it is great to see all of you here, yes this past week has been very crucial, we all had believed Akash was dead but he came back; and now its time to hand out the awards to those who have deserved it and the most important award for the evening is the Golden Sword [lol I forgot what it was from the nataak!] However, that will be the last of the awards and now lets get the others done!" General Shashank spoke standing beside Madam Heer. I stood waiting bored out of my mind, what was I going to do here, not like I was going to get anything, except for the most outspoken and straightforward award. I laughed to myself and turned to the side finding Om, Gul, Rupa and Akash staring at me with curiosity. I look at them confused, "why were they staring at me? Whatever it was could wait I was suddenly intrigued by this sudden "awards assembly"….

Several hours later, well actually only half an hour later, the last of the awards announced before the very important award. I waited anxious to hear who had gotten this award and glanced around at every cadet, there were many who were capable of receiving this award but truly indeed who had received this award? "and now for the last award, the Golden Sword belongs to none other than a very well respected cadet, who fought for the truth and put his life at stake; to save India. And that person is none other than Akash Ratod!" All turn their attention to Akash, I smile genuinely at him, and mouth, "congratulations!" to him but he stares at me blankly. I urge him to go forward and he does, with slight bitterness, I frown what was up with him suddenly. Finally at the stage, he takes the award eyeing it happily. "thank you everyone for this award…….." everyone claps joyfully, "however, I am not the true owner of this wonderful award, because I did not do anything; it was all because of one young woman! She saved me from the terrorist, putting her own life at stake to save mine, if it were not for her India would have been in a devastating condition today and I perhaps would not have been alive; not only did she save me, but in the forest for two days mended my wounds, made sure I was fed right and took care of me…the pain and suffering I had gone through days was taking its toll on my body and yet she still would not give up on me; after two days we decided to get back home on our way back we were yet once again attacked. A man had me by the neck and was aiming at my forehead with a gun, from out of nowhere, this young woman came and shot him straight through the forehead, nearly missing my forehead. She had a slight chance for my survival, but taking it she killed him while my head was lower than his. Today I am alive, we all are safe and not only this but she has brought back the women cadets; the true owner of this award is none other than Manya Sharma! So manya get up here and take your award!"

Slight drops of tears rush down my eyes, Akash had actually believed it was all because of me, all around me everyone cheered for me; I smiled at them and found myself being carried towards the stage by Om. I glanced down at him happy, he was happy for me and I was thankful for that! Taking my award I thanked all those who hated me because it gave me a chance to prove myself and in the end I did find many wonderful friends in them. I smiled proudly at them and took the golden sword into my arms, screaming, "this is for you papa!"

The evening continued on, everyone enjoyed themselves but forced me to talk the most and explain in detail everything Akash and I had to go through while we were stranded in the forest looking for a way out. It was hilarious on the contrary because everyone's faces were full of surprise. However Akash and I couldn't help but edit some things out; which im sure Om figured out by the way he was eyeing me, when I stopped and started suddenly anxious. He muttered something under his breath and walked near me, "hmmm, so are you in love?" I glanced at him bewildered, was it that obvious? I looked at him confused, and nodded negatively. He frowned and narrowed his eyes, "you know you are a bad liar but in this case it is hard to tell!" I laughed at him and pulled his cheeks which he pulled mine back harder. "oww!" I winced in pain, "so you can take a bullet and face a dozen of terrorist but getting pinched on the other hand you wont…what is wrong with you?" I glared at him and he shifted consciously, and I laughed.

The days passed by and finally exactly two weeks before that terrifying and romantic experience in the forest, it was finally Valentines Day. I was hoping to tell Akash my feelings, perhaps he would confess as well. That morning I woke up with excitement and a wild dream in which Akash walked into my room to confess; taking a deep sigh I walked out of my room dressed in a red and white churidaar, not caring what the others thought. I heard a few here and there whistles, and glanced around to find Akash anywhere in sight but I didn't. Instead I found Om handing me a white rose, I smiled at him those were my favorite and pulled him into a hug. "by the way Om, Akash kaha hai?" I questioned him, he smirked, "he went to go look around for roses! He'll be back soon!" I growled at him and waited for him to appear but he didn't…instead I found Rupa before me, a pair of arms wrapped around her. Surprised I glanced up and found Akash planting a kiss on her cheek; in seconds my heart broke…

TO BE CONTINUED....hehe ummm thursday and thank you for the comments...and please silent readers do comment...it keeps me encouraged