Chapter 59

CHAPTER 59

NEW BEGINNINGS

"So?" Koel demanded.

Sid looked at the others, almost all of them staring at him expectantly. "Bhai ji, aapne bola bhi?" Bala asked, looking him up and down. "Lag toh salaamat hi rahe ho? Haddiyan bhi saari judi hui hi lag rahi hain."

He grinned. "She said she loved me too."

Their jaws dropped open. Monami squealed, clapping her hands before launching herself in his arms. He laughed, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Bro", she squealed. "I am so happy for you."

"Chha gaye, Bhai ji", Bala said.

Karan and Faizi tilted their heads- almost in sync- staring at the cadets. "Yeh cadets itne uchhal kyun rahe hain?" Karan asked. Faizi shrugged. "Sanju, tujhe pata hai kuchh?" His eyes darted around, trying to understand a sentence or two to fill in the gaps.

Faizi glanced at the woman when she didn't answer. She had a smile on her face, and she stared at Sid quietly. The cadet looked at her and his smile grew. He straightened up. "Sanju... Siddharth ne tumhe propose kara?"

Karan's eyes snapped to her. "Kya?"

Sanju's smile widened. She nodded happily. "Ji, Sir ji. Kal raat." She let out a happy sigh. "Hum bahut khush hain", she gushed, taking a deep breath. The two chuckled, patting her head affectionately.

"Hum tumhaare liye bahut khush hain", Faizi said.

"He'll do you good", Karan said.

Faizi looked back at the gushing cadets, seemingly grilling Sid for the details. His eyes slid over to his own girlfriend and almost as if she knew, she looked up. His smile slid off a little.

'Jab tum decide kar lo ki tumhe yeh rishta nibhaana hai ya nahi, mujhe bata dena.'

His gaze dropped. He stared at his food, nibbling on his parantha. He wasn't all that hungry anymore.

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

Param stared at the letter. His letter of acceptance or rejection. Colonel Batra had refused to tell him the result, just wordlessly handing him the letter and telling him to see for himself.

Barkha stifled a yawn, trying to be patient as she stared at her husband. "Param... khol lo, na? Kitni der tak aur nihaaroge? Itna toh tumne mujhe bhi kabhi nahi nihaara hai."

He looked at her, narrowing his eyes slightly at the comment. He looked back down at the letter, releasing a breath before tearing it open. His eyes darted around as he read through the contents.

We are pleased to inform you that your application has been accepted.

The letter drifted down from his hands. Accepted. He was accepted back into the academy. He was going to serve again. Arms wrapped him, and he snaked his own around his wife, closing his eyes. "Congratulations", she muttered, kissing his head gently.

He let his smile spread on his face, exhaling.

He was going to serve again.

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

"Do you mind if I call you 'tum'?" Sid asked.

Sanju shook her head. "Naa. Par sirf tab jab hum tere senior ki tarah act naa kar raho hogo. Protocol ke khilaaf hai yeh jab kaam ki baat hogo."

He hummed. "Dhyaan rakhunga", he assured. He reached out, gently holding her hand. She looked down at their joined hands, before curling her fingers and interlacing her fingers with his. He smiled.

She smiled slightly, her cheeks heating up slightly. It was unusual to be close to a guy but she liked it when it was him. She took a deep breath. "Tera din kaisa tha?"

He shrugged. "Bahut saari classes thi." He sighed. "Par bura nahi tha. Tumhaara?"

"Bura naa tha", she said. "Humaara kisi ko chaped lagaano ka mann naa kiyo."

He smiled, leaning closer. "Maybe it's because of me", he said, grinning. "You are happy because of me."

She stared at him for a couple of seconds. "Itni galatfehmi kaise paal leto hai tu?"

His jaw dropped open. "Matlab tum khush nahi ho?"

"Humne aisa bhi naa kaho."

He tilted his head. "Tum khush ho ya nahi? Main... confuse ho gaya."

She chuckled. "Hum khush hain", she assured. "Par aaj kisi ne zyaada koi galti naa karo isliye mann naa kiyo chaped lagaane ka."

"Fair enough. Aapko pata hai kya hua aaj? Hum sab..."

Sanju listened to his tale quietly, a small smile on her face. Things have changed, but not quite. Almost like a wall had been broken between them. Her gaze dropped to their intertwined hands as his thumb slowly stroked the back of her hand. Her smile widened slightly.

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

Monami popped some chocolate in her mouth just as Karan entered the kitchen, some milk in the pan. Chocolate stained her chin and lips and cheeks and he chuckled. She smiled, waving at him with chocolate covered fingers.

"Nahaana chahti ho tum chocolate mein?" He asked.

"Woh m-melt ho g-gayi thi", she said, licking her fingers. She wiped at her face, rubbing aggressively. He shook his head, taking his handkerchief out.

He moved closer, wiping her cheeks with the handkerchief. "Bacchon ki tarah khaati ho tum", he said. He gently tilted her chin up with a finger, inspecting her face. She blinked back innocently, patiently sitting. His gaze met hers and he took a deep breath, looking away. He wet the cloth slightly, wiping away the dried up stains. No looking her in the eyes. They were capturing. "Tumne naak par kaise laga li?" He wiped it off her nose. Her eyes crossed, looking down at her nose. His gaze traced over her mouth as her tongue poked out slightly in concentration. She was cute.

"K-Kya?" She asked. His gaze snapped to her eyes- uncrossed now and staring at him questioningly. Shit. Was he staring?

He glanced away, letting his hand fall down from her face. "Kuchh nahi. Haath dikhao." He grabbed her hands, firmly wiping them of the chocolate stains.

"Th-Thank you", she said, inspecting her hands.

"Chocolate kisne di thi tumhe?" He poured the milk in the cups, handing off to her.

"Abhi S-Sir", she said. He looked at her. Again? "W-Woh hi w-waali hai jo u-unhone pehle di thi. Itni s-saari thi kh-khatam hi nahi h-hui." She held up one in offer. "Ch-Chahiye? It t-tastes good with c-coffee."

He shook his head. "Aapke aashiq ne di hai." She narrowed her eyes a little at him. "Aap hi enjoy kijiye, Rani Sahiba." He rolled his eyes. Stupid Abhi.

She paused, tilting her head. "Aa-Aapne m-mujhe bahut t-time se yeh nahi b-bulaaya hai", she said quietly, looking down at her coffee.

Karan frowned. "Kya? Rani Sahiba?" She nodded. He paused. "Huh. Ho sakta hai. Do you like it when I call you that?"

"Mumma k-kehti thi ki ek s-soldier is like a q-queen. She l-lives and b-breathes for her c-country." She smiled softly. "Isliye woh m-mujhe pr-princess bulaati thi. K-Kyunki I used to t-tell her ki main badhe h-hokar ek s-soldier banungi." She looked at him. "I know j-jab aap m-mujhe pehle yeh b-bulaate the, toh woh t-taunt tha. But m-mujhe k-kabhi bura nahi l-laga b-because mere liye yeh c-compliment tha. I... I love it j-jab aap mujhe yeh b-bulaate hain."

He had heard the words before. It seemed to be so long ago, his spite immature now and their awkward conversations almost strange. It was strange to think they were strangers once. "Rani woh jo apne logon, apni mitti ke liye apni jaan bhi de sakti hai", he quoted. She froze, looking at him with wide eyes. "Rani woh jiska har hukum apne desh, apne logon ki bhalayi mein ho. Rani woh jo apne desh ke liye jeeti ho aur desh ke liye mar jaati ho."

"Aapko... Aapko y-yaad kaise hai?"

He smiled a little, shrugging. Lying in bed often, he had repeated them for days in his head, held the lost look in her eyes in his own when the tremor of reverence in her voice echoed in his head. She had spoken like a soldier. It had intrigued him.

"How... H-How was your d-day?" She asked softly.

He pretended not to see her moist eyes, accepting the question as a cue to shift the conversation. "Theek tha. Tiring", he said, shrugging. "How was yours?" She shrugged, making a face. "Tumne strategy ka kaam kara?" She nodded. She flipped to a page in her notebook, handing it to him.

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

Param took a deep breath, looking around the academy. He had a meeting with the Colonel at 1000 hours but he had come early. He was starting to like the idea of being back. The nervousness had turned to excitement, and he was ready.

"How is it being back?" A voice asked.

He turned around, finding his brother leaning against a wall. His smile widened a little. "Good", he answered. His brother walked closer, a small smile on his face. "Tu yahan kya kar raha hai? Teri class nahi hai?"

"10 minute the", he said, glancing at his watch. "Socha mil loon. Abhi poore din namoonon ke saath rehna hai." He shook his head slightly at the thought. "Wahin jaa raha hoon."

Param chuckled. "They can't be that bad." He fell in step with his brother as the two started walking to one of the rooms.

Karan stared at him. "They are", he said. "Paagalkhaane mein hone chahiye. Pata nahi yahan kisne bhej diya hai."

"Monami bhi?" He teased.

He rolled his eyes. "Haan", he said. "Woh bhi aadhi paagal hi hai. Aapko pata hai? Woh paudhon se baat karti hai. Aur pata hai? Woh fictional character ke death par bhi rone lag jaati hai. Mujhe nahi pata tha aise bhi log hote hain." Param laughed.

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

"Try this", Sid said, holding up a glass to her mouth.

"Hum khud pee sakto hain", she said, taking it. He frowned a little, but shrugged, letting her sip it. "Achha hogo." She took another gulp, giving him a smile.

He grinned. "I know." He lifted his collar. She rolled her eyes, shaking her head. He leaned next to her. She offered the glass to him and he took a sip before handing it back.

"Ooh, sharing sharing", a voice said. Koel.

Sid rolled his eyes, looking at her. She leaned against the doorframe, a grin on her face. "Kya kar rahi hai yahan?" He hissed.

"I didn't realize mess ko tune date ke liye reserve kara hua tha", she said, grinning. "Hello, ma'am." Sanju blinked, looking down at the milkshake. Her cheeks reddened slightly, and she took a sip.

"Kya chahiye tujhe? Le aur jaa, na?" He whispered to her, a frown on his face. "Please?"

She chuckled, shrugging. "Jaa rahi hoon, jaa rahi hoon. Itni bhi kya jaldi hai akele rehne ki?" She teased. Sid hit her arm, shaking his head.

Sanju closed her eyes in embarrassment, taking a deep breath. She kept the empty glass down, taking out her phone. The cadets paused in their conversation, looking at her. "Hume... Hume kuchh kaam hogo", she said. "Hum chalto hain. Class mein milto hain."

"Arey, tumne toh kaha tha tum free ho?" Sid called. He hit Koel's arm. "Bhaga diya tune use."

"Toh tu bhi bhaag peechhe", she said, rolling her eyes. "Yahan khada kyun hua hai? Jaa."

He glared at her, before quickly walking out after his girlfriend. She paused a little, letting him catch up and the two walked off, Sid striking up another conversation.

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

Parikshit was wrong. He had made a simple calculation error but it would change a lot of things. Monami stared at his notebook, before glancing up. Should she tell him?

She looked back at hers, reading over hers again. No, he was wrong. She should tell him. If it had been anyone else, she would have. He is her teammate. She hesitantly reached out, tapping the table lightly.

He glanced up, taking his earphones out. "Kya hua?"

"T-Tumne ek g-galti k-kari hai", she said. He blinked, looking down at his work. She waited patiently as he checked over everything, skipping over the mistake. He looked at her questioningly. She patted the mistake before extending her own notebook as a reference.

"Oh", he said, striking the page off. He sighed, shaking his head. "Thanks." She smiled at him, before looking down at her notebook. Okay, that wasn't so bad. "Monami?" Oh no. She had to talk to him now? She looked up. "Maine suna hai tum strategy mein bahut achhi ho."

"Th-Thoda bahut s-samajh aa-aata hai", she accepted.

"Can you help me?" He pushed a book towards her, flipping it open to a chapter.

She glanced it over. "Haan", she said. "K-Kya nahi s-samajh aaya?"

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

"Main room mein jaakar so raha hoon", Sid teased. Monami chuckled. "Kyunki maine toh homework already kar liya."

They all glared at him. "Jala mat", Koel snapped.

He chuckled. "Achha, par main sach mein jaa raha hoon."

"M-Main bhi", Monami added. "Strategy ka ex-extra k-kaam d-diya tha Karan S-Sir ne. Woh k-karna hai. Aur s-sirf shaanti mein h-hoga. B-Bakwaas nahi s-sunni s-saath mein." The rest looked at her with narrowed eyes and she gave an innocent smile back.

"Tum #Karan Sir ke saath bahut rehne lagi ho", Chitra said. She smiled a little, shrugging. She stood up, tugging on Sid's arm. He stood up too, grabbing his jacket from the table. He took a couple of steps back, his attention on the zipper as he zipped it.

Sid stumbled slightly, bumping into someone as he was backing away. He turned around, an apology on his lips. The words died down in his mouth, as his gaze met the person behind.

Param.

'Main aaj ke baad kabhi nahi aaunga aur Monami se milne ki koshish bhi nahi karunga.'

Sid took a step back, and then another. The man opened his mouth. Did he really have anything to say? Did he have the guts to utter a word when he had turned his back when they needed him the most? He closed his mouth. Good. No words, no talking.

Param's eyes flickered to something behind him. Monami. She was right behind him, wasn't she? His jaw clenched. He had no right to look at her. How dare he? A hand slipped into his. Monami. He curled his fingers around her hand, squeezing it tightly. He turned around, leading Monami out of the mess.

He didn't even want to look at him.

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

"There is a spy in the academy?" Param repeated incredulously. He looked at the three special agents before back at the Colonel. "Kya kya pata hai hume uske baare mein?"

Karan handed him a file. "All our information", he said.

He flipped it over. "Bas? Teen mahine se upar ho gaye hain and that's all we have?"

"He's good", Faizi admitted. "Careful bhi. Aur hume nahi pata hum kispar trust kar sakte hain. Isliye manpower bhi kam hai."

"Surely, you can eliminate a lot of people from suspicions." He looked around. "How about your new team?"

Everyone frowned. "Civilian cadets, Sir ji?" Sanju confirmed.

"We need manpower. We need eyes, ears. And usse bhi zyaada, commandos ke around, the spy will be cautious. But cadets, woh bhi civilian cadets, the spy are more likely to slip up."

Faizi shook his head. "Sir, but... woh trained nahi hain. Sirf 3 mahine hue hain unhe."

"Haan, toh hum kaunsa field mein daal rahe hain. We are not putting them in the line of danger. Unke liye experience hai and humaare liye manpower hai. Kya dikkat hai?"

The colonel looked at the trainers. "You know your cadets. Tum logon ko kya lagta hai? Karan?"

He chewed on the inside of his cheek. "Maybe", he said carefully.

The other two looked at him in disbelief. "Karan?" Faizi shook his head. "Tumhe sach mein lagta hai the cadets are ready for this? Unko sirf 3 mahine ki training mili hai."

"Haan, par woh bacche nahi hain. Shayad missions ke maamle mein kacche hain par they have their own skills. Monami is a doctor. Sid bahut achha hai computers mein. Bala is good at extracting information. Koel logon ko convince karne mein achhi hai. Chitra ko social media se information nikaalni aati hai. They can be used."

"I know it's not the most ideal situation", Param added. "Par agar kuchh bhi lead nahi mil rahi hoti hai, toh we have to rely on intelligence. Academy ke andar ki intelligence hume cadets denge. Humaare khabri banege woh."

Karan looked at Sanju. "Tujhe kya lagta hai?"

She paused. "Sir ji, unke liye bura naa hogo. Bas... yeh darr hogo ki yeh log kahin galti se muh naa khol dein. Ya koi inhe information ke chakkar mein blackmail ya target naa kare."

"We won't let it leak ki cadets humaare saath kuchh bhi kaam kar rahe hain", Faizi offered. "Agar karna hi hai yeh toh. And woh apna muh band rakh sakte hain jab important hai."

The colonel leaned forward. "So, tum logon ne kya decide kara hai? Cadets ko involve karoge?"

They all looked at each other. Karan nodded, and then Sanju followed hesitantly. Faizi paused for a moment longer before he jerked his head down. It was worth a try.

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

Param was still there. He was in the same room. Why hadn't he left yet? Monami took a deep breath, focusing on her lunch. Sid was quiet next to her, scooted close to her. Touching her was his comfort.

Her eyes drifted to Param. He was sitting with the three trainers- talking comfortably, a smile on his face. He seemed... happy. A glint caught her eye and she glanced down.

What was that? She narrowed her eyes, looking at the slight gap between his socks and pants. Was that metal? She looked back into her plate, her heart pounding. Were those prosthetics? Oh God. She desperately hoped she was wrong. He would have been crushed.

But... it made sense. He didn't work at the academy and he stayed in Deolali. He was probably not on active duty. She was so stupid! Why didn't she think of this earlier? Why didn't she question why he wasn't here more? But why was he here now? And why wasn't he leaving? When will he leave?

"Monami!"

Her eyes snapped to Koel. "Tum theek ho? Kya soch rahi ho?"

She shook her head. "K-Kuchh nahi."

"Khaana khao phir", she said. "Bas nihaaro mat. Khaane se khelna achhi baat nahi hai." Monami looked down, shoving a mouthful in her mouth. She glanced at Sid, finding him eating absentmindedly. What was he thinking?

He looked at her suddenly, and she tilted her head. He took a deep breath, nodding. He smiled slightly, patting her head affectionately. She leaned into his touch and he gently clutched her hand, eating with his other hand.

She squeezed back when he squeezed lightly. She was here. She wasn't going anywhere. He relaxed slightly.

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

"Yeh spy waali cheez Laxman se bhi related hai kya?" Param asked.

Karan hummed. "I think Laxman ko pata chala gaya tha ki academy mein spy hai." Param tilted his head. "Bas... the way he talked humaari last call par." He sighed. "He got too close shayad." He looked at him. "That seems to be the pattern. Woh apni information bahut strictly protect kar rahe hain."

"They want the element of surprise. EFR ke paas zyaada resources nahi honge. So unka poora plan surprise par based hai."

He hummed again. "File sambhaal kar rakhna", he warned.

Param nodded. "Haan, haan. Mere paas chhupaane ki bahut jagah hai. Tu bhi nahi dhoond paayega."

"Mujhe bas yeh nahi samajh aa raha hai ki how is he so good? Sab log mistakes karte hain. Yeh flawless kaise hai?"

"Maybe you're missing something", Param offered.

He sighed. "Main har cheez itni baar dekh chuka, in hopes ki kuchh miss ho raha ho, toh pata chale. But kuchh aisa bhi nahi mil raha hai ki kisi par dhang se shaq bhi ho."

"Mil jaayega, Chhote. Itna stress lega toh saamne padhi cheez bhi nahi dikhegi." He ruffled his hair affectionately. "Tabiyat bhi teri zyaada theek nahi lag rahi hai."

He sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Sar dukh raha hai", he admitted.

"Monami ko bulwaaon?" He teased.

"Shut up", he quipped, rolling his eyes.

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

A tight pain. His chest was burning.

He reached blindly for his bottle, taking a long swing. It helped slightly, and he focused on the feel of the cool water running down his throat. He took a deep breath, the pain slowly subsiding. It wasn't that bad this time. Maybe.

He threw the covers off, keeping the water aside. Faizi snored on his bed beside him, and for a minute, he sat, staring at him. Should he wake him? Was it something to be concerned about?

His clothes were stuck to his skin- sweat drenching them. He stood up, almost face planting with the sudden spinning. A moment and he could balance again. He took off his t-shirt, wincing when pain flared up in his elbow. He grabbed his phone, flashing the torch on his skin. A bruise. Where did that come from now?

He shook his head, grabbing another t-shirt and pulling it on. It was December- chilly and cold. He wasn't really supposed to sweat that much. He shook his head, laying back down on his bed.

It'll heal in a few days. Right?