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The Indian Government wanted a covert strike across the border , after the dastardly ambush on the Indian Army , leading to the death of 16 Indian soldiers .
According to the information gathered by the Indian Air Force reconnaissance aircrafts and the espionage team , the involvement of a certain terrorist organization was confirmed , which were trying to invade the country by staging massive attacks . An all - out air bombarding on the camps was planned to destroy the militant infrastructure at the camps along with killing the insurgents .
The Indian Air Force fighter pilots pitched in with the MIG 29 aircrafts in the wee hours yesterday night and accomplished the mission . But unfortunately , two Indian Air Force aircrafts were gunned down and it is being dreaded that the officers on board were either martyred or being held captive .
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FEW MONTHS BACK :
She looked at her watch again for the third time in that many minutes . Late again ! She hated him . Why did she sit like this for hours waiting for him to show up , she didn't know . She pushed her hair behind her ears and dialled his number .
" The number you are trying to call is currently switched off . Please leave a Voice Message ..."
She angrily cut off the electronic droning voice . This was the absolute limits . She had not called him for this meeting , he had . She had been content to wait till the next day for their special meeting after a month . She knew his family must be just as anxious to see him after a long period of separation and Minty aunty would have been busy showering her love on her dearest son .
The sun was beginning its decent for the day as he sped towards the lake . Getting off of his bike he set it aside so that , it wouldn't get in anyone's way . As he approached the top of the stairs that led to the lake he was pleading to God . However , as he got closer , he already knew his prayers were going to be left unanswered because as he approached , he heard the distinct sound of payals . Even before he had any visual , he knew she was sitting on the platform at the edge of the lake , her feet swinging back and forth as they dangled over the edge . As much as he loved the sounds of her payals , today they signalled his untimely demise . As he took the first few steps down , he saw her familiar body , sitting with her feet dangling just over the landing into the water just like he'd expected , her back to him . Her long , wavy hair fell freely over her shoulders nearly down to her waist . A smile crept up on his face .
" Lord ! Have mercy upon me . " , he said as he folded his hands and looked up to the sky before beginning his decent .
Today , they were supposed to meet after a month .
Right after their engagement , he had to leave for an important mission and had returned early morning today . He had coerced her into meeting him this evening . And although he could not risk being late for their special meeting , he'd been late today ; as usual .
In his race down the stairs , he ended up kicking a rock that rolled down a few stairs making a sound , causing her to turn . He stopped dead in his tracks , bracing himself for the verbal , and possible physical torture that was about to come his way . He was laying out the excuses in his mind but was rendered speechless by her reaction . She simply turned , looked at him and turned back . Where he had been expecting a few 'choice' words , he got nothing . He knew it , he was a dead man . Maybe they'd find his body floating in the lake tomorrow morning , he thought as he quickly bridged the distance between them .
He took a seat next to her and sat quietly , waiting for her to rip into him for being late - her whole lecture about how she hated two things in the world , lying and tardiness . But when she said nothing , he took matters into his own hands .
" Actually , I .. " , he began to talk but stopped as she stood up and walked away . She must be really pissed , he thought , because she was not one to give the silent treatment - ever . He figured , if he could at least get her to smile , he'd live to see another day. The phrase 'hansi toh phasi' came to his mind .
"Ok ok, no excuses," He said as he got to his feet as well .
" Excuse me ? Do I know you ? " , She asked knotting her brows together .
He grinned the most persuasive smile .
" Hello Madame ! This is Rajat . Squadron Leader Rajat Sareen . " his voice was husky low and accent less . He put one hand on his chest and bowed down just a little to add dramatic flair .
She looked up at his clean shaved face , lips twisted in a smirk .
" Nice to meet you Officer . " , she said , flashing her thousand watts smile .
" Were you waiting for someone ? A man , perhaps ! " he asked inclining his head .
She smiled ,
" No , I am done waiting . I was waiting for some handsome guy to sweep me off my feet . "
He looked startled ,
" You mean you wanted me to hit on you ? "
She laughed her tinkling laugh ,
" Oh yes , as you put it so delicately . I wanted you or some other guy to hit on me and take me back to his place for some dark thick coffee , perhaps ! "
" And what about your poor man ? The man you were waiting for ? " He looked perplexed .
She looked him in the eyes , outrageously blinking at him ,
" What my fianc doesn't know , would not kill him !
So what do you say ? Dark thick coffee or some innocent iced tea ?"
"Damn it , Anu ! Do you have to allow any Tom Dick Harry to talk to you ? " He howled .
She laughed ,
" Well , two can play that game , Squadron Leader Rajat Sareen . I didn't start it but I definitely know how to end it ."
He growled ,
" You have no idea about these games , Anu . "
" We are meeting after a month and you are late .
Now , are you going to just scream at your fiancee ? " She pouted .
He immediately had those cute crow's feet peeking beside his eyes as he drew her to him and kissed her senseless . When he lifted his head from her lips , he could taste the salt of her tears.
He kissed away the wetness in her eyes ,
"Hey my Queen of Jhaansi ! What's this ? Planning to bring Tsunami , or what ! "
She sniffed and looked at the sun setting down on the horizon like a good kid going back home in the shinning flowing waters , after the day's play is over . She leaned her head on his chest and felt the solid beating of his heart ,
" I hate waiting and you always keep me awaiting . "
He grinned into her damp hair thick with curls and smelling of her shampoo ,
" Anu , you are going to get married to an Air Force officer and a major part of your life will now be spent in waiting . "
She held him tight , till the last rays of the sun played on the waters . She knew she would have to learn to wait now ; wait for him to come back to her !
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After knocking down the insurgent camps , the Indian Air Force pilots were in a process of pitching up , when Anti - aircraft guns shot down two Indian Air Force aircrafts piloted by Squadron Leader Rajat Sareen and Flight Lieutenant Sharad Garewal . The officers descended into trouble ; they parachuted down and landed on the ground , uninjured ; only to be held captive by the enemy soldiers .
The Indian Government and the Indian Air Force were going to hold a meeting to devise a way to get their pilots back .
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She blushed as she stared at her own reflection in the mirror .
She was standing in front of the reflector , clad in her bridal finery . A few tendrils of her raven black hair , which had escaped from under the red dupatta , she had loosely wrapped around her head , swayed with the breeze . She was a vision in red ; the slight wind in the air swung the red lehenga around her legs , the light fabric of her dupatta danced on the rhythm of the zephyr . Standing there , she seemed to radiate charm and elegance .
" 7 days to go and I shall become Mrs Anushka Rajat Sareen ; officially . " , she murmured , as a deep crimson colour adorned her cheeks .
Deep down her heart , she believed , she still was Mrs . Rajat Sareen .
Just a piece of paper and an ink scribbling could not have broken their relationship ; their love was strong enough to withstand the hurdles posed in their way .
They ought to get married after a long struggle ; but he had to report to his airbase for an urgent operation , just a fortnight before their wedding was scheduled to take place .
As she zipped up his bag after she had finished packing his luggage , she asked ,
" We are supposed to get married in 15 days and you have to leave for a mission now ?
When will you come back ? " , her voice dripped with melancholy .
" I am sorry " , he replied ; his words exuded desolation too .
" I shall come back to you , as soon as possible . "
" Please take care of yourself . " She said , feigning a smile .
" You seem to overlook everything else , when you get engrossed in your work .
Please take your meals on time . Go to sleep on time ... " , she continued with her long list of advices .
He could not help but smile at this and shook his head .
" What happened ? Why are you smiling ? " she asked innocently .
" I am going on an important mission Anu ; not for a picnic . " he replied grinning wide .
" You know , you are making it even harder for me to leave you behind ; Would - be Mrs Rajat Sareen . " ,
He sighed and wrapped his arms around her petite waist .
She blushed a deep shade of scarlet and lowered her gaze .
" Have I packed everything ? I hope I haven't forgotten anything . "
, she muttered under her breath and went to check , when he grasped her hands and pulled her closer to him . He pecked her on the cheek and whispered ,
" I think you were forgetting this . " , he winked at her ; making her blush even harder .
" Aren't you getting late now ? " , she asked and pushed him off .
With a smile plastered on his face , he turned to leave , but paused ; he turned around to face her again and said ,
" Come on ! At least , give me a hug before I leave . "
She smiled and shook her head slightly in negation .
" Please . " he pouted cutely and stretched his arms .
She took him into a warm embrace and buried her head in the crook of his neck .
" You better remember , your bride will be waiting for you to come back to her . " , she whispered .
He kissed her lips lightly and said ,
" Hmm ? "
She nodded and said ,
" Yes . You have to come back and marry me .
Remember ? Our PERFECT WEDDING " , which we have planned together . "
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The enemy soldiers hand cuffed , blindfolded and roughed up the captive Indian Air Force pilots ; they were detained . And for the next , God knows how many days , the barbaric torture that they had to endure at the hands of their captors , could not be narrated in words .
They were battered with everything - right from rifle butts to lathis to even tennis rackets . The tale of torture ranged from getting cigarette burns on their bodies , to being made to sleep naked on the cement floor during cold nights and many more .
" There was a time when they could only hear the sound , but could not feel any pain . "
Their captors demanded them to divulge some information regarding the National security , which they had denied .
They weren't traitors !!
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FEW MONTHS BACK
In the quiet dark sky was shining brightly a crescent shaped moon , surrounded by far away heavenly bodies glowing in the space . The night was serene and tranquil .
She was entrapped in her thoughts , as her eyes gaped at the sky ; while he stealthily climbed up the stairs and came to stand behind her . He hugged her from behind and placed a kiss on the nape of her neck ; his sudden touch startled her and brought her out of her reverie .
" Rajat ? What are you doing here ? What if someone sees us like this ? " she asked in a low pitched voice , as she panicked .
" Calm down Anu . Everyone is fast asleep . But why are you awake so late ? " , he whispered .
" And what were watching up in the sky ? " , he asked .
" Umm ! I " , she stuttered .
He slowly turned her to face him and gently removed the hair from her face .
" Hmm . You ? " , he asked again , raising his eyebrows .
" I was looking at the airplane soaring high in the sky " . she replied , exuding an child - like innocence .
" You know Rajat , I have never travelled by a flight . In fact , I have never been anywhere outside Kanpur . " , she continued .
" Rajat , how do you feel , when you fly high in the sky ? " , she asked , her eyes beaming in excitement .
His one arm was around her waist , and the other hand cupped her face .
" It's a different feeling altogether , Anu . " , his eyes sparkled in ecstasy , as he replied .
" And you know what ? The feeling while serving the nation, is so overwhelming , I cannot express through words ."
" I would not hesitate even once , before laying down my life for my motherland . " , he stated as a matter of fact .
She smiled looking at his dark eyes , mesmerized by his words . She had noticed the gleam in his eyes at the mention of serving the land of his birth .
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The two Indian Air Force fighter pilots , held captive in a jail in the neighbourhood country , made a heroic escape . They reached as far as a few metres from the border - within sniffing distance of freedom ; only to be caught and shot by the enemy soldiers .
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He smiled at the ribald jokes and suffered through the good natured back slapping . He made appropriate responses to the queries and said almost the right things with the right infliction of voice . He fingered the heavy weight on his chest , the mark of his bravado , his medal of honour received at the hands of the Air Chief Marshal .
Sipping his champagne, he turned slightly to see her glowing face in the dimmed drawing room lights . The drink turned bitter in his lips and burnt a path down his throat .
Once upon a time , that face , that smile , used to light up his life . But now , they just made the darkness around him more pronounced . It brought back the long hours of torture and defilement he had suffered at hands of his captors . He felt dirty and degraded now . Not fit to stand in human company . Not fit for her . The pain , the debased carnal appetites he had fought off in his prison plagued him , haunted him .
She felt his eyes on him and smiled , raising her chin a little in question . He shook his head and saw concern cloud the depths of her doe eyes.
"Gentlemen! I hope you would not mind my stealing away my fiance from you now . It has been quite an evening and I need him to give me some loving pampering now . Hmm ! What do you say , my dear ? " , She said huskily slipping her fingers in his .
His colleagues groaned and moaned but he inclined his head ,
"Never let it be said that an officer didn't treat his lady well . Good night ."
As she flicked the light in his bedroom , he took slow steps to his bed and sat down at the edge .
"I don't want to marry you anymore, Anu .
I am sorry . I have tried to tell you every day for the past five months since I came back , but .. I.. I didn't know how to say it ."
Anu leaned on the closed door and looked at the man sitting on the bed slowly unbuttoning his jacket and cuffs . She walked towards the closed windows and opened them letting the night breeze in .
She quietly slipped on the floor in front of him undoing the boots carefully . He broke the silence with his angry hiss , pushing off her hands he undid the boots viciously ,
" You have to understand , Anu . I can't marry you now .
I can't marry anyone .
I am not the man who went away from you last year on the mission .
I am just a shell of him and not even the complete shell ."
He threw the boots away furiously.
Anu lifted her dry eyes to him keeping a hand above his right knee ,
"Why do you say you are just shell of the man I love , Rajat ?
Because of this ? "
She pointed at the stump that was left on his right leg .
A sturdy Jaipuri leg hid the ugly scarring of his remaining portion of the leg . His right leg had been surgically cut away to save him from infection spreading up on his rest of the body .
She lightly undid the straps and removed the hard case and slowly massaged the blue-black sore veins on the amputee limb .
" Or do you say that because every night you wake up bathed in sweat biting your lips trying not to scream out the demons in your dreams ."
She leaned her head and caressed the swollen ghastly scars on his leg with side of her cheeks as a tear fell on the hard ridge of the stitch .
" Because what I remember of the man who went on the mission last year , I see it in you too .
Shell or not ! He too had the same love for me , in his heart , in his eyes .
But he told me something before leaving me , you know !
He said that he will come back to me and marry me .
He asked me to learn to wait for him .
I waited for him patiently .
And now I have him .
A little run down , but still mine ! Very much mine ! "
" Anu , why don't you understand ? " he said looking away .
" What should I understand Rajat ? " , she asked .
" Marriage is a holy institution Anu ; a huge responsibility .
And I am not worthy of that responsibility anymore . " , he said , as a lone tear escaped his eye .
" Rajat ! What if I would have suffered the same fate ?
Would you have refused to marry me then ? " , she yelped .
He shook his head vehemently , in negation .
" Then ?
Do you think , I don't love you as much as you love me ?
Why do you feel , I should leave you , Rajat ? " , she asked .
" You know Anu , I learned something in the National Defence Academy .
It's there in golden letters in the library .
At first comes the safety , welfare and honour of your country ,
Second comes the safety , honour and welfare of the men you command ,
And your own safety comes last .
Flight Lieutenant Garewal was my junior . I was his leader .
So it was up to me to get him out of there ; safely .
But I failed .
He succumbed to the assualt in front of my eyes and I could not do anything .
I am a failure , Anu .
Now what if I fail as your husband too ? " , he hid his face in his palms unable to look at her .
She pushed away his hands and cupped his face ,
" Rajat , you are not a failure .
Do you hear me ? " , she said in a stern voice .
" You tried your best to help him .
You were shot at too , Rajat .
It was not your fault . " , she tried to pacify him .
" But Anu . " , he parted his lips to speak , but she put her fingers on his lips .
" Forget looking for words to leave me , Rajat .
They just don't exist .
You were my Hero , you still are my Hero , and you will always be my Hero ! "
She wrapped her arms around his neck ; holding him as close as possible and kissed his cheeks .
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Love is companionship for life
We love our families and our friends to death ; still , deep down we reserve a special place for a special someone ; till we meet that someone we dream about him/her , love the idea of being in love and wait for that moment when we come across him/her .
The world seems blissful and colourful with and around him / her . However with time the colour of love changes with time .
Falling in love is easy but staying in love is difficult . Accepting and loving the person as he / she is , is tough .
Loving someone immensely gives him / her strength and being loved deeply gives us courage . Love is when we look into somebody's eyes and go all the way inside to their soul . Love warms up our hearts and glitters our eyes .
True love is hard to find and difficult to attain . Its not about getting what we desire , but sacrificing all we desire for the happiness of the one we love ; its about accepting the one we love with all their short comings whole heartedly ...
Indias Got Talent 11
Cricket
Anupamaa
