~prologue~
Maan Singh Khurana. Major Maan Singh Khurana was walking alone in the hilly road of Kashmir. It had been a month since he was posted in Kashmir. He was drinking the beauty of the valley with his eyes. Kashmir is really heaven on earth. "Jannat.." That is the perfect word to describe Kashmir.
But the heaven is turning into a hell. People are dieing everyday. History says once Mughal emperor Sahjahan said that if there is any place called heaven in this earth its Kashmir and only Kashmir but if now one can say if there is one place where hell and heaven juxtaposes its Kashmir and only Kashmir.
Maan knew how desperate he was to be posted in Kashmir. Still the last word of his brother was ringing in his mind. He wanted to say something. But he could not finish his sentence. Maan closed his eyes. He remembered eight months before the last day he saw Dev like it was yesterday.
Maan: Finally you are Captain Dev Khurana now.
Dev: Hmm and posted in Kashmir.
Dadi: Dev beta have you packed your sweaters?
Dev: Dadima I'm not a kid. I'm Captain Dev Khurana now.
Maan: So Captain Dev Khurana
Dev: Sir..
Maan: Have you packed your sweaters?
Dev: Bro' he made a face.
Maan and dadi burst out into laughter.
Dev: Well I'm thinking I will bring a beautiful Kashmiri girl'.
Dadi: Hmm. I can see you will forget me after going there.
Dadi acted she is angry.
Dev: Dadi she won't be prettier than you.
Dadi: Pata hain. Hum to abhi bhi jawan hain.
They all laughed.
Dev: Bye bro, bye dadi.
That was the last day he saw Dev. Before six month he got a call from Dev. He was scared and panting.
"Bro'. Aasim' Aasim Khan..."
That was the last thing he heard from Dev. After that he became so desperate to get posted in Kashmir. He remembered his last conversation with dadi.
Dadi: Maan beta please don't go.
Maan: Dadi don't make me weak.
Dadi: I have already lost Dev. Don't want to loose you now.
Maan: I have to go there. I have to know what he wanted to say. I will be back I promise.
Maan took a deep breath. His thought was interrupted by a song. A girl was singing in a very sweet tone. He followed the sound.
A girl of 18 or 19 was sitting on the valley. She was making a doll with clays and singing. She was definitely one of the most beautiful girls he had ever seen. Perhaps the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. Her skin was rose petal. Her long straight dark hair was shining in the setting sun. She didn't notice Maan was there. She just continued singing. Maan did not want to disturb her but finally he said
Maan: Bahot acha gaati hain aap.
The girl was startled to hear voice of a stranger.
Girl: Kaun?
The girl was going to slip but Maan caught her by her hand.
Maan: Samhalke.
Girl: Aree aap to wohi hain na jisne meri jaan bachayi.
The girl answered calmly.
Maan remembered he saved the girl before two weeks. There was a bomb blast in local bus stand. The girl was there. She was shivering in fear and crying closing her eyes.
Maan: Don't be afraid you are safe with me.
The girl seemed a little bit calmed hearing his voice.
Maan saw in the girl's eye. Her eyes were so beautiful. So deep. Anyone could sink into those.
Maan could not keep of his eyes from her's.
Finally he spoke
Maan: Zara dekhke chaliye.
The girl sighed.
Girl: Dekhna to main bhi usse chati hoon jisne meri jaan bachai par main utna khush kaismat nahin hu. Sayed khuda mujh par utna maherbaan nahin the.
The girl stopped. Maan could not understand what she was saying.
Girl: Uss hadse ke baad main ne apni aankhon ke roshni kho di.
Maan was shocked hearing this. A girl who has got eyes like this in which he can see his inner self so clearly, can not see. Maan just kept looking in her beautiful eyes.
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Hi, this is my 3rd ff with MAANEET... I hope u will like this... this story is dealing with some serious issues but I must tell u that I am gonna depict terrorism from my imagination... it has nothing to do with the real prob the valley is facing... all the characters and incidents are from my imagination nothing is real ... please overlook my grammatical mistakes and let me know if u like it with ur comments only then I will continue it 😊
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