FF: Ishq-e-Watan *Chapter 78 Posted* - Page 78

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?

CHAPTER 60

OF SICKNESS AND MISERY

Karan eyed her quietly. Monami was unusually silent. She was cheerful usually, yapping to him all about her day. Even her legs weren't swinging. "Bad day?" He asked. He leaned next to her on the slab.

She looked up at him. She shook her head. "N-Nahi. Bas k-kuchh soch r-rahi thi."

He tilted her head. "Aisa kya soch rahi ho?"

She didn't speak for a long time and he waited patiently, letting her gather her thoughts. She looked at him finally, swallowing slightly. "Param Bh-Bhaiya..." He paused, his cup halfway to his mouth. "I s-saw him a-around. Woh..."

He sighed, keeping the cup down. "He will be here ab", he said. "Batra Sir ne unhe strategy consultant ki tarah bulwaaya hai." She looked down, nodding. "Does that bother you?"

She shook her head. "It's... It's h-harder jab woh un-unexpectedly d-dikhte hain. But if he st-stays here, I'll g-get used to s-seeing h-him. It w-won't be th-that bad." She fiddled with her cup.

"Monami." He paused till she looked up. "Agar tumhe kabhi kisi cheez ke baare mein baat karni ho, you can come to me", he said firmly. "Yeh mat sochna ki Bhaiya mere bhai hain, toh you can't talk to me about it. Tumhe koi bhi dikkat ho, kuchh bhi baat karni hai, you can always, always come to me."

She smiled. "Aa-Aapko b-bolne ki zaroorat n-nahi hai yeh b-baat. I know." He smiled. Her smile faded slightly and she opened her mouth. "Can I a-ask you s-something?"

"Kabhi mana kara hai maine?"

"I... I think I s-saw m-metal. Bh-Bhaiya ke... l-legs par. Does he... D-Does he h-have p-prosthetics?" She asked hesitantly. His face fell and he looked away, taking a deep breath.

'Isse achha toh mar hi jaata!'

"I am s-sorry." He opened his eyes, looking at her. Her lower lip was caught between her teeth, eyes wide. "M-Mujhe nahi p-puchhna ch-chahiye tha. You d-don't have to an-answer."

He shook his head. "There is nothing jo tum mujhse nahi puchh sakti ho", he said. He nodded. "He does have prosthetics. His legs are amputated."

Her lips parted slightly in shock. "That's t-terrible", she whispered.

"6 saal pehle." He could hear them. The gunshots, the screams, the blast. "We were on a mission. He was... too close to a bomb." He took a deep breath, pushing the memories away. "He obviously couldn't do active duty uske baad. Par... he's serving again ab. We are a little low on personnel."

She tilted her head. "Aa-Aap log uss m-mission par s-saath mein the?"

His gaze snapped to hers. "Tumhe kaise pata?"

"You l-look g-guilty. And t-traumatized. I h-have been to e-enough s-support g-groups to know the l-look." He looked away. "Are y-you o-okay?" She reached out, gently clutching his hand. He nodded, intertwining his fingers with hers. She sparked another conversation, diverting the topic but her hand didn't slip out of his and he made no move to let go of it.

Almost an hour later, when they parted their ways, his palm was cold. He missed her hand in his.

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

"Karan?" Faizi frowned, shaking his shoulder lightly. "Utho. Drill ke liye taiyaar nahi hona tumhe?" He glanced at the time, before back at his best friend. He never woke up that late on working days.

Karan groaned, turning to his back. "Nahi jaana", he muttered, pulling the covers up. The light wasn't letting him sleep.

"Kya hua?" He sat down next to him, keeping a hand on his forehead. His frown deepened. He didn't have a fever. But he was soaked with sweat. "Karan? Bimaar ho kya? Tumhe itna paseena kyun aa raha hai?"

"Pata nahi", he muttered. "Garmi hai." Faizi tilted his head. It was December. "Please. Drill tu sambhaal le, na? Meri chest dukh rahi hai."

"Kyun?" He shrugged. "Hum Monami ko bulaaye?"

He pulled back the covers, narrowing his eyes. "Tu kabhi bakwaas karna band karta hai?"

"Hum, as a doctor, seriously bol rahe the", he muttered.

"Monami hi ek doctor mili hai?" He snapped. He pulled the covers back up. "Sone de. Mujhe neend aa rahi hai. Class le lunga. Drill tu dekh le."

Faizi sighed. He rummaged through the medicines, keeping a painkiller on his bedside. "Suno", he said sternly, pulling the covers back. He looked at him miserably, looking at him with barely open eyes. He wanted to sleep. "Painkiller rakhi hai. Zyaada dard ho toh le lena. Phone bhi yahin hai. Kuchh chahiye toh hume call kar dena." He nodded sleepily, drifting back to sleep.

Faizi switched the lights off, walking to the training room. He needed rest. That was what was wrong. He never rested up well enough.

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

Param leaned quietly against the wall, watching the cadets quietly. They weren't bad. He had read their report files that the six trainers had submitted to get them the special training. Eight cadets- Monami, Sid, Koel, Parikshit, Chitra, Suman ji, Bala and Prem ji. Where and how could he plant them?

"Bhaiya?" He glanced up, finding Faizi walking up to him. "Aap yahan kya kar rahe ho?"

"Dekh raha tha inhe", he said, nodding to the cadets. "Bol toh diya ki inhe use karenge, par ek baar observe kar raha tha."

Faizi hummed. "What do you think?"

"They aren't bad", he acknowledged. "And maine tum logon ki reports padhi inke baare mein. I think they'll manage. Main Batra Sir se baat karta hoon. We'll brief them tomorrow." Faizi nodded, looking back at the eight. Sooner the better. "Karan kahan hai? Dikh nahi raha?"

"So raha hai." Param raised an eyebrow. "Keh raha tha chest dukh rahi hai."

"Iski tabiyat kharaab hai kya? Kal keh raha tha sar dukh raha hai. Kuchh hua hai kya?"

"Nahi." He shook his head. "Aap toh ise jaante hi ho. Stress toh leta hi rehta hai. Usi ke chakkar mein ho raha hoga." Param hummed. He'll check up on him later. His gaze lifted to the cadets again, quietly observing them.

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

Sanju quietly eyed Sid. He nibbled on his parantha, staring at it deeply. "Kaahe ke laane aisi shakal banaayi hai?" She asked finally.

His gaze lifted. "Kuchh nahi", he said.

"Tujhe Param Sir ji ke yahan hone se dikkat hogo kaa?" She asked hesitantly.

His eyes snapped to hers. "Tumhe kaise pata?"

"Hum andhe naa hain. Tujhe woh pasand naa, hume dikhto hai. Aur yeh bhi pato hai ki tere aur Monami, aur Param Sir ji ke beech kuchh hua tha. Kaa, woh sab naa pato. Par... kuchh toh hua tha." He tilted his head. "Karan Sir ji kuchh keh raho tha aisa sa." Sid nodded.

"We have a long history", he admitted. "Mujhe unke baare mein baat nahi karni."

She sighed. "Agar tang kar raho hai tujhe, toh kar le, na, baat? Andar rakh kar kuchh naa milto. Achha lagego tujhe."

He shook his head. He reached out, clutching her hand, a small smile on his face. "I am fine", he muttered. "Thanks."

"Chal. Tujhe aaj hum apne haath ki coffee pilaato hain", she said, tugging on his hand as she stood up.

He stood up, a smile on his face as he followed her into the kitchen. The workers glanced at them before letting them do their thing. He ate his parantha quietly, watching her make the coffee.

"Yeh le." She handed him the mug. He blew on it, before taking a long sip. "Kaisi hogo?" She demanded. "Bura bola toh lappad lagego."

He swallowed. It was good- a little too sweet for his taste but he liked it enough. "Maar nahi khaani mujhe. Achhi bani hai", he teased.

Her jaw dropped. "Matlab? Tu sirf isliye aisa bol raho hai kyunki tujhe maar nahi khaani?"

He sipped, nodding. He held up a hand, laughing when she raised a fist. "Nahi, nahi, achhi hai", he assured. "Sach mein." She eyed him suspiciously. He chuckled. "Arey, sach mein. Achhi hai. I like it."

She let her fist fall back. "Hono hi thi achhi. Humne banaayi hai." He chuckled, nodding in agreement. She smiled, seeing him sip happily. At least, he was smiling.

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

Param sneaked a glance at Monami. She was eating quietly, a book in front of her and her eyes darted across. She still liked studying.

She was better. Her face was more cheerful, her eyes lifted to meet others now and she talked. And at times, sitting with the rest of the cadets, he caught a glimpse of her old self.

'Sir?' Param said softly. Deepak didn't move. He sat quietly on the floor, leaning against Monami's door. 'Sir? Are you okay?'

'Is she dead?' He muttered.

He blinked. 'Sir?'

'Monami. Is she dead?' Param tilted his head. What? She was inside. She was sleeping. 'Meri angel. Jo hamesha hasti, khelti khush rehti thi. Is she dead? Kya woh kabhi waapas nahi aayegi? Yeh... Yeh hi rahegi woh hamesha? Yeh darti hui, chhupti hui, tooti hui ladki?'

He hadn't had words to answer him. But now, if he was asked the same question, he would say no. She wouldn't stay like that forever. She would heal.

She was healing.

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

Karan opened the door, raising an eyebrow. Koel?

"Tum yahan kya kar rahi ho?" He opened the door wider, letting her in. He closed it behind himself, sitting down on his desk. "I thought tum Faizi ko space de rahi thi." He gestured to his bed, and she sat down at the edge, facing him.

"I was", she said. "And I am. Mujhe usse ek doubt puchhna hai. Military geography ka. I am here as his cadet. I would ask you but you look like a zombie. Are you okay?"

He sighed a little. "Shayad nahi", he admitted. "Thoda bimaar hoon."

"Thoda? Is that why you didn't come to class?" He nodded. She walked closer, keeping a hand on his forehead. "Bukhaar toh nahi hai." She frowned, reaching towards his neck. He jerked back immediately, eyeing her. "Neck dikhaana? Are those bruises?" She eyed him, raising an eyebrow.

He rolled his eyes. "Hickeys nahi hain", he grumbled, tilting his head and letting her see it.

"That looks bad", she said. "I would be suspicious of your girlfriend if those were hickeys."

He shook his head exasperatedly. "Ho gaya tumhaara?"

"How did you get those?" She sat back down.

He shrugged. "Yaad nahi", he said. "Shayad lag gayi hogi kahin."

She frowned. "That's not good. Itne severe bruises kaise nahi yaad aapko? That's concerning. What's wrong? Like aap bimaar ho, na? What's wrong? Fever toh nahi hai."

"Chest dukh rahi hai", he admitted. Her frowned deepened. "It's probably nothing. Tum itna kyun inspect kar rahi ho?"

"I was a nurse", she reminded. "It's habit."

"Right", he muttered. "I feel so sorry for your patients. Pehle bimaar hain and then they have you as a nurse."

She narrowed her eyes. "Maybe. But mujhe payback mil raha hai. Having you as a trainer." He chuckled a little. "You should get yourself checked out. Aap... thode zyaada bimaar lag rahe ho."

"I am fine", he assured. "Maybe muscle pain hoga."

She rolled her eyes. "Muscle pain? Do you really think that?"

He sighed. "I am going to be fine, Koel. Maine painkillers le li hain. It doesn't hurt that much", he said. "Itni chinta mat karo. Doubt dikhao? I'll help you and tum yahan se dafa ho jao aur mujhe rest karne do."

"You can rest." She stood up.

"Koel. I can answer a doubt", he said. "Itna bimaar nahi hoon. Par agar tumhe sirf Faizi se puchhna hai, toh you can wait." She rolled her eyes. She let him see it, and he tilted his head. She listened, nodding as he explained. Well, that wasn't too hard. She had wasted an hour over it.

"Thank you", she said, closing the book. He nodded. She paused and he raised an eyebrow. "Can I ask you something?"

"Puchhe bina reh sako toh bahut meharbaani hogi", he said. "Par puchh lo."

"Has Faizi said anything to you? About us?"

He shook his head. "Agar usne kuchh decide kara hai ya socha hai, toh use apne tak hi rakha hai. Mujhe kuchh bola nahi." She sighed. "Koel... Faizi thoda buddhu jaise behave kar raha hai. But he knows ki rishte nibhaate hain. Thoda ghuma hua hai. Par laut kar woh buddhu tumhaare paas hi aayega."

"You don't think he'll decide ki use yeh relationship nahi chahiye ab?"

He shook his head. "I can be wrong", he warned. "But jitna main use jaanta hoon, I think woh tumhe waapas tang karne aa jaayega."

She nodded. "I hope so", she muttered. She looked up at him. "Aap itna sweaty kyun ho? Aapko garmi lag rahi hai kya?" He nodded. "December shuru ho gaya hai. Iss mausam mein aapko garmi lag rahi hai?"

He rolled his eyes. "Tum mera checkup karne ki koshish kyun kare jaa rahi ho? I told you. I will be okay."

She sighed. "Okay." She glanced at Faizi's bed. "Hai kahan Faizi?"

"Kuchh kaam hai", he dismissed vaguely. "Thodi der mein aa jaayega if you want to wait."

She shook her head. "He'll come to me when he wants to talk. Thode time tak aur nahi aata, toh I will talk." He nodded. "Thanks for this." She patted the book.

"Koel?" She paused, turning around again. "Uspar give up mat karna."

She smiled. "Pyaar par give up nahi kara jaata, Sir. Pyaar intezaar karna jaanta hai."

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

"Is it just me or does Karan Sir look terrible?" Sid asked, staring at the man. The trainers had called a meeting, and the mail had merely informed it was of importance and compulsory to attend. The cadets were there and so were the three trainers, but they were seemingly waiting for something. Or perhaps, someone.

Faizi lingered around Karan, fretting over him but the younger agent paid no heed, his head leaned back, eyes closed, almost... drained.

"He looks #dead", Chitra whispered.

Suman ji slapped her arm lightly. "Aisa mat bol", she warned. "Yeh sab bolna ashubh hota hai." She stared at the trainer, concerned eyes inspecting him.

Monami looked over at the door, tensing slightly when Param walked in. His gaze zoomed into his brother and he quickly walked over, seemingly interrogating him. She stared at Karan as he talked to his brother. He seemed tired, exhausted, and his eyes drooped with sleep. But he had slept plentiful. In fact, he even missed their nightly ritual of coffee in favor of sleeping. He was really sick. She frowned. She would scold him into getting a checkup after the meeting.

Param sighed in frustration, shaking his head. The door opened again, and everyone straightened up. Colonel Batra.

"Karan?" He said, walking in. "Kya hua tumhe?"

He shook his head. "I am fine, Sir", he assured. Even his voice was lower, almost as if even the 4 words were a herculean effort. The colonel's frown only deepened and he spoke in low tones to him. Karan commented something and the colonel nodded, turning to face them. Sanju quickly locked the door before running back up to the front, standing next to Faizi. Monami cast a last glance at the head trainer, before turning her attention to him.

Karan took a deep breath. His head was pounding, his chest was on fire and everything seemed woozy. He was undeniably, terribly sick. He shook himself a little, focusing on the colonel.

"Cadets", he began. The presentation slid to a name behind. "EFR." He blinked, his words blurring out slightly. He clenched his fist, pinching himself. "Yeh ek terrorist organization hai jiska naam aapne shayad suna hoga. They were first active from the year 1999 to 20014 before humaare agents ne unhe weaken karke hiding mein jaane ke liye majboor..." The words mixed together. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes.

Opening them seemed to be a mistake. The world was spinning. Pain flared up in his chest, and he coughed, his hand flying to his mouth. His throat burned. He pulled his hand away.

Red.

He stared at it. Red? Was he... bleeding? Was that it? Something trickled down his nose, and he touched it. Red. More blood? He was bleeding. That was bad.

"Karan!"

That was his name. He looked up, colors and facing mixing together. Something clutched his face, and he blinked. His brother. He was clutching his face, his lips moving frantically. Why was he worried? Was it the blood?

He felt a tug on his arms. He was being... caught? He blinked, looking down. He was kneeling now. Something obstructed his light. He felt his chin being lifted, small hands tapping his cheek. He blinked a couple of times, trying to focus on the face. Wasn't that Monami?

"Karan Sir!" Her voice broke through. "Sir! Can you hear me?" He jerked his head down. He can hear her. But... she sounded different. What was different? "Does it hurt?" He stared at her. What was different? "Sir! Does it hurt?" He didn't know. Does what hurt?

"K-Kya?" He forced out.

Pain. Pain was all that followed. Pure pain. His chest screamed, and he closed his eyes. He just wanted this pain to go away. It was too much. He couldn't bear it. It was too much. He was... He was in so much pain. He wanted it to go away!

Something ripped his clothes. His eyes snapped open, purely from the sudden jerk. Monami. She was tearing his t-shirt apart, pausing when she could see his chest. She inhaled sharply. What was wrong? Was it why it hurt? He looked down. So many colors. Blue, yellow, purple.

"What's wrong with him?" Someone snapped. His brother. He recognized the voice.

He frowned, closing his eyes. He needed to tell him not to talk to her like that. What did she do that warranted her to be yelled at? No. He would explain it to her. There was no need to yell at her. He didn't like anyone yelling at her. He should tell his brother that. But... later. He wanted to sleep now. He would talk to his brother later.

"Sir! Keep your eyes open", she said sternly.

He peeled his eyelids open, staring at her face. She wasn't stuttering! That's it! That was what was different. She wasn't stuttering. Something poked his abdomen and he couldn't help the cough. Red came out of his mouth. That was a bad place to poke.

"He's bleeding", Monami said. He blinked. Even he knew that. "Internally." He didn't know that. His mind caught up.

Internally? Wasn't that... bad?