Everything was going black and blur. Yashodha found herself being pulled by the gravity at a fast rate yet slow almost suspended. She was seeing flashes of images before her, it passed in milliseconds. Those images reminded her of who she was for the many people that existed in her life. The moments of which she cherished the most, hated the most and all random moments of her life came visible to her. The air pushed against her face, she closed her eyes awaited for the unavoidable. 

At the fast rate suspended moment, a faint yet loud voice echoed, pulling her awake from the sleep she voluntarily dived into. That voice, she was getting attached too suddenly became a driving force for her to fight for survival. She realised she was falling and if she continues to fall at the speed, she would certainly die. Gasping for air, Yashodha frantically looked around and immediately grabbed the thick curtain that dangled from the offset rooftop. In a matter of seconds, she managed to make a not so smooth landing with the help of the fabric, hurting herself in the process. 

At the touch of the ground, Yashodha surrendered to the pain letting the remaining darkness swallow her entirely.

------

Yashodha's team led by Venkat move speedily into the east wing of the palace where his fellow soldiers were kept as soon as they received her call. Each one were armed with Glock and guns handed over by the local police and of those they had brought along with them.

They planned an ambush of surprise gunshot firing from everywhere. Some were the far range shooter firing from the opposite building, some attacked from the floor above like ninjas while the rest did the direct attack. The ambush left the naxal unprepared causing losses from their side leaving Agasthya stranded alone among the angry Indian Army.

Shaurya pointed his gun to the Naxalite leader. The image of his fellow friends who laid lifeless back at the camp flashed before him. His finger etched to press the trigger and finish of the traitor but he knew best to keep Agasthya alive for further inquiry. 

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Adrenalin flood through his system. It beats and pumped as if it would escape any moment. It was as if his heart were being pulled out of him. Everything momentarily stopped as he witness his dear friend falling off to the ground. Silence prevailed around him though another riot had taken place to where he was left to witness. He painfully watched her struggle before crashing on the ground.

She laid there motionless.

Tears spilled out of his eyes as he let out another blood-curdling scream. Jagdish dragged himself down the staircase to reach the wounded.

If there was one thing he did not imagine, it was his fear happening otherwise. Over these years he had been living in fear of what will his loved ones do if something unfortunate happens to him but at that moment....

Watching Yashodha fall from the third floor had him realised, what will he do if fatal occurs to those he cared?

He wouldn't be able to take it if anything ever happens to his loved ones. Jagdish rather take the fatal to himself than seeing them go over it. The pain of just thinking about it was too excruciating. He buried his face in his palms. 

As he got treated for his injuries in the hospital, he kept pondering about the same. About his fear, his loved ones and Yashodha whom he was growing fond of. 

He hadn't said a word since they had brought Yashodha to the hospital along with the other injured people. 

Jagdish knew she would survive, she was a strong woman. However, the moment flashed before him once again causing him to involuntarily relive the incident. He felt those horrifying emotion agitated in him again. 

Somehow, the replay was giving him a clarity, a realisation. Like a massive truck hit him, taking his breath away and stealing tears. As if the clouds were clearing, giving way for the sun ray to cast it's brightness. Jagdish finally begin to understand the deeper meaning of Govind's words. He started taking all of it seriously.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, 'why does everything has to happen late for me? You are such an idiot' spoke his inner self. 

And now there was no much time left either. He and his team had been summoned by his Captain for a drill training in the Indian Ocean. He had to leave immediately. 

-----

Sitting idle in the waiting area for one whole day wasn't really helping as the time moved slowly. Jagdish and the many officers who had got their treatment occupied the floor's lounge room as they waited for updates on they fellow severely injured friends.

Jagdish took a stroll along the corridor to and fro. The doctor who treated Javead exited one of the room.

"He is stable. You can visit him after sometime" said the doctor.

Heaving a sigh of relief, Jagdish headed further to the other section of the ward. Yashodha's family members made a beeline along the sides of the corridor. He walked passed each one of them who were indulged in conversation among themselves. He sat next to Gayathri who was falling asleep on the chair.

"Oi, Gayu. Wake up" he shook her.

"What?" She asked rubbing her sleepy eyes.

"Is she awake?" Jagdish asked pointing to the room Yashodha was admitted. 

"No, the doctor had given her enough medication for her to sleep," she answered.

"Oh young man. Over here" before Gayathri could speak further, Govind who was seated further at the end, waved at Jagdish with a huge smile. He tapped the empty seat next to him, gesturing Jagdish to sit with him.

"Yes, Tata"

"Came to check on my granddaughter, huh?" He asked, grinning.

Jagdish found himself blushing as he tried to hid his smile from the old man. 

"Ahha... suppressing that smile isn't going to hide what's going on in here, Jaggu" Govind poked lightly on Jagdish's chest. 

"I'm happy to see you bright today. Looks like Yasho's fall had knocked some sense in you" Govind laughed, gaining attention from the rest of the family members, present. 

"Her fall had definitely been a reason for your words to finally make sense, tata" 

"HaHaHa! Well, whichever it was. I'll be more than happy to see my grandkids happy and in love. I know you will make Yasho the happiest" Govind commented as he slapped the young man's thigh. 

In love, as much as the words were new to him, Jagdish was slowly getting accustom to it. Sinking the feeling, the realisation that he was indeed in love with the lady.

In love with Yashodha.

The smile on his lips stretched wider at the thought of the soul rejuvenating feel. At the moment, all he wanted was to run and gather her in his arms. The last time he saw her, Yashodha was cover in blood. He shook his head brushing the image off his head. 

------

Jagdish slowly walked into the four-bed ward room where Yashodha's bed was at the end of the room next to the window. He drew the green curtain apart just enough to let him in. Jagdish quietly sat next to her on the bed, taking her hand in his. She was fast asleep. 

He stared lovingly at the beautiful lady. How could he be such a numbskull? It took him a long time, an impact for him to realise the love he has for her. 

He let out a light chuckle and shook his head. Whatever it was, she had made her way in through those locks. 

The vibration from his phone was his signal. Jagdish checked his watch, it was time to leave. He had another place to stop before he returns to Vishakapatnam.

"I wish to be with you when you are awake but I have to leave. Duty calls. Responsibility calls. I'll see you soon, sweetheart. Real soon" he whispered and planted a kiss on her forehead. 

------

Yashodha fluttered her eyes open. In her hazy view, she sensed someone ran out pushing the curtain away from their way. She batted her eye lid a couple of times, clearing her vision. The pain shot through all over her body reminding her of the attack. She panicked, her eyes shot wide open. 

By the time she could react, her family had surrounded her bed. "It's all fine, now. Relax" Lingeswar said, patting lightly on her shoulder. 

"What happened?" she asked in a coarse voice, scanning the faces stood by the bed. 

"Your mission was a success. You and your team had done a great job. The boys managed to catch the Naxal leader and deactivated all the bombs" Sathyamurty commented, relieving her from the apprehension. 

"How's Javead? He was quite serious" Yashodha went on inquiry on every officers she remembered on the mission except for one. She waited for everyone to leave so, she could ask her sister about him. 

He was severely injured as well, if she could remember. She wondered, how he was? 

"Jagdish is fit and fine. He has gone back to Vishkapatnam. Drill training it seems" Gayathri answered even before Yashodha could ask her about him. 

The tension she had in her melted into a breath of relieve. The mention of his name however sprayed a pink hue on her cheeks, Yashodha rolled her eyes. 

"Ahha, akka. See I know. I told you. You are blushing by just the mention of his name. You are in love, akka" she sang as she stuffed a piece of apple slice in her mouth and hummed a song.

"When are you going to tell him?" Gayathri chirped, loud . 

"Hush Gayu! You are disturbing the rest" Yashodha whispered, placing a finger on her lips.

"When akka?" Gayathri repeated her question, this time in a hushed tone. 

"Soon" she replied and turned to the huge window. She watched as the leaves from the trees dance to sudden rhythm of the wind. 

Yashodha remembered the loud voice that echoed the other day. Had he not taken the effort to yell her name, she would have voluntarily given up her life without a fight. Her Periappa was right, she needed a reason to fight harder, to keep herself alive. 

And she had found her reason.

A/N: That's chapter 21. Ended the action sequence shorter instead of a lengthy one. 

This chapter turn out to be worst than the previous and I suck at writing emotions, feelings and everything. Damn! 

Sorry if it was bad.

If my calculation is right, we are nearing the end or maybe we are not. I'm not sure :P 

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And I almost forgot about this wonderful moodboard created by Drabblelove for this story. Thank you Cara!!!