"By the way, is it true? That you are ...

attracted to both genders?" he asked, curious though it was a personal thing of hers.

"Does that matter?" Yashodha instantly turned stern.

"Not at all. That's completely personal choice.I just wanted to know if you were merely saying it to shut them up or..." he stated, a little skeptic on how she would react to his question.

Yashodha held a stern expression longer before she broke into a laughter, "I'm not. It was a made up statement so, I can get those idiots away from me.

Anyways, remember this. Situation as such will happen again, maybe after I leave. They might come after you, taunting you using my name. Maybe not. Nevertheless, do not go and argue with them unless your name was mentioned when you were present at the moment. Understand!

It's a golden rule. Follow it and life will be very much peaceful" she closed her eyes and gestured her hands like the Zen rapper.

Yashodha's words made sense, he thought. Until and unless one isn't present while someone makes statement about oneself, they should stay away and keep their emotional reaction in check.

"Do you know, you are the coolest doctor I have ever seen around here" he said out of the blue.

There was a short pause, Yashodha squinted her eyes as if trying to decipher something. Jagdish couldn't make out, probably she was reading his mind, he waited for her to respond.

"Definitely! I'm the coolest because you are the hottest here" she whispered leaning closer to him smirking while she retrieved her spot.

Sometimes her counters to his are quite as perfect as her.

"Agreed but what were you trying to do earlier?"

"Read your mind" she stuck her tongue out.

" Hmm... You and your trick" he huffed and got on his feet. "Alright, gotta go. There's a briefing with Captain Chandru. I'll see you around. Bye"

"Okay, I'll leave too. And yeah.... I'll be at the Cafe Marina today evening. If you are free, drop by" she waved at him as he nodded in acknowledgement. And surprised too for being called for coffee.

Three months in total, around twenty encounters here and there, average time spent; fifthteen minutes, spoken topic; absolute random mostly mentioning about their coolness and hotness for some reason gets interesting. Yet... Medical Officer Yashodha Lingeswar held a very special place in him despite no extravaganza stunts.

There is definitely something about Yashodha that always puts her far apart from the other ladies he had met. She has a certain charm, not seductive yet captivating one's interest. Sparking energy of bliss everywhere she goes. Truly Yashodha has made a spot in many hearts for simply being one of a kind. To be precised, quite deep in Jagdish's.

Mulling over the same, he knew this feel isn't just a casual infatuation but a budding interest he had been shunning away. In the highest possibility, Jagdish will not be able to push the attraction while she being around him. He understood the underlaying feel he has for her.

However, just a matter of weeks, Yashodha would leave Mumbai and him for good, that would be the end of all they shared, he believed.

Meanwhile, controlling whatever that was growing, he intend to make the moments with Yashodha a memorable one to be cherished later.

-----

Jagdish lightly tapped on the door that had Captain Chandru's name engraved on a wooden plate nailed on it. Turning the knob of the door slowly, Jagdish marched into the room.

"Good afternoon, sir" he greeted and saluted the senior officer.

"Good afternoon, Lieutenant Jagdish. Have a seat" Captain Chandru saluted back and motioned him to a seat.

"It's training time, lieutenant. Are you ready?" He asked..

"Always, sir"

"Good. We will be having a workout session, leaving to the sea in next three days. Here is the list of sailors boarding the INS Betwa F39.

The workout will go on until we succeed our mission in attacking our enemy ship. You will be briefing your fellow sailors regarding the same" Captain Chandru briefed and handed him the list along with training brief in paper.

It was a busy day ahead for Jagdish, taking care of the preparation and getting the ship checked thoroughly before departure. As it takes about two days for preparation and followed by n number of days in sea which none knows exactly how long.

On the second day of prep, the sailors were gathered to load the ammunnitions and torpedos for their mission. In the midst of the heavy task, Jagdish suddenly remembered about their supposedly meet up at the Cafe. That totally went off his head though he remembered to give her call. He sighed in resignation.

He should have taken a moment out to tell her about his trip to sea. It's too late now, he thought. The ship will depart in a few hours and there is no way he can leave the dock. Another sigh escaped as he watched the torpedo tubes being transferred to weapons store chamber.

A faint recall popped in his head. 'I'll leave too.'

Is she leaving Mumbai, already? Was that why she called him to meet her at the Cafe that day? If it is, why had she not let him know about it earlier?

He felt his heart sink at the thought that his friend had to leave without saying goodbye for the last time. That he couldn't meet her for the last time, he heart grew heavy.

The ship honk drew him back to the job in hand. He boarded the INS Betwa that was ready to sail along with his fellow sailors focusing on the mission ahead.

As the ship slowly sailed out of the dock, Jagdish hoped he gets to meet her once before she leaves.

🚢🚢🚢🚢

That's chapter 6, hopefully it was a good read.

Wishing all an advance Happy Diwali!!

Don't forget to vote and comment as usual!