The club was electrifying, it was a heartbeat on loudspeakers with rainbow lights and the sort of beats that revved up the soul. A retro night it seems the bouncer answered when Jagdish inquired. Which got them more interest, they got into the semi-crowded club, swaying to the retro Hindi club song all the way to the bar.

'Technically It's A Club' was the club they found that stood looking fancy at the corner of the street with colourful lights. It's impression did some justice and because they had no more strength left to look for another club since they had skipped almost four clubs on their way hence, they hit in.

They decided to go with non-alcohol drinks since they will be riding back quite late. It's always advicable to avoid misfortune and also for not wanting to be caught drunk by the guards at the entrance. It was a special mocktail for two.

As Bachna Ae Hasino song came to an end, the crowd on the dancing floor clapped, hooted and jumped as they enjoyed the song. They hooted again cheerfully for the next track, Jagdish recognised it instantly, he turned to the lady next to him.

Rukja O Dil Deewane
(Stop, Oh heart robber)

Poochon Toh Main Zaara
(I've got something to ask you)

Ladki Hai Ya Hai Jaadu
(Are you real or magic)

Khushbu Hai Ya Hai Nasha
(Are you fragrance or intoxication)

As the four minute song neared it's end, Yashodha knowingly turned to Jagdish who was already focused on her. She raised an eyebrow questioning his gaze.

Curving his lips upwards he leaned closer so she could hear him, "The lines from the song seems to be a fitting for you, most of it. From my perspective" he said in his husky voice.

She did nothing but turned away smiling while shaking her head rhythmically to the song.

Thirty minutes went by as they enjoyed their drink, some good classic hit songs and occasionally glancing each other. Waves of electrifying sensation pass through him each time they eyes met. Jagdish shrudded.

Signaling to the ladies, Yashodha made a sprint to the toilet. Drinking a full glass of mocktail, the urgency to visit the restroom knocked. It was a narrow path leading to the inside of the club, passing many doors, she finally found it. She had definitely missed the nearest one as this way isn't surely for the public. On her way back to the bar she sensed something wasn't right in there. As she walked passed a door, she faintly heard names of drugs.

She got alert at the mention.

Yashodha held the spot a little longer to hear more, "What do you mean there's a breakdown? I need those stuffs in twenty minutes or I'll lose lakhs of money. You knew the client specially wanted Crack Cocaine. Shouldn't you leave as soon as you got the stuffs. Why the fuck you stopped on the way?" hissed a man on the phone followed by a loud slam on the table.

Mentally making calculation, Yashodha tread further towards the crowd without being noticed. There was buying and selling happening in another room. She peeked through the slightly parted doors, young girls and boys were under drugs, intoxicated while they beg for more.

This isn't right, with a decent looking facade of running a nightclub, illegal dealing was happening inside. She needed to get the aid of her friend, Yashodha sprinted out for help.

She grabbed Jagdish's arm and pulled him out of the club, further from the thumping volume of the music inside. Out to the empty, gloomy street.

"Is everything alright?" He asked the worried Yashodha, panting.

"Not really. Actually, it's not at all okay" she replied stumble further away from there. Peeking into a few dark alley, she stopped at one. Yashodha motioned Jagdish to come closer to where she stood.

And later she initiated conversation with a group of youngsters gathered at the back alley. "Hey! Is that Heroin?"

"Hell, yeah" one of the woozy girls answered.

"Mine is marijuana. Wanna a puff?" another one babbled.

"Where did you get them? I'm roaming here to get one since I got here"

"You seeeee.... Thattt.... club over thereeeee. Thereeeee" the girl who was on heroin pointed.

Jagdish was stupefied at the sight of the intoxicated youngsters, later anger took over.

"This is what is wrong. I think they are drug dealers in the club. They are having an exchange in sometime" Yashodha whispered walking away from the group.

Standing in the middle of the empty street, Jagdish glanced at the furious Yashodha who was also thinking on what to do. "I've got a plan" He said with a devilish smile.

She stared for sometime, reading him then knowingly she too did the same with a firm nod.

----

They stood at the narrow pathway outside the door where Yashodha had heard the phone conversation earlier.  A heated argument of disappointment was exchanged inside while they waited. They figured out the argument was for the items not being delivered on time. Hence, it's a chance for them to use.

A hefty man with a number thugs walk out of the door banging it hard and loud, passing them both.

After a few minutes passed, they entered the room. "Good evening, boss" Jagdish greeted followed by Yashodha. They scanned the room for their safety.

There was only one man wearing a satin abstract printed shirt, sat on the chair behind the desk with two men on either side of him, standing. He had a brown dyed hair with a grey beard. About three kilos of gold hung around his neck and wrist. The man scanned them with a murderous gaze.

"Who are you and what do you want?" The man's voice boomed depicting his facade. Strong. Powerful. Ready to Kill.

"We came to buy your stuffs next door and heard your argument with the man who left earlier. I supposed he did not want to wait. So, I'm offering an exchange of your stuff with Half a Crore Indian Rupees. And I'll wait" Jagdish lied with such a consummated skill Yashodha sucked in a breath. He remembered Yashodha mentioned about him saying lakhs. Hence, Jagdish opt for higher to bait the fish. Yashodha was astonished however did not show on her face.

"Half Crore?" The man gasped eyes as wide as his opened mouth. "But it's only 10 kilos worth 12 lakhs"

"Money is not a matter" he replied adding more power to his posture.

" Very well, money first then goods. My name Sheikh Anwar" the dealer extended his hand.

"Louis and this is my partner, Julia" Jagdish introduced them with fake names. "Goods first then the money. I'll have a look at the stuff then I'll pay. Anyway, I did not bring the cash. I have asked my man to bring it
It will take sometime as well"

"Great, would you like to be seated at our VIP lounge?" Sheikh Anwar was now flashing a huge smile offering them the best of the hospitality.

"No, not necessary. We will be at the bar. Call us when the stuffs is here"

Without a word, both of them walked out in ease and maintain stoic face as they waited for their friend to join them. Giving an impression to Sheikh Anwar that the money was yet to arrive.

About an hour later, Lakhsman walked in with a huge black bag filled with old clothes to make it look heavy and convincing. He joined the two at the bar.

"The 'money', sir.

So, what's the next plan?" he whispered loud enough for them to hear.

"The cops are here right?" Yashodha questioned.

"Yes, I also brought some of our men too. I can't risk you both alone here, this place is dangerous" he said cautiously scanned around for eavesdropper.

Another hour went by, until of the goons came to inform them about the arrival of the goods. As they inspect it, Jagdish gave instruction to Lakshman to bring few more man to bring the goods to their place. Shortly, Lakshman return within a minute of giving a call.

The three were now seated at the same room where the dealing happened. Waiting for Sheikh Anwar to join them. Simultaneously, as Anwar entered, Lakshman's phone pinged a message; a thumbs up.

It was a signal, the drugs has been seized by the cops and navy officers, it was time for them to get into action when Anwar received a call. He looked at them with horror and anger flashing on his face.

"Bloody cheaters! You cheated me! Hypocrites!" he screamed.

"Cheated? We did not cheat you Sheikh Anwar. You got yourself cheated" Yashodha spoke for the first time to him. "I'm sorry, Sheikh but you have nowhere out" she stood up and instantly one of the two men rushed to her.

Yashodha did not waste a minute, she ducked down avoiding the man's punch and lunged a knee to his stomach. The fight had been initiated, it was three against three at first and the number increased to three against seven.

In results to the action scene, the room had turned upside down in just minutes of the fight. Seven of them were down, Sheikh Anwar and his associates were handcuffed as they were escorted out of the club.

Jagdish, Yashodha and Lakshman got medical aid for their injuries before their unit left them to return in their own vehicle.

"You are too good, Yasho" commented Lakshman on their way to their bikes.

"Thank you. You both were no less, huh. Wait a minute. We have to be good because what are we?" she asked with a smile tucked on her lips.

"Fighters" the men replied punching their fist in the air and continued their way out.

"That was a fabulous night out, wasn't it?" Jagdish said out of the blue upon reaching his bike.

-----

A week and half went in a jiff, both got busy with their duty, they did not get any chance to meet then. Eleven days later, Jagdish received a surprise call from Yashodha which she had found his number in her call registry he had called his number back then. She requested to meet him at the regular cafe.

Her voice over the phone sounded gloomy for the first time. Had something happened?, he thought and however, he brushed the unwanted bubble out of his mind.

At six in the evening, they were at the cafe seated by the wall unlike their usual spot. Their orders had arrived yet Yashodha had not spoken a word rather smiled tight each time their gaze met.

He was anticipating for something big to be revealed by her nevertheless, he did not want to bug her by asking. He gave her the time needed.

"I received a call from the HQ" she blurted out breaking the silence after sometime.

He snapped his head up to meet her eyes. He should have known this coming. How did he missed the week pass by?

"When-When are you leaving?" he asked swallowing the lump forming in his throat. The news somehow sadden him.

"In three days, to Wayanand. Relief camp" she sighed. There wasn't much of a happiness on her too except for the occasional smile, her eyes said much more to the opposite.

"Great! You will be back to your squad, to your own regiment. You must be happy" he said covering his own sadness with a fake excitement.

"Happy? I'm sad, Jagdish. I'm sad that I'll miss you... I...." she paused.

"I know, who wouldn't miss me" he joked trying to ease their emotion from escalating..

She broke into a laughter.

"I'll miss you too, Yasho"

---

They arrived at the Marine Drive upon her request and settled on the huge grey rocks. They were enjoying the perfectly calm sea and it's soft murmurs. A comfortable silence enveloped them before Yashodha broke it.

"Jagdish, I've always wondered what would it be like if I had not had you as my friend while my stay here. And the answer I found was a no surprise. I would have been lonely, just by eliminating your presence in the past four months.

You made the last four months a great one. A memorable one" Yashodha had intentionally omitted the word 'thank you', that would put a barrier between them. Jagdish was glad she did not thank him.

"This would be the last time we will get to spend time and I want you to know that you have taken a very special place in my heart. For all good reasons, I really like you but I can't go against my principle. I hold strong to it for my own good" she casually said, squinting her eyes for the cold breeze brushing her hair.

He felt a thud in him, he didn't know what to respond because he felt the same.

"You are right, this could be the last time. I'll miss you and your absence will always be a void in my everyday life. The smart, beautiful, courageous and a rowdy Yasho. We had a great time and I'm glad we were able to be in an unplanned mission together" he got her laughing for calling her rowdy. She stopped and waited for him to continue.

"Yasho,... I also want you to know that you have made a special spot in my heart too. You have an aura that no one has and that attracted me more to you. But again just like you, I too can't go against my principles of life" he expressed though he didn't wish to do it.

What if they would never get a chance to meet again and as she said many days ago. Yashodha would never know at least partial of his feelings for her. Their gaze locked, her pair of smoky quartz somehow was making him dizzy.

She nodded in agreement.

"Life teaches so much that you tend to ditch the life you might have dreamt once. Putting a full stop and giving a new altered life. A new principles. A new personality. Isn't it?" she asked as if knowing the reason for his last line.

Jagdish's eye never left her's, they both shared a painful stare silently telling each one has a story behind their so called principles. A lesson from own's life or an experienced faced by loved ones. Something or the other that lead a person to make a drastic change in oneself.

"I'm married" Yashodha suddenly blurted out, he snapped his head so quickly it could have sprained. She had an expressionless facade that looked as if she was prepared to reveal it to him. He never thought about it at all, if she was a married woman or not.

"I was born in a moderate family with basic principles already laid by our forefathers. But my father had a broader thinking than anyone of the generation before him, had. Being the eldest he wanted to lead by example and not as a follower. My father did everything, him being an army man himself, inspired me to be one as well. So, I joined AFMC and also army training then got posted to Shimla, came back after six months.

Disaster awaited.

My grandmother was hellbent to get me married because I have crossed the marriage age for her. I was twenty-five back then. She pulled an act of killing herself drenching in kerosene, my father had to oblige. The groom was her selection as well. Wedding got over, the husband of mine was a sweet talker. He gave promise that he would wait, he was fine with me going for duty and all things sweet. I actually fell for his words. I thought he is a good guy, who understands my dreams.

It turn out to be all a lie, when I return back from Shimla another six months later. He had been having an affair with someone else in my absence that too, begin right after I left. It wasn't even two months after the wedding took place. All the promises made vanished. Leaving me nothing but a broken heart.

So, I left my house. Making up my mind, never to give or take a lifetime promise if I can't fulfill it. I still regret the day I agreed for marriage, I should have left her dying.

From then on each break would be another temporary service duration or extended service for me. This five months was my break as well to be away from everything that cause me the pain" she concluded, her gaze fell as far as it could towards the sea.

Her eyes held no emotions, no feelings. All she wanted to do was tell him about her. That's all.

A faint smile made its way to his lips, mind drifted to his own reasons for having the same notion as her's. The pain she experienced was the pain he witnessed through his mother and his friend. Losing his father to a fire accident that happened in a control room of one of the warships his father was in, seven years had him witness the most heartbreaking sight in his life. He had managed to get his mother back as she was in less than two years but he couldn't do the same to his friend.

Losing his fiance in a similar accident as his father, Jagdish's friend, Navin was shattered completely that he had lost the urge to live. Locked in his room, shuns everyone, Navin keeps the world shut to him. It's only him and his fiance who exist and no one else in his world.

"Fear slowly begin to creep into me. What if anything happens to me and whoever had given her life to me suffers the same or worst? I won't be able to forgive myself. I know I shouldn't let fear take control but I just don't find a reason yet to let it go. Maybe I will, in the future" he finished his part of the story.

*********

Long one!

Was it worth it? I hope it did because I don't know if I should have writtsn it or not. Or will you'll get bored reading the flashback because I sense it.

Anyways finally, you will get to read the present from next chapter onward.

Happy??!!