The airbase looms around the corner, the officers' haven on the ground, beneath the endless skies. Tanvi's been driving for forty minutes. Samrat reminisces about his test flight of the Shakti aircraft while seated in the jeep's backseat. It's truly a miracle he made it back.

He took off, prepared for the unfavourable weather that awaited him. Shakti was lightweight, with fluid controls. Flying an aircraft is a sublime experience for any pilot. That was why he volunteered. It was also his outrageous sense of duty, backed by the guilt of all his misdeeds. Tanvi wouldn't understand, it was all part of his atonement.

Harjot ma'am was pleased that he volunteered. Also displeased, the others didn't. It was an honour to receive her immediate praise. He was sure, alongside that, he earned more scorn from the engineering girls who glared at him.

All that aside, flying over the desert amid the sandstorm was a nightmare. Way worse than what he was prepared for. Reality is worse than fiction. His communication with the ATC was cut off not long after his takeoff. He flew over the horizon for many minutes amidst the poor visibility, in search of a ragged plateau to land his jet on.

He located one whose coordinates were far from sector 53. The winds were raging, a whopping 150 knots, the turbulence turning the landing into a challenge, which he would admit, he only enjoyed. He considered returning to the airbase but couldn't. Not with the poor visibility.

Landing on the plateau was one step accomplished. Another difficult step awaited - withstanding the hot temperatures of the desert. He kept himself hydrated, tried not to think negative, took care of his mind and body in those detrimental conditions as a soldier should. He didn't obviously carry a gallon of water. Whatever was available to him, he split it - half to drink, half spilled over his body to cool himself.

After a while, he tried flying at a higher altitude to evade the storm, but it didn't work. The afternoon sun reached its zenith. Finding the next pit stop was another nightmare. This time, he didn't dare to fly again. He had to save fuel. Just flying around to find a path back to the base and avoid the storm would cost him his fuel and his chances of survival.

What were his chances of survival, anyway? He was already dehydrated and exhausted. Alone with still no communication with the ATC, he gave himself a mental boost of confidence. He got this!

He had stationed his jet and waited for the winds to calm a bit again, inside the cabin where it's comparatively cooler and safer. For a moment, negative thoughts entered his mind. What if he didn't make it? What if the weather deteriorated further?

He recalled the familiar faces from the Kota airbase, his friends, seniors who put their faith in him. Tanvi's was the first face he saw alongside Farhan's, all the Hawks too, even Harjot ma'am, who forgave him despite him breaking the rules she set for him. He didn't think Harjot ma'am would be complacent. He expected consequences when she called out him and Tanvi, but there were none. Harjot ma'am could be one of the harder outside, soft inside types, but who could say?

He chuckled wryly just after his survival instincts kicked forth. Does his life even matter? As a fauji, he's prepared to lay down his life in battle. But to die while on a test flight would be a slightest bit of dishonour.

The sun was sinking. He recalled his shiddat towards his Khuda. He'd been miffed after abbu's betrayal, and saw no point in praying to the higher power that led him down the path of destruction. It'd been many, many months since he last prayed. Almost two years. He presently lifted his hands in a dua. Because it struck him suddenly - the higher source was not to blame for the tragedies in his life. In the end, it was Khuda who showed him the right path and guided him forward in his life, made him recall the memory of his beloved ammi who wanted the best for him. It was the higher source's miracle that he found the right path and this chance to repay the nation and his team and everyone who trusted him.

As these thoughts raced through his mind, he took a few calming breaths. The winds finally slowed down a bit. The weather was messy for takeoff, but he knew the visibility would worsen after sunset, reducing his chances of returning to sector 53.

He let his impulse and courage guide him forward and made it back! On the runway of sector 53. Only to be welcomed into Tanvi's arms!

He sighs, snapping back to the present. His body feels woozy yet his mind is sharp as ever. He can't forget how she rushed to him, though he wanted to. Of course, friends are allowed to hug; but he felt an entirely different vibe. It could be the thing in his head though. He looks at her and clears his throat as she drives onward.

"Honestly, Tanvi, why would you wait in the hangar amid the hot weather and exhaust yourself? Office chali jaati toh, ac cabin mein baithne ko milta na!"

Tanvi ignores him and keeps driving. They arrive at the base. Smiling wryly, he's aware of her manoeuvring the jeep past the large wrought-iron gates - the entrance to the officer's residences when his eyelids become heavy. His whole body feels like lead, every ounce of energy sapped out from him. As sweat pours out of him and his body burns, he holds onto the jeep's railing for support, his consciousness fading in and out.

No, not now! He struggles to keep his eyes open, not wanting to worry Tanvi. He can't collapse right now-

Tanvi parks the jeep outside Samrat's residence. She heard no movement from behind, no voice or teasing laughter for a while. Why has he gone quiet?

She climbs down from the jeep. Samrat is slouched on the backseat, his eyes closed. One hand clutches the iron railing while another fists the front of his overalls. For a moment, Tanvi assumes he's resting, but he doesn't respond to her calling his name.

"Sam! Samrat!!"

She calls his name louder, shakes him by the shoulders. His whole body slumps forward. She hops into the jeep, to save him from tumbling off his seat.

"Sam! Wake up! What's wrong?"

His body is ice cold, giving her goosebumps as she holds him. Her palm pressed against his cheek is doused in so much sweat. Her mind spins with worry. It's still sweltering out here. Typical summer's night. Her own body is sweating a lot. But Samrat's condition seems terrible-

Before she can panic further, she hears approaching footsteps which speed up, and a familiar voice calling-

"Sam! Tanvi!"

***

🌀TBC🌀

📚🌈💭WC: 1068

🌈💭❣️up next: Someone helps Samrat and Tanvi go to the hospital. A hospital visit shouldn't make Tanvi jealous, but... it does! And then bam - confession is on the way!

🌙🌈V & C! Ty for reading! ^^🌈🌙