"Congratulations on your safe return, Flight Lieutenant Samrat Singh Shekhawat!"

"Ma'am!" Samrat matches Harjot's firm voice and salutes her. Barely seven in the morning; a meeting is underway in conference hall 7B for half an hour already. Every officer is seated around the large conference table at the head of which is Harjot. The squadron leader is doing a fantastic job of leading the meeting; the flying squad and the engineering wing — everyone's rapt attention is on her. She decides the test flights won't take off for a couple of days because of unfavourable weather. This decision is keeping in mind the well-being and safety of the pilots.

From the confines of her chair, Tanvi subtly rolls her eyes, muttering softly under her breath, yeh decision aapko pehle hi lena chahiye tha.

Harjot clears her throat and picks a file from the table. "We have still accomplished the maiden test flight of the Shakti aircraft. Wasting no time on the ground, let's analyse the results of this. ATC se connection tootne ki wajah se yeh test flight utna upyogkari nahi raha. But let's look at the parameters recorded in the aircraft. I want engineers to process the parameters and double check the aircraft before our next trials. Samrat will assist me today with my meetings. His other squad members return to their regular flight training. That's all in this meeting."

At this closure point, everyone congratulates Samrat again for valiantly handling his flight in the unfavourable weather. Their applause is loud, encouraging. With a soft smile, Samrat bows his head and conveys his thanks.

Everybody is acting like they care, but they did nothing when his flight lost communication. Tanvi's thoughts wander even as she claps for Samrat. Unlike the others here barring Harjot, her show of appreciation is real. Sam is truly capable to have made it back! And Harjot... it's a relief she did not take any disciplinary action against me for spending the entire day waiting for him in the hangar. Even so, why does she need Samrat to assist with her meetings? She could go easy on him after he returned from such a horrific experience. Also, why can't Samrat talk back a little instead of dancing to her tunes?

Withholding her frustrations, Tanvi smiles outwardly at Harjot. Her thoughts persist, causing her to frown and suppress a sigh.

Should Samrat be working right now? This morning at 5, Dr Anuja revealed he had collapsed owing to an acute heat stroke and advised more rest. Yet here he is.

Tanvi's eyes find Samrat's as they exit the conference hall together. She would have done the same if she was in his shoes. Work is worship. But a part of her thinks Samrat is always negligent, especially with his well-being, and that agitates her to no end.

Her displeasure must be evident on her face. The way she knots her hands and swings them, walking at a slow face as the other engineers race to enjoy their brief break time.

"Tanvi..."

Hearing Samrat call out to her, she quickens her pace. He gives her a chase. They end up in the officer's lounge where there's, thankfully, not a soul. (Everyone must have run to the cafeteria for some breakfast!)

"Tanz? What's wrong? Are you okay? You look so annoyed."

Tanvi sighs, stopping herself from retorting — "don't surprise me by worrying about my wellbeing." Why did he come after her? She needs a moment to quieten her mind. The best part would be to grin and lie, but the candid soul inside her voices her frustrations —

"Why did you agree to Harjot's demands, Sam? Tum unhe bata nahi sakte that you were sick yesterday? At least ek shift off lelete."

"That was what worrying you?" Samrat smiles softly. "Tanvi, we are soldiers. Aise yun har baat par rest nahi le sakte."

"I know that!"

"So then?"

"It's not about now, Sam. You're always like this! So reckless and impulsive. I just can't take anymore of this!"

"Tanvi, tum itni emotional kyu ho rahi ho? Come on, relax!"

It might be the casual way he says. She's irked beyond measure. "Tumhe kya lagta hai? Sirf tum hi emotional ho sakte ho? Meri koi bhaavnayein nahi hai kya, Sam?"

"Nahi, Tanz! No, but seriously, what's wrong? Naraz ho? Is it me? Maine kiya kya, woh toh batao... I don't understand."

Tanvi sighs. The lid she put on her innermost feelings has come open and there's no stopping her.

"Yes! You can't understand, Sam! Tumhe koi fark nahi padta hai na? Tum sahi kehte the! Tum khudgarz ho bahut! Jab tum sab ko dhoka de rahe the tab! Aur aaj bhi jab tum sacchayi ke raste par chal rahe! Tumhe sirf khud ki feelings ki padi rehti hai! Tumhara ye self-hatred aur junoon, jiski bal boote par tum apni life ki har decision lete ho! You're so selfish, Sam! Tum ek pal ke liye bhi nahi sochte ki dusre pe kya beet rahi!"

Samrat freezes. He didn't expect they'd broach serious topics here. He wants to say he does care. He cares a lot; about all of his friends, especially about her, that it drives him insane but the words fail him. He can only stare at Tanvi's agonised face.

"Jab bhi tum apne aap ko aise sazaa dete rehte ho, jab bhi tumhari halat kharab hoti hai, tumhe chot lagti hai! Jab bhi tum apni jaan khatre mein dalte ho, apne junoon ke liye... Tumhe dar, dard, yeh sab nahi hota hoga. Lekin mujhe hota hai! Because I love you—"

Tanvi clamps a hand to her mouth, but it's already too late. She confessed the root cause of all her agitation. Every syllable is crystal clear; Samrat has heard it all.

"Kya?" His eyes widen and then narrow as he digests this revelation; his lips then press together as a harrowed expression takes hold of his handsome features.

"Okay, uh... I should meet up with the engineering girls, toh mujhe jaana hai!"

"Tanvi, stop—"

Tanvi runs out of the lounge with the curt words. Samrat holds his arm out and realises what he's doing. He closes his open fist that was about to reach for her, halts his feet that were about to run after her. They are both on the clock. Even if it's break time, he can't chase after Tanvi. And he can't interfere with her work either. There's an intense pain in his chest as he recalls her confession.

"Idiot.." he mumbles under his breath and clutches his temples. "My hunch was correct! You're in love with me! Why me...!?"

He murmurs and shakes his head, composing himself. Then he rushes out to find Harjot. A whole day of new duties await him.

***

Tanvi enters the cafeteria late at night. Why is she here? She needs to leave if she wants to avoid Samrat. Is she hoping to glimpse Farhan? Maybe yes! Seeing him should soothe her. She's been super busy with processing and drafting various parameters of Shakti aircraft all day long. It only hits her now that she truly, truly confessed to Samrat. It was in the heat of the moment, but it was still a confession!

Ugh, why did I do that? Was keeping inside becoming so hard that I blew up? Whatever it is, I don't want to call it a lie. I can't lie to Samrat about this any longer. She asks Ramu Kaka to bring one strong coffee and sits at a table chewing her lip. Coffee is a bad idea. For one, late night coffee disrupts sleep. Two, she needs to leave. It's better if she avoids running into Samrat for at least the next twenty-four hours, especially in places where they can converse privately. Ugh, how will I face him at work? What should I say? I can't avoid him forever!

She's lost in thoughts even after her coffee arrives. All around her dim lighting of the cafeteria, and Ramu kaka plays an old, soothing melody in a low volume on his radio. Her mind barely registers any of that.

"Tanvi!" With impeccable timing, Farhan enters with a flair, clapping his hands upon spotting Tanvi. His smile drops as he notices her expression. "Arey yaar, kyun aise muh banaa kar baithi hai? Kya hua?"

Tanvi looks at him with a blank expression and mutters, "Maine bata diya!"

"Kya?"

"Samrat ko. I told him I love him."

"Whaaaaaat?" Farhan can't believe what he heard; his joyous laughter resonates in the cafeteria. He's shocked but also happy; Tanvi can see that. Again, his smile drops, seeing her look sullen. He calmly takes a seat from across her.

"Well, what a surprise, Tanz! How did this happen?"

Tanvi shrugs, resting her elbows on the table. "I know, right? Itne dinon se chhupaaya. Aur ab khud apni zuban se bata diya! I'm so dumb—"

Farhan gives her a small, soothing pat on the shoulder.

"It's good, yaar. Doesn't it feel lighter to just let it out? I am feeling lighter. Ab mujhe tumhari secret ka bhoj sehne ki zarurat nahi hai. I'm so glad. I'm finally free! I'm not keeping your secret a secret anymore, and definitely not hiding it from Samrat!"

Farhan waggles his eyebrows, looking mighty relieved. Tanvi half sighs, half smiles at his antics. The two of them hear an oh-so-familiar voice —

"Toh ye hai woh secret huh, Tanz? Shuru se!"

***

TBC 

WC: 1524

Up next: Samrat and Tanvi try to talk it out... What will be the outcome?