AN: super short chapter. 

A week passes after Samrat and Tanvi have a fallout. Farhan is helpless in this matter. He tried talking to both parties separately. While Samrat is helpless and sad at the turn of events, Tanvi is adamant about her decision. She says it is for the good. It will save them both a lot of pain. "Ab kare toh aur kya kare, Farhan," she said with a sad smile. It's obvious that she is ignoring her own pain. "This is why I kept my feelings a secret. Ab hum dost nahi reh sakte aur na hi kuchh aur ban sakte..."

Farhan zones back to the present moment. He is currently in the cafeteria surrounded by his old teammates — the hawks, save for Tanvi. This rarely happens; so it is an ecstatic occasion. Samrat looks the same, but Farhan is sure his frustrated inside. Abhimanyu and Sameera, oblivious to this situation, are talking animatedly about their current work lives. Isha listens keenly with a smile on her face.

Farhan remains a passive listener in the conversation for a long time. After which Tanvi arrives. Reluctantly, she joins the same table where Abhi and Sameera are there with Samrat. Farhan bids her to sit next to him to save her awkwardness.

Samrat looks at Tanvi. The past week has been "purely" professional as she wanted. Can he act professional? It helped that he was with Harjot most of the time. It helped that the weather was unfavourable over the desert and he didn't have to work with the engineering team, which meant he never saw Tanvi. A week passed since he last saw her. She doesn't come to the cafeteria late at night anymore. Nothing between them is the same anymore. Her presence makes him choke on his coffee. But he covers it up with a cough, turning his gaze away from her.

Like Samrat, Tanvi swallows her pain and discomfort, entirely focusing on Abhi and Sameera. Farhan is the only one who silently observes his two best friends and feels bad for them. Is there anything he can do? Maybe a divine intervention will help Tanvi and Samrat?

Break time is over before Farhan can process his thoughts. Tanvi begins to leave when Abhi points out something.

"Kya hua, Tanvi? You and Samrat are on the same team again, hai na? Must be exciting to work together with the new Shakti aircraft! I can't wait for it to pass the trials to so I can try flying myself, you know?"

He laughs but none around him are in a mood to chuckle, expect his beloved Sameera. He frowns, easily reading the mood. Tanvi plasters a smile on her gace. "Yes, trials clear karna toh mujhe engineering department mei apna kaam dhang se karna hoga, Abhi! Okay, see you later!"

Tanvi leaves with those words. Finishing his coffee, Samrat rises to his feet. "Mujhe bhi apna kaam karna hoga na, Abhimanyu. I will get going. See you later guys—"

Before he can make a smooth escape, Abhimanyu clears his throat. "Kya ho raha hai Samrat?" He asks, keeping his tone. "Tum aur Tanvi sath mein kam karte ho na? To sath kyun nahi gaye aur usne tumse baat tak nahi ki..."

Sameera sends Samrat a concerned look and nudges Abhimanyu's shoe under the table. Be subtle, Abhi!

"Uh... jaldi mein hogi woh. You know Harjot ma'am kaise kaam karati humse? And she hated friendships between officers... Tanvi ko adat hogayi hogi." Samrat chuckles and shrugs. Though inwardly he feels bitter; he and Tanvi pretended not to get along with Harjot, but he never thought it would turn into a reality.

Abhimanyu gives a slight nod, not wanting to pry. Sameera and Abhimanyu look at Farhan once the three of them are alone after Samrat leaves.

"Yeh kya ho raha hai, Farhan?"

"Tumhe pata Samrat aur Tanvi ke sath kya ho raha hai? I'm concerned about them."

Farhan shakes his head at Abhi and Sameera's questions. And Isha's probing gaze.

"Yun samajh lo, doston, kuchh disturbances chal rahe hain unke bich. I really hope they patch up soon and yeah, this is not an issue that I can explain. I'm sorry."

Abhimanyu and Sameera, Isha collectively heave a sigh of understanding. The girls clearly having a better understanding of what's going on than Abhimanyu who's clueless as ever.

***

That night, just before going to bed, Samrat and Tanvi recall their dosti ke pal before going to bed in their respective residential quarters, both thinking—

Itne pakke dost kab bane pata hi na chala. Dost ban kar kitni masti ki hai. Zameen aasman ko apni mutthi mein le liya tha. Har dukh-dard ek sath banta tha, aur kaamyabi hasil ki ek team ki tarah. Aur ab Aisa daur aa gaya. Yeh kahan aagaye hum?

***

TBC

WC: 700

Up next: We see the past "dosti and masti" filled moments of Samrat and Tanvi that made them close friends! Then we see Samrat taking a decision in the present! Tanvi too has her own plans! What happens next? Stay tuned!