Aryan and Tanvi spend the entire day hanging out inside her little apartment with Shamsher, after which they explore the officers' residential complex. Now, as the evening falls, they are seated on a bench overlooking the ground within the complex, enjoying the breeze and soft ice cream. Thank God, ice cream is available in the little conventional store within the block; Aryan muses how the officers' lives away from homes are both strangled yet comfortable.

The other officers are moving about, enjoying their day off in whatever way possible. Shamsher is the sweet baby perched in Tanvi's lap, observing it all with not a sound or a bark. Tanvi's one hand clutches the ice cream cone her beloved bhai purchased for her and the other plays with the golden fur of her dog's crown.

"So...today was fun, hai na?" Aryan looks at Tanvi, pausing between eating his ice cream.

"Han Bhai." Tanvi answers without looking at him, smiling. "Thank you for coming here."

"Thank you kaisa? I am always happy to spend time with you. Lekin apni life aisi ki possible nahi ho raha."

"Yeah, bhai. I know. Ghar mein sab kaise hain maa papa?"

"Theek hai. Tujhe miss karte. Video call kar dena iss weekend."

"Kaam ke chakkar mein nahin ho pa raha, bhaiya. Lekin karungi. Aur mauka milane per I should visit."

"Han. You should."

"Tumhare wildlife photography adventures kaise chal rahe?"

"Ek dum jhakas. Lekin main utna jaa nahi pata. Maa papa ke paas rehna hai na. Aur papa ke textile business bhi toh sambhalni."

"Awww, you're such a sweet son and bhai." Tanvi looks at Aryan and pulls his cheek. "I hope tum khud ke liye bhi time nikal pa rahe and you're happy."

Aryan nods. "Woh main kar raha. Mera chod, apni bata. Kya hua, batayegi? I can see. Tu cheerful hai lekin kuchh toh baat hai jo tujhe pareshan kar rahi. Aur tere dost bhi toh bol rahe that you were feeling low..."

Tanvi's smile falls. She looks away from Aryan.

"Tum dekh rahe ho na, bhai. Main theek hi hoon.."

"Han! Bahar se toh khush hai lekin andar... Mujhe aisa lag raha ki tu kisi wajah se pareshan hai..."

"Bhaiya, kaam ka thoda tension hota hai naa. That's it. I am not coping well as I should."

"Hmm. It happens lekin agar kuchh baat hai to mujhe batana... Aaj nahin to jab bhi humari baat ho, tab."

"Zarur, bhaiya." Tanvi smiles at Aryan. He ruffles her hair affectionately. She inwardly feels awful for lying to him. But how does she explain what's going on? It's not right to bother her brother with her pathetic love-life-woes. Her love life is doomed, anyway. She pushes off her thoughts and switches topics.

"I am upset ki tum sirf ek din ke liye yahan ruk rahe."

Aryan chuckles and pats her head again. "Kya karein choti? Jaana padega na!"

"Next time I wish mujhe lamba holiday mile."

"I wish too... "

Aryan laughs. The brother and sister exchange smiles. Shamsher lets out a low bark as if he wants the same. Aryan brings up the topic his parents wanted him to discuss with Tanvi, knowing he was about to see her. Universal mudda. Beti ki shaadi.

Not wanting to annoy his sister with such a topic, Aryan keeps his tone light and playful.

"Achcha tu mujhe bata! Tera idhar koi hatta-katta, cheh foot, handsome officer mila kya? Teri usse shaadi karva dete hain."

Tanvi glares at him. He hastily adds, "tujhe pata hai na, maa papa ko teri shaadi karvane ki zid rehti hai... Meri aur teri bhi, haha!"

"Han toh tum karlo pehle, Bhai! Aur yeh cheh foot, handsome officer mujhe kaha se milega? Kuch bhi! Aise thodi hota hai!"

Tanvi suddenly feels bitter as a thought strikes her. Mere sath toh yeh kabhi nahi hoskta. She can tell her brother was considerate and jokingly brought up the topic. Yet it doesn't stop the familiar annoyance she feels whenever someone in her family mentions shaadi. Aryan pats her shoulder soothingly.

"Arey! Aisa kyu nahi ho sakta, behna? Tune bataya na tere woh dost Abhimanyu aur Sameera..."

Tanvi pulls a face. "Abhi aur Sameera! Well, sabke sath aisa nahin ho sakta na, bhaiya. Life is not a fairy tale for everyone. Khair I know, Abhi, Sam ne bhi apne hisse ke hardships face ki hai. Even so, they found each other. That's a miracle na? Life is never easy. But they have each other, always... Do you think everyone has the same luck?"

Aryan is taken aback by the sudden passionate speech of his sister. If he had a suspicion before that something was wrong, it is confirmed now. Whatever is troubling her sister... Is it love trouble? But Tanvi is not the type to bring such problems upon herself. She's usually the reserved girl who stays away from such messes.

Whatever it is, there is so much she is not telling him. He thinks he will find out with the time. He switches to more cheerful topics, like how Shamsher entertains everyone in the Sharma household with his crazy antics. Just a few anecdotes. Tanvi laughs and relaxes. Aryan pats her head and pets Shamsher.

"Toh tu agle holiday par ghar aana, Tanvi, hum sab milke aur masti karenge. Don't worry. Gharwale won't pester you with shaadi ki baatein. Main sambhal lunga."

"So sweet, bhai! Thank you!"

The evening ends on a lighter note before they part ways.

***

The following morning, Tanvi is alone in her apartment, missing her brother and Shamsher and everyone at home. One visit from your loved one, you think the homesickness will vanish, but it triples.

Yet she brushes off her feelings and gets ready for the day ahead. As an airforce officer, she can't slack off.

After reporting to Harjot in her office, around 8 in the morning, she finds a moment's time to approach one of the administrative higher-ups in their cabin, intending to submit her transfer appeal.

She has already typed the entire thing on her laptop last night and took a printout. Just now she signed and double checked everything. Now it is time to submit.

It is impulsive of her to arrive at this solution for the standoff between her and Samrat. But what else can she do? It is better if she puts some distance between them, and this is the only possible way. She and Samrat will find peace only if she is transferred to some far away airbase.

The authorities are not kind to those appealing for transfer. She might find herself in a more precarious situation at a more precarious air base. But she is prepared for that outcome. Squaring her shoulders, she walks into the officer's cabin after knocking thrice.

The official reads her letter after pulling it out of the envelope and gives her a look.

"Ek hi bar do transfer appeals kaise accept kar sakte hain? Iss air base mein kya ho raha hai?"

"Sir? Do transfer appeals?"

"Han! Flight Lieutenant Samrat Singh Shekhawat! Usko transfer par jana hai for personal reasons! Aur yahan tumne bhi wahi mention kiya. Kya main jaan sakta hoon yeh personal reasons hai kya? Aajkal officers ko lagta hai ki transfer appeal is a joke!"

Tanvi tenses up as the official lashes out at her in frustration but keeps her calm. She's also shocked that Samrat has already appealed!

"Sir... wohh.. Samrat ko yahan rehne dijiye! Mere causes aur pressing hai. Waise bhi this is a matter for the future. Abhi main Shakti aircraft par jee-jaan se kaam kar rahi hoon. It's only after that I plan to leave. I request you, sir. Main Samrat ko bhi samjha dungi... Please consider my appeal."

"Hmm... both of your transfer appeals are on the table. We will consider aage kya karna hai... good day, officer."

"Thank you, sir..."

The official dismisses Tanvi with a wave of his hand. Tanvi exits his cabin and walks the hallways, thinking, Samrat bhi transfer par jana chahta hai? Samrat, tumhari planning humesha mujhse aage rehti hai. Lekin iss bar, main tumhare plans kamyab hone nahi dungi. Tumhe yahan rehna hoga iss air base mein. Jahan par tumhare apne hain. Kahin aur jakar tumhe koi apne nahi milenge. Aur tum kisi ko apnaoge bhi nahin. Bhale hi main na rahun yahan... Farhan, Isha, Abhi Sameera ke saath rehke tumhen thoda toh chain milegi... I won't let you give it all up because of me... Yeh sab mere confession se horaha hai na. Main isko sahi karungi. Main yahan se tumhe jaane nahi dungi, Samrat...

That night after her shift, she meets Farhan in the cafeteria late night. These days Farhan doesn't show up in the cafeteria. She's glad that he did today, and thankful that Samrat hasn't dropped by. When she tells Farhan her decision to go on a transfer, he's incensed.

"Kya? Transfer?" He shouts, looking like he wants to say something more. But he sighs and calms himself.

She reassures him it's not confirmed yet. The official may not accept her transfer appeal. Farhan brightens temporarily. They drink their late night coffees before he offers to drive her home.

"Main tumhe drop karta hoon. Samrat nahi aane wala..."

Though Tanvi nods and follows Farhan out of the cafeteria with a smile, she feels frustrated inside. Samrat nahi aane wala. Farhan's words were a delicate knife to her heart. Reality sucks so much.

***

🩵✨TBC✨🩵

🌈💕WC: 1.5k

💭💕✍️Up next: Tanvi has a stalker - It's Samrat, and not. Samrat tries to talk to Tanvi. Later Tanvi gets into an argument with him. Once best friends, now sworn enemies? Despite the bond being there between them? Why are they fighting? ✍️📚🌈

🌈✍️💭AN: V & C Tysm for reading! more exciting things on the way! <3 I'm breaking down thing into short parts. We really will deal with Sam-Tanvi's stand off and move to their confession soon! Around chapter 25. Stay tuned!😁💓