Hello Fam :)

Here is the next one shot. I have a few favorite lines here. Do tell me yours. I am posting it on my Instagram to keep the account alive. :P

Happy Reading...

Nandini's eyes were stinging. She had been crying since morning and it was getting dark. Her phone was buzzing. Her parents were trying to reach her continuously. Her brain has stopped working since the news broke in.

Manik Malhotra and Abhimanyu Thakkar have turned rogue. They are found to be working with an unnamed terrorist organization. Even if the reason behind them turning is unknown, their colleagues and the authorities are equally dumbfounded as both of them have gained massive respect from everyone since the day they had joined the force.

The Indian Army chief talked to the media and said he was ashamed and apologized to the citizens of India for training two terrorists against their country.

When asked if there have been any shoot at sight orders on the two, the chief denied. The Army wants to track them down themselves instead of involving the police department and rectify some of their errors.

It's surprising to note that Manik Malhotra is the son of the ex-army general Raj Malhotra. Raj Malhotra himself has served the nation for more than five decades and we would like to know his opinion on his son. The media is unable to contact him due to security reasons.

Beside her, Raj Malhotra, her father-in-law, took his eyes off the television. "I am going to my room."

Nyonika, Nandini's mother-in-law, gave him a disbelieving look. "Aren't you going to talk about this?", she asked her husband.

"What's there to talk about? It's all over the news. Your son made me famous again."

"It's not a complaint by his school teacher, Raj, that we are arguing about your son or mine", she screamed. "They are calling him a terrorist."

"They will if he had chosen the path against his country", he said calmly. He turned to Nandini when she let out a sob. His expression softened for just a moment on seeing the state of his daughter-in-law. "Nandini, take your medicines and go to sleep. This news wouldn't stop your patients from getting sick."

He left the room after patting her head. There wasn't a single expression on his face and Nandini didn't expect anything from him. He had been in wars where everything till your expressions should be proper if you want to survive. On the other hand, Nyonika was pissed with the indifference as she stormed out of the living room. It was breaking them. No parent would want to hear the news of their son working for a terrorist organization. No wife wants to know that her husband's whole life was a lie. No one would want to witness their loved one turning a stranger overnight. Nandini wanted to reach out for her in-laws but she needed a grip on herself first.

She went to her room but sleep was far away. The room screamed about the presence of her husband. It has memories of their love. She glanced at the baby toys lying on the table and her hand automatically went to her stomach. A fresh wave of pain hit her and she cried into her pillow uncontrollably. She wanted to open her eyes and realize everything was a nightmare. She didn't understand how was that possible when she hadn't even tried sleeping.

XXX

Nandini didn't sleep the whole night. She was exhausted by the time she dressed up for the hospital. Her father-in-law was right. The patients wouldn't be cured all by themselves and being a doctor, she had a responsibility towards them. She went to the living room and found Raj sipping his morning coffee in his track pants. He must have returned from his morning walk. The noise of utensils battling told her where Nyonika was but her father-in-law was unfazed.

When he noticed Nandini, the white coat and her bag hanging from hand, he gave her a small smile. One which could have been missed if you haven't known him for years. "Nandini, I will walk you till your hospital."

Nandini worked in the Military General hospital which was just a 10 minutes of walk away. "Papa, I will go on my own. It's-"

"Nandini, I will walk you till your hospital", he said firmly, interrupting her.

Having no energy to protest, she simply nodded. When Raj called Nyonika to inform her about dropping Nandini, she asked Nandini to take care of at work and her health, glared at Raj and left the room muttering about stupid Army Husbands. Nandini tried not to look at her mother-in-law, who had her eyes red and puffed. Looks like Nandini wasn't the only one who didn't sleep last night.

XXX

Nandini was a renowned doctor and her colleagues admired her for her work. Even her senior doctors had always shown respect towards her. She was selfless, kind and often took up duties outside her working hours whenever someone needed a leave because she loved her job and her husband was mostly out on his duties. Therefore, when Raj dropped her in Nandini's cabin and went to meet the head of their department, one of Raj's friends, no one bothered Nandini about the news. She was grateful but not as fortunate. When the patients started coming in, they poured down all the questions and suggestions. Everyone had their own theory and Nandini felt angry when they started talking as if they own her or they know her husband but she was supposed to maintain a calm nature according to her job description. Of course, no one questioned her loyalty towards their country because people have known her for a few years.

In the afternoon, when it was the lunch break and her head started threatening to blast off, she went to the head-in-charge to take permission for leave. She thanked him when the senior doctor didn't even bother her to ask the reason. Instead, he assured her not to come to work the next day if she wasn't feeling well. Nandini doubted if it was all Raj's influence.

Reaching her home, she noticed the security guards surrounding her home. Inside, Raj was talking to a few officials, assuring them that he would inform them if Manik contacts home. Nyonika was quick enough to take Nandini inside. Sleeping on her mother-in-law's lap and as a hand caressed Nandini's hair, she let the tiredness take over her for at least a few hours.

It was after midnight when she woke up again due to a sound of rustling. She looked around but found her room was empty but there was a sticky note attached to her mobile phone asking Nandini to have her dinner after warming it up. She smiled at the familiar writing of her mother-in-law. Even if it was breaking them, Nyonika made sure no one went to bed with an empty stomach. She ignored the note and sunk back into her pillow and stared at the ceiling.

Her husband was termed as a terrorist.

The Army was looking for him.

The country thought he was a traitor.

If she was in her complete senses, she would have noticed the presence of a lingering gaze on her in the darkroom but the thoughts from the past two days were swirling inside her head. There were proofs backing the news that Manik was a traitor but her heart was screaming something else.

She knew the pride her Manik had in his eyes every time he stared at his reflection in the mirror after wearing his uniform. She knew the pure adoration on his face when Manik saluted his national flag. She knew the respect Manik had for his father and his deepest desire to make Raj proud by selflessly serving the country. She couldn't be wrong in identifying Manik all these years. As if it were an answer, a tear escaped her eyes and then there was a continuous flow breaking a dam inside her.

She felt her whole world crumbling around her and her breath hitched when there was a hand on her arm. Nandini wanted to turn around, she recognized that gentle yet firm hand but she didn't dare to turn back and realize it was her imagination. She held her breath as the bed dipped beside her and the person wound an arm around her waist, cocooning her in his embrace. She touched the hand on her stomach and entwined their fingers in a daze.

When she felt the person giving a squeeze to her fingers, she chuckled. "I am hallucinating", she whispered in the dark.

"I am here. It's real."

She felt him lifting his head as he placed a kiss on the side of her neck, just below her ear. Unlike popular belief, it tickled her to no extent and only one person knew that. She turned around only to bury her head on his shoulder and she let her tears fall freely without holding anything back. She let the frustration, the doubts, the pain to leave her system in the safe embrace of her husband. Her Manik was with her holding her tight at her weakest moments, like always, and she loved the feeling of coming home.

They stayed like that for a long time until Nandini exhausted all her tears, until Manik felt her calm down and as a result himself at rest, until they gathered enough energy to trade unasked questions and unsaid answers. Nandini broke the hug, rubbed her eyes before jumping out of the bed. She closed the doors, windows, and curtains to block out the outside world before switching on the light. She glanced at Manik carefully and took a seat in front of him.

"Manik, what's going on?", she asked.

He shrugged. "I am a terrorist, a traitor to this country."

Nandini grabbed his hand. "I don't believe them. I know you, Manik. What's going on?", she asked him again.

He took a deep breath and frowned. "You made me lose the bet to Abhimanyu, Nandini. He told me you won't believe the news."

This is her husband she knew, she loved. He had a part-time job in placing silly bets with his best friend. "And you thought I will believe all that?", she asked despite herself.

Manik shook his head, a grin forming in his place. "I said even with all the news, you would still love me."

Nandini drew him into a hug. "I got scared. There are people around the house to arrest you. No mobile at the home stopped ringing and I had to switch it off at some point. I am yet to talk to my parents, Manik. I don't know what to do."

Manik tightened his arms around her. "I can't tell you what's going on, Nandini. But just remember one thing", he broke the hug to look into her eyes, "I have never lied to you or lead you to believe I am someone that I am not. Whatever you know about me, it's me."

Nandini nodded and breathed in. Even if she didn't believe any of the news, it was reassuring to hear it from her husband.

Manik brushed his hand over her stomach. "How is our baby?"

Tears formed in her eyes looking at the soft smile on Manik's lips. Suddenly, she felt it was difficult to breathe and Manik somehow sensed it because there were hands around her in an instant, holding her and stroking her hair.

"What happened?", he asked her.

"Abortion. My uterus wasn't supporting the fetus. Papa signed the documents because you weren't reachable. A week before the news came in", she told.

Manik cursed under his breath and snorted. "What a time to not be there beside you, right? I am sorry, Nandini. I am really sorry. I should be here with you."

Nandini shook her head. "You were on duty." Nandini found herself smiling when Manik kissed her head instead of denying. Yes, this was her husband.

"I need a few months. If I return back alive, we will have all the time in the world. We will create our own family. We will create new memories", he whispered and stared at his lap, avoiding any eye contact with her. "But I don't know what will happen tomorrow. I will try my best to stay alive but I can't promise. If something happens to me, will you take care of my parents too?"

She cupped his face and forced him to look at her. "They are my parents too, Manik. Finish whatever you are assigned to do and come back to us. I will wait for you."

He dropped his head on her shoulder as she ran her fingers through his hair. He wrapped his hands around her loosely and let him have a few minutes of thoughtlessness. "I love you, Nandini. I love you so much", he whispered.

A moment later, Manik tightened his grip on her as if he was savoring every second of it. "I need you to do a few things though."

Nandini nodded.

"I shouldn't have come here today but I need my passport", he said, showing her. "If anyone asks you about my passport, tell them, I always had it with me."

Manik took out an envelope from his jacket and handed it over to Nandini. "Don't believe whatever is in the news about me but if someone from the army, a higher official, personally contacts you and conforms you that I am dead, will you give this envelope to dad? I don't want to remain as a traitor in his eyes for the rest of his life. My soul won't rest in peace."

Nandini squeezed his hand and nodded with a smile. Of course, she knew that day might come. She herself was a Military doctor and she understood the dynamics of her countrymen. She didn't have to like it if it's her husband but she pushed everything aside to reassure him. Manik just had to know that his family is proud of whatever he was up to and not to worry about them.

Manik smiled in return seeing her smile. There will always be sacrifices but when it comes down to protecting the country, every sacrifice is worth it. "Nandini, you remember Cabir, right? Cabir Dhawan?"

Nandini nodded. She had met the Dhawans couple a few times and knew Cabir was somehow a friend to Manik even if they were in different departments.

"If things are messy here, I know dad will handle everyone. He is experienced and by now a pro in it. But if the situation slips out of his hands, contact Cabir. He would know what to do or whom to pass on the message. He is there to handle every emergency. The guards are here to protect you, the Army will protect you, dad knows it. No one would raise a question against him or his family."

Nandini frowned. What was even going on behind this huge planning?

"Don't ask the plan, please. I can't lie to you, Nandini", he pleaded guiltily.

Nandini was quick to take his hand into hers. "Don't. It will be fine in the end, right?"

"I hope so, Nandu. I really hope everything works out", he told her and Nandini never heard Manik so defeated. He took a breath. "Don't utter a word about me being here to anyone. I need to leave now."

Before Nandini could say a word, he took her lips in a soulful kiss. "I love you, Nandu. Promise me, you will take care of yourself", he asked and joined their foreheads when she nodded. "I will miss you so much."

Giving a final kiss on her forehead, he jumped out of the window from the balcony and Nandini let herself fall on the bed. She took a moment to wrap her head around the information. The envelope was still in her hand, the cupboard was still open and she still felt Manik's presence even after he left the room. She assured herself that it wasn't a dream and drifted to sleep surrendering herself to the tiredness of all the past days.

XXX

When Nandini woke up the next morning, she felt refreshed.

Her husband wasn't a terrorist.

The Army is more or less with him.

He is out on a duty to protect his country.

She felt an unknown energy rushed into her as she started getting ready to go for her work. She kept the envelope safe and where it would be hidden until she would take it out before making her way into the living room. Just like the previous day, her father-in-law was sitting, waiting for her. Nandini didn't protest this time as she let him escort her to the hospital. Pushing her worries for her husband to the back of her mind, she slipped into her routine.

XXX

It has been a week since that night when Manik visited her. Nandini was in her room, reading a case file of one of her patients when there was a knock on her door. She was surprised to find Raj standing at the doorway. After gaining the attention of Nandini, he slipped into the room and pulled a chair in front of her.

"Are you busy?", he asked, looking at the file.

"No, Papa. I was just going through", she told him before closing the file in order to give him all her attention.

Raj kept playing with the paperweight without uttering any word and Nandini never saw him this nervous.

"Papa, is everything alright?", she asked cautiously.

Raj took a deep breath. "Nyonika went to a temple. She won't be returning for a few hours and I guess it's the right time to have a one-on-one talk", he said, fixing a gaze on Nandini.

She shifted under his gaze uncomfortably and nodded finding herself at a loss of words.

"I have served the Indian Army for more than five decades. I can recognize when things get fishy, Nandini", he told, still twirling the paperweight between his fingers. "Manik contacted you. I don't know in person or in a call but he did. You have changed in the past week from the day we have got that news."

It wasn't a question. One look at her and he confirmed his doubts. Nandini could see the thoughts forming in his head. She bit her lip and stared at the closed file to avoid him.

"Manik is a terrorist according to the whole nation. A wanted criminal but yet you decided to hide this information from everyone instead of informing the officials", he said.

"Papa, I am..", she started but he raised her hand to stop her from talking.

"Don't say sorry when you are not. Nandini, you serve this nation too and yet if you are taking your husband's side then I trust you. I won't ask any information that Manik has given to you, I understand it must be kept in secret but I would request you to think it out. I don't want you to cause any trouble for our country", he told.

"I won't", she said determined as she met his eyes.

He finally put the paperweight down and reached for her hand that was on the table. "You are my own daughter and I trust you. I trust your judgment. Till the time things will settle down, I will always be here for you whenever you need me."

He smiled at her, a big wide smile and Nandini swore it was the first time she saw him like that. It made him look younger and as handsome as his son. He pecked her hair, patted her head and left the room silently. Raj was always a person of minimum words but this heartfelt conversation shifted something between the two and Nandini already craved for more such moments.

XXX

It has been a month since Nandini last met Manik. Raj and Nandini came to a truce. No one talked about Manik or their conversation but Raj started spending more time with her. He always returned from his morning walk to drop her to the hospital. Sometimes she would find him after her shift on random days or during lunch break when he gives her an excuse of meeting a friend. On those days they used to eat their lunch together in the canteen of the hospital. When Nandini had her off days, Raj even took her to the NGO he was working in or on a casual grocery shopping to the nearest supermarket. Nandini grew closer to him in the past month than the years after she became a Malhotra. She treasured every minute of it.

She just returned from the kitchen after helping Nyonika with dinner when her phone buzzed and the name showed her home number. She took a deep breath and answered it.

"Nandini, how are you?", asked her mother.

They had a casual discussion for a while before Nandini's mother asked her the question she had already asked a million times before.

"You should come here, Nandini. It doesn't make sense why you are still staying at the Malhotras."

Nandini frowned. They were having the same discussion since the news came in last month and she was growing tired of it.

"I don't know why it's not making sense. They are my in-laws and I belong here now."

She heard her mother take a sigh.

"Manik isn't a patriot like he made everyone believe him. You won't be safe, Nandini. Do you want us to take everything in our hands? Your dad is already thinking about talking to the lawyer about your divorce."

"Mom, I am as safe as I can be and you can't force me to sign the divorce papers. I have some reading to do regarding tomorrow's operation. I will talk to you later."

She hung up the phone without another word and pulled her knees close to her chest. She was shaking in anger and helplessness. When Nyonika found her half an hour later brushing her tears away furiously, she took her into her warm embrace. Both the woman shared the grief for the one man who filled up their entire world. They didn't notice Raj, who came up to check on them and left them without interrupting.

A while later, Nandini composed herself. She needed to take care of the two people she started loving as her own parents. She walked out of her room and fixed two plates of dinner. She gave one to Raj, who was reading a book. When he glanced up and saw her, he kept his book aside as Nandini took a seat on a chair.

"You know", he started, "your parents aren't wrong. What if he never returns back?"

"You would still have a daughter", told Nandini.

Nandini saw a relief spread on his face and she promised herself to never let that fade away from his face.

XXX

Nandini was checking her last patient for the day. It has been three months since Manik left. There were speculations. They went simply from Manik turning out like a bad cell in a lot to someone threatening him. Some even appreciated the guts of her husband because Indian's won't change and India's government is the worst organization if you want to survive in your life. Nandini never replied to anyone but passed their opinions with a polite smile. Between home and hospital, her day fell into a routine. So, when out of her routine, Major Cabir Dhawan dropped in her cabin, she panicked. Manik explained to her under what circumstances Cabir might contact her.

Seeing her panicked state, Cabir pouted and flopped down in a chair in front of her without possessing any grace that a defence personnel was famously known for. "Nandini, this isn't fair. Manik attached my name with bad news and you pull that disappointed face as a greeting whenever you first look at me. I can't live with that yaar, Nandu."

"I wonder what you did to piss off Manik that he attached your jovial self to the carrier of bad news", she replied.

Cabir looked grave. "I think this has something to do with that time when once I refused to give him the pencil for the multiple-choice questions test we had during training. Or maybe when I overtook Manik during the race."

Nandini snorted. "Manik is the best racer in his batch."

Cabir gaped at her. "Is he doing all this for that stupid pencil? Or wait. Did he tell you about that time when we were late because I was eating? The chief had made us run for nearly four hours around the grounds after which I was hungry again."

"Cabir, you have put Manik and Abhimanyu in trouble enough number of times since the day you met them. Think which one pissed them off the most."

As Cabir started a rant, Nandini sighed and started wrapping her things, letting his voice drown in the background. It was already time for her to leave. If Cabir is being his usual drama queen self, things were still fine. Sometimes, she wondered how he even survives in the Army with all his drama. Even if Manik asked her to trust Cabir if things go wrong and even if he didn't need to, Cabir randomly drops in during one of his off days to check on her. Instead of asking questions of her well being or how she was coping up like others, he pulled into light banters and baseless arguments.

Both of them were pulled back by a knock on the door and a moment later her father-in-law walked inside the cabin. Being once the General, Raj always got respect in the form of salutes and polite nods from everyone wherever he went but Cabir was a person who would go into the lion's den, make a joke of him and manages to come out of it alive. He would probably even steal some food from the lion. Hence, when Raj entered, Cabir grinned like a kid on a Christmas, wiped his hand on his pants to rub off the invisible dust and grabbed the hand of the ex-General of the Indian Army.

"Long time no see, general", he said, shaking their hands excitedly.

Raj freed his arm and looked warily at the man in front of him. "Did they stop teaching you guys to give proper salutes during training?"

When Cabir winked with both his eyes, Raj pinched the bridge of his nose and turned to Nandini. "You know, my son at least acts as if he is serious in front of me."

Nandini bit back a chuckle when Cabir went into a long explanation of how it's disrespectful to act and fake his personality. Cabir was a fresh change in their lives. He even managed to bring a smile on Nyonika's face and he was on his way to winning Raj's affection too. Navya, his wife, also visited the Malhotra's but as she was an Air hostess herself, she hardly stayed at home. Whenever she did, Cabir uses every opportunity to spend with his wife like an obedient husband.

Thinking about them made Nandini think about her own relationship with Manik. They both met during a camp and became friends until his charming self had won over her heart. After they were sure, they married each other with their parents blessings. It was all the fairy tale love story without any real threat to them. The situation that Manik put himself and in turn Nandini, it felt like the universe was compensating for all the happy times because every love story had a few hurdles and the two people were expected to cross them. She couldn't help but feel the constant ache in her heart whenever she thought of her husband. She really wished he was safe and wasn't in any kind of trouble or hurt.

XXX

Manik Malhotra was a lot of things. He was the perfect boy in the whole world for Nyonika. Even if Raj doesn't believe half of the times he pulls up his innocent face, he still loved the boy. He was a passionate lover, a doting husband, the bestest friend anyone could have. He was the favorite cadet of his seniors and an inspiration and role model to his juniors. But if one asks his closest friends, the one that shared a common battlefield with him where they had death dancing upon their heads, they would only call him crazy. Combine it with his childhood best friend Abhimanyu, who went on to become his colleague later, the insanity only reached a whole new height.

"I am bored", pouted Manik. "At least I expected a bit of action."

Abhimanyu snorted. "A bit? You expected a full-fledged war but seriously it's quieter than what's considered to be normal."

Manik grinned and the mischievous glint in his eyes made Abhimanyu chuckle.

"I hope you aren't planning chaos?", he asked.

"Don't keep your hopes high, Mr. Thakkar. It always dies after falling off from that height", winked Manik as he started getting ready for the day.

Abhimanyu just shook his head and left the room for finding something to eat. Knowing his best friend as he did, he might need energy for the day.

~~~

"There is a spy among us", announced KK, the right-hand man of the chief of the militant group Abhimanyu was staying in.

Fearing in about them, Abhimanyu peeked a glance at Manik but as soon as he did, he was thrust upon the nearby wall. The cold wall pressed on his back making him frown in confusion as he looked at his best friend in front of him.

Manik was fuming and had fisted Abhi's shirt. "Thakkar, tell me, why did you look at me?"

"I didn't know to look at you is a crime now, Malhotra", he sneered.

"It isn't. I am gorgeous and everyone knows this. I wouldn't blame someone if they lose their heart to me but it definitely is a crime when there is a mention of a spy. Tell me, are you suspecting me?", asked Manik.

Abhimanyu felt Manik pinching him lightly where his other hand was wrapped around Abhi's wrist. Abhimanyu wanted to roll his eyes and cuff his head upside down. Because only Manik Malhotra could come up with weird codes. Pinch once - go along the situation. Pinch twice - fight me. And if you can't make skin contact, do the same with winking with one eye or two.

"Just because I glance at you once, doesn't mean you will go all hulk on me."

"Take that back", spoke Manik, gritting his teeth, "I am not the hulk, I am the Iron Man. I am Tony Stark."

Abhimanyu actually rolled his eyes. "Dude, that's an expression."

Manik was about to retort when a guy in the camp laughed out loud.

"Thakkar is right actually", said the guy, who was now busy cleaning his rifle. "I don't trust this Malhotra guy. His father 'served' the nation. He is a through and through Army person since his birth. I don't think we should include him in the plan."

Manik narrowed his eyes at him. "Do you really think if you keep spilling dirt on me, I will keep on justifying myself to every other idiot out there?"

The guy ignored the fact that Manik called him an idiot as he mentioned every detail about why they shouldn't trust Manik Malhotra. "His father is still the most respected person in their Army. His wife still works in the Army hospital. They all live in the Army quarters. And he wants us to trust him."

Manik crossed his arms, freeing Abhimanyu as he took a step aside but kept a close distance with his best friend. "Just because that country knows now that I am a traitor, doesn't mean those people, who have been calling themselves as my family, will drop everything in and join me."

"That's why let's kill your family. Each and everyone and we promise to trust you", he said. "I will give you an offer too. Spare your wife and bring her to us. She is hot. We can't waste her beau...Ah"

He dropped down shrieking in pain as a bullet passed into his knee. Abhimanyu gaped at Manik but he was standing there without a trace of expression and the fumes coming out of his gun were telling a whole different story. Suddenly, they were surrounded by the group and KK had Manik at the trigger point but neither did his best friend flinch nor did he take his eyes off the shrieking person on the floor as the guy yelled at everyone to kill the Indian-Army-soldiers-turned-terrorists.

"Give me one reason for this act of yours or do you want me to pull the trigger?", asked KK.

Manik didn't bat an eye. Instead, he resumed the conversation with the guy as if the bullet from his gun didn't puncture his knee. "You want to divert everyone's attention to me so that you can hide your 'Indian' girlfriend safely in 'India'. Am I right?", said Manik before turning towards KK. "Bhai, he is the spy. His mobile's IP address is connected to his girlfriend and she is leaking our plans to the Indian government. Thakkar, check it."

It took a moment for Abhimanyu to come out of his stupor. When he got a nod from KK, he crouched in front of the person and ignored the confusion on his face. He mustn't have any idea about what's going on. Abhimanyu tapped a few times on the smartphone and gave a nod to KK who swore for a good minute.

"Thakkar, handle this shit personally. I don't want to see his face again", told KK and left the room. Someone had tied the ropes on the man and another had put a tape on it as they handed him over to Abhimanyu.

By now, Abhimanyu knew the rules. There is an abandoned dump yard where no one dares to come. Traitors, captives are taken there and were killed. Since hardly anyone comes there except their group and not until the next task, they didn't need to hide any evidence.

Reaching the yard, he didn't dare to look at Manik, who volunteered to come along with Abhimanyu because if he looked at him again, he wanted to either punch his face or hug the life out of him and he chose not to do either in front of an enemy. He let Manik take the lead as he tried to wrap around the situation.

Manik removed the tape and grinned at the man. They didn't even remember his name because since they planned to kill everyone, Manik didn't want to waste his memory by fitting his brain with to-be dead people. "You were correct. We are through and through Indians. I really admire you about your sixth-sense."

The guy laughed in triumph, even through the pain but it was pure evil, one which gave an idea of how many lives were ended to get the laugh on his face.

Abhimanyu felt a shiver through his spine thinking about someone actually enjoying the killing. Yes, he was in the Army and this should have been normal but doesn't mean he has to enjoy it.

"I knew you are the traitor. You have too much of India in your blood", he spat.

"India is the only thing I have in my blood", replied Manik. He loaded his gun and pointed it towards the man. "You could have lived a few more days but you exhausted your quota of living from the minute you have commented on my family. Never ever disrespect my country or my family. I really wish you could have seen the way I destroy the group you consider your family and the violence you are so fond of. Anyways, have a happy journey ahead."

There was a moment's silence as Manik pulled the trigger and a heartbeat later, the heart stopped beating. There was a bird chirping in the background and Manik was getting punched.

"Dude, I didn't know that was my reward. I would have let you kill him if that's the case. Next time, pakka, I promise", blabbered Manik.

Abhimanyu pulled him into one of their tightest hugs. "He had you at his gunpoint. What would I have done if something happens to you, Manik? What will I tell Nandini? What will I tell your parents?"

"That her husband died fighting for his country. That their son isn't a traitor", replied Manik, calmly but the way his hands tightened around Abhimanyu, the latter was grateful.

"They probably know it already", muttered Abhimanyu.

They stood there in the middle of a stranger country and their countryman as the only familiar person. Abhimanyu broke the hug once he felt assured of his best friend's presence. "I was so scared. How did they know about the spy?"

"It might be a blind shot. Or there might be a spy in the Army. We can never be too careful. We will contact the chief to look into this matter. Can you tamper our IP addresses?", asked Manik. When Abhimanyu gave a nod, he grinned. "They shouldn't mess with a person who has a software background."

Abhimanyu shook his head. "They actually messed with you. They kind of trust me now."

"Just because my dad was in the Army. It's not fair", sulked Manik.

"Maybe for the little fact that you fell in love with an Army doctor", teased Abhimanyu.

"My beautiful wife Nandini", squealed Manik.

Abhimanyu chuckled at his best friend. He was about to open the door of their car but Manik stopped him. There was a sudden change in his mood and Abhimanyu raised an eyebrow. "Let's stay here for a while? I miss you."

Abhimanyu nodded. They sat there on the bonnet of the car and watched the setting of the sun. It doesn't matter if you are in a sophisticated restaurant, having the most exotic food or in the battlefield, trying to save your country from infiltration of enemies, if you have your best friend by your side, every dangerous threat feels like a school fight and every hurdle on the battlefield feels like a video game because, in every action of yours, there is a friend who would either fight along with you or protect you from getting killed.

Abhimanyu had a smile thinking about that one friend of his, Manik Malhotra. He didn't understand how lucky he got in life to find a friend like Manik. He was brought back out of his thoughts when Manik rested his head on his shoulder. He ruffled his best friend's hair. "What happened? What's bothering you?"

Manik hesitated only for a second because Abhimanyu is his best friend and one doesn't need a filter in front of one's best friend. "If something happens to me, like what happened today, and if you come out of it alive, will you try to either take my body or my ashes to India? My soul wouldn't rest in peace in this foreign land."

Abhimanyu wrapped Manik in a hug. With them sitting side by side and with Manik's head on his shoulder, it was awkward but they have passed a stage where they care about it. They knew each other like the back of their hands, including their flaws and awkwardnesses was as familiar as their love was. "They will have to cross me to touch you and I wouldn't let them until I am left with my last breath", promised Abhimanyu.

He dropped a kiss on Manik's hair. It's what Manik's mom used to do whenever Manik was sick. He ruffled his hair. It's what Nandini used to do whenever Manik fakes being upset. Abhimanyu couldn't bring his most loved people but at least he could make him feel a bit better with the familiar gestures. He was rewarded when his best friend's whole face lit up instantly.

Manik grinned up looking at Abhimanyu. "You know, I love you so much", he declared.

"What about Nandini?", teased Abhimanyu.

Manik winked at him. "Nandini is my entire life. But you, my love, are the love of my life", he said dramatically.

As they laughed out loud, Abhimanyu thought about them and the bond they have shared over the years. They started their friendship by helping each other with their homework, they grew up helping each other dealing with crushes and falling in and out of relationships and now they are helping each other in staying alive as they fought together to protect their country. It was difficult at times but Abhimanyu wouldn't trade him for anything.

~~~

"Pulwama attack was a sample. We need to destroy the whole country and then we can be a step further towards our goal. Unifying the world should only be the sacred motive behind every breath you take. Just like there can only be one God, one winner, there should only be one leader to restore the peace. Teach our principles to everyone in your camp. Make them capable of killing people for our motive or sacrificing their lives for it. Tell me about the progress during the next meeting. Schedule and Venue will be intimidated later. Everyone disperse. KK meet me in the office."

*shuffling noise*

"What's the report on those two Army men?"

"Bhai, they have some internal issues. They are always quarreling. Thakkar is manageable. But Malhotra can be a huge headache. He needs drama and is always over the top."

"Do you want to finish him?"

"No. We can't. He is a superior officer in the Army. He has some tricks under his sleeve that even the Thakkar doesn't. He has a unique way of dealing with backstabbers too. Remember, Javed?"

"So, he is just a smart spoilt brat?"

"Mostly. Having a father in the Army is a huge advantage for him. Thakkar said, he topped in all his exams, written and physical during the training. Topper in their batch."

"Great. I never thought that country keeps brats in the Army too. Anyways, keep an eye on them. Be extra careful around Malhotra."

"Yes, bhai. What about the republic day blast?"

"Sush. Don't speak loudly. Use code words. Between Ball and Mango, we are choosing Mango. More advantage. Cat and Dog will go according to the initial plan. Let's decide between Apple and hat. Is the plan with you?"

"It's safe on my desktop."

"Good. We will meet later."

~~~

"I asked you to clean your room, Thakkar. If you keep on going as your untidy self, I would refuse to share a room with you", screamed Manik.

As KK was out to meet the boss, everyone took the opportunity to just chill by the pool. Abhimanyu joined them voluntarily because of various advantages. One, he can keep an ear out for the possible news about any future plans. Two, it would give Manik some time on whatever he wanted to do while pretending to be a grumpy ex-army officer. Three, Abhimanyu wanted some rest. Even if they are trained to work for days together without sleep, acting as if you hate every air molecule of your country when every cell in your body just wants to defend it is more tiring. Suddenly, he found massive respect for all the actors in the world.

"Don't you two always quarrel like a married couple?", joked someone.

"Who knows, they are secretly in a relationship and the marriage of Malhotra is a fake one to hide his real sexuality", commented Rakesh, the guy beside him.

His friend kicked his leg and warned him to shut up. After Javed's episode, everyone was afraid of Manik and his anger, not realizing that his best friend has plans laid out to kill everyone even if they stay mute for their whole life. To stop the situation from turning into an argumentative mess, Abhimanyu stood up from where he kept his legs in the water.

"Malhotra, the last time I remember, I don't have an OCD for cleanliness like you", he retorted, faking an irritation.

He followed Manik to their room. None of the two bothered to justify the raised eyebrows or surprised looks the others were giving them. They wouldn't know the code language they invented. They wouldn't understand the bond they share. The people who have an unfulfilled thirst for power and creating terror, what would they understand about the blanket of comfort that love and friendship could provide you. It is a strength that lets you breathe the fresh air amidst the stale atmosphere of war, preventing the numerous attempts of external forces to penetrate through the safety cocoon around you.

As soon as Manik locked the room from inside, Abhimanyu fell on his bed with a thud and closed his eyes, waiting for Manik to drop the big news after his secret mission inside the room because cleaning of the room was an excuse. They were defence personnel. They have been trained to keep their rooms clean even though it's a bit more in Manik's case, as his training started from his childhood.

Abhimanyu smiled when instead of dropping the bomb, he felt his best friend's hand in his hair. They stayed like that for a few minutes, relishing the quiet moments and the false-peace that their room provided.

"Do you want to go back?", asked Manik.

"Never. Can't put my country at stake because of a few idiots who think they are better than the others", replied Abhimanyu. He sat up and leaned on Manik's side, letting his head rest on his shoulder.

"I have slipped a device in honorable KK's jeans pocket before he left for the meeting and recorded his conversations with his boss, the I-am-secret-king", grinned Manik.

Abhimanyu looked at him awestruck. "I don't know how did you manage this but yes, dude, yes."

They spent the next half an hour listening to a bunch of idiots discussing their plans to reign over their country.

Manik cackled. "Did you listen how dramatic they are?"

"You have really pissed them off, Manik", chuckled Abhimanyu. His best friend's smile was proud and threatened to split his face in half. He shook his head. "So, they are planning a blast on the 26th of January. What about these codes?"

"The codes are really stupid. Even the five-year-old kid in India will decode this. Look, Bag, Mango, Cat, and Dog are metros. So, Bangalore is safe. Mumbai, Chennai, and Delhi needs to be put on alert. Apple is Ahmedabad and hat is Hyderabad. These two are in danger. My bet would be Hyderabad if they are covering all directions of the country. Because Ahmedabad isn't too far from Mumbai", explained Manik.

"How are you that sure?"

"Because they are targeting most populous cities and Hyderabad is known for its mixed culture. Infiltration wouldn't be an issue in Hyderabad."

Abhimanyu sighed. "I can't wait to finish this and go home. Just because a few idiots, the whole country is suffering. In fact, the whole world is suffering. I badly need a break. I hate hating you."

"Do you want to think about what they commented about us?", suggested Manik.

Trust Manik Malhotra to come up with an absurd joke in the middle of a serious discussion. But Abhimanyu had years of experience to deal with his best friend and looked at him with his best possible serious face. "If it wasn't for the fact that I would be betraying Nandini, I would have proposed you years back."

All the mischievous glint left Manik's eyes as soon as Abhimanyu uttered the words and a soft smile played on his face. "My Nandini."

Abhimanyu could only punch him to bring him out of his Nandini-land. "What's the plan?"

He rubbed his hands in excitement. "Time to hone your hacking skills, my love."

XXX

It has been six months since they last saw Manik. There wasn't any news about him or any progress on the announced search mission by the Army. Slowly people started forgetting about the two 'traitors'. Even the security personnel stopped surrounding their houses but Nandini still spotted one or two. Casual rounds, they said but Nandini knew better.

She knew Manik was fine, all thanks to Cabir but often when she found Nyonika crying over a photo of her son, guilt clenched her heart on hiding such an important news from her. It was all for the country and if Manik trusted her with a secret when he was fighting for his country, she would take it to her grave. To distract herself on those days, she worked overtime in the hospital. Raj neither questioned her about Manik again nor did she find any hint of sadness in his eyes. She didn't know if it's the result of years of training in the army or he trusts his son. If he is opening more and more as the days were passing, Nandini knew how to find a ray of sunshine during a storm.

She took a day off because Cabir texted her. It was strange when he usually barges in wherever she was but today, he specifically asked her to stay at home and that he had wanted to meet everyone together. Nandini couldn't squash the feeling of something huge coming on their way. She just wasn't sure if it was good or bad. To help herself with her nerves, she walked to the kitchen to gulp down some water. She wasn't too surprised when Raj followed her to the kitchen.

"Is everything alright, Nandini?", he asked.

Her shoulders sagged in an instant listening to him. "No", she told him truthfully and in an instant, she was wrapped in a bear hug. It was good to forget the world and feel like a little girl in his fatherly embrace. She closed her eyes and hid her face. She smiled when she felt him kissing the top of her head. It reminded her of her father. He was her father in more ways than one now that her parents had cut ties from her after her repeated refusal to listen to them.

Nandini was brought back to reality when the doorbell rang.

"I will check the door", said Raj.

"It must be Cabir. Let me check it, please?", asked Nandini. If she can postpone any unpleasant news from two of the few people she loved the most, she would just do that.

Raj patted her head and left to the living room. Nandini took a deep breath when the doorbell rang again. Heart thumping loudly, she went to the hall. She was aware of her hands shaking and the energy-draining from her legs as her footsteps fell on the floor hesitantly. She prayed for Cabir with a goofy grin. She even wanted all the hype to be because Navya was back in India and wanted to meet them. She wished for even the news of Navya being pregnant or Cabir being promoted. Anything but the news she was dreading will be a blessing in the mess they were in. What she didn't expect even in her wildest dreams was to find her husband Manik Malhotra standing in front of the door with a sling wrapped around his injured arm and a tired smile playing on his lips.

"Nandini", he whispered.

That was all she needed to realize it wasn't a dream. She let his voice wash over her like an oasis in the desert. She didn't question about his injury, didn't care about her in-laws sitting just in the living room or the presence of two other people she was yet to notice, didn't bother about the tears that were streaming down their faces as she kissed him as if her life was depended on it. Maybe it did as she felt a piece of her returning back when she felt an arm around her waist, holding her steady. She clung to him desperately to listen to his heartbeat. She touched the pulse on the side of his neck to feel the blood flowing through them. She was a doctor and knew a hundred ways to tell if someone was alive. She wanted to use every single thing to assure her raging nerves that a major chunk of her heart has returned to her.

Someone coughed. They cleared their throat. She didn't budge but when the arm around her tightened, she felt the happiness building in her heart as the reality of the situation finally started to settle inside her head. "Cabir, shut up or I will kill you." She heard Manik. She felt him pulling Abhimanyu into the hug and later when Cabir joined it making a gigantic group hug. She felt Abhimanyu's hand brushing her hair, felt Cabir squeezing her hand in assurance. She was finally home.

When they broke the hug, Nandini realized they were alone. Abhimanyu and Cabir were giving them a moment's privacy without actually going in. Suddenly, she was at a loss for words as she stared at her feet, awkwardly tucking her hair behind her ear.

Manik lifted her chin and forced her to look at him. "I came back, Nandini. I wasn't sure if I will ever see you again but I am here now. We have all the time in the world. But first, I want to meet mom and dad."

Nandini nodded. He kissed her head and entwined their fingers as he allowed her to lead him in.

Standing in their living room in front of her in-laws, holding Manik's hand, Nandini was hit with a deja-vu feeling. She felt like the young girl who took her boyfriend to meet her parents and was nervous for their approval. She has been lying to them. She felt Manik panicking beside him. He was a terrorist in their eyes. She squeezed his hand in assurance. When Manik wasn't making any move to explain his sudden disappearance she took it upon herself to explain.

She didn't have to open her mouth because Nyonika was the first one to overcome her shock as she launched punches at her son. "What did you think before pulling this stunt on us? Disappearing as if we are dead? You were all over the news, there were rumors and yet we didn't know if our son is safe or not", she blabbered and Manik took every hit without any protest until Nyonika hugged him tightly.

There was no question to justify the news, noticed Nandini. Maybe it's a mother's love. She wondered how would Raj handle having his son back.

When Nyonika calmed down enough, Manik broke the hug and held his ears, working his Manik charm over his mother, making her laugh through her tears. She then went on to hug Abhimanyu. He was an honorary Malhotra.

"Dad", whispered Manik, hesitation clear in his voice. Some people can't be won over using artificial charms. Raj was one of them but he surprised everyone when he hugged Manik in a rare display of emotion. Manik raised an eyebrow at Nandini looking from over his father's shoulders. When she blinked her eyes, amused, he wrapped his arms around his father.

XXX

Half an hour later, Manik, Abhimanyu, Raj, and Nandini were sitting in the balcony of Manik's room as Cabir was goofing around with Nyonika, to distract her from the emotional reunion they had as she prepared the food for them.

Manik broke the silence in the room. "I never thought you would believe me without an explanation, dad."

Raj raised an eyebrow. "I am old and out of the Army but I am not stupid, Manik. I have my reasons." When all of them looked eagerly at Raj, he sighed. "I have seen how the news had affected Nandini. Of course, we all trust you but it was difficult to digest and then Nandini was normal, all of a sudden. I knew you have contacted her and I was angry because she was hiding a piece of information that might harm the whole nation. She was as much an Indian as any of us. I should have known that too. Everything fell in place after that. The guards around the house, the questions they asked as if it was some formality. They were stationed more to protect us from the people than to protect the country from you. If a person in Army aligns with the enemies, there will be shoot at sight orders on them. The army doesn't 'rectify' mistakes by searching them personally. They want them dead. That's it. As I said, your plan was good but not good enough to fool the veterans of the force who knew all the internal working."

They all chuckled when Raj gave a smug look to his son.

"Did you wait for me to leave to let out your emotions?", Manik teased his dad.

Raj glanced at Nandini. "Daughters are a blessing, Manik."

Abhimanyu chuckled as Manik gave fond smiles to both his wife and father. "Trust me, Nandini. You have the Malhotra men wrapped around your little finger."

"You are an honorary Malhotra too, Abhimanyu", teased Nandini.

He bent down in an elegant bow. "At your service, Mademoiselle."

"What happened exactly?", asked Raj.

Manik explained to them about the camp, about their secret mission to stay among the terrorist organization. He told them about their motives, to rule the world, to destroy India as a whole. "When they finally trusted Abhimanyu enough, I pissed them off even more. They asked Abhimanyu to watch over me while they went for some mission because we had a huge argument in front of them. They thought we can't stand each other's presence. They didn't know we were just pretending."

"How can someone be that stupid?", mused Nandini aloud. "Looking at you two, anyone would know you both would do anything for each other."

"They thought because Manik's dad was an Army officer, Manik hated me that I dragged him into the situation. To betray our country. We had to pretend we had some unresolved mutual animosity between us", explained Abimanyu.

Raj rolled his eyes. "What happened after their plan of Republic day blasts?"

Nandini found her eyes wandering over their injuries, to Manik's sling and Abhimanyu's cuts on his face. Feeling her gaze on them, both Manik and Abhimanyu flashed a grin in her direction.

"After they left me under Abhimanyu's watch, we hacked their systems and sent the information to the chief. The Army was already stationed near the boundaries for our help and they arrived within half an hour. We handled their little camp and returned back home", said Manik but his grin was a tad bit too maniac for their comfort and both Raj and Nandini winced at the same time while Abhimanyu threw a pillow in his direction.

"It sounds unbelievably easy than to be considered when you are there in the picture, Manik", muttered Raj.

Nandini chuckled and Manik glared at his wife before turning to Raj. "You don't believe me? After everything I went through for my country and when I return home, my own father doesn't believe me."

"You just fuel my doubts, Manik", teased Raj.

"I just used their principles, dad", he said. Raj raised an eyebrow in question, "There should be only one leader to restore the peace and when it comes down to choosing between a bunch of people who have creating terror and slaving people to feed their tender egos as their ultimate goals and men, who wouldn't think twice to protect their country and their citizens, the Army always wins."

Nandini never saw Manik this serious. She only knew the goofy version of her husband even if she heard a million stories about the ruthless soldier. She fell a bit more than she already did. She saw Raj standing up from his chair as he wrapped his hands around Abhimanyu first.

"I am proud of you. Both of you", he told looking at both of them. "Did your parents know about this, Abhimanyu?"

Abhimanyu shook his head. "Sometimes I am really grateful they don't have access to modern technology like everyone else."

Abhimanyu came from a small village. He completed his primary schooling there before his uncle got him admitted to the Army public school, where he met Manik and the Malhotras became his family. The people from their village were more inclined towards agriculture and even if children went out of the village for better opportunities, writing a letter was the only mode of communication. They were adamant about protecting their culture instead of letting modern technology boss over them.

"Oi, you have your train in an hour", called Manik.

"Won't it be a problem if people recognize you?", asked Nandini, concern clear in her voice.

Abhimanyu pulled her into a hug. "No, love. It isn't difficult for a defence person to hide his identity when he wants to. Anyways, they would clarify our actions by evening in the news, so we would be free."

Manik punched his arm. "I thought I was your love."

Abhimanyu smirked breaking their hug. "About that, Nandini, your husband might not be free as of yet. He has some actions of his to justify with the Army."

Manik's eyes widened in shock. "You aren't supposed to tell that. It was supposed to be a secret."

"Manik, what did you do now", asked Raj tiredly. By this time he was already habituated to Manik and the weird way his mind works.

Manik grinned apologetically. "I might have used their bombs to destroy their camp."

Abhimanyu snorted. "Destroying their camp is an understatement. He was having a field day celebrating Diwali with their weapons and then using them to kill them."

"What? I wanted to show them how good they were in training us in those short six months", said Manik pouting.

Abhimanyu rolled his eyes. "I can argue all my life but you would still come up with something that would throw me off guard. Right now, I want nothing but to meet my parents. So, I am taking a leave. I am dragging Cabir along before he successfully ruins the little sanity Aunty has after this idiot here." He pointed at Manik and ran from the room dodging the pillow launched in his direction by a livid Manik.

When Manik huffed and sat on the bed, Raj chuckled at him. "Who knew these two went on a secret mission to save the country?", he said looking at Nandini.

"It's unfair, dad. He made long love confessions while we were there and now he is calling me an idiot", complained Manik.

Nandini, I promise, I didn't. I would never betray you.

Nandini chuckled when she heard Abhimanyu's voice from the kitchen. Raj stood up from his chair and walked till he was standing in front of Manik. He dropped a kiss on his head. Manik looked up in surprise as his eyes shone with unshed tears. This didn't happen since he was a kid.

"Dad", he whispered and dare anyone say, he looked like the little boy again.

"I am so proud of you, Manik", Raj's voice was a mere whisper and Nandini only heard it because she was closer to them. "I know how you work. I was always proud of the person you have become even if I haven't ever told you. I never understood how hard it is for you to wait at home along with Nyonika when I went on my own missions or I was patrolling at the borders. I understood now and I was grateful I could. I know the country should be your number one priority but never lose what you have. I got lucky with the second chance. Who knows, if life will give you another one or not", he said, gesturing towards Nandini.

Nandini felt overwhelmed. Raj was sharing a piece of him. He was choosing to be vulnerable in front of his son and a girl whom he loved as a daughter after they bonded over their mutual worry and pain for the man they love. He was shedding the stoic layer the Army had trained him for years as he took the two pieces of his heart in his protective embrace.

"I love you, son", he said and left the room after giving a brief hug to Nandini.

XXX

It was night and finally, the young Malhotra couple found themselves alone in their room. Manik was laying on the bed and Nandini was curled up at his side. She was playing with his shirt's button and he had his hand running through her hair.

"I am sorry, Nandini", he whispered in the dark.

She raised her head, balancing herself with the help of her elbow, to look at her husband. "Sorry?"

"Cabir told me about your parents. I have dragged you into this. I haven't been there beside you when we lost our baby and now your parents had cut ties with you because of me", he explained.

Nandini didn't like the defeat in his voice. She cupped his cheek and forced him to look at her. "Manik Malhotra, you didn't drag me into this. I have chosen this because I love you. And you weren't partying there. You were protecting our country."

"I know but-"

He cut off his speech in midway on noticing the stern glare his wife was giving him. Instead, he pulled her into him and buried his nose in her hair. "Shall we go tomorrow and meet your parents? I will explain and apologize for all the chaos."

She wriggled from his hold and sat leaning on the headrest. "Manik, you haven't done anything wrong that you need to apologize to them. They should have trusted my decision a bit more instead of forcing me into leaving you. Let the actual news circulate and let them come back to their senses."

"They were just worried about you, Nandini", protested Manik.

"Yeah, but all I was asking was a bit more trust. I am not a kid, who have fallen for your charm and got betrayed after you ran away uninformed. We have known each other for years. They knew you for years. We have been married for more than 3 years now. They should know about you. They should believe their daughter instead of the rumors."

"But they are your parents. We have responsibilities towards them."

"I know. Hence, I am waiting for them to come around. They will. Okay, let's give them a week's time. If they aren't giving as much as a call, we will go there together", she said. "Till then I have mom and dad as my parents right?"

A smile appeared on Manik's face. "What happened to dad?"

"It's not easy to be nonchalant when the whole nation screamed their son as a terrorist. He kept us close. Between protecting me from the gossip of the public in hospitals and taking me out to distract me from all the people at the hospital, we started spending a lot of time. My parents might have distanced themselves from me but mom and dad haven't left my side since that day. He suspected something but he never brought it up again after that one time on the first day", she explained.

"Why do you think I could concentrate peacefully on my mission there?", said Manik, a soft smile playing on his lips. "I knew he would protect you until I could return. He is my hero, Nandini and I made him proud. I never thought he would say all those things to me. Thank you for making it possible." He took her palm and kissed it before hugging it close to his heart.

Nandini ruffled his hair with her other hand. "He was already proud of you, Manik."

She didn't know what else to say so she kept on ruffling his hair and let him rest his head on her lap until he fell asleep.

XXX

It was a month since Manik returned back. Everything was slowly coming back to normalcy. On the second day, the news of the secret mission was released by the Army and everyone was informed that Manik and Abhimanyu weren't the traitors but were undercover to bust the terrorist camp that was planning to destroy their country. Within the week, the news was already viral and Nandini's parents visited her with all their apologies. While Manik and Nyonika accepted it in a heartbeat and Nandini glared at them for a whole 5 minutes before caving in, it was Raj's reaction that surprised everyone the most. He was livid of them for not believing their daughter and emotionally blackmailing her to cut off the ties because everyone knew they wouldn't. He even threatened them to ban any further contact with Nandini if at all they hurt 'his daughter' again. When Nandini put an extra sweet on Raj's plate during dinner, to show her gratitude and love to him, Manik whined about inequality and unfairness. Raj and Nandini ignored him.

Right now, she had a smile looking at the kids playing cricket on the street under the afternoon sun when a pair of arms encircled around her. She felt her husband kissing the spot at the side of her neck. She burst out laughing and turned in his arms to face him. "You know that tickles me."

"I love the sound of your laugh", he confessed sheepishly and she fell in love with him all over again.

I felt parts of it were clumsy especially towards the end. It took longer than expected as I had to take so many breaks but I am happy I could complete. I really loved writing this.

Do share your opinions on it.

If you want to read anything, drop in the idea. I will try to write it. But I am not promising anything because I am really busy.