Hello Fam :)

The second part. If anyone has missed the previous one, please read that first. 

Happy Reading...

Manik was in the meeting room along with his Chief, Lieutenant Colonel, and Cabir.

"Report on your covert mission?", asked the Chief.

"Positive, sir. Our information was right. They have the exact coordinates in the messages. This might be put as a warning and they have selected one of the least crowded places. Lesser known. We have handed over the information to the Army base in Mumbai", told Manik.

"Didn't that girl protest to give it to the Air force?", asked the Lieutenant.

"Sir, Mumbai is a Navy base but I don't know if this case comes under the Navy. I had a friend in the Army and I handed it over to him. How does it matter if it's the Army or Air force? All we want is the terrorist to be inside", he told. That's unexpected. That girl? Manik thought everyone respected Nandini after her little feat two days back. What did she even do to him?

To answer his question, Nandini walked into the room and greeted them.

"Officer Murthy, what's the purpose of this meeting?", asked the Chief.

Beside him, Cabir raised an eyebrow at Manik. Manik shrugged. He didn't know Nandini would call a meeting and his superior would agree to it.

She connected her Pendrive to the projector. "This is the base of the group which is planning for multiple explosions on the 26th."

"How do you know this?", asked the Lieutenant.

"That's beside the point", she told. "What this meeting is all about is, instead of waiting for them to attack on the 26th, we take care of them now, surprise and unprepared. We have the coordinates."

"When?", asked the Chief.

"Tonight."

Manik was quite surprised at how easily the Chief agreed to Nandini's plan. It was dangerous but waiting would only put the whole country at stake.

"Are you mad?" asked the Lieutenant to Nandino. "To attack the enemies, we should have permission from the government, a solid plan, and equipment. You can't just wake up one day and go attacking them like it's a morning routine."

"Sir, with due respect, eradicating terrorism should be our morning routine", told Nandini.

"And you are capable enough to do that?", he asked.

Nandini leaned forward, putting her hands on the table, as she glared at the Lieutenant Colonel. "Give me my jet and fifteen minutes, I will show you my capabilities after erasing your whole camp."

Surprisingly, the Chief remained quiet throughout their whole conversation.

Beside him, Cabir let out a whistle earning a glare from the Chief and the attention of Nandini.

She raised an eyebrow. "I am not a dog to respond to your whistle, Mr. Dhawan."

"Your plan", he squeaked. "It's for your plan. I am sorry?"

Nandini smirked. "It's fine. So, what do you say?"

"What is your plan, Ms. Murthy?", asked the Chief.

"Attack at 2300 hours. If the Army is taking care of the ground, we will look up from the skies. One hour max, we should be done", she told. "If you are up with this plan, I can call a few more jets."

"And if we aren't?", asked the Lieutenant.

"I am going ahead with the plan with my team. I have contacted my superiors and the Air force is okay with the attack", said Nandini.

That's my girl, thought Manik. If he didn't have to maintain his expressions in front of his seniors, he would have been laughing at Cabir, who was clearly dumbstruck as Nandini elaborated her plan further. He knew she was smart enough to manipulate her officers but making his Chief, who is known for his tough and sadistic behavior, agree to every plan of hers was amazing. He was brought back by his thoughts when the said Chief called him.

"Malhotra, what do you say?", he asked.

"Give me the number and I would prepare a team in an hour. We can warm-up before going into the field", he said.

Nandini winked at him in appreciation, making Cabir choke on the water he was drinking. His seniors ignored the interaction, gave the orders to go ahead, and left the room. As soon as they were out of the room, Nandini rushed towards Manik with a grin on her face and wrapped her hands around him, clearly ignoring the presence of Cabir.

He dropped a kiss on her head. "When did you come up with this? I thought you wanted to sleep", he asked.

She shrugged. "I couldn't sleep and they can't survive when they are depriving me of sleeping."

"Isn't your girlfriend a little too sadistic?", muttered Cabir.

"You want to experience some, Mr. Dhawan?", she asked, shutting Cabir up.

"I am not even talking in front of you", he said under his breath but clearly audible to the two in the room.

Manik laughed at the way she shut him up. If he didn't know any better, he would have been assured that shutting Cabir was becoming her favorite pastime.

XXX

First, your country.

Second, your countrymen.

Third, you.

It was the motto Manik screamed to his team before the war but as one after another was falling down, wounded, he was feeling restless. Their enemies were prepared for a surprise attack. He didn't know where Nandini was but the jets had already taken off and he was sure she was supervising the Air force team.

When the next one fell down, Manik groaned. "Take him in", he ordered. A doctor was camped at a distance for emergencies. "Viren, engage. Cabir, change in plan."

In a minute Cabir was beside him. "Listen, you take the lead here. You need more force, call in another batch but we aren't letting them enter our territory. Kill if you need to, I don't care. Is that fine?"

"Positive but we need to break their chain, Manik. They are totally in sync", he told.

Manik shook his head. He noticed their plan. "Not if we can distract them", he muttered. "I have a plan to distract them but I don't want to let that option go waste. So, you have to take the matters in your hand here. Tell me, if you are totally confident."

"I can."

It was all Manik wanted. "Give me ten minutes."

XXX

Apparently, Manik's plan of distraction was pretty stupid but it worked. Once he got the breakthrough to their chain from the backside, Cabir led his team and they tore through their enemies. The Air force was circling above the ground, firing completely desynced shots with the Army. It was creating confusion and their terrorist gang was in complete chaos.

Manik smirked at them. This was his team. He had trusted them to take care and they hadn't ever broken his trust before. Neither would they do it now. When Manik heard someone talking behind him, he checked himself for anything important, document, or information, that might put his country at risk. He had already cut his communication with his team after throwing it into a bush before crossing the border. The voices came closer and Manik knew he had to survive for some more time to buy the time for his people. Meanwhile, he traded his bullets for the bodies of his enemies. He also knew it was a stupid move to enter the enemy territory without a backup but the more he could finish off here, the lesser his team needs to face on the other side. The more he could distract them, the less would try to go to the other side.

Minutes later, when Manik heard a shot, he realized his time was up and suddenly it was all black.

xxx

His whole body was aching. He wanted to breathe. Where was the oxygen when you needed it? There was so much noise around him. His vision was blurred but he could make out the trees and a few figures. He prayed he wouldn't give away important information in his semi-conscious state.

xxx

Someone was punching him on the face. "Stay alive, you idiot."

It was his Nandini. His wife. What was she doing here? What about the fight? Why isn't she fighting? The punching had stopped and there was another voice.

"Bhai, leave me. Malhotra, if you are dying on me after all these years, I am going to follow you to hell or heaven and beat the shit out of you."

What was she on about? Hell or heaven, it doesn't matter until she's beside him. But first, what happened to the war? Did we win?

"Nandini, there's a pulse. It's weak."

"Then what the hell are you talking to me about? Take him to the hospital."

"I thought you would want to go?"

"I have something to take care of. Make sure he stays alive."

That's his girl. Take care of? He was sure she would do everything to finish the war. He just prayed she would be okay.

xxx

The next time Manik woke up, he was in the Army General Hospital. It was still blurry. Breathing was still difficult. What was going on?

The doctors were discussing something about him until the nurse gave the anesthesia. The last thing Manik wondered was if he would be stuck between life and death. Was that an option in the real world?

XXX

Cabir was angry. He was sitting in front of the ICU waiting for the doctors to bring his best friend back. If only he hadn't agreed to Manik's plan of distraction, sure, they might still be fighting with the enemies instead of his best friend fighting for life. He, along with the boys, had taken down the last of the terrorists until they had heard a blast. It was totally silent after that but there wasn't an enemy breathing around them. But right now, he needed a distraction in order to stop himself from punching himself. That wouldn't help anyone at the moment. The distraction came in the form of Officer Murthy.

She was pacing in front of him, looking inside the ICU room at every sound. Ever since he had first seen her, Cabir had felt mischief around Nandini Murthy. There was a grace but she was ever ready for a fight or to take down anyone who would even have one wrong thought about her.

This Nandini Murthy, right now, in front of him was totally different from her. Her hair was disheveled, her clothes wrinkled and she looked on the verge of tears as she punched through her mobile. Cabir didn't know she was capable of that. The girl he had seen and admired for the past few days would break someone's bones instead of sending herself into a broken mess.

Was she in love with his best friend? That would explain the situation but Cabir didn't know if it was possible to get emotionally attached to a person within two or three days after meeting them. Attraction sure but you don't go out of your mind for the guy you are attracted to.

Cabir was disturbed by the other Air force guy who had been following Nandini like a shadow ever since they came. To be frank, he was surprised, he wasn't there soon.

"Nandini, you have to listen to me", he said.

"Abhimanyu, leave me alone", she muttered and continued to pace around.

Abhimanyu grabbed her arm to stop her. Cabir wasn't sure why she didn't punch him for grabbing her because as far as he knew, the guy had crossed a line there.

"They are asking me questions I have no idea about. I don't know your need to cross the border to blast their camps, Nandini. You have to report to them", said Abhimanyu.

Crossing the border and blasting the enemy camps? That explained the blast and also why Manik and Nandini would have been clicked so well. His best friend would definitely fall in love with a girl who could take down an enemy camp in retaliation or for a declaration of love. Single-handedly? Even more attractive but the emotional attachment was still questionable.

Abhimanyu was still trying his futile attempts to get her to report to her officers. He even offered to stay with Manik until she returns. Cabir felt offended. Wasn't he visible to them? He was waiting for Manik too.

Nandini freed her arm and glared at the guy, crossing her arms. Cabir was impressed by the facade she had put on. "Abhimanyu, my country needed me. I can't follow the rules and let them attack more of our soldiers. It was all I could think of at that time. Yes, I have crossed the border and I am not regretting my actions. It has stopped the war and I am off duty. Right now, my Manik needs me more. If you understand this little fact, explain to them and stop sending me a thousand texts."

My Manik? Cabir stood up from his seat to tell the guy off but he was taken aback by the defeated look on him.

"You know, I love him too", muttered Abhimanyu.

It somehow broke her facade and she was hugging him as the guy wrapped his arms around Nandini. If not everything, when Abhimanyu had left the place after dropping a kiss on her head and asking her to update on Manik's condition, Cabir was sure they were more than just colleagues.

Nandini slumped down beside his chair.

"Nandini", he started but winced, "Officer Murthy."

"Call me Nandini. It's okay", she told.

Cabir nodded. "Nandini, I am sorry. If only I had guessed his plan, he would have been properly alive."

The girl snorted. "Stop being stupid. It was exactly what he would do in a war, Cabir. Sacrifice himself if it would stop the war. Don't blame yourself for his actions."

When did she understand his best friend this well? Weren't they on a mission for half the time they were together?

"I blasted the enemy camp after they attacked Manik", she confessed.

"I hope you had fun", muttered Cabir. It brought a tired grin out of her and he considered it as a win.

XXX

When Manik opened his eyes again, he found Nandini beside him. She was talking to someone on his other side. Manik didn't bother to turn his head. His chest was still aching but the intensity had decreased. Was it because he had found his heart sitting in front of him?, thought Manik. And suddenly he felt a sting across his cheek. Someone had slapped him.

"Stop masking your stupidity as romance, you idiot. It's the side effect of taking a bullet a mere inches away from your heart." It was Nandini. She sounded mad. "Open your eyes properly. You are thinking so loud. It's audible to the whole hospital."

It took him some effort to open his eyes as he managed a smile looking at Nandini. He heard someone laughing behind them. When Manik didn't turn back, the person came around the bed and beside Nandini. It was Cabir.

"You have found yourself a masterpiece, Manik. She is a gem", said Cabir.

Were there tears in his eyes?, thought Manik. "Cabir", he said. His voice was so hoarse. In an instant, Cabir made him drink some water. Manik took a few sips before pushing it away. Cabir put the glass aside before leaning forward to give him a hug. Opposite to him, Nandini tensed up, probably due to the possible harm he could cause Manik right after the operation. She relaxed when Manik blinked his eyes at her.

"Don't leave me like that again, Manik. I could never ever stay at peace thinking I had let you go for dying", Cabir whispered.

"You didn't", he muttered.

After some more time, when the visiting hours were over, Cabir left for his quarters. Nandini chose to stay for the night.

She didn't talk to him in the presence of Cabir but as soon as they were alone, she grabbed his hospital gown into her fist, making sure her hand wasn't going anywhere near his heart. "Pull this stunt again and I am killing you right then and there, Malhotra."

"Had to distract them", he told.

"And you thought what was I doing up there? I was looking to break a chain too. Why do you think I could find you within minutes of you on your path to become a martyr?"

Manik's mouth turned up."We are soulmates. You think just like me."

"I told you already. Stop masking your idiocy as romance", she said, rolling her eyes. "Don't ever try visiting a terrorist camp without a backup, Manik. I don't care what you say in your training camp but this is self-sacrificing."

When Manik tugged her hand, pulling her close, she buried her face on his shoulder. He kissed her hair when he heard her sniffling. He knew all along her anger was a facade but it still hurt to listen to her breaking down in his arms. At least, she was in his arms which felt like a dream as he crossed the safety of his country's border. He never thought he would make it alive but the love of his life didn't let him die.

XXX

It was a week when Manik was discharged from the hospital but he was asked not to get involved in anything strenuous. Hence, Cabir took the permission to throw a party for Manik and Nandini because of 'winning the war for them' as informed by him but Manik felt his attitude suspicious.

"Is it only me or do you think Cabir's behaving a bit strange?", he asked while adjusting his hair.

"Manik, the love of my life, it hasn't even been two weeks since I have met the guy and for a fact, I know he is always up to something. How is it any different this time?", she said.

He chuckled. "I want to take a break."

"Now?"

"After 26th. Can't take a risk now."

XXX

The whole party lit up as soon as they had stepped in. Cabir has clearly mistaken a success party as some birthday celebration. Once they had settled in with the drinks, the music had stopped.

"Good evening, gentlemen and my dear terrific lady", he announced. "First of all, congratulations, love birds. Aren't you two just made for each other? The boyfriend crosses the border and takes a bullet for his country. In retaliation, the girlfriend too crosses the border, destroys the terrorist camp, and returns to her country. What an example are they for the coming generation?"

Manik frowned at that. "You were responsible for the blast? You crossed the border? Why am I hearing this now? And you have been mad at me for doing the same?"

"Malhotra, I wouldn't exactly be sitting quietly when they had taken you down", she told.

"But that reckless?", he asked. There were so many things that could have gone wrong, thought Manik. He gripped his mobile against his urge to pull her into his arms. She's fine. She came out fine like she always did. He repeated it again and again in his mind.

"Manik, relax. I don't care if I am alive when you are dying", she said.

The people around them hooted and there were whistles. It was the moment when Manik realized they were talking aloud. He noticed Cabir raising an eyebrow. It might have sounded cheesy for them, for the people who thought Nandini had met him a few days back but he knew otherwise. They had been together for almost their entire lives and what Nandini said made perfect sense even if it scared him.

"I am sorry for behaving recklessly", said Manik. It was the first time he had apologized for his actions. He didn't bother to do that, not when Nandini was mad at him, not when she broke down in his arms, not when Abhimanyu screamed his lungs out at him without caring they were still in the hospital. In fact, he was proud of what he had done. He thought it would help his team to take the enemies down but he didn't consider that his girl would follow him even during his death. He didn't want to lose Nandini, not for his recklessness.

Someone cleared his throat. Of course, Cabir. "Manik Malhotra, too much of emotional stuff. Why don't you two enlighten your love story to us?"

"What?", he asked. Love story? Did they have a love story?

"I am not insulting whatever you both have between each other and I am asking only because we have witnessed a lot already. So, answer us, only if you are comfortable. If you aren't comfortable, we are letting you off the hook. We as in excluding me because here or in private, I need my answers", told Cabir. "I understand sometimes people fall hard and fast in love but you have barely met each other. In the few days of your meeting, you traveled to Mumbai to defuse explosives, decoded secret messages, won us a war before you got yourself admitted in the hospital. How is it possible that you two are so emotionally attached to each other? I never thought anything could affect Officer Murthy that much until I saw her in front of the ICU waiting for her."

Manik smiled to himself. Cabir was his best friend in every sense. He was almost always concerned about him. And a stranger getting close to him in a few days would definitely worry him. It had become an involuntary thing for him especially from saving him several times from girls who would hit on him and wouldn't understand the meaning of not interested. Manik looked at Nandini. He knew his answer but he wanted to make sure they were on the same page and when Nandini blinked her eyes at him, it was all he wanted.

"Team, guys, Cabir, meet my wife, Nandini Murthy", he announced.

Cabir was shaking his head in disbelief. "Nandini, sorry for my words but you two are the most reckless idiots I have ever met. When did you get married? In between defusing bombs, plotting to destroy the terrorists or in the hospital?", he asked.

Manik chuckled. "In the registered office, seven years back."

Everyone went silent until Nandini broke it. "Manik, I thought they would take it happily."

"Nandini, they were in shock. Let them come out of it", said Manik.

"Okay", muttered Cabir before glaring at him. "Explain. Now."

He sighed. "Cabir, remember, after our training, we were posted at Kashmir, and two days before we were about to leave for reporting, there was firing and the situation deteriorated so much that we thought we might not return alive from there?"

"We were twenty", told Cabir.

Manik nodded. "I have known Nandini ever since we were five. Classmates, best friends, and even our parents became friends because of us. We have been together ever. I have always wanted to join the forces and serve the country."

"Those were his exact terms", interrupted Nandini. "Join the forces."

"Indian Army is also part of the Armed forces, Nandini."

She shrugged. "I didn't know at that time. Just a small miscommunication. We, as in Abhimanyu and I, he is my brother, by the way. We thought he wanted to join the Air force and when Manik went on a family vacation, we applied for it after seeing the advertisement to surprise him. By the time we got to know that Manik had applied for the Indian Army, we had already cleared our tests, written and physical. We thought of shifting but then he argued with so many strong points and convinced me to join the Air force. Abhimanyu just followed."

"Okay", said Cabir. Just to be dramatic he even gulped a good amount of his drink. "Abhimanyu is your brother. That explains his protectiveness, fine. You, the terrifying Officer Murthy, joined the Air force by accident?", said Cabir.

Manik smiled. "She always wanted to be a pilot and her accidentally joining the Air force was predestined."

"I don't believe in destiny but I believe Manik", she said, flashing her teeth.

"Fine", muttered Cabir. "When did love happen? When did you get married?"

Manik glanced at Nandini and she shrugged, asking him to continue. "Cabir, actually, we don't know when it happened."

"What?"

"As I said, a day before we had to leave for Kashmir, we talked about the border issue. Nandini knew if the situation worsened, she would be sent to the border too. It happened all sudden. We didn't want to die as two people fighting at two different borders. Ever since we were kids, our thoughts were almost always in sync, and hence when Nandini suggested getting married, it made perfect sense to me. We told our plan to Abhimanyu and he was all up for it. Our parents were somehow expecting it and since we didn't have time, we got married in the registered office in presence of them."

"Then why didn't you tell us? We didn't know you were already married", said Cabir.

"Cabir, the circumstances then weren't fun. With the war looming on us, I didn't feel it was a topic of discussion. After that when I went home, telling people felt like stupidity because of the circumstances we got married. We never discussed it, we never thought about it. It just happened. She was my girl. She would be my girl always and I would do anything to protect her. We never got the time to sit and discuss how we will spend the rest of our lives. It was spontaneous. Legally we are a couple but she would always be my best friend first", said Manik.

He felt Nandini squeezing his hand. "What he's trying to say is, nothing has changed after we got married. We were best friends. We do what we feel like. If the other one isn't comfortable, we would take a step back. If not, we go ahead. All I know is, I love him and I wouldn't leave him. Same is with him."

"Your definitions of love and relationships are so different", said someone. He was a trainee guy.

"We are living in the moment. When you work more than ten months away from each other, every moment feels precious. We look forward to every time we are together even if it's for a day. We have managed to keep the love between us alive for seven years. It's just some odd fifty more years", told Nandini.

And the way she smiled at Manik, he knew he would enjoy the rest of his journey with his girl.

XXX

Manik, Nandini, and their team had taken down all the plans of the attack on the 26th of January. Once the Republic day celebrations were over, Manik had applied for a leave for a month. He had to recover. After the success of her plan, Nandini and Abhimanyu's leave was granted without any issue.

Two days later, they were cooped up in their apartment along with Abhimanyu. The idiot was lost in his thoughts as he munched on his cookies.

When Manik had enough, he cuffed the guy's head. "What are you thinking about?"

"About how to ask you guys regarding that not considering your marriage seriously", he told. "You are my family and I can't choose sides if you decide to split up."

Nandini muted the television when he had started talking. "For a fact, we aren't splitting up. I didn't have the time to sit and think about the institution of marriage, the culture, and all the fuss behind the ideal husband, wife, and the rules. I love Manik, he loves me. We want to be together for a very long time."

Manik nodded in agreement. "We have our own jobs, Abhimanyu, and we love it. When society doesn't expect me to quit my job, it can't force Nandini to do that just because she's a woman but they have rules for everything. Our parents aren't at fault actually. As dad said, it's the only way they know that they think is correct. I don't want to listen to them and be the person to snatch Nandini's freedom. We are married, yes, but long before she became my wife, she was my best friend and we decided to prioritize that. We might take our partners for granted in marriage but best friends? We would give our lives for them and make every effort to keep them in our lives."

"Hence, we take our friendship more seriously than our marriage", concluded Nandini.

Abhimanyu was shaking his head. "You two are mad."

"But you love us the most", said Nandini before pulling him into a hug. Manik was happy to join in.

Hours later Abhimanyu had left to his room leaving Manik and Nandini alone.

"You up for another movie?", asked Nandini.

"Actually, I wanted to talk to you", replied Manik and tugged her hand, making her sit beside him. "Can we not skip addressing our issues during the duties? We don't talk about it until we meet and by the time that happens, it goes into the past. I didn't know our parents were pressuring you for kids, Nandini."

"Manik, I have handled them myself."

"I know. I know you can do that again a million times too but I want to be a part of your fights too. We share our happy times, why not at least talk about what's bothering us?", he told. "At least, we could confirm first if all is fine at work before talking to our personal lives. Think about it."

"I don't know, Manik. I have Abhimanyu to rant out. I am worried about you though. Who do you even discuss with?", she said.

Manik chuckled. "I have more 'privilege' for taking birth as a boy, you know", he told. "At least we could discuss the major ones. Like kids"

"Do you want kids?", she asked.

His heart broke at how hesitant the question was. Manik knew she didn't want to but she would agree in a heartbeat if he wanted them. He flung an arm around her neck to pull her close. It startled her but she came along. "Nandini, I would talk to you if I am interested just like we have talked about it every time we took the next step in our relationship. Whatever you told them a few days back was true. We don't have time for each other. How could we bring someone new into our life? We will decide about them when we are ready and if both of them aren't ready ever, that's fine too. We can adopt or not have kids. It's our lives and we can decide, right?"

"Right", she told, grinning as she hugged him tightly. "I was scared. Not considering the time factor, I am not mentally prepared. I think there might be more disturbances at the border, Manik."

As the conversation turned more light, Manik captured every moment with his girl. Now that their mission is over, who knows when they would see each other again. Whenever it was, together or at different borders, he knew she would be with him till the end. 

Do you want me to continue writing with the same theme? Army based or different ones? If different what? No promises for cliches though.