"Uncle can I ask you something?"

Deepak nodded.

"We don't know what happened there. But you were present in the hospital that day.. you yourself were handling the case so you must know something about the incident" he asked.

Deepak avoided his gaze and turned with his back facing him.

"I don't k-know anything"

***************

Monami's POV

I opened my eyes to find myself laying on the hospital bed. I groaned in pain as my head felt heavy. I tried to keep my eyes open and look around but there was no one in the room.

I gazed at the white ceiling as I tried to recall what happened to me. I shut my eyes as the events flashed in front of my eyes.

My eyes opened in shock as I realised what happened. No no I can't let Siddarth know about this. I hope dad didn't say anything to him.

I rang the bell to call the nurse. Soon the nurse arrived and checked my vitals. I asked her to call dad.

Dad came rushing by my side as soon as he came to know that I regained consciousness. He caressed my hair with love and his eyes flooded with tears.

"Dad.. I am fine" I spoke as my hand reached out to wiped his tears.

"What fine? Look at you! Do you look fine?" He scolded.

"I am sorry.. I know I shouldn't have reacted that way dad.. but I just--" I looked down trying to control my tears.

"No matter how hard I try.. I am unable to erase that day off my mind" I cried. Dad took me in his arms as his fingers caressed my hair.

"It's okay princess"

He wiped my tears and took my wounded hand in his and examined it.

"I bother you a lot right?"

"Shut up! A daughter can never bother her father.. Idiot" Dad scolded me as I smiled at him. No wonder what the situation was, he always stood by my side.

Without his support, I would have never made it till here. He was my support system.

"Did you say--"

"No"

"You didn't even let me complete" I whined.

"But I know" he replied as if it is was very obvious.

"I respect your decision of not telling him anything Monami but how long are you gonna hide this? Atleast tell me.. don't you trust your dad?" He asked.

There was a hint of sadness and helplessness in his eyes.

"Dad trust me.. there's nothing to know about that day" I replied as my fingers gripped his palm softly.

"I just lost my soul to someone that day" I spoke as I looked down at our hands.

"You are not ok Monami" Dad spoke as he looked right into my eyes.

"I know dad and I won't even try to hide it but I just don't wanna talk about it" I replied as I looked away.

Sorry dad, your daughter isn't brave enough to face the reality.

***************

The trio walked out of the cabin. Faizi and Sanjana looked at Karan who seemed to be calm. Faizi clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"As expected our dear Karan Shergill can never refuse Batra Sir" Faizi mocked.

"Faizi that's fine" Sanjana tried to calm him.

"No Sanjana! We are soldiers who should be on our camps right now doing our duties not here doing these kind of useless missions!" Faizi snapped.

"It does not matter where are we right now. Our goal will always remain the same Faizi, that is to protect our country. And calm down I know this mission will itself prove to be a fail in a few days" Karan replied looking at Faizi.

"How are you so sure Karan?" Sanjana asked.

Faizi and Sanjana looked at each other in confusion.

"Just wait and watch Sanju. I have a lot in store for the recruits" Karan smirked.

Faizi smiled because he always trusted Karan's plans. He was sure that if Karan decided on something, nothing could make him change his mind.

"So what's next then?" Sanjana asked. She was still unsure about Karan's plans but decided to trust him and go ahead. Their friendship had taught her one thing in these years. Never doubt Karan Shergill!

"Time to welcome the recruits"

***************

Monami was back home. Siddharth sat by her side and held her hand. He looked at her apologetically.

"I am sorry Monu"

"Sid yaar come on!"

" No I should be sorry Monu. I dismissed your problems like they are nothing. I failed to understand that wounds are not always physical but sometimes mental and emotional too. Monu please.. I beg of you! Tell us what happened that day.  What happened between you and S-"

"Enough Sid!"

Monami cut him off in between. The name itself gave her shivers down the spine. The person no longer mattered to her anymore. Her goal was set and it was already into action. She looked at her mobile laying besides her.

"Let's not talk about this Sid. You must be tired. Take some rest. We will talk about this later." Monami said and smiled at him.

Siddharth could easily recognise her fake smile. He nodded and left her alone not wanting her to have another panic attack.

Monami quickly took her mobile and checked her mails. Her application was accepted. She smirked.

"Count down starts! Parakram SAF, I am coming"

She got up slowly as she felt a bit dizzy. She locked the door and opened her cupboard. She pulled out a box and sat with it on the couch. She pulled out the papers on the coffee table. Her eyes stopped at the picture laying in the pile.

She picked the picture and looked at it intently.

"Start counting your days because Monami Mahajan is coming for you and trust me you won't be spared this time!" She gritted her teeth as her eyes blazed with hatred.

"I will f*cking destroy you!"

***************

"What nonsense Monami!"

"Dad I am serious"

" And you think I am cracking a joke here?" He yelled.

"Walnut calm-"

Siddharth sealed his mouth as Deepak shot him a glare.

"Carry on" Sid whispered.

"Dad you know it's my dream" Monami argued.

"As far as I remember your dream was to become a doctor which you are! So why the hell do you want to join Parakram SAF now? Do you want me to lose you as well? I already lost Juhi. I can't lose you now." Deepak's tone hushed down till the end of the sentence.

Monami walked to him and held his hand. She looked at him softly as she knew how protective he was of her after her mother's death and especially after that incident. He never left her alone. He shifted along with her to London when wanted to complete her masters.

"Dad I assure you I will take care of myself" Monami replied.

"But why Parakram SAF? What if you come accross him? You will fall weak sweetheart" Deepak replied.

"I have already researched everything dad. There are 4 academies and one of them is in Deolali and I don't think he will ever be there in Deolali" Monami assured.

"But still I can't let you go there alone" Deepak declared.

"Well if isn't wasn't for age criteria I would have taken you along" Monami joked.

"I am still a young man! And no you are not going. End of the discussion" Deepak turned his back on her to avoid her puppy face.

"Dad!"

"Nope!"

Deepak faced her as there was no response from her. Siddharth sighed and walked to Deepak.

"Walnut let her go! For the first time, there is spark in her eyes regarding something. Don't spoil it man!" Sid whispered.

Deepak glanced at Sid's hand casually laying on his shoulder and then at him. Sid quickly withdrew his hand and stood straight. He gave him a awkward smile. Usually Deepak was a very cheerful and friendly person but when he was in his strict mode, he behaved as his name. Walnut!

"This is why I call you Walnut" Sid whispered looking away.

Deepak heard him but ignored his words and looked at Monami. He had no choice but to surrender. He understood he wouldn't win in front of his daughter. He always gave her everything she asked for and now he was ready to do it all over again.

"Fine I have two conditions" Deepak spoke. Monami looked at him with a grin.

"First listen to them"

Monami nodded like a kid and raised her two fingers in the air. She indicated Deepak to start. She realised what she did and withdrew her hand back.

"You were saying something " Monami cleared her throat.

"First I should be updated about your health and medications everyday"

"Done"

"Second your location should be shared to me all the time"

"Do- Wait what?"

"You heard me Monami"

"Dad that's stalking!"

"I don't care" Deepak shrugged his shoulders.

"I do!"

Siddharth facepalmed himself. He cursed his fate for being stuck between the stubborn father-daughter duo.

"Dad I am going to a military academy and I will have to submit all my belongings. You know that right?"

"It's for whenever you step out of the academy"

"Dad I can't be sharing locations during the training. What if I step out for some tasks or missions?"

"Exactly Walnut! She is right" Sid replied.

Deepak glared him and Sid sealed his mouth shut. He regretted opening his mouth again. Why was he even here?

"I can't let history repeat. I couldn't do anything years back but now I won't let anybody harm you"

"Dad it's all over"

"I just don't have a good feeling about this plan itself but still if you want to go you can. I just want you to be safe. I am taking back my second condition. You can go Monami" Deepak sighed.

He knew he was being overprotective but just the thought of them coming back for her gave him shivers down the spine.

Little did he know that his daughter had some different plans.

******************

Sanjana looked at Karan and Faizi from far as they waited for her patiently. She rolled her eyes as her mother continuously ranted about how her in-laws were upset about her going back to her duty.

"Amma (mother) what do you want me to do now?" Sanjana asked politely.

"Call and apologize to them!"

"Fine. Anything else?" She asked in a bored tone.

"This is why I asked your dad not to let you go for further studies. Your this attitude will hinder your relationship one day Sanjana! Atleast behave like a girl!" Her mother scolded her.

"What do you mean by behaving like a girl Amma?" Sanjana whined.

"Girls are supposed to be polite and quiet not like you.. rude and loud. This behaviour doesn't suit girls."

"Right. I will call you later" Saying this, Sanjana put down the call. She felt exhausted by all the rules imposed on her. Why did everything have to be tied to gender? Why couldn't she simply live as herself? Why did she need to mask her true self just to gain acceptance from society, especially from those she was supposed to call family?

She sighed.

Maybe this is my fate!

She walked to the duo and smiled.

"Looks like your mother is already missing you" Faizi smiled at her. Sanjana forced a smile.

"A lot"

Karan looked at her. He could see turmoil of emotions in her eyes. He decided to change the topic.

"Let's go guys. We are getting late. We need to report tomorrow morning by 9. Recruits will be there by 1 pm"

Faizi grunted at his words. He was so pissed off by the whole mission. He wasn't interested a bit in this and was trying to find ways to back out from the mission. But he knew as long as Karan was present, there was no chance of slipping away.

"Let's hope for the best"

He looked at the sky and mumbled.

********************************

Wishing everyone a very happy new year! ❤️

Story will pick up the pace in the upcoming chapters. Are you excited?

What do you think Monami is upto?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Much love ❤️