Karan and Faizi looked at the crowd, not knowing how to function. They just stood there, waiting for it all to unfold.
Being soldiers, they had to prepare for it, no matter how much it hurt, it was the truth that they never knew how long will they be a team, the Golden Trio as Batra sir called them; when would someone vanish from their lives. It was one of the reasons why Karan had initially tried to keep his distance from all his comrades, but these two, the best out of the best, they were the closest thing he had to friends, almost like family. One of the first ones who managed to actually make him open up to them.
They knew this was going to happen, but like this? Never.
Faizi's hands were itching to kill that man. He was usually an easygoing person, but when it came to people whom he called his own, he wouldn't back off from killing. He knew, knowing Karan and Sanjana since a long time, that they were always ready to lay down their lives in the line of duty, and many a times, they were so close to it. Had it not been for Faizi, they would have succeeded. He always gave them a good yelling when they tried things, but this time....there was no one to yell at. He could feel his eyes welling up, looking at Karan's blank stare. Right now, he had to be strong. Karan needed him, Monami needed him.
Karan felt uneasy, uncomfortable, fearful, the scene reminding him of a previous incident, one that changed his life. Ever since he met Monami, he hardly had those nightmares, the sleepless nights, strange sounds, sounds he desperately wanted to forget. But now, everything was coming rushing back. The gunshots, the smell of burning leather, the ringing in his ears. He gulped, pushing it all back.
He felt a hand on his shoulder. Looking to his side he saw Faizi looking at him with glistening eyes. They did not speak a word, taking slow steps to the crowd.
Karan made his way through the crowd, following Faizi. All the sounds around him were dying down, all he could hear were distant echoes of gunshots, muffles screams, crackling of fire.
He closed his eyes, taking a breath, preparing himself to face it. Faizi was already there, he could see his figure frozen in place, staring at the scene.
Standing next to Faizi, he opened his eye.
Monami was hugging Sanjana, who was sitting on the floor. Monami had tear streaks on her face but....she was laughing...? And Abhinav was smiling standing next to them...Karan's brows furrowed, he was unable to make out the scene before him.
That was when Monami stood up and held him tightly in a hug, crying out of....joy? He was looking at Sanjana who was sitting on the floor smiling at them, she looked fine...
His eyes fell on the spot where the bullet had hit, where he had seen it hit apparently. The red material of the top of the lehenga was torn but instead of a wound, he saw a black material underneath, a material he was very familiar with.
Relief washed over him as he returned Monami's hug. He let out a breath he never realised he was holding. Monami released him, wiping her face and smiling.
"She's okay..." he whispered to him, holding his hand. He was about to go to her when Abhinav jumped in, enclosing her in a bone-crushing hug.
"Abhi, agar aaj tu na batata ki Kundanji ke paas pistol hai, to hum vest hi na pehen te, seedha upar ki ticket kat jaati humaayi..."
"Oye, shubh shubh bol. Bas yaad kar, hum aa jaayenge."
Karan smiled a little, stepping back, he still owed her an apology.
He felt someone tapping his shoulder. He looked back. Monami. She was point towards Sanjana with her eyes. Karan understood. He shook his head. Monami stared at him and then suddenly gave him a small push, making him stumble right next to Sanjana. Seeing him, she immediately stood up, wincing a little. Karan looked back at Monami, who gave him an encouraging nod. He looked back at Sanjana, who was looking at him, waiting.
"Tu...thik hai? Matlab...lag to rahi hai.." Karan said, unsure how to frame his apology. Behind him, Faizi and Monami shared a look, when was he going to learn to talk?
"Ji Sirji."
"Pehle bata nahi sakti thi ki tune vest pehni hui hai? Agar...agar kuch ho jaata, to aage ke missions ko naam kaun deta?" Karan said, his voice shaking a bit, as flashbacks of that warehouse clouded his head.
Monami noticed this and silently went and stood beside him. Seeing her, his mind calmed down a bit.
"Vo... sorry bol raho hai Sirji..." Sanjana said, looking down. Karan nodded, looking away.
"Do baate."
Monami immediately raised a hand. The trio smiled seeing this.
"Pehli...academy vaapas chal rahe hai hum. Tu bhi aa rahi hai."
Sanjana smiled and nodded.
"Doosri, vo...vo...uss din jo bola, vo nahi bolna chahiye tha. Baad me samajh aaya, tab tak late ho gaya." Karan said looking down.
"Janaab sap jaante hai, aapse achha koi bina sorry bole sorry nahi bol sakta." Faizi whsipered to Karan. Sanjana smiled hearing that. He then walked up to them and took the whole group- Karan, Monami, Sanjana and Abhinav in a hearty embrace
"Sirji...vo hum bhi kaafi maang raho hai. Zyaada bol gaye. Aur aapko to usi din maaf kar dao the." She said giving him a reassuring smile.
"To...team?" Karan asked forwarding his hand to Faizi and Sanjana. The three of them linked their hands, smiling widely.
"Ab chale?"
All of them smiled and nodded.
"Karan...bas ek minute..." Monami said suddenly.
"Haan...bolo"
"Vo...mujhe ek minute Kundan se baat karni hai."
"Kyu? Mujhse karlo." Karan narrowed his eyes. Faizi stifled a laugh.
"Karan, bachhe mat bano. Please." Monami smiled at him.
"Ok...lekin sirf 2 minute." Karan replied hesitantly. Monami pulled his cheek slightly, walking away. For a second Karan was lost, a hand brushing over his cheek.
A second later he realised Monami had already gone and followed her.
"Kundan, tumhe tumhaari izzat pyaari hai na. Utni hi Sanju ko bhi hai. Agar izzat chahiye, to izzat dena aana chahiye." Monami was in front of Kundan who was in police's grasp. Karan went and stood next to her, silently agreeing with her.
"Ye hume tum sikhaaogi?"
Suddenly Kundan broke free and rushed towards Monami. Before Karan could even act, Monami grabbed his arm and pinned him down on the floor. Karan watched in awe, how stunning she looked while doing that. He could watch her all day...
"Karan! Muh band karo....aur meri thodi si help kardo please..." Monami said, using all of her weight to pin him down. Karan immediately came to his senses and helped her put him in the police's car.
"Vaise...tumne ye kaha se seekha?" Karan asked.
"Tumse? Aur kahan se seekhungi. Basic combat me thoda sa tumhaare style ka touch..."
"Matlab?"
"Karan...tum theek ho na? Mai tumhe almost ek saal se dekh rahi hu, obviously seekh jaaungi..."
"Tum....tum mujhe dekh rahi thi....tum flirt kar rahi ho?"
Monami looked at Karan, unsure whether she should laugh, hug him, check his temperature or run away.
"What....n-no...Karan I think you should rest..." Monami said leading him to a room.
"Monami...I'm fine....vo..I just...forget everything I said." Karan said, embarrassed.
"Ok. Chalo...sab wait kar rahe hai." Monami smiled holding his hand and leading him. How he wished that he could do this forever. But...no... 'forever' wasn't half the time he wanted to spend with her.
Upcoming: The final chapter, epilogue of IMY +smol surprise.
