Ishq-e-Watan

Chapter 2- Here We Come

CHAPTER 2

HERE WE COME

Karan swung the rope in his hand around playfully, chewing on the inside of his cheek.

"Janaab... bottoms up ki taiyaari?" Faizi asked, chuckling.

He let a smirk spread on his face. "Academy hai, chidhiya ghar nahi. Sab jaanwaron ko entry nahi milegi yahan par." He looked at the rope. "Kuchh janwaar jungle mein bhi rehne chahiye. Chal."

Faizi shook his head, chuckling. He ran up after him, hopping into the jeep.

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

"Mumma kehte the ki military academy ka sabsa important principle discipline hota hai", Monami scolded. "Aur tu abhi tak ready hi nahi hua hai." She tugged on his arm. "Chal, na, Sid! Hum late ho jayenge."

"Koi late nahi honge", he said, tying his shoes. He flicked her forehead. "Kamini, bahut time hai. 8 baje bolkar 6 baje utha diya tune. 12 baje pahunchna hai. Abhi 7 bhi nahi baje hain."

"Haan, toh Mumbai se Deolali kya Doraemon ke anywhere door se jaana hai? Chaar ghante ka raasta hai. Half an hour ka buffer time for traffic and all. Aur agar wahan jaakar kho gaye toh? Chal, chal, chal, Sid! Jaldi chal." She bounced around the room, restlessly pacing.

He shook his head. "Excitement mein aakar-" He flinched as she yelped, slipping off the bed. "...Gir jaayegi", he completed needlessly. He facepalmed. "Gadhi." He helped her up, inspecting her. She didn't seem hurt. He sighed. "Ab khadi reh chup chaap." He looked at the mirror, setting his hair.

She whined, stomping her feet childishly. "Jaldi kar, jaldi kar, jaldi kar." She pulled him and he sighed, letting her drag him. "Koi nahi dekhne waala hai tujhe."

"Khaana toh khaane de", he said. "Breakfast, bro!"

"Car mein khaa lena", she said. "Maine Vinod Dada se keh kar tere liye tiffin pack kara diya hai. Ab, chal!"

"Chal", he said, chuckling and following her out to the car. She bounced on the backseat eagerly, and he ruffled her hair affectionately. "Tu soyi nahi, naa, raat bhar?"

"Bro! Itni excited hoon main kaise so jaoon?" She sighed happily. "Parakaram SAF, here we come!"

Sid chuckled.

Here we come, indeed.

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

"Kya soch rahe ho?" Faizi asked.

Karan glanced up. He shrugged, closing his eyes again. "Yeh soch raha tha ki namoonon ko kaise train karunga. Koi zyaada efficient tareeka dimaag mein aa jaaye shayad."

"Tum sach mein serious ho isko lekar?"

"Humaara kaam civilians ko protect karna hai. Apna best de rahe hain phir bhi bahut si jagah fail ho rahe hain. Jaise wo 13 hostages. Uss group ke leader tak bhi nahi pahunch paaye hum. Agar inn civilians ko train karne se hum baaki civilians ko protect kar paayenge, toh yeh duty ka part hai. Aur Batra Sir ne humpar bharosa karke apne medals daon par lagaaye hain. Main unko best possible results dunga", he answered. He shook his head. He looked at his best friend, sighing. "Saare namoone honge, na?"

Faizi laughed. "Haan. Aur tum sochoge ki kyun tumne aisa socha ki yeh civilians special agents ban sakte hain."

He sighed again. His phone vibrated in his pocket. He frowned, seeing the caller ID.

Raghav?

He accepted the call. "Hello?" He said.

"Jai Hind, Sir!" He said. "Sir, mujhe pata hai ki aap aur Faizi Sir civilians ko train karne waale project mein busy ho, par... thodi urgent baat hai. Agar aap academy aa sakte hain abhi, toh..."