Pride ✔

02 - Be Safe

•Mine•

Mallika looked at the house in awe.

The house didn't scream too much luxury but it was welcoming, sober, and simple.

Something she loved, something the world lacks.

She was touched by the hospitality she had received from Mudgalkar's side.

The family was great and she hoped everything went fine.

She was dressed in an Anarkali, not too heavy. Mallika wished engagement should be done with few relatives and friends only. She didn't like attention and didn't appreciate it much. Her mother was disappointed but after all she was the only daughter.

She was led by Sumedh's cousins to the backyard where the event was supposed to happen.

"You are really pretty bhabhi." Siddhi Mudgalkar, Sumedh’s cousin grinned at her. Mallika smiled back .

"Bhai's gonna hard time resisting you." Joked somebody else causing her cheeks to be heated.

"That's your prince charming." Siddhi pointed in the right and her eyes met the hazel ones staring at her with admiration. Sumedh stood up stretching his hand and she took it gladly.

"Beautiful." He whispered as soon as they settled.

"You too " He frowned at her choice of words.

"I am beautiful?" She nodded.

"boys are handsome, girls are beautiful." She shook her head

"girls are pretty, anybody can be beautiful. Beautiful is made for souls, internal beauty. And you're one of them." He smiles.

"Shall we start?" One of them asks and they nod.
 
Claps heard, people hooted as soon as Sumedh slides the ring into Mallika's hands.

"This marks you as mine, forever. " he says to her.

Then she slides his ring into his ring finger.

"Mine." She says while sliding it.

"Always." He says back.

And they hear a snap.
"great." The photographer gave a thumbs up.

There were hardly few people, 15 Max, and the ceremony was done.

"Come I'll show you our room."

Our room sounded so satisfying.

He showed her his house, the rooms, the art pieces, the awards he had received, and every other achievement.

"If you want you can change anything in the room, tell mom she will have it done." She shook her head.
 
"I wanted to say something." Sumedh's full attention was on his fiancee now, he nods.

"I'm a flight lieutenant, and my country comes first, at any cost." She starts.
But I will come back to you always, be it with a smiling face or wrapped in a tiranga."

"Mal-

"No Sumedh, you've to hear it, you've chosen it yourself and you've to bear it. Hear those hard, hurtful words from me, your own partner. And now listen to me carefully."
He just stays still.

"I want you to live the way you live right now, with me or without me. Promise me "

He shakes his head.

"Sumedh." She says in disbelief.

"You just said a few mins back, I'm yours then how can you leave me?" He asks.

"There are consequences and situations. Don't be emotional, be practical."
 
"You're leaving right?" She was shocked.
He understood.

"You could have told me, we could have delayed it." He says disappointed.

"It is important." He nods and she turns away.

A week and she was already attached to this guy, how difficult is it to leave just after your own engagement ceremony?

"Mallika." She hums closing her eyes. He holds her wrist and turns her around.

"Promise me you'll be safe, and you will take care of yourself."

"I promise." She closes her eyes not meeting his.

He touches his forehead with hers.

"You will not land in trouble knowingly."

"Sumedh."

"Just be safe."
 
"Mallika." She hums again

"Remember there's somebody named Sumedh Mudgalkar who will be awaiting for his soulmate to return as soon as possible.
to make her, his.
to make her, Mrs. Mudgalkar
to complete her
to cherish her
and to worship her.
Please be safe."

A tear threatened but he didn't let it come out.
Not now , he cannot be weak in front of her.

"I'll miss you." She confesses.

"Me too." She opens her eyes and found him really close staring right at her lips.

"Can I?" He whispers asking for permission.

"After that, it would be more difficult to leave." She whispers back.

"I'm sorry." He hugs her and she hugs her back.

"Be safe."

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Army stories always touches our hearts, isn't it?

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