Pride ✔

05 - The First Goodbye

•Country comes first•

The constant smile couldn't leave their faces after returning from Kashmir.

Sumedh was in the kitchen when Mallika's phone rang.

"Hello?" She answered.

"Officer Mukul speaking." Came the voice.

"Jai Hind Sir. " She responded.

"Jai Hind. We need you back, I know it's still a day left in your leave but it's urgent. Tickets will be mailed to you by tonight, board it tomorrow. "

"Any progress on Case 421?" She asked.

"Yes, and that's why we need you in the team. Rest we will take care. As soon as you catch the flight shut down your phone. Jai Hind."

"Jai Hind Sir." She disconnected the call and looked at the door to find her husband standing there.

"Aa..h-

"When's the flight?" He asked coming in.

"Tomorrow." She sighs.

"It's okay." He gave her a tight smile.

"I want to meet our parents, can we leave in an hour?" He nodded and went out.

She leaned against the headboard and closed her eyes.

This mission was dangerous.

She had to tell Sumedh.

She didn't knew what will he say but it's his right to know.
 
An hour and half later they both sat in front of their parents.

"It's good atleast you both spent time together in Kashmir." S'D said.

"Any idea how much long this mission will be?" M'D questioned his daughter.

"No..idea. It can take more than 6 months also." Sumedh looked at her in shock.

"Is it that case?" Her mom asked and she nodded.

"Be safe." M'M said wiping a tear. Mallika hugged her. "If you guys will cry how will I leave then." She says.

"We will not cry, and you will come really soon. 6 months is nothing, time will fly. Right Sumedh?" His dad said to him who stood numb.

"I think we should leave, I need to do packing."

She hugged everybody and took their blessings and walked to the door.
Everybody waved at them, she waved them back with a sad smile and closed her eyes.

"Stop looking at them like it's your last time." He grits out driving the car.
When she doesn't replies he stops the car. She instantly moves out of the car and he follows frustrated already.

"Mallika, STOP." He yells but it doesn't bothers her. He gives up and follows her where she was going. He got confused when she entered a restaurant and found it completely empty except her.

"Mallika?" He questions.

"You booked this for us for tomorrow, I rescheduled it today." She says.

"Let's spend the evening here, together.
Please." He sighed and obeyed.

"Can..we..dance first?" He nodded and took the lead, grabbing her waist and moving along the tune of instrumental music.

"I'm sorry." She whispers dancing along sliding her hands around his neck.

"How dangerous is in mission?"

"Dangerous enough to make me fear about you" She replies.

"Saying it in words and actually feeling it is so different."

"I said it millions of times before our marri-

"I don't regret it." He cut her off joining their foreheads.
 
"I love you." She confessed.

"I love you too." He reciprocated and softly their lips met. It was passionate one.

Mallika didn't knew what future had stored in them for today. She could give her life for her country but couldn't see the love of her life suffering .

But as always, Country comes first.

No matter what.

No matter he was her love.

No matter he was her husband.

No matter he was her soulmate.

What matters is the country, always.

"Don't make me promise anything." She pleaded.

"Just promise me, you will come back to me." He said.

"I will." Either in person or in tiranga. She said.

"I want to go home." She nodded and they went back in silence.

They changed and sat on couch holding hands remembering every moment they've spent since the first time they met.

First glance.

Rings exchanged.

First hug

First kiss

Dance in the rain

And every moment which was worth remembering.

"Contact me please." He said.

"My phone will be turned off the moment I will sit in the plane. I cannot say after that. Safety measures, sorry."

"Messages?" She shook her head.

"How can I make sure you're safe?"

"As long as you don't receive a call from headquarters." She said.

"huh, why will I receive a call from your headquarters?" He asked confused.

"Time will tell. And for now no more questions, I want to spend every second left with you, in my arms " she hugged him.

______________________________

The tickets are arrived.
Flight was at 9:45 AM. The families reach the airport at 9:00 to bid their daughter and daughter in law goodbye.
Both the mothers kissed her forehead while the dad's hugged her.

"Dhyan rakhna okay?" She nodded at her MIL

They all left leaving alone with her husband. She engulfed her in a warm hug and wiped her eyes.

"You're my pride. Remember this always." He says to her.

"I'm proud I chose you as my life partner." She says breaking the hug.

"Remember the promise, be safe, don't be careless, don't skip meals and try to contact whenever possible. And don't cry, you look ugly." He joked to lighten up the mood and she did laugh with tears.

"I'll miss you." He says when the last announcement took place

"I'll be back very soon. Even before you realise. Take care of the family. And get a promotion." He winks in approval when she started making her way inside.

"Bye!" He yells. She laughs embarassed when people started looking in her way but waved and mouthed a flying kiss.

He pretended to catch it and go in awe dramatically. She waved a final goodbye and vanished before his eyes.
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Ah, such type of love! 😭

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