Pride ✔

10 - The Return

~Promises~

Hearing the continuous knocks he sighed and got up opening the door meeting the eyes of Hriday and Yuvan.

'She's here." Before anyone could say anything else he ran downstairs and found everyone gathered in the living room.

'Remember I will always return back to you, be a smiling face or wrapped in a tiranga.'

And there she was, beautifully clad in the National Flag of India.

She has returned. Fulfilled her promise.

And it was now his time to start fulfilling his promises.

She left an audio, a video and a letter with all her wishes and love to her dear ones.

"It's time." His father in law said and he nodded slowly.

The men carried her body to the ghat. All rituals were done by Sumedh, a proud husband of an Army wife. He did not cry, he did not let tears spill from his eyes.

Because he had promised her.

"May her soul rest in peace." The priest said.

Sumedh took a final glance, touched her face softly, kissed her eyes, cheeks, forehead and finally her lips before sand covered her and she was finally buried.

He turned around and saw both of his dads waiting for him. He got up and silently followed them to the house.

"Sumedh" he looked at her teammates and her senior standing away a bit.

Hriday took out the letter and pen drive and gave it to her.

"Her last wishes." officer khanna spoke.

"And the first video watch it with your family."

***

"Hello guys!" On the screen appeared Mallika, in hospital gown sitting on the bed.

"Well this video was supposed to be created anytime but I never thought I would be recording in the hospital bed." She huffs.

"I hope both moms and dads with Sumedh would be there. Oh and maybe Hriday and Yuvan. I doubt officer Khanna because he is a grumpy man." Yuvan's eyes widens because his senior was sitting right here.

"I'm sorry but I felt so. But Sir you are very responsible, caring and a respectable personality and I hope you keep making our India proud. Jai Hind." There was a blank screen and then she reappeared. "Hi mumma papa." she addresses her parents next.

"I hope I've made you guys proud always, thankyou for supporting me always, never stopping me and loving me to no extent. And no you haven't lost me, you've to bear your son in law who is not at all easy to handle okay?" she laughs.

"Mom and dad I'm sorry for making a joke of your son but he deserves it truly. Oh and let me tell you, he can't make a proper meal still in his 29 years of life. And I love you both remember that. I know I'm not like other DIL's who help their in-laws and provide them service. It's always been the opposite where you guys pampered me. So you're free to gossip and bitch about me to your friends, I deserve it though." She chuckles.

"Hriday you better not land in trouble knowing every consequence. And stop revolting. Thankyou for being the best crime partner in every mission since 5 years. Tell your girlfriend I will meet her in next life. And Yuvaan Sir, I will admit I got irritated at your remarks sometimes but you were a great helping hand. Tell Officer Khanna to give you a promotion, after working for so many years you deserve it man."