Ishq-e-Watan

Chapter 59- New Beginnings

CHAPTER 59

NEW BEGINNINGS

"So?" Koel demanded.

Sid looked at the others, almost all of them staring at him expectantly. "Bhai ji, aapne bola bhi?" Bala asked, looking him up and down. "Lag toh salaamat hi rahe ho? Haddiyan bhi saari judi hui hi lag rahi hain."

He grinned. "She said she loved me too."

Their jaws dropped open. Monami squealed, clapping her hands before launching herself in his arms. He laughed, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Bro", she squealed. "I am so happy for you."

"Chha gaye, Bhai ji", Bala said.

Karan and Faizi tilted their heads- almost in sync- staring at the cadets. "Yeh cadets itne uchhal kyun rahe hain?" Karan asked. Faizi shrugged. "Sanju, tujhe pata hai kuchh?" His eyes darted around, trying to understand a sentence or two to fill in the gaps.

Faizi glanced at the woman when she didn't answer. She had a smile on her face, and she stared at Sid quietly. The cadet looked at her and his smile grew. He straightened up. "Sanju... Siddharth ne tumhe propose kara?"

Karan's eyes snapped to her. "Kya?"

Sanju's smile widened. She nodded happily. "Ji, Sir ji. Kal raat." She let out a happy sigh. "Hum bahut khush hain", she gushed, taking a deep breath. The two chuckled, patting her head affectionately.

"Hum tumhaare liye bahut khush hain", Faizi said.

"He'll do you good", Karan said.

Faizi looked back at the gushing cadets, seemingly grilling Sid for the details. His eyes slid over to his own girlfriend and almost as if she knew, she looked up. His smile slid off a little.

'Jab tum decide kar lo ki tumhe yeh rishta nibhaana hai ya nahi, mujhe bata dena.'

His gaze dropped. He stared at his food, nibbling on his parantha. He wasn't all that hungry anymore.

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

Param stared at the letter. His letter of acceptance or rejection. Colonel Batra had refused to tell him the result, just wordlessly handing him the letter and telling him to see for himself.

Barkha stifled a yawn, trying to be patient as she stared at her husband. "Param... khol lo, na? Kitni der tak aur nihaaroge? Itna toh tumne mujhe bhi kabhi nahi nihaara hai."

He looked at her, narrowing his eyes slightly at the comment. He looked back down at the letter, releasing a breath before tearing it open. His eyes darted around as he read through the contents.

We are pleased to inform you that your application has been accepted.

The letter drifted down from his hands. Accepted. He was accepted back into the academy. He was going to serve again. Arms wrapped him, and he snaked his own around his wife, closing his eyes. "Congratulations", she muttered, kissing his head gently.

He let his smile spread on his face, exhaling.

He was going to serve again.

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

"Do you mind if I call you 'tum'?" Sid asked.

Sanju shook her head. "Naa. Par sirf tab jab hum tere senior ki tarah act naa kar raho hogo. Protocol ke khilaaf hai yeh jab kaam ki baat hogo."

He hummed. "Dhyaan rakhunga", he assured. He reached out, gently holding her hand. She looked down at their joined hands, before curling her fingers and interlacing her fingers with his. He smiled.