In the prestigious Air Force Academy, love takes flight in the unlikeliest of circumstances. Sahasra, a determined widow with dreams of becoming an Air Force pilot, finds herself bound to Nikhil, a widower, in an arranged marriage. As they navigate...
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"Come let's ride the bike back to the hotel," Nikhil said as they walked to the place where the bike was parked.
"Sure. You don't mind me holding you right?" Sahasra smiled as she sat.
"Nope," he said and started the bike. As they were travelling, Sahasra had her arm raised while playing with the breeze. But soon she felt cold and went back to holding him, slowly dozing off in the process.
Nikhil, who was totally unaware that his wife was asleep, started talking about the Airforce and ground realities. When Sahasra didn't reply for a long time, he realized that she had slept.
I love the way she holds me, it makes me feel that she trusts me no matter what, he thought as he rode back to the hotel, smiling on the way.
When they reached the hotel, he woke her up and she got down half asleep, waiting for him to park. Once he was done, she started walking groggily, almost tripping down in the process.
"Wake up, hippo," Nikhil held her by the waist as she kept her head on his shoulder.
"I'm tired — so much training," she muttered. "My coach is cruel."
Nikhil chuckled, she thinks about training even while sleeping. He picked her up in bridal style and went up to their room. He laid her on the bed and went to sleep on his side.
I'm too tired to get extra pillows, he sighed — and for the first time, there was no pillow fort between them.
Nikhil was now truly moving on, and it was because of Sahasra.
I think I'm starting to see the real Sahasra, Nikhil wondered. The one who cares for her friends, is always optimistic, cheats on food and is immensely passionate about being in the air force.
For the first time, when she slept beside her there was no frown or tension — just a small smile that he wasn't aware of himself.
"AAAHHHH" Sahasra woke up in the middle of the night, screaming, which made Nikhil fall off the bed.
"Ouch!" Nikhil screamed while getting up since it was a sudden jerk. "Pagal ho gayi kya?" he said, rubbing his eyes. (transl. are you made or what?)
"I-I had a bad dream," she said softly.
"I'm sure you were running around the fields like a hippo and didn't find any food."
Sahasra kept her hands on her hips, "Yes, and then I kicked your ass when I saw you."
"Okay, okay," Nikhil laughed. "What happened?"
"I crashed a plane with 250 passengers," Sahasra hung her head low.
Nikhil started laughing, "What the hell?"
"What's so funny?" Sahasra laid down on the bed and frowned.
"You're going to pilot an Air Force plane, not commercial. Matlab kuch bhi?" Nikhil held his head, trying to suppress his laugh. "Go to sleep, and let me sleep. Annoying hippo."
