Rewrite the Stars

17 | s e v e n t e e n

When Nikhil left to the Delhi base, that's when Sahasra actually realized how much her husband had become a part of her life at the academy. Everyday before sleeping, she would fantasize about their kiss, and what would've happened if Ramya hadn't interrupted them.

At the same time, she remained focused towards her dream. Her flying hours had started — and she was loving every single moment of them.

She also kept in touch with Dadi and her two mothers.

One weekend, she decided to take a leave and travel back home. She wanted to meet her family and secretly wished to see Nikhil as well.

I have to admit that I am definitely feeling an affectionate force of attraction towards him, she confessed within herself. Six long months had gone by without Nikhil, and almost a year without her family.

Dadi and Maa were sitting in the backyard, enjoying their evening tea. Both of them were shocked to the core by a scream, "SURPRISE!!"

Looking back, they realized it was Sahasra and hugged their daughter-in-law. Then, much to Sahasra's annoyance, they bombarded her with questions about her health and food habits.

"Maa, Dadi, shaant ho jaiye! I'm fine — in fact, I'm graduating soon!" Sahasra broke the news. "You both need to come to the Bengaluru AFA in January, where I will graduate as an official Air Force pilot!"

"Hum zarur ayenge! We're so happy for you," botht he ladies cried tears of happiness and hugged her again.

I have the sweetest in-laws ever! Sahasra wondered.

Maa broke the hug and told Sahasra, "Nikhil came last month. He told us about your progress. He sounded really proud of you — in fact, I can see that Nikhil has changed. He has become the man my husband would've been proud of."

"He was sounding so proud and fond of you that we thought he was an imposter. His attitude towards you has changed, I see," Dadi continued.

"He changed himself, and I'm glad we've become best friends. Even though he lives in a different state, he never forgets to call me at least once a week," she informed the ladies.

"That's because he finally sees the good in you. I bet he adores you and even loves you," Maa smirked.

"No way Maa! Love? Never! He always makes fun of me — he calls me a 'hippo'! He cares for me, yes, but as a friend."

"You think whatever you want," Maa shrugged. "I know my son's feelings. He's definitely in love."

"I still don't believe it," Sahasra shook her head.

"Leave him," Dadi interrupted. "Sahasra, do you love him?"

"Me?" Sahasra suddenly felt shy. Images of her husband caressing her cheeks and then kissing her flashed in her brain. "I don't know Dadi..."

"Hmm," Maa said. "Whatever it is, get your feeling together and cherish your youth till it's there. Otherwise you'll regret it in old age."

Sahasra stayed home for 5 days. She had a great time with the ladies. On the last day, she went to meet her own mother — they had a few arguments here and there, but her mother was feeling a sense of pride since her daughter was becoming an Air Force official.

When Sahasra returned to the academy, she started to miss Nikhil again. So, she decided to play a prank.

According to the plan, Ramya would dial Nikhil's number and talk to him. So Sahasra gave her his number and Ramya did as planned.

"Hello," Ramya said, her tone sounding apprehensive. Saahasra kicked her to act properly and make her plan a success.

"Hello?" Nikhil said from the other end.

"Sir, this is Ramya from the Bengaluru AFA."

"Hi Ramya, how are you?" Nikhil asked politely.

"Sir, I'm fine but Sahasra—" Ramya was sweating lying to her coach who was also an Air Force Captain.

"What? Sahasra ko kya hua?" Nikhil sounded worried.

Sahasra had her ear next to the phone. She heard Nikhil's concerned voice and giggled quietly. Maybe he'll come to meet me now, she hoped.

Ramya gestured to Sahasra asking what she should answer to Nikhil's question. "Just cook up an emotional story," Sahasra instructed. "Emotional enough to make him visit me ASAP."

"Sir, Sahasra is behaving crazy these days. Despite having high fever, she hasn't eaten anything since two days and she doesn't even listen to me. I'm really worried for her," Ramya said, giving appropriate variations in her tone to bring out the 'seriousness' of the situation.

Sahasra mentally saluted Ramya's acting skills and went far from the phone so that she could have a good laugh. "Ramya, tussi great ho," she muttered.

"Yes yes, sure sir," Ramya said and then hung up. She ran up to Sahasra and hit her saying, "Your pyaare patidev panicked, he's coming here tomorrow — and I'm going into hiding. You're dead anyway, but he's going to kill me as well once he finds out."

"Arre, be polite to me! Can't you see I'm sick with a high fever?" Sahasra said, acting to cough and look weak.

"You're a drama queen," Ramya rolled her eyes.

Sahasra was returning from her afternoon flying class when she spotted Nikhil near the girl's dorm. Her heart fluttered and she rushed towards him, overomed with a surge of happiness.

"YOU CAME!" she shouted as she hugged him tightly.

Nikhil smiled and broke the hug almost immediately, keeping his hand on her forehead. "Don't you have a fever? Ramya told me."

"I.. uh—" Sahasra stammered. She realized that she couldn't keep the truth from him so she blurted out, "It was a prank—"

"YOU LIED!" Nikhil's smile disappeared. "You think it's a harmless prank? No, it's not funny at all Sahasra — I left everything and flew here to check on you since I was gravely concerned. Akal hai tumhe?"

Sahasra frowned. "I wanted to see you, and I knew you wouldn't come otherwise. This was the only way. Desperacy, you see."

"Phir bhi, is this the right way? You're going to become a real fighter pilot soon and all you want to do is prank people? Seriously??" Nikhil said, disappointed at his wife's actions.

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Vote and comment about your views of Sahasra's prank on her 'pyaare patidev'!!<3