They never met...

CHAPTER -16 CRACKS IN FOUNDATION

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*Flashback continues*

6 months later

Jagjeet's pov:

The late-night call started innocently enough. Mahima's voice, usually laced with warmth, held a tinge of apprehension. "Jagjeet," she began, "we need to talk."

I, stretched out on his bunk after a grueling training session, braced myself. Lately, our conversations, once overflowing with shared dreams, were laced with unspoken anxieties. My babe's voice, usually a soothing balm, sometimes carried an undercurrent of... suspicion?

"What's wrong, babe?"

She hesitated,her brows knitted in deep thoughts, then blurted out, "It's about your training. You mentioned a new friend, Susmita, right"

My stomach clenched. Susmita was a fellow trainee, a brilliant hacker with an infectious laugh. We'd formed a study group, a welcome respite from the physical demands of the academy. But Mahima, due to work stress in Patna, seemed to view every new interaction as a potential threat.

"Yeah," I admitted cautiously. "We study together sometimes."

"Sometimes?" Mahima's voice sharpened. "Every other message you send mentions her. 'Susmita said this,' 'Susmita aced that test.' Don't you think it's a little... much?"

" Are you jealous babe" i said chuckling, she never admits that she is jealous but she often is , and this thought amuses me

"Yes I am" i looked at her in the eyes through the screen, but alarm bells rang so high in my head and I felt a surge of defensiveness. "Mahima, come on. Susmita's just a friend. We help each other out."

"A friend who seems to be occupying a lot of your time," Mahima countered. "Jagjeet, I miss you. But lately, it feels like the academy, your training, your new friends... they all come before me."

The truth stung my heart. The academy was demanding, my social circle had expanded, but Mahima, my anchor, was always in my thoughts. I just wasn't expressing it as well as I should have.

"That's not true," I protested,  in a strained voice. "You're the most important person in my life."

Silence stretched on the line, heavy with unspoken doubts. Mahima finally spoke, her voice quiet but firm. "Then why not prove it? Why not announce our relationship publicly? Let everyone know we're together."

My breath hitched. The Priya incident still cast a long shadow. I didn't want Mahima to be subjected to any gossip or targeted harassment, a repeat of Priya's cruel games.

"Mahima, love," i began, in a gentle voice, "we don't need to announce anything to prove our love. You know how I feel about you."

"But don't you get it?" Her voice broke with a hint of frustration. "Maybe if everyone knew, these... these Susmitas wouldn't get the wrong idea."