Pyaar Toh Hona Hi Tha

50. The Engagement

The sun had set, casting long shadows over the quiet streets as Archana sat at her desk, shuffling through the various documents she had managed to gather over the past few weeks.

She had been tirelessly trying to piece together information about the Grenadiers Regiment, the very regiment her late husband, Lieutenant Colonel Vikram Singh Shekhawat, had served with.

Her hope was that uncovering more about the regiment would lead her to information about Vikram's family or his younger brother, Shakti Singh Randhawa.

But so far, every lead seemed to dissolve into thin air.

Archana leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples in frustration.

It had been a painstaking process, each inquiry leading to a dead end.

After Vikram's death, the Grenadiers Regiment had been disbanded, citing the lack of an appropriate leader.

The missions they had been assigned had failed, one after the other, and the once-respected regiment had faded into obscurity.

Archana knew that this was more than just a coincidence.

Something or someone had ensured the regiment's dissolution, severing all ties that could lead back to Vikram or his family.

Determined not to give up, Archana had found a contact number—one that supposedly provided information to family members about their loved ones in the army.

Clutching the piece of paper with the number scribbled on it, she took a deep breath and dialed.

The phone rang twice before a voice answered, formal and slightly distant.

“Army headquarters, Delhi. How may I assist you?”

Archana cleared her throat, trying to steady her nerves. “I am trying to get in touch with Shakti Singh Randhawa,” she said, her voice betraying none of the anxiety she felt.

There was a pause on the other end. “Ma’am, there are several officers by that name. Could you provide a specific rank or regiment? That would help us narrow it down.”

Archana's heart sank.

She realized she knew almost nothing about Shakti's current status or whereabouts.

Quickly, she changed tactics. “Could you tell me if there are any records of Lieutenant Colonel Vikram Singh Shekhawat or Lieutenant Colonel Keerti Shekhawat’s family members?”

Another pause.

Archana could hear the faint clicking of a keyboard.

After what seemed like an eternity, the voice returned, slightly more guarded than before. “Ma’am, may I ask who is calling?”

Archana hesitated.

She could tell them she was Lieutenant Colonel Keerti Shekhawat, but she knew that would likely lead to more disbelief and confusion rather than answers.

If she claimed to be alive after all these years, they might dismiss her as a prankster or someone with malicious intent.

Keeping her voice steady, she replied, “I need to speak with Shakti Singh Randhawa, the brother of Lieutenant Colonel Vikram Singh Shekhawat. It’s a matter of utmost importance.”

The voice on the other end became even more cautious. “One moment, please. I’ll transfer you to a higher officer.”

Archana waited, the silence in the room pressing in on her.

She could hear her own heartbeat as she waited for someone to pick up the call.

She knew that Shakti had shut down all avenues that could lead anyone to him after Vikram’s death.