"To aap mein se kitne log yahan training karna chahte hain?" Anubhav asked the cadets.Everyone raise their hands.
"Ati uttam." He whispered to himself.
Then he handed over the charge to Dipti, and stepped aside, observing the cadets from a corner.
Dipti explained them the rules of the Akhada and administered the oath to them. After completing the oath, she told," Aaj se hum ek ghanta yog aur do ghante kasrat karenge. Do din ke baad aapki kushti ki training shuru hogi. Kyunki aaj pahla din hai, to aaj halka vyayam karenge."
Cadets' smile disappear after hearing that the 'halka vyayam' consisted fifty squats and fifty push ups. They collectively looked at their trainer in hope of some discount but only got a pity smile.
"Chalo jaldi shuru karo." Dipti instructed in high pitch.
Cadets started the warm up, followed by the exercise. Their faces were covered in dust and sweat, as they tried to keep up with Dipti's demanding pace. Their initial excitement and anticipation of an 'enjoyable' akhada training had quickly turned into a humbling reality check.
After almost an hour, Dipti finally called out for a break, the cadets stumbled and staggered towards the shade, their bodies were screaming in exhaustion. Some of them collapsed onto the dry, cracked earth of the akhada grounds. Others somehow managed to crawl towards the floor. The air was thick with the sounds of heavy breathing, groaning, and the occasional cough. The cadets lay there, motionless, their eyes closed, as they struggled to catch their breath and recharge for the next round of exercises.
Haseena and Karishma stumbled towards the water jug, exhausted. Haseena poured a small amount of water into her glass and handed it to Karishma, who was too drained to even notice. With a limp hand, Karishma poured the entire contents of the jug into her own glass, not realizing she had just drained the whole jug.
She handed the empty glass back to Haseena, who looked at it with surprise. Haseena shot her a disapproving glance. Karishma, still oblivious, collapsed onto the ground, her head in her hands, while Haseena shook her head in disbelief.
.
.
.
"Krishu pani khatam ho gaya hai, niche se bhar laiye na." Haseena requested, struggling to keep her eyes open.
"Hum bahut thak gaye hain, tum le aao na please." Karishma answered, lying on her stomach.
"Please!" Haseena requested, this time in more sweet voice.
Karishma grabbed a pillow and covered her ears. Haseena put her arms on her waist.
"Thik hai, hum le aate hain." She said in low voice," Niche Anubhav sir bhi mil jayenge, hume unse kuch baat karni hai."
Hearing his name, Karishma jumped from the bed and snatched the bottle from her hand.
"Tum kyun jaogi? Hum le aate hain." She said and stormed out of the room.
"Pata nahi kya problem hai inhe Anubhav sir se." Haseena mumbled to herself," Jo bhi ho, hume achha tarika mil gaya inse baat manvane ka."
__________
The next day, the cadets dragged themselves back to the akhada, their bodies still aching from the previous day training.
But as they assembled, it was noticable that not everyone was present. Today only half cadets were present compared to yesterday.
One hour passed and the training was getting more intense.
Mishri came to Karishma and kept her hand on her shoulder," Aur kya haal?"
