Ishq-e-Watan

Chapter 114- Dread

CHAPTER 114

DREAD

No one knew about Sanju's arrival. Well, none of the cadets. For all of Bala's ears to the wall, he had no inkling to it. So, it was just a normal Sunday, Koel impatiently waiting for Nikhil, and the rest pacing all over the mess, talking to their respective homes.

Sanju stepped into the doorway, leaning on her good arm on the door. Sid was sitting, facing away, his shoulders hunched, and idly tracing something with his finger on the table. Much of his enthusiasm and his cheerfulness was missing, and she rested her head on the pane, watching him quietly. He had perhaps grown a little thinner, in the few weeks she had been gone. It was under a minute that they spotted her. The first one was Bala. Much to her amusement, he literally... froze. He had been doing nothing in particular, waiting for the others to be done with their calls, tapping the desk randomly. His fingers hovered in mid air from where he was going to bang them on the table, and his mouth dropped open.

Parikshit was the next to notice- turning when he saw Bala's reaction, and then it was a chain reaction. Sid was the last, and his jaw dropped open before his eyes lit up. "Sanju!" He almost shrieked, and she winced, feeling bad for his Dad, who was sure to be the one on the other side. He always complained that Sid shouted too damn much. But her thoughts didn't linger much, when he raced over, and she smiled. She flinched away when he extended his arms, her gaze darting to the cadets awkwardly. "Kya, Sanju? Itne din baad mil rahe hain aur abhi bhi yeh?" He gave her a tired look, and she melted.

She chuckled, letting her hand fall back down. "Chirkut", she said affectionately, letting him wrap his arms around her, mindful of her injured shoulder. He relaxed when she wrapped her uninjured arm around her, patting his back. Perhaps, if she hadn't missed him so much, she would have never hugged him back, but as it was, she was barely mindful of the cadets. She was just happy being in his arms after so long.

"Tum theek ho? Zyaada dard toh nahi ho raha? Painkillers par ho, na? Tum yahan kaise? Tum waapas aa gayi kya? And-"

"Sid", Koel interrupted, chuckling. "Ma'am tere questions sunkar behosh ho jaayenge. Chill kar thoda."

"Sid Bhai ji ne itne din se poori academy sar par uthaa rakhi thi, Sanju Madam", Bala complained. "Achha hua aap aa gayi. Aap hi shaant karwaa sakti hain inhe."

"Ma'am", Monami greeted happily, and she patted her head in greeting. Her grin widened. She had missed her so much! "Are you here to stay?"

She looked down at her shoulder, nodding. "Yahan par waapas posting hogo ab." She smiled when the cadets let out a happy cheer. Her namoonas. She had missed them.

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

"Nikhil!" Koel almost squealed, running out to meet him halfway. The little boy jumped up in her arms, and she held him close, almost squishing him as she hugged him tightly.

Faizi chuckled, leaning against the pillar. It wasn't very much like her to get so hyped up about anything, and he loved the happiness on her face. She was so beautiful. Behind Nikhil, her father walked up, a small bag slung over his back. His gaze lifted to him, and he bowed his head in greeting, folding his hands. He had almost give him Adab, but he was pretty sure her father wouldn't be all that pleased with him.

"Koel", her father greeted, hugging her.

"Aap late ho gaye", Koel complained lightly, and his father let out a weary sigh, humming.

He shook his head. "Bas tumhaari Maa", he started.

"Arey, bas, bas", Nikhil said, holding up a hand. "Yahan bhi sunna padega aapka aur Nani ka jhagda." Faizi chuckled, walking closer to them. Nikhil noticed him, his eyes narrowing slightly. Faizi had expected as much. The kid was always trying his best to be intimidating to him, but he was just plain out adorable.