sky high ➳ a love-story written among the stars.

Chapter 1

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C H A P T E R O N E
The First Time
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｢ Touch the Sky with Glory ｣

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"May I come in sir?" A young man in his mid-twenties, dressed neatly in a blue uniform, knocked on the glass door.

Upon getting an approval from the other side of the door, he turned the knob and entered the cabin. Once arrived in front of the table he saluted at his Senior.

"Sir, Here is the report that you asked for." He handed over a file to his Senior.

"When is Mr. Saxena supposed to arrive?" Said the Senior, in a stern voice, completely engrossed in the file.

"Sir, He'll be here in an hour or two" the officer answered in a low voice, because he knew his Senior don't like those people who're late. According to him, the one who reported on time, is a responsible person.

"Ok, you may leave" The man was about to leave, when the Senior stopped him.

"Wait a second! Officer Aryaman, Why hasn't Officer Manik reported yet?" The Senior officer asked Aryaman. Aryaman was scared now, for his fellow officer and a dear friend, because he knew that Air Marshal Shashank Murthy doesn't like those who're late.

"Officer Aryaman, I'm asking you once again, Where is Officer Manik?" Aryaman was about to speak, when he heard the door of the cabin open and someone walked in.

"Squadron Leader Manik Malhotra Reporting Sir" He stood beside his fellow officer, Flight Lieutenant Aryaman and saluted his senior.

"I shall take your leave Sir. Jai Hind." Officer Aryaman saluted and marched out the cabin.

"Officer, I hope you're aware of the fact that you are an Airforce Officer and You very well know that this kind of behavior is intolerable here. So from next time I won't accept such irresponsible behavior" His Senior ordered sternly.

Manik knew this was coming up, But since it was his first time, so somewhere down the line, he was expecting his punishment to be endurable.

"For the first time, I didn't mind being late. Ahhh, Manik control!" He reminded his inner self.

"20 rounds of the ground, holding the rifle up high!" His Senior ordered.

"Yes Sir! I'm sorry Sir." Saying this Manik saluted and marched toward the ground.

Manik

Being an Indian Airforce Officer is a big responsibility. We are here to serve the nation, Our Motherland, leaving our families and loved ones behind. I, Squadron Leader Manik Malhotra, Son of  Late Air Marshal Amar Malhotra, have grown up watching my father serving this Nation. I have always dreamed of  joining Air Force. I still remember, The day when I got selected for Air Force, the smile on Dad's face was worth cherishing. He always told me, This is our Motherland and We're ought to protect it. The day when Dad's aircraft was attacked by the enemies, I was broken. I lost my Mom, due to heart failure. She was a heart patient and on hearing about Dad's death, she couldn't endure the shock and died. I was left alone. Sometimes I wish, I should've died with Dad in that Air Craft attack, But then If Shashank Uncle wasn't there, then I would've never come back to Air Force. After Dad's death, I never wanted to come back to Air Force, but then Shashank Uncle reminded me of Dad's dream of protecting the nation till last breath. I was very close to Shashank Uncle after my Parents. In AirBase we were Professionals, But at home he always treated me like a son. Flight Lieutenant Aryaman, the son of Air Marshal Shashank, is my best childhood buddy. He is a fun loving person, But when it comes to being an Air Force Officer, He's the best example of a responsible Officer.

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After completing 20 rounds of the ground, Manik marched toward the base. As expected his fellow officers, who were also his close buddies, were standing there waiting for him.

"So how was your first ever punishment buddy?" Officer Abhimanyu questioned Manik as soon as he approached the, with his gaze lowered.

"Hey buddy, What happened to you today? How come you reported late today? Because we all know how punctual you are." Aryaman showered him with questions, which Manik was going to answer but was stopped in midway by Abhimanyu.

"There, Our Cabiraaa is here too!"

Abhimanyu said, making everyone shift their gaze towards Cabir, who came out of his Aircraft, marching towards the Wing Commander who was recording his flight timing.

Cabir was still under flight training.

"Hey bro! How was your flight training today?" Manik asked Cabir, tapping his back.

"It was tiring, but went really well. By the way I heard you all talking about something, what was it about?"

Cabir brushed his fingers through his wet hair and looked at his friends for an answer.

"Oh well well, you won't believe what happened today!" Abhimanyu spoke in the most dramatic tone ever, making Manik roll his eyes. He knew what was coming up. A whole lot of teasings from his friends.

"What?" Cabir questioned, raising his eyebrow and sipping his coffee, which he ordered after every flight training, to help him reduce the headache.

"Today, for the first time in the history, The Squadron Leader Manik Malhotra got late for duty!" Aryaman, also known as the drama queen, blurted, emphasizing on every word.

"What?" Cabir spurt his coffee in response, his eyes widened in shock.

"Flight Lieutenant Cabir and Squadron Leader Abhimanyu, Shashank Sir wants you both in his cabin, right now."

But before the conversation could be taken further, Cabir heard their Wing Commander call out for them.

"Reporting Sir."

"Okay guys, We shall leave right now. See you all later." Saying this Cabir and Abhimanyu marched out while Manik sighed in relief.

That was a close escape!

But little did he know that he could never escape the reality even if he wants.

He can never escape his beautiful morning encounter!

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-| words count: 1011w |-
Phew! That was some good long task to do!

Been so long since I've worked on Sky High so why not. Huhu.

Hope you all enjoyed the chapter.

Do take out a few minutes from your precious time to drop your reviews in the comments section!

Love,
- fizzah🕊