Your Average Girl.

I can't.

The next day was the final day. Everything was in order and after the final hurrah at the dinner later that night; everyone would leave for their homes the next day. Minaal spent the day with Maliha. She kept her by her side throughout all the events. The ceremony before the dinner involved the fresh cadets too. Though not directly involved, Nabeel was somewhere in the background of it all. She had only seen glimpses of him and they had communicated in head nods, smiles and once, an eye roll. They were both busy and the day flew by in a flurry and the night even more so. By the time Minaal knew it, they were saying goodbyes to the families of her father's friends. This might be the last time I'll be meeting these people, thought Minaal. It made her feel nostalgic and almost sad. She was walking on the cool, damp gravel barefoot in the almost dark night. Her family was behind her walking slowly as they socialized with the people making their way back to their rooms. She thought about how she hadn't seen Nabeel properly for the entire day. And probably never will. Oh God, that was a sad thought... Minaal thought about it for ten seconds. And then unlocked her phone to text him. He had beat her to it. "Hope to see you before you leave for Karachi. It'd do our hospitality a dishonor :p' Minaal laughed at the last sentence. He could be so proper yet so direct. She texted him back to ask if he could meet her for chai. He replied back two minutes later to say yes. She barely had time to change and wipe off all traces of makeup before she left her room, informing her parents she was going out for a stroll. All along the way, she was so glad he had asked to meet. She vowed to let this be the one last crazy, spontaneous thing she did for herself before her engagement. Also, do yourself a favor and don't think about it abhi. Just don't. Live in the moment, she told herself. The chilly wind gave her goosebumps and twirled her hair as she made her way towards the tea bar. He was already there, waiting for her.

"MINAAL!" he greeted her with a grin.

She laughed at his enthusiastic greeting and replied with matched vivacity! "Chai pasand Karin gi aap? It's sort of chilly tonight."

"Isn't that what we're meeting for?" she asked rhetorically "Ohhh no. haha. Trust me, no", he said as he sipped on his tea.

"What is THAT supposed to mean?"

"You'll see. Now let's walk with our tea", he said getting up

"But... its warm and cozy in here"

"And it's fun and adventurous outside" Minaal gave him a look.

"Seriously bro, just a bit of wind..."

"That's what you think." he added with a mischievous smile. Puzzled, she shot him a suspicious, curious look and then declared "fine. I'm coming" as she followed him outside. The conversation flowed with ease. In fact, now that he wasn't in uniform, he talked with greater abandon and was more generous with his witticism. Minaal was in high spirits too. The weather was on their side as was the bright, shining moon. "The hangar? We're going to the hangars?" asked Minaal incredulously.

"Yeah, I figured I'd show you around and introduce you to one of these!" he said proudly gesturing at the planes

"Nabeel.. I'm an airforce brat. I've seen this. Multiple times. Even been in them"

"But have you ridden one?"

"Nahee-ee. How could I?"

"True. You'd need to fly with someone for that... someone qualified... trained... permitted to fly with a passenger.." he said as he casually turned on lights and went about clearing the way. Minaal looked at him with held breath, not daring to expect but doing it nevertheless. He dialed the phone and said something for a minute or two and then resumed his activities. "UM.. Kya karrahay ho tum?", asked Minaal