The air inside Base One's council chambers felt different after the funeral.
It was calmer, quieter, though everyone's eyes still carried shadows.
Aamir sat with his friends in one of the side halls. No soldiers. No leaders. Just them.
For the first time in five years, they could simply talk.
Raj leaned back against the stone wall, arms crossed. His eyes narrowed as he studied Aamir like he didn't quite believe he was there.
"You know," Raj said, his voice low but sharp, "we had to survive five years without you. You think that was easy?"
Aamir tilted his head, a faint smile touching his lips. "I never thought it was easy. That's why I came back."
Raj exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. "We buried friends, Aamir. We fought battles where every breath felt like the last. And through it all…" His fists clenched. "…we kept waiting for you to show up. Hoping. Every damn day."
