In the midst of all this chaos, the morning rays had already knocked on the door, and that knock had moved a bit further ahead. One never realizes when the first phase of the morning turns into the second phase — just like everyone's tasks also take a step forward. Kalpana arrives at her base, where a test awaits her — both physical and mental. She is already standing there in her uniform.
"Panda, where were you, yaar?" (Abhi, walking toward Kalpana, asks her this question.)
"I'll tell you later." (Kalpana accepts his question with this reply.)
The two of them head toward the changing room. From there, they quickly reach the instruction room, where the C.O. Sir is standing in position. The Dragon Team members are all at their positions.
"Release!" (Turning his head back, C.O. Sir nods in approval, releasing all the pilots.)And then continues…
"The weather is nice, so it's absolutely favorable for our practice mission." (Saying this, he straightens his posture again.)
All the pilots, in unison:"Yes, Sir."
"So, our two chopper pilots will be on the mission." (Saying this, he turns toward Abhi.)And continues with his instructions…"The two pilots who went to drop our Garud Commandos at the border — it will be Team A's responsibility to take them there safely and then bring them back to the base station. Panda and Abhi will be in Team A. Team B will…" (In Team B, Sam has been placed along with a Squadron Leader.)
Then, fixing his direct and fearless gaze on Kalpana, C.O. Sir continues…"And Panda, it's your duty to ensure that Sam doesn't even hover his jet anywhere near the chopper."
"Yes, Sir." (Kalpana taps her right foot on the ground, holding the same fearless expression in her eyes as she responds to C.O. Sir.)
Standing nearby, Sam lightens the moment with a mischievous smile.
"On your mark within five." (C.O. Sir says this and straightens up again.)All the members tap their right foot on the ground, accepting C.O. Sir's mission. After giving his instructions, C.O. Sir heads toward the navigation room with the same commanding demeanor.
The teams move to their positions. Kalpana begins stroking her jet with her right hand, as if caressing her dearest possession. There's affection in her eyes, and she runs her hand over the jet from nose to tail with care. With tenderness, she says…"I miss you like a hell." (She kisses the nose of the jet as she says this.)
By then, the other commandos arrive carrying a ladder, setting it against Kalpana's jet."Thank you," she says, bowing her head slightly, and starts climbing the ladder.Crossing the steps, she sits in her seat. With her gloved hands, she puts on her helmet. Abhi is already seated at the jet's navigator position. The ladder is removed. Kalpana closes the cockpit. Placing her mask over her nose, she calls out…
"Are you ready?" (Her voice ringing with determination.)
Matching her resolute tone, Abhi replies…"Roger, Panda."
Panda signals with her finger for takeoff."Let's kiss the sky." (Saying this, she starts the mission.)
Suraj is here only and only because of that arrogant woman. And if Suraj— (saying this, she pauses for a moment)
Then she continues…"I will not spare her." (Her eyes fill with rage.)Overcome by the emotions running inside her, she stands up.
"How can you say that? And what exactly are you saying, huh? Why would she do that?" (Anu asks Geetika, looking at her in disbelief.)
"She did it. She has done it." (Geetika says, her eyes flaring.)She continues…"This is all her doing. She's the one who pushed Suraj, because of which he hit that rock. That's why he got such a serious injury."
"What?" (Anu asks with a questioning expression.)"Yes, and I will not spare her. I was there, I was right there, Anu." (Saying this, she starts walking toward the door.)
"Where are you going now?" (Anu asks, catching her hand as she moves toward the exit.)"To the office." (And she shakes off Anu's hand and walks away toward her office.)
**___
Inside her jet, covering the chopper…"Abhi, did you see that?" (Kalpana says loudly.)
"No, Panda." (Abhi replies, matching her tone.)
Then Abhi raises his voice even more and says…"Panda, on your left, four o'clock."
At Abhi's words, Kalpana instantly turns her jet. Sam is seen approaching fast in his jet, heading toward the chopper. The chopper pilot has already dropped off the Garud Commandos. Now, after the drop, they're heading back toward the base — and Sam is steering his jet in their direction. Slightly impressed by Sam's move, Kalpana says…"Oh, so this is the game you're playing!" (Kalpana tilts her jet diagonally, placing it directly in front of Sam. Understanding her move, Abhi navigates and calls out…)
"Four o'clock, flare!" (And his voice carries the same intensity.)
Kalpana fires a shot at his navigation, but Sam is no less skilled — after all, he is a Squadron Leader. He maneuvers his jet out of the way, dodging their attack. Seeing this move, Kalpana says…"Smart boy."
"We have to beat him!" (Abhi shouts in response to Kalpana's remark.)
"Take it easy, man! I know." (Kalpana replies with her usual attitude.)
"Panda, ten o'clock!" (Spotting a flare coming toward them, Abhi quickly warns Panda before it gets closer.)
"Roger, Abhi." (Kalpana acknowledges his alert.)
Once again, she tilts her jet to a 45-degree angle, dodging the flare. The flare passes underneath her jet. She then turns her jet back in the same direction and, with precise control, slows her speed.
"What a move, Panda." (Watching their location and maneuvers from the instruction room, C.O. Sir comments.)
As she slows her jet, Sam moves ahead, eager to reach the chopper as quickly as possible. Suddenly, Sam hears a voice in his headset…"Good flying, Sam." (Kalpana says in a tone of victory.)
Sam doesn't understand her words right away, but then his navigator officer says…"We are locked."
Sam reacts with a frustrated "shit" gesture, flicks his hand, and sees Panda's jet right behind his own. The chopper lands safely at the air station. Sam also returns to the base station in his jet.
Kalpana lands her jet in her own unique style — just like she has the words Let's Kiss the Sky written on the back of her jet, she draws whimsical patterns in the sky before bringing it down to the ground.
Standing outside his parked jet, Sam watches Kalpana's control and, amazed, says…"What control she has over her jet. I'm impressed."
Kalpana steps out of her jet with her chin held high and shoulders raised. As she walks forward, she removes her helmet and carries it under her arm. From behind, Abhi says…"Now he knows who we are." (He says this while glancing at the astonished Sam.)
"Told you, some people are answered through their work." (Kalpana says, lifting her head with pride.)
Abhi agrees with her. The two share a fist bump on the base grounds.
"Good job, team." (C.O. Sir says, stepping in front of them.)
They all bow their heads slightly, accepting the praise.
"Now go and take a rest. Dismiss." (C.O. Sir gives the instruction in his usual commanding tone.)
"Yes, Sir." (They all head toward the changing room.)
Kalpana wants to freshen up quickly so she can go to the hospital. As she heads out, Abhi asks…"Hey, where to?"
"Oh, right — come with me, I'll tell you on the way." (Kalpana replies in a hurried tone.)
The two leave quickly. Bat and Amez try to ask them questions as they pass, but Kalpana simply tells them to come over to her place at night. Whether they'll actually come or not — that depends on their mood.
Geetika, after working in her office for a few hours, arrives as well. Even today, time has no fixed pace — it's racing somewhere fast.
On the way, Kalpana explains everything to Abhi. They arrive at the hospital carrying chocolates for the kids.
As soon as Gaurav sees Kalpana, he runs up and clings to her."Well, well, Gaurav Mahashaya is back in form!" (She bends toward him playfully.)And continues…"So, how are you, handsome?"
"Very good." (Gaurav's innocent face turns into a smile as he answers Kalpana.)
"Want to come home?" (Kalpana asks, tilting her head with a questioning look.)
Hearing this, Gaurav's face turns slightly gloomy. Noticing the change in his expression, Kalpana gently strokes his face with her hand, but Gaurav shakes his head no.
Understanding his feelings, she says…"Oh, right — handsome, I meant my home." (Kalpana reassures him, trying to remove his fear.)
And she hugs him to her chest once again. Abhi knows Kalpana very well, and he's also well aware of her actions. Standing a few steps away, he smiles as he watches the two of them.
When the three of them enter the children's ward and go to meet all the kids, every child rushes to Kalpana at once, wrapping themselves around her."Arre, arre, that's enough, children. That's enough. How are you all?"
Seeing the excitement of all the children, Kalpana smiles and asks how they're doing. They all reply together…"We are all very good, thank you, Didi."
"Children, don't use such a big word. Look, this uncle has brought lots of chocolates for you." (Kalpana gestures toward Abhi as she says this.)
"So, brothers, what—do you want to take the chocolates back with you?"
Saying this, Kalpana steps aside and calls ACP Umran to ask about the children's condition — in the sense of what will be done next. ACP Umran tells Kalpana…"This news has spread like wildfire."
Hearing this, Kalpana says to Umran…"Make sure my name doesn't come up in this anywhere."
"Don't worry, don't worry about that. Well, the parents of the children whose reports were filed have been informed, and they're coming to pick them up. All the papers and everything have been prepared. Some of the children are from the Valley, but some are from outside as well."
"I know, Umran… some children have ended up here because of sheer misfortune. It's okay, it's okay — I'll send those children to Mr. Girdhari."
Shaking his head with a touch of sadness, Umran responds to Kalpana…"Okay, Panda… but…" (she continues with a yearning in her voice) "…shouldn't such parents also be brought to justice — the ones who took such a big step?"
"ACP Umran, please meet me.""Yes, of course." (Umran accepts Kalpana's request.)
Their conversation ends. The children are handed over to their parents, and the entire procedure is explained to them — how the case will proceed and that they may have to come to the police station or court. Everyone agrees. Their lives have been returned to them.
As for the children whose reports were never filed — those, as Kalpana had said, who ended up there due to cruel fate — she sends them to a place that is an orphanage for children, run by an NGO.
Gathering all her emotions, Kalpana takes Gaurav home with her.
"Namaskar 🙏"