Inside the army camp,
a heavy silence lingered. All that could be heard were footsteps echoing on the ground and the distant shuffle of guards in formation. Inside the office, a dim yellow light spread across the room. In the center stood Raghav, straight and tense. Opposite him stood the Colonel—broad forehead, stern eyes, and a voice laced with restrained anger.
The Colonel clasped his hands behind his back, stared deep into Raghav's eyes, and said in a low, booming tone—
"Enough, Captain Raghav."
His words struck like steel against a wall. Raghav lowered his head, but his face remained firm.
The Colonel stepped forward and slammed his hand on the file resting on the table—
"How many times have I told you? Before taking any action, you will inform your seniors. Then a team will be formed, and only then will we face the enemy. Wasn't that the rule?"
His eyes blazed with fury.
Raghav replied in a steady voice, "Yes, Sir…"
The Colonel froze, then let out a cold, sharp laugh through his nose. His glare sharpened as he said—
"Then why didn't you follow the rules? Did you read them backwards? First you fight the enemy alone, then you kill them, and after that you inform your seniors! Do you even realize this isn't just foolishness, it's suicidal?"
Raghav's lips tightened. For a brief moment, his eyes met the Colonel's unflinchingly. The Colonel exhaled deeply, his tone dropping lower but growing heavier—
"Raghav, remember this—do your duty with your heart, but take action with your head. This isn't a game, this is the border. One wrong step can wipe out not just you, but the entire team. From this day forward, I want no more complaints about you. Understood?"
Raghav's chest lifted as he immediately answered—
"Yes, Sir!"
His voice was loud and clear, almost as if he was convincing himself. The Colonel studied him for a moment longer, then sat in his chair and said in a cold tone—
"Anyway. You're being assigned to your next mission—Jodhpur. We'll have a meeting about it in an hour. Be prepared."
Without another word, Raghav saluted. His eyes were forward, but his mind was elsewhere.
"Ok, Sir."
He turned and walked out. The moment he stepped through the door, a gust of cold air struck his face—but the heat boiling inside him was beyond the reach of any wind.
Outside, his comrades were already waiting. All eyes turned toward him.
A thin, playful boy rushed forward with a wide grin—
"Here comes our hero! So… did Colonel Sir scold you too much?"
Another chimed in, laughing—
"Scold? He got the full blast! We heard his voice outside… standing here, we thought you'd walk out with smoke rising from your head!"
The others burst into laughter. Some clapped him on the back, some ruffled his hair, one even whistled. But Raghav did not laugh.
He only wore a faint, forced smile. His steps slowed. His friends sensed his silence.
One placed a hand on his shoulder—
"Come on, man… don't take it to heart. Sir scolds everyone."
Another laughed—
"You know how our Captain is! First the action, then the rules. Of course Sir was going to be mad!"
The third friend, the serious one, spoke in a low voice—
"But Raghav… Sir wasn't wrong. Your heart's always in the right place, but sometimes… you need to think with your head."
That silenced the group for a moment. Raghav gave a faint smile and said—
"Enough lectures, guys. I need a little time alone."
They exchanged looks and nodded. Raghav walked slowly toward the open field of the camp.
---
Elsewhere…
Golden hues spread across the sky. Mala ji and Vaidehi walked slowly toward home. Mala adjusted her dupatta on her shoulder, smiling softly at Vaidehi. Her eyes carried affection but also that familiar worry etched on every mother-like aunt's face.
Suddenly, she spoke in a gentle tone—
"So, Vaidehi… do you wish to marry yet?"
The words seemed to hang in the air. Vaidehi, lost in thought until then, flinched. She looked at her aunt, then quickly lowered her gaze. A blush crept across her cheeks—shyness and surprise flickering in her eyes.
She stammered,
"Mami ji… what are you saying? I… I've never even thought about marriage. And besides… I can't imagine being away from you yet."
Her voice was innocent, tinged with fear. Mala smiled. Her eyes grew moist. She slowed her steps and said—
"Oh silly girl… my child is still as innocent as she was in childhood."
She reached out and patted Vaidehi's head lightly.
"I thought a lot about what the Thakurain said today. Maybe it is time… we should start looking for a life partner for you."
Vaidehi's breath quickened. She twisted the edge of her dupatta nervously and whispered—
"Please, Mami ji… don't talk about such things right now."
There was a faint smile on her lips, but her eyes were lowered in shy refusal. Mala laughed aloud.
"Oh my child! I only mentioned it and you're already blushing as if the groom's procession is waiting at the door!"
Both broke into laughter. Their giggles caught the attention of some children playing nearby, who paused to stare curiously.
But then…
The rumble of an engine broke the moment. Dust billowed as a black car slowed beside them. The boys inside were laughing raucously. One, spotting Vaidehi, leaned out of the window, his gaze predatory.
"Where are you off to, darling? Come, we'll give you a ride!"
Vaidehi's face turned pale. Her eyes widened. She immediately clutched her aunt's hand.
Mala's blood boiled. She stepped forward, her eyes blazing, and shouted—
"Shame on you! How dare you look at my girl with filthy eyes—in front of me no less?"
Her voice was so fierce that a few passersby turned, but the car blocked the road.
Another boy laughed crudely—
"Shut up, old hag. We're talking to this flower here. But if you're jealous, don't worry—we've got an old uncle for you too!"
His words dripped poison. Fire blazed in Vaidehi's eyes. Her face flushed red. She bent quickly, snatched up a stone from the road, and hurled it with all her strength.
Thwack!
It struck the boy's head directly.
"Ahhh!" he screamed, clutching his bleeding forehead.
The others inside panicked, then erupted in fury.
Vaidehi's breath came fast. Her eyes burned with both fear and anger. Her fists clenched tight.
Mala was startled. She grabbed Vaidehi's hand and yanked her forward—
"Run, Vaidehi, run!"
They sprinted down the road, dust swirling at their feet. But the car roared ahead, cutting them off.
The doors slammed open. Four or five boys jumped out. Fear shone plain on Vaidehi and Mala's faces.
The wounded boy, blood streaking down his face, gritted his teeth and snarled—
"You little wretch! You dare throw a stone at me? You and this old hag—what can you do against us? Come quietly now, or we'll take you by force!"
His eyes glimmered with vile intent. Mala shoved Vaidehi behind her, her voice ringing out—
"Stay away from my girl! One step closer and you'll regret it!"
She screamed—
"Help! Someone help us!"
Her cry echoed in the empty road. No one was around.
The boys laughed wickedly.
"No one's coming, old woman. This is a deserted spot. Step aside and let us enjoy this flower."
Vaidehi's heart pounded. She clutched the rudraksha beads around her neck, closed her eyes, trying to summon courage. Mala tugged her to run, but one boy yanked Mala's hair from behind and threw her to the ground.
"Ahhh!" Mala cried out, crashing hard.
"Mami ji!" Vaidehi screamed, tears spilling down her face. She tried to rush to her aunt, but another boy seized her wrist.
Her breath stopped.
The boy sneered,
"Caught our little butterfly, didn't we?"
His fingers dug cruelly into her wrist, gripping like a hunter pinning his prey. Vaidehi's face drained of color. Her lips trembled. She struggled, but he only laughed louder.
"Now that we have her, let's see how she flutters!"
The others roared with laughter. Mala, sprawled on the dirt, her hair disheveled and forehead smeared with mud, cried out hoarsely—
"Leave her, you devils!"
Vaidehi fought desperately, tears streaming.
"Let me go! Don't hurt my Mami ji! Please, let me go!"
The boy squeezed tighter, growling—
"You're ours now, whether you like it or not!"
He was about to say more when—
THUD!
A crushing punch landed square on his face. The impact hurled him backward, crashing to the ground.
The others froze, stunned.
Vaidehi's trembling eyes lifted. Through the cloud of dust stood a tall, broad-shouldered young man. His fists were clenched, his breath sharp.
He spared Vaidehi a single glance. In his eyes burned a strange fire—fury and compassion interwoven.
The goons snarled—
"Who the hell are you to interfere? You want to die?"
The young man smirked coldly—
"You can ask my name later. For now, just understand this—laying hands on a woman comes at the cost of your life."
One lunged at him, only to collapse with blood spurting from his mouth—felled by a swift knee to the stomach.
Another swung a stick. The stranger twisted his arm so hard the bone cracked.
"Ahhh!" the boy screamed, crumpling.
Two more charged together, fists flying. With lightning reflexes, the stranger flung them aside.
Thud! Thud!
Now only the filthiest-mouthed boy remained. His bloodied eyes glared.
"Think you're some hero? I'll rip your face apart!"
He charged. The stranger caught him mid-air and smashed him against the car's bonnet.
CRASH! The windshield shattered. The boy groaned, defeated.
Silence fell again.
The battered gang dragged themselves into the car. The engine roared and they sped off, leaving only dust and broken glass behind.
Mala slowly rose, wincing from pain, but her eyes darted to her niece.
"Vaidehi… my child…"
Vaidehi rushed into her arms, sobbing.
"Mami ji… are you alright? Did they hurt you?"
Mala hugged her tightly.
"As long as you're safe, I'll bear anything."
They clung to each other, crying.
The young man stepped forward, helping Mala to her feet. His voice was deep yet respectful—
"Are you both alright? Any other injuries?"
Mala looked at him, gratitude brimming in her eyes. She folded her hands—
"Son… thank you. I don't know what would've happened today if you hadn't come."
He quickly lowered her hands—
"No, please. Don't do that. You're elder to me. This was my duty. How could I stand by and let such a thing happen? Men like them are the reason women are afraid to step outside today."
Vaidehi looked at him with tearful eyes, her heart thudding. The young man gave her a faint smile. She instantly lowered her gaze, cheeks burning red.
Mala noticed her silence, but smiled knowingly and asked—
"Son, you're right. Truly, the world has turned dangerous. My heart nearly stopped seeing my child in danger. At least tell us—what's the name of our savior?"
The young man smiled softly.
"Of course. My name is Aakash Mehra. I've just arrived from Mumbai… to meet my uncle and aunt. Shalini Thakur and Ranvir Thakur."
To be continued