Delhi

The moment Major Monika Mehra stepped out of the train, the cold Delhi air hit her face sharply.

The station was crowded even at night.

Announcements echoed continuously overhead.

People rushed past each other dragging luggage while chai sellers moved between platforms shouting loudly.

Some soldiers stood near another coach laughing over something casually.

The world around her looked normal.

Too normal.

Meanwhile Monika quietly adjusted the bag on her shoulder and pulled out her phone immediately.

«REACHED.»

Message sent.

Within seconds-

two replies appeared.

«HASU : IN TRAIN.»

«KARU: Alive unfortunately.»

For the first time that entire day-

a tiny smile appeared on Monika's face.

Small.

But real.

Then instantly-

Major mode activated again.

«MAJOR : Live locations on rakho dono.»

Without waiting for replies-

she locked the phone and walked ahead through the crowd toward the station exit.

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Bangalore

After somehow surviving the train journey, fighting over chips, losing lower berth rights to one random uncle, and barely sleeping properly-

Karishma and Santosh finally stepped outside Bangalore railway station looking completely exhausted.

The station outside was equally chaotic.

People rushed everywhere dragging suitcases.

Cab drivers continuously shouted prices.

Autos moved randomly like traffic rules personally offended them.

Meanwhile both girls stood near the footpath with giant bags beside them looking emotionally defeated already.

Santosh dramatically wiped sweat from her forehead.

Santosh: "Ye bag agar mai kisi terrorist ko de maru na toh seedha ICU jayega."

Karishma tiredly dragged her trolley slightly sideward.

Karishma (in mind): "Academy join hone se pehle hi terrorist pe attack plan kar rahi hai."

Both looked around trying to find cab.

Nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

One auto wala came.

Saw luggage.

Left himself.

Santosh looked personally insulted.

Santosh: "Bhaiya ne humko reject kar diya?"

Karishma deadpan: "Hum bhi apne aap ko reject karna chahte hai."

Just then-

an old yellow-black taxi stopped near them with screeching sound.

The driver leaned slightly outside the window.

Driver: "Kaha jaana hai?"

Both girls answered together automatically-

Karishma & Santosh: "All India High School."

Silence.

The driver blinked once.

Meanwhile both girls slowly turned toward each other.

Santosh's eyes widened dramatically.

Santosh: "Arreyyy tumko bhi wahi jaana hai?"

Karishma closed her eyes tiredly.

Karishma: "Haan."

Then emotionally looking toward sky-

Karishma: "Shani dosh aur mangal dasha dono chal rahi hai humari."

Santosh instantly corrected automatically-

Santosh: "Shani dasha aur mangal dosh hota hai."

Karishma slowly looked toward her.

Karishma: "Wahi toh kaha."

A pause.

Karishma: "Bol aise rahi ho jaise board exam mein answer wrong likh aaye ho."

Santosh gasped dramatically.

Santosh: "Huuuuu."

Then immediately-

Santosh: "Sharing kar le?"

Karishma honestly looked too exhausted to fight destiny anymore.

Karishma: "Haan thik hai."

Then quietly under breath-

Karishma: "Bas same batch mein mat aajana."

Santosh instantly looked offended.

Santosh: "Excuse me. Mai bohot intelligent student hu."

Karishma: "Darr wahi hai."

Few minutes later-

both girls somehow adjusted themselves inside the taxi along with luggage invading half the vehicle already.

Santosh sat sideways protecting leftover chips packet like national treasure.

Meanwhile Karishma leaned back tiredly before finally unlocking her phone.

For one second-

she genuinely expected Haseena's message.

Maybe-

«"Pahoch gaye?"»

Or-

«"Khana khaya?"»

But instead-

TING.

A notification from academy group appeared.

Karishma casually opened it.

And instantly regretted existence.

English (Core),
Hindi,
Sanskrit,
Mathematics,
Science,
Social Science,
Information Technology,
Physical & Health Education.

Karishma stared at the screen silently for few seconds.

Then slowly-

very slowly-

she leaned backward dramatically and looked outside the window with betrayed expression.

Karishma: "Zindagi humse personal dushmani nikaal rahi hai."

Meanwhile outside traffic noise continued loudly.

And exactly at the worst moment possible-

the taxi radio suddenly started blasting old energetic music.

♪ "Zindagi ek safar hai suhana... yaha kal kya ho kisne jana..." ♪

Karishma looked emotionally dead already.

At the same time-

Santosh's phone buzzed too.

She casually opened the academy timetable notification.

At first normal expression.

Then confusion.

Then horror.

Then complete soul departure.

Slowly she turned the phone toward Karishma.

Santosh: "Mai ghar jaana chahti hu."

Karishma frowned slightly before reading.

4:30 - Morning Routine
5:30 - Physical Training
8:00 - School
14:00 - Tactical Training
16:30 - Evening Training
20:00 - Self Study
22:00 - Lights Out

Complete silence.

The taxi kept moving peacefully while both girls mentally collapsed together.

Santosh blinked twice.

Santosh: "4:30?"

A pause.

Santosh: "Ye subah hota hai ya previous night ka extension?"

Karishma stared outside lifelessly.

Karishma: "Hum itne baje toh sote hai."

Outside-

the song changed again.

♪ "Duniya mein rehna hai toh kaam kar pyaare..." ♪

That was final emotional damage.

Both girls slowly looked toward the radio.

Then toward each other.

And together-

Karishma: "BHAIYA GANA BAND KARO."

Santosh: "PLEASE."

The poor driver immediately lowered the volume without argument while both girls sat silently staring ahead-

questioning every life decision that brought them to Bangalore.

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Mumbai

Unlike Bangalore's chaos-

Mumbai felt alive in a completely different way.

Fast.

Bright.

Restless.

Even late at night, the station still looked awake.

People moved continuously.

Announcements echoed overhead.

Local trains passed every few minutes creating loud metallic sounds across the platforms.

Haseena quietly stepped out of the train carrying her luggage while looking around silently.

The exhaustion on her face was clearly visible now.

Emotional exhaustion.

Physical exhaustion.

Everything together.

Just as she stepped near the station exit-

one constable standing nearby immediately straightened after noticing her.

Constable: "Jai Hind ma'am."

Haseena looked toward him quietly.

Constable: "Mujhe Monika ma'am ne bheja hai. Aapko accommodation tak le jaane."

Haseena gave a small nod.

Haseena: "Ji."

Then after few seconds softly-

Haseena: "Vaise yaha rent kitna hota hai rooms ka?"

The constable immediately answered like real estate agent mode activate ho gaya ho.

Constable: "Ma'am individual one BHK around 40 thousand."

Then casually-

Constable: "Aur twin sharing around 20 per head."

Haseena's eyes widened slightly.

Haseena: "Kaafi zyada hai..."

Then thoughtfully-

"Halki budget mein kuch nahi milta?"

The constable nodded quickly.

Constable: "Milta hai ma'am. Mumbai mein options bohot hai."

Then honestly-

Constable: "Lekin metro side se door lenge toh facilities compromise hongi."

He pointed ahead while walking.

Constable: "Ye area best hai. Safe bhi hai."

Then proudly-

Constable: "Raat ko bhi log freely ghoomte hai yaha."

Haseena quietly listened while mentally calculating expenses already.

And silently-

she made a decision.

Somehow she would start earning too.

She didn't want entire burden falling on Monika alone.

Meanwhile the constable picked one of her bags before walking beside her again.

Constable: "Ma'am Andheri side mein flat arrange hua hai."

Then proudly-

Constable: "College ke bohot pass hai. Padhayi ke liye perfect."

Haseena silently listened while walking.

Then the constable carefully continued-

Constable: "Aur Monika ma'am ne bola hai aapko twin-sharing mein rakhna hai toh-"

Haseena immediately cut him off.

Haseena: "Nahi."

The constable blinked.

Haseena calmly repeated-

Haseena: "Hume share nahi karna. Individual room chahiye."

The poor constable's face instantly changed.

Fear.

Actual fear.

Constable: "Lekin ma'am... Monika ma'am ke strict orders hai."

Then quickly trying to explain-

Constable: "Aapko akele nahi chhodna hai."

He adjusted cap nervously.

Constable: "Aur jo ladki hai woh bhi officer family se hai. Safe family."

Then proudly-

Constable: "Unki behen bhi force mein hai... aur agent bhi hai Monika ma'am ki tarah."

But Haseena still looked unconvinced.

Haseena: "Humne kaha na hume kisi ke saath nahi rehna."

The constable almost looked ready to cry now.

Constable: "Ma'am please..."

He folded hands slightly while walking.

Constable: "Ek baar Monika ma'am se baat kar lijiye."

Then emotionally whispering-

Constable: "Agar ma'am ko pata chal gaya na toh meri naukari toh jayegi hi..."

A pause.

Constable: "Aur aspatal mein bhi bharti karwa dengi."

Haseena looked at him.

The constable genuinely looked terrified.

Constable: "Hath pair aise todengi ki dobara force join nahi kar paunga."

Despite herself-

Haseena almost smiled slightly.

Almost.

But before she could reply-

her phone suddenly started ringing.

«MAJOR CALLING»

The constable immediately stood straight like national inspection ho gaya ho.

Haseena quietly picked up.

Haseena: "Ji Major-"

Monika instantly started without pause.

Monika: "Pohach gayi ho toh text karna nahi hota?"

Haseena immediately gulped.

Monika continued sharply-

Monika: "Train tracking se location dekhni padh rahi hai mujhe."

The constable beside her slowly stepped little farther away already scared by voice alone.

Haseena quickly explained-

Haseena: "Sorry Major... wo station pe-"

She quickly checked the constable badge.

Haseena: "Patil ji mil gaye the toh-"

Monika immediately cut her off.

Monika: "Ghar dikhaya?"

Haseena stayed silent for one second.

Dangerous mistake.

Monika instantly understood.

Monika: "Haseena Malik."

That tone alone was enough.

Haseena straightened automatically.

Monika: "Khabardaar jo akele rehne ka socha bhi."

People nearby slowly started looking toward Haseena because even phone pe Monika ka aura dangerous lag raha tha.

Monika continued strictly-

Monika: "I know tum introvert ho."

Then firmly-

Monika: "Lekin iska matlab ye nahi hota ki tum kisi se mix hi na karo."

Haseena quietly listened.

Monika: "Future IPS officer banna hai tumhe."

A pause.

Monika: "Dusre logo ke saath rehna seekho."

Then softer-

but more serious-

Monika: "Aur mai tumhe akele chhodna afford nahi kar sakti."

Haseena quietly looked down.

Monika: "It's risky."

Haseena finally tried speaking softly-

Haseena: "Lekin Di-"

Monika immediately-

Monika: "No ifs and buts."

Complete Major mode activated.

Monika: "Room pe pohacho."

Monika: "Freshen up ho."

Monika: "Then call me."

And the call disconnected.

Haseena slowly lowered the phone with tiny sad expression.

Beside her-

Constable Patil was smiling proudly like he personally survived war.

Haseena immediately looked toward him flatly.

Haseena: "Daant kam dikhaiye."

Patil instantly controlled face seriously.

Haseena: "Aur chaliye."

Few minutes later-

their cab finally entered Andheri.

Bright roads.

Tall buildings.

Late-night cafés still open.

Mumbai traffic somehow still alive at this hour too.

Finally the cab stopped outside a tall residential tower.

22nd floor.

After reaching upstairs, Constable Patil carefully kept luggage near the door before pressing the bell.

Few seconds later-

the door opened.

A girl stood there wearing oversized t-shirt and black shorts with round glasses loosely resting on her face.

One hand held an open laptop.

Her hair looked slightly messy like someone disturbed her in middle of important work.

But despite the casual appearance-

there was something unusually composed about her.

Sharp.

Organized.

Observant.

Her eyes first landed on Patil.

Then luggage.

Then Haseena.

Then back to luggage again.

And immediately-

her eyebrows frowned.

Girl: "Ek minute."

A pause.

Girl: "Ye wahi twin-sharing wali ladki hai kya?"

Constable Patil instantly straightened.

Patil: "Ji ma'am."

The girl closed her eyes for one second like headache activate ho gaya ho.

Girl: "Maine bola tha na pehle inform karo."

Patil nervously: "Ma'am emergency arrangement tha."

The girl sighed softly before finally looking properly toward Haseena.

For one awkward second-

both girls simply stared at each other silently.

Complete opposite energies.

One looked emotionally exhausted and quiet.

The other looked mentally overloaded but controlled.

Then finally-

the girl moved little sideward opening the door properly.

Girl: "Andar aajao."

Haseena quietly entered dragging her bag slowly.

The apartment looked surprisingly neat.

Almost too neat.

Books arranged perfectly.

Study table clean.

Color-coded sticky notes on wall.

Even cushions looked properly aligned.

Haseena noticed everything silently.

Meanwhile the girl noticed Haseena noticing everything.

Girl: "Shoes sidhe rack mein."

Haseena paused.

Then quietly corrected the shoe position without arguing.

Patil looked impressed already.

The girl finally kept laptop aside on table before folding her arms slightly.

Girl: "Kridha Sehgal"

Then calmly-

"Rules simple hai."

Patil internally: "Ab aayega asli interview."

Kridha pointed toward different sections while speaking normally.

Kridha: "Kitchen clean rehna chahiye."

"Wet towel bed pe nahi."

"Lights unnecessarily on nahi."

"Books fold mark nahi."

Haseena quietly blinked once.

Kridha continued seriously-

"Aur please chargers uljha ke mat rakhna. Anxiety hoti hai dekh ke."

Patil almost coughed hiding laugh.

Meanwhile Haseena simply stood there silently listening.

Then after few seconds softly said-

Haseena: "Hum disturb nahi karenge."

That answer made Kridha pause slightly.

Because tone mein attitude nahi tha.

Bas genuine distance thi.

Like someone already emotionally tired enough to avoid conflicts.

For the first time-

Kridha properly looked at Haseena's face carefully.

Swollen eyes.

Tired expression.

Emotionally drained silence.

And suddenly-

her own tone softened unknowingly.

Kridha: "Tum fresh ho jao pehle."

A pause.

Then awkwardly-

"Khana khaya?"

Haseena softly nodded automatically.

Jhooth.

Obvious jhooth.

Kridha noticed instantly.

But didn't expose it.

Instead she simply walked toward kitchen.

Patil looked between both girls dramatically like live serial chal raha ho.

Then slowly whispered toward Haseena-

Patil: "Ma'am... bach gaya mai."

Haseena looked at him flatly.

Patil immediately straightened again.

Patil: "Jai Hind."

And escaped before Monika somehow entered phone se wapas.

Meanwhile inside kitchen-

Kridha had already opened fridge while speaking loudly from inside.

Kridha: "Coffee piyogi ya chai?"

Haseena stood near the living room quietly for few seconds.

Then softly replied-

"Jo aap pee rahe ho."

Kridha stopped for one second hearing that.

Not because of the words.

But because of how quietly they were spoken.

Like someone who had stopped asking for specific things altogether.

And somewhere unknowingly-

that was probably the first tiny moment where healing quietly began.
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✍️ - 2226 Words

That's it for today's chapter! ✨
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