After an year

Anjali stood on the balcony staring at the snow falling outside their little home. A smile always crept near the corner of her lips. She was back to her chirpy nature. Now she loved her life which was earlier incomplete without him. She rubbed her eyes , as if she was still sleepy. Being a travelling doctor would be fun , she thought. But things changed her perspective when she realized that there are dozens of people who die without proper treatment. But she was happy that she could help them after all.

The fresh air brushed against her cheek and soon she felt his lips in her skin. His breath against her neck. He kissed her cheek and rested his chin in her shoulder. She smiled feeling his warmth over her.  Hugging her from behind.

"Good morning wifey" he whispered in her ears.

"You are late again Mr. Siddharth" she chuckled.

"That's because of you. You kept turning and tossing in the bed and I thought something is bothering you so much"

She laughed.

"And I remember how you held my tummy so that your baby won't get hurt?" She said smiling. He smiled back.

"It's been just a month Siddharth"she said.

"So what? It doesn't mean that you could hurt my baby" he said and caressed her belly with his hands

It's been a month since they got to know about her pregnancy. Siddharth couldn't believe that he's gonna be a father. He cried hugging her tight and thanked her for making his life pleasant. For the last one year they had become the support system of each other. She went wherever he went. His duties were his first priority. His seniors always felt respect for him. And now he himself was a senior. It wasn't easy for a common man to leave behind his family at a very young age. But he did it.

Arjuns death still haunted Siddharth. At times he would hear his voice in his sleep. Asking about Anjali and Samaira. Siddharth shed tears whenever he recalled Arjun. He always felt so proud of him. After all its because of Arjun that he got Anjali back. He was greatful to that poor soul and did everything for his wife and his children.

Every 6 months , he also visited Samaira and her baby girls along with Anjali. He protected her like his younger sister. Samaira too considered him as an elder brother. Her family too supported her and welcomed her back home.

Anjali is been in touch with Naveen. They are best friends now. Who would relay on each other.

Siddharth walked to his camp early in the morning. Brownie followed him.  He saw happy families around. He knew most of them.  After the blast he had visited almost every house in that area along with his seniors.

"Bhaiya" a little girl ran upto him. Siddharth took her in his arms. It was the same child , whom Arjun saved from Danger.

"How you've been?" Siddharth asked.

"I'm good. Hows didi?" She asked smilingly

"She's good too"he tweaked her nose and she giggled

"Haa.. Siddharth Bhaiya. We were waiting for you only" another girl of same age came running towards Siddharth.

"What happened? What made all my little ones miss me suddenly?" Siddharth asked.

They asked him to bent down. Siddharth sat on his knees. The girl took out a rakhi from her pocket and tied it around his wrist. Siddharth smiled at the sight. She kissed him in his cheeks.

"Happy raksha bandan Bhaiya"

Siddharth hugged them as his eyes welled up. Everyone loved him only because of Arjun. He was the sole reason.

He took blessings from elders and walked to his camp.

"We may be shifting the camp to another place soon. Siddharth. I think you can join us" major said looking at Siddharth who sat opposite to him.

"But sir. You said we won't leave this area" Siddharth said

"Yeah Siddharth. Some of our team will stay here. But I want you to join me. I need people whom I can trust"

Siddharth remained silent thinking what to do.

"Everything alright?" Major asked

"My wife is pregnant sir. And I don't think I can take her with Me. It's not safe" Siddharth said slowly.

"Oh I'm sorry. But if you want you can send her back to your home. Will she be okay with it.?"

"I don't know sir. I'll talk to her" he said and left

"Ouch Siddharth slowly. My neck is hurting" Anjali complained when he helped her in drying her hairs.

"It's done" he said and sat besides her. She smiled at him and pulled his cheeks. He took her hands and kissed her fingers.

"What happened suddenly to My husband? So caring huh?"she giggled.

"I need to talk something very important to you" he said In a serious tone

"Wow" she got up and sat on his lap.

"Tell me husband" she put her arms around him.

"Anjali you need to go back"

"To where?"

"To your home"

She remained silent looking at him. To register in her mind what she'd heard.

"What happened Siddharth?" She cupped his cheeks. He held her palms

"I need to move from here. To another area in the border. But I don't think you can accompany me there. It's barely a village. Just a vast land. And the climate won't suit you. I can't take risk in your health. And I want you and our baby to be safe always" he caressed her belly.

Anjali got up from his lap and stood near the window Turning to the other side.

"I won't go"she said.

"You need to. Try to understand me bangaram" he walked towards her and turned her towards him. He saw her tear filled eyes.

"Anjali" He cupped her cheeks and pulled her towards him. She hugged him tightly and began to cry.

"I won't go. I won't let you go too. I can't loose you again Siddharth" she hugged him tightly. He patted her hairs.

"Who told you that I'll go leaving you?" He broke the hug and looked into her eyes.

"Bangaram. It's my duty. I can't deny. Try to understand. It's not safe"

"Siddharth"she almost pleaded

He hugged her again

"I'll be fine"
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"Take care of my baby. "Siddharth said caressing Anjalis belly. He had came to bid bye to her in the airport. Anjali felt like crying each passing second. The thought that they won't meet for 2 months made her weak. Krishna had came from Hyderabad to take Anjali back. He had seen how much Siddharth loved Anjali and she loved him back.

She held his hands tightly as they heard the last announcement.

"It's time ma. Let's leave" Krishna said taking Anjali by her hand's.

"Take care Siddharth" he hugged him and held Anjali. Anjali looked at him again.  Krishna understood they needed time. So he went ahead.

Siddharth kissed her forehead and caressed her face.

"I love you"

"I love you more"

He bid her bye and stood there till she was out from his sight. He walked outside the airport with heavy heart. As he drove back home little tears escaped from his eyes. He had lived without her earlier. But when she came into his life she brought happiness back to him. He looked at their house which she changed into a 'home'. He smiled at their pics hanging on the wall.

"I'll miss you bangaram."

The 2 months camp extended for 4 month's. Still Siddharth never made her feel that he's away from her. He calls her every now and then and send voice messages to her. He even wrote lots of letters which she enjoyed reading again and again. He would stay awake to talk to her when everybody else would have been was sleeping. She would update him about the baby progressing. He missed her badly and felt sad for not being with her during such a beautiful phase of her life.

Anjali got utmost care from her family too. But all she wanted is to see Siddharth again and be in his arms. She missed him even so badly.

"Maa" Anjali stormed inside her lekhas room

"What happened Anjali?"

"Siddharth is not responding to my calls and messages. Im worried" Anjali said sweating.

"He may be busy ma. Why are you unnecessarily worrying?" Lekha patting her hairs

"No ma. He didn't call me today and is also not responding to my messages. Something is wrong"

"Anjali. Calm down. Siddhu will be fine. Just wait for some more time. He'll surely call you back. Have faith on God" lekha said assuring her.

Their hopes soon scattered down when they heard about the terrorist attack the next morning. Anjali broke down unable to cope up with things happening around her. She couldn't think of loosing him again. Her restlessness turned into anxiety. They tried to know about Siddharth in all possible ways. ' Many soldier's were killed in the attack ' that's all they could know.

With the help of Naveen Anjali got to know that Siddharth is safe. A bullet had hit him in his left arm. And he had a fracture in his left leg during the  attack.

He was alive And he was out of danger. That's all she wanted.

Siddharth struggled to open his eyes when he heard a familiar sound besides him. When he finally did his lips curved into a smile

"How are you bangaram?" He struggled to speak

"Shut up. I don't want to hear a thing" Anjali said hitting his chest

"Ouch" he screamed

"Siddharth. I'm sorry. Did that hurt?" She asked worrying cupping his cheeks.

"You can never hurt me bangaram" he said kissing her palms. She made him sit straight and sat besides him. He saw tears in her eyes which he wiped off. He caressed her baby bump. She smiled at him.

"Baby must have missed her pappa" he said smilingly. She nodded her head and wiped her tears.  He held her hands.

"Siddharth. I won't let you go again. Please be with me. I need you. Baby and me. We need you Siddharth"she broke into Tears.

"Bangaram. I need to say One thing. Listen. I myself opted this for me. And I'm doing this for my nation. I have my duties ..I may get hurt. I may even die soon" he was stopped by her fingers in his lips. She cried. Holding his cheeks

"But no matter what. It's not just for us. It's for every body around me. I'm proud for being a soldier"he said and she nodded. He smiled and pulled her to his chest.

"You mean everything to me wifey. We started this journey together. And we will end this together. I'll come back to you. And I know you'll never let me go"

She came forward and kissed his Forehead and hugged him.

"I love you Siddharth. Never ever leave me"

"Not even in my dreams"He held her closer.

Life is smoother. When we have our loved one besides us always.

"Every ending is a new beggining"

Every army men have such stories to say. We have so many Siddharths , Arjuns and Dhruvs in our nation. Who's ready to sacrifice their lives. For us. Our people. We also have so many Anjalis and Samairas around us.

Patriotism isn't a simple word. It has its layers. Hold it in your heart. Be a true Indian.

Jai Hind.

♡ Nila ♡