Abhay decrees that the officers working alongside him on project Shakti will follow his routine, starting at the daybreak. The training begins at the break of dawn, with various laps around the vast grounds next to the residential complex, then indoor workouts inside the gymnasium.

A sleep deprived Tanvi struggles to do various workouts, especially pushups. The blistering heat outside and the fact that the gym's ac is gone wonky doesn't help. Abhay sir's training is strict. Why did I stay up thinking of me and Sam and our complex situation? Now my body isn't cooperating!

She whines and curses inwardly, but keeps going, eventually giving up towards the end. She flops on the floor in a heap of limbs, clutching her tracksuit. Next to her Samrat is diligently doing the push ups that he is supposed to do. He catches her eye as she turns over, lying on her side.

"Oh God. I cannot do this anymore, Sam, but I have to..."

She looks at him and the other officers, also notices Abhay glaring at her. Samrat watches her struggle to get into a sitting position.

"Tanz, don't push yourself. Apni halat dekhi hai? You're exhausted."

Samrat holds her hand as they both sit cross-legged. He's abandoning his workout to comfort her? Tanvi shakes her head. He looks at her with kind eyes.

"You're already worked past your limit, Tanz."

"Lekin, Sam..."

Whatever the conversation they were about to have is cut off by Abhay's stern voice.

"Nice camaraderie. Jo apni teammate ya dost ko respite dena chahte hain, unko uss dusre shakhs ke hisab ka workout bhi karna hoga..."

Samrat, Tanvi glance at Abhay. Samrat readily agrees to do the extra before Tanvi can say no.

"Samrat, no..."

Tanvi scrambles to stop as Samrat gets into position with Abhay watching over them. He reassures her.

"It's okay. I can do this."

Tanvi has no choice but to watch Samrat do a hundred extra push ups in addition to the 200 he has to do.

She is guilty but he flashes her a thumbs up after the end of the workout. Abhay walks away signalling the end of the session.

"See, I'm fine. This is a breeze!" Samrat's haughty smile is a teensy bit similar to the ones he'd give to the girls he'd flirt with.

Tanvi can only chuckle breathlessly while she thanks him. What's with his allure? How come he looks cool in a plain tee and joggers, even with those sweat-caked bangs? She can't take her eyes off of him.

***

Time to have a jumbo breakfast in the mess hall. Tanvi can't help but think this is how her and Samrat's days are going to be - waking up, meeting the team for a workout and then having breakfast together in the officers' mess before tackling their tasks.

Half day passes with them working on the aircraft. They're having lunch in the mess hall - delicious spaghetti with tofu, when the new guy Rajeev shows himself in.

"Hawks!" Rajiv scoffs, spotting Samrat and Tanvi sitting together at a table. "Ex-Hawks ke do members, iss naye project mei?"

Samrat and Tanvi frown at Rajiv who puts his hands in the pockets of his overalls and scoffs again.

"Pata nahi iss airbase authorities ka kya obsession hai Hawks ke sath? Aisi kya khas baat hai that you guys are chosen for the top tier works?"

Samrat drops his fork and chuckles. "Uss khasiyat ko talent kehte hai, Rajiv."

The officers are all wearing overalls. Samrat could read Rajiv's name from his uniform. Another caustic colleague on the team, just what we need, he thinks, heaving a sigh.

Tanvi looks at Rajiv from head to toe. He's surely an arrogant man, several inches shorter than Samrat, but sturdily built, with bronzed skin and a tough face. Clearly he's an unfriendly lot, the scowl on his face seems ever present, and the way he's scoffing nonstop.

"Talent?" Rajiv guffaws with a dramatic flair and glares at Samrat. "I heard you beat Suketu's squad yesterday. I say it's luck.

Samrat and Tanvi shake their heads in exasperation. Neither of them wants to pick a fight in the mess hall. Anyone with their right mind wouldn't want to pick a fight, especially when they are officers who take pride in their duties and uniforms. They half hope the momentary silent treatment will cause Rajiv to walk away, but the man lingers, his gaze landing on Tanvi.

"Tanvi! I really don't know, kis qualification se tumhe iss project ke liye chuna? Tum do-char inch short hoti, toh force main bharti hi nahi ho pati..."

Tanvi clicks her tongue. She wasn't offended when Samrat said the same during their fun banter. Yeah, the scenario is totally different. Samrat was pulling her leg; Rajiv's words are dipped in sarcasm and contempt. Samrat speaks in her defence before she can-

"Rajiv, did you come here to pick a fight? Apni yeh derogatory comments apne pass rakho. Zara aaine mein apni shakal toh dekho before you judge someone. You have no right to pass comments on my team or my teammates. Aur agar tumhe ladne ka itna shauk hai toh find some other way, with someone else."

Tanvi puts her hand over Samrat's shoulder. "Samrat, tum ruko main baat karti hu isse! Tum kehna kya chahte ho, Rajiv, huh?"

Rajiv chuckles, unperturbed by whatever is said about him, ignoring Samrat and Tanvi's hostile glares.

"Yahi ki ladkiyan kamzor hoti hai. Mere khayal se toh unko force mein aana hi nahi chahiye! There are better works suited to their delicate body and souls, no?"

"You, sexist!" Tanvi rises from her chair, anger boiling in her veins. "Lagta hai tum gender bias zyada dikhate ho! Kitni giri hui soch hai tumhari! Konse zamane ke ho tum? Ladkiyan kuch bhi kar sakti hai!"

Rajiv chuckles again. Samrat too rises from his chair, annoyed. By now the other officers' attention is on the heated exchange going on. Tanvi feels their gazes but can't back down.

Rajiv's jibe, Haan "Ladkiyan sirf bhashan de sakti hai!" is making her want to flip a table and whack a chair on the man's head. She takes a calm breath.

"Tumne jo bhi comment kiye ladkiyon ke bare mein aur Hawks ke team ke bare mein, Samrat ke bare mein! They are unacceptable. Apologise right now, Rajiv!"

Tanvi sounds menacing when she says that; Samrat and everyone in the mess hall are surprise, also impressed. Rajiv snorts. Tanvi can tell Samrat wants to let the issue resolve in a different way but she does not. Between not picking a fight and picking one the latter it is now.

Samrat looks at her with a half smile. It's not a new revelation. Despite the soft look on her face, Tanvi can be tough when she wants, that's what being a soldier means. It's true. Most officers have split personalities - Tanvi too. Her true self is kind, calm, innocent , loving, her officer self is determined and loyal but fierce when required. He's amazed by her personality shift whenever it happens. Nonetheless, this is a rare scenario. All of a sudden she challenges Rajiv To a fight match!

"Main tumhe haraungi! Yeh short ladki tumhe harayegi! I challenge you to a fight."

Rajiv is momentarily shocked but he accepts the duel. With a satisfied smirk, he walks out of the cafeteria. Murmurs fill the air. Rajiv, the guy who picks on women officers especially, someone who's got a higher up backing him, has found a new target to entertain himself.

For a moment Tanvi is a bit embarrassed that she became his bait. Perhaps even Samrat would think she overstepped her boundaries, engaging with a scum? But that feeling disappears when everyone applauds her for standing up against the guy.

Samrat is clapping for her as well, causing her to giggle. The subtle pat he gives her on the shoulder melts the unease she felt hearing Rajiv call her out.

A minute later, they sit together again ordering more orange juice. Samrat clears his throat.

"Tanz, that was amazing. But main soch raha tha ki. This isn't like you. I mean, I am proud of you, lekin tum hot-headed aur impulsive nahi ho."

Tanvi sighs. "Han, Sam, main hot-headed aur impulsive nahi hoon. Lekin jis tarah Rajiv ne baat ki, uska jawab to dena hi padega na."

"Han! Not that I don't trust your abilities... Lekin yaar, this is troublesome. And I hate seeing you get into trouble."

Samrat shakes his head and exhales softly. Tanvi smiles and pats his arm.

"Oh, Sam. Don't be a worrywart. You are right, yeh challenge aasan nahi hai. Waise officers ki life hi ek challenge hai. Aur yeh ek aur challenge. Bas. Jisey har haal mein main jeetungi."

Samrat chuckles, nodding appreciatively. "Tanz. You are so cool, you know that?"

"Haha! So are you! Arey, han! Main tumhe kal bata nahi pai tum kitne awesome the, Sam! You were so cool flying the jet! That was amazing formation and precision target engagement. Aur tumne jis tarah Suketu ko apni jagah dikha diya, it was simply fabulous! And how you kept your cool while he was making all those nasty comments... That was... fabulous!"

Tanvi clamps her mouth shut, realising she's rambling like a fan girl and trails off with an awkward chuckle. Samrat flashes her a grateful smile.

"Haha, thanks, Tanz. But tumhe meri tarif karne ki zarurat nahin. Maine bahut karwayi tumse uss limited-edition charm ke badle mein."

"Come on, Sam! You didn't force me! Woh saari baatein main dil se boli!"

Dil se... Samrat's smile drops momentarily. Toh kya uss din... tum dil se kehne wali thi that you love me? And abhi you were praising me nonstop. It almost sounded like... He cuts off the thought with a shake of his head and focuses on the present moment. The orange juice is more tangier than sweet. A long day is ahead of him and Tanvi.

***

🌀TBC 🌀

💬❣️Word count: 1.6k🌈✨ next part will be shorter☺

❣️💬Up next: Tanvi's bout with Rajiv! Baseball match! Samrat's conflicted feelings. And soon... Abhay is replaced by a new boss. Another trouble? The trouble seems to never end... But then it's not trouble when it leads to a confession!

❣️💬AN: Please v & c