|AUTHOR|

Viraj Gupta was standing at the border of his nation, in the valleys of Kashmir, and gazing proudly at the National flag. It was swaying gracefully with the wind. He had worked so hard to be here. It was not an easy road. He overcame every obstacle that was presented before him. All this so that he could protect the people he loves. The people of his nation.

It had been his father's dream to serve the nation. He remembers going to the parades during republic day in Delhi with his parents. He vividly remembers how his father used to make him sit on his shoulders throughout the show and how his mother would gaze at them lovingly. Everything was perfect, they were a perfect family.

That was the last memory of his parents. How he wishes he could have told them how much he loved them and wanted them. "No now is not the time to think about all of this" Viraj reminded himself and started jogging back where the camps were set up.

Viraj Gupta son of Sumit Gupta and Tanya Gupta. A Major in the Indian Army and also owns a company. The Gupta Enterprises. Although he doesn't run the company he owns it. It's run by one of his faithful friends Sameer Mishra. He's the son of his dad's best friend Rajesh Mishra. Half the company is still owned by him. It was his dad and Mr.Rajesh who started the company.

Viraj makes a lot of money but he doesn't actually use it for himself. He donates half of it to The Army Welfare Association and the other half to Charity. Each month he makes sure that the payments reach on time. He makes a livelihood with his soldier job by doing his duty a.k.a serving his nation.

When he reached the camp he was greeted by his two best friends Arjun Raichand and Neel Singh. Both of them were excited about something before he could ask what was the reason for their excitement he saw both of them reading some letters and smiling. That's when he realized that they had just received letters from their respective girlfriends hence the happy mood.

"Why are you guys laughing like schoolgirls," Viraj asked rolling his eyes and grabbing his water bottle.
"Guess what!!!!" both of them exclaimed at the same time and were fighting to tell him what exactly was the reason for their happiness. "Both of you behave! what is wrong with you people. Can one of you tell me what exactly is going on??" Viraj asked already irritated because of his painful flashbacks.

" Okay okay cool it, man!" Neel exclaimed, "So Annie and Indu have decided to come to Dehradun for almost a month and a half and the best part is all of us are being posted there, at least for the time being!" Arjun told him jumping and screeching like a schoolgirl.

Annie James and Indu Prasad were their girlfriends. " That's good news, you guys can spend more time together. That'll be great!" Viraj exclaimed happily. They were like his sisters, and most importantly his only family apart from Mishra uncle, Sameer, and his two best friends.

He did have many people who loved him and can count on them during hard times but his heart still craved love. He still feels like a 3rd wheel. Thus the reason for his loneliness and cold behavior most of the time.

Girls were always smitten by him when he was off duty and why wouldn't they fall for his charms. He was quite the catch actually. Army cut( Buzzcut), tall, strong, muscular, fair skin, and let's not forget his eye color, oh they were to die for, those dreamy eyes. They were grey, beautiful grey eyes. Basically every girl's dream. Yet no one ever caught his attention. He always gets irritated when girls buzz around him like bees just for his looks. All of them were fake!

Both of his friends tried to set him up many times but failed miserably. They never I mean ever tried again after the last time. The girl that they set him up with was a real bitch and quite clingy. Viraj was so angry at them that he didn't talk to them for almost a week. It was hard to console him. After lots of apologies and begging, he finally forgave them.

Therefore since then Neel and Arjun never interfered in his love life.

"Are you guys all packed up for Dehradun?" Viraj asked them. " Yes of course" both of his friends answered together. " We have to report and give a review to the Chief about the last night's bomb dismantle and we can leave immediately after that," Arjun told them with a serious expression.

" Yes I have already prepared the report and I have also interrogated that bastard who planted that bomb there," Viraj replied. "Neel, you have the recording and the written copy of his statement, right? We have to be super careful about this! He was a tough nut to crack. That bastard didn't open his mouth until I plucked all his nails of and poured acid on his hands" Viraj asked Neel his anger increasing recalling last night's events. " Yes, boss! Fikar not (Don't worry). It's all there, all we have to do is submit the report to the Chief and finish all the formalities, paperwork and start packing. You chill it's all over and done now. " Neel exclaimed trying to divert Viraj and lighten the mood.

"Guys we have got to go fast I haven't seen Annie in so many months I miss sleeping with her" Arjun sighed dreamily. " Eww what the hell man I don't want to know about that!" Viraj and Neel both made a disgusted face.

"Come on guys I meant actually sleeping with her not sex. Get your heads out of the gutter!" Arjun made his point trying to control his blush. " Yeah, right I believe you" Viraj replied sarcastically with a smirk. " Is that why you shaved at a certain place?"  Neel replied merrily and Viraj busted out laughing. "How the hell do you know that?"Arjun was so embarrassed he flipped off both his best friends and went off to complete other formalities so that they could leave as soon as possible.

"How the hell do you know that?" Neel laughed and shook his head. "I don't! I was just teasing him! His reaction sure did indicate something!" Viraj and Neel laughed together.

"Viraj I'll let you go now I have to make a call. I kind of argued with Indu. I've got to apologize and you know how hard it is to find network here so I better start searching for it." Neel told him waving at him and walking off to find reception.

Just when Neel walked off Siddharth another soldier posted there and told him that the Chief had summoned him.

Viraj immediately reported to his office. "Officer Bakshi" Viraj entered his office and saluted him exclaiming "Sir". "Ahh Viraj did you complete the report and what about the other pieces of evidence?" Chief Bakshi asked him.
" Yes sir! Here are the reports and the pieces of evidence. We have the recording where he has confessed that he's part of a terrorist group and has also named a few of them who are there in that group." Viraj answered forwarding all the pieces of evidence to the Chief.

"Great work Viraj, you may leave now" Chief Bakshi dismissed him.

He walked out of the commander's office and decided to go to the Officer's mess to get something to eat. As he was walking his mind started having second thoughts about going back to Dehradun and training cadets at IMA. He hasn't gone back to Dehradun since his first posting.

Something about going back was making him nervous. Today was turning out to be a stressful day. Too many things had happened. First the interrogation of that bastard, then those painful memories, and now these wired feelings.

He feels like something is going to change in his life once he goes back to where his journey had begun. He had lost too many things in Dehradun but also gained so many things. One of them was friends who are not just friends but family. Without them he still would have been that lonely kid, drowning in the depths of darkness.

People always say that we come alone in this world and leave alone when it's time to go. These sentences always made him wonder, what about surviving? We all can't survive alone in this world we need someone, otherwise, we might end up in dark places. We need people to support us.

" Stop doing this to yourself " Viraj muttered to himself as he was having his lunch at a table in the corner.

Just another week and they would be off to Dehradun. He was mentally making a list of things and all the formalities that are to be taken care of. Just then both his best friends arrived and he forgot all about his weird gut feelings because of their stupid banter and jokes.

He has no clue what was going to happen. He has no idea that this one posting might change all the gears of his life and will throw him off trail completely.

***********************************
Well, there you go people that was Viraj, and a brief intro about his life.

Hope you people liked this chapter. If you did please do vote and leave a comment.

Can't wait to know your thoughts!!!

Have a good day :)