2. 𝙎𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙩 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮

ᴍᴏɴᴀᴍɪ'ꜱ ᴘᴏɪɴᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴠɪᴇᴡ

Baby stepped out of the room, and that's when I turned back to Sid, Faizi, Sanju, Koel and him, as Sid pulled my hand and dragged me out of the cafeteria.

We were followed by the four of them as Sid took me to the dispensary, and I realised that they knew that I was lying but then what option did I had.

I just couldn't confess anything infront of Baby, and that's when I felt that Sid was cleaning my wound as I didn't even flinch, I had already faced enough to become confidential with pain and here, this physical pain is nothing.

I took a deep breath as Koel was the first one to break the ice, "Monami, yeh kaise hua!?"

I was about to tell the truth when I stopped abruptly, as I glanced at Koel and Sid simultaneously and got my left hand behind my back, making sure that none of them were able to notice it, as I made a crunchy as I always do when I am about to lie.

I looked at Koel and said, "Hospital se vapis aate time ek chota sa accident hogya. Jeep ke saamne ek aadmi aagya tha, and usse bachne ke liye, maine apni jeep dusri direction mein turn kri and breaks lagate hi, my head hit the stearing of the car."

It took them a moment as they processed everything, when Sid looked at Koel and others then back at me as he said concerned, "Monu yaaar, dhyaan kyun nahi rakh sakti tu apna ab?"

"Arey, ab esme meri kya galti?" I questioned pouting.

Sid looked at me and whispered in my ears, "Duniya ko lagta hai ki tu kitni bholi hai lekin main jaanta hoon ki tu kitni kameeni hai!"

I looked at him, almost shocked, but then smirked back as I replied whispering, "Ab ek kameene ki dost toh kameeni hogi na?"

Sid took a step back, baffled at my sudden comeback and I smirked looking at my Kameena Bestfriend.

While everyone else present in the room were utterly confused, as they tried to understand the talks between the two Kameene bestfriends, but, it's impossible guys!

" Cadet Koel and Cadet Siddharth tum dono apne-apne rooms mein jao. Cadet Monami tum aaj raat yahin dispensary mein rahogi apni injuries ki vajah se." instructed Faizi, looking at three of us.

Koel and Sid nodded their heads and left the dispensary after wishing us night, while we wished the same as the duo took the leave.

That's when, Faizi, Sanju and Karan turned to look at me.

"Tu sacchi sacchi bata rahi ki tenu ki hoyea?" questioned Karan, pretending being Balli.

I stared at Karan and then cross questioned him just as I would have done with Balli, "Aur main tumhe sach kyun btaun?"

Karan aka Balli raised his hands in the air as I chuckled inwardly.

"Monami, sach btao kya hua!?" questioned Faizi sternly.

I looked at Faizi and then spoke up taking a deep breath, "Charu ne mujhe kidnap krne ke liye aadmi bheje the. Academy vapis aarhi thi and then they blocked my way. So, unse ladte-ladte mujhe bas minor injuries hogyi and that's it.", I completed being honest.

Yeah, I was attacked and the part which I told is the truth but half truth. No, I haven't lied, I just hid certain things from them.

I looked at him and found that he was clenching his fists, trying to hold back his rising anger for Charu and concern for me, trying his best to not to unveil his mask of pretence.

But sorry Karan, your facade was off few hours back only.

I averted my gaze from his fists as I just couldn't let him know that I know about his mask, as I sighed and spoke up, "Don't worry guys, main thik hoon. I will just have some rest, I am tired."

They nodded their heads, and turned to leave while Karan was the last one to leave me here, but then, he couldn't stay back due to his mask and I couldn't stop him due to my mask.

They went out, closing the door behind and there I saw two shadows and I smiled looking at them, Sid and Koel.

I laid back on the bed and closed my eyes, as the door opened and someone peaked inside, who else could it be except my Karan. I just pretended to be asleep, as he closed the door back and I heard his deep sigh of relief, and then the footsteps fading away.

I opened my eyes again as I was reminiscing what happened few hours back.

Few Hours Ago
Outside The Cafeteria

"Karan Sir, yeh kya hai!? Balii-Karan Karan-Balli?' questioned Koel.

I stood outside the cafeteria, as I was there to get a cup of coffee, and I thought that the truth is out, that Balli is pretending to be Karan.

Shit! But then, what he said left me bewildered.

"Haan, Balli hi Karan hai. Mujhe Batra Sir, Faizi, Sanju, Ustaad ji aur Monami ke saath Balli ban-ne ke pretend krna hai aur unke orders par tumhare saath Karan ban-na pretend krna hai..." He explained calmly.

Whereas Sid who was utterly confused, questioned him, "Wait! You mean mere aur Koel ke alawa, Sanju and Faizi bro ko pta hai ki aap Karan Sir hain aur Balli ban-ne ka pretend kr rhe hain, aur humare saamne Karan Sir banke aarhe hain? Wait! Too much confusion!"

"See, Monami aur Ustaad ji ko lagta hai ki main yaani ki Karan mar chuka hai aur jo es academy mein hai voh Balli hai. Lekin, Batra Sir yeh baat starting se jaante the ki main Karan hi hoon aur yeh baat Faizi aur Sanju ko party se just pehle btayi thi..." He continued.

Whereas my bestfriend grew furious as he questioned, "Wait! You mean to say ki Monu ko yeh nahi pta ki you are alive, when you are alive!? You mean to say ki meri Monu itna bada loss face kr rhi hai with a smile on her face!?"

He just looked down with guilt. Wait, my Karan is alive but he is lying to me? All this time I thought that he is no more but he was infront of me all this time.

"Main ab bhi mission pe hoon. Monami ko yeh pta nahi chal sakta, that I am alive. Charu ko pakadne ka mission pura hone se pehle, I can't tell her anything." Karan said plainly, but I had already sensed the pain behind his voice as I squeezed my eyes shut.

He is pretending to be alright when he isn't. He is wearing the mask of pretence, not of being Balli but of calm and composed self when he is shattered from within.

Everyone will be thinking of me, that I am wearing the mask of being happy even after bearing your loss, but do they know that it must be taking all your strength that you have to see me breaking down infront of you and because I am bearing your loss.

I know Karan, you are holding back and I won't force you. Duty and country comes first.

I was still outside the cafeteria as I felt my feet trembling, my breath getting hitched in my throat.

I took few steps behind, and then few deep breaths, and I wore that mask of pretence again, but something had changed!

Whereas Sid questioned Karan helplessly "You mean hume Monu se yeh chupana hoga?"

I looked up and made my way towards the cafeteria as I questioned, "Kya chupa rhe ho?", sounding oblivious, as if I had heard just the last line and nothing else.

Present

And, that's how I know that my Karan is alive, and Batra Sir along with Karan, Sid, Faizi, Sanju and Koel are on a mission now.

To be honest, it's better that they are not involving me in mission right now or things would have gone south drastically.

After the unexpected revelation in the cafeteria, I was determined for this mission more than ever.

Few Hours Ago
After Monami Took A Different Turn
(The Change : Prologue)

I stopped my car infront of an abandoned warehouse, as I placed my communicator in my ear, pulling out an hair strand to cover it up, and took my gun from the dashboard, tucking it behind while hiding it from my jacket.

As I went near the abandoned warehouse and knocked the door as not even a slight a movement was heard, and then I almost whispered, "Desh humari shaan!"

The door opened slightly, as I entered inside the warehouse, shutting the door behind and that's when someone turned on the lights.

I looked around, the warehouse was just enough for few people to stand there for a discussion, with a center table and being honest, that's all we required.

My eyes wandered around, the group of 14 people surrounded me, 10 women and 4 men as I took a step forward and spoke up, "I am Cadet Doctor Monami Juhi Mahajan, Martyred Major General Doctor Juhi Mahajan ki beti."

"I know, aap logon ko yeh weird lag rha hoga, ki maine aap sabko bulaya. I will get my point straight, I want you guys to help me destroy a terrorist named Charu. Main Parakram Special Action Force ki ek cadet hoon, but main en sabke beech Parakram ka name nahi la sakti, and I guess aap sab mera yeh kehne ka reason samajh rhe honge..." I continued while looking at everyone's faces simultaneously.

A guy in his 40s took a step forward as he said, "Hum samajhte hain. And I am Major Rishabh Mehra, Juhi ka team mate."

"And we wanna help you. And yeah, I am Agent Yash, Juhi ma'am ka ex cadet." said a guy in his late 30s.

"Charu is a dangerous terrorist, she is involved in human trafficking, and sirf itna hi nahi, the worst part is, that she is working for someone, jiski vajah se 15 years pehle, Juhi Mahajan shaheed huyi thi aur unke saath unke 4 team members bhi.

And, agr mera andaaza sahi hai, then Charu un human trafficking ke logon ko apne boss tak pohonchayegi. And, vahaan jo young females hongi, he would surely use them as sex workers, and baaki ke logon ko he will plant as sleeper cells and bombers...." I continued.

My voice didn't shook even for a moment, and I knew according to the academy people Charu is just responsible for Karan's death, and has mission to harm the Chief Minister, but I know the bigger picture and I just couldn't drag the Parakram's in it till I have all the leads with myself.

Everyone looked at me with an serious expression, as they understood that it's a no back off mission, once they are in.

I took a moment, examining their expressions as I suggested, "Agr aap logon ko backout krna hai toh sirf abhi krsakte hain, because es mission mein bohot danger hai...."

"Sawaal hi nahi uth ta Monami." said Gunjan Bhooshan, my mother's bestfriend, dismissing my thought.

I stole a glance at everyone else in the group for assurance as they nodded in affirmative as I spoke up being thankful, "Thankyou. I know aap logon ka es mission se koi relation nahi hai, when you have already served the nation when you had time..."

"Monami, ek soldier kabhi retire nahi hota. So, desh ki seva ke liye hum aaj bhi taiyaar hain." Replied Ajeet Sir, a man in his late 40s.

I gave them a smile as Gunjan ma'am said, "Monami, yeh team tum lead krogi. It's your right."

"Ma'am, but aap log mere seniors hain..." I said shocked.

While others smiled at my answer as Ajeet Sir said, "Experience and advice ke liye we are here Monami. Yeh tumhara right hai because es mission ke liye tum hume yahaan laayi ho. And es mission mein agr hum mein se kisiko kuch bhi hota hai, toh trust me Monami, desh se badhkar kuch nahi hota..."

"Plan tumhara, lead tumhari aur verification humari." said Anubhav Sir, a man in his late 30s.

While Yash said with a smile, "And, you can call us by our names."

I gave Yash and everyone present there a genuine smile.

Present

I was pulled out from my chain of thoughts as I heard the sound of nearing footsteps towards the dispensary as I instantly closed my eyes, pretending to sleep.

This so feels like a split personality game!

*******

So, the chapter answered some of your questions I guess?

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Thankyou.
Yours
R•