To another end :(

******

They all rushed his father to the hospital emergency room. He holds his weeping mother in his hands as she asks for his reassurance for his father's health. But he can't provide anything, he isn't sure about it.

He feels someone holding his hand, he turns to find his wife offering a small smile and he nodded tightening his hold on her hand because he needs to stay sane for his family.

His sister came a little after asking questions which his brother took charge to answer and he was glad he wasn't the one. Even though he had fought for years, there was no one to teach him how to fight when his family is at risk.

For the army, they mostly shut down all the emotions that one can feel and all they are taught is to be patriotic whilst killing a hundred, destroying a thousand families after that.

The killing never stops, the war never stops no matter how many lives went in it.

He knows that when he saw his best mate dying in the battle. He knows that when he saw a young seven years boy running for his life when he should have been running with his friends to play games. He knows when he saw several weeping mothers for their children. He has seen it all.

The door opened and the doctor walked out asking to speak to them in the office. Knowing that it is best for his brother and him to speak to the doctor first is better, they followed the doctor.

"Your father is ageing". The doctor started, "With his age, he needs to rest his body and mind, time to time. But he has been pressuring himself even at this age which resulted in the fainting".

He knew that was not all.

"He has a tumour in his brain". The doctor said and he took a sharp breath, "It is still in the developing stage and he is lucky that we found it early. He needs surgery after a full examination and he needs to stop the stress immediately".

He didn't speak anything as at that moment he realised that his parents were getting old. They never once asked him for anything and never once complained to him about his pain. He had spent years and years away from them not even having enough memories to cherish. What if he loses them before he can get any memory?

"He needs you". His brother said to her as she was waiting for him in the waiting area but he didn't come, "He went outside. I am sure he needs fresh air but he needs you more. I will speak to everyone else. Just make sure he is ok".

She nodded understanding as she runs out of the hospital looking around the place. She stops at the bench in a little distance where she finds him huddled. His shoulder was slumped, his face in his hands and the stress was radiating off him.

She moves towards him sitting in front of him as she placed her hand on his knees and he jolted upright looking at her and her heartbreak.

He was crying.

She has never seen him cry and she knows he never cried in his life. Even when he was in pain, even when he lost his friend, team and more, he never cried. He made his heart stoned.

But he was crying.

She wraps her arms around his body placing her head on his chest as she tries to comfort him. She knows no words can comfort him because watching one parent falling from smiling to illness is never easy.

"H-He has a tumour". He said as his voice hoarse, "I don't know what to do. I don't know".

She pulls back placing her hand on his cheeks, "You always did what your heart wanted, right?" He nodded, "That is what you will do and I will be on your side. The first thing that your heart says is what you will follow, ok?"

He nodded holding her hand as he pulls her back in his arms wanting to feel her touch.

"I can take over his place". His brother suggested and he knows his brother was going to sacrifice again for him

Throughout the years he was away there were times where he could have helped his family. But the responsibility and everything always stayed with his brother.

He smiles slightly, "You know I am not getting any younger now".

His brother smiles, "I know that. But I know you love your work".

"So do you". He said softly, "I will do it. I will take over".

His brother's eyes widen, "Are you sure? You don't have to do it if you don't want to. I can handle it".

He shakes his head, "You have done enough. I think it's time I take a step forward and help my family".

"You will leave your post?" His brother asked worriedly, "You worked so hard for it".

"I was able to work on it because you all supported me". He said smiling, "It's about time I give something back to you all".

His brother nodded, "If you are sure then go ahead. I will arrange the people who will guide you and you will have me whenever you need me".

"When is his surgery scheduled?" He asked as his heart clenched

His brother offered a comforting smile, "In three months. They need to runs tests, medication and whatnot".

He sighs, "I will go back to resign tomorrow".

"You can take few days. You just came here". His brother said

He shakes his head, "The quicker I do this, the better".

He left the next day in a hurry to his base to handle the matters.

She looks at the calendar which marks a month after his father fainted and they found a tumour and a month since her husband left.

The house is strangely quiet.

Even though his parents don't show, it is in their eyes that they worry about everyone. His father was still in the early stage so the pain was not there which she was thankful for.

She changes into his hoodie remembering that tonight is their wedding anniversary. She curls into a ball on the bed as she thinks about him before the sleep engulfs her.

He closes the door behind him gently walking towards the side she was sleeping in which is his side. He smiles as he bends down moving the hair away from her face, caressing her cheeks lovingly as he continues to gaze at her.

His eyes went to the bracelet he bought for her years ago still shining in her wrist like their love.

It took a long time to handle all the paperwork and other procedures. He was hoping nothing happens while he was away and he was glad everything was ok.

"Ap a gaye?" Her voice broke his trance as he finds her eyes on him (You are here?)

"Ana toh tha he ap jo yaha thi". (I had to come because you are here)

She smiles sitting on the bed and he sits beside her handing her a box. She opens the box to find a beautiful ring in it.

"Accessories looks good on you". He commented as she wears the ring and he takes her hand kissing it, "Happy anniversary, noorehayaat"

"You remembered?" She asked shocked

He laughs, "Apko lagta hai k mai apni zindagi ka sub se haseen din bhool jaon ga?" (Do you think I will forget the most beautiful day of my life?)

"Haseen ka toh pata nahi, mount. Per us din ap ajeeb zaror the. Shukar karain mai bhaag nahi gayi". She said shrugging (I don't know about beautiful but you were weird that day. You should be thankful I didn't ran away that day)

He snickers, "I was weird? You were the one who called me a liar, mount Everest and whatnot".

"I still believe it".

He smiles standing from the bed as he forwards his hand, "Do you want to go out with me?"

"Right now? You just came back. Aren't you tired?"

"I can rest later. I want to make sure we have more memories".

She smiles nodding as she changes into a different pair of clothes leaving with him.

She stands in front of the sea feeling the gentle waves. She shivers wrapping around her hand when his hand wrapped around her shoulder bringing her to his chest as he places his head on her shoulder.

"I quit my job". He said sighing, "I am not sure how to feel".

"What did you feel when you were there?"

"I don't know for sure because I run on adrenaline. But you do know that's the disputed area of our country. It is highly militarized and no one is allowed to be in. I had countless operations because of the bomb attacks and whatnot. It was like every day, they were ready to kill innocent people and even children who are simply in school. They tried to blow the school once. I remember watching children weeping in fear. It's all just heartbreaking. While we are living in this part of the country just a few miles away, our people are suffering".

She sighs leaning in his arms, "You will figure everything out. I know, you will".

"What is this?" He asked his father as they all sit in their house lounge the next day

His father smiles, "These are the keys for your houses".

"What are you saying, Baba? This is our house". His brother said and he nodded

His father shakes his head, "You are right. This is our house and now I want you to build your house and family".

"But what about you? You are not well". He asked concerned

"I will call you if I need you, beta". His father said softly, "I have been working all these years so I can build a house for my sons as a gift for their dedication to me. I wanted to give you (his brother) a house sooner but I couldn't afford it".

"Baba, don't say like that. I love staying here. I am not leaving". His brother said

"Your sister stays in her house". His father said smiling, "Did you ever see her in-laws complaining? Or asking them to stay with them? It's because it is the right of these women who leave their houses to come to you, to have their place. I am not listening to anything. It will take a month for you to shift and I will be admitted to hospital after that so you don't have to worry much".

He didn't know what more to say to his father but he can see in his eyes that he does wish for them to build their house. Although he would have appreciated that he build his own house with his hard work, he cannot degrade his father's hard work.

"Is there something you want to add?" He asked wrapping his hands around his wife as they stand in their house

"Your father did an amazing work". She said smiling excitedly, "I can't wait to put our pictures here".

"Which one?"

She grins at him adorably running to the box on the side as she looks through it taking out a frame. He walks closer to her watching over the frame of their wedding day.

"This is the best one. We do have to take more pictures. If you weren't grumpy that day, it would have turned better". She said tracing her figure over the frame

He rolls his eyes, "Well, I am sorry the photographer was an idiot and didn't have a film in his camera when we took pictures before the event and he came back after I met thousands of random people to ask us to do all those poses in front of everyone".

She laughs wholeheartedly at his exaggeration even she was embarrassed when she had to redo the poses while everyone looked at her.

"Mount, that man mistakes cost us a picture frame of our wedding in which you look like someone forced you to marry me while I want to run away somewhere. Imagine what will our children think when they see this?". She can't help but chuckle at her words

She bends closer to her, "Children? I like that sound. Come on, now we even have a house".

She blushes furiously pushing him away, "Don't make me kick you, mount".

He grins, "As to what our children will think". He holds the frame from her, "I will tell them that the first time I met their mother, I knew she was the one. I never thought about what I felt when I saw her but I know for a fact that this was the women I wanted beside me. This was the women I wish to start my day with and spend every single day with". He turns to look at her, "I will tell them that every day I spent away from her, my heart craved for her. To see her smile, laugh, cry or even call me mount. I will be her mount if that what makes her". He leans in closer placing his hand on her cheeks, "I will tell them, I wished to tell her how much I love her every day and I will continue to love her for all the days we are together".

He places his lips against her softly as he pulls back watching her cheeks turning pink.

"So where do we hang our memorable wedding frame?" He asked standing as he forward his hand to her and she takes it immediately

"I think, the stairs". She said thoughtfully

"Whatever my wife say". He said moving to get the things he needs to hang the frame

She continued to watch her husband doing all the work while he simply let her do all the simple work. They didn't ask for anyone's help because they wanted to build this home by themselves.

2 years later:

"Baby, do you know what your papa is like?" She asked her daughter as she carries her around the house, "He is like the Mount Everest and you will not follow after him. Do you hear me?"

Her two months old daughter looks at her attentively with her doe-eyes like she understands what her mother is saying to her, mesmerized by her mother.

"I think she is in love". She heard her husband say as she raises her head and a smile appears on her face

He moves towards them wrapping his hand around his wife looking at his daughter before he kisses her cheeks.

"She is looking at you like I look at you". He said bringing his finger near her tiny fist and she immediately holds his finger in her fist as a gentle smile appeared on his lips

"It is hard not to fall me". She said shrugging as she starts to move away

But he holds her wrist bringing her back, "That's true".

"Have you seen your son?" She asked confused and their eyes widen in horror

He runs towards the kitchen knowing how much of a foodie his son truly is. He also knows his son takes after his mother who always thinks about food.

He finds her in front of the fridge showering in the yoghurt.

"Perfect". He said groaning and he heard a giggle from his son who looks at him raising his hands

He moves towards his son not being able to resist his eyes as he holds him in his hand and his son splash his yoghurt filled hand on his face.

He heard a burst of laughter booming in front of him and he opens his eyes to find his wife rolling over in laughter and his daughter looks at him confused probably thinking who he is since the yoghurt cover all his face.

"Yes, very funny". He said rolling his eyes as his son laughs along with his mother

She snickers, "If someone looks at the commander officer not being able to resist eyes today, they will think you forged your ways in".

He rolls his eyes, "Only you will think I am some fraud".

"Because you are, mount". She said grinning and he chuckles, "K2 junior, you want to hear Baba's story when he lied to me?"

He rolls his eyes at his wife words who named their son after him. When he is Mount Everest in her life, their son height is not like normal children so she named him Mount Everest junior. He wonders if their daughter grows at different height what will she be named?

His son claps his hand and he isn't sure if he truly understands what his mother said but anything she says, he always finds his children gazing at her.

"After Baba clean you". She said smiling sweetly as she went away waving her hand to him

He sighs looking at his son who looks at him at obviously telling him that he wishes to be with his mother more than him.

"You and me both, son". He said grumpily as he takes steps towards their bathroom

He places his sleeping son in his bed after the shower. His son always sleeps after a long shower. He kisses his forehead telling him he loves him as he walks downstairs.

He finds his wife sleeping on the couch with their daughter sleeping on her chest. He smiles taking their daughter out of her walking back to place her in her room.

He walks downstairs sitting beside his wife pulling her in his arms after a long day.

After his father surgery went successful, they started to think of their family. Their son was their firstborn and then it was their daughter.

Things changed over the years.

He took over his father business and he also advocates for the lives that the country was losing just because some people won't let their ego down and have dialogues.

Though he received immense hate and people said he was a spy, he cannot ever forget the war he lived years in.

His wife was his anchor.

He broke down a couple of times especially when things came down to his family and his father's years of hard work.

His father never once called him out instead he stood with him.

His wife believed in him and held his hand throughout. Though this fight was not even close to ending, he won't stop.

He looks at his wife who became the light of his life and the reason for him to become so much more than an army guy. He became a man who is in love, passionate and lastly a father. She was the reason he was blessed with two angels and he knows that he has to give her everything for everything she has done.

She became his safe haven and home.

"Kaash mai bata sakta k mai tum se kitni mohabbat karta hoon". He said placing his hand on her cheeks lovingly, "Per alfaaz kaafi dafa kum parh jaty hai jazbaato ko bayaan karny k liye". (I wish I can tell you how much I love you) (but there are not enough words to express it)

"Humae kabhi lafzo ki zarorat thi he nahi". She said softly as she opens her eyes looking at him, "Agar lafzo ki zarorat hoti toh woh 4 saal mai hamare beech mai ek diwaar a jaati".(we never needed words between us) (if we needed words we would have a wall built between us in those 4 years we were apart)

He smiles, "Haan. Shoro se he hum dono ajeeb pagal the". (True. We were weirdos from the start)

She laughs, "Mai nahi thi ap the". (I wasn't, you were)

He rolls his eyes caressing her cheeks as his love shine in her eyes. He heard that woman who is loved, respected and cared for have a certain glow on them but he thought people exaggerated it.

But he can see how much and just how she is growing and glowing in his love.

He will shower her with everything.

"Yakeen karo meri zindagi ki sub se behtareen tuhfa tum ho". He said smiling (trust me, my life best gift is you)

"Aur ap meri zindagi ki". She said grinning and blushing (and you are of my life)

He leans in closer kissing her as they continued their journey and new phases together.

That was them.

Rohan and Kubra.

The End.

****

So, any idea why I loved them so much?

I liked their concept of understanding, communicating and maturity in all senses. I absolutely loved the growth Kubra showed in her solo chapter "49.3" from being scared of her the person who harassed her to slapping one.

Honestly, I remember I always hesitated writing army stories because the ones I read here are different from how I perceive relationship and the whole army concept.

How do you like it? Do you have a favourite dialogue?

Side news is that I got my results back for my semester and I nailed it. I am second best in my batch so yay to me. This semester was specifically harder and I didn't expected it. But all praise to Allah.

If I can do it, so can you all. Trust me, I had so much happening and I was stuck on my exams pretty bad. Alhamduillah I did it. I hope you all too and that you achieve what you wish for.

Beside that, the point is that this might be the last story because Ramadan are coming up and I won't be publishing in it. I will release one shot for Imran and maybe if I manage to write Sarah and Tauheed story but I am not sure yet.

See you all soon. Thank you for all the support. I love you 🥺❤.

Say goodbye to my babies.

Your author,

-Faiqa.