"Commandos are trained to an exceptionally high level, both physically and mentally and expected to perform accordingly. A Commando is mentally tough, quick thinking, innovative and can keep a cool head in difficult and complex situations all over the country"

Said the commanding chief

"We have the battalion trained under one of my very best officers...Major Veer, head of the training team in Dehradun"

Everyone seated around the conference table... the matter was serious as there was danger around the hills of Manali. Recent news about the bomb blasts in few parts of the country has shaken the whole government.

"Do you think that twenty commandoes can handle this mission" questioned the ministers...

"I have only one answer for your doubts Sir. Major Veer"

Veer was still demonstrating the importance of the missions... "You're a part of second regiment commando.... it is a joint enabled expeditionary Special Operations force capable of operating across the land, sea or air domains. The Regiment is a force in readiness for the conduct of Advance Force Operations and Direct Action missions. These tasks are conducted both overseas and domestically where the Regiment is optimised to conduct responsive, scalable and tailored special operations, teamed with other Special Operations Command"

He watched all his team "Am I clear"

"Yes Sir" the cadets said aloud together...

"Remember a good commando has to be a good human being first, possessing qualities like top class character, compassion, courage, competence, commitment and finally charisma."

Veer continued "You have completed the toughest part of the course, breaking the biological timings. You were made to do all things which you haven't done before. No plans were known to anyone. This is done to show you what limits your body, mind and soul can take. It's all about romancing dangers and risks. It's all about feeling for the nation."

Veer asked them to look at the different weapons "You are now trained in different kinds of military explosives"

After finishing the training Veer headed off to his quarters to receive the important information from his commanding chief...

"Yes Sir" Veer smiled after keeping the receiver "I was waiting for this mission..."

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Aarti happily looked at the henna on her hands...she smiled at the design... "Don't forget to put my husband's name on the design"

All the girls laughed

Kirti watched her sister smiling broadly "yes, please write his name... Aarti spell out for them"

Aarti shyly looked down "Veer..."

Sheetal and Kavita were happy for Aarti ... finally she had that glow on her face that they wanted to see ever since she was married...

"Ok girls...we need to start the function" Sheetal's Mother came smiling to everyone... "Aarti, beta you're looking so pretty....where is your husband?"

"Aunty he will come tomorrow" Aarti said shying at his name... she still remembered the way he kissed her...even thinking about the feeling shot shivers down her body... her hands went ice cold... she almost started blushing...

She recalled how he said he will come to pick her up...

"I am waiting for you Veer" she said to herself... then looked at his name on her hands...

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Veer was sitting in the jeep leaving for the mission when he reminisced he had a wedding to attend... he asked one of his staff to advise his wife about him leaving for an important mission...

He briefly thought about her... than concentrated on his baggage...

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Aarti was still thinking about him when she received a call .... She asked her Mother to pick up the call as she had henna on her hands...

Rama picked up the phone... "What?" she said aloud alarming Aarti.

"Mom, what happened?" Aarti queried

Annoyingly Rama disconnected the phone "it's good you did contract marriage...soon you'll be free from this so called marriage drama"

Aarti frowned at her mother "what happened Mom?"

"Veer has left for some important mission to Manali..." Rama looked at her daughter's face "he will not come for the wedding"

Aarti's sad face didn't go unnoticed by anyone...

"I told you not to marry this man...but you didn't listen. Now keep on thinking about him... God knows he will return back or not" Rama said

Aarti stared at her Mother "enough Mom... Stop it..."

She got up and walked away...

Rama wasn't happy with this relation at all...

"What happened? Why did Aarti leave like that?" Kirti looked at her Mother...

"Nothing Kirti... I think we did wrong by supporting her to get married to that man" Rama angrily retorted back...

Kirti wondered why her Mother would talk like that for Veer...

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Aarti wiped her tears and tried calling him again... but there was no answer...

She never wanted to spoil her best friend's wedding and washed her face nicely... it was only a matter of three days now. She will leave after the wedding...

She sent a text message to Veer...

"I am only worried about you...please take care"

She quickly dressed up and went downstairs...

Sheetal and Sameer were dancing together... Aarti smiled at them... and imagined Veer standing in front of her... she smiled

Everyone danced at the loud music....

She wore a heavy pink lehnga and a small blouse. Suddenly she felt someone touching her back... she turned around but to her surprise there was no one except her own friends and family dancing...

She smiled and started dancing again...

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Veer looked at his team "this is your first mission...I want to tell you something important that every commando should know"

"You all are trained to tackle the enemy, empty handed. You were taught martial art techniques to defend against armed and unarmed enemy. A commando is made aware of sensitive and pressure points in a human body essential to injure or kill the enemy."

The Jeep stopped at the highest point on the mountains... where the terrorists were tracked last...

"We have to get down here and spread out in small groups, it's a huge jungle and make sure we all know where to meet"

"Yes Sir" said the team

Everyone dispersed in small groups around the huge jungle...

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"I have put my best officer....I have full confidence in Veer" Smiled the commanding officer...

"These terrorists are the most dangerous and you know they have sent this letter. That means they will destroy the areas surrounding those hills" said the minister

"This is a special mission Sir and special mission operations are the most hazardous job for the commandos. The combat skills they acquire make the difference between life and death while operating on commando missions, behind enemy lines. All the soldiers are imparted with basic skills in combat shooting, unarmed combat, rock craft, demolitions, special missions and combat first aid. These skills are the bread and butter of a commando." The officer added

Now everyone was waiting till they hear about the mission successful...

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Aarti wasn't really enjoying the marriage....Rama sat next to her... "Why don't you dance..?"

"No Mom, I don't feel like..."

Rama shook her head "it's all because you didn't listen to me..."

"Mom please..."

Rama left...

After few minutes a boy sat next to her... "Hello"

Aarti looked at him "hi...do I know you?"

"My name is Akash....I am Sameer's cousin's friend"

Aarti smiled while he offered her a drink

"No thanks..." she said...

"You look upset..." he queried

"No...I am just not feeling well" Aarti tried to pretend...

"Let's dance..." he insisted

"No please... I don't want to..." she advised again

Rama looked at the boy "hello Beta... what's your name"

"Hello Aunty... Aakash, I am Sameer's cousin's friend"

"Oh ok... what do you do?" Rama asked him

Aarti annoyingly looked at her Mother who was just being stupidly over friendlier with a stranger...

"I am software engineer Aunty" Aakash said smiling at Rama

Rama happily smiled and offered him something to eat...

Aarti was least bothered about them.... All she was concerned was about Veer...

"Where do you live beta?" Rama kept on asking all questions

"I live in Mussorrie" he answered

"Oh good... do come over to our place sometimes... we live nearby" Rama gave a broad smile

"Sure Aunty..." Aakash said

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Aarti was happy for her friend's marriage but at the same time her heart and mind were constantly thinking about Veer... she had no clue where he was... it was the third day...

The marriage finished with all the rituals...

Sameer and Sheetal cuddled each other for the photograph... all the friends grouped around for a picture...

"I really miss Veer today" said Sameer... "It must be something important otherwise he would have attended the wedding" he completed

Aarti sadly looked around... but then she smiled looking at the camera...

She was still adjusting her lehnga when she felt someone touching her back... she turned around but couldn't locate anyone...

"Alright Arjun... you are next...you must announce your wedding date as well" teased Uday...

"Why do you want me dead" he whispered back

All the friends laughed and cheered for Sameer and Sheetal...

Aarti hugged Sheetal "I am so happy for you, but I have to leave tomorrow...please understand"

Sheetal smiled "I can understand your situation... Don't worry"

Aarti smiled and left from there

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Rama saw her daughter packing her bags "why do you want to go back?. Who is waiting for you there?"

Aarti didn't bother and kept packing her stuff...

"Kirti tell her to stay with us until he returns back" Rama said angrily...

Kirti looked at her sister's worried face "mom please...let her go...why you are interfering so much."

Rama angrily got up from the chair "I am interfering... she's the one who chose such a man..."

"Enough Mom..." Aarti cried "I am worried about him...and here you are just..." Aarti finally cried out...

Kirti hugged Aarti "sshh... Aarti... don't worry, he'll be fine..."

"Yes yes... keep on assuring her Kirti... This is all we can do..." Rama kept yelling and left the room...

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Aarti left for Dehradun, the moment she reached the quarters, she felt him close to herself...she walked inside his study room... her hands touched his belongings... she recalled the night when he passionately kissed her... with tears in her eyes she looked at his picture...

"Come back soon Veer" she cried and hugged his picture...

After settling down, she unpacked her stuff when she heard heavy storm outside...slowly she closed the windows and looked outside the quarters... two soldiers were on duty...

She called Mr Oberoi to check about his health...but didn't disclose much about Veer's mission... she was pretty used to his job now...she knew for Veer his work comes first... and she had no issues with that... all she wanted was his safety...

She changed her dress, and was about to sleep when she heard the knock at the door...

She thought it to be Veer and rushed towards the main door...

"Aakash. You here?" Aarti was surprised

"Sorry Aarti... I was going to Missouri but on the way my car broke down and the weather was so bad... then I thought of you and came here... I will leave once the storm settles..."

Aarti looked at his wet clothes... it was indeed a heavy storm outside "that's alright...come"

She ordered the chef to make some coffee....

After few minutes

"Here... coffee" she offered Aakash a cup of hot coffee...

He took the coffee "thanks a lot Aarti..."

"It's all right... I have to sleep now... good night" Aarti smiled a little and walked to her room while Aakash kept gazing her from behind...

He leered at her looking from top to bottom...

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