It starts from koel track. I always wanted to add my perspective to this scene.. so here it is.. ptanhi kesa hoga but it's my first try! Hope you like it!

This OS will be from Karan's POV.

Monami and Sumanji were able to collect the footages but at the last due to panic and circumstances, the pendrive fell🙁. They are not to be blamed. Anyone after seeing those footages of Abhay's atrocities on Koel, how he tortures her, won't be in proper mental state.
That creepy monster Abhay!! If it was in my hands I would've beaten him black and blue but alas! One wrong step and everything could slip from our hands.
I truely appreciate women from the bottom of my heart! As I always say, 'Lakdiyan paida hi mazboot hoti hain'. Kudos to all the women!! And within the academy, I am proud of all the female cadets and trainers.

Okay, so this thought is about something, rather someone whom I misjudged. Yeah, that's Monami. That bubbly girl who does belong to a rich family, but was never a spoilt kid.

After all that happened, we decided to stay back outside Koel's house in case we get any chance or she needed help. Mausam acha tha but thodi thodi der me hawayein chal rahi thi jisse patto ki sarsarahat sunayi de rhi thi. Kitna shaant aur suhana tha sab! Though I never really enjoyed the nature this muchh, that kind-hearted sweet girl made me feel the tranquillity of nature. I admire how she after so many turmoils in her own life, maintains a happy and helping attitude. I never really spoke all this to her at a sudden. Yes, I did when I saw her vulnerable in picnic when Bala unintentionally hurted her, but then I didn't actually know her sacrifices and looked at everyone through the same perspective. But now that I've understood and corrected my mistake, I do accept that I admire her. I realised that I admired her from the day we met, but never really accepted it. Oh man! Agr uske baare me baat krta rahunga to puri raat nikal jayegi! Wait but ye me kya bol rha hoon? Me kyo uske baare me baat karunga? This girl I tell you, ek din mujhe pagal banake chhodegi 🙃

Mene ek chhota sa bonfire jalaya. Kafi shanti thi. Sumanji had slept at the back of the jeep. I turned to see whether she had slept. She was sobbing looking at Koel's residence with helpless eyes. Seeing her like that, I got up and passed her the water bottle through the window. Looked like I broke her trance. She looked at me and thn bottle and again at me with a glint of thankfulness in her eyes. While she drank the water, I was just trying to figure out what I saw in her eyes- a mix of emotions - melancholy, guilt, helplessness, anger, and what not. It ached me seeing her in such a vulnerable condition.
This girl is a gem. No matter what she's always ready to help others and now she was crying for Koel. Looked like she was crying, wiping her tears, sobbing then crying again. When I saw her, the line of dried tears hid by the fresh tears. I wanted to talk to her but then I saw in her hand my hankerchief which she once returned to me but I didn't take asking to throw that!
Awh this girl!! She is just!

Not being able to speak anything, I just turned and stood near the bonfire trying to figure out about her.

Mujhe jeep ke door band honeki aawaz aayi. Wo baahar aayi maybe for a walk taki uska mood thoda theek ho. Jab wo mudi me uske saamne aagya - maybe ek dusre se baat krne humara man halka ho. Kher iski zaroorat use zyada thi. Wo humesha apni feelings ya to kisi close one ko batati h ya plants and trees ko. Strange right? Mujhe bhi lgta tha but ab yehi baat achi and innocent lgti h.

Ks: (while folding hand at my chest) Kya soch rahi ho?

Mo: (with dried tear marks still visible on her face) What if hum mission me fail ho gaye? What if luck ne humara sath nhi diya Karan? What if Abhay chala gaya aur hum use rok nhi paye? To kya karenge?

She said all this a little shattered. Pain clearly visible in her voice. Looked like she was losing hope! I can't let that happen!

Ks: Monami, hum mission me luck ke bharose nhi, taiyari me bharose aaye hain. Agar plan A fail hoga to plan B hai plan B fail hoga to plan C hai. Kuchh bhi hojaye, hum Abhay ko jeetne nhi denge!

I remarked in order to assure her. But still she seemed bit unconvinced

Mo: That man is a monster! Tumne footages dekha na‽ Wo aadmi insaan kehlane layak nahi hai.

Though on the mention of the footages I sighed and my anger rose, but soldiers have to control their emotions. Monami - is my best cadet but now - she was quite vulnerable and lost her control over emotions. I can't let that happen. She was on the verge of crying again.

Ks: Apne aasuon ko sambhalo Monami, us wakt ke liye jab hum jeet ko celebrate krenge. That monster doesn't deserve your tears. Monami mene pehle hi kaha tha, you're selfless, brave and kind. Bs don't lose hope.

My words seemed to do something to her. She looked at me with determination clearly reflecting in her eyes.

Mo: WE WILL WIN. Hum sab Koel ke sath hain. Koel ko kuchh ni hoga. Me Koel ko kuchh nhi hone dungi.

I was proud on her. Seeing her I felt she needs someone to support her and be with her rn. I kept my hand at her shoulder to assure her I am with you!

She had closed her eyes mustering up courage for all the upcoming hurdles and trying to control her tears. As soon as she felt my hand she couldn't resist her tears and cried her heart out on my heart. She hugged me leaving me startled for a second. Though I wanted to comfort her I hesitated. Would it be right if I responded her hug? I decides to stay back just listening to her till she calmed. I felt me t-shirt getting wet when she spoke

Mo: (with broken but thankful voice) Thank you Karan. Thank you so much. Agr tum team ko.. head nhi krte.. to patanhi.. ptanhi Koel ka kya hota! (tightening her grip a little) Thank youh!

It felt like she was feeling peace in that position - and maybe it applied to me also. At a moment I wanted to take all her pain away. I never felt such for anyone except my close people... This feeling, these emotions were different,.. yet soothing.
I had to do something. Seeing her calmed a bit a patted her a little with my hands which were till now suspended, calling out her name in a polite way.

As she realised her position, she backed off. We were still standing near the bonfire, when cool breeze started to flow... Time yet stopped again for me! That coziness I felt at the moment, that warmth and peace not just because of the weather but what happened few seconds ago was sooo different yet beautiful❣️.

I was the first one to compose myself. Sensing the awkwardness, I turned towards her.

Ks: To.. tum thik to ho?

I could still see the pain in her soul through her eyes.

Mo: Yah. I'm sohrry.

She started looking here and there to avoid my eye contact. I tried to lighten the situation...

Ks: Aas pas koi ped to hai nhi to mujhe hi hug kr liya!

Saying so I turned towards her and yippee! I was successful in my chhotu sa mission! But honestly kisi bhi mission ke baad 'itni Khushi mujhe aaj tak nhi hui'!

She let out a little smile followed by sigh and chuckled a bit with her eyes down. In the light of the bonfire accompanied with the breeze, she looked gorgeous. Her bangs of hair covering her rosy cheeks now and then added to her beauty.. I was - I don't know - but maybe - umm.. getting lost in her. I with a smile of contentment diverted my gaze in order to not get lost in her. When she looked at me. I saw her nd seeing the shimmer in her eyes, I don't know but I felt something, inner peace maybe.. But why!?
(Who knew that later he would love to be - and always want to be her 'tree')

We had a walk nd then went to the jeep in order to have a nap. We decided any one would be awake at a time in case Koel needed help or support. Sumanji had done quite work so she was bit more exhausted than us. I assured Monami that I'll be awake but she is as always adamant.
Hum phone use kr rhe the, I was internet surfing aur wo storage clear kr rhi thi while reminiscing old memories. I stole glance of her once. She was smiling looking at the phone.
I noticed she was going through her pics with her mother. They seemed like she clicked all the photos from albums just so that she could go through them anytime...

Her smile - it was different. It reflected pride, determination, happiness. I didn't realise when my lips also curved into one. Why was I so stupid at the beginning of our journey that I judged her! I still regret. But she's the kindest of the kind! Lost in my thoughts I noticed a lone tear escaping from her eye.
Oh how much I wished in that moment to wipe that just so that I could part with her pain😩.. I also feel the loss of Param Bhaiya. But she is proud of her mother more than she misses her! That's how someone from martyrs' family should be! Garv hona chahiye, Fakr hona chahiye!
I am proud of you, Bhaiya!💙

So many thoughts revolve in my mind all day long... I wish I could ever share these with anyone - or a certain someone... Arghh why m I thinking all this! But still if I ponder upon it, she is the best person for this! Kash kabhi me itni himmat juta pau Monami ki tumhe apne dil-o-dimaag ke khayal bayan kr pau... Patanhi kyo pr tumse baat karke acha lgta h🙃

Again I got lost in myself🤦

Karan! Kya tu bhi! Baat bar apni Rani Sahiba ke khayalo me kho jata hai.! Ek minute! Meri? Meri Rani Sahiba!? "Me sighing at my own thoughts"

I glanced at her again. She had slept till now, Hugging her phone. Stain of dried tears were visible on her face till now... After seeing all the tortures on Koel she was already trying to stay strong. After seeing her mother's pic maybe her mental turmoil was over but the overwhelming emotions within her made their way through her eyes. She is definitely VERY STRONG!
I was yet again lost in her... Under the moonlight the soft breeze on her face made her look like an angel - the best one indeed! Her hair strands were daring to disturb her but it added to her looks... I never really liked tears flowing from her deep hazel brown eyes, but I never really tried to stop them as it was her way to calm. Tabh bhi, I wish is chehre par kabhi koi aansu na aaye...
I straightened myself. Open my phone gallery and searched for something... Oh I got it yeah... It was us, the two of us.
A lone tear escaped my eyes also. I got down from the jeep. Kept the phone straight with that photo, and Saluted!

JAI HIND!

"I am proud of you Bhaiya!" - escaped my mouth.

That night when Monami woke, I slept with a smile, not entering into my world of nightmare but into the world of dreams - which even I didn't know existed!

Heya! Thank-you for reading this piece... I thought it to be short but it turned out to be bit longer...

It was my first attempt of writing an ff. I always wanted to write this one.. if this gets good response I might post the next part by Thursday.
Once again Thank you all!!

And yes Kudos to all the brilliant writers out there!!

Date: 28/03/22