DUPLICATE:

Note: In this OS, Karan has been replaced by Balli for about a day at the starting of the story. He was kidnapped and is with Dhanu and co. Whenever Karan will be mentioned in the academy, it'll be Balli but it'll be in Monami or Faizi's third POV, so I'll write Karan instead of Balli. When I refer to Karan with Dhanu, it'll be actually Karan. Hope there is no confusion.

I wrote this OS in the second week of the track and hence, Balli is not reformed.

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

Karan slid an arm around her waist, leaning down closer to her. Monami kept a finger on his lips and he paused, his gaze lifting from her lips to her eyes.

"Agent Shergill, har cheez itni asaani se nahi milti", she whispered. "Thodi mehnat karo."

"Tumhe pataane ke liye itni mehnat kari toh hai", he whispered back, a slight smirk spreading over his face. He leaned down again, the phone ringing making him pause this time.

He stepped back, taking his phone out of his pocket and sighing. "Haan, Faizi", he said, rolling his eyes. He listened to whatever he said. "Main aa raha hoon."

Monami smiled at him. "Jao", she said, leaning back against the terrace railing. Her smile dropped a little, as she stared after him.

'Karan kuchh badla badla lag raha hai', she thought, tilting her head. 'Mission par kuchh hua kya? And Karan kab se pataane jaise words use karne laga hai?' She shook her head. 'Monu, tu kuchh zyaada hi soch rahi hai. Shayad thoda mission ko lekar pareshaan hoga.'

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

"Karan, suno", Faizi said, glancing at the man lying down on the bed, who was typing something on his phone. "Hume tumse Dhanu ke baare mein kuchh discuss karna hai."

He barely glanced up, and Faizi frowned. "Haan, bol", he said disinterestedly, and he tilted his head.

"Karan, tum sun rahe ho?"

"Haan, haan", he said. "Bol, na?"

"Kuchh nahi", he replied, shaking his head. "Karan, tumhaari tabiyat toh theek hai, na?" He kept a hand on his forehead. He seemed normal.

"Haan, kyun?" He sat up straighter, giving him a serious look.

"Nahi, bas... kuchh nahi. Hum baad mein milte hain tumse."

Faizi turned, walking out of the door, his mind on Karan. 'Yeh Karan Dhanu ko lekar itna casual kyun behave kar raha hai? Monami, Bhabhi aur Baby ki photos dekhkar toh iski jaan hi nikal gayi thi aur ab aisa lag raha hai isko naa uski fikar hai, naa duty ki. Kya ho gaya?'

"Faizi", a voice called and he turned around. He smiled slightly, seeing Monami run up to him. She offered him a smile back. Her smile dropped a little. "Kya hua, Faizi? Tum pareshaan lag rahe ho? Kuchh hua hai kya?"

He shook his head, smiling at her. "Nahi, nahi, Monami, sab theek hai."

She hesitated. "I know tum zyaada kuchh nahi bata sakte ho, aur mujhe pata hai ki mission ki details confidential hai par... mission par kuchh hua hai kya?"

"Nahi, Monami. Hum theek hain", he assured.

"Okay. Wo bas... Karan bhi thoda ajeeb sa behave kar raha tha", she said, shrugging. "Toh mujhe laga, shayad... Accha, suno, mujhe-"

"Ajeeb sa matlab?" He interrupted.

"Matlab..." She paused. "I am not sure how to explain it."

He glanced around, before nodding. "Coffee par baat karte hain?"

She frowned. "Faizi, kuchh... hua hai kya?"

"Nahi, nahi, par..." He smiled lightly. "Ab tum humaari Bhabhi banogi kabhi, toh thoda hum bhi tumhe jaane."

She chuckled, nodding. "Of course. Main bahut achhi coffee bhi banaati hoon", she said, as they both started to walk to the mess.

"Toh... tum keh rahi thi ki Karan thoda ajeeb behave kar raha hai?"

"Haan. Matlab... I guess usko kaam ka stress hoga. I mean, it's a dangerous mission", she said, shrugging. "Wo bas thoda apne jaise behave nahi kar raha hai. Like, aaj usne kaha ki usne mujhe 'pataaya' hai." She chuckled. "I mean, Karan kabse aise words use karne laga hai? Aur..."

"Aur?" He prodded.

Her smile dropped a little. "Wo kuchh zyaada hi... touchy ho raha hai."

'Touchy?' Faizi thought. 'Shayad... Karan darr gaya hai. Monami ki pictures uss informer ke phone mein dekhkar.'

"Achha, suno", she said, and he glanced at her. "Karan thoda upset hai, na. I mean, thoda stressed hai. Last time, uska mood theek karne ke liye, maine use pub mein bulaaya tha. Par... use bahut achha nahi laga ki maine usse jhooth bola. Aur khud wo pub jayega nahi."

He nodded in agreement.

"Toh main soch rahi thi ki hum dono ek date plan karte hain", she said. "I mean, Karan ne kaha tha ki jab main uske saath hoti hoon toh wo relaxed hota hai. Thoda academy se door rahega, toh shayad stress thoda kam hoga. What do you think?"

"Monami... I know tumhaari intentions buri nahi hai", he said gently. "And... tum dono ki date se hume koi problem nahi hai, par... academy ke bahar nahi. Hum tum dono ko akele academy ke bahar nahi jaane denge."

"Par kyun?"

"Security reasons", he said.

She sighed, nodding. "Okay", she said. "Academy ke andar hi kuchh soch lungi."

He smiled. "Hum kuchh madad karein?"

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

"Karan, maine hum dono ke liye ek date plan kari hai", Monami said, smiling at him the next day, and Karan immediately smiled at her, nodding.

"Haan, chalo", he said.

"Monami, hume pata hai tumne bahut mehnat kari hai", Faizi interrupted, glancing at Karan in surprise. "Par abhi ek important meeting hai, toh abhi nahi."

"Oh", she said, her smile dropping a little. "Kab tak khatam hogi?"

"Kuchh keh nahi sakte", he said. "Par aadha ek ghanta toh kam se kam chalegi."

She nodded. "Theek hai. Karan, jab bhi tum free hoge, toh mujhe message kar dena." She smiled at him, moving away from him.

Balli suppressed a sigh, turning and moving to Batra Sir's cabin. 'Yeh bhaalu naa aaonda beech mein, Mona Darling ke saath date par jaane milda. Shayad kal di warga jhappi bhi paa laindi. Iss bhaalu ne kal vi phone karke beech 'ch aa gaya si. Goli naa maarda isnu main.'

"Karan?" Faizi said, as he turned left. "Kahan jaa rahe ho? Batra Sir ke saath meeting hai."

He blinked, nodding. "Haan, wo..."

Faizi tilted his head. "Chalo", he said, walking up the stairs and he followed. "Kya hua hai? Tum thode distracted lag rahe ho."

"Nahi, kuchh nahi", he said. Faizi knocked on the door, and Colonel Batra looked up, gesturing for the two to come in.

"Faizi", the Colonel said, three hours later, as the two turned to leave. Karan paused as well. "Shergill, tum jao. Mujhe kuchh Faizi se discuss karna hai."

"Sir", he said, nodding and leaving, closing the door behind him.

"Sir, aisi kya baat hai ki aap Karan ko involve nahi kar rahe?" Faizi asked.

"Faizi, aaj Karan kuchh distracted nahi laga tumhe?" He asked. Faizi nodded reluctantly, in agreement. His head definitely wasn't on the mission. "Mujhe yeh puchhte hue zyaada achha toh nahi lag raha par Monami-"

"No, sir", Faizi said immediately. "Monami ki wajah se Karan itna distract nahi hoga. Sir, Karan aur Monami ek doosre ke saath 26 January se hain, Dhanu ke bhaagne ke baad se. Uske baad, un dono ne ek flesh trade ka racket expose kara tha aur un dono mein se kisi ka bhi dhyaan mission par se hatkar, ek doosre par nahi tha. Aur isse pehle bhi, iss mission mein bhi, Karan bilkul distracted nahi tha." He glanced at the door. "Parso se bas, thoda ajeeb behave kar raha hai. Pata nahi kya hua hai."

Colonel Batra leaned back. "Ajeeb matlab?"

"Bas... apne jaisa nahi", he said. "Monami ko bhi thoda ajeeb laga wo."

He nodded. "Nazar rakho ispar, Faizi. Find out yeh itna distracted kyun hai aur problem solve karo. Main Karan ko mission par se hataana nahi chahta hoon par itni distraction iske ke liye aur field mein baaki agents ke liye khatra ban sakti hain."

"Sir."

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

Karan felt his head snap to the side, and his eyes drooped a little, feeling exhaustion set in, as his head spin from the hits.

"Bol", Dhanu snarled. "Wo pen drive kahan hai?"

He shook his head. "Mujhe nahi pata", he whispered the lie.

Another hit and the world spin faster. His eyes slid close and he didn't have the strength to open them again.

"Balli ko bhi pen drive nahi mil rahi hai", Dhanu said in frustration. "Pata nahi kahan chhupa kar rakhi hai."

"Ise pata bhi hai?" Aneesh asked, and Karan opened his eyes, the rage pumping in his veins giving him the strength to perform the seemingly mammoth task.

"Karan Shergill hai yeh", Charu said. "Academy ka best commando, aur mission ka leader. Pen drive isi ke paas hai."

"Aisa kya hai uss pen drive mein?"

"Sleeper cells ke naam." She leaned down, tilting her head as she glared at Karan. "Uss list se humaare kayi missions fail ho sakte hain."

"Tujhe kya lagta hai, Dhanu?" He said. "Yeh jo tera Balli hai, yeh bahut time tak meri acting kare lega? Karan Shergill banna koi do din ka kaam nahi hai. Pakda jayega wo. Aur phir, tu. Aur phir, tere log. Aur mere log, ek ek ko chun chun kar maarenge."

"Ek hafta ho gaya", Dhanu said, smirking. "Kisi ko bhanak bhi nahi hai."

Karan tilted his head. "Ek hafta hi hua hai", he said. "B-Bahut time hai. Ek pen drive toh mil nahi rahi tumhe, mere commandos aur cadets ko dhokha doge?"

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

A week has passed since Karan had started acting weird, and Monami only had more and more incidents and feelings to count. It had gotten to the point where spending time with him was more of spotting-the-difference except instead of a picture, she was stopping differences in her boyfriend. What had changed one week ago?

He was more touchy yet not quite as affectionate. Their tender moments of soft talks and idle yet interesting chatter had been replaced by just kisses and hugs, and she missed talking to him. Not to mention touching him, or him touching her, felt... weird, for a lack of better word.

He followed her around quite often, showing up at random times in her room, and often, Faizi called him, reminding him of some meeting. Since when did Karan needed to be reminded of mission meetings and that too, so many times?

She didn't like this changed him. It unsettled her. But no matter how many times she asked if something was wrong, he would brush it off.

"Faizi, mujhe nahi pata Karan ko kya hua hai", Monami had said the night before as they both sipped their coffees, sighing. It had become somewhat of a ritual in the past week and as almost always, the topic was Karan acting weird. "Ajeeb lag raha hai ab uske saath rehna. Matlab... mujhe... mujhe Khadoos Shergill ki aadat hai. Yeh... sweet, attentive Karan beech beech mein toh theek hai, par... hamesha? That's not Karan. Faizi, uske saath rehkar ajeeb lagta hai."

"Usne tumhe uncomfortable toh nahi kara, na?" Faizi had asked.

She had sighed. "Faizi, aisa kuchh nahi kara par... uske saath rehkar ab uncomfortable lagta hai. Jab wo touch karta hai, toh aisa lagta hai ki bas usse door rahoon. I don't like this. Karan ke saath agar main 10 ghante bhi bata leti, pehle, toh bhi agar wo mujhse door jaata toh mujhe achha nahi lagta par ab, main bahaane dhoond rahi hoon usse door hone ke. Mujhe nahi pata ek dum se kya change ho gaya hai. I don't like this new him. Mujhe toh yeh nahi samajh aa raha hai ki badla kya?"

A hand on her shoulder broke her from her thoughts, startling her. She looked up, finding Ustaad ji standing next to her table, the cadets and him both looking at her in concern.

"Haan?" She said.

"Kya hua, Monu? Tu itni khoyi hui kyun lag rahi hai? Ustaad ji kab se bula rahe hain", Sid said. "Tu theek hai?"

"Sorry", she muttered. "Bas kuchh soch rahi thi. Kya hua, Ustaad ji?"

"Monami, tumhe Batra Sir ne apne cabin mein bulaaya hai."

She stared at him in surprise, before nodding. "Okay", she said. Her hands fiddled with each other nervously, as she walked to his cabin.

'Unhone bhi kya Karan ka badla badla behaviour notice kara?' She thought. 'Kahin unhone yeh nahi lage ki yeh meri wajah se hai, aur phir wo hume break up karne ke liye kahein. Karan Batra Sir ko kabhi nahi taalega. Agar yeh sach mein meri wajah se hai, toh main khud hi Karan se break up kar lungi. Uske aur uski duty ke beech mein koi nahi aana chahiye, main bhi nahi.'

She knocked on the door, hearing the permission to come in and she opened the door, entering. To her surprise, it was just Faizi standing there, no Karan in sight. Colonel Batra nodded to the door, and she closed it.

"Monami, jo main keh raha hoon wo iss kamre ke bahar tum kisi ke saath discuss nahi karogi", Colonel Batra said sternly. "Karan ke saath bhi nahi, aur Siddharth ke saath bhi nahi. Sirf hum teenon ke beech rahegi."

"Yes, sir", she said.

"Pichhle kuchh dinon se Karan kuchh alag sa behave kar raha hai", he continued. "Maine Faizi ko kaha tha ki wo Karan par nazar rakhe aur yeh pata lagaye ki Karan itna alag kyun behave kar raha hai. Use yeh toh nahi pata chala ki kyun kar raha hai par hum dono ko yakeen hai ki kuchh gadhbadh hai."

Monami's hands clenched behind her back, fear taking over. What was wrong with him?

"Main chahta hoon ki tum bhi Faizi ki madad karo yeh pata lagaane ke liye ki Karan itna distracted aur alag kyun behave kar raha hai", Colonel Batra said. "Uska dhyaan field mein nahi hai. Tum aur Faizi Karan ke sabse zyaada kareebi ho, academy mein. Tum dono se achha iss academy mein Karan ko koi nahi jaanta."

"Karan stress ke saath bahut calmly deal kar sakta hai, toh itna zyaada change stress ki wajah se toh nahi hoga", Monami said, later in her room to Faizi, and he nodded.

"Aur duty ko lekar itna casual toh kabhi bhi nahi hota", Faizi said. "Aisa lag raha hai ki mission ke baare mein use farak hi nahi padta."

"Kahin... Param Bhaiya ki barsi ki wajah se..."

"Nahi", he said. "Hum ek hafte se dekh rahe hain. Jab Param Bhaiya shaheed hue the, uske chaar din baad ek mission tha, jis par Karan ko lead di gayi thi. Ek minute ke liye bhi hume yeh nahi laga ki uska dhyaan mission par nahi hai. Apne emotions aur apni duty ko alag rakhna use bahut achhe se aata hai."

"Toh aisa kya hua ki Karan apni duty se bhi distracted hai?"

"Monami, Karan ki har move par nazar rakho. Hume pata hai ki iss naye uske saath rehkar ab comfortable nahi feel ho raha par-"

"Of course", she assured.

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

"What's up, bro?" Sid said, and she halted, smiling at him. "Kahan jaa rahi hai?"

"Terrace, Karan se milne", she answered.

"Ooh, terrace romance and all, bro?" He teased. "Achha, yeh bata, tujhe wo jo ajeeb lag raha tha Karan ka behavior, theek hai, bro?"

'Monami, jo main keh raha hoon wo iss kamre ke bahar tum kisi ke saath discuss nahi karogi.'

"Haan, bro", she lied. "Probably bas kuchh stress hoga."

"Accha, tu jaa. Tera Khadoos Shergill wait kar raha tha", Sid said. Monami smiled, nodding, and walking off.

Sid turned around as well, walking to the mess, finding Faizi enter as well, and the two sat with the rest of the cadets.

"Faizi Sir, Monami aapke saath nahi hai? Suman ji ne thodi der pehle aap dono ko baat karte hue dekha tha. Kahan hai wo?"

"Wo Karan ke saath hai", he said. They all smiled.

"Un dono ke liye main bahut #happy hoon", Chitra said. "Kitne #hot hain saath mein."

"Batra Sir ko kaho ki academy mein fire extinguishers ki kami nahi honi chahiye", Koel joked, and everyone chuckled.

"Waise... Karan Sir pyaar mein badal nahi gaye?" Suman ji said, and Faizi's smile waned a little. "Matlab, zyaada hi muskraane lage hain."

"Main toh darr gaya tha", Bala admitted, and everyone except him chuckled.

"Ek baar ke liye toh mujhe shanka ho gayi ki yeh aadmi Karan Shergill hai ya nahi", Prem ji said, chuckling. The cadets all fell into a conversation about the two of them, but Faizi wasn't listening anymore.

His stomach dropped as realization hit him like a train. Was this man really even Karan?

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

"Date par chalte hain", Monami said, smiling at him. "Tumhaara stress bhi thoda kam ho jayega."

His hand gently rubbed her knee, and he nodded, smiling at her. "Kahan?"

"Wahin jahan hum sabse pehle date par gaye the", she said. "7:30? Restaurant ka naam kya tha?"

"Uh..." Karan said, turning his head slightly as he thought it over.

"Spice Restaurant", she said. "Hai, na?"

"Haan." He nodded, and Monami's stomach dropped. Faizi was right. This man was not Karan.

Her Karan would never ever forget that their first date wasn't in Spice Restaurant but rather, a mobile café. It wasn't an extravagant date, but their first date was imprinted in their minds, memories of that night meant to be cherished forever.

"Wo insaan Karan nahi hai", Monami declared, clenching her shaky hands behind her back, an hour later, standing in Colonel Batra's cabin, Faizi the only other person there.

"Monami, are you sure?" Colonel Batra said. "Tumhe kaise pata?"

"Sir, main aur Karan humaari first date kabhi nahi bhool sakte. Bahut special thi", she said. "Iss insaan ko yeh bhi nahi pata tha ki hum date par gaye kahan the. Karan ko har detail yaad hogi."

"Sir, humne Karan se kaha ki iss mission se hume apne pehle solo mission ki yaad aa gayi. Aur usne haan kari. Par humaara pehla mission ek undercover operation tha. Humaare pehle solo mission ke liye Karan humse zyaada khush tha. Itna toh yaad hoga use ki wo kisi terrorists ko pakadne ke liye nahi tha."

He stood up, a somber look on his face. "Toh tum dono ko poora vishwaas hai ki yeh Karan nahi hai."

"Yes sir", they said.

"Mujhe yeh aadmi lock up mein chahiye", he ordered. "Karan bankar ghoomta hua nahi."

"Sir", Monami interrupted. "Main kuchh... suggest karoon?"

"Of course, Monami. Go ahead."

"Lock up mein daalne se shayad Dhanu aur uski team ko pata chal jayega ki yeh pakda gaya. Agar... unhone Karan ko maar diya toh? Mujhe lagta hai ki hum ise use karke Karan tak pahunch sakte hain. Phone tap karke, baatein sunke. Kabhi toh yeh Dhanu ko contact karega hi. Ya kisi ko bhi."

"Monami, agar hum yeh plan karenge, toh tumhe yeh pretend karna hoga ki sab theek hai", Faizi said. "Tumhe pata hai, na, uska kya matlab hai?"

She nodded. "Haan. Par agar isse mission successful hoga, toh I am ready."

Colonel Batra smiled at her, patting her shoulder. "Tum ek bahut achhi commando ban rahi ho, Monami. I am proud of you."

"Thank you, sir."

"Yeh mission abhi bhi sirf tum dono hi conduct karoge", Colonel Batra warned. "Jitne zyaada logon ko yeh baat pata chalegi ki yeh insaan Karan nahi hai, utna zyaada chance hai ki yeh baat iss insaan ko pata chalegi. Agar technical team se tumhe koi help chahiye jo tum dono khud nahi handle kar sakte, toh pehle, tum dono mujhse baat karoge."

"Yes, sir."

"Dismissed, both of you", he said, and they both turned around, walking out of the cabin.

She felt tears well up in her eyes, and she looked up at Faizi. "Faizi", she muttered.

"Monami, yahan nahi", he warned. "Chalo." He clutched her arm, gently guiding her to her room, and closing the door behind them.

The dam broke as soon as the door was closed, and tears dripped down her face.

"Monami", Faizi said, and she felt more tears follow. She covered her face with her hands, leaning into Faizi's embrace when he wrapped his arms around her, rubbing her back comfortingly.

"Faizi, agar Karan ko inhone maar..." Her voice cracked.

"Monami", he said, pulling back and looking at her. "Karan ek bahut achha commando hai. Usko maarna utna easy nahi hai."

"Par hai toh insaan hi, naa?"

"Monami, meri baat dhyaan se suno", he said sternly. "Abhi, iss waqt, iss mission se zyaada important kuchh bhi nahi hai. Hume pata hai ki tumhe Karan ki bahut chinta hai, hume bhi hai par agar Karan zinda hai, toh use bachaane ke liye hume yeh mission successful karna hai, aur agar wo nahi hai, toh jis mission ke liye usne apni jaan di hai, wo mission hum poora karenge. Uske liye, apne desh ke liye, apne duty ke naam par."

She stared at him through teary eyes, taking a deep breath. She wiped her eyes, nodding. "Dhanu ko pata chalega ki usne humaari academy se panga lekar, bahut badi galti kari hai usne."

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

"Jo ghatiya harkat tune kari thi, uske baad main tujhe bina sazaa ke chodne nahi waala tha, par iske baad, main tujhe zinda nahi chodunga", Karan spat, glaring at Aneesh.

He crossed his arms, leaning against the wall, another man in black clothes standing there as a guard. "Tum hi zinda nahi bachoge", he answered. "Mujhe kya maroge?"

"Monami tujhe apna dost maanti thi. Tere liye care karti thi."

"Main usse pyaar karta hoon", he spat back, glaring at him. "Aur tu mere aur Monami ke beech mein aa gaya."

"Pyaar ka matlab bhi nahi pata hai tujhe. Doosre ki khushi apni khushi se badkar hoti hai pyaar mein. Aur tune apne matlab ke liye Monami ko nuksaan pahunchaane ki koshish, uska naam kharaab karne ki koshish kari. Pyaar toh chodh, dosti ke bhi laayak nahi hai tu."

Aneesh took a step forward, pausing when Dhanu and her sister, Charu entered the room, a satellite phone in her hand.

"Chal", Dhanu said, a smile on her face. "Jisne teri jagah li hai, us se thodi baat kar le. Bahut mann hai uska." Karan glared at her, and she held out the phone. "Bol, Balli."

"Ke keh reha si tu?" Balli taunted. "Karan Shergill banna inna asaan naa haiga? Kise nu bhanak bhi nahi haigi ki main Karan nahi, Balli haan."

Karan's jaw clenched. His stomach turned a little but the discomfort and disappointment didn't show on his face. Not even Faizi and Monami could figure it out?

"Keh hoya, langur?" He said. "Aankhan toh paani tah nahi aaon lageya. Sun, teri kudi haigi, na? Monami."

His gaze snapped up, and his hands curled into fists. "Naam bhi mat le uska", he snarled.

"Yeh toh bol da vi haiga. Naam ki, fauji ji, teri girlfriend te kol vi gaya seega main. Kinni soni kudi haigi. Tere warge insaan naal kar ki rahi si yeh? Us nu paas apni baahon 'ch lekar aaya, us nu kiss keeta main. Naam toh choti gal reh gayi."

Karan's hands clenched tighter, and he struggled against the bonds. "Door reh Monami se. Uske paas gaya, use touch kara, maine tere bheje mein goli daal deni hai."

"Teri kudi layi taa main iss mission 'ch aaya si. Warna iss fauji waali zindagi 'ch koi mazaa haiga ki? Aj date haigi saadi. Kehndi us nu Spice Restaurant jaana haiga. Tusi dono aapne pehli date laayi Spice Restaurant gayi seege? Kya baat hai, jawaan. Inna mehenga restaurant?"

'Spice Restaurant', Karan thought, hope igniting in him. His face didn't change but he relaxed a little. 'Monami knows yeh main nahi hoon. Humaari pehli date kahan thi yeh wo kabhi nahi bhoolegi.'

'Karan, aaj se... mujhe apni kamzori nahi, apni strength samajhna, kyunki tum jahan bhi jaogi, jahan bhi rahoge, mera dil, mera soul, hamesha tumhaare saath rahega. Aur jab tum yahan waapas aaoge, na, toh main yahan tumhaara wait kar rahi hoongi.'

'Monami mera wait kar rahi hai.'

"Wo log hume trace karne ki koshish kar rahe honge", Dhanu said, before switching it off.

Faizi hit the table in victory, as the network dropped, but the location was traced. Just barely. A second less, and they wouldn't have it. The two were in Monami's room, which was quickly becoming their area of discussion. Sanju was often with Siddharth or with Ustaad ji working on the mission and was rarely in her room.

They had placed a bug in Faizi and Karan's room, hoping to listen in on conversations just like these.

"Karan zinda hai aur ab Dhanu ko pata chalega ki academy aur Karan Shergill se panga lene se kya hota hai."

He glanced at an Monami when she didn't say anything, eyebrows furrowing in concern at her pale face. "Monami?" He said. "Tum theek ho?"

She darted from his side, leaning over to the dustbin and throwing up. Faizi's eyes widened in concern and the he hurried over to her. He knelt down, rubbing her back gently as she threw up, silent sobs making her body shake.

"Monami, kya hua?" He asked when she stopped vomiting. "Tum bimaar ho kya?"

"Faizi", she muttered in horror, tears streaming down her face. "Maine iss... iss insaan ko apne paas aane diya, ise... ise kiss kiya."

He closed his eyes, pulling her into a hug and she hid her face in his shoulder, sobbing. "Monami, hum vada karte hain ki iss insaan ko iski sazaa zaroor milegi."

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

Karan felt his head snap to the side again, feeling blood drip down his nose, lip and hairline.

"Kahan hai wo pen drive?" Charu snarled.

"Tumhe wo kabhi nahi milegi", he said, glaring at her.

Gunshots rang out, and everyone in the room looked up, startled. "Jaa kar dekh kya ho raha hai", Dhanu ordered to a man in black clothes.

Karan tilted his head slightly, recognizing the style of gunshots.

Faizi.

He suppressed his smile. The mission will be successful.

"Commandos", someone yelled and Dhanu lifted her gun, pointing at him and he closed his eyes, as her finger drifted to the trigger.

A gunshot rang out, and his eyes snapped open when Charu screamed. Dhanu fell forward, her gun slipping from her hand, a hole in her head.

His gaze lifted and relief coursed through him, as his gaze met the familiar gaze of his best friend.

The terrorists around were shot dead, Aneesh falling dead at his feet, a couple of bullets in him.

Karan sorely missed that he wasn't the one who shot him and he couldn't at least, give the low life a few punches. He felt his bonds being cut off, and he glanced up, finding Ustaad ji.

"Karan", Faizi said, darting to him. "Karan, tum theek ho?"

He nodded, standing up. His knees buckled, and Faizi held him up. "Main theek hoon", he muttered, leaning on him.

"Ustaad ji, Sanju, jagah search karaiye", Faizi ordered. "Inke baare mein jitna pata chal sakta hai utna pata kijiye. KP aur uske log abhi bhi zinda hain."

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

Monami paced back and forth, nervously rubbing her knuckles together. She felt the cadets' gaze on her. They had long given up the attempt to assure her and calm her down, and had shut up and waited silently for the commandos to return.

"Mujhe toh vishwaas hi nahi ho raha ki iss Dhanu ne Karan Bhai ji ko kidnap karke doosre insaan ko unki jagah rakh diya", Bala said.

Her stomach turned at the reminded. She had kissed him. She had... cheated on Karan. Her eyes welled up with tears, and she sniffled.

"Bala", Koel scolded, hitting his arm, and Sid pulled Monami in a hug.

"Wo hai kahan?" Suman ji asked. "Suman ji ka toh mann hai ki usko hum log target practice ke liye use kar lein."

"Wo toh #Karan Sir khud karenge", Chitra said. "Mujhe mann hai ki uske upar #boxing practice karte hain."

"I hope Karan theek ho", Monami whispered, sighing and leaning against a wall.

"Arey, Monu madam, aap chinta mat kijiye. Karan Bhai ji ko maarna itna asaan kaam nahi hai", Bala said.

"Correct", Sid said. "Abhi kal hi wo waapas tera khadoos ban jayega aur sabko daantega."

The sound of the jeep made everyone perk up and they looked at the door expectantly. They straightened up, seeing Colonel Batra and Batra ma'am come down from the cabin.

Sanju and Ustaad ji were the first to enter and Monami eagerly looked around. Where was he?

She leaned against the wall, feeling tears well up in her eyes as Karan limped in, leaning on Faizi. There were bandages on various parts of his body and she could see bruises and smaller cuts.

Karan's eyes traced over the cadets, his search stopping when his eyes laid over his girlfriend. His chest tightened and she took a deep breath, nodding at him and attempting a smile.

'Aur jab tum yahan waapas aaoge, na, toh main yahan tumhaara wait kar rahi hongi.'

"Shergill", Colonel Batra said, and he tore his eyes away from her.

"Sir", he said.

"Welcome back."

He nodded. "Thank you, sir."

"Jao", Batra ma'am said. "Jisse milna chahte ho, usse mil lo. Wo bhi bahut intezaar kar rahi hai tumse milna ka."

His eyes went back to Monami, and he took a step forward. Faizi held up his hands, and he waved him off, limping to her.

She met him halfway, and he wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tightly, mindless of the people around.

Monami sighed a little, feeling the warmth and comfort of being around Karan. Her Khadoos Shergill.

He pulled away, wiping her tears gently. "Tum theek ho?"

She nodded. "Tum?" She asked, and he nodded.

"Karan, jisse bhi pray karna hai, usse pray karo ki Faizi aur Monami jaise log tumhaari life mein hamesha rahein", Batra ma'am said, and he looked up. "In dono ki wajah se yeh mission successful hua."

"Monami ne prove kara ki wo sirf ek achhi doctor hi nahi, ek bahut achhi commando bhi banegi", Colonel Batra said.

His throat felt uncomfortably grippy with the lump, and his emotions restricted him from making a sound.

'Kyunki mera pyaar tumhaari shield bankar hamesha tumhe protect karega.'

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

Faizi blinked, seeing the two of them together. They were uncannily similar. Balli was tied to a chair, and the image unnerved him. It was eerily close to Karan being tied to one.

"Karan", Faizi muttered, pulling him aside and he gave him a questioning look. "Ek... ek question ka answer do." Karan's eyebrows furrowed. "Hum dono sabse pehle kahan mile the?"

He looked at him, surprised. "Tujhe yakeen nahi ki main hoon?"

"Answer do, Janaab."

He sighed. "Academy mein, training ke do din pehle. Hum roommates the, aur tu kamre mein tha jab main aaya tha."

Faizi relaxed slightly, nodding. He glanced at the man, who answered everything Sanju and Ustaad ji asked.

"Karan, tum thoda rest karo", Faizi said. "Hum sab isko sambhaal lenge."

'Us nu paas apni baahon 'ch lekar aaya, us nu kiss keeta main. Naam toh choti gal reh gayi.'

'Kise nu bhanak bhi nahi haigi ki main Karan nahi, Balli haan.'

His hands clenched as he looked at the man, and he shook his head. "Ek kaam adhura hai, Faizi. Phir tum log ise handle kar lena."

He bent in front of him, glaring at him, and he stared back.

"Kya kaha tha tune?" Karan said. "Karan Shergill banna bahut asaan kaam hai? Kisi ko bhanak bhi nahi lagegi?"

"Tera yeh bhaalu jeha dost, inna vi kam akla naa haiga", he answered. "Maze zaroor aaye mainu. Teri kudi-"

Karan's fist slammed into his face, and he clutched his throat, glaring at him. "Monami ke baare mein baat karne ki aukat nahi hai teri." He slammed his fist into his face again. "Uske paas jaane ki." Punch. "Usko chhoone ki." Punch. "Usko kiss karne ki." Punch. "Naam bhi lega uska ab, toh main ek minute nahi sochunga tere andar goli daalne ke liye."

Balli panted as blood dripped from his broken nose, split lip and cut cheek. His head dropped, eyes sliding shut, and Karan nodded to Ustaad ji and Sanju.

"Jagao ise, aur saari information nikaalo", he said.

"Sir ji", they said, nodding.

"Karan, chalo", Faizi said, and they both walked out of the room. Karan's body ached with the beatings it had taken, and he walked a little slower than his usual, brisk pace, his body protesting to the movements.

"Kahan jaa rahe ho?" He asked, when Karan turned a corner.

"Monami", he answered, and Faizi nodded. "Main chala jaunga."

He limped to her room, pausing in the doorway of her room. The cadets looked up, all standing.

"Hum baad mein milte hain, Monami", Koel said, and she nodded. Karan limped in, closing the door behind himself.

"Baitho", Monami said, guiding him to her bed. "Tum yahan tak kyun aaye? Mujhe message kar diya hota, main tumhaare kamre mein hi aa jaati." She sat down in front of him, examining him, and Karan tilted his head, watching her quietly. "Tum theek ho, na?" She said quietly.

He nodded. He gently brushed the tears from her face. "Tum?"

She looked down. "Karan... I'm- I'm sorry."

He tilted his head a little. "Kyun?"

"Maine... maine t-tumhaare alaawa kisi ko... kisi ko k-kiss kiya", she said. "Maine promise kara tha ki main hum dono ke beech kisi ko nahi aane dungi aur main... I'm- I'm sorry, Karan."

"Monami", he whispered, gently cupping her face. "Tumhe sorry bolne ki koi zaroorat nahi hai. Koi galti nahi hai tumhaari. And tumne apna promise bahut achhe se nibhaaya hai. Kisi ko humaare beech nahi aane diya tumne."

She hugged him tightly and he rubbed her back gently, kissing her head.

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

Monami leaned against the table next to Karan, her shoulder lightly bumping into his. He looked down at her, smiling a little, and she smiled back.

In the one week since he was back, everything had finally started to settle down again. Her Khadoos Shergill was back.

"Waise..." Sid said. "Humne yeh toh dekh liya ki Monu Karan Sir se kitna pyaar karti hai par Karan Sir, aap ko bhi to prove karna padega, na, ki aap meri Monu se pyaar karte ho ya nahi?"

"Excuse me?" He said, crossing his arms. "Kya prove? Aur kisko?"

"Hum sab ko", Chitra said. "Ab Monami ko hum apni behen maante hain, toh aapko #future jiju accept karne ke liye, aapko thodi mehnat toh karni padegi."

"Haan", Bala said.

"Tu kya haan keh raha hai?" Koel said, hitting his head. "Tu toh Karan Sir ko bhai maanta hai, na? Phir Monami toh teri future Bhabhi lagi."

"Maarne ki kya baat thi phir?" He muttered, rubbing his head. "Yahan ki saari ladkiyan hi itni violent kyun hain. Dho hi daalti hain."

Karan shook his head, a small smile on his face. He missed their craziness.

"Haan, toh hum kya keh rahe the", Prem ji said. "Ab aapko yeh saabit karna hai ki aap Monami se prem karte hain."

"Hum thoda easy kar dete hain", Sid said. "Aapko sirf Monu ko sabke saamne ek sweet sa... kiss dena hai. Muaah!"

Karan's eyes widened. "Sid!" Monami said, as everyone laughed. "You mad or what, bro? Karan aisa kuchh hi nahi karega."

"Kiss nahi, toh ek 'I love you' toh banta hai", Koel said.

"Haan, uske bina hum nahi maanege", Suman ji said.

"Rehne dijiye, Suman ji", Faizi said, chuckling. "Karan toh bilkul nahi kahega. Monami ko bulwaane mein itni mehnat lagi thi. Kyun, Monami?"

"Haan, toh?" Sanju said. "Je pyaar hai, toh 'I love you' bole naa bole, kya farak padta hai?"

"Of course, padta hai", Sid said. "Saamne waale ko sunne mein achha lagta hai." He leaned forward. "Ab toh bol do, Sanju."

"Lappad naa maarein?" She said, and he sighed.

"Pata nahi kya allergy hai ise bolne se", he muttered. "Meri love story naa badni aage." Karan chuckled, shaking his head. "But back to the point, Karan Sir ko Monu hum sab ke saamne propose karna hai."

"Haan", everyone agreed, looking at him expectantly.

"Aisa kuchh karne ki zaroorat nahi hai", Monami said, shaking her head.

"Kyun, kyun, kyun?" Sid said. "Bilkul hai."

"Hum aise hi thodi naa kisi ko bhi tumhaare saath rehne denge", Koel agreed.

"Ab agar Karan Sir tujhse sach mein pyaar karte hain, toh bol de, na?" Suman ji said.

'Aur jab tum yahan waapas aaoge, na, toh main yahan tumhaara wait kar rahi hongi.'

'Karan, aaj se... mujhe apni kamzori nahi, apni strength samajhna, kyunki tum jahan bhi jaogi, jahan bhi rahoge, mera dil, mera soul, hamesha tumhaare saath rahega.'

'Kyunki mera pyaar tumhaari shield bankar hamesha tumhe protect karega.'

'Love you, Monami. I really, really love you.'
'I love you too, Khadoos Shergill.'

'Main tumse bahut zyaada pyaar karta hoon.'

"Monami, I love you", he said.

He heard gasps, and his gaze lifted from his girlfriend to the rest. They all stared wide eyed at him. He glanced at Monami, finding her with surprised eyes as well. A small smile spread on her face, and she blushed a little.

"Faizi Sir ji, Monami Madam, dobara check karo", Bala said. "Yeh Karan Bhai ji nahi hain."

"Monu, yeh tera Khadoos nahi ho sakta, bro", Sid said.

"Quiz time", Faizi agreed. "Tumne Monami ko sabse pehle 'I love you' kab bola tha?"

"#Repeat? I want to record", Chitra said, taking her phone out.

"Sir ji?" Sanju said, staring at him in disbelief. "Humaare kaan baj raho the ya yeh sach mein hua?"

"Sach mein hua", Koel said. "Monami, kaan check karna?"

Karan kept a hand on his forehead, shaking his head. "Tum logon ka ho gaya?"

"Nahi, nahi, agar yeh Karan Sir hi hain toh hume poora yakeen hai ki inki tabiyat theek nahi hain."

Monami bumped lightly into him and he looked down to her, flicking his eyebrows up in question.

"I love you too, mere Khadoos Shergill."

Note- I'd love to hear your thoughts, so if you have the time and will, consider dropping a comment. If you like my writing, check my other works out. Thank you!