As dawn's first light filtered through the window, Atharva got up and prepared for his long journey to the military training camp.

He dressed in fresh,crisp clothes and summoned the driver.

After settling into the car,he asked the driver to head to Shaurya's house, as they would go together.

Upon reaching Shaurya's house,Atharva signaled the driver to honk the horn like a siren, loud enough for Shaurya to hear.Shaurya came running out at the sound.Atharva nodded with a grin and instructed the driver to start the journey.

As they drove off, Shaurya hopped in."Ready for Kuru, Atharva?"

Atharva grinned. "Yeah, but don't quit first like last time."

Shaurya laughed. "Bet I beat you this round loser pays for food."

As the journey began,Atharva's thoughts drifted to the girl he'd fallen for at first sight without even knowing her name.

The journey to Kuru was long,and it took  nearly ten hours by to reach there.

Kuru Military Training Camp sprawled across a rugged valley,a legendary forge for warriors where young princes and common boys learned combat mastery from swift swordplay and archery with recurve bows to spear-throwing,rifle marksmanship,handgun drills,and explosive tactics,wielding iron,bronze,and modern firearms.

As Atharva and Shaurya stepped out,the camp buzzed under Commander Vikram's stern gaze, a grizzled veteran with a scarred shield arm.

He bellowed orders,marshaling recruits through dawn drills parrying wooden swords, nocking arrows at straw targets,firing rifles and handguns at distant markers,lobbing practice grenades,and grappling in the dust transforming raw youths into Kuru's unbreakable shields.

Commander Vikram saw Atharva and Shaurya enter the tent right away.The torchlight made their shadows long.He knew Atharva was a prince.But he gave them both a hard welcome.

"You two!" Vikram shouted. His voice was rough like stones. "No fancy prince stuff here.This is war,not a party.

Atharva,your silk clothes won't stop arrows. Shaurya,put that sword away before you hurt someone.

Vikram walked around them.His scarred face was close to theirs.He checked if they were tough.Atharva looked back without fear. Shaurya gripped his fists,eyes full of fire.

Vikram smiled."Good.You can take it.Now prove you're useful."

Vikram pointed to the training ground."Now run the full camp loop ,five times.fast.Show me your stamina.No stopping, or you're out."

They ran hard,sweat pouring,legs burning. Shaurya pushed ahead,but Atharva kept pace.

Vikram watched closely."Good.You passed.Go and Rest now."

They came into their room and as soon as they entered, both fell onto their beds,exhausted from the long journey and the tough run.

Atharva sighed,wiping sweat from his brow. "That Vikram... he doesn't let up.My legs feel like stone."

Shaurya laughed weakly,staring at the ceiling. "Yeah, but we did it.Prince or not,he treats us the same.Kinda respect that."

Atharva nodded."True. Still, tomorrow's gonna be worse."

After a good two-hour nap,it was around 8pm.A fellow trainee burst into their room and shook them awake.

"Hey, dinner time! Come on, before it's all gone."Atharva groaned and sat up, rubbing his eyes.

Shaurya rolled off the bed, still yawning. "Food sounds good right now."They headed to the mess tent, stomachs rumbling amid the smell of rice and curry.

At dinner in the mess tent, soldiers talked loud. They ate rice and curry.Rumors flew about enemy attack at dawn.

Atharva took a plate."Any real news on the fight?"

A big trainee laughed."West ridge is bad.Scouts saw hundreds."

Shaurya hit his spoon down hard."Hundreds? We will beat them easy!" His voice got loud.

Men stared.A old soldier stood up, mad. "New guy, shut up or eat outside!"

Shaurya jumped up,fists tight, about to swing. Atharva stood too,ready to back him.

Just then,Vikram stormed in. "Enough! You two dcout the west ridge again at dawn.Early morning, no excuses! Now eat and sleep."

Atharva nodded quick. "Yes, sir." Shaurya grumbled but sat down.They finished dinner in silence.

After dinner, Atharva and Shaurya dragged back to their room.They flopped on the beds, still mad.

Atharva kicked off his boots."Oh sure, Vikram's a real genius.Scouting at dawn? We're his personal slaves now!One day I'll shove his orders right back in his face."

Shaurya chuckled dark."Save it for the enemy. But yeah, guy's tough as nails."

At dawn, Atharva and Shaurya woke early.The camp was quiet, just birds and mist.They grabbed their gear and headed to the ridge without a word.

The hill was steep and rocky.Fog hid the enemy camp below.Shaurya pointed first. "Look enemy scouts from the Wesr.Ten of them."

Atharva nodded. "We count them.No fight yet."

They stayed low, watching.One scout lit a signal fire.Smoke rose fast.

After completing the dawn scout on the south ridge, Atharva and Shaurya returned to camp, dusty and tired but with solid news.

Back at camp, they reported to Vikram. "Enemy moving fromwest.Fifty men,maybe more," Shaurya said.

Vikram grunted."Good work.You passed the test." But his eyes stayed sharp.Tension hung in the air trust was earned not given.

It was almost night after having dinner.They came back to the room, bone-tired.

As soon as they lay down on their beds, Shaurya crashed out, snoring softly. Atharva stayed awake, lost in his thoughts, staring at the tent roof.

_______________________

Atharva's P.O.V,

I lay on the hard bed, staring into the dark tent. Shaurya snored loud beside me, dead to the world. But my mind raced back to childhood.

The day Mother attempted suicide, overwhelmed by palace shadows and endless conspiracies.She was gone after that, when I was seven.I stood small and helpless, begging her to stay.I Could not do a thing for her.

Grandma held me tight then, her wrinkled hands my only warmth that night.

Father pulled away because he was busy with wars and meetings, lost in his grief. We hardly spoke after. Still, I know he cares deep down. Shows it in hard lessons and quick worried looks.Grew up without love or hugs. Just cold walls and fake servant smiles.

Then there was her.Our first meeting was chaos her driver slammed her car into mine on a crowded street.

She was furious, blaming me entirely as if I caused it.

Later,at my brother's wedding, she cornered me,nearly threatening silence about the crash. Yet she shone that night in green silk, radiant under the lights.

I fell deeply in love then and now gonna  win her heart, marry her, and finally will claim the warmth I crave.

I came to this camp planning just a brief visit. The scheme was to cause mischief,defy orders, slack on duties,until Vikram lost patience,the camp gonna grumble, and Father will summon me home.A simple escape.But now I'm trapped deeper in it all.What comes next?!!

______________________

Atharva lay on his hard bed, lost in deep thoughts.Memories swirled,mother, father, friends, her.As they pulled him under, sleep finally came, heavy and quiet.

______________________

It was a weekend.Sanskriti went to Jalaz market with her best friend Mona.She wanted to try her new floral gown dress from Riya's Silk Shop."This dress is perfect.It is flowy with pretty flowers.Good for the movie,"Sanskriti said with a big smile.

They walked past sellers on the street.Mona said, "You look great.I bought the romantic movie tickets beforehand.Everyone talks about it." They tried the dress.They turned in front of the mirror.Then they bought snacks for the theater.

They entered the theater and took their seats in the dim light.The screen flickered on as the romantic movie started.Soft music played, couples on screen met under starry skies.Sanskriti leaned to Mona. "This looks good already."Popcorn crunched as they settled in.

Ved entered the theater quietly for a short meeting with his team members.As he set down in the back row,his gaze swept the theater and stopped on Sanskriti.

She sat two rows ahead, radiant in her floral gown. He spotted her again, feeling a spark, though his team meeting came first.

After the quick meeting wrapped up,Ved decided to take the initiative.He stood, smoothed his shirt, and walked down to Sanskriti's row as the movie played on.

He leaned in softly near her seat."Miss Sanvi? Hey, didn't expect to see you here."

She turned, eyes wide with surprise and a shy smile, "Hi".

Ved glanced at Mona with a polite smile,then leaned toward Sanskriti. "Hey, Miss.

Mind switching the seats with me ?Just for a bit?"

Mona laughed softly, rolling her eyes playfully as she switched the seats with him.

Ved sat beside Sanskriti now,the movie's glow lighting their faces.He leaned close, voice low. "Good timing. Enjoying the film?"She nodded, blushing a bit.

Sanskriti tilted her head, a playful frown forming."Did you forget my name?" she whispered, as Ved had just called her Saanvi by mistake.

He grinned proudly, leaning closer. "Nope from now on,you're Saanvi for me."

She laughed softly, the movie forgotten for a moment,her cheeks warming under his gaze.

Mona watched them from behind,smirking quietly.

They forgot about the movie entirely,lost in sweet talks and stolen glances.

Just then,Ved's friend tapped his shoulder, urging him to head out for something urgent. Ved's heart felt heavy though he didn't want to leave Sanskriti yet but he turned to her with a warm smile.

"Next weekend? Date with me?"he whispered, eyes hopeful.

She nodded shyly, her smile lighting up."Yes, Saanvi's in."He bid goodbye reluctantly, stealing one last glance as he went.

Sanskriti watched Ved leave with a mix of reluctance and excitement,her heart racing from their sweet exchange.

Mona leaned in immediately,eyes sparkling with mischief. "Saanvi, huh? Spill everything.

what's the date plan next weekend?"

She blushed, whispering back about his hopeful invite,the movie's credits now rolling unnoticed as they giggled over the details.

They headed back home, Sanskriti and Mona walked arm-in-arm,buzzing with happiness from the unexpected evening.

Hey beautiful Ladies ❤️

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