Atharva wiped sweat from his face as the third day started hard under Commander Vikram's eyes. The camp was full of loud orders.

Soon, the boys lined up for morning runs. They ran around the field five times fast.Shaurya ran strong ahead.

Atharva breathed hard but kept going. The boy next to them was out of breath too. No one got special help. His nice clothes were dirty with mud now.

Next, they did gun practice. Rifles felt heavy. Vikram showed them how to clean, load, and aim.

"Hold still. Look at the target. Squeeze slow," he said loud.

His eyes watched everyone. Atharva helped  Shaurya to hold his gun right. Shaurya hit the center target three times.

Vikram made a small sound like "good."

By noon, they marched in a line with heavy bags on their backs.

Left, right, left.

Feet hit the ground hard. Backs stayed straight even when tired. They turned fast.Vikram walked along and fixed mistakes with yells. He pushed them all the same.When the sun went down, they sat by the fire with little food. They felt close now from all the hard work. They talked quiet about home and what was next.

Night fell quiet with stars everywhere.

Shaurya spoke first. "That run hurt, but we made it." Atharva grinned.

"Yes, and your shots hit perfect." Shaurya looked at the sky. "I never tried this hard before. Thanks for the help with the gun."

A month had passed since Atharva and Shaurya went for training camp under Commander Vikram's watch.They worked hard every day, running long distances, marching with heavy bags, and practicing with rifles. Atharva kept up well, breathing steady during the runs and helping Shaurya aim better at targets

Atharva could not stay out of trouble at the camp, even with Commander Vikram's strict rules.

During rifle drill, Atharva carved a funny face on his bayonet handle,a silly monkey with big teeth to make Shaurya laugh. "Look, it's you when you miss the target," he whispered.

Shaurya snorted, and soon half the line was smiling until Vikram yelled, "Quiet! Focus!"

Atharva got extra push-ups but winked at his friend.Once on scout patrol, Atharva found a mud puddle full of frogs and tossed one into Shaurya's pack as a joke. "Night guard for you!" he said low.

Shaurya chased him quiet through the bushes, both slipping and laughing soft till they had to run real drills to cover it up.

These small tricks kept spirits up in the hard days. Atharva's mischief made the camp feel like home, even as Vikram shook his head.

_____________________________________

While in Rajgarh,

[Yuvash and Devika recently got a side role in a movie]

The dusty streets hummed with market chatter as Yuvansh lounged outside the old theater, script in hand from his new side role in a movie.

Devika sat nearby on a stone bench, her eyes a bit down, missing Atharva and Shaurya who left for training camp. Both felt the quiet without their friends, but Yuvansh saw a chance to cheer her up."Hey Devika, why so sad? Is it because Atharva's strong arms aren't here to lift your heavy acting dreams?" Yuvansh teased, flexing his own skinny arms with a big grin.

Devika rolled her eyes but smiled a little. "Oh please, Yuvansh. Your movie role is just dancing in the back, right? At least I aim for the main spot. Shaurya would laugh at your funny steps."

Yuvansh laughed loud, tossing a pebble at her foot. "Main spot? You'd trip on your lines without me practicing them with you every night. Admit it you miss my charm more than Atharva's bossy orders."

She picked up the pebble and threw it back soft. "Charm? More like your bad jokes. But fine, I do miss them. Camp must be tough. What if they come back all serious soldiers?"

Yuvansh scooted closer, voice soft now. "They'll be back soon, tougher and telling wild stories. And we'll be stars by then you as heroine, me as your hero sidekick. Deal?"

Devika nudged his shoulder, her sad eyes brighter. "Deal. Now read your lines right, or I'll steal the role." They burst into laughs, the empty spot from their friends filled a bit by their playful spark.

_____________________________________

Pratapgarh,

Sanskriti felt her heart race with excitement, a big smile lighting her face as she wore her beautiful blue satin dress, her long dark hair flowing open while stepping out for her date with Ved. She had waited all day for this, butterflies dancing in her stomach from the thought of seeing him again.

He arrived in his car, stepping out carefully to open the door with a gentle smile. "Ready?" he asked softly, his voice steady but kind, watching her settle in before driving slow to the riverside restaurant.

They sat at a wooden table by the flowing water, sipping hot chai and sharing some snacks. Ved slid a small bundle toward her carefully. "I brought these books on medicines you mentioned last time wanting to be a doctor.Thought they might help," he said gently, eyes warm with quiet care.

The river breeze tugged at her hair as she thanked him, and he leaned forward just a bit. "Tell me about your day," he added, listening close as she spoke of her books and small joys.

"You have such a bright way of seeing things. It makes me smile," he said, his words soft and respectful, like he wanted her to feel safe.When she shared a poem line, he nodded slow.

"That's beautiful. Read more if you like no rush." His fingers stayed back from hers, but his gaze held a soft hint of affection, treating her with respect as she laughed light.

Birds chirped as sun dipped low. "Time to head back soon?" he suggested gently. She nodded, heart warm with his thoughtful gesture.

They rose and walked side by side toward the car, parked a good ten minutes away along the winding riverside path.

Ved kept a polite step to match her pace, hands in his pockets, giving her space. "These flowers are nice, aren't they?" she asked curiously, pointing ahead with a smile.

"Yes, so pretty—like from a poem," he replied gently.

"What do you like most about rivers?" she wondered next, glancing at the water.

"The sound... it calms me," he answered softly.

"Do you come here often?" she asked shyly.

"Sometimes to think.Now it's better with you," he said kindly, no rush in his steps.

They reached the car at last, and he opened the door for her with care. Her heart felt warm from his kindness,and he drove careful to nearby her hostel gate.

"Take care," he whispered. She slipped inside, feeling cherished.

_____________________________________

Sanskriti P.O.V,

My heart raced so fast when I slipped on my beautiful blue dress,the fabric cool against my skin, my long dark hair falling open down my back.

All day in the hostel, I'd been counting minutes till Ved came, butterflies fluttering wild in my stomach just thinking of his gentle smile.

When his car pulled up and he stepped out to open the door, saying "Ready?" so softly, I felt my cheeks warm.I nodded quick and slid in, happy he drove slow like he cared about everything.

At the riverside restaurant, sitting by the water with hot chai and snacks between us, I couldn't stop smiling inside when he slid those medicine books over. "You mentioned wanting to be a doctor," he said so kindly, remembering from last time.It made me feel seen, special.

The breeze played with my hair as I thanked him, and when he asked about my day, leaning in just enough, listening like my words mattered, my heart skipped and I blushed.I really liked how respectful he was, no pressure, just warmth in his eyes.

I shared that poem line shyly, and he nodded slow, "That's beautiful," not rushing me.

His gaze had this soft spark, fingers never too close, making me feel safe.As birds chirped and sun dipped, he suggested heading back gently.

Walking that long path to the car, I asked about the flowers, the river, if he came often curious about him, wanting to know more.

"Now it's better with you," he replied kindly, matching my steps without crowding, hands in pockets.

Reaching the car, he opened the door carefully; driving back.

I slipped into the hostel quietly, heart pounding from the thrill of the date, my blue satin dress swishing as I hurried up the stairs, a big excited smile I couldn't hide.

All through the evening, I'd been scared terrified my mother would find out if anyone saw me with Ved, so before leaving, I'd lied to the warden with a straight face. "Mona and I are just going to buy some necessary stuff," I'd said sweetly, and she'd nodded, waving me off.

Mona had covered for me perfectly, staying back to make it look real.Bursting into our room, I found Mona waiting on her bed, eyes wide.

"Finally! Tell me everything?? What you guys did? Spill!" she squealed, pulling me down beside her.

I hugged the medicine books tight, giggling and blushing all at once.

"It was perfect, Mona the riverside, chai, he even brought these doctor books because he remembered!"

Mona grinned. "Sounds dreamy! So he likes you, right?"

I bit my lip, excitement fading to confusion. "I don't know... I like him, asked him everything about flowers and rivers, hoping for a hint. But nothing no flirty words, no hand hold. He's 22, treats me like I'm fragile.Is he just being nice, or hiding feelings? What if he sees me as a kid?"

Mona squeezed my hand. "Give it time he's careful because he cares. Next date, you'll know!"

My heart fluttered scared and hopeful as we whispered late into the night.

Hey beautiful Ladies ❤️

Let me know if you're liking the story.

Love_Qiana❤️