KEERTHANA

I informed my parents and in-laws that I reached the destination. I was now standing with Aishu and Pravin. Apart from the 10 of us, came a couple, a family of seven, some friends and Krish.

Our guide picked us up and we headed for the hotel. I was thinking about Krish. Oh man, how can a man love a woman so much? That too me?? I can't believe it.

I took my phone and saw that Vikram did not reply me. I messaged him that:

We reached safely. I want to say something important. Call me when you are free.

He has not seen it. My heart is know saying to go to Vikram and say this. Why?? Don't know. As of my life, I did not have any man whom I used to think of. But now I don't have any options like before. Only Vikram. He has not occupied it fully though. He will, one day.

But why am I thinking all these?? Leave it. We reached our hotels and checked in. You must be thinking me and Aishu are sharing. But I am sharing with Lavanya. She is with Vaishu.

I was still scrolling my phone for reply from Vikram. Don't be so curious Keerthana. He will reply when he is free. We went for lunch to the restaurant.  I saw Krish there. He was looking pale. I know the reason.

I was wondering what to do. Whether to convince him or to leave it. I was confused. He sat alone and was having his lunch. He looked at me. I immediately turned. I again saw him. He was again pale and continued his lunch.

I did not know what to do. After lunch, my and Lavanya went to our bedroom. I saw snow outside. The temperature was 8°C. So cold. I was wearing three sweaters. How is Vikram surviving in this climate?

I heard that there is too much of snow today so we are going to start our travel tomorrow. I sat on the bed and was seeing a pamphlet about where we will be going in Srinagar.

Suddenly someone knocked the door. Lavanya was sleeping as she was so tired. She did not hear that. I answered the door. I saw Krish standing. "What do you want?" I asked him slowly that Lavanya is not awake.

"I want to talk to you." He said. "Why?" I asked. "Please, one last time." He begged. I was looking if someone else is there in the corridor. I slowly closed the door and we both reached  small balcony which was common.

"See I know you are married. But until we go, can we be friends?" He extended his hand. He is genuine. He is my senior and I know him. I hesitated first but then I was feeling okay.

"Yes, but no exchanging phone numbers. Okay?" I said. "But in future you might need them." He said. "Why?" I asked him. "Wait until we reach our hometown." He said and left.

Another surprise? No man. This one is itself a heart attack. I can't face another.

VIKRAM

Its getting tensed these days. We got an information that terrorists are located somewhere near Kashmir. Any attack can happen. I need to inform Keerthana immediately. But my mobile is not receiving signals properly.

And this sudden movement of terrorists is creating an intense pressure on us. We were not able to contact the respected authorities correctly.

But we are going to go as a team. My squad is going to the tourist places in Srinagar. I will be reaching get Srinagar by tomorrow morning. It should not be delayed.

KEERTHANA

Next day morning, we were having breakfast. I know this Krish will come and talk to me. So before my cousins ask any question, I introduced him as my senior.

"But he was the guy you go yet scared na Keerthana?" Pravin asked. Oh yeah. "I did not recognize him first then I found out." I told him. Tackled.

"You were scared of me?" Krish whispered in my ears. "Of course, sir." I said.

After breakfast, we all were ready for our 1st day tour. We all sat in an omni bus. I found a place near Krish. Now that everyone occupied their seats, I had no option.

I sat next to him. "Can I ask you something?" He asked. "Mm..." I said. I was looking outside the window and answering him as I sat next to a window, enjoying the scenes happening in Kashmir.

"What is your husband's name?" He asked.
"Why should I say?"
"I asked simply... okay wait. Why didn't he come with you?"
"Its because I came to his place." I said.
"Fine, is it love or arranged marriage?"
"Arranged."
"As a friend, can you tell me what do you feel about him?"
"Are you taking me interview or are you checking whether my marriage life is happy or not?" I asked do him.
What the hell is his problem? I just said friend and he is taking advantage of it.
"Just say me if you wish." He said.
"See Krish, I am so happy after marrying him. I have not seen such a sweet person in my life. I always feel blessed with him and I will never leave him at any circumstance."

I said these words, not merely, but from my heart. I couldn't believe it. I thought of blabbering something but my anger was true. I said it from my heart.

Vikram... Suddenly there was a tremendous sound that shook our bus. Bomb blast. Everyone panicked. I was frightened and alarmed. Some shouted. "Get out of the bus quickly." Shouted the guide.

We all got down quickly. "Keerthana, come fast." Krish held my wrist and we got down. I searched for my cousins but there was no sign of them.

Me and Krish ran into some streets and heard another explosion. I was not able to breathe due to the smoke. I coughed heavily. Crowds were rushing here and there. I saw many people lying died and many got injuries.

The sight was horrific. As me and Krish ran along in the crowd searching for our people, I lost Krish. I was crying now. I did not know what to do. As I descended from the crowd to search Krish, I was pushed out fiercely and landed on some army man's arms.

We both dashed in a wall behind us and he balance in such a way that we did not fall. I turned to look at at him. And after seeing him, I started to cry and hugged him tightly as if he was my life. He was Vikram.

"Keerthana, are you alright?" He patted my shoulder and asked me. "I am not okay Vikram. Please don't leave me. Please!!" I hugged him more tightly. Such was my fear.

He immediately made me stand firm and said, "See, I will save you. Don't cry okay? Be bold. I am there for you. I will save you. Now take my hands." He held his hand.

I clutched it tightly. "Now come." We started running fast. On the way, some were taking aims on Vikram. He just shot them away and we ran jumping here and there.

As we ran together, he suddenly pulled me and we hid somewhere. I was behind him, with his hands clutching mine so tightly. He was talking to someone through his walkie-talkie.

He took his aim somewhere and shot someone. I got scared. He looked at me and told, "Fear is not gonna help you Keerthana. This is my life." He said. His words were so true. He is so brave. I realised myself that my thoughts about him were changing.

"Vikram, just leave me in a safe place now and save the people. Just for me, why are you coming?" I asked him. "I am not so selfish, Keerthana. I am doing my job correctly. Just this time, you are with me. My job is to shoot these terrorists and my team members are are guiding the people. So don't worry." He said.

I was impressed. He was not selfish. He is doing his job with me beside him. I now realise how tough is this. He is saving me, who trusted him and gave my life and the others too.

We moved slowly and again stopped and he shouted someone. This happened for next two times. Then, finally, we reached my hotel. We were nearing it. The roads were looking like a mess. The beauty is gone. It was full of blood and broken shops.

Ambulance stood there to pick up many dead corpses and injured people. I saw Vikram. He was so casual. "Every terrorist is killed. Mission  completed Keerthana." He said. According to Vikram, this was just a normal attack. But for me, it is a horror. He is living like this for almost one year by seeing many innocent people in front of his eyes.

He also saved many people from getting killed. He killed many terrorists. Vikram, I really respect you now. We reached the hotel and I saw my cousins were crying and some looked worried. Aishu saw me and came running.

She hugged me tightly and the others also hugged me. As they left me, I turned to Vikram. I immediately hugged him without uttering a word. "Are you making others believe that we are having a good relationship?" He whispered in my ears.

"I don't think this hug is for them to believe but it is for you to believe that I respect and trust you." I said. I suddenly realised that there was no sign of Krish.

How careless I am? Where is he? Keerthana how irresponsible you are?

VIKRAM

We were late. The first bomb exploded. The people started to flee. I told everyone to split up. I went through some crowded places and gave instructions to my squad for assembling the people safely.

As I was going to take my positions, a young lady fell in my arms and I held her so that she did not fall down. That lady turned to look at me. That lady was none other than Keerthana.

She hugged me tightly and I realised it because of this explosion. I really felt how she was scared and how she must be relieved after finding me.

I quickly clutched her hand and started to do my job. This was just another attack which I was handling. But this time, my wife is near me and she handed her life to me with trust.

This life which she gave me is not just to be saved in this attack alone but for the rest of her life. I did not leave her hands so did she. It was a different feel. Keerthana is seeking my security.

I need to protect her and do my job as well. She was not selfish too. When she said me to leave in a safer place, she proved it. She supported me.

After I left her in hotel, she hugged me tightly and said that she trusted me and respected me. That moment, I really felt proud to be an army officer. As I was about to throw my arm on her with the little time left to comfort her, she moved away and said, "Vikram, there is a guy named Krish. He came with me to escape the attack. I was in a panicked state to tell him about you. He is missing. I am scared Vikram. Can you help me find him?" She asked me.

Krish? Is it the Krish whom I know? There are many Krish's. "Don't panic Keerthana.  Do you have his picture?"
I asked. "No, I just saw him yesterday. He was my college senior. So please help me na?" She pleaded.

She is thinking that it is her mistake that she did not say about him. She was panicked and not herself. I will not let her to be guilty in this situation. I will do my best Keerthana.

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Hey my dear readers, Vikram and Keerthana are starting to understand each other and Keerthana is now really respecting Vikram. Meanwhile, Krish is missing. Where is he?

Read this chapter until then and please do vote for me 😊