Goodbye... For Now
500 Words
Monday morning arrived much sooner than anyone wanted.
The Singh house was awake before sunrise.
Eshaan's olive-green duffel bag rested near the front door.
His leave had ended.
Duty was calling again.
Isha adjusted the collar of his shirt for what felt like the tenth time.
"You've packed everything?"
"Yes, Mom."
"Medicines?"
"Yes."
"Woollen jacket?"
"Yes."
"Extra socks?"
Eshaan smiled helplessly.
"Yes."
Colonel Arvind chuckled.
"Isha, he's going to the Army, not on a school picnic."
"A mother worries."
"I know."
car horn sounded outside.
The Army vehicle had arrived.
Shanya's smile faded.
"You always leave too soon."
Eshaan gently ruffled her hair.
"I'll be back before you know it."
"You always say that."
"Because it's true."
Just then...
Another familiar voice echoed from the gate.
"Shanyaaa!"
Hania came running inside the compound, slightly out of breath.
"Sorry... Abbu was talking to a customer."
She stopped when she noticed Eshaan's bag.
"You're leaving?"
Eshaan nodded.
"My leave is over."
For the first time...
The cheerful little girl became unusually quiet.
Imran and Naila entered through the gate moments later.
"Safe journey, beta," Imran said warmly.
"Thank you, Uncle."
Naila smiled.
"Take care of yourself."
"I will, Aunty."
An awkward silence settled over the courtyard.
Finally, Hania folded her arms.
"So..."
Eshaan looked at her.
"So?"
"Don't trouble the other soldiers too much."
A smile tugged at Colonel Arvind's lips.
Eshaan replied without missing a beat.
"And you..."
He looked directly at her.
"...stay away from mango trees."
Everyone burst into laughter.
Hania puffed her cheeks.
"I climbed only one tree!"
"This week," Shanya corrected.
"Shanya!"
The Army driver checked his watch.
"Sir, we should leave."
Eshaan picked up his bag.
Before sitting inside the vehicle, he looked at Hania one last time.
"No more stealing fruit."
Hania raised her chin proudly.
"No promises."
He shook his head.
"Impossible girl."
"And you're still a strict officer."
Their familiar exchange made both families smile.
The vehicle slowly disappeared down the winding Mussoorie road.
Hania kept watching until it was no longer visible.
Life returned to its normal rhythm.
School.
Homework.
Weekend sleepovers.
Family dinners.
Whenever Eshaan called home, Shanya would excitedly tell him stories.
"Bhai! Hania climbed the school wall today."
"I did not!"
"You almost did."
"Hmph."
Another day...
"Bhai, Hania fought with three boys because they teased Aashi."
Eshaan's voice came through the phone.
"Did she get hurt?"
"No."
"Good."
Hania, who was sitting nearby, crossed her arms.
"I don't need him worrying about me."
Shanya grinned.
"I didn't say he was worried."
Seasons changed.
Summer became monsoon.
Monsoon became winter.
The years quietly began to pass.
The fearless girl with two braids slowly grew taller.
The serious young Army cadet slowly became a disciplined officer.
Neither of them realized...
that life was preparing them for a reunion far bigger than either could imagine.
For now...
they were simply two stubborn people whose families had become one.
And somewhere in the hills of Mussoorie...
their story was only just beginning.
- Writer
