"Some unexpected calls can also bring a smile to your face, and the journey of love began with the first call."
Now it has been nearly a month, and during this entire span, not a single day has passed without me missing those cherished moments with Somya, including our final conversation that prompted deep reflection in my mind...
What next?
And even throughout that entire month, I hardly touched my phone. Yet each time I checked, I eagerly unlocked my chat box, hoping to find her message in my inbox... Yet, there was none. Not a single word from her throughout that difficult month. The feeling of absence was noticeable, and it affected me deeply; I sensed her waning interest. Perhaps it was just a passing phase for her, and with that realization, I immersed myself once more in my work.
But then, I suddenly remembered our final conversation...
I had written my parting words: "Somya, I have to leave for a while. Duty calls. But can you promise me, you'll wait for my return?"
Her response came quickly: "I'll wait for your return, soldier. But try not to take too long."
As I recalled these exchanges, her mysterious words often left me wondering whether we faced danger or if she had secrets. With this question lingering, I went ahead with a crucial operation without much thought...
Two weeks later, after our critical operations were completed, our success was celebrated at the regimental party scheduled for the upcoming Saturday. Amidst the busy paperwork and camaraderie with my teammates, I had little time to check my phone. Hopeful for a reunion or conversation with Somya, I eagerly looked forward to our meeting. Yet, on the eve of our celebration, my seniors praised our success, overshadowing any personal anticipation.
Suddenly, my phone rang. Excusing myself from the celebration, I stepped outside the party hall to take the call.
It was from an unknown number. I clearly remember the date—May 2nd, around 5:02 PM. Answering with a bit of hesitation, I heard a voice on the other end say, "Hello soldier, I trust you haven't forgotten me, have you?
I was momentarily surprised. Here was someone who hadn't communicated with me in the past month and a half, now calling out of the blue.
She repeated, "Hello soldier, are you there?"
I responded, "Yes, Miss Dangerous."
She continued, "I thought perhaps you had forgotten about me?"
With a cheerful chuckle and a touch of flirtatiousness, I re-joined, "I never overlook lovely ladies, particularly those with captivating eyes. They tend to stay in memory."
We both shared a laugh following this playful banter.
Somya's voice was melodious to my ears, prompting an involuntary smile. "I've been occupied with..."
"I've been occupied with work, but you've been on my mind every day," I said, striving for a smooth delivery.
"Is that right?" she replied, her tone teasingly playful. "I'm flattered. But I've also been contemplating your return, soldier. Wondering when you'd find your way back to me."
My heart quickened at her words. "I'm here now, and I'm here to stay," I asserted, aiming for assurance. We conversed for a while, exchanging updates on our lives. I recounted details of my recent operation, while she shared anecdotes of her rigorous preparations for the civil services exam. Yet beneath the surface, our dialogue was imbued with a subtle, flirtatious allure.
As we conversed, I realized that our bond remained steadfast, undeterred by the oneand-a-half-month interval. It felt as though no time had elapsed at all.
"I've missed you, Somya," I murmured, my voice imbued with earnest sincerity.
"I've missed you too, soldier," she murmured, her voice barely audible. We lingered in silence for a moment, the noticeable tension between us filling the air.
She told me she would be arriving in the city tomorrow. My heart raced at the thought. "I'll be there to welcome you," I promised, trying to stay calm. After we hung up, I felt a wave of excitement and anticipation. Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.
As I looked forward to our reunion after a long separation, returning to the party hall, I couldn't hide my gratitude for that unexpected call. It felt like fate had given us another chance, and I was determined to make the most of it.
Little did I know that the coming day would present a fresh array of challenges and surprises, yet I was prepared to confront them with determination, knowing Somya would be there beside me.
After conversing with her for the first time in a month and a half, those precious 20 minutes and 36 seconds felt like pure bliss to me. Following the conclusion of our success party, I returned to my assigned quarters. Upon arriving home, I reclined on my bed, contemplating her while gazing at her display picture. I couldn't help but wish and wonder if she might call me once more—and in that moment, she did.
She spoke in her usual low tone, "Soldier, I apologize for the interruption, but please don’t concern yourself. My agent has already arranged a cab for my transport. There's no need for you to trouble yourself by coming to the airport to greet me, as you might have considered last night. I have an early morning flight "And I'll arrive around 6:00 AM. Please, don't inconvenience yourself," she added calmly.
After her extended explanation, I responded,
"Miss Somya, there's no trouble at all for me." Even as I spoke, my heart clamoured, expressing my eagerness to see her, promising not to let this chance slip away.
She continued sincerely, "Please understand..." I replied softly, "Very well, as you wish."
She responded with enthusiasm, "Alright then, see you soon, Soldier," and we ended the call after chatting for 9 minutes and 37 seconds. After hanging up, I found myself contemplating the possibility of proposing to her, but suddenly.... I pondered why she had instructed me not to come to receive her when she had agreed to it during our earlier evening conversation. Once more, she left me with a lingering question mark in my mind.
I couldn't rid myself of the suspicion that
Somya was concealing something from me. Her mixed messages and hesitation about meeting at the airport only heightened my curiosity. Trusting my intuition, I resolved to arrive at the airport ahead of schedule, aiming to catch her by surprise.
As I stood poised at the arrivals gate, my heart quickened with anticipation. At last, she emerged from the gate, resplendent in a crimson dress. I couldn't tear my gaze away. Catching sight of me, she broke into a smile, but her expression swiftly shifted to confusion. "Soldier, I thought we had an understanding you wouldn't be at the airport," she murmured, her tone quiet and mysterious.
I casually shrugged, trying to stay composed. "I couldn't resist seeing you again." Raising an eyebrow, she didn't protest as I approached. We exchanged a quick handshake, during which I couldn't miss the sparkle of excitement in her eyes.
As we exited the airport, I inquired about her unexpected change of plans. She hesitated, casting anxious glances around. "Let's postpone that discussion, soldier. For now, let's simply relish each other's company."
I nodded, yet my thoughts raced with guesses. What was she concealing? And why this noticeable unease? Throughout the day, we wandered through the city, sharing laughter and banter as in days past. Yet beneath our facade, I detected a tension, an ominous sense that events were on the verge of unfolding.
As dusk descended, Somya proposed we visit a rooftop bar close by. I assented, and we ascended to the terrace. Standing against the backdrop of the city skyline, Somya fixed me with a solemn gaze. "Soldier, there's something significant I need to share with you”.
My heart leaped with anticipation. What revelation was she about to disclose?
"I'm not merely preparing for civil services," she murmured, her voice barely audible. "I'm also an undercover operative, engaged in a critical mission." My eyes widened in astonishment. "What? Why keep this from me?"
Somya's gaze bore into mine, brimming with a resolve I had never witnessed. "Because I couldn't jeopardize your safety, soldier.
"But now, I require your assistance. Will you stand with me on this mission?" My thoughts raced as I weighed her plea. It carried risk, yet the allure of adventure — and the opportunity to stand by Somya — was irresistible.
I nodded eagerly, my heart racing with anticipation. "Count me in, Miss Dangerous. Let's proceed with this."
After listening intently, we stood in silence while she gazed at me, her smile serene yet enigmatic.
I inquired, "Could you enlighten me about the nature of this mission?"
She responded, captivated. "It's a perilous mission. There's a chance we might not make it."
"That sounded incredibly thrilling. I was eagerly anticipating the details of the mission, but I was stunned when I heard about the mission objectives..."
She continued in a similar vein, saying, "Our task for the next 7 days is to savour and delight in every moment while I'm here." Then she chuckled. "Soldier, jest aside, I'm impressed by your dedication to national security. You didn't hesitate for a moment before volunteering for an undisclosed mission."
I chuckled, feeling a blend of relief and anticipation. "You caught me, Somya. I suppose I'm simply enthusiastic about spending time with you."
She smiled, her eyes glinting mischievously. "You're in for a treat. I've mapped out our entire week. Who knows, by the end of it, we might find ourselves fully immersed. "I arched an eyebrow, intrigued by her statement. "Immersed in what, exactly?”
She leaned in closer, her voice barely audible.
"Too deeply immersed in our friendship."
My heart skipped a beat at her words. Was she implying something deeper? I couldn't suppress the flutter in my chest as I locked eyes with her. In that moment, the tension between us was tangible. It felt like the anticipation before a storm. Standing on the rooftop, overlooking the city skyline, I felt an intense bond with Somya. It was as if our hearts were synchronized, our spirits resonating on the same wavelength.
"I feel as though our paths have been intertwined since forever," I confessed, turning to her with a sense of marvel.
Somya's gaze met mine, brimming with warmth and depth that caused my heart to race. "I understand completely," she murmured, her voice barely audible.
We stood there in silence, the tension between us almost tangible. It felt as though the entire world had frozen, leaving just the two of us in a suspended moment of time.
I couldn't help but harbour a profound affection for her, sensing a connection that transcended mere words. It felt as though our hearts were conversing in a language known only to us. With each passing day, our bond deepened. We shared laughter, explored the city, and confided our innermost secrets. With every passing moment, I found myself falling more deeply in love with her.
But despite the deepening closeness, I couldn't rid myself of the sense that there was an underlying depth, a concealed truth waiting to be unearthed. Somya's eyes hinted at a mystery known only to her, and I was resolved to unravel it, to delve beneath the surface and uncover the reality. But for the moment, content to revel in the warmth of her presence, to cherish the burgeoning connection that strengthened with each passing day.
Standing on the rooftop, gazing out at the stars, I sensed that this marked only the start of our journey. I was prepared to follow my heart, no matter where it might lead us.
And now, the final day arrived when she had to depart from the city and return to her hometown. I accompanied her to the airport for the farewell. During that brief 20-minute journey, silence enveloped us.
Until we arrived at the airport, uncertainty lingered about our next meeting. As we neared the entrance, she glanced at me with anticipation, as though she could discern my thoughts, silently urging me to articulate my feelings.
I felt a wave of confusion wash over me in that moment. I uttered just three words to her...
And with that, she walked into the airport, carrying with her all the memories of our unforgettable seven days together. As she departed for her hometown, I returned to the
Army cantonment with a sense of anticipation.
Her response to the three words I had spoken remained unanswered...
With myriad questions swirling in my mind, I returned to my duties.
What were those three words I uttered to her?
Will she respond to those three words? And what might her answer entail?
Will our paths cross again?
“Some unknown or unexpected calls are meant only to evoke feelings of love and joy."