Saurabh pov..

I was on my way to the dining hall, when an arm swirled around my shoulder. It was none other than Pratham (panther).

He said, "so..." in a gibberish tone and I gave him a confused look and said,

"What?"

"I saw you today arguing with our agent."

"Come on, do not lecture me about that. Even you know how incompetent these agents can be. I thought that she could be...never mind." I hushed.

"Different? She is different." said Pratham with much confidence.

"What makes you say that? And how are you so sure anyway?"

"Because as per your orders captain, I watched her closely today, she never once complained about the whole climb, she gave two water bottles of her own to the soldiers who were working on repairs. She helped with transferring equipment when it was not even her job."

"How does that imply that we could trust her?"

"It implies that she cares, I don't know about trust."

"Exactly." I said.

"Oh please Saurabh, I know what you are thinking but it's been almost 2 years since the.."

"I don't want to talk about it.'' With that I brought the conversation to a crashing halt.

We walked into the dining hall and as I looked around, not looking for her. Pratham whispered, "she is not coming."

I ignored his crooked expression and we went on with the dinner.

The next morning, after the morning drill I headed in for breakfast along with the platoon.

I walked in and I paused as I saw her, sitting by the corner table, having breakfast.

She was in light color saree with her hair half tied, gazing at the window as she sipped on the cup of coffee.

I went to the table, "may i?"

She looked up, and gestured that I could sit.

"Look.." she said

"So.." I began and we both smiled. It has become our thing now.

"Please go ahead." she asked very politely.

"I just wanted to apologize for yesterday, I was way out of line and I shouldn't have said what I did."

"I know you meant it though." she said with a pinch of disappointment in her voice.

"No, I didn't mean the...'' I attempted to rectify but was interrupted,

"You must have your reasons, I just wanted to inform you, like I promised I would that I have possible suspects now but don't worry I will dig in to get you a full proof report. And please don't worry, I will inform you before I make any moves. I will make sure you are in the loop at all times."

"Okay." that's all I could say to her.

Later that day...

Whistle..

Boys fight like men. Use technique not strength!! Use your brains not your muscles.

Saurabh saw two soldiers fight as one of them beat the other. Saurabh remembered his days of training..flashbacks..

It was 4 years ago...We are not soldiers, we are brothers, said a person standing beside the captain, their training, outings, missions, friendship, brotherhood was flashed before the captain. Captain remembered smiling and laughing, eating soya chaap in winter on a night's petrol duty. His train of thoughts was punctuated by a voice.

"Captain"

"...captain"

"Yes," said Saurabh.

"Need your signature, here." a cadet said pointing towards a register.

Saurabh noticed Suchitra talking to soldiers digging up files and taking numerous calls all day along. It got Saurabh curious about the ongoing assignment.

Suchitra pov..

I checked my phone while sipping coffee as I reread the texts I got and my eyes widened. I could not believe it.

Unknown: visual verification failed. Phone records traced back to frequently visited locations, twice a week that is Wednesdays and Fridays.

Me: info accurate?

Unknown: yes. Drops a location.

I checked the schedules and shifts of the suspects, the person I most suspected was Kishor, his visual verification failed along with his social circle. No traces of his family or partner.

My phone beeped,

Arjun: I need to talk to you. Call me back. It's urgent!

But my attention was drawn to today's day. It was Wednesday. I had to follow Kishor as he was a prime suspect, at least according to what I had so far.

I waited outside the gate of the quarters at a distance, in the hope that Kishor would head out. The night was chilly, the cold air gave the chills down my spine. It was almost past 10 in the night, I almost thought my position from the gate of the quarters is indiscreet but it somehow worked as after waiting for about 2 hours, I saw Kishor heading somewhere.

 His body language was suspicious, he kept looking back although he went to the exact location every week, according to his phone record. I followed him from a distance on foot as the location was supposed to be adjacent from the main area. I kept following him when,

Suddenly, out of nowhere I was pulled by a strong muscular arm into the dark alley along the road.

I was about to scream but his grip on my mouth was firm, I gave in all my strength to get out of his grip but as I saw the face of the person, 

"Sshhhh...." the captain almost screamed through his eyes.

I was relieved for a moment and then next I realized I had to explain this to the captain.

"What are you doing here?" the captain asked, standing dangerously close to me.

"I should ask you this," I replied while looking into his eyes. 

For a moment, we both realized the distance between us was smaller than an inch as his tall muscular body pressed mine against the wall.

I snapped out of it, pushing him slightly.

He moved away within a second.

"Look, I will explain it to you later. Please just let me be." I said.

"No way. Who were you following? Was it a soldier? Who was it?"

"I can't.."

"No, Suchitra this was not our deal."

"Okay fine. I was following someone, please trust me and wait here. I have to go in."

"No you can't." he said pulling me by the hand. 

"what?.. Why?" I asked in hurry.

"Because it's a restaurant and bar, full of men."

"What is your point here?" I said with frustration.

"Don't go in alone" he said with a softer voice this time.

The next thing I knew, I was walking in there, with him through those huge gates of the restaurant.

When we entered the bar, the loud music with disco lights always made me dizzy. I have such judgments about this place, as we stood beside the bar, the captain ordered a drink.

"What? I am off duty." he said with a straight face.

I gave him a snorted look. I turned around to find Kishor in the corner making out with someone. The other person was well built, with a long beard. They were in the corner of the room, I had to be discreet and get a proper picture of the guy. 

I could not tell the captain about him just yet. So to divert his mind..

"You wanna dance?" I asked the captain, not in a shy way, might I add.

I pulled him on the dance floor after he gulped his drink and kept him facing opposite to my suspect. I put my hands around his neck, while grabbed my waist. It was disco night so we hopped on the beats of the sound. His hands on my waist and his eyes staring me up and down was distracting. Although I kept an eye on Kishoor.

As Kishor walked out of the bar with the person that he made out with, I quickly snapped pictures of the person. 

His homosexuality could be the reason there is no permanent record of his love interest but coming to a bar for just 45 mins did not make sense. This country has not accepted the modern thinking fully, however it still does not justified why he comes here on regular basis and did the captain not know about this. 

I grabbed the captain's hand. "Let's go." He followed me out.

Saurabh pov...

I was so confused when I saw her sneak out of the quarters, the whole night needed some explanation.

As we walked back to the quarters, we took a longer route because Suchitra insisted.

I asked her,

"What's going on? Is there anything you like to share with me?" She remained quiet.

"You could have asked for help, you know. It's 1AM in the morning in the outskirts of Delhi. Do you know how dangerous it could get?"

"Yes mom. I know" she said in a tiring voice.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Captain, I have already told you this. I will tell you about the suspect when I am absolutely sure." she said in a calm yet cranky tone.

"Do you also keep updates about who goes where and who meets who? Don't you all talk?"

"Not really, personal lives are usually most private, only batchmates or friends like Pratham and I would know about it." 

"I was concerned about your safety." I said , looking away.

"How did you figure out I was not in my room?"

"I knocked, but I realized you weren't there, I waited for a while until I asked the gatekeepers." I said. I was genuinely concerned about her.

"Why did you come by?" she asked.

"To get an update on your findings." I lied. I bought cup noodles because she skipped dinner again.

"You have nothing to worry about, I am fine, work is fine, I am just a bit sleepy."

"Well buckle up, you have to be on the ground at 5." I wanted to give her heads up.

"Yes I know, I will be there."

I walked her to her room and headed to mine. I know Kishor was there at the bar, I pretend to not notice because of Suchitra. I knew he is gay but I did not know he sneaked out of the quarters like I witnessed today.

I did not sleep the whole night, kept thinking about Kishor, he cannot be confronted until he is proven guilty. Why did he leave quarters this late? I know he is gay, so is wolf but whom did he meet? Should i talk to him about it but if it's true then he could suspect something.

I was just relieved to see Suchitra putting in such efforts, i have never seen an agent who went to such lengths to verify such intel. I could see she cares about this assignment but I can't let a soldier's life go in vain because of false accusations. Again.