At the same time.
Inside General's cabin.
Alex was once again lost in his dreamland, smiling like a fool at nothing in particular, when someone barged in without knocking.
"Hello, buddy…."
It was Ben.
He stopped at the doorway, amused, watching his cold, emotionless friend smiling. Smiling at absolutely nothing.
"What happened to you?!" he practically yelled, unable to believe what he was seeing.
Alex jerked a little and immediately frowned at the intruder.
"What?" he snapped through gritted teeth, his rare smile vanishing into an irritated scowl.
Ben blinked, then forced an awkward smile. "Nothing. It's just… I think I've been having
illusions these days. I thought I saw you smiling just now."
He said it so confidently, as if convinced it must have been an illusion.
Alex's frown deepened. "Why are you here? Aren't you the one who begged for a half-day leave today?"
Ben grinned sheepishly. "Oh, that… it's not for today. Maybe tomorrow!" he said, plopping into a seat.
Alex tilted his head. "Really? Do you think I'm a fool?"
"Aish! Okay, okay!" Ben raised his hands in surrender. "I was planning to take leave…" He trailed off with a stupid grin. "But not today."
Alex raised an eyebrow. "Mind spilling out the beans?"
Ben leaned back on the chair with a knowing smile. "Yesterday when I was coming here for my night shift…."
Last day, evening.
Ben was on his way to the military camp for his night shift when the traffic signal forced him to stop. Just as he drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, a chorus of sweet giggles floated through the open window. Instinctively, his eyes followed the sound.
At the gateway of RN Hospital, a group of kids were swarming around a woman.
Curious, he leaned forward slightly. She was handing out sweets, soft laughter surrounding her like a halo.
One by one, the children planted tiny kisses on her cheeks before scampering away.
She finally turned, and for a moment, Ben forgot to breathe.
"Beautiful…" he murmured, a smile tugging at his lips.
"Honk!… Honk!"
Continuous honking jolted him back. The signal had turned green long ago.
"Shit!" He shook himself out of the daze, ignited the engine, and drove off.
Back to Today.
Ben was leaving the camp when he noticed a woman waving at him from the side of a deserted road. As the jeep rolled closer, recognition flickered in his eyes.
It's her…
Nidhi's Side.
"God! Why am I always late?" Nidhi groaned, trudging along the road. She had been walking for nearly half an hour and had already missed the van.
"Curse my bad luck… not even a taxi is coming."
Just then, the distant rumble of a jeep made her snap her head up. She squinted.
"A military gypsy… thank God!"
She waved frantically, relieved when the vehicle actually slowed down.
Ben pulled off his sunglasses, trying and failing to keep a straight face.
"Umm… excuse me, sir. Are you going to the camp?" she asked hurriedly.
He frowned lightly, masking the amusement in his eyes. "No."
Her expression dropped. "Oh! I'm sorry." She took a step back and started walking away.
"Hey, wait. Why? I mean… why do you want to know?" he asked, a little too quickly.
She turned, slightly embarrassed. "I thought you were going that way… so I could ride shotgun."
His curiosity sharpened. "Why are you going there, Miss?"
"Oh! I'm a doctor from RN Hospital. We have a medical checkup campaign there and… I unfortunately missed the van."
Ben couldn't stop the smile that slipped out at her honesty and her cuteness.
"Get in. I am going to the camp."
Her face lit up instantly. "Really? But you said…"
"Are you coming or not, Miss?" he cut in, fighting a grin.
"Oh! Yes!"
She climbed in quickly, and together they drove toward the camp.