The apple trees were blooming after months of hibernation. The thick belt of snow was slowly becoming thinner marking the arrival of the summer- Aafreen’s favorite season. The sun played hide and seek by momentarily hiding behind the clouds. Aafreen looked at her new watch ( it was a birthday present from her father). She was already late to school. Hadn’t it been her insomnia, she wouldn’t have slept over the day.
She increased her speed and walked on the path she had been taking since the time when the word ‘school’ was introduced to her. She was barely five and was first girl in her family to get into school. Now she was in grade 12th and one of the best student of her class. She was apple of everyone’s eye. She had the aura of attracting people to her. Maybe it was her spotless red cheeks, curious green eyes and carefree smile. Or maybe it was her way of allowing everyone into her life.
Whatever it is , one more person wanted to be a part of her life. And there he was , Lieutenant Abhinav Kaul trying to get a glimpse of this seventeen year old damsel. It had been six months since his posting in this small town in Pahalgam and he lost his precious heart to a girl of unknown land. His eyes were trained to look out for trouble instigated by the militants. However today, he couldn’t keep his eyes off her. She was all alone and her friends were not to be seen for the first time.
“ Abhi! Be a man and speak to her. You won’t get this opportunity any day.”, he spoke to himself , mustering the courage within him. He walked two steps towards her and stopped. “ What if she calls the village heads and complain about me?”, a second voice in him said , enhancing the same amount of fear.
Somehow he shed his fear and walked towards her. “ Hi! Should I drop you somewhere? I am driving on the same road.”, he asked politely. Her face turned blue with fear. He could sense it and therefore came up with an instant solution to her fear, “ Don’t worry! I won’t harm you. I only care about safety of people. If you don’t want to take my offer, you can very well refuse me.”
She thought for a while and then nodded ‘yes’. Her inner soul condemned her for this decision. Negative thoughts circled her mind. What if someone saw her with a man? What if this army official was danger to her? She had heard many horrifying tales about Indian soldier and in her worst dream , she never wanted to be the victim of their torture. “ What a fool am I to accept his offer to drive me to school?”, she thought after she hopped into his vehicle.
( To be continued)
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