Where Heart Returns-2

Chapter 3: Breaking Limits

The Recruits’ Trial

The hot sun shone down on the large training field where Aadhya faced a line of new recruits, mostly rough-looking guys who seemed more like trouble than soldiers. Dust floated in the dry air, and the heat made the ground look like it was shimmering. Nearby, Commander Ekansh watched closely, wanting to see how Aadhya would handle the challenge.

Her eyes swept across the sloppy lines, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. So, these are the ‘hopeless’ recruits he’s assigned me? He must think I’ll fail. He doesn’t know who he’s dealing with.

From the elevated platform, Ekansh watched her closely, his arms folded behind his back. Let’s see how long her confidence lasts, he considered.

A sharp whistle pierced the air as Aadhya’s commanding voice followed.

“Listen up! I’m General Aashi, and from now on, this field is your home. If you want to be soldiers, you’ll learn respect, discipline, and teamwork. I don’t negotiate with laziness. You’re here to serve your country, and I’m here to make sure you do.”

When one recruit muttered under his breath, “Oh, she’s the new general now,” she caught it immediately and fixed him with a sharp look.

“You there. Step forward,”she ordered.

He hesitated but obeyed.

“Do fifty push-ups,”she commanded.

His jaw dropped. “F-Fifty?”

Without missing a beat, she said, “Sixty.”

He gulped. “S-Sorry, ma’am,” he stammered.

“Seventy,”she added coldly.

The others fell silent, their eyes wide with fear. They straightened up, no longer daring to joke or disobey.

“If anyone here speaks out of turn or disobeys me again,” she warned, her voice cold and steady, “you’ll be suspended or face punishment, 500 laps around this ground, 500 push-ups, or more. Don’t make me repeat myself.”

She paused, scanning the group. “Obey my instructions the first time. No excuses. Understood!”

“Yes Ma’am.”

“Good”

A heavy silence fell over the recruits. Even the toughest looked away, suddenly aware this wasn’t the drill they expected.

By midday, the field echoed with the sharp rhythm of marching feet and heavy breathing. Even the most stubborn recruits now stood inflexible, their attitudes softened by exhaustion and respect.

“Not bad,”Aadhya said, pacing before them. “You’ll hate me today, but you’ll thank me tomorrow. Again!”

Ekansh’s brows furrowed from the platform. He had expected chaos, not obedience. Yet, somehow, they followed her like moths to a flame. Commander Ekansh watched quietly, impressed by how quickly discipline took hold.

A Spark of Rivalry

That evening, Ekansh overheard recruits in the lounge.

“Did you see General Aashi today? She’s incredible, made us feel like real soldiers.”

“Yeah, strict but fair. Way better than Commander Ekansh’s yelling.”

The glass in his hand hit the table harder than intended. “Aashi, Aashi, Aashi… that’s all they’re talking about.”

Later, when he saw her laughing casually with a group of officers, something sharp twisted in his chest. “Why does this bother me?” His face gave nothing away as he walked out, but inside, the question lingered.

Aadhya, catching his glance, smirked inwardly. “Oh, he’s irritated. Good.”

Chapter: 4 The Unspoken Tension

Night Patrol and Quiet Challenges

Night brought a silver calm to the base, the floodlights casting long shadows across the gravel paths. The southern sector awaited its routine patrol, and to Aadhya’s secret adventure, Commander Ekansh was her assigned partner.

He leaned against the armored jeep, arms folded, his silhouette sharp under the pale glow.

“Ready, General Aashi?” His tone was cold, but a control remained in his voice.

Aadhya’s smirk deepened as she adjusted her tactical jacket.

“Always ready, Commander. Try to keep up.”

For just a moment, Commander Ekansh’s cold gaze didn’t change. His face showed nothing, but if she was close or heard her name, she might have caught a brief flicker deep inside him, something almost like a feeling, quickly gone before anyone could notice.

“Why do I keep feeling like there’s more in his eyes?” she wondered, shaking the thought away.

The path was dimly lit by their tactical lamps. Insects chirped. Every now and then, a rustle would pull their attention, but it was otherwise quiet.

They walked in silence. Long. Intense. Charged.

She kept uncomfortable side glances at him.

“How can someone look this good in complete darkness? Is it a crime to have a jaw that sharp?” she thought, unable to look away.

Finally, she broke the silence.

“Commander, tell me something.”

“I don’t do small talk on duty,”he replied without looking at her.

“Is that a rule? Or a defense mechanism?”

For the first time, the corner of his lip tightened briefly, but no warmth touched it. “You talk too much.”

“And you blink way too little,” she said with a playful grin. “Are you trying to scare me or something?”

They walked on, the tension hanging in the air like fog. Until,

A sudden crack from the left. She spun first, weapon ready.

Ekansh was already beside her, shielding her side unconsciously.

“Wild boar.” he said quietly.

She whispered, “Aw, I almost believed you’d throw yourself in front of me, trying to win some heroic glory.”

He didn’t respond. He didn’t meet her eyes, but he lingered by her side longer than needed, silent, distant, yet somehow not ready to leave.

Patrols, Jokes, and Unspoken Glances

The quiet pushed tense, filled with the low hum of radio chatter. Ekansh occasionally glanced at her from the corner of his eye.

“Why does she walk like she owns the place? Why does it make it hard to look away?” he thought, gripping his rifle a little tighter.

Behind them, a group of recruits on patrol quietly whispered and laughed.

“Hey, check it out,” one said, nudging his buddy, “the Commander’s totally staring.”

“Yeah, no wonder,” the other smiled. “She’s nothing like the rest of us.”

Aadhya caught the exchange, her lips twitching as she fought back a laugh. She deliberately didn’t look at Ekansh, but she could feel his gaze lingering longer than necessary.

Halfway through their route, they paused near the southern watchtower. Aadhya leaned against the railing, looking out over the moonlit field.

“You know,”she said casually, “if you keep staring like that, people will talk.”

Ekansh stiffened.

“I wasn’t staring,” he replied a little too quickly, his voice tight.

Aadhya turned her head, eyes glinting with playful mischief.

“Sure, you weren’t, Commander.”

For a moment, silence hung between them, heavy with unspoken words. Ekansh looked away, his usually controlled expression betraying a flicker of something, irritation? Embarrassment? Desire?

Aadhya hid a smile, turning back to the view.

“Why does teasing him feel so… electric?”

“Is this the same boy from my childhood, the one whose heart I promised to win? He’s so serious now… but maybe that heart is still there, under all that armor.”

On the way back, the recruits kept teasing in whispers that were barely whispers at all.

“Bet they’d make a power couple,”one murmured.

“Wonder who’d win in an argument?”another snickered.

Aadhya bit her lip to keep from laughing, sneaking a glance at Ekansh. His face was stone, but the faint twitch in his jaw betrayed his annoyance.

When they reached the jeep, Ekansh finally spoke, his voice cold and unreadable:

“Don’t let the recruits get into your head, General Aashi. Their chatter means nothing.”

Aadhya met his gaze, a slow, knowing faint smile.

“Oh, I’m not worried about them, Commander. Are you?”

For a moment, something unguarded flashed in his eyes, then, like always, it was gone.

Nighttime Thoughts and Base Chat

Later, lying in her bunk, Aadhya stared at the ceiling, the teasing echoes of the recruits still in her ears.

“Why does it matter if he was staring? Why do I care?”

Her heart gave a traitorous flutter.

“Focus, Aadhya. You came here for a reason… to win him. Slowly, steadily.”

She turned on her side, hugging her pillow, a secret smile playing on her lips.

“Maybe I’m closer than I thought.”

Another night patrol moved quietly through the forest, the moonlight casting long silver shadows. Aadhya adjusted her rifle and let out an exaggerated sigh.

“Another glorious evening,”

she whispered just loud enough for the soldiers behind them.

“March, watch, and stare at trees. Living the dream.”

A couple of soldiers snorted. Ekansh, walking ahead, didn’t even turn his head. His cold, unreadable face stayed locked forward.

Aadhya smirked and in her thought.

"Commander Ice heart............Yeah, that’s you."

Meanwhile, whispers started among the recruits:

“Hey, is it just me, or has the Commander been doing more patrols lately?”

“With her, yeah. He usually goes alone.”

“You think he… you know…?”

“Pfft, no way. He’s a robot.”

Aadhya caught Ekansh’s gaze flick toward her, not once, but twice, before snapping back to the path ahead.