Epilogue

First came a towel, then a couple of pens, followed by a bunch of makeup accessories and finally, it was a large wooden box that Jiya was ready to throw at the most infuriating man on the planet.

"What the hell, Jiya!" He dodged everything that was thrown at him and bravely stood in front of his fuming bride, holding her arms from attacking him.

"What the hell, Ishaan!" She growled. She was ready to smack his head and break his skull using the antique wooden box which most probably held her family heirloom.

"Listen, I know you are super angry with me. But you need to calm down, woman! Injuring me on the day of our wedding is not a good idea."

"Going MIA weeks before the wedding with absolutely no information about whether you will make it to our marriage or not, is okay?" Jiya asked, glaring at him as she fought to free herself from his hold. She really wanted to smack his head.

"It was an important mission, Jiya!"

"Great! Go marry your missions, then. I am out of here." With that, she kept aside the box and was about to take a few steps away when Ishaan, pulled her against him. He wrapped his arms around her waist and held her close even as she struggled to get away from him.

"I promised you, I would be here, on time, didn't I?"

"I hate you!" Jiya grumbled. She was melting under the warmth of his hug and sure as hell didn't want her anger to falter. It was like wrestling against your own self.

"... and I love you too much! I am sorry, sweetheart! I know I promised to be here two days ago.. but weather conditions were too bad and I couldn't travel on time."

"Then how did you make it here, now?" Jiya asked.

"Rudra helped. Trust me, he is quite a nasty fellow and now I owe him a huge ass favour. I just dread to think what he will make me do." Ishaan wondered with a shudder.

Jiya giggled, "Among all your friends, I like Rudra the most. I love the way he makes you squirm."

Ishaan broke the hug and glared at her, "Hey lady, you are marrying me! I won't allow you to drool over other men, no matter how hot they are."

"So you agree, I am the hotter one?" A strong and deep male voice filled the room. Ishaan and Jiya turned their heads to find Rudra standing by the doorway as a male model for a fashion magazine. In his crisp dark blue and white suit, he was drop-dead handsome. Jiya drooled over him, mentally of course.

"What are you doing here?" Ishaan growled, still holding on to Jiya. What if Rudra stole his bride?

"I was asked to inform both of you that if you guys don't make it to the venue on time, then Brigadier Amarjeet and his wife, Shilpa would marry each other again, instead of getting you both married."

Jiya rolled her eyes. Her parents were getting dramatic day by day. "We are coming. Just a minute." Ishaan told him. Rudra looked at the two of them and shrugged before walking away.

"I am sorry," Ishaan apologized earnestly.

"Missing important days, not having you around me all the time, and some days, I will not even know whether you are alive or dead. It's part of the deal. I know. It's okay, you don't have to be sorry. You would have been here if you could. So, my dear, fiance, it's okay"

Smiling, Ishaan, pulled her close and dipped his head to steal a kiss. Jiya, enveloped her hands around her neck, deepening the kiss and craving for some more. How she missed this!

***

After the fun and an elaborate wedding ceremony, Jiya and Ishaan were at the dining hall of the resort. In the middle of the room, as the music tuned into something romantic, they found themselves, swaying slowly to the rhythm.

A year ago, when Ishaan was admitted to the hospital following the dangerous surgical strike, Jiya thought she had lost him. For days, he had remained unconscious and on the verge of slipping into a coma. Despite doctors assuring them that Ishaan would be fine in a few days, Jiya's frantic heart wouldn't listen until he opened his eyes.

As if God had heard her cries and prayers, Ishaan had finally regained consciousness. Even though it only lasted for a few minutes, this development had given her new hope. Ishaan's road to recovery hadn't been a smooth sail. But he had survived it. He had sustained a severe injury to his leg and the doctor had clearly asked him to rest for a couple of months. He couldn't join active duty until he was medically fit.

Hoping a change of place would do him good, his family had insisted on taking him home to Munnar, Kerala. Jiya, who had stuck to Ishaan like glue during this time, joined him in this quest. From wandering through his childhood memories to learning the ropes of running an estate, Ishaan and Jiya saw their life in a new light.

To get back in his shape, Ishaan started to inculcate exercise, long runs and walks, dietary restrictions and a couple of other lifestyle changes along with his medicines and physiotherapy. Jiya who was giving him company during his morning runs had now made it to her routine as well. They had made so many memories in Munnar, Kerala that nothing else mattered anymore.

When Ishaan was finally declared medically fit, he was called back for duty and was also reinstated as a Major, in appreciation of the success of his last mission. Ishaan didn't know his life would see such drastic changes. From barely something, he had everything now. His army rank was back, the love of his life was in his arms, his family had settled well in Dubai and everything seemed perfect.

Except, for one person.

"Aman should have been here."

"I miss Aman"

Jiya and Ishaan spoke simultaneously. Swallowing the lump in her throat, Jiya, hugged Ishaan and continued to sway to the music. "Would he be happy that we are married?" Jiya whispered against his chest.

"He should be," Ishaan hoped.

Rudra stood at the far corner, sipping a martini and watching the newlywed dance. His eyes then traversed through the hall and found Ishaan's family enjoying their time. He later saw Jiya's parents, sitting by the dining table, smiling but lost in thoughts. They looked happy and yet sad. He knew whom they were all missing, Aman.

As Shilpa wanted her kids to have a stable school life, she made a home for their family in Bengaluru, at her father's house. While Amarjeet served the nation living at various army accommodations, Shilpa looked after their kids at Bengaluru, a compromise she had made for the sake of her children. That's when Rudra and Aman first met, during their school days. They had instantly hit off and over the years, became best of friends.

While Aman pursued Army, Rudra chose Airforce. With both their career paths being excruciatingly demanding, Rudra had assumed that their friendship would take a backseat. But Aman, wouldn't allow it. He had kept in touch. Checked up on Rudra from time to time. He even introduced Ishaan and Rudra and the three of them became close friends.

Rudra had always been good at keeping his emotions in check. He wore his confidence, arrogance and devil-may-care attitude with pride. But only a few had a chance to peek at his inner self. He wouldn't say it out loud but, he had always been so glad to have people like Aman and Ishaan in his life. He often envied their families. Everyone looked happy and seemed to have an indestructible bond, unlike his family.

Shaking himself out of the thoughts, Rudra ordered another Martini for him.

'Men don't cry. The men who cry are fools and cowards!' His father used to tell him.

'A man can feel emotions too.' Aman often told him.

If he had to be very honest, Rudra used to have a crush on Jiya. 'She is off limits' Aman had warned him when he noticed Rudra's growing interest in Jiya. The friendship he had with Aman was way more precious than his attraction toward the cheerful Jiya. Moreover, it was only a crush that withered over time. Now that Jiya and Ishaan were together, he realized, perhaps everything that happened led to this moment. The moment where two souls meant to be together, found their happy ending... or the beginning of a beautiful life?

Rudra and Ishaan had grown closer, especially after Aman's death. The loss of their best friend somehow cemented their bond. There was no way Rudra would let anything or anyone ruin Ishaan's happiness. Even if it meant flying an aircraft towards an exploding building to rescue the man locked inside one of the rooms. Rudra would jump in, eyes closed.

Ishaan deserved all the love in the world and Jiya is a bundle of joy that life gifted to him.

Perhaps someday, Rudra would find his soulmate too, or, maybe not. He wasn't interested in looking for 'the one anyway. His personal life was a mess and he pretty much lived in the sky. The last thing he wanted was to have roots that would tie him down. Holding on to that thought he finished his Martini.

When Ishaan and Jiya called him to join them, he readily agreed. Along with a few other friends, the three of them danced, and laughed, celebrating the union of the madly in love couple.

Everything was perfect. Except, there was something missing.

Aman.

Maybe, life would always be incomplete without him.

***

Author's note

This book was written on a whim. After I published my debut book on Amazon (The Reunion), I wanted to write such short stories that encompass emotions, love, social issues and a little bit of humour all while telling a story that would warm the reader's heart.

So when I started writing Captain of My Heart, that's all I was thinking about. By the time I reached chapter 8 (it only had 9 chapters initially), I lost the connection I had with this book. For a long time, it just remained in the drafts. Reasons? I just didn't feel the research for this book was enough. I also wasn't sure about the accuracy of Army aspects, mostly because you will only find so much on the internet and I didn't have anyone who could help me with Army stuff clearly.

So publishing this on Amazon meant, I would face a lot of criticism. Maybe not, may yes. I would never know. If you are paying even a rupee for something, it has to be worth it. That's why most of my books (that are unpublished in Wattpad) haven't made it to Amazon yet. I just feel it's not worth the effort a reader will have to put in. (Yeah, you think it's overthinking, but it's an unfortunate reality for me.)

I didn't want to show my vulnerabilities here. But this story is really close to my heart. I am proud of it, not as much to post on Amazon, but I am here, sure. Wattpad is my safe haven (even though it's not totally safe and you are book can be stolen at any time!)

The love you guys are showering for this book just made me so happy! Thank you.

If you would like to read my debut book, head over to Amazon and look up "The Reunion" or "Narmada HN". You will find it. Or the link is available in my Wattpad bio too. If you do read it, please rate and review it on Amazon! It will help me reach a wider audience. At the moment, I have really lost my will to write, but.. I am doing it.. not as much as I want to.

and.. and.. and ..

If you haven't guessed yet, this book will have a sequel :)

Is anybody wondering whose story it may be? ;)

Until then, love,

nams.