The Army Girl

By Honey Shah

The Army Girl is not just a book but a long-term dream realized a little late. This book is about an army girl and her struggles, restrictions, and dilemmas. It is a mix of romance, drama, and action. The Army Girl is a story about a girl named Mitali Bharadwaj who is a secret Military Intelligence agent working in disguise as a Marketing Head i

• Language: English
• Publisher: 24by7 Publishing
• Release date: May 9, 2019
• ISBN: 9789388467926

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HONEY SHAH

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Copyright © 2019 by Honey Shah

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First Published in May, 2019

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ISBN: 978-93-88467-92-6

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to my deceased father Late Sh. Yogeshwer Kumar Sharma, who always supported me and gave me the freedom to dream big and realize them. Without his support, I would not be where I am today, without him I wouldn’t have got a chance to understand the difficulties of life of an army person. Dad you were amazing; we all love you and miss you. Thanks to my Mom Mrs. Shashi Sharma too for treating me and my sisters better than boys and giving us the freedom of taking our life’s decisions. Without their constant encouragement, I and my sisters would not be able to achieve what we have.

A special thanks to my husband Mr. Aakash Shah who encouraged me and supported me in the worst times of our lives. Without his support, I would not be able to finish this book. This book is also dedicated to my two angels Swra Shah and Syna Shah; it’s my dream to see them as strong women like Mitali Bharadwaj from this book.

Lastly, thanks to all the readers who read my first book My Partner in Crime on Wattpad and helped me improve as a writer.

May, 2019Honey Shah

Chapter-1

Jago Jago Jago subah ho gayi

Jaldi se pilo chai thandi ho gayi

Murga Bola Kukdu kudu

Hua savera soye kyu

Jago Jago Jago subah ho gayi

I woke up to the sound of the alarm in my cell phone. I quickly switched it off and thought to take another 5 minutes before getting up from the bed, so I closed my eyes.

Mitali! Why are you still sleeping? Don’t you have to go to office today? It’s already 8:30 AM. Wake up dear else you will be late, I heard my Mom.

‘Wait What? It’s 8:30! Did she say 8:30? But I just switched off my alarm and closed my eyes. What the hell!’

I quickly jumped off the bed and ran towards the bathroom. I got ready with the record jet speed; and within 10 minutes, I rushed out of my house and left for office.

I reached office, in record time, only within 8 minutes. Only God knows how I managed to take those sharp cuts avoiding hitting people and other vehicles! That day, we had an important meeting about new assignments.

I parked my Scooty outside my office building and ran towards my office. As soon as I reached my cabin, I was called for the meeting in the conference hall.

I saluted the senior officers and took my seat. Yes, I am an Army Officer, working in Army Intelligence, majorly working in secret operations. I am not supposed to say about this to anybody to maintain secrecy to the absolute level. Even my parents don’t know about this. I was too scared to tell them as they might never agree to me joining the Army. According to their knowledge, I am working in Singhania Industries as a Marketing Head. They will never fuss if they think I work in a regular company.

Welcome Officers. As you all know, we are assembled here for this emergency meeting to discuss urgent assignments regarding our new intel. As per our intelligence report, the terrorist Raka and Sherkhan are coming to the city next month for a huge arms deal. These arms are assumed to be used against our people to create the biggest terrorist attack in the history of the country. Some of you are already working under disguise and there will be some new additions to your responsibilities as well. Col. Vadhera will give you the details about the assignments, Brigadier Sisodia informed us.

Hello boys and girls! So without wasting any more time, I will get straight to the assignments. And then for the next half an hour, Col. Vadhera explained the assignments to all of us. I was assigned to stay in the same company and keep an eye on their shipping business since the intel suspect them to be one of the shipping companies that might be used for the transportation of the arms.

As soon as the meeting got over, I was about to leave the conference hall to go to Singhania Industries; but I was called by Brigadier Sisodia.

Capt. Mitali, you have been very helpful in the past in all the operations and I appreciate your talent in keeping your identity hidden while performing actions in the operations. I want you to train this young man by keeping him under your shadow in Singhania Industries. He will be keeping an eye on the Marketing Dept. while you have to somehow transfer into their shipping business. His name is Lt. Sameer Ahluwalia, said Brig. Sisodia. Then he turned towards the boy and said, Look here young boy! Meet your senior, Capt. Mitali Bharadwaj.

Lt. Sameer was about to salute me when I stopped him with a gesture of my hand.

Lt. Sameer, please don’t treat me as a senior, treat me as your mentor only. We will have to maintain our secrecy at all cost. So please call me Mitali, I quickly said to the Lt. and then turned towards Brig. Sisodia. Sir, thanks for trusting me, I will make sure not to disappoint you, I said.

I know Capt. and I feel proud in accepting that I trained you, Brig. Sisodia said.

I asked Sameer to reach Singhania Industries by himself and I too speeded up my Scooty to reach there.

Within 10 minutes, I reached Singhania Industries, parked my Scooty and entered the elevator to reach my floor. As soon as I entered my cabin, I got busy with my work and the rest of the day went in a blur.

When I reached home in evening, my Mom told me that we have to go to one of her old friend’s home. She said it was her college time bestie’s house who had recently shifted to the city after almost 20 years.

I changed from my formal clothes to a pair of dark blue denims and a pink sleeveless top. Mom looked at me and asked me to change in some Indian clothes since I was going to meet her friend for the first time. I went and changed into a blue anarkali dress. Sometimes I can’t understand my Mom’s obsession with Indian clothes!

We reached at her friend’s house, but calling it house was an understatement—it was a palace!

Mom, are you sure we are at the right address? Is your friend a queen or something? I teased my mother.

Shut up Mitu! And please behave yourself in front of my friend and her family. I told her all about your accomplishments and she really wants to meet you. And yes, she has a son who is 3 years older to you. He helps his Dad in their business and is responsible for expanding it twofold over the last 5 years.

Mom, if this is one of those surprise proposal visits that you planned, then let me tell you again, I am not marrying for another year or two, I told her strictly.

Can you two please stop bickering? Mitu, nobody will force you and there is no harm in meeting a guy keeping marriage in mind. You know very clearly that we have always let you make your own decisions and never burdened you with our expectations, Dad said, and I smiled while nodding.

Soon we were seated in a humongous living room that had huge sofa and recliners. There was a giant chandelier in the middle of the ceiling and the room was lit brightly. I just kept glancing at my surroundings trying to digest the fact that Mom’s friend really lives in a palace!

Radha, my dear. Finally! We are together again after 20 years! I am so very glad, a middle-aged woman in a designer saree walked towards Mom and gave her a bear hug.

Wow! You must me Mitali. You have grown so beautiful darling. Hmm… you don’t know me but I have heard loads about you from your Mom, she said and kissed my forehead. I was completely amazed at her gesture.

Thank you so much Auntie. I hope all you heard is nothing for me to be embarrassed about, I replied smiling and took a seat as Auntie asked us to make ourselves comfortable.

After few minutes, I saw three men entering the living room. All three of them were dressed in black business suits. It reminded me the poster of Men in Black. I chuckled to myself—me and my crazy thoughts. I guess two of those men noticed me laughing at them, I mean understood that I was amused! I averted my gaze embarrassed and cursed myself under my breath.

Auntie introduced them to us; the middle-aged man in the middle was her husband Mr. Satya Grewal. The other two handsome men behind him were their sons Yuvaan and Vihaan Grewal, Yuvaan being the elder one of the two.

I shifted towards Mom and whispered in her ears naughtily, I thought you said she has one son. Am I getting the offer buy one get one free?

Mom glared at me. Her silent gaze told me to shut up and so I did.

After the introduction session was complete, we were all seated on the giant sofa. Our parents were talking to each other, the boys were talking to each other, and I was lost in my thoughts about the info I was expected to get that night—the info about the Arms deal. When I was totally engrossed in my own world, Auntie suddenly said something.

Yuvaan beta, it’s rude to leave your guest unattended. Please show Mitali the house. She is sitting silently when all of us are busy talking to each other. I bet she is getting bored.

Uh-oh! Here comes our Moms’ matchmaking scheme! I thought and got up reluctantly to follow him.

He walked towards the stairs to show me his house, I followed him silently. I noticed that Vihaan, who was still sitting on the sofa, smiling naughtily at his brother.

The first room Yuvaan showed me was a Game room; it had various gaming consoles—table tennis table, billiards table, carom board, lots of board games, etc. I just kept looking at it in awe.

Let’s go to the entertainment room next, he said opening the door.

There is another room for entertainment?! Isn’t this enough? I asked amazed. How wealthy are they? I couldn’t help but think.

He chuckled heartily at my response and held the door for me to enter.

We were standing in the entertainment room now, which had recliners and a long sofa, and it just looked like a cozy living room. There was also huge home theater system with a stunning collection of DVDs.

I thought you guys just shifted here recently. But it looks like you were living here for years. I mean look at the collection of DVDs! And here foolishly I thought I have the biggest collection ever, I said without looking at him. My eyes were going up down the DVDs.

I heard him chuckle again. So you too have a habit of collecting DVDs? That’s interesting! he said with a smile.

Umm yeah…. Are these yours? I asked still shuffling through the DVD collection. I was counting the DVDs of my fav movies or bands. Found quite a lot of them in this collection.

Nope! This collection belongs to Vihaan. I have more productive hobbies than these, he replied. I felt a sharp pang in my heart. It felt like he insulted me and my DVD collection at the same time.

Listen Mr. Yuvaan Grewal! If you don’t like something, don’t think you have the right to disrespect others by commenting negatively about it, I said looking straight at his eyes.

Ooh! The princess felt bad? Chill I am not trying to disrespect anyone. It’s just not one of my hobbies. That’s it, he said nonchalantly. I felt anger surging up, but I controlled myself.

By the way, I hope you know why our parents sent us here, he said after a pause.

I think I do. They want to play matchmakers, I replied looking around. I averted my gaze as I was irritated.

So? he said looking at me.

So what? I asked straightforwardly.

You don’t want to ask anything? he queried.

No! I said directly.

Oh! So you are also one of those girls who don’t care about their life partners if they are getting a big house and lots of money with him? his question left me open-mouthed.

Listen Mr. Grewal, I might be amazed by your giant house and all, but I am not at all interested in marrying you or anyone for that matter. You can keep your giant house and money and shove it up your ass as I have zero interest in them. Don’t you dare get ahead of yourself! I said infuriatedly looking him in the eyes and strode from there. I walked angrily towards the stairs and ran down to the living room.

Five pair of eyes quickly shifted towards me, Yuvaan too followed me shortly after.

What happened beta, did you like the house? my Mom asked. I ignored her and looked at his Mom.

The house is beautiful Auntie. I appreciate what you and Mom are trying to do, but I am sorry to disappoint you and Mom. I am not interested in any alliances with Yuvaan. Please excuse me, I said politely.

Mitu, what happened beta? I think you should take time before deciding anything, my parents said in unison.

Mom Dad Thanks! But I think I don’t need more time. I love my simple and single life and want to enjoy it for a few more years at least, I told my parents strictly. Then I looked at his parents, Sorry Uncle and Auntie, I don’t mean to hurt anyone but I don’t want to marry so soon. I have some goals in life, which I want to achieve before I get tied down in the bond of marriage. I cannot commit to something which I feel uncomfortable about. I hope you understand. I don’t want you guys to feel awkward because of this since you guys know each other for so long. I truly want you guys to stay friends and not let this affect anything. I don’t mind being friends with your sons, but I can’t marry any of them, I said with doubtless clarity in my voice.

Auntie smiled and hugged me. Don’t worry beta, nothing can affect mine and your Mom’s friendship. It is just that it was a stupid wish that we had when we were in college to get our kids hitched. But of course, we will always respect your decision and it’s definitely my stupid son’s loss. But you will still be my daughter that I never gave birth to. What say Radha?

Of course, she will be! Yuvaan and Vihaan will be my sons even if you resist. Do you agree? Mom replied and everyone had a good laugh.

Chapter-2

We all were sitting in the dining hall having desserts. I didn’t talk to Yuvaan all evening for him being so judgmental, but I connected with Vihaan instantaneously since we had lot of similarities. I liked talking to him.

We were talking happily about our hobbies when my phone rang. In an instant I understood that it was from my informer. I quickly picked up the call and excused myself.

Hi Prerna, tell me. Is everything ready? I pretended as if I am talking to one of my subordinates.

Ok I will be there within 20–30. Make sure everyone is there. Tell everyone that unless I check everything, no one can leave, I said giving the caller a hidden message.

I hung up the call and went back to the dining table. Everyone was looking at me