The sunlight crept into the room, soft and golden, making everything look calm and peaceful. Outside, birds were chirping, the wind rustled gently through the trees, and for a moment, it felt like a perfect, quiet morning.
But the calm outside couldn't have been more different from the scene on the bed. Svea was sleeping like a log - one leg tucked under the blanket, the other hanging off the pillow, arms sprawled everywhere like she was claiming the whole bed. Her hair was messy, sticking out in all directions, and her mouth was slightly open. The blanket had slid off halfway, leaving her half-covered and completely unbothered by how she looked.
It was chaotic, messy, totally human, and completely Svea. Somehow, in all that mess, there was a little charm to it, the kind that made you smile and shake your head at the same time.
But the peaceful slumber didn't last long.
A loud thud hit the door, followed by the dramatic entry of two certified monkeys-Shea and Samvid.
The moment they stepped inside, they froze. As if they had just discovered a rare species in its natural habitat. A human. Sleeping. Shamelessly.
Or more accurately sleeping like a koala.
They stared for a second.
Then they lost it.
"Wow, didibhai," Samvid said between uncontrollable laughter, "you look exactly like a koala."
"Koalas still have some decency while sleeping," Shea added, nearly choking as she laughed. "You've clearly crossed that line."
But unsurprisingly, all this commentary and public humiliation went unnoticed. The sleeping human. Correction, the koala remained unbothered and unconscious.
"Didibhai, uth jao. Bohot der ho gayi hai," Samvid announced loudly. "It's already 9 a.m., and we have to go shopping because aaj hai party, partyyyyy!"
(Didibhai, get up. It's already late)
A groan escaped from somewhere under the pillow.
Samvid, clearly feeling brave, reached out to pull the blanket.
That was his second mistake of the morning.
I kicked him.
Hard.
"AHH! What the hell, didibhai?" he yelped, hopping back. "Why did you kick me?"
"Jaa re tu yahan se," I mumbled, my voice muffled and my eyes still shut. "Let me sleep for five minutes."
Five minutes. The biggest lie known to mankind.
Defeated, Shea and Samvid retreated out of the room - Shea laughing like she had just witnessed the best entertainment of her life, and Samvid rubbing the spot where I had kicked him, muttering darkly about revenge and future payback.
Inside the room, the koala rolled over and went right back to sleep.
"Aaaaaaaaaa! Why didn't anyone wake me up? It's already 11 a.m.! What will I do in NDA? Hey Bhagwan, subah subah kaise uthungi woh bhi 4:00 a.m. pe. Hayeee," I said, sounding like someone whose entire life had already been ruined.
(Aaaaaaaaaa! Why didn't anyone wake me up? It's already 11 a.m.! What will I do in NDA? Oh God, how will I wake up in the morning, and that too at 4:00 a.m.? Oh no,)
Completely defeated, I dragged myself to the bathroom, brushed my teeth, and came out in my pajamas, hair tied in a messy knot - because obviously this is how I live. Agar kisi anjaan insaan ne dekh liya, toh beghar hi samjhenge, without a second thought.
The moment I stepped out of my room, my eyes landed on a very suspicious sight.
My brother and sister were sprawled comfortably on the sofa, watching TV, surrounded by chips and chocolates.
Wait.
Those chips and chocolates.
Those were mine.
I narrowed my eyes slowly, zooming in on the packets.
Yes. Definitely mine.
"Oye, kaise kha liya tum logon ne yeh? Yeh mera tha, hapsi kahike!" I snapped, lunging towards them.
(Hey! How did you guys eat this? That was mine, you little gluttons!)
Shea and Samvid looked at me with wide eyes and gulped, already preparing to run.
Too late.
I had them.
"Kahan bhaag rahe ho, mere pyaare pyaare bhai-behen?" I said sweetly, my voice coated with enough sugar to cause cavities. "Aao, tumhe kuch treat deti hoon."
(Where are you running off to, my dear sweet siblings?-Come here, let me give you a little treat.)
"Arey didibhai, iski koi zarurat nahi hai," Samvid said nervously. "We are totally fine."
(There's no need for that)
"Arey, aise kaise nahi chahiye?" I blinked innocently. "Main toh chali hi jaungi na, toh yeh toh banta hai."
("Oh? How can you say you don't want it?" I blinked innocently. "I'll be leaving anyway, so this is only fair.)
"Arey didibhai-" Shea started, but before she could finish.
THAWK. THAWK.
Two tight slaps landed perfectly on the back of their heads.
They looked at me like guilty puppies. I, however, felt absolutely nothing.
"Jaa giye homework kor giye. Porashona korte bolei pet baitha, paa baitha shob baitha ekshathe ashe pore," I said, leaving zero room for argument.
("Go and do your homework. The moment someone talks about studying, your stomach hurts, your legs hurt-everything starts hurting at once.")
Without another word, both of them escaped to their rooms.
I sighed the moment they disappeared.
"Kya hoga inka?" I muttered, shaking my head. "Aap hi dekh lena, Krishna."
Not thinking much after that, I walked into the kitchen, where maa was busy chopping vegetables.
"MAAAAAAAAA," I announced dramatically. "Meri pyaari pyaari maa, breakfast."
It was my usual attempt to escape the daily scolding.
But instead of scolding me, she smiled.
She actually smiled.
And started arranging my breakfast.
I froze.
Did the sun rise from the west today?
Is her health okay?
Before I could overthink, maa placed the plate in front of me. The moment my eyes scanned it, my heart swelled.
Puri.
Aloo torkari.
Payesh.
Wah. Ki breakfast baniyeche.
(Wow. What a breakfast this is.)
I ate happily, thoroughly enjoying every bite. After finishing, I placed the plate in the sink as usual, because doing work is not my thing , and turned to maa.
"Maa," I asked, curiosity clear in my voice, "is something special today?"
"No," she replied dryly.
"Then why did you make this breakfast?" I asked again.
This time, she looked at me properly.
"Because you'll be leaving this house soon," she said softly, her eyes slightly moist.
Something tightened in my chest for a second. I felt it but quickly pushed it away. I had to be strong.
Plastering on my brightest smile, I said, "Arey maa, I'm not leaving forever. I'll come back during vacations. You're saying it like you're marrying me off."
Then, quickly changing the topic, I added, "Chalo chalo, ab batao what's for lunch?"
(Alright, alright, now tell me, what's for lunch?)
Maa smiled and cupped my cheek gently.
"Your favourite," she said. "Chicken and bhaat. Just the way you like it."
My face bloomed instantly, like a thousand lotuses all at once.
I left the kitchen and decided it was time for my beauty bath. Heading straight to my room, I opened the cupboard, grabbed my clothes and towel, and went into the bathroom.
When I came out, I was back in my usual outfit - shorts and a t-shirt. My comfort clothes.
Comfortable, yes.
But honestly? I looked completely homeless.
Meanwhile in the Academy
The mess hall was quiet not silent, but disciplined. Cadets sat in perfectly aligned rows, uniforms crisp, backs straight. The only sounds were the soft clatter of plates and spoons, boots moving in measured rhythm, and the mess staff gliding efficiently between tables. No unnecessary chatter. No chaos. Just order.
After lunch, the cadets rose one by one and exited the mess in their usual controlled manner - no pushing, no noise, just discipline woven into every step.
Among them stood a tall figure who drew attention without trying.
Broad shoulders held up a neatly pressed uniform, posture rigid and unyielding. A sharp jawline, neatly trimmed hair, and eyes dark, steady, and observant eyes that missed nothing and revealed even less. They carried a quiet intensity, the kind that made people straighten up subconsciously.
His presence alone demanded discipline.
"Yaar," Aarush sighed dramatically, slinging an arm around him, "Rudra, tu itna discipline mein kaise rehta hai? And that too with this constant poker face?"
Shaurya smirked. "Haan bhai, agar janab ek baar smile kar de na, toh shayad academy ka balance bigad jaaye."
(Yeah, brother, if sir here smiles just once, the academy's balance might get disturbed.)
Ved added thoughtfully, "Thoda smile kar lega toh ladkiyan tujhpe marr nahi jayengi. Zyada se zyada faint ho jayengi."
(If you smile a little, girls won't die over you. At most, they'll just faint.)
The three burst into laughter.
Rudra stopped walking.
He turned slowly, giving them a look that clearly said enough.
"I am tolerating you three," he said evenly, voice low and controlled, "only because you're my best friends. Otherwise, I would've already broken your bones."
That only made them laugh harder.
"We are in a prestigious academy," Rudra continued, his tone firm now. "Someone else out there might have deserved this place more than us but we are the ones who are here. That means we maintain decorum. We follow rules. We stay disciplined. This isn't optional. It's our duty. Only then can we become people capable of guarding our nation."
The laughter died instantly.
Ved nodded first, ever the reasonable one. "We know why we're here, Rudra. But even the academy gives us time to breathe. Refreshing the mind is part of staying sharp."
Shaurya and Aarush nodded in agreement.
Rudra exhaled slowly. "I know. And I'm not saying you're disrespecting the academy."
Aarush placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. He knew better than anyone, how deeply discipline was etched into Rudra's bones.
As they walked toward their cabins, Aarush, incapable of staying serious for too long, grinned.
"Waise," he said casually, "iss term break ke baad hum third-termers honge. Understudies allot honge. Soch, ab hum bhi seniors."
(By the way," he said casually, "after this term break, we'll be third-termers. Understudies will be allotted. Just think - we'll be seniors too now.)
Shaurya's face fell instantly, like someone burdened with unexpected responsibility. "Great. Ab guide karna padega. Pata nahi kaun sa namoona mil jaye. Kuch bhi kaand kiya aur punishment humein milegi."
(Great. Now we'll have to guide them. Who knows what kind of specimen we'll get. If they do any nonsense, we'll be the ones getting punished.)
Ved nodded sympathetically.
Rudra said nothing.
He listened quietly, eyes fixed ahead, expression unreadable.
For him, an understudy wasn't just a formality. It was responsibility. Influence. Legacy.
He didn't want chaos. He didn't want excuses. He wanted discipline. Respect. Purpose.
Someone who understood that this academy wasn't just training bodies it was shaping lives.
And if fate dared to give him anything less.
He would straighten it.
One way or another.
--------------------------------------------------------------
After I came out of the bathroom, freshly dressed. I tossed the towel on the nearby chair and went towards the mirror.
I stared at my reflection for a solid five minutes.
Hair? Leading its own freedom movement.
Face? Freshly bathed, zero motivation.
Outfit? Screaming "I gave up, but comfortably."
Perfect.
"Future NDA cadet," I told my reflection seriously, "you look very promising."
Standing in front of the mirror, I tried tying my hair again because the first knot had clearly resigned from duty.
Three attempts later, the knot finally held.
Not perfect.
But... acceptable. I think.
I flopped back onto my bed and grabbed my phone, unlocking it only to be instantly attacked by reality - notifications, messages, alarms I had heroically ignored since dawn.
One message stood out
Group: NDA Aspirants - Pain Edition
The group had been made after our SSB by the selected cadets. I had been contemplating exiting it since the moment I was added.
Just as I opened the group settings to leave, a message popped up.
"4 a.m. run complete. Feeling motivated."
I stared at the screen like it had personally insulted my ancestors.
Another message followed.
"Discipline is everything."
Yes.
Obviously.
And I currently had none of it.
I rolled onto my side, scrolling through messages, reels, random NDA edits like my phone secretly held answers about my future and was refusing to share them.
I tossed it aside and buried my face into the pillow with a dramatic groan.
"Hey Bhagwan," I whispered, staring at the ceiling fan, "thoda sa discipline free mein de dete toh kya jaata aapka?"
(Oh God," I whispered, staring at the ceiling fan, "what would it have cost you to give me a little discipline for free?)
"How am I supposed to survive in NDA," I muttered, "when my body treats waking up before 9 like a personal attack?"
As if summoned by my thoughts, Shea's voice echoed from outside.
"Didibhaiiiii!" she sang. "Maa bol rahi hai lunch ke liye bhookh mat maarna!"
(Didibhaiiii!" she sang. "Mom says don't kill your appetite before lunch!)
"Main bhookh kab maarti hoon?" I yelled back. "Woh mujhe maarti hai."
Samvid's irritatingly cheerful laughter followed.
(When do I ever kill my appetite?" I yelled back. "It's my appetite that kills me.)
I sat up, sighed, and finally accepted the truth.
No matter how chaotic, lazy, dramatic, or borderline homeless I looked right now- this house, this noise, this comfort, this maa ke haath ka khana, this was my safe zone.
And soon, I'd be stepping out of it.
Into discipline.
Into routines.
Into mornings that didn't care about excuses.
The thought settled quietly in my chest.
Not scary.
Not yet.
Just real.
I lay back down, staring at the ceiling.
"Enjoy it while it lasts, Svea," I whispered to myself.
"Because life's about to wake you up at 4 a.m. with no mercy."
I stepped out of my room for lunch and was immediately greeted by warmth.
Maa, Baba, chachi, chacha, Samvid, and Shea, all seated at the dining table, talking over each other like always. I slid into the chair beside Samvid.
Lunch passed in laughter, teasing, and half-finished stories.
Afterwards, I was sprawled across the sofa like a lazy cat, the moment peaceful, until the two monkeys decided peace was overrated.
Samvid and Shea were bickering about something, voices rising.
I narrowed my eyes at them. "Homework complete?"
Already knowing the answer.
They looked at each other. Gulped.
"Go to your rooms," I said calmly, dangerously. "Evening tak homework done hona chahiye."
They nodded and bolted.
Authority: maintained.
I headed back to my room, sleep tugging at my bones. I picked up my phone, and before I could unlock it, it buzzed.
I sat up instantly.
Then relaxed.
Family group.
Of course.
Shea: Didibhai, please humko maaf kar do.
Samvid: Chocolates dilwa denge. Promise.
I smirked.
Justice had been served.
I typed back:
"Aaj ke liye maafi. Homework complete hona chahiye. No bargaining."
(No excuses for today. Homework must be completed. No bargaining.)
Three dots appeared.
Disappeared.
Appeared again.
Kids.
Satisfied, I tossed the phone aside and lay back, staring at the ceiling.
For a moment, everything went quiet.
No shouting.
No running feet.
No chips crunching.
Just me.
And the thought I had been avoiding all day.
Leaving.
The house.
The chaos.
Lazy mornings.
Maa's breakfast.
Samvid and Shea's nonsense.
My eyelids grew heavy, the weight of it all settling somewhere deep inside.
And without realizing when, I slipped into sleep,
carrying the comfort with me,
leaving the goodbye for another day.
Hope you liked the chapter....
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