✧ 𝓞𝓤𝓡 𝓟𝓐𝓒𝓣 ✧

❖ BROTHERHOOD AND DREAMS ❖

The town had never changed.

The same narrow lanes, the same dusty banyan tree at the corner, the same echo of laughter that bounced between unfinished brick houses every evening. Time moved forward, yet the town clung stubbornly to its past just like Arjun Singh and Kabir Malhotra.

They met before they understood the meaning of destiny.

Arjun was six when he first fought Kabir—over a broken cricket bat, of all things. By sunset, they were sitting together on the pavement, sharing a packet of salted peanuts and promising eternal friendship. From that day onward, they became inseparable.

They studied at the same desk, ran the same races, bore the same punishments, and dreamed the same impossible dreams.

Arjun dreamed in uniforms.

He would stand before the mirror, shoulders squared, pretending to salute an invisible flag. His voice carried certainty even as a child. “I’ll join the Army. I’ll protect India.”

Kabir listened, fascinated. His own dreams were quieter, darker. He read detective novels borrowed from the local library, asked uncomfortable questions, and noticed details others ignored.

“Someone has to catch the enemies inside,” Kabir once said. “Not all threats come from borders.”

The boys grew up believing the world would always make room for both their dreams.

***

Life tested them early.

Exams separated classrooms, colleges separated cities, and responsibilities separated time—but never hearts. Arjun trained relentlessly at the National Defence Academy, his body bruised, his spirit unbreakable. Kabir buried himself in law books, criminal psychology, and investigative theory.

When Arjun passed out as a commissioned officer, Kabir stood in the crowd, clapping until his palms burned.

When Kabir cleared the CID examinations, Arjun lifted him off the ground in laughter.

“You catch criminals,” Arjun said proudly.
“And you kill enemies,” Kabir replied. “Seems fair.”

They met during rare leaves—sometimes on rooftops, sometimes at roadside tea stalls. Those moments were sacred.

One monsoon night, thunder rolling above them, Arjun spoke words that would follow Kabir for the rest of his life.

“If I die in service,” Arjun said quietly, “you’ll take care of my family.”

Kabir stiffened. “Only if you promise the same.”

They shook hands.

No witnesses.
No paperwork.
Only trust.

Neither of them knew that one day, this simple promise would demand everything.

✦ ══════════════════════════════════ ✦

Author's Note :-

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