In the middle of the flight, Kiara woke up to go to the washroom. When she returned, she was too lazy to push her way into the middle seat. And with Rishaan readily offering to shift seats, the seating arrangement changed. With 20 minutes still remaining for the flight to land, a sleep starved Kiara took another power nap, this time holding Rishaan's right hand more firmly. Rishaan's other hand, though, nervously moved to touch Diya's. Her heart skipped a beat. Diya pulled her hand away. But a defiant Rishaan held her wrist again, this time firmly and more reassuringly. The changing behavioural dynamics between the three perhaps gave out a foreboding of what was to come in Goa.

When the flight landed at the Dabolim Airport, Rishaan felt uncanny...his excitement seemed replaced by an unknown fear that he found very difficult to decipher.

***

Kiara, Diya and Rishaan had grown up together in the closely knit fraternity of Defence Colony, Pune. The heads of their respective families were retired Army Officers, who had settled down, post their chequered careers, in one of the cities, best suited for retired soldiers.

The trio had matured to be fine youngsters, quite different from the regular Army brats. Their upbringing was evident from their dispositions — disciplined, warm, athletic, courageous and affectionate, the way their families were. Though their education suffered due to the frequent moves of their families, typical of the Army, they were a force to reckon with in sports.

The threesome, as the inhabitants of Defence Colony called them fondly, had striking similarities and it seemed that they were destined to be same and together. Their families had known this all along and had decided to train and strengthen them more than educate, to face this cruel world.

Kiara, Diya and Rishaan suffered from speech and communication disorder! And this, perhaps, became the biggest reason of their mutual bond as it alienated them from the world of normal people.

***

‘Hi! Dear!’ Kiara saw Rishaan taking his routine post-supper stroll.

‘Hey! Kiara! What’s up!’ Rishaan walked up to her.

‘Are you joining uncle-aunty for the picnic tomorrow?’ She asked

‘Do not think so! How ’bout you and Diya?’ He queried.

‘Ah! Neither am I. As usual, this is that couple-only monthly outings of theirs, where we are forbidden to accompany. I, sometimes, wonder what is that these oldies can do and we cannot, except whiling away their time at scenic locations, chatting with like-minded people and playing indoor games, outdoors. Having seen enough of this world, they should rather allow us these trips on our own or tag us along.’ Kiara was morose.

‘Shh! Do not be disrespectful. We owe them our lives. I understand your point of view but you should understand that we would stick out like a sore thumb, in their get togethers. All three of us are differently abled and I, as a matter of fact, would not be comfortable if our communication issues screws up their fixed monthly excursions.’ Rishaan had always been the most mature in the trio.

‘And how would that be? They can enjoy their company and we can, ours. How would it disturb them? Are they ashamed of our disability that they exclude us from every outdoor party? We never intentionally make them the laughing stock. We are what we are and they should accept and acknowledge us, the same way, being family. And when it’s time to take the bouquets on sports day, they are more than happy to do us any favour. Why these double standards? We also know that they will never be able to match up with our energies and we take that in our stride, without forcing them to join us for outdoor sports. I do not leave them for a moment, why do they?’ Kiara was quite down in the dumps.

‘When would you mature, Kiara? Our families understand us well and vice-versa but others do not. Please understand. Would it not be uneasy for all of us, if situation turns embarrassing, due to this gap? The same stands true for all parties. As far as sports day is concerned, that is one day, which is ours — the field is ours and they are happy to share our crowning glory and not to walk away with the accolades. Our oldies take only a day’s monthly break from their bloody boring life, so let them be.’ Rishaan seemed clearly cheesed off on the immaturity of Kiara.

‘Anyway, am done with this topic, once and for all. Cannot help if you decide to be childish, all your life.’ He cleared his throat looking to walkout.

‘Umh! Sorry! Did not mean to annoy you.’ Kiara gave him the glad eyes.

She had always loved him unlike Diya, to whom Rishaan was more of a friend.

‘Argh! You do not have to apologise, at the drop of a hat, every time, darling. Just be more reasonable with the world around. All right, okay? Now, time to call it a day.’ Rishaan smiled, yawned and turned towards his place.

‘So long, dear.’ Kiara eyed him up and parted with parting lips.

***

As their families left for their picnic, early morning, Diya, Rishaan and Kiara assembled for the morning rendezvous. A quick run on the cold winter morning, of a 10 degree Pune, was perfect to kick off their day. The fog had added to the sharp nip in the atmosphere and parks were almost empty.

‘Come on, Kiara! Do you want to change your sweater with a bright coloured one, for the run? Look, I do not even have one.’ Diya rhymed, mockingly at Kiara while Rishaan looked at her play-faced.

Diya was sort of unfeminine, compared to Kiara, who was cute and nubile, in equal measures. Pretty as a picture, Kiara was one of the most sought over females, amongst her contemporaries. When those smooth, light chocolate mane fell over her soft complexion, even the crème de la crème felt the cascading effect around. Her dark brown eyes could express an entire gamut of emotions without words. Her ear caressed her cheeks as if the lobes did not feel the need of any touch. That silky scarf, which invariably adorned her curvaceous nape, seemed to fondle her lush skin. The contours of her perfect bod were complimented by her gait. The rest was taken care by her airs and graces.

Diya, on the other hand, was more athletic than Kiara. Her day was incomplete without a full course of workouts, which had given her a figure, more male than female. Her voice was coarse and she had a walk, quite brisk, to be feminine. Inspite of being fairly good looking, her no-nonsense and honest-to-goodness attitude had been a turn away, for most of her peers save Rishaan. He knew that hidden behind her tough persona was a compassionate heart, which reflected through her doe-eyes and empathy towards one and all. And thats exactly what made him fall in love with her. Kiara was too foxy and bitchy, for his taste though she always remained one of his bosom pals.

Despite being straight jacket friends, the only thing which irked Kiara was whenever Rishaan subscribed to Diya, while pitted against her, as that morning. She knew it was part and parcel of being in love — what she did not know was that her love, loved her friend!

***

The sorrow in the air was as thick as the fog, that morning. The tragic car crash had left everyone, as speechless, as Kiara, Diya and Rishaan. They refused to believe that they had lost their families, out of the blue. The car carrying them crashed on its onward journey, that very morning, due to the same fog, which these youngsters were enjoying, at the same point of time. Fate has played them out, yet again together.

***

‘I run a placement agency in Vasco da Gama and plan to take along Rishaan. He would stay with us and I can deploy him appropriately, over a period of time. Given their affiliation, I am okay to tag along Kiara and Diya, if you people are fine with it.’ One of the uncles from Rishaan’s family suggested, a week after the dust settled down.

‘With my social settings, Diya would not fit in and I am sure the same goes with Kiara, too.’ The eldest aunt, from Diya’s family, thought out loud.

‘Er! Seems fair enough. Am posted at Kashmir and being a field area, Kiara would not be allowed to join me. I would not be able to keep her with me until transferred to peace, which would take at least a year more. We can contribute to fund their subsistence till they are dependent on you. Is this okay with all?’ Seconded the paternal uncle from Kiara’s family.

Yet to recover from their bereavement, the threesome barely comprehended what destiny had in store for them, till they were packed off together on the flight to Goa.

***

The momentary excitement made Rishaan feel guilty. They have just lost their families and he could not understand how this surge took over him. Probably, it was due to the physical proximity with Diya and their combined loss that drew him closer to this state. Or was it due to basic instincts, simply put?

***

The friends adjusted quickly to their new home and the first couple of months passed quietly. Uncle was a retired cop, who ran his own security placement firm at Vasco. His family was quite accommodating and despite the tragedy, which had befallen them, they were comforted by the fact that all of them were together. The trio were given a large room to share, which was in the outhouse. Though they have been thick as thieves, all their life, this was a strange experience, especially given their love triangle. Moreover, they were not used to be treated this way but alas! What else can orphans expect? They took solace in the fact that they at least had caring well-wishers and an umbrella over them.

Rishaan offered to help uncle in running the household but he could hardly understand his intention, courtesy the speech disorder and the resultant communication gap between them.

***

‘Why don’t you take Rishaan along, at work? You have all kinds of people and situations, to deal with and he may be a big support.’ Aunty suggested one day while laying breakfast for us.

‘That’s not a bad idea,’ said Uncle and called Rishaan.

‘What the hell! Why can`t we be taken along to help out, uncle? Am sick of sitting at home, like this Aunty, waiting for her hubby to return from his work, everyday.’ Diya literally howled as she saw Rishaan leaving with uncle.

‘Do not bark, if you cannot bite, Diya. We should be grateful for them to have sheltered us. Don`t you know how dirty this world is? Are you capable of managing unknown men, in an unknown environment? Let the males do the jobs, that suits them. We can help out aunty, here. And what do you mean by hubby, Eh?’ Kiara lost her temper.

‘Hmph! You are right, Kiara. Sorry! You know me, buddy. I can’t laze around the whole day. It’s quite depressing for an athlete to be unable to continue his/her training. I have not worked out, since that fateful day and the nostalgia has been adding fuel to fire. An empty mind is a devil`s workshop and I want to value add to myself and the surroundings.’ Diya looked down.

‘What was that hubby thing, Diya?’ Kiara ignored her exclamations.

‘Oh! Nothing, yaa! I just gave the example of aunty. Who the hell would consider Rishaan, as a mate. He is a best chum, one could get, but hubby? Ew!’ Diya stretched herself.

‘So, you want work outs. Run!’ A relieved Kiara sported, making Diya sprint.

    ***

They say beauty comes with a price and so was it with Kiara. As the threesome was beginning to settle down in their respective routines, she caught the fancy of one of the cops, who visited their home during festivals.

‘Let me take Kiara under my wings. Am looking for couple of athletes for one of our units.’ His stare unsettled Kiara.

‘Why Kiara? Try Diya, for that matter. She is more athletic and fierce than Kiara.’ Replied Uncle, looking at Diya, who was all ears.

‘Hm! No. See. Kiara comes across as more trainable, than Diya, with a better temperament. Though, I would prefer her over Diya, I can consider taking both of them in. Condition is that Kiara is a must.’ He proffered.

‘See, I can allow only Diya to be placed, as Kiara’s kith & kin would be coming to take her back with them, soon.’ Uncle reasoned.

‘I leave you with my offer, Man. Let me know tomorrow. You would be appropriately rewarded for helping out your ex-employer, in services towards the nation.’ The officer left.

As the night grew darker, Rishaan overheard his uncle discussing Kiara, over cell, with her kith, posted at Kashmir.

***

‘I will not allow this to happen. We have been through thick and thin all our lives and no bloody guy can separate us just because we are orphans.’ Rishaan was furious.

‘That’s okay, Rishaan. I always wanted to value add to the society, I live in. And I was dying for this opportunity. We can still catch up, periodically. No one can break our bond — we are friends forever.’ Diya tried to pacify him.

‘No, Diya. Rishaan is right. You can be placed only if I am. And I do not wish to leave both of you. So, that ends our discussion.’ Kiara endorsed Rishaan.

‘And how would you fight with the cops, you bitch! Both of you have gone bananas.’ Diya was loud but pragmatic.

‘No! Please, Diya. Please. I won`t survive without you. Don’t do this to me. You don`t know how much I love you!’ Rishaan’s almost collapsed.

The telltale was curtains to one of the most beautiful friendships, humanity may have known.

***

As Kiara boarded the Jeep, with the cops, she turned one last time to see Diya and Rishaan. They stood mute, helpless and happy at the same time, unaware of her sacrifice, unaware of her part of the tale. Can one fight the unpredictability and frailty of humans and fate?

***

A year later, an epitaph read…

‘Here lies Kiara (Female Beagle, 2010–2016, K9), one of the best explosive-sniffer dogs, in the history of Goa Police Dog Unit. She was martyred in a successful search operation, against militants, during the annual carnival, resulting in saving thousands of human lives.’

Two dogs stood mute and helpless, waging their tails.

While Diya licked the coffin, Rishaan let out his wolf call…