Ali Ali Ali Ali

Phoenix were cheering for Ali. They were sure that Ali will win the match just like he always does. It was only a practice match and there was no need to beat the opponent, but he still did it anyway. It was his third game of the day and the last two of his opponents were sitting on a bench close to the ring figuring out, where all on their bodies that they were feeling aches and pain. It was a new place in every second. It was a kick boxing practice section.

Captain Shekhawat: Ali, you don’t have to beat them. I know that you are a National kick boxing champion, but they are learning. You can’t kick them like that.

Ali had kicked Manish right behind his neck and he was down trying hard to get up.

Ali: I am sorry Sir. This is the only way I know how to do kick boxing. I can’t stop myself. When they try to attack me, my body defends on its own.

Ansh was sitting with his face down fearing that he will be called next. Ali was so complicated. He couldn’t lift a gun to shoot but can kick the hell out of anyone.

Monica: Why is that Ali? Why is that you don’t have control on what you want to do?

Ali: I don’t know.

Monica turned towards the other cadets.

Monica: I know that Ali is good in martial arts but that doesn’t give you the right to stay away from a fight. You are going to be army personnel. First remove the fear from your minds. Stop fearing Ali. Many of you know how to fight but you are scared, and your fear is your actual opponent.

Monica walked towards the ring and got inside.

Ali: I don’t want to hurt you.

Monica: I want you to try to hurt me.

Ali and Monica warmed up and Monica was very focused and that made Ali smile. She was very short compared to him. So, he had to look out for uppercuts. He thought.

Ali tried jab and cross first and Monica slipped away from both. Ali tried to sweep her by the knee and Monica fell backwards but she balanced herself with both her hands. That amazed Ali. It was a perfect arc and her abs were visible under her crop top. Monica took her hands of the ground and came forward to the straight position. She tried to attack Ali with straight punches and he blocked her. They fought for more than fifteen minutes and took many punches and kicks from each other, but both were not ready to call it quits. Ali felt that Monica was getting tired and he thought of locking her to the floor so that he doesn’t have to do the finishing kick. Ali didn’t want to hurt her. He tried to catch hold of Monica but suddenly Monica gave an uppercut to Ali that shocked him and then she suddenly fell on to the ring and with the support of the barriers jumped up and elbowed Ali on the face and Ali was down on the floor.

Monica stood next to the fallen Ali and then turned towards the cadets.

Monica: As army personnel we should never back out from a challenge. It’s not in our blood. As for a life lesson, if you want to win, learn the weakness of your opponent but for now, just practice well. We will see the rest later.

Monica sat down next to Ali and spoke softly making sure that no one else is hearing.

Monica: Ali, not every place is for you to show how good you are in something. Sometimes, you need to take a back foot to help your colleagues come forward. And do you know why you lost? Because you couldn’t get yourself to hurt me. So, if you want, you can control your actions. So, try to do that the next time you are in the ring with another Cadet.

Ali looked up at Monica but didn’t say anything and tried to sit. Monica got up and walked out of the ring without glancing back.

********

Ansh: So, what do you want to do now?

Ali: I want to speak to Ronald.

Ansh: Ma’am duffer. Monica Ma’am. How many times have I have to tell you to call her Ma’am.

Ali: It makes me feel like I am a kid in front of her.

Ansh: You are.

Ali smiled an evil smile.

Ali: I hope that I will be pitied against you in the next kick boxing match.

Ansh: So, what should I do?

Ali: Ronald will come running through the track in the next three minutes and before she reaches here, Diksha will join her saying this and that. I want you to stop Diksha so that I can run with Ronald.

Ansh: Diksha will find her next target on my head and that too with real bullets. I hate you Ali. You are becoming a real bad person.

Ali smiled innocently.

Ansh walked towards Diksha who was ready to pounce on Monica or, so it looked.

Ansh: Hai Diksha.

Diksha: Hai Ansh, don’t tell me not to put your name for track and field tomorrow. We have to win this time no matter what. We didn’t win the flag battle.

Ansh: That’s not it. I wanted to tell you something important.

Diksha: Spit it out and leave. If I miss Monica Ma’am, then I will kill you. And I am not kidding.

Ansh found Monica running towards them. It was his only chance or Ali would kick his ass in the boxing ring. Ali has changed a lot. Ansh thought that Ali was a nonviolent person when he saw him for the first time and now he has become exactly the opposite. What happens to people when in love, Ansh thought. Ali was trying too hard to prove that he is not weak.

Ansh: Diksha, I am in love with you.

Diksha: What the hell?

********

Ali watched Monica running towards him and he froze at that point. He wanted to run towards her, but his legs won’t move. She passed by him without even looking at his side and he could hear his heart breaking. It was a Sunday and Monica runs the track in the evening before it gets dark. She was wearing a crop top and leggings and he could see tattoos on her back and near her hip. In his religion, tattoos are considered unreligious and unholy but when he saw it on her, they looked divine. Ali gulped.

Ali ran after Monica and then ran by her side. Monica casually looked at him and spoke while running.

Monica: Is there anything you want to ask me Ali?

Ali: Yes, Ro…I mean Ma’am. I heard that you are leaving this week.

Monica: Yes, I am. My work here is done.

Ali: Would we ever meet again?

Monica: Of course, we would. You will be in the army and we will meet sometime.

Ali: But I will be stationed in Kashmir and you will be in Delhi headquarters and there is no chance of meeting you, I guess.

Monica: How do you know that you will be stationed in Kashmir? It’s not up to you to decide.

Ali: But that’s what I want. I joined army to protect the Kashmiri people.

Monica suddenly stopped running and turned towards Ali.

Monica: What do you mean by you are in the army to protect Kashmiri people. This is the Indian army and it’s for the whole of India and not for just one group of people.

Ali didn’t say anything.

Monica: Ali, listen to me; the selection process of the Indian army is very complicated. It’s a fool proof system because it’s a game of mind. Then, even after this kind of attitude they selected you. That means, they saw something in you. I never thought that you would say something like this. I am not from Kashmir and if I am in danger does that mean that you will not protect me? That you would care only if I am a Kashmiri?

Monica looked very serious and she stared in to Ali’s eyes. Ali didn’t take the conversation seriously but now he understood that the situation has escalated. He can’t imagine not helping Monica, he can’t imagine her in danger, he will give his life for her. Ali suddenly snapped out of his thoughts. What the hell am I thinking? Ali thought.

Monica: An Indian Army personal should be ready to protect the whole of India not just his state or community. Selflessness is our greatest virtue. Ali, if you won’t change this attitude of yours, don’t see me again.

Monica fumed and ran away from there leaving a confused Ali behind.

*******

Monica was packing her bags when she got a call.

Claire: Happy Birthday Monica Stephen Ronald. Happy 29th name day, Khaleesi.

Monica: Dude, I forgot that it was my birthday.

Claire: You always do. Why was your phone off the whole day? Everyone one of us were trying to reach you.

Monica: Dude, you know that I can’t take calls during work hours, right. I miss you guys.

Claire: We miss you too. I thought at least on this birthday, we will be together. But nope, you had to cancel the leave.

Monica: Don’t worry, I am coming back home day after tomorrow. My work here is finished and there is a party tomorrow night for Army officials in IAA and I will return the next day. I can restart my leave again.

Claire: Can’t wait baby girl. Come back fast.

Monica: On my way. I love you.

Claire: Love you too. Take care.

*******

Monica got ready for the party. She wore a dress which was knee length and she straightened her hair. Monica seldom gets to attend army parties and many of the people she was close to will be there. Many Alumni and Alumnus of IAA. She hoped that her batch mates would come there as well. Lt Colonel Upadhay will be coming and she can hand over the report to him after the party and she don’t have to go to Delhi before going back home. Monica was excited. IAA was safe. Nobody here was involved in anything unusual and whatever the threat was, it was from the outside and Brigadier Shah would take care of it. It was under his power and he always does it right.

Monica applied a bit of compact powder and lipstick and she smiled. She was excited and happy. The only tension was her department. The traitor in it was not yet found but she needs to forget it. It was not her mission. Monica can’t shoulder everything. It was better to leave it to Lt Colonel Upadhay and enjoy her life at least once.