Chapter 3: Battlefield Hearts

When I arrived at the drill ground, Arjun was sparring with someone.

The ground was a patchwork of red dust and trampled grass. The acrid smell of sweat and dust hung in the air, and a distant hawker’s bell echoed from beyond the wire fence. The sun beat down, making the air shimmer with heat. Arjun stood in the centre, bare-armed, his skin glistening with sweat, muscles rippling with each movement. The clang of boots and shouts of encouragement filled the air.

He was bare-armed, his arms thicker than my calves, and the muscles on his back glistened with sweat.

The sight made my breath catch. He looked so strong, so unbreakable—a force of nature. For a moment, I forgot my fear, just watching the sheer power in his movements.

The next second—

With a "thud," the other man was thrown to the ground by an over-the-shoulder throw.

Dust flew up.

The soldiers whooped and cheered, some slapping each other on the back. The air was thick with the smell of sweat and earth, the sound of boots scuffing the ground.

He barked in a deep, powerful voice, "Get up, again!"

His voice was so intimidating I shivered.

It rolled across the field like thunder, making even the birds in the neem tree scatter. I shrank back, wishing I could disappear into the ground.

I instinctively took a step back, making a noise by accident.

The dry leaves under my sandal crunched, and I froze. My heart thudded in my chest as heads turned towards me.

The next moment, everyone turned to look at me.

Arjun also turned and strode toward me.

His gaze locked onto mine, sharp as a blade. I dropped my eyes, my cheeks burning. The soldiers’ whispers buzzed in my ears, making me feel even smaller.

Our eyes met, and I instinctively lowered my head.

[Sigh, the hero eats paneer every day, avoids rice, always keeps in shape, but who knew he’d be throwing flirtatious glances at a blind girl.]

[The heroine closes her eyes in fear every time—never properly admired the hero’s abs or v-line. Don’t you want to look? Or let me take her place for two episodes?]

Seeing this, I stole a glance upward.

Are those really abs?

I accidentally touched them before. They didn’t feel as hard as they looked.

I used to think his tall, muscular build was scary.

But after seeing the barrage, I suddenly felt that, in comparison, he was much more pleasing to the eye than those with big bellies.

But before I could finish admiring him, a harsh voice exploded in my ear:

"Who let you come!"

Looking at Arjun’s furrowed brow and stormy aura, my heart trembled.

So fierce.

How does this look like someone who’d give me his life? He looks more like he’d slap me to death.

Ritika reached me before Arjun, grabbing my arm.

Her grip was so tight I winced. She leaned in, her lips pressed into a thin line, her kohl-lined eyes flashing with irritation.

"Didn’t the major order you not to leave the tent? Why are you running around?"

Before I could answer, she rushed to report to Arjun.

"Major, don’t worry, I’ll take her back now."

She dragged me off, not letting me argue. Her nails dug into my flesh—it hurt badly.

I tried to twist free, but she yanked me harder, muttering under her breath about "spoiled brats who don’t know their place." The soldiers nearby pretended not to notice, but I could feel their eyes following us.

But Arjun acted as if he didn’t see, even nodding at her.

"Thank you, Deputy Ritika."

[Ugh, it’s this green tea supporting female again—so annoying! She just wants to get rid of you so she can be alone with the hero. Ignore her!]

[The hero doesn’t want you here because he’s worried about your safety. Seeing the soldiers looking at you, he’s so jealous he could go mad.]

[Do whatever you want! As long as you ask, the hero would take you to Mars!]

I didn’t know what Mars was, but anyway, I didn’t want to leave now.

Seeing Ritika’s smug face, I steeled myself, mustered my courage, and shook her off.

Then I walked to Arjun’s side and hooked my hand through his, gently shaking it.

My heart was beating so loudly I thought everyone could hear. I looked up at him, eyes wide, hoping he wouldn’t push me away in front of everyone.

"Husband, I came to find you."

The moment I touched Arjun, his whole body went rigid.

He didn’t speak, didn’t look at me—just stood there in a daze.

A beat of silence hung in the air. Soldiers glanced at each other, an elderly havildar hiding a smile behind his mustache. Even the birds seemed to stop chirping for a moment. I held my breath, waiting for him to react.

Suddenly, my confidence faltered.

Where was the deep affection for me the barrage talked about?

Meanwhile, Ritika’s face twisted with anger.

Her nostrils flared, and she crossed her arms, glaring at me as if she could burn a hole through my head. Her lips curled in disdain, and she looked around, hoping someone would support her.

"This is a restricted area, you can’t just come as you please. Didn’t you see the major is angry? Madam, don’t bother him—come back with me."

Ah, so Arjun is angry?

So the barrage was lying to me. I shouldn’t have hoped for anything from him.

But just as I let go of Arjun’s hand, ready to accept my fate, he suddenly gripped me back, hard.

His hand was warm, his grip unyielding. For a moment, I felt safe, as if nothing could hurt me as long as he held on.

After saying, "No need," he dragged and half-carried me away.

Ritika stood in place, so angry she nearly cracked her teeth.

Her jaw clenched, and she muttered curses under her breath, her eyes flashing with jealousy. The soldiers exchanged knowing glances, some stifling grins behind their hands.

But the other soldiers laughed and teased:

"This is Miss Priya, right? Looks like a fairy. No wonder when the Sharma family had trouble, the major rushed back to Delhi day and night, drove through three red lights in his hurry."

They nudged each other, their laughter ringing out. I blushed, ducking my head, embarrassed by their teasing.

"Yeah, the major was like he didn’t want his life. Tsk, when a stone blooms, it’s something fierce."

The men snickered, shaking their heads in disbelief. One of them winked at me, and I quickly looked away.

"Heh, at this rate, are we going to have a little major soon?"

The thought made my cheeks burn even hotter. I clutched Arjun’s sleeve tighter, wishing the ground would swallow me up.

Ritika glared at the two walking away together, furiously clenching her fists.

She snorted. "What do you know? The major always keeps public and private matters separate. He hates delicate women the most—why would he keep her here? She broke in on her own. The major must be taking her to punish her personally, then send her back."

Her words dripped with venom, but no one seemed to be listening. The men just rolled their eyes, used to her outbursts by now.

However, as soon as she finished, Arjun suddenly bent down and picked up his delicate wife in his arms.

The crowd immediately gasped.

A few jaws dropped, and someone let out a low whistle. Even the mess cook peeked out from the kitchen, eyes wide with surprise.

"Deputy Ritika, that doesn’t seem to match what you said."

"Why are you carrying me? Put me down!"

My voice came out shrill, echoing off the canvas tents. My face burned with embarrassment as I squirmed in his arms, trying to wriggle free.

Since I can remember, no one has ever carried me like this. So embarrassing!

The last time anyone picked me up was when I was five, and Baba swung me onto his shoulders during Ganesh Chaturthi. Now, being carried in front of all these soldiers felt mortifying.

But Arjun not only didn’t let go, he even lifted me higher.

"You’re walking too slow."

His voice was gruff, but there was a hint of softness underneath, as if he was trying not to smile. I felt a strange flutter in my stomach.

[Wow, the size difference—so exciting!]

[They say people with sharp jawlines are big. I really want the heroine to show us.]

[Hehe, what’s there to say? Just look at how badly the heroine gets tormented—no way is he a tree hanging a chili pepper!]

I looked at Arjun in confusion.

What are they talking about?

His face isn’t that big, and his lips are just right. Except for being a bit tanned, he’s actually… quite handsome.

Thinking that, I slowly moved my hand down.

His chest muscles are so firm. Why do his abs move?

Is this what the barrage calls a 'wolf waist'?

Can’t quite reach.

But before I could move further, Arjun suddenly panted heavily twice, abruptly set me down, and said coldly,

"Walk by yourself!"

Then he turned and rushed into the tent without looking back.

I bit my lip, my eyes a little sore.

Wuwu, so fierce.

[Haha, who said the heroine is a delicate little flower? She’s pretty good at teasing.]

[The hero runs so fast—is he afraid he’ll explode and scare the heroine?]

What? He’s going to explode?

I lifted my skirt and hurried after him, but heard the sound of water splashing behind the screen.

Almost at the same time, Arjun shouted harshly,

"Don’t come over!"

I rubbed my eyes, asking with a sob,

"Arjun, are you alright?"

Arjun was silent for a moment, then his voice came out hoarse:

"Call me again."

…

"Arjun?"

"No, just now outside, what did you call me?"

I sniffled and, tentatively, said softly,

"Husband."

The next second, it sounded like something behind the screen was kicked over.

[Ahhh, this is what our premium members came for!]

For the first time, I wondered if the man who haunted my nights might also be the one to save me.