The morning sun cast a golden hue over the Sharma household as Rivet stepped out of his room, dressed in crisp travel clothes. His eyes held a quiet fire—one that flickered with excitement, fear, and something deeper… destiny.
He walked into the living room, where his parents were already waiting. Without a word, Rivet bent down and touched their feet. His father placed a firm hand on his shoulder, pride gleaming in his eyes.
"Beta, train your heart and mind with all you've got. We have great hopes for you."
His mother pulled him into a tight embrace. Her voice trembled, but her tone was warm.
"Beta, take care of yourself. Eat on time, and don't forget to call. I've done a small pooja for you."
With trembling fingers, she applied a tilak on his forehead and offered him dahi-cheeni. He took the sweet offering and smiled, blinking back a wave of emotion.
Then he turned to Ritu, who stood silently beside the door, her eyes watery.
He knelt and hugged her tightly. "Take care of yourself, okay? And if anything happens… anything at all—just call me. I'll be there."
She nodded and wiped her tears. "You also take care, bhaiya. I'll miss you."
With a deep breath, Rivet picked up his bag and walked out of the house. Each step away from home echoed louder in his chest. He was leaving behind more than a house—he was leaving behind childhood.
The drive to the airport was quiet. As the plane took off, Rivet looked out the window. His heart ached faintly—this was the first time he was going so far without his parents. He held on to their words like armor.
Several hours later, the flight landed in Jammu & Kashmir.
As he exited the airport, a taxi awaited him. The ride to the training camp felt surreal. Kashmir was nothing like he had imagined—it was a perfect blend of nature and progress. Snow-capped mountains stood proudly in the distance, while futuristic infrastructure lined the roads. Pollution was almost nonexistent, with only solar and battery-powered vehicles on the streets. The government's dedication to development and sustainability had transformed the region into a marvel—green, clean, and breathtaking.
Rivet leaned against the window, soaking it all in. This... this is incredible.
The taxi finally stopped in front of a massive complex. But this didn't look like a typical army camp. It looked more like a high-tech university or a five-star resort. Sleek buildings rose on all sides, trimmed with clean lines and modern architecture. Digital banners floated above, displaying orientation schedules and welcoming the new batch of cadets.
Inside, a large digital screen displayed a list of students and their room numbers. Rivet spotted his name next to Room 108.
He navigated the long, polished hallways until he stood outside his room. A black screen on the door blinked to life as he approached.
> "Please verify identity."
Rivet pulled out his ID card, scanning it carefully. After a second of whirring lights and a soft beep, the door unlocked with a hiss. He stepped in.
The room was sleek and minimalistic—bed, study desk, wardrobe, and an in-wall interface system. He let out a tired sigh and sat down on the edge of the bed, letting the silence of the space settle around him.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang.
Rivet opened it to find a robot standing outside, holding a food tray. It extended its mechanical arms and handed him the meal.
He took the tray and closed the door behind him, smiling faintly. As he ate, his thoughts drifted back to his mother. Did she eat on time? Was she crying again?
Without thinking, he pulled out his phone and called home. His mother's voice answered almost immediately, soft and sweet.
"Rivet, beta, are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Ma. I just had food. The place is beautiful… and very high-tech. I just wanted to hear your voice."
They talked for a few more minutes, his heart finding brief comfort in her words.
Just as the call ended, a calm mechanical voice echoed through the room. A built-in speaker in the ceiling lit up:
> "Roll number 1. Please report to the main hall in 10 minutes."
Rivet stood, suddenly aware of the journey truly beginning. He adjusted his jacket, took one last breath of home-scented memory, and walked out the door.
Downstairs, a grand hall buzzed with murmurs. Dozens of students from across the nation stood waiting—some wide-eyed, others stone-faced.
Rivet took his place among them.
Somewhere deep within, he knew—this was no longer a dream. This was his new battlefield.
To be continued…