Days zipped by, my routine continued. Physical training in the morning then studies, studies, studies then sleep for 4-5 hours.

  I stopped going for physical training when the exam started.

  I somehow survived the long days of exams and finally found myself submitting the answer paper of my last exam.

  coming out of the exam hall out into the sun was one of the best feeling I have got after a long time.

  One problem solved, now I can focus on the others.

  I came out from the college and headed for the book shops. I had already listed the names of books I would need to prepare for the written test of the job in Infantry.

  I went to a comparatively empty shop. I could see the book I wanted on a self. When I asked for the books the shop man stared at me for a second, but then went to bring the books. I paid the bill from my last month's salary I got from my part time job.

  The shopman handed me the books and asked, "Buying for your brother?"

  -"Brother?" I was confused for a second, then rememberd that boys join infantry and I am visibly a girl. I was about to say that I was buying for myself then remembered Lt. Col. Singh's words. I nodded silently before departing. It's going to be rough.

  * * * * *

  I entered home to find Dad sitting on the sofa, apparently waiting for me.

  -" What is in your hand?" He asked. No hello, no hi, no 'how did exam go?' Direct question.

  -" Umm, Books, for job preparation." I said.

  -" sit, we need to talk." He said seriously.

  I came and sat beside him. He had been super grumpy lately. He isn't talking properly and I hate to see him this way.

  -" You are serious about joining army?" He asked after I was seated next to him.

  -" Yes."

  -" You know it won't be easy?"

  -" I do."

  -" Then why don't you try for something easier?"

  -" Dad, you know very well, that it's the easiest I could try for. Any other job, Doctor, Engineer, IAS, IPS, WBCS would be hard for me, because those require top level academics. And Indian Army focuses more on physical abilities. You know I have more physical abilities than academics. Isn't it a good path of career for someone like me?"

  Dad released a long heavy breath full of exhaustion, worry and stress.

  He picked up the books I had bought and started to flip the pages, deep in thought.

  In the mean time mom came home. Dad looked up to indicate her to join our conversation then again went back to flipping my books.

  Mom looked confused for a second but then she saw the look on my face and the books on the centre table and she understood that it's all about my decision to join infantry.

  -" You bought the books?" She asked.

  I nodded, " I have to start preparations, I only have 4 months left at hand."

  -" You already filled the forms right?"

  -" Hmm." I indeed had gone to Kunalda, since he had forms Lt. Col. Singh had given him, and filled one up. The form had even been sent to JAKLI Regimental centre. I got an acceptance message.

  -" You remember, when you were younger, you used to say you would join army?" Dad spoke without looking up from the book.

  -" Yeah."

  I remember it very well. When I was around 11 or 12, my parents took me to East Sikkim. We went to the Natu-La pass and Baba Mandir too. I learned about Baba/captain Harbhajan Singh and saw the Indian Army Soldiers guarding the borders of India day and night. In Natu-La Pass, there were posters about the stories of soldiers losing their lives, protecting their nation. I had felt very proud of my country, proud of these Brave soldiers of my country who dedicated their everything to the nation. They are the reason, we civilians sleep peacefully at night.

  And I wanted to be one of them.

  I wanted to try NDA back then, but my parents convinced me not to. They did not want their daughter to take such a danger. After a lot of persuasion, they were able to make me believe that it was just an obsession in my teenage, I should let go of it. And just like that I never mentioned Army again.

  When Lt. Col. Singh asked me to try for infantry, seeing the hope, the trust in his eyes, my sleeping desire woke up again.

  -" I thought, I was able to get the idea of joining Army out of your head, but looks like I was wrong."

  -" Well, dad. . ." I started, but then looked up into his eyes, they were sad and stressed.

  I badly wanted to join army. But looking at my parents, I think, am I, really? Maybe I would be happy to get and do this job, but what would be the meaning of that happiness, if my parents won't be happy?

  I closed my eyes, took a deep breath. Maybe I should find another dream, something that will not worry my parents. My heart would always ache thinking of the lost chance to join army, to never get to put on that camoflage uniform. But it will keep mom and dad happy, right?

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  -" Umm. . . Dad, I would not join army if you don't like it you know." I mumbled.

  Dad sharply turned towards me. He looked me up and down, and caught my ear.

  -" Ow! Dad!" I flinched, but he ignored me.

  -" You think I am that bad a father, that I would stop my daughter from doing something she wants from her heart?

  " I am your dad Nyssa, I always want to protect you. Though I know you had been in mortal danger before, and I wasn't there to protect you. I also know it's not needed. You know how to protect yourself. As a parent I want you to be happy, healthy and safe. But mostly happy. I know you will be happy to get and do this job.

  "Now stop having second thoughts and try to focus. Try not prove me a bad dad by not doing what you want because of my feelings, or I am going to twist your ears harder."

  Dad gave my ears another little twist and let go. As soon as he did that, I hugged him tight. His words were so emotional and deep, I nearly found myself tearing up. I am so lucky have such good parents. " Love you dad!"

  Dad chuckled. " I love you too beta, Now go, give your full time on preparations. I want to be known as the father of the Girl Who Joined Infantry.

  * * * * *

  In the afternoon I found my slinging a duffle bag over my shoulders and bidding goodbye to my mom and dad then making my way to "Hinode Dojo".

  ' Hinode Dojo' was where I was doing a part time job. Besides, I was also doing my 3rd dan black belt course of Karate there. Exam's in next month. And for my second semesters I couldn't attend here last month.

  I reached the Dojo to find it quite empty. Which was normal. Classes start start at 5:00 pm, it was only 4:30 when I arrived.

  The Dojo was inside a big spacey building. Every Saturday evening and Sunday morning and evening martial art classes are held here.

  I found the Dojo entrance door widely ajar. Which could only mean that the head Sensei, Pulak Dutta was already inside.

  -" Hey, Pulak-da!" I greeted as I entered.

  He was sitting in a chair in his karate uniform and black belt. He looked me up and down, and smiled warmly, " Hey! Finally! I thought you are not gonna give the 3rd dan exam."

  -" I had second semesters going on Pulakda, they ended today and here I am." I said.

  -" Okay, Okay, I know you had second semesters. Just your students were giving me a headache. These few days they practiced only karate, and they were not happy about it."

  I smiled and excused myself to change. I went to another room, took out my white uniform from my duffle bag, and the most beautiful possession of mine, my black belt.

  Pulak da is a tall, muscular, dark skinned man in his thirties. He works in the post office and owns this dojo. He himself is 4th dad black belt in karate, though he doesn't know any other style of martial arts. So he hired me to teach MMA or Mixed Martial Arts here, given, I know a lot of styles.

  Tying my belt in the special traditional knot, I came out into the main practice room and bowed to Pulakda, " Osh, Sensei."

  He stood up and greeted me back. Then until the students arrived, we chatted a bit. Then I decided to ask something important.

  " Umm. . . Pulak da, I needed to ask you something. "

  -" What?"

  -" Well, I want to try for this job at army, and the physical test includes 9ft long jump. Wonder where to practice that."

  -" Army?" Pulakda frowned, " Thought wanna be a professional martial artist?"

  -" Changed my mind"

  -" Nyssa, you have got a lot inside you. Just get a bit focused on your goals and stop changing your mind every few minutes. Are you really sure army is what you want?"

  I exhaled a long breath. I know people call me fickle minded. My lack of focus on goals is the looming reason behind it. But little did Pulakda know that joining army was a dream from my childhood, just sleeping till now. I smiled confidently at him." This time I am sure."

  Pulakda sighed, "OTA?"

  With Lt. Col. Singh's words echoing in my ears, I nodded. " So, about that long jump?"

  -" Oh, well," He looked out into the space in front of the dojo. " You see, there is around 15ft space here. And there is some left behind sand we bought for construction. You can measure 9ft, and start spreading out sand from 5ft onwards upto 10ft. Then you can practice here."

  I smiled widely." I knew you would give me an idea."

  Students had started to arrive, so we started our session.