Chapter 18: Before the Fire

Morning light spilled gently through the curtains, casting soft rays across Rivet's face. He stirred, stretched lazily, and blinked into the peaceful quiet.

Today was a holiday. No school. No alarms. Just… silence.

He came downstairs, yawning — but something felt off. The house was still. No clatter from the kitchen. No voices. He glanced around. No one was home.

On the dining table lay a small folded note.

He picked it up.

"Beta, eat your food. We'll be back soon. — Mummy"

A gentle smile crossed his face. Maa… she always remembers the little things.

He neatly folded the note and set it aside, then warmed up his breakfast and ate quietly.

Afterward, he dropped onto the couch, turned on the TV, and just sat there — still. For the first time in weeks, peace wasn't a fantasy. It was here.

But after a while, the restlessness kicked in.

"Let's go out for a bit… pick up some groceries. Maybe cook something nice for dinner too." he thought, grabbing his wallet and stepping outside.

The market bustled like any other day. Vendors shouted, kids laughed, and the sun warmed the dusty streets. Rivet bought a few essentials — vegetables, spices, milk powder.

Everything felt normal… until it didn't.

On his way back, he turned a corner and saw three men beating up a small boy. The kid was crying, holding onto a torn wallet. "Please! That's mine!"

Rivet's steps slowed, his jaw clenched. He walked straight up to them.

"What the hell are you doing?" he asked sharply.

One of the men turned. "What's it to you, kid? Mind your own business."

That was it.

Rivet's eyes darkened. "Silence in front of wrong is just another kind of guilt."

He struck first — a clean punch to the man's face. Chaos broke out. Rivet fought fiercely, even though he took a beating too. His shirt tore, and his shoulder stung — but he didn't back down. Finally, the men fled, cursing under their breath.

The kid sniffled and looked up at him. "Thank you, bhaiya… you're a good person."

Rivet smiled and pulled out an ice cream cup from his bag. "Here. Smile with this instead."

By the time Rivet returned home, the sun was leaning westward. He unlocked the door just as Ritu burst in from school.

"Bhaiyaa!" she shouted, throwing her arms around him.

"You're home early?" Rivet asked.

"Yeah," she said. "They're doing maintenance at school, so half-day."

Then she noticed the tear in his shirt. "Wait, what happened to your shirt?!"

Rivet waved it off. "Nothing. Walked into a pole by mistake."

He headed to the kitchen and cooked a proper meal — paneer, parathas, and salad. The siblings ate together, laughing like everything was normal.

Just as they were finishing, the door opened again. Mummy and Papa were back.

Rivet and Ritu stood to greet them.

His mother looked at him for a second — then suddenly pulled him into a tight hug.

"Beta," she whispered, voice trembling, "I'm so proud of you."

His father placed a strong hand on Rivet's shoulder. "You've been selected for the Army Cadet Training Camp. The school contacted us. We went there today to handle the paperwork."

Rivet's breath caught. "You're… okay with me going?"

His mother nodded, eyes shining. "Yes, beta. We believe in you."

His father smiled. "When people in the colony talk about you, they'll say — 'There goes Rivet's father. His son is in the army.' And that day, I'll walk taller."

Rivet's heart swelled. He had imagined this moment — but never like this. Never so real.

Even Ritu clapped, "Congratulations, bhaiyaa!"

The evening passed not in silence — but in warmth. A quiet pride hung in the air. The kind that says everything is about to change.

Months later…

The alarm rang sharp at 5 a.m.

Rivet stood at the edge of his room, dressed in new clothes, duffel bag by his side. His eyes sparkled — not with fear, but purpose.

Today, his flight would take him to Jammu and Kashmir. To Training Camp Vyom.

School was over. He had passed his 12th — and unlike others, he wouldn't be going to college.

He was heading for the army.

A career. A calling. A fire.

And Rivet?

He was ready to walk into the blaze.

End of Chapter 18