"Manvi!!", a stern voice called out her name in the office.

"Yes sir!", Manvi almost immediately replied.

"Hurry up! The CO is calling you into his office."

Manvi was startled hearing this, she thought to herself why would such a high ranking officer call her while she herself is just a new recruit. Thinking thus, she nervously hurried to the office.

As soon as she stood by the gate, she saw her CO talking to three people, one was in uniform side facing her, she knew its her new company commander Captain Anuj. Rest two were wearing civilian cloths and only their backs were visible.

Manvi gulped and in a discreet tone said, "May I come in, Sir!".

"Come in."

Manvi came in and saluted smartly and stood besides the CO. Until she entered the room she was nervous but confident, but as soon as she saw the people in coats she all of a sudden understood why was she called here.

Looking at them a fury rose in Manvi's heart and was clearly visible in her eyes.

Anuj, on the other hand was observing Manvi since she entered the room and as the anger in Manvi grew, Anuj started becoming uncomfortable. He didn't wanted Manvi to behave unexpectedly before the CO. But there was something about Manvi that Anuj couldn't take his eyes off her.

Manvi's white face with black hairs neatly arranged in a bun and eyes raging in fury was a sight to behold for Anuj. But, at that time he was not only attracted to her but also curious about the mystery that surrounds this girl.

Why is she so angry just at the sight of her own uncle and brother-in-law to be, Anuj wondered. Suddenly, the sharp voice of his CO interrupted his thoughts.

"Shivani, Are they related to you?"

"Yes sir", Manvi said controlling her rage. Anuj was again taken aback, she was clearly very angry but her tone didn't had even one shred of anger.

"Sir look I wasn't lying to you, please can we talk to her in now!", Manvi's uncle, Mr. Sanjay said rather impatiently to the CO.

CO looked at Manvi deflecting the question, Manvi replied, "Not required sir!".

Sanjay looked at Manvi and said, "Shut up! What do you mean by not required, first you ran away from the house and now when we found you with such difficulty, you are showing us this behaviour."

Manvi clenched her fists but couldn't respond and therefore she looked at her CO. Her CO immediately said, "Look sir, calm down... Manvi do talk to your relatives and sort the matter out. Dismissed"

Manvi had to obey, there was no choice to that she said, " Sir!!".

She and her relatives walked out of the room. After they left Anuj said, " Sir I think there is more to Manvi's story, it's not simple running away from home and following passion scenario, she wasn't nervous but angry seeing them here."

CO said, " Sure Anuj, I was always curious about this new recruit, her fluency and her knowledge, as well as her behaviour made me think that she is an intelligent person capable of being an officer not only a soldier. Wealthy background also, she could have joined Army after graduation at higher ranks instead of running from home and joining at lower ranks. Do you know Anuj, she has a very good knowledge about Finance and Politics, that even I don't have.

Once I was very busy for a presentation on Neo-cold war and she was my runner at that time so she offered to make that presentation. I was very amused when she said so, but let her do the presentation part and asked Captain Atul too make a presentation. To my surprise her content was far superior and analytical. I thought she had copied it and asked her to explain it before all the officers in the office and she did it excellently."

Atul was shocked. All of a sudden he became very curious about why did Manvi settled for less when she had so much of potential in her. He said to his CO, "Sir! she should attempt for officer ranks".

To which his CO replied, " I suggested her the same, she is almost there. But now I am curious about her lies too!"

Atul got confused and asked ,"What kind of lies, Sir?"

"Well, when asked her about her life, she said that she was living very poorly and didn't had money to even sustain herself, at that time also I was doubtful because she seemed rich but I didn't enquired much. But now seeing her relatives I am sure that poverty is not her case. That's why I am curious why did she made it up. Look into the matter Atul, although personal life is not our concern but just for the sake of curiosity I want to know, what is wrong with this new recruit."

Atul stood up and said, " Sure sir, I will look into. the matter. Permission to leave."

"Permitted!."