Nearly four hours later, Vishaka woke me up, her voice laced with both urgency and excitement. "Maha, kelambu! Training-ku late aayidum! (Maha, get up! We'll be late for training!)" she said, shaking me gently. Begrudgingly, I dragged myself out of bed, the weight of unease pressing heavily on my chest.

With each passing minute, my anxiety grew, coiling tighter like a spring ready to snap. Even breakfast felt like a Herculean task. I sat staring at the plate in front of me, managing only a few reluctant nibbles while Vishaka kept urging me to eat. "Maha, konjam saapdu da. Nee ipdi saapadama irundha epdi train pannuva? (Maha, eat a little. If you stay this weak without eating, how are you going to train?)" she chided softly, her concern evident.

After breakfast, the officer trainees (OTs) from Tamil Nadu gathered at the ground designated for us. The air buzzed with low murmurs of excitement and nervous energy. Yet all I could feel was dread bubbling in the pit of my stomach. Why am I this anxious? It's just training... right? My stomach tightened as I took my place in line, my gaze fixed on the ground to avoid giving away my unease.

Mrs. Ramya, our instructor, stood before us with an air of authority. Her sharp gaze scanned the group, silencing the chatter. "Good morning, cadets," she began, her voice firm yet calm. "I trust you all had a good night's rest and are ready for today's tasks." The way she carried herself commanded attention, and I straightened instinctively.

Then came the announcement that made my heart drop.

"I'd like to inform you that a higher official from Tamil Nadu will be overseeing your training for the next two years. I'm sure many of you are familiar with him," she said, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. Pausing for effect, she added, "Young, energetic, no-nonsense officer. He's known for his punctuality and discipline."

Her expression shifted to one of mild amusement as she spoke in Tamil, "Paara... sonna varthaiya kaapathura maathiri ivlo punctual-a irukare! (Look at that... as if arriving to protect his reputation for punctuality!)"

The faint sound of an engine grew louder, interrupting her words. All heads turned in unison toward the source. A pure black Royal Enfield, gleaming in the morning sun, came into view. It rolled to a smooth stop a few meters away. The bold word POLICE adorned the side, while the doctor's symbol etched at the back only added to its air of authority. My eyes immediately darted to the number plate: TN75 XX 1325.

My breath hitched. Oh no! No, no, no! The one thing I wished would never happen... is happening! Panic surged through me like a wave. Kadavule! Ethu nadaka koodathu nu nenacheno, athu nadanthiduchey! (God! The very thing I prayed would never happen... has happened!) Please let this be a bad dream... Desperately, I pinched myself, only to wince as reality sank in.

My frantic thoughts scrambled for a solution. How am I supposed to avoid him every single day for the next two years? I can't hide forever, right? Maybe... maybe if I stay quiet, unnoticed... I could escape his radar for a couple of weeks? But even that felt like wishful thinking.

As I stood frozen in place, he dismounted the bike with practiced ease, exuding confidence with every deliberate movement. His towering frame—easily over six feet—seemed to cast a shadow over all of us. Broad shoulders, a well-built chest, and biceps that strained against his uniform left no doubt about his physical discipline. The way he carried himself demanded attention, even admiration.

Removing his helmet, he revealed a sharp jawline that could put marble statues to shame, complemented by a neatly trimmed beard and a perfectly styled mustache. His eyes, sharp and intense, scanned the group, exuding an aura of command.

The effect on the group of trainees was immediate and undeniable. A collective sigh rippled through the line of cadets, especially the girls among us, some trying—and failing—to hide their reactions. One of them whispered just loud enough for me to catch, "How are we supposed to concentrate on training when such a handsome man is standing right in front of us?"

As for me, I cursed fate under my breath. Why, oh why, did life have to ruin itself further like this?