"Beyond The Boundary "

chapter 29

Until the postman rang the bell.

---

The Letter from OTA, Chennai

It came in a white envelope with a bold crest on it: Officer Training Academy, Chennai.

Aashna’s father opened it, expecting perhaps a newsletter or a deferred bill.

But inside was a handwritten letter. Familiar handwriting. Delicate loops. The soft slant of Rihi’s pen.

Everyone froze.

The letter read:

> Hello papa and mummy and everyone... I hope you're doing well.

I’m sorry for running away. I know now that you would have supported me, but at the time... I felt suffocated. I needed space to breathe, to heal, to become someone I could be proud of.

I’m here in Chennai — at the OTA. Safe. Fit. Disciplined.

Next week is my passing out parade. I’m going to become an officer. A real one. And I want you both to be there.

Papa, Mummy — I want you to remove the cloth from my shoulders and unfurl my stars.

From Cadet Rihi Gupta... to Lieutenant Rihi Gupta.

Come if you can. And Aashna baby, if you’re reading this — I really want you to come. I don’t know if you hate me or not. But I miss you.

Rest... when we meet, we’ll talk.

Her father sat down without a word. Her mother had already started sobbing.

“She’s alive,” Aashna whispered, tears spilling without resistance.

“She’s alive... and she’s a soldier.”

They booked their train tickets that night.

---

OTA Grounds, Chennai – Reunion

The parade grounds were humming with rehearsals. Families waited in tents. Officers moved with rigid grace. Children clung to their mothers, their eyes wide at the sight of cadets in uniform.

And then...

Rihi walked in.

She looked radiant in her crisp olive green. Her Sword of Honour hadn’t been awarded yet — but even before that, her eyes carried the power of someone who had rebuilt herself.

And then she saw Aashna.

At first, she didn’t recognize her.

The girl she once knew wore branded crop tops and curled her hair before going out.

But this woman?

She was standing straight. Her chest bore the Air Force insignia. Her hair was short and practical. Her boots were shined. Her eyes were calm. Storm-tested.

Rihi froze.

Her mouth opened slightly, as if trying to speak but forgetting how to.

Aashna stepped forward, smiled, and saluted.

“Cadet Aashna Gupta. Reporting on your invitation, Lieutenant.”

Rihi’s eyes filled instantly.

She laughed and ran forward.

“Shut up,” she said as she hugged her tight, whispering into her shoulder, “you became me.”

“You became more,” Aashna whispered back. “And I had to catch up.”