"Come on Rabeena, get up!" It was the third time I shook her, but she just crinkled her nose, " 2 mins".

  I sighed. Time was running out. Only 15 mins before the training starts. The whole month we're here, Rabeena has always gotten up before me. Today? Not so much.

  Though today was different. Last night she got her period, as well as cramps. As bad as I felt for her, we had no choice. This is a huge reason why women aren't given combat roles. How many people can function properly feeling like their whole body is being hammered?

  But we have no choice. When we chose to be part of army, we also chose to endure all sorts of pain.

  I let out a deep breath and took in the tray of tea and biscuits from outside the door, where it is placed every morning. I put the tray on the table and put a paracetamol pill and a tablet for gas on it from my emergency medicine stash. I could not offer her a stronger pain-killer, for they don't suit me, so I don't keep them. Then I put 4 almonds on the tray. Though this ia the last week of her stamina training, and she was supposed to get one almond per day, today she would need more.

  Her features had sunken over the month but today she looked worse.

  I had no idea what to do in this situation. Empathy had never been my strong suit. Especially for people who outright refuse to tell me anything about themselves.

  Well, I was studying Psychology. Studying about moods, thoughts and emotions should give me the minimum ability to give people some mental comfort, shouldn't it? I decided to test out the hypothesis.

  Slowly, I sat on the bed beside her and took a deep breath before resting a hand on her shoulder. " Rabeena?"

  * * * *

  After little bit of soft cooing and loads the loads of coaxing, Rabeena was walking beside me to the training ground. Her face devoid of any emotion.

  We barely reached the training ground at time while Rabeena slowly went over to her position, I quickly went around to find Deepak to tell him to keep an eye on Rabeena. I will be at the front of the line due to my height. She will be out of my eyesight.

  " But why?" Deepak asked.

  " She isn't feeling really well. Kind of dizzy. "

  "Why? Does she have a fever?" Concern flashed through his face, " Then she should rest."

  I heaved a sigh. " Just- just make sure if she passes out, she doesn't bang her head."

  Thank her pain tolerance.She completed the morning drill without Passing out passing out.

  Well, she did get yelled at twice for being slow, but that's okay.

  After breakfast, she seemed better. But I doubted that would last long.

  Today was the start of our proper Combat training. We were milling about in the training ground, when Rathore Sir along with five more trainers came up.

  After we were lined up, Rathore Sir, briefed about the benefits of hand to hand Combat and the specifics of the day's training.

  He recounted the tales of some of army's best soldiers who had used hand to hand combats to kill terrorists in gravest of situations.

  Then we were divided up into groups. Five groups with one trainer each?

  We were told to make a spacious circle where our Ustad stood in the middle.

  "Hello trainees. I am your Ustad Maqbool Haider. Today, I will be teaching you the basics of hand to hand combat. You can refer to it as martial arts too, because that's what it is based on.

  Now, how many of you are aware if martial arts?" Ustad asked.

  Around 10 to 12 hands. Went up including mine.

  " Now, tell me what martial art is mainly taught in the forces?

  After 5-6seconds, answer came from several recruits apart in my left, " Krav Maga".

  Rafique.

  " Good." Ustad smiled at him. " Now how many of you know Krav Maga?"

  This time no hands were raised.

  " Krav Maga is one of the famous ones, yes. But our military combat training, does not rely on one specific style. Krav Maga, an Israeli martial art has been developed specially for military combat. So we will learn it. But we will also learn a specially developed mixture course of Karate, Judo, Taekwondo, Jiujitsu and a local style.

  "Let's start with something basic. How about... throwing a punch? I am pretty sure all of you have thrown several punches in your school life." he said, and chuckled.

  "Now, today's punches would be different, you will punch aiming the air in front of you. Your knuckles will not be met by your classmate's nose. So, lest any more delay, let's begin."

  Saying this, he jumped into a position which I can only recognise as kiba dachi.I took in a sharp breath thinking about my comrade about to collapse.

  " Tu to gayi." I told her helplessly.[ you are a goner]

  Kiba dachi is the horseback stance.You widen the distance between your feet, then bend your knees, feet parallel to each other, fisted hand ready at your waist.

  The body literally hangs in this pose.

  But well, I will say ustad's training style was good.10 punches, rest 10 seconds, 10 punches, 10 second rest, 10 Punches 10 second rest, and another 10 punches before returning to normal standing stance.

  Ustad ji showed the minute details of the punch. How to properly make a fist, the breathing, how and where to apply force and every other details before the next round.

  Rabeena managed through the next round, though Ustad ji came to her thrice, telling her to thrust more force and correcting her stance.

  Next, he showed us how to block those very punches we just threw.

  "What do you think? Only you are going to throw punches ? Samne wala kya baith ke maar khayega? Woh bhi dhoyega. "[will the person in front just sit there and get hit? He will also retaliate. ]

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  So, three rounds with three kinds of blocks.

  Be it Karate, Zudo or Taekwondo, the basic punches are same, upper, middle and lower. So are their blocks. While I felt nostalgic thinking about my first time learning them at the age of eight, many others, huffed and puffed and Rabeena stumbled several times.

  Then we had a drinks break. Rabeena sat down on the ground, unable to bear anymore.

  I had nothing to do accept offered her water and rub her back. I felt so helpless to see her breathing heavily, hand clutching her abdomen, face and body twisting.

  There is another thing which made me feel bad for her. We are done with punches and blocks. Next are obviously kicks. My hand went up to flick my ponytail, only to find it missing.

  Oh man, they cut my hair.

  I rummaged through my pocket and took out three more almonds "Chupke, se kha le." I told her [secretly eat them].

  I really wished I had some chocolate with me. That would have made her feel better. Chocolate makes everything better.

  Over the last couple of months, I have shared a room with Rabeena but it wasn't room we were sharing, we were sharing connections. We are the first and only to women in the Infantry training of Indian Army. We understand each other's pain. But the biggest thing is, at the end of the day, we only have each other to talk to complain, uselessly to, joke with or to rant to in frustration.

  Rabeena doesn't talk much. I don't know most of the things about her. Where she comes from, her family, education or any other specification, I don't know. But all I know is, in this place, she will be one to first have my back. Under confident she might be, but still.

  * * * * *

  Our ustad ji was the least serious person I have met here till now, which I understood when after some basic training of kicks, punches and blocks, he said, " Ehh! it's getting boring. A handful of you learned martial arts right? Fight!"

  Everyone looked at each other, confused. I looked at Raveena. She was barely holding up.

  " Khade-khade muh kya dekh rahe ho? [Why are you looking at each other?] You heard me right. Now, who will come forward?"

  Everyone looked each other again, while a thin murmur moved about the group, my mind was cooking some other thought. If there is a martial arts match. Let's hope it's going to be more than one. That would mean Rabeena could rest a bit.

  I was about to volunteer but another guy whom I know as Sakib Khan went up front, a thin smile on his face. Though it vanished instantly when the second person voluntered was Mandeep Singh.

  I know Mandeep as a very jolly guy, but I also know that he is extremely head strong. I really, really really hoped that the match would drag. But my experienced and analytical mind was screaming, that huge fellow Mandeep with his big muscle power made of full fat lassi and paraathe will easily take down the thin, tired looking Shakib.

  Still, it's martial arts, you cannot tell who will out perform whose skill set.

  But after a minute, as it turned out, my calculations were not wrong. Though at first Shakib's agility was confusing Mandeep, but soon, brute force of Mandeep Singh overpowered him. With one hard punch to the stomach, Sakib Miyan fell down on his knees, retching.

  Some cheered, some rushed to aid Sakib, giving him water and fanning his head.

  Ustad ji other hand, reeled at our Paji. -"What was that?!"

  Mandeep who had hoped for some praise was extremely confused and maybe a little agitated.

  " I said, martial arts match, not nearly killing your fellow trainee."

  After Shakib was feeling a little better. Ustad ji told him," beta stamina aur pain tolerance bahut badhana padega beta. isseh bhi jor ke mukke kha ke fir uth ke khada hona sikhana hoga. Warna, maare jaaoge beta". [You have to increase your stamina and pain tolerance a lot more. You have to learn to get up and fight back after being hit by a stronger punch, otherwise you will get killed. ]

  Shakib nodded gravely.

  " Anyone else wants to come up and show what a civil martial arts match looks like? Or do we continue with the training?"

  I looked at Rubeena, she still looked weak. Resuming training will not do well. So, seeing no one interested, I raised my hand, " Can I, Ustad?"

  He looked at me. Not only him, everybody looked at me. Even Rubeena said, "Mukke khane ka shaukh hai tujhe?Tagra sikh hai woh Mandeep." [You have a will of getting punched? Mandeep is a strong sikh guy. ]

  "To bas dekhte ja. [You just watch] I said and walked up the front.

  " What style do you practice?" Ustadji asked after regarding me for some time.

  " Karate mostly." I said.

  He frowned, " What do you mean by mostly?"

  " I know some Zudo and Muay Thai too."

  " Muay Thai?" He raised an eyebrow. "Okay, let's see then."

  Just as I was about thank Ustadji for the permission, Mandeep announced, " But I won't fight a girl."

  There was silence around the ground.

  Ustadji shook his head, not meeting my eyes.

  The words were supposed to sting me. But somehow I found myself smiling in a cocky way. I know very well, how to change that opinion of Mandeep.

  " Expected as much from gentleman such as you Mandeep." I said, "And I appreciate the chivalry. "

  He spared a proud smile.

  Oh! dear Mandeep, that pride is going to cost you a lot.

  "Well, as you have mentioned that, I'm a girl. Yes. I'm a girl and I'm very comfortable with my womanhood, but this is neither the place nor the situation to showcase your chivalrous gentleman attitude.

  "Mandeep, my friend, you and I, at this moment stand on the same ground, in the same Institute, taking the same training, to work in the same post. So when I challenge you to a martial arts match, I expect you to see me as equal and forget that we have different genders."

  Seeing him hesitate still, I pulled out my final card.

  " And after such a well thought out speech, " I said, " If you still hesitate, I have to consider that you are scared to get beaten by a girl."

  A huge clatter rose, with snickers and oohs and aahs, " Bhai, ab to bezzati ho rahi hai." , [ bro now it's questioning your self respect], "Ab to dikhana hi padega, kis me kitna hai dum." [ Now you got to show who is more powerful. ]And what-not.

  Mandeep was red faced. Finally he nodded.

  Sweet thing, Male Ego.

  Going up front, I asked Ustadji, " What are the rules Ustad?"

  " Very simple, don't kill each other, try not to break bones, keep it civil, and Tanisha, try not to crush you opponent's privates."

  I fake whined at the last one, " That ruins my plan!!"

  Everyone laughed, even Rubeena. Nice.

  Mandeep eyed me. "I am not going to hold back"

  "Neither am I". I said,

  Ustad ji blew his whistle and Mandeep charged at me.

  * * * * *

  (3rd person narration)

  Mandeep' punch was just inches away from her face when Tanisha turned to her side, avoiding the punch, and planted an elbow strike on his back.

  Mandeep nearly lost his balance. When he turned to face her, Tanisha was already throwing a punch to his face. Mandeep wasn't fast enough and took the punch to the nose.

  A shock rippled through the crowd no one had expected her to successfully strike him so quickly.

  When Tanisha lifted her leg to land a heel-kick to his shoulder, Mandeep surprisingly blocked it, and caught her foot.

  She lost all balance and fell down. A cheer rose," Go Mandeep"

  But she got up almost immediately and aimed a kick to his stomach. Mandeep brought down his arms to block it. but Tanisha retracted her foot before the kick hit him and with the outer end of her foot, hit the side of his head, hard.

  The impact made Mandeep's brain rattle. He staggered back and sat down on the ground, clutching his head and Before Tanisha could aim another strike, he surrendered.

  And with that, Tanisha won.

  Then another guy tried to fight her. She defeated the 2nd guy too.

  Then a third.

  The fourth one was too easy.

  Then a fifth.

  The sixth was Rafique.

  Rafique smiled at her as he took position. The smile was not cocky, nor was it scared, just a pure, friendly smile - the kind he usually gave Tanisha and Rubeena. Tanisha returned the smile.

  The confidence radiating from Rafique's smile was slightly nagging at the back of her brain, but she was too busy thinking about winning her sixth match in a row to give it much attention.

  If she had given it some thought, she wouldn't have been sitting on the ground three minutes later, shell-shocked and disbelieving.

  When Ustadji blew his whistle, Rafique didn't charge like the others. Tanisha waited for him to make a move, but after ten seconds, she decided to launch the first attack.

  It was nearly lunchtime, and she wanted to get the match over with as soon as possible so she could eat.

  She launched a front kick, mai giri, which Rafique blocked easily. Then Rafique retaliated with a punch that Tanisha easily sidestepped. But swiftly, like a cheetah, Rafique swiped at her leg, causing her to lose balance.

  Though Tanisha didn't fall face-first, she extended a hand and used it to balance herself on the ground. She threw up her legs in a double kick, which Rafique dodged.

  Tanisha jumped to her feet, and the next second, Rafique's fist was coming straight for her. She tried to step back, but the punch hit her right in the jaw. The blow was strong enough to nearly dislocate her jawbone.

  Tanisha blocked Rafique's next punch and punched back, but Rafique blocked it easily. She took a few steps back, then ran straight towards Rafique, hitting his chest with her knee. Then she hit his ribcage with a maoshi giri, or rounded side kick. That landed well, boosting her confidence.

  Rafique was doubled over from the knee kick. Tanisha gave herself a few seconds to pant, then tried to hit under Rafique's ear with a shuto uchi, widely known as a karate chop.

  Surprisingly, the boy who was doubled over just a second before moved his head down faster than Tanisha's hand movement - and Tanisha had always been praised for her agility.

  As fast as he dodged the strike, Rafique grabbed Tanisha's arm and twisted it behind her back. His hands were extremely strong, causing her immense, searing pain. Besides the pain, the fact that she was missing so many strikes and getting hit often made her blood boil in anger and resentment towards her ownself.

  Winning 5 matches in a row had made her overconfident. She had underestimated her opponent, a mistake only complete fools and arrogant brats make. She didn't want to be in any of those categories. Though she had shown characteristics of the later. The realization only fueled her anger.

  Tanisha moved her head forward, then with all her strength, she moved it backward, in what one could only describe as a head-butt. The impact with Rafique's head made her own ring, but it made Rafique loosen his grip.

  Tanisha quickly freed herself and launched into a flurry of kicks, punches, elbow strikes, knee kicks, knifehand strikes - everything she knew.

  Rafique took the first few blows, then started to block skillfully, while Tanisha, in her fury and hurry, took time to notice that her stamina was slowly coming to an end. Soon, she started to pant.

  Now Rafique lashed out attacks. A few were blocked by her, but then she was hit with an elbow strike that knocked the breath out of her. After that, he hit her with one strong thrust kick.

  The next thing she knew, she was sitting on the ground, shell-shocked and disbelieving, when Ustadji blew his whistle, signaling the end of the match in Rafique's favor.