Chapter 85 — Rishi's Badge Ceremony

Months passed.

The day Rishi had been waiting for finally arrived.

His badge ceremony was held after completing the required phase of his training.

The Qureshi family had travelled to be there for him.

Arnav, Ritika, Abhram, Shabana, Rehana, Arhan and Ayat were seated proudly among the guests.

Ritika kept looking toward the parade ground.

Ritika: Where is he?

Arnav smiled.

Arnav: He'll be here, Ritu.

The music began.

The trainees marched onto the ground in perfect formation.

And then Ritika saw him.

Rishi.

He was dressed in his crisp uniform, standing tall and composed.

Ritika's eyes immediately filled with tears.

Ritika: That's my son...

Arnav looked at Rishi with immense pride.

Arnav: Look at him.

Abhram smiled.

Abhram: Our champ has grown into a fine young man.

Shabana wiped her tears.

Shabana: Mashallah.

Rehana smiled proudly.

Rehana: He looks so confident.

The ceremony began.

One by one, the trainees were called forward.

Finally, Rishi's name was announced.

Rishi stepped forward.

His commanding officer placed the badge on his uniform.

Rishi stood straight and saluted.

Arnav's eyes became emotional.

He remembered the little boy who had once drawn fighter planes in his room.

The same boy who had told him:

"Baba, I want to become a fighter pilot."

And now that dream stood in front of him.

Rishi returned to his formation.

The ceremony concluded with the trainees standing proudly together.

Afterward, Rishi walked toward his family.

Ritika couldn't wait.

She hugged him tightly.

Ritika: I'm so proud of you.

Rishi smiled.

Rishi: Thank you, Mumma.

Arnav stepped forward.

For a moment, he simply looked at his son.

Then he hugged him.

Arnav: You did it, champ.

Rishi: Baba...

Arnav pulled back and looked at the badge.

Arnav: I remember the little boy who showed me drawings of fighter planes.

Rishi smiled.

Arnav: Today, I see the man who earned his wings.

Rishi's eyes became emotional.

Rishi: I couldn't have done it without you.

Arnav shook his head.

Arnav: You earned this.

He gently touched Rishi's shoulder.

Arnav: Never forget why you started.

Rishi nodded.

Rishi: I won't.

Arhan came running toward him.

Arhan: Bhai!

Rishi laughed.

Arhan: You look so cool!

Ayat: Bhaiya, your badge is beautiful.

Rishi bent down and hugged both of them.

Rishi: Behave yourselves while I'm away.

Arhan: I'll try.

Rishi: That's not convincing.

Everyone laughed.

Abhram placed his hand on Rishi's head.

Abhram: Go forward with courage, champ.

Shabana blessed him.

Rehana hugged him.

Rishi looked at his entire family.

The people who had stood beside him through childhood, heartbreak, uncertainty and every difficult moment were now standing proudly around him.

He touched his badge.

His dream had finally become real.

And Arnav couldn't have been prouder of his son.