Eye Popper

After breakfast the freshers gathered back in the ground and resumed training. The first training included 5 set of Push ups, sit ups and pull ups each, followed by 2 miles run, 100 meter nonstop swimming using any stroke and forced march with 30-pound rucksack. Rin felt like her muscles were smashed and fractured. The pain was unbearable and majority of them passed out, but after giving them primary treatment , they were asked to complete it, because failure of mission resulted in getting No Lunch.

Rin felt that it was the most torturous 3 hours of her life. She barely managed to complete it. She didn't know how she reached the mess hall for Lunch. Rin felt like crying and was having a mental breakdown. She couldn't tolerate the pain she felt. Most of the students felt the same way too, a group of girls were crying hysterically requesting to quit. The Supervisors informed them they couldn't quit but they could choose to complete 50% now and make up the rest by taking up PE Classes and gradually complete the training program before the end of first semester. Rin was tempted but the thought of taking PE classes was horrible , she decided dying in one shot was better than dying slowly.

Almost half of the population signed up for the Partial completion of the training Camp. The people leftover had to follow the original training plan while the rest would follow a new schedule.

Asher was surprised seeing Rin staying back for the Original training. Her delicate demeanor was much impressive than he thought. Ryan was surprised by her decision too, but still patted her shoulders saying "Dying once is better than dying a thousand times. "

Rin nodded agreeing with him "Great minds do think Alike." Aiman who was passing the new training plan to the kids almost collapsed hearing their conversation 'They make their choices sound so Sophisticated and Noble".

The Afternoon session was for learning fighting techniques and Martial Arts. The demonstration made Rin question whether the Karate and Taekwondo classes she learned for years was genuine. The skills she had looked so lame in comparison the techniques they were being taught here.

After the session ended they had a short break followed by the forced march with 30 pound rucksack to conclude the day.

Rin and Maya who continued the original training literally crawled to their dorms after dinner. Rin managed to wash up while Maya directly slept in throwing off her clothes. The sweaty body and dirt was incomparable to fatigue and tiredness they felt. Sierra and the rest felt distressed for them and decided to let them rest peacefully after seeing their plights.

Next day Rin along with Maya managed to drag their deadbeat bodies and persevered through the routine. Even though the pain was unbearable and the load was increasing day by day, they stood strong because they were Staunch Slackers whose motto in life was "Die Once, First things First".

By the End of Phase -1, most of the freshers had lost weight and looked like stranded refugees but they could feel their body and stamina build up. Rin could only thank her secret chocolate stack, slackers motto and the unconditional support from Maya and Ryan for making it through the Ordeal. The past few days formed a tight bond among the trio as they bitched, complained and persevered together.

"The Phase-2 training is said to be pretty nasty" commented Maya dusting off the dirt from her clothes before sitting in a cool space. "I heard the Seniors mention that majority of the students drop out and opt for 50% completion training during Phase-2." piped Ryan while lying on the ground beside them.

"It cannot be that bad, right? We made it till here and we can continue if we try harder." Rin said encouraging them while she propped herself against Maya.

"I almost died during Phase-2 " Asher stated while he and the rest sat with them on the ground. Ryan tried to get up but they waved him off dropping the formalities.

In the past few days Rin had a new understanding of Asher, he was a very good Instructor who conceded at right times and was firm when needed. He had a mean mouth but knew his limits and was very helpful during the training. He particularly enjoyed riling up Rin. His constant ridiculing also strengthened Rin's resolve to fight on. Even though he had no hand in it, Rin still blamed him for her bad luck.

For Asher to be this serious they could only conclude that Phase-2 was truly unimaginable. "No matter what happens if it gets too tough to handle, then drop it" Rehan advised with a dark expression reminiscing his training days. "No one's gonna blame you if you drop out. " reminded Tristan kindly while Aimen nodded agreeing with him.

Their advices and reminders made Rin and Ryan more eager to complete the second phase. Asher couldn't help but chuckle when he saw Rin's fighting spirit, He decided to help out this bunch because their antics were pretty comical and cute.

Though shy and silent , Rin had an adventurous ,reckless and Daredevil spirit within her. Mia always remarked that she was 'A Devil hiding behind Angel's Face.' Her eyes gleamed mischievously with anticipation and fear for what awaited her tomorrow. Asher tugged her pony snapping her out from her thoughts. Rin scowled at him with wide open and glaring eyes. Asher responded with a charming smirk of his own. She ignored him and took out bars of Mars from her pocket , ripping the cover and munched them down. A Large, slender and long hands was extended in front of her.

Rin hid her bars in her pocket as if Asher was non-existent before uttering "Get your own."

"Why are you so selfish?? Will sharing some kill you?"

"Yes, What if I die?"

"Then I'll cremate you. Give me some??"

"No way, I don't wanna die young."

"Stop it Guys!! Rin just give him one if you don't want him bugging you all Night" Rehan stepped in like the elder he was resolving Asher and Rin's bickering.

Asher pumped up his fists victoriously as Rin handed him some bars with brooding face. The rest couldn't help but smile at their antics.

The guys had never seen Asher acting so childishly with outsiders. Seeing this playful side of him was quite fresh as he rarely displayed it. Asher felt gazes falling on him and was surprised seeing his Friends watch him with teasing expression. They retracted their gazes when he glared at them. Asher dusted his pants getting up and waved them goodnight with his friends before tugging Rin's pony again.

"çılgın aptal" roared Rin wishing that she had laser eyes so that she could destroy him.

"What does that mean?" asked Maya curiously watching them leave.

"Crazy Idiot in Turkish" whispered Rin as Ryan and Maya embedded the new vocabulary in their brain.

"Wow, that sounded so cool."

"I know right, Indian swearing doesn't sound so great."

"Everybody thinks their native swearing sounds lame while foreign ones sounds cool. I personally find Korean ones refreshing." Rin commented as a full blown discussion on swearing in different languages broke out while the trio headed back to their dorms.

After washing up and chatting a bit with her roommates Rin laid down on the bed with anticipation and nervousness. She hoped that she could make out of tomorrow without any damages

But she didn't totally expect what happened the next day!!