Chapter 18

1 years ago

RJOpal

@RJOpal

"Cadet Ghai, report to me on the grounds at 1600 sharp." Rajveer said in a calm voice. Pooja nodded before walking away without looking back. He looked around. Naina, Yudi and Dr. Shalini were out of the infirmary as well. "The rest of the cadets as well. Including the other three cadets who are not present here."

All the cadets except for Koel nodded and left. Koel was about to leave too, but Rajveer stopped her.

"What is going on? How did you manage to aggravate the Pooja Ghai who is usually warm and welcoming, and is negative about people only when they show something to be negative about? No wait, I guess I got my answer right there." he sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"If you're done interrogating me, permission to leave, SIR?" she asked, fuming with rage.

"Sher - Koel, just honestly answer one question. Please." he said in nearly a pleading voice. "What did you do to anger her like that?"

Koel was shocked for a few moments, and even hurt.

"What did I do? ME?" she blinked back the tears and shook her head in shock. "So it's always ME who has to do something wrong? Not your precious cadets?" she asked, almost not believing he or anyone for the matter could accuse her for this.

"I didn't say that - but you are usually the one who creates a mess, and you can't deny that."

"I thought you were the one who never just assumed something, the one who is always out to find out the truth!" she said quite loudly, attracting other cadets' attention. Dr. Shalini handled them though. "And don't you dare say anything to me when you know NOTHING about my life!" she shouted at a very astounded Rajveer.

~*~*~

"Pooja at least listen to me!" Ali said desperately. They were at the entrance of KMA. Pooja had been threatening to leave, while Naina, Yudi and Ali tried to stop her.

"Leave it Ali. If you want to connect your talktime with hers, go ahead. what can I do about it?" she said angrily.

"Jumping to conclusions doesn't get you anything except for trouble Pooja!" said Ali, clearly upset.

"Jumping to conclusions? You, Ali, who is too shy to even speak to a girl properly, is so warm and comfortable around that unwanted missed call isn't jumping to conclusions Ali!"

"Punjaban, Ali has five sisters. And he's warm and comfortable around them." Aalekh said, twirling his bottle without looking at any of them. He and Huda made their way towards them. It seemed that Lolita Ma'am and Suriji had found out about the incident from Dr. Shalini, and now they along with Rajveer were trying to solve this problem.

"Oye Qaidi, she's not his sister! She's Captain Rajveer's sister, and I doubt that would make this Usool accept her so easily!"

"Uhm... Major Rajveer..." Naina corrected quietly. Everyone looked at her for a moment, before Ali saved her with his answer.

"Aalekh Bhai is somewhat right..." Now it was his turn to be stared at.

"Abey Usool, what's that supposed to mean?" Huda asked, leaning his arm on Yudi, who ducked and moved away. Huda balanced himself and hit Yudi on the head.

"Yeah chief... I didn't quite get that." he said, rubbing his head. Everyone gathered around him as he started explaining.

~*~*~

"Attention!" Suriji ordered, and the cadets stomped their foot into that position.

"Cadets..." Rajveer said, choosing his words carefully. "I've noticed that there have been some - problems - concerning Cadet Koel, and I hope that by the end of this assembly, it'll all be cleared out."

Pooja glanced at Koel guiltily. She decided that it was time to stop being immature and be responsible.

"Sir, permission to speak?" she asked. Rajveer nodded. "Sir, it was me who created the problems-" Koel's head snapped up towards her direction. "And I promise that I'll ty my best to fix this whole connection problem!"

Rajveer smiled widely with proud, and so did everyone else. "Said like a true soldier; and I have no doubts that you'll keep your word. This is one of the most important things for anyone, not only a soldier to know: owning up to your deeds and taking responsibility for it!"

Pooja's friends were extremely proud of her, and Koel looked less hostile as well. The scene ends with Pooja's optimistic expression.